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OUR SERVICES

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Dental Hygiene Maintenance

 

Regular hygiene appointments with one of our attentive and gentle hygienists are an essential part of your overall oral health! 

Your routine dental cleaning will:
 

  • Stop tooth loss by preventing or controlling gum disease: Variations in diet, lifestyle and physiology can impact the degree to which tartar calcifies on the teeth and around the gums. Having tartar removed regularly by a dental professional is key to ensuring that your teeth remain healthy and strong for your entire life. Some areas, behind the front lower teeth for example, are more prone to plaque and tartar buildup due to their proximity to the salivary gland. It is unlikely to find a mouth that doesn’t need at least a small amount of regular scaling to ensure the health of the enamel and the gingival tissue that supports the teeth.
     

  • Prevent cavities from getting large (and painful):  Teeth have naturally occurring nooks and crannies in their surfaces, and some of these spots are difficult for a patient to see and clean effectively. Assuming that everything is fine could allow unseen decay to progress painfully into the pulp of the tooth before being identified and remedied. Even if you don't FEEL any immediate concerns, it's important to visit us at least once every 6 months to mitigate the chances of dental concerns developing unnoticed. You actually can't FEEL cavities until they're big!
     

  • Detect early oral cancer:  Oral cancer is more prevalent than you might think, especially around those who are at risk due to heredity or lifestyle choices such as smoking. Your dentist is trained to recognize the early warning signs associated with various forms of oral cancer. Oral cancers can occur anywhere within or around the mouth and can often be dismissed as being simply a canker sore that won’t heal. In some cases, oral cancers can be present in the mouth without a patient’s knowledge. With early detection, your dentist will be able to take necessary precautions to ensure the timely diagnosis and treatment of an oral cancer. In most cases oral cancer is treatable, but early detection is key.
     

  • Brighten your smile & Freshen your breath: Stains can form on your enamel from coffee, tea, or even colorful foods like curry! Your hygienist will leave your teeth looking brighter and feeling smoother. 
     

  • Save you money: Mitigating problems before they become big (and sore) will prevent you from the more costly side of restorative dentistry. Prevention is the best method! 

Dental Hygiene Maintenance
Dental Implants

 

A dental implant is the best option for replacing missing teeth. Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces the tooth with a metal, screw-like titanium post that integrates with the jaw bone.  The artificial tooth will look and function much like a real one.  In normal circumstances, it takes about 4-6 months for the dental implant to get integrated with bone. Dental implants give a patient more comfort and durability when compared to dentures and crowns which require frequent replacements and regular maintenance. The dental implant gives the patient similar tactile sense while chewing.  They are also the most cosmetically appealing choice, as they often look identical to natural teeth. 

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  • Single tooth implants: Tooth loss may occur due to an accidental or because of a periodontal disease.  This single tooth can be easily replaced by a dental implant. Your newly restored tooth will appear and function like your natural teeth.
     

  • Multiple tooth implants:  Sometimes, a patient has lost more than one tooth, but bone is still intact, gums are healthy and have teeth around. In such cases, they can be replaced by multiple tooth implants or an implant bridge.
     

  • All-On-Four Dental Implants: When all teeth are missing, and they should be replaced, a fixed denture anchored to dental implants is the best solution. A natural looking and cost-effective option is all-on-four dental implants. Dental surgeons will place four implants in the jaw bone and then attach a full denture.

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Dental Implants
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Crown & Bridge Restorations

 

A dental crown is a custom-made restoration.  A crown looks like a hollow, tooth shaped “cap”, which is placed over a prepared natural tooth. When cemented into place, crowns completely cover the entire visible portion of the tooth.  The main purpose of a crown is to restore strength, functionality, shape and size to a tooth.  A crown will improve a tooth's appearance as well. Situations where a crown may be needed include:
 

  • To protect a tooth that has become weakened (for example by decay) or cracked, by holding it together and preventing it from breaking.

  • To replace an old, broken or failing tooth filling. If there is a lack of natural tooth structure, the tooth is at risk of cracking and breaking further, especially if the large filling is amalgam (metal.) Metal fillings expand and contract with temperature changes and do not chemically bond to the tooth. Rather, they are like a puzzle piece that fits mechanically into the prepared filling space. Over time, the tooth separates from the filling, leaving gaps for bacteria to get inside of and cause decay underneath the filling. Because of the expansion and contraction of the metal filling, it is common to find cracks in the natural tooth underneath the old metal fillings. A crown will ensure the tooth is encapsulated and does not break.

  • To restore a tooth that has already broken.

  • To protect a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

  • To restore length on worn down teeth. If you grind your teeth at night when you sleep, or even during the day, you eventually wear through the tough exterior layer of your tooth called the enamel. The secondary layer of your tooth known as dentin is softer and can be worn through far more quickly. Covering wear and restoring your tooth's natural height will prevent further erosion and wear.

