Services

Dentures
Dentures can provide a benefit to you whether you are missing all or even just a few of your natural teeth. Modern dentures can closely match your missing natural teeth, and a new set of dentures can even improve how you look and feel by giving you a more confident smile and by helping to fill out your face and profile. New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks or even months, but our team strives to make the transition for our patients as smooth as possible, with personalized care and close monitoring of the entire treatment process.  We only make customized dentures, crafted specifically for you, so the result will always look natural, and keep you looking and feeling fabulous for years to come.

Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are used to restore your smile when you still have some of your natural teeth and need to replace missing teeth. Partials enable patients to chew more easily and with greater comfort, and help keep the remaining natural teeth from “drifting” out of place. Wearing a partial can be easy, though you may have to spend a little time getting used to it. Consisting of one or more porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth, some types of partial dentures have gum-colored polymer that attaches the replacement teeth to metal framework. Partials are removable and are held in your mouth with either metal clasps or precision attachments made to fit into existing teeth. After a comprehensive examination, you and the Doctor can discuss which option is best for you.

Veneers

Dental veneers are custom made shells of porcelain or other tooth-like ceramic materials. When applied over the surface of a tooth, veneers can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, and can be used to repair chips and cracks.  Veneers can even give you a brighter smile, and sometimes they can protect a damaged tooth from needing more extensive treatment.  We will be glad to discuss all of the teeth whitening and other cosmetic options available and help you select the treatment that is best for you.

Dental Bonding  

Dental bonding is a procedure whereby a tooth-colored photo (light) activated resin material is applied and then hardened onto a tooth with a special blue curing light. This procedure ultimately "bonds" the material to the tooth and restores or even improves a person's smile.

Dental bonding is an option to be considered:

  • To repair and fill cavities
  • To fix broken, chipped or cracked teeth
  • To brighten the appearance of discolored teeth
  • To close the space between two teeth
  • To make teeth look longer or wider.
  • As a more attractive alternative to standard amalgam (silver) fillings
  • To protect a tooth's root that has been partially exposed due to a recession of the gum.

Scaling and Root Planing
Over time, bacteria in your mouth can form a sticky film called plaque, which, if not removed, hardens into a crust (tartar or calculus). This tartar can directly contribute to an infection called periodontal disease. Patients with periodontal disease can experience pain, gum damage, bone loss, and even tooth loss.

Scaling and root planing is a specific type of deep cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from below your gum line. This procedure is usually performed by a dental hygienist, or is treated at a periodontal office for more severe cases. These treatments help to restore health to your gums and teeth by controlling the growth of harmful bacteria in this area. Early detection of periodontal disease and scaling minimizes the risk of your developing more and advanced and serious periodontal disease related problems.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Although teeth grinding may happen at any time, people often grind their teeth in their sleep without even being aware of it.  Stress is one possible cause, but often the reason for the grinding habit is not known. Teeth grinding may result in chipped enamel, tooth wear, loosened teeth and/or cracked teeth, gum problems, or damage to bridges, crowns and dentures.  Without intervening treatment, bruxism may lead to jaw muscle or joint problems and even loss of your teeth.

Stress reduction can make grinding less likely by relaxing your jaw muscles. Mouthguards and adjustments are ways dentists have of protecting teeth from bruxism.  Getting teeth grinding under control can help you sleep better at night and feel better during the day. It can also help you protect your smile by keeping your teeth from being damaged. If you are grinding your teeth, our team can help you develop strategies to address the problem and protect your teeth.

Sealants

Used on children’s teeth for more than 30 years, sealants are a thin, plastic, tooth-colored or clear coating  which is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars.  The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.  Generally, all back-teeth can be sealed in a single 30-minute office visit. Sealants are a safe, painless, and low-cost way to help protect your child’s back teeth from decay, but they don’t take the place of brushing and other steps of cavity prevention.

Crowns

A crown (also called a cap) is a cover that protects the top of a tooth. It may be used to restore and preserve  decayed, broken, or cracked teeth. Crowns can correct some cosmetic tooth problems and blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, giving you a more attractive smile.
Some other problems that can be addressed by a crown include:

  • A decayed or damaged tooth that needs to be restored to its normal shape and size
  • A cracked or broken tooth with large cavities or worn fillings to avoid cracking and breaking below the gumline that may result in an extraction
  • A cosmetic solution
  • A bite problem

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a broad term used to describe various diseases that affect the gums, bone and surrounding structures of the teeth. This happens when bacteria accumulates around the teeth and gums and forms a paste-like substance called plaque, which then absorbs calcium and hardens to become tartar (calculus).  Early detection and treatment are your best defense.

The most common types of adult periodontal disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.  Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue that results in bleeding and reddening of the gums, but the bone that supports the teeth is not damaged.  Periodontitis also exhibits bleeding, red gum tissue but it always results in damage to the bone and connective tissue that support the teeth.

Some early warning signs include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red, tender, puffy or swollen gums
  • Pain or tenderness in the gums
  • Itchy sensation
  • Teeth that are loose or shifting
  • Bleeding of the gum area when brushing or flossing
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Constant bad breath or taste
  • Changes in your bite
  • Changes in the fit of your oral appliance (i.e. partial denture)
  • Gums that are pulling away from the teeth (i.e. recession)

If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. In addition, current research indicates that periodontal disease may contribute to diabetes, respiratory diseases, heart attack, stroke, and may even be associated with premature childbirth.  The existence of bone destruction under the gums cannot be visually detected. This makes it especially important to visit your dentist regularly.  Our office can help evaluate to what extent if any you are experiencing periodontal disease and work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Oral Health
Maintaining good oral health throughout a person's life is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the impact oral health has on general health. It’s not unusual for diseases in other pars of the body to produce signs and symptoms in the mouth. In fact, many diseases and conditions are first detected by dentists during regular checkups including, diabetes, some eating disorders, oral cancers and others.

In addition, recent studies have established a definite link between your oral health and your general health. This research shows a strong association between periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease) and other health problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Similarly, pregnant women who have periodontitis may be at increased risk for delivering pre-term and/or low birth weight babies. Inflammation and infection resulting from dental problems can also spread to other parts of the body. Keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top condition is a simple important way to maintain good overall health.

Preventive dentistry is an essential component of ensuring a healthy mouth and bright smile for a lifetime. The benefits of a consistent dental prevention program for the patient are undeniable. We provide the following preventive dentistry services:

  • Regular Checkups
  • Fluoride Treatment
  • Cleanings
  • Scaling and Root Planing
  • Periodontal Maintenance
  • Sealants (Children)
  • Education

There is only so much the dentist can do to overcome a lack of patient follow through at home. Getting patients involved with a program of regular, daily care and maintenance is a key component of any preventive program including:

  • daily brushing and flossing
  • proper diet 
  • good oral habits (smoking etc.)
  • sports safety

Pediatrics

As part of a role as a family dental practice, we strive to provide caring and optimal dental care for children, adolescents and persons with special health care needs. We understand a child’s need to feel comfortable in a dental office and we do everything thing we can to provide comfort and reassurance to our young patients.  For this reason we explain each step using child-friendly terms. We want your child to develop a positive association with dental care right from the start and we do everything we can to foster a supportive environment.  We can help instruct both children and parents on methods and strategies for helping kids develop daily brushing and flossing routines at home.