Procedures

General Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is often mistakenly thought to induce sleep. In fact, most sedatives allow the patient to stay awake during the procedure. Sleepiness is a side effect of some medications, but oral sedation and IV sedation only work to calm anxiety throughout the dental visit. Sedation dentistry is popular because most sedatives can be taken by mouth, meaning no injections, no anxiety and no pain. Whatever the form of sedative, it is essential to be accompanied by a caregiver. Sometimes, sedatives are provided the night before the dental visit, which means that driving to or from the appointment is not advisable.

Dental Cleaning

Your dental cleaning (hygiene) will be performed by a Registered Dental Hygienist whose area of expertise focuses on preventative oral health care. Regular dental cleanings are an important treatment for maintaining a healthy mouth and halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis. Your treatment will likely include scaling and root planning to remove plaque and tartar, any necessary x-rays, assessment of your soft tissues, polish, fluoride, and oral health instruction. If there is a lot of tartar, two or more visits may be necessary. Based on the health of your teeth and gums the dental hygienist will then determine an appropriate ongoing care schedule.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed. The resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restores the tooth to its full function. Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will require retreatment due to new infections.

Fixed Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance to replace missing teeth. A “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made from porcelain that is fused to metal. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that cover the anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), which fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Porcelain Crowns

A crown is a covering that protects and encases the entire tooth surface. Although there are several materials that can be used, porcelain crowns are the most popular. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting, beautiful smile.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are located in the very back of the mouth, and are usually the last four teeth to erupt (surface). In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to other teeth, crowding, and possibly cysts.

 

Cosmetic Dentistry

Composite Fillings

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, and fractures. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are very durable and will last many years, but may someday need replacement.

Dentures & Partial Dentures

A denture is a dental appliance for replacing missing teeth. There are two types of dentures; complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, but also prevents other teeth from shifting.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having a bridge or dentures. Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone. Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years.

Bone Grafting

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of bone loss in the oral cavity. The bone grafting procedure is an excellent way to replace lost bone tissue and encourage natural bone growth. Bone grafting is a versatile and predictable procedure which fulfills a wide variety of functions. A bone graft may be required to create a stable base for dental implant placement.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening exposes more of the natural tooth by reshaping or recontouring bone and gum tissue. It is generally performed in order to improve the health of the gum tissue, or to prepare the mouth for restorative or cosmetic procedures. In addition, crown lengthening procedures can be used to correct a “gummy” smile, where teeth are covered with excess gum tissue. This treatment can be performed on a single tooth, multiple teeth, or the entire gum line.

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is an almost invisible aligning system which offers an alternative option to traditional braces for straightening teeth without any metal. Invisalign® treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligning trays which are changed every several weeks to fit the new tooth configuration. In addition to the reduced visual impact, Invisalign® aligning trays can be temporarily removed when eating and for brushing and flossing. A great number of people report complete satisfaction with the Invisalign® treatment.