Routine Cleaning

Regular teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist is recommended to remove tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for a patient to reach. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing and debridement if too much tartar has accumulated. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during the treatment of many of the dental/oral disorders. Routine examination of the teeth is recommended twice annually. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays. See also dental plaque identification procedure and removal. However, in between cleanings by a dental hygienist, good oral hygiene is essential for preventing cavities, tartar build-up, and gum disease.

Contact us to learn more about Routine Cleanings.

Click for our dental animation »

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment is commonly practiced and generally agreed upon as being useful by dentists. Fluoride combats the formation of tooth decay primarily in three ways:

• Fluoride promotes the remineralization of teeth, by enhancing the tooth remineralization process. Fluoride found in saliva will absorb into the surface of a tooth where demineralization has occurred. The presence of this fluoride in turn attracts other minerals (such as calcium), thus resulting in the formation of new tooth mineral.
• Fluoride can make a tooth more resistant to the formation of tooth decay. The new tooth mineral that is created by the remineralization process in the presence of fluoride is actually a "harder" mineral compound than existed when the tooth initially formed. Teeth are generally composed of hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite. Fluorapatite is created during the remineralization process when fluoride is present and is more resistant to dissolution by acids (demineralization).
• Fluoride can inhibit oral bacteria's ability to create acids. Fluoride decreases the rate at which the bacteria that live in dental plaque can produce acid by disrupting the bacteria and its ability to metabolize sugars. The less sugar the bacteria can consume, the less acidic waste which will be produced and participate in the demineralization process.

There are many different types of fluoride therapies, which include at home therapies and professionally applied topical fluorides (PATF). At home therapies can be further divided into over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription strengths. The fluoride therapies whether OTC or PATF are categorized by application – dentifrices, mouth rinses, gels/ foams, varnishes, dietary fluoridate supplements, and water fluoridation.

Fluoride, while beneficial to adults, is more important in children whose teeth are developing. As teeth are developing within their jaw bones, enamel is being laid down. Systemic ingestion of fluoride results in a greater component of fluoroapatite in the mineral structure of the enamel.

Contact us to learn more about Fluoride Treatment.

Sealants

Good oral hygiene – brushing and flossing daily – and a healthy diet are the best way to prevent plaque build-up in the mouth. But even the most thorough brushing does not always reach the deepest indentations in the back teeth (molars). Dental sealants fill in these depressions, preventing bacterial invasion that causes tooth decay and other damage. In a procedure that takes only a few minutes per tooth, the dentist cleans the tooth, applies an acid solution to roughen the surface, and bonds a plastic sealant to the tooth. A special light may be used to speed the hardening process. Sealants can help both adults and children, and may be re-applied every few years.

Contact us to learn more about Dental Sealants.

Treatment of Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. In the early stage (gingivitis), gums may swell and bleed easily; in the more advanced stage, teeth can loosen and fall out. Good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are essential in gum disease prevention.

Contact us to learn more about Gum Disease Treatment.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer often appears unnoticed in the mouth as a tiny white or red spot or sore. Because many people do not realize they have oral cancer, a diagnosis may not be made until the problem has become more advanced, making treatment more difficult; currently, fifty percent of patients diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.S. do not survive more than five years. Fortunately, early detection of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions provides a higher probability of cure. Regular dental examinations are an invaluable part of early cancer detection and treatment.
Oral cancer can be caused or exacerbated by heavy alcohol and tobacco use and sun exposure.  It may appear on the lips, gums, inner cheeks, tongue, or hard or soft palate. Signs to watch out for include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• Red or white patches
• A change in color of any parts of the mouth
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
• Sore throat or hoarseness
• A change in the way the teeth fit together

Contact us to learn more about Oral Cancer Screening.

Appliances for Treatment of Bruxism (Clenching, Night Grinding)

We provide bite guards which are removable dental appliances carefully molded to fit the upper or lower arches of teeth. They are used to protect tooth and restoration surfaces, manage mandibular (jaw) dysfunction, and stabilize occlusion or create space prior to restoration procedures. People prone to nighttime clenching should routinely wear bite guards in this context. Occlusal bite guards are typically made of a heat-cured acrylic resin. Soft acrylic or light cured composite, or vinyl guards may be made more quickly and cheaply, but are not as durable, and are more commonly made for short-term use. Soft bite guards are also used for children, because normal growth changes the fit of hard guards. They generally cover all the teeth of the upper or lower arch, but partial coverage is sometimes used. Occlusal bite guards are usually used on either the upper or the lower teeth, termed maxillary splints or mandibular splints respectively, but sometimes both types are used at the same time. Maxillary bite guards are more common, although various situations favor mandibular guards. Stabilizing or Michigan-type occlusal bite guards are generally flat against the opposing teeth, and help jaw muscle relaxation, while repositioning occlusal splints are used to reposition the jaw to improve occlusion.

Contact us to learn more about Appliances for Treatment of Bruxism.

Root Canal (Endodontics)

Root canals can prevent tooth loss when there is damage to the soft core of the tooth (the pulp). Despite its reputation as a painful ordeal, a root canal is actually not very uncomfortable. During the procedure, the damaged pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off, and a crown is bonded to the tooth to maintain strength.

Contact us to learn more about Root Canal procedure.