During a standard dental hygiene visit, the following procedures are typically conducted: updating your medical and dental history, taking periodic x-rays, scaling and polishing your teeth, screening for oral cancer, conducting dental and periodontal examinations, and reviewing your home care routine.

Why is it necessary? Plaque and calculus (tartar) on your teeth create a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to gingivitis. This condition causes your gums to bleed, redden, and become inflamed. A simple cleaning session with a hygienist, involving scaling and polishing, can treat gingivitis. If ignored, gingivitis may progress as plaque hardens into tartar and spreads to the roots, compromising the supporting bone structure, potentially leading to tooth loss. This common yet often unnoticed condition affects many adults.

How is the treatment performed? Treating periodontal disease involves scaling and root planing to eliminate toxins and bacteria from tooth roots, helping your immune system to kickstart the healing process. During the procedure, calculus is removed, and the root surfaces are smoothed to allow gum tissue to heal and reattach effectively.

What does aftercare involve? Post-treatment for periodontal disease goes beyond regular cleanings. While standard cleaning targets areas above the gum line, those who have had periodontal disease need thorough maintenance below the gum line at more frequent intervals, typically every 3-4 months, to prevent recurrence.

How does it impact overall health? Periodontal disease can significantly affect your body’s overall health, exacerbating conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and osteoporosis. It is also linked to increased risks of stroke and pre-term low birth weight in babies. By addressing this disease through scaling and root planing, you not only safeguard your oral health but improve your overall health as well.

Many patient suffer from teeth grinding or clenching, a condition that can occur consciously during the day but is more prevalent and problematic during sleep. This habit can lead to damaged enamel, worn teeth, jaw pain, and irritated gums.

To prevent these issues, we recommend the use of nightguards, which act as a protective barrier between your teeth. Our nightguards are custom-made for optimal comfort. We utilize a 3D digital scan of your teeth to ensure a precise fit, and each nightguard is crafted by a specialized dental lab. These durable nightguards can last up to 10 years, providing long-term protection and peace of mind.

Mouthguards are a crucial piece of safety gear in contact sports and are recommended for athletes of all ages participating in activities like football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball/softball, soccer, or any sport where physical contact is possible.

Wearing a mouthguard can protect against structural damage to teeth and the jaw and has been shown to reduce the risk of concussions. Unlike over-the-counter mouthguards, a custom mouthguard is tailored specifically for the best protection of your mouth. Made from hardened thin plastic, it safeguards your teeth while allowing for easy breathing and clear communication, enhancing both safety and performance on the field.

Sealants offer an effective defense against tooth decay and cavities, particularly on your molars—the back teeth most susceptible to these issues. These teeth play a crucial role in chewing and are the hardest to clean thoroughly. Typically, the first set of molars appears around the ages of 5 to 7, with a second set emerging between 11 and 14 years old. Applying a sealant as soon as the molars erupt can provide early protection, helping to keep these important teeth healthy from the start.

Fluoride varnish is an effective tool for preventing tooth decay. Typically applied every six months, it is recommended for children aged 3 to 14 and adults at higher risk of decay. In addition to its preventive benefits, fluoride varnish can also alleviate tooth sensitivity that often accompanies gum recession. This makes it a versatile treatment for maintaining dental health across different age groups.

If you experience tooth decay, we utilize white-colored fillings to restore the tooth. These fillings not only repair the damage but also maintain the tooth's natural appearance and structure, blending seamlessly with your smile.

If you have a decayed, weakened, or fractured tooth, a crown may be necessary to prevent further issues. We ensure it matches the natural shade of your other teeth for a seamless appearance, making it look like one of your own.

The crown fabrication process requires two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is reshaped by filing down the enamel to fit the crown properly. After reshaping, a scan of the tooth and its neighbors is taken and sent to a dental lab to craft your new crown. A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while your permanent crown is being made.

It typically takes 2-3 weeks for the crown to be completed. At your second appointment, the permanent crown will be cemented into place. Crowns are robust, usually lasting 10-15 years, and should be cared for with regular brushing and flossing, just like your natural teeth.

