Services |The Dental Office

Crown

A restoration that covers the entire tooth. This is needed if the tooth breaks, if there is a large existing filling that is failing, or if the tooth has had a root canal.

Bridge

This is used to replace a missing tooth. One or two teeth on each side of the space are used to hold this restoration in place. This is NOT removeable.

Denture

An acrylic appliance with either porcelain or plastic teeth that replaces an entire arch of teeth.

Partial Denture

This is a removable appliance that replaces multiple missing teeth and uses the remaining good teeth for stability and retention.

Filling

When there is a cavity, the decay is removed, and the newly removed portion is replaced with a resin, tooth colored filling.

Extraction

Removing an entire tooth that is broken down beyond repair

Root Canal

When the pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected beyond what the body can reverse, it needs to be removed. The hollow canals in the teeth house the pulp. Following removal, this space is cleaned and sterilized and then filled with a rubber-like material and a filler paste that seals the tooth from further bacterial infection.

Implant

If a tooth needs to be replaced, a titanium post is placed into the bone. A crown can be placed on top of this post to replace one tooth, or a bridge can be placed on top of multiple implants. These can also serve to anchor a denture for retention and stability.

Veneer

This is typically a thin restoration placed on the front of a tooth for a better cosmetic look. It can be made of porcelain or resin material.

TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder)

Our office is unique in that we look at the entire system, not just the teeth. The bite and the TMD are major parts of the system that are commonly ignored but are absolutely critical to the health & function of the teeth and supporting structures.

Gum Disease

This is an infection of the gums. Plaque is made up of different types of bacteria, and when this sits on the gums next to the teeth, and is not removed well with brushing and flossing, an infection process begins. These bacteria find their way into the small pocket between the tooth and gum. Untreated, the gums begin to recede and along with it, the bone. If this is not treated, it will continue until the bone around the tooth recedes and the tooth becomes loose and ultimately falls out. Bleeding gums, red and “puffy” gums, bad breath and receding gums are typical signs that your gums might be progressing to this. Treatment for Gum Disease is a full team approach. The dental hygienist measures these pockets between your teeth and determines where the gum disease is located and then decides how extensive it is. The hygienist will then cleanse these pockets and remove the bacteria, or infection, from the pockets. The team approach happens when this treatment is finished, which is typically done in 1 or 2 appointments. The patient is given very thorough instructions on how to brush and floss and take care of the teeth and gums. The patient is then expected to work on this diligently at home. Maintaining this newly created “healthy” environment around the gums takes a focused approach by the patient, and the hygienist will monitor the situation every 3 or 4 months until it is decided if the situation has recovered and the disease is stable enough to place the patient back on 6 month intervals, or if the status of the disease is uncertain enough that closer monitoring and cleaning will be required.

Invisalign

Without brackets or wires, Invisalign takes a modern approach to teeth straightening & is virtually invisible.