Dental Health

dental health

FILLINGS Fillings are done to remove decay, and replace the affected tooth structure. It is called a filling because new material fills the hole that decay left. Most teeth are treated with bonded tooth colored composite resin fillings. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth would need root canal treatment or extraction.

BONDING
Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth. This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for cosmetic purposes.
 

First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold it. A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Then the material itself is placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. The composite resin material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as a last step.

SEALANTS
This is used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will develop cavities over time, and you don't want that. So the dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return them to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

DIGITAL X-RAYS
This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention. In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take X-rays using 80-90% less radiation versus conventional X-rays. Coupled with computer monitoring, digital x-ray technology allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.

IDENTAFI
Identafi is an oral cancer screening test that is simple, painless, and takes less than 3 minutes. The signs and symptoms of oral cancer are often missed by the naked eye, especially in its early stages.  The Identafi uses a revolutionary light-wave technology that can help dentists detect abnormalities that may lead to oral cancer, so that something can be done about it as soon as possible.  Early detection means early treatment, and a cure rate of nearly 90%.   Your dentist-the professional on the front line of detection- has a revolutionary new medical device uses multi-spectral technology to identify biochemical and morphological changes in the cells of your mouth, throat, tongue and tonsils. These changes are subtle, as they happen at the cellular level, and therefore often go undetected by the naked eye. These changes are made visible through the use of Identafi’s unique three-wavelength technology, which illuminates possible areas of change that may signal the occurrence or early beginnings of oral cancer.  

A new reason for concern
Oral cancer is now being found in a younger population of men and women who don’t smoke or drink heavily. The reason for this increase in people under age 40 is due to exposure to the HPV – 16 and HPV – 18 viruses, known collectively as the human papillomavirus. The HPV virus can spread by intimate contact, including kissing. That is why the CDC recommends that all patients over the age of 17 be screened annually for oral cancer. When oral cancer begins, it may not always produce pain or discomfort. If you notice a change in your mouth or throat such as a sore, or red or white spot that lasts longer than 2 weeks, you should contact your dentist immediately.

SELF-CONTAINED WATER SYSTEM
In our office, we use distilled water for all of our dental procedures.

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed