General Dentistry
General Dentistry is the care for your oral health for the entire family. This care consists of the diagnostic, treatment and overall coordination of services to meet your oral health needs.
Instructions on How To: Brush and Floss
Gum Disease/Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious infection of the bone and gum tissue. This infection if left untreated could lead to tooth loss by destroying the ligaments and bone that support your teeth. The main cause of periodontal disease is the long term build-up of plaque. The bacteria in plaque invade the spaces between your teeth and gums and produce toxins. These toxins, combined with your body's reaction to them, destroy the bone around your teeth. Once lost, bone never grows back on its own.
Perio Therapy (Scaling and Root Planing)
When you have active periodontal disease, routine cleanings are not enough becuase they generally focus on the areas of the tooth that are able the gumline. Perio therapy removes plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from the tooth surfaces below the gumline. The goal of the perio therapy is to eliminate the source of periodontal infection. The procedure consists of numbing the area first, then using special instruments, we carefully and meticulously remove the plaque and tartar around the tooth and then smooth the root surfaces. Depending on your situation a medication may also be applied to the area. This procedure is repeated in all four quandrants of your mouth and is then following up with Perio Maintenance procedure to monitor your periodontal disease.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal disease cannot be cured, only controlled. That is why it is extremely important to monitor our patients every three to four months. If periodontal disease is not closely monitored and controlled, the disease can quickly worsen, destroy bone and soft tissue, and eventually cause you to lose teeth. At your perio maintenance appointment may include taking xrays, measure your periodontal pockets, checking for loose teeth and bleeding gums and talking with you about the effectiveness of your homecare.
Extractions
Generally, we recommend treatment that will save your teeth, however, when a tooth has too much damage and it cannot be saved, then an extraction is a good alternative. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Once the area is completely numb, instruments are used to elevate and extract the tooth. On some occasions a surgical extraction must be performed and sutures will be placed at the extraction site after the tooth has been removed.
Root Canals
There are times when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or dies, and root canal therapy is a necessary treatment to save the tooth. It is generally a comfortable procedure, done in one to two visits. The pulp of the tooth becomes infected when bacteria invade the inner layers of the tooth. The infection occurs through large decay or a broken tooth. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Then a hole is made in the top of the tooth to expose the pulp chamber so the nerve can be removed. A porcelain crown is then placed to protect the tooth.
Sealants
A sealant is a clear or white plastic coating that is placed on the biting surfaces of back teeth to help prevent tooth decay. Sealants are used as an effective barrier that can defend your back teeth against cavities and help preserve your oral health.
Composites
Resin fillings are a tooth color material that is light-cured to your teeth. Once local anesthetic has been applied to the area and the decay removed, the tooth color material is placed and smoothed. This procedure provides you with a beautiful restoration that matches your existing teeth.
Crowns/Bridges
Porcelain crowns are used to restore your teeth as well as enhance your smile. A porcelain bridge could be placed to restore missing teeth. The porcelain crown or bridge is crafted in a dental laboratory. You may have one to two appointments to complete your crown. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area, the decay or existing restoration is removed, a strong durable resin material is placed, an impression is taken and temporary crown is made and placed until your permanent crown is returned from the lab. Once the crown is returned it will be cemented in with permanent cement. Your restoration will match your existing teeth to continue your beautiful smile.
