Cleaning and Prevention

Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended biannual cleanings and examinations.

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Cleaning and Prevention

Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended biannual cleanings and examinations. Not only do they help you quash dental problems before they arise, they leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. A professional cleaning removes hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It also involves a fluoride treatment and polish to help protect and soothe your teeth and gums. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in over two years, it’s never too late to treat your teeth.

What are some preventative measures I can take?

• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal

• Floss daily before bedtime

• Use an oral rinse after flossing

• Avoid sugary foods, coffee, and tobacco

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Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.

Crowns

A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth without root rot. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface.

Procedure:

1. We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit

2. An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication

3. The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized

4. We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one

5. You will come in again for permanent crown fitting

Bridges

To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.

Types of Bridges:

• Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one
• Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one
• Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”

Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.

Common uses for veneers:

• Chipped or broken teeth
• Misshapen or irregular teeth
• Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments

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Dentures

Missing teeth can make your cheeks look hollow and your mouth look sunken. More importantly, your diet can suffer. Those missing multiple teeth in a row may want to consider dentures for both cosmetic purposes and overall wellness. Depending on the amount of teeth missing, we may suggest partial or full dentures. During your consultation, we’ll assess all your options and you can choose what you feel most comfortable with.

Partial

Partial dentures are ideal for those who are missing only a few teeth in a row. They latch onto the remaining gum line and any intact adjacent teeth. Even if you only have one tooth on your dental arch, a partial denture may still work best, since the remaining tooth serves as a natural anchor.

Complete

When your dental arch no longer has any teeth, a complete denture is the optimal solution. You can choose the traditional kind that latches to the gum line or choose to have dentures that are anchored by dental implants. The latter option has the best hold, but involves surgery. Our dentists can discuss all the details so you can make an informed decision.

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Extractions

We make every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease. When a tooth is malformed, damaged, impacted or ingrown, different procedures are used, but all extractions are considered surgery. Depending on which tooth is removed, we can offer you a replacement in the form of a dental implant or oral prosthetic.

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Fillings

Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentist preserves your health. Before placement, any decay must be drilled out. We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth.

Amalgam

Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are the most durable and economical option for our patients. They last up to ten years and are less likely to fall out or break. Commonly used for filling in molar cavities, amalgam fillings can withstand biting pressure and can be fully administered in a single visit. Despite the mercury content, these silver fillings are perfectly safe for anyone aged six and up.

Composite Resin

Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. However, it is more expensive and not as strong as an amalgam filling. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Patients may also choose composite resin for cavity fillings as they are bonded to the teeth in layers and therefore require less drilling away of the natural tooth.

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Implants

A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth. It is used to chew food and is therefore the most susceptible to cavities. The crown is attached to the jawbone by way of the root. When decay has gone deep enough or when a periodontal disease has advanced enough to warrant an extraction, the entire tooth, root and all, is taken out. The dental implant is a titanium root that gets fitted into a socket that we create in your jaw. Once the root heals, we place an artificial crown on top. The new crown is customized to match your bite and the color of your teeth.

What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?

• They look and act like natural teeth

• They can last a lifetime with the right care

• You don’t need any adhesives

• They improve appearance, comfort, and speech

• It’s easier to eat

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Night  Guards

Excessive jaw clenching and bruxism can accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration.  To help our patients most comfortably avoid this, we customize night guards to their bite. One type of night guard acts as a cushion between the top and bottom dental arches while the other creates more space between the front teeth to prevent the top and lower jaw from touching.

What are the causes of teeth grinding?

• Stress or anxiety

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Certain medications or recreational drugs

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Periodontal Maintenance

Among the causes for periodontal (gum) disease are genetic susceptibility, smoking, and other illnesses like diabetes. Periodontal maintenance involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Most gum diseases are preventable with proper oral hygiene. However, what can start out as gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums) can quickly turn into periodontitis. In such cases, gums pull away from the tooth to create “pockets,” thereby exposing a dental root to infection. It can also lead to prolonged bad breath, loose teeth, painful chewing and other complications.

Diagnosing Gum Disease

Further Treatment

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Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is faster, more effective, and longer lasting that treatments you find over the counter. As we age, our teeth darken over time. We can brighten your teeth by five to ten shades in a single session, but maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future whitening services to a minimum. We may also prescribe some medication for you to use at home that helps the whitening process.

Post-procedure Care

Things to avoid:

• Tobacco products
• Coffee and tea
• Red wine

• Food coloring

• Any bright-colored drinks

FINANCIAL POLICY

We know that providing complete comprehensive dental services includes discussing all treatment and financial information.

Before treatment is performed, we will discuss treatment and financial options.  This will allow you to fully understand your dental treatment, what to anticipate in fees and allow you time to make the necessary financial arrangements.

Payment is due at the time services are rendered.  For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Care Credit, money orders or registered checks.

Emergency clients, new to our practice, should expect to make a payment at the time of service.  Once established as an active patient, we will be happy to discuss other payment options.

Insurance benefits are determined by your employer, not your dentist.  Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company.  Your insurance coverage and benefits are your responsibility.  Insurance is not a guarantee of payment; it often does not cover all the costs involved in treatment. As a courtesy, we will be happy to file your claim for you if you present your dental insurance wallet card and all required employer information.  You will be expected to pay for services rendered if this office is unable to verify your insurance information before treatment.

Any deductible or estimated co-payment amount will be due at the time of treatment.

If payment for services already rendered has not been paid in full within 45 days, either by you or your insurance company, the remaining balance for your treatment is considered due and must be paid by you.

Appointments are reserved exclusively for you.  As a benefit to you, our valued patient, we may offer to move your appointment to an earlier time if an opening arises. We reserve the right to charge and collect $75.00 for any broken appointments. Broken appointments are considered those that are missed (no-show) or cancelled with less than 24 hour advance notice. Any missed appointment 2 hours or more in length will incur a one hundred and fifty-dollar ($150) fee. This fee will not be covered by your insurance company.

The parent who brings the child in to the dental appointment is responsible for paying the co-payment or full fee.  If it is necessary, we are happy to hold a credit/debit number from the non-custodial parent on file.

Payment plans and financial arrangements are available for comprehensive dental treatment.  Please speak to us to make arrangements prior to commencing treatment.