Cleaning and Prevention
Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution.
Dentures
Our dentists make every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease.
Extractions
Our dentists make every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease.
Fillings
Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is one of the ways our dentists preserve your health.
Implants
A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth. It is used to chew food and is therefore the most susceptible to cavities.
Night Guards
Excessive jaw clenching and bruxism can accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration.
Periodontal Maintenance
Among the causes for periodontal (gum) disease are genetic susceptibility, smoking, and other illnesses like diabetes. Periodontal maintenance involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline.
Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.
Crowns
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend crowns for teeth that have fracture or that already have large fillings. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface.
Procedure:
We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication
The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized
We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
You will come in again for permanent crown fitting
Bridges
To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.
Veneers
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.
Common uses for veneers:
Chipped or broken teeth
Misshapen or irregular teeth
Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
Cleaning and Prevention
Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended biannual cleanings and examinations. Not only do they help you quash dental problems before they arise, they leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. A professional cleaning removes hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in years, it’s never too late to treat your teeth.
What are some preventative measures I can take?
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal
Floss daily before bedtime
Use an oral rinse after flossing
Avoid sugary foods, coffee, and tobacco
Dentures
Missing teeth can make your cheeks look hollow and your mouth look sunken. More importantly, your diet can suffer. Those missing multiple teeth in a row may want to consider dentures for both cosmetic purposes and overall wellness. Depending on the amount of teeth missing, we may suggest partial or full dentures. During your consultation, we’ll assess all your options and you can choose what you feel most comfortable with.
Partial
Partial dentures are ideal for those who are missing only a few teeth in a row. They latch onto the remaining gum line and any intact adjacent teeth. Even if you only have a few teeth on your dental arch, a partial denture may still work best, since the remaining teeth serve as a natural anchor.
Complete
When your dental arch no longer has any teeth, a complete denture is the optimal solution. You can choose the traditional kind that latches to the gum line or choose to have dentures that are anchored by dental implants. The latter option has the best hold, but involves surgery. Our dentists can discuss all the details so you can make an informed decision.
Extractions
Our dentist makes every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease. When a tooth is malformed, damaged, impacted or ingrown, different procedures are used, but all extractions are considered surgery. Depending on which tooth is removed, we can offer you a replacement in the form of a dental implant or oral prosthetic.
Fillings
Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentists preserve your health. We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are three different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings), composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth, and glass ionomer, a tooth colored material that releases fluoride into the cavity preparation over time, making it ideal for cavities on the roots of teeth.
Amalgam
Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are the most durable and economical option for our patients. They last up to ten years and are less likely to fall out or break. Commonly used for filling in molar cavities, amalgam fillings can withstand biting pressure and can be fully administered in a single visit. Despite the mercury content, these silver fillings are perfectly safe for anyone aged six and up.
Composite Resin
Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. However, it is more expensive and not as strong as an amalgam filling. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Patients may also choose composite resin for cavity fillings as they are bonded to the teeth in layers and therefore require less drilling away of the natural tooth.
Glass Ionomer
Glass ionomer is tooth colored, but it is not as esthetic as composite resin, However, it requires less removal of tooth structure to place than either amalgam or composite resin. Glass ionomer releases fluoride over time, helping to prevent cavities around the filling. It is an ideal material for restoring cavities on the root surfaces of teeth - a common problem in senior citizens.
Implants
A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth. It is used to chew food and is therefore the most susceptible to cavities. The crown is attached to the jawbone by way of the root. When decay has gone deep enough or when a periodontal disease has advanced enough to warrant an extraction, the entire tooth, root and all, is taken out. The dental implant is a titanium root that gets fitted into a socket that is created in your jaw. We work with several local surgeons and periodontists to ensure you receive the best implant placement possible. Once the root heals, we place an artificial crown on top. The new crown is customized to match your bite and the color of your teeth.
What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?
They look and act like natural teeth
They can last a lifetime with the right care
You don’t need any adhesives
They improve appearance, comfort, and speech
It’s easier to eat
Night Guards
Excessive jaw clenching and bruxism can accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration. To help our patients most comfortably avoid this, we customize night guards to their bite. One type of night guard acts as a cushion between the top and bottom dental arches while the other creates more space between the front teeth to prevent the top and lower jaw from touching.
What are the causes of teeth grinding?
Stress or anxiety
Obstructive sleep apnea
Certain medications or recreational drugs
Periodontal Maintenance
Among the causes for periodontal (gum) disease are genetic susceptibility, smoking, and other illnesses like diabetes. Periodontal maintenance involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Most gum diseases are preventable with proper oral hygiene. However, what can start out as gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums) can quickly turn into periodontitis. In such cases, gums pull away from the tooth to create “pockets,” thereby exposing a dental root to infection. It can also lead to prolonged bad breath, loose teeth, painful chewing and other complications.