  • To make a cosmetic modification such as closing spaces between teeth, or reshaping or rotating teeth.
     

A crown will not only enhance the appearance of the tooth, but will protect it from further wear and breakdown.

In the case of an entire missing tooth, gaps left in the mouth will eventually cause the surrounding teeth to shift or rotate into the empty space, causing malocclusion (‘bad bite’), which can have a negative impact on diet. It can also cause bone deterioration in the jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Therefore, it is always advisable to discuss tooth replacement options with your dentist, such as an implant and crown, rather than leaving gaps in dentition.

Crown & Bridge Restorations
Root Canal Therapy

 

Teeth have a soft core called dental pulp. The pulp extends from the crown — the visible part of the tooth — to the tip of the tooth's root in the jawbone. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. When a tooth is cracked or chipped or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp. Injury to the tooth also can cause pulp damage and inflammation. Left untreated, bacteria and decaying material can cause a serious infection or a tooth abscess, leading to pulp death, bone loss and loss of the tooth itself. Signs and symptoms may include swelling around your face and neck, a hole in your tooth, toothache or tooth pain, gum swelling, and temperature sensitivity.

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The term "root canal" comes from cleaning of the canals inside a tooth's root. Decades ago, root canal treatments often were painful. With dental advances and local anesthetics, most people have little if any pain during a root canal. In fact, it's more painful living with a decayed tooth! Root canal alternatives include extracting the damaged tooth, no further treatment, or replacing the tooth with a dental implant, bridge or removable partial denture.

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Root canal therapy may be done in either one or two appointments, depending on how infected the tooth is. After the diseased pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are flushed and cleaned. The root canals may be reshaped and enlarged to allow better access for filling. Before permanently filling the root canals, they are cleaned of all infection and dried. Medication is sometimes put into the pulp chamber and root canals to clear any infection. If infection has spread beyond the tooth, you may need a prescription for antibiotics. After root canal therapy, a temporary filling is placed in the crown to protect the tooth and keep out debris and saliva. Avoid biting or chewing on the tooth until it's been permanently treated and restored with a crown. 

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It is important to have a crown placed on top of any tooth that has had root canal therapy, because once the nerve has been removed and the tooth has been filled, the remaining shell is delicate and far more susceptible to breaking. 

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Root Canal Therapy

What Our Clients Say

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Sedation Services
Sedation Services 
 

Regular dental care is critical to overall health, but we realize that due to past experiences, some patients aren’t so eager to come in. Whether for their annual check up or for more pressing concerns, it can seem overwhelming. Sedation services can help you gain access to the treatment you need. We offer several sedation options includinoral sedation, nitrous oxide sedation, and IV sedation.

 

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry:

  • Undergo multiple dental treatments without fear

  • Enhance your dental treatment experience

  • Control gag reflex

  • Experience pain-free dental treatment

  • Save both time and money required for follow-up visits 

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Nitrous Oxide Sedation:

Nitrous oxide (N2O), more commonly referred to as laughing gas, is a mild sedative agent that safely and effectively manages pain and anxiety during dental treatment. The colorless and odorless nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose. Patients are asked to breathe normally and should feel the effects of the laughing gas within minutes.

Contrary to its name, laughing gas does not necessarily make you laugh. The nitrous oxide slows down your nervous system to make you feel less inhibited. You may feel light-headed, tingly, or even heaviness in your arms or legs. Ultimately, you should be calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. You might even giggle a time or two.
 

Oral Sedation: 

Halcion is a type of benzodiazepine. Also known as Triazolam, it’s a sleeping pill that causes mild amnesia and reduces anxiety. Unlike general anesthesia, Halcion is considered a type of conscious sedation. You’ll be awake during the procedure, but you won’t be as aware and will have limited memory. It’s been established that using sedation during dentistry can help manage patient anxiety, and that it’s both safe and effective. According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, Halcion is ideal for short to moderate-length procedures (2-4 hours), and is ideal for patients with mild levels of anxiety. Pill sedation works differently on each unique individual determined by their medical history, age, gender, and past medication history. 

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IV Sedation:

For a dentist with the proper training and certification, intravenous (IV) sedation is a highly effective method of treating moderately anxious patients.  Your dentist will administer sedatives intravenously to lower your state of consciousness while still allowing you to respond to questions and instructions. We can intravenously sedate individuals with a wide range of health conditions but a thorough medical history is need to confirm eligibility.  In some cases, we’ll evaluate your health in consultation with your family doctor or specialist.

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Distractions: 

We provide TV's in the ceiling and various therapeutic distraction techniques that will help you to relax and imagine you are anywhere but the dental chair. 

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