Our Services

Preventative dentistry is the heart of dentistry as it includes all measures for proper diagnosis, education, and maintenance of oral hygiene and health. It starts with a comprehensive examination, quality radiography for caries and pathology diagnosis, and a cleaning using technology current scalers and polishing. Emphasis is placed on improving the patient’s understanding of oral healthcare and their home regimen of brushing and flossing.

How often should I see the dentist?

Every 6 months a patient should make a visit to their dentist. Six months is enough time to see changes in the mouth whether it be in regards to dentition and periodontium. However, in emergency cases, a patient should seek a dentist as soon as possible.

Why do my gums bleed when I brush? Why does my breath have a foul odor?

Generally when gums bleed when brushing, it is a sign of inflammation due to plaque and calculus build-up below the gums and in between the teeth. Therefore, it is very important that the patient floss every night and brush all surfaces of the teeth twice a day to prevent bacteria and food from lodging into the gums. Foul breath is also a symptom of a patient’s poor oral hygiene and home regimen. It can also be due to bacteria on the tongue and medications that the patient may be taking. Again, it is important that the patient follow proper oral hygiene as prescribed above, brushing and cleaning the tongue and paying attention to other systemic problems.

Restorative dentistry follows preventative and encompasses caries detection and treatment. Treatment includes detecting and ridding teeth of cavities through invasive measures under anesthesia and then filling teeth. Fillings are usually composite or tooth colored fillings that are aesthetically pleasing, safe, strong and durable as long as the patient keeps up with proper home care.

Cosmetic dentistry is most patients’ favorite aspect of seeing the dentist, as everyone wants a Hollywood smile. Cosmetic dentistry can range from a simple repair of anterior fractures to fixing discoloration of teeth through internal bleaching or external whitening, to more invasive treatment through veneers. Visit your dentist to see if you are a candidate for cosmetic dentistry to achieve the beautiful smile you have been wanting!

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, usually porcelain material, shells that are used to cover anterior (front teeth) to improve esthetics and color. Veneers are fabricated in a dental lab and then cemented on patient’s teeth by the dentist. Veneer material is best determined by the dentist based on the patient’s anatomy and bite function.

Periodontal dentistry focuses on the inflammatory disease of the gingiva and underlying bone that support the teeth. In periodontics the dentist and specialists look at the conditions of the periodontium, provide necessary diagnosis, and treatment. Treatment with a dentist usually includes scaling and root planning, otherwise known as a deep cleaning for patients that have bone loss around teeth and severe gingivitis because of plaque and calculus build up. Other systemic factors like diabetes and smoking can also affect a patient’s gingival and bone health.

I notice that my gums are receding, why is that?

Gum or gingival recession can occur due to improper or aggressive brushing or use of a hard toothbrush. Recession can also be a consequence of someone that grinds and clenches their tooth, as well as because of periodontal or gingival disease. One consequence of gingival recession is sensitivity of teeth. For treatment options for gingival recession and sensitivity, visit your dentist to see what you are a candidate for.

Pediatric dentistry is the area of dentistry that treats children starting from infancy to adolescence. As soon as a child starts to teeth it is important to have them visit the dentist. The earlier they visit the dentist the more they get acclimated to the dental environment and can be educated on their oral hygiene. In addition, children can be neglectful of their needs and it is imperative that they seek as much preventative care as possible. We work with all children and help to reduce their fears of the dentist. In addition, in treatment cases nitrous (laughing gas) sedation is offered to help alleviate dental anxiety. See your dentist for more information regarding sedation.

Oral surgery is a branch of dentistry that involves removal of infected or necessary teeth and any surgical manipulation of bone and soft tissue to achieve patient esthetics, healing, and improved function. Oral surgery is usually associated with extractions of dentition; this occurs as result of severe break down of a tooth that it is no longer savable. Oral surgery can also include bone remodeling for patients to be able to wear dentures and have other artificial prostheses placed in the mouth for replacing teeth. Additionally, seeking an oral surgeon is prescribed when a patient exhibits pathology in the head and neck region that requires further inspection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Why do patients have their wisdom teeth removed?

Generally, patients have their wisdom teeth removed when the teeth are impacted (lodged completely or partially in the bone and surrounding gingiva) and are unable to have access to keeping their teeth clean of bacteria and debris. Other times, patients experience significant pain, pressure and swelling that make wisdom teeth retention uncomfortable. If you want to know if it is best to have your wisdom teeth removed, see you dentist for an evaluation.

A crown is a restoration that completely covers the top part of the tooth or an implant to restore the look of a tooth. Crowns are placed on teeth that have had a root canal to protect the tooth from fracture and leakage, and it is placed on implants and teeth that have had a large cavity.

Bridges (fixed partial dentures) is a three unit crown prostheses that replaced a single missing tooth by using adjacent teeth to the missing tooth as an anchor. It is cemented in the mouth and restores the esthetics, bite function, and prevents teeth from drifting into the missing tooth space.

Orthodontic dentistry is the correction of crowding of teeth and a patient’s malocclusion that prevents them from having an ideal bite and smile. Our office utilizes clear orthodontic aligners that are esthetically pleasing, easy to wear and takes a shorter amount of time for a patient to achieve a beautiful and aligned bite. Come visit us to see if you are a candidate for Invisalign or Clear Correct Aligners.

AImplants are a great alternative to a bridge (fixed partial denture) as it replaces a single missing tooth through a surgical screw placed in the bone. A crown is then fabricated and placed on top of the screw to restore esthetics and the missing tooth. The advantage to implants is that adjacent teeth do not have to be used as anchor. Implants have become a more recent trend for replacing missing teeth and have had a great success rate for many patients. If you are looking to replace your missing teeth and get back your smile, come see us for a consult!