Dental bridges are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth. A bridge includes two crowns, which are placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap, and a pontic, which is the artificial tooth that fills the space of the missing tooth. Initially, we will fit you with a temporary bridge to protect the area while your permanent bridge is being crafted by our dental lab.

The process of creating your permanent bridge typically takes about three weeks. Once it is ready, you will return for a follow-up visit where we will securely insert your new bridge, restoring both function and aesthetics to your smile.

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth, tailored to each patient's specific needs. Depending on the situation, patients may receive either full or partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all natural teeth are removed and replaced with a complete set. Partial dentures are suitable when only some teeth need to be replaced and not all teeth are removed. Unlike a bridge, which is a permanent fixture, partial dentures can be taken out and put back into the mouth as needed.

Dental implants offer a permanent and aesthetically pleasing treatment option to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are often preferred over other options like bridges because they do not require altering adjacent teeth. The implant process unfolds over several months. Initially, the implant post is placed into the jawbone by a specialized professional, such as a periodontist or oral surgeon, to whom we can refer you.

The implant requires about 2-4 months to heal, during which time the jawbone integrates with it in a process known as osseointegration. Once healed, you can return to our office to proceed with the crown placement. This involves two appointments: the first to take an impression of your mouth and the second to fit and secure the crown, completing your smile restoration.

In our office, we handle simple extractions and refer more complex procedures, including wisdom teeth extractions, to one of our trusted local oral surgeons. This ensures that you receive the best care for every type of dental need.

When a tooth is removed, it's crucial to plan for the resulting empty space. If you're considering a dental implant to fill this space, a robust jawbone is essential for successful implant placement. To enhance jawbone integrity, we often place particulate bone into the extraction socket, aiding in maintaining its shape during healing. Alternatively, if you choose a dental bridge, it's important to have it molded and placed promptly to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.

Porcelain veneers offer a superb solution for enhancing and transforming your smile. These veneers are thin ceramic shells designed to cover your existing teeth, allowing you to correct various dental issues such as stains, cracks, gaps, misalignment, and chips.

The process of getting veneers typically requires two to three visits. During the first visit, we will discuss the desired shape and appearance of your teeth and create a detailed plan. Your teeth will then be carefully prepared, and a digital scan taken to ensure precision in crafting your veneers. While your custom veneers are being made at the lab, we will fit you with a set of attractive temporary veneers to wear in the interim.

When your veneers are ready, we will meticulously ensure they mimic the feel of your natural teeth. The final step involves bonding the veneers securely to your teeth, enhancing your smile's beauty and durability for years to come.

Composite veneers are a sought-after option for enhancing the aesthetics of your smile. Like porcelain veneers, they can correct issues related to the shape, color, and alignment of teeth, as well as fix cracks and gaps. However, a key advantage of composite veneers is that they typically do not require the teeth to be extensively prepared or reshaped.

The process involves using a color-stable white filling material applied to the teeth. This material is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that adheres to the tooth's surface. Once the veneer is in place, an LED light is used to harden the material quickly. Finally, it is polished to perfection, providing a bright, refreshed smile.

Thanks to advances in dental materials and technology, composite veneers are durable, often lasting over 10 years. They offer a safe, effective, and aesthetically pleasing solution for a variety of dental concerns.

Teeth whitening is a fantastic method to either restore your teeth to their original color or achieve an even brighter shade. Typically, you can expect to see your teeth brighten by 3-5 shades.

It's crucial to stop using any sensitivity toothpaste at least two weeks before your whitening session, as these can greatly diminish the effectiveness of the treatment.

Our new white spot removal service offers a quick and minimally invasive treatment to remove white spots or calcium deposits from your front teeth. We use a specialized gel to painlessly dissolve these spots, followed by a clear resin that fills and restores the area of the tooth structure affected. This efficient procedure requires no numbing or drilling, making it a straightforward and comfortable choice for enhancing your smile.