Preventive Dentistry

• Exams
• Cleaning
• Sealants
     A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the teeth in minutes. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier protecting enamel from plague and acids helping to prevent cavities.
• Oral Cancer Exams
• X-rays
• Nutritional Counseling

• Fluoride Treatments
     Protect your smile and dental investments with fluoride. The latest research has demonstrated that properly applied fluoride not only inhibits cavities by forming a more acid resistant surface layer, but it also works by reversing or remineralizing early forming cavities. It is now understood that fluoride is capable of enhancing the rate of natural reminerialization by saliva. Fluoride relieves tooth sensitivity by initiating a rapid mineralization of the exposed root surfaces.

Restorative Dentistry

• Fillings
     Cavities: Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria, called plague. Bacteria converts sugar and starch into harmful acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks may cause enamel to break down, resulting in cavities.

• Crowns and Bridges
    Crown and bridge treatment will restore lost teeth, support remaining teeth and help you maintain optimum dental health. This long term solution can help prevent the cycle of problems that can occur when just one tooth is missing, such as shifting of the remaining teeth, decay, periodontal disease and bone loss.
What is a crown?
    It is a tooth like covering placed over a carefully prepared existing tooth. Used to strengthen, restore and improve the appearance of your natural tooth.
What is a bridge?
    It is a custom device anchored to neighboring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth.
What are benefits of crown & bridge treatment?
    - restores & maintains the natural bite
    - prevents unnatural stress on other teeth
    - keeps opposing teeth in their proper place
    - prevents shifting & tilting of adjacent teeth
    - discourages further dental decay & periodontal disease
    - enhances your smile, speech & chewing function

• Dentures (full & partial)
    We offer partial and full dentures (removable prosthetic teeth).
Why dentures?
    Replacement teeth help fill out your smile by giving support to the cheeks and lips. This creates a more youthful and vibrant appearance by holding up facial muscles and also aids in speaking, swallowing, chewing and smiling.

• Dental Implants
    The solution to loose fitting dentures, bridgework and missing teeth.
What are Implants?
    They are titanium cylinders that function as artificial tooth roots. They provide:
        - a method for anchoring your upper or lower denture
        - a method for replacing your partial or full denture with fixed bridgework
        - a method for replacing a single tooth.
    Talk to our dentist today to see if implants are an option for you.

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Cosmetic Dentistry

• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Veneers
• Cosmetic Bonding

Periodontics/Gum Therapy

What is it?
     Periodontal disease is the single most common cause of tooth loss in adults. This inflammatory disease attacks the gums, bone and other supporting structure of the teeth. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. This bacteria, when mixed with sugars and starches, can cause gums to be become red, tender and swollen. If not removed daily, plaque hardens to form tartar around the teeth. The tissue attached to the gums is destroyed and pulls away from the teeth forming pockets for more plaque to fill. This can lead to the destruction of bone structure.

Other causes!
    - Physical and chemical irritants
    - Abnormal oral conditions or habits
    - Unbalanced diet
    - Pregnancy
    - Certain medications
    - Certain diseases

Signs
    - Gums that bleed
    - Red, swollen, tender gums
    - Gums that have receded
    - Pus between your teeth when you press your gums
    - Pain when chewing
    - Tartar buildup
    - Teeth that seem loose or change position
    - Changes in your bite
    - Changes in the way your partial dentures fit
    - Bad breath or chronic bad taste in your mouth
    - Teeth that are overly sensitive to hot and cold

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Orthodontics

What is it?
     Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities (malocclusions). The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and achieve facial balance.

Why is it important?
     Everyone wants a beautiful smile and everyone should have one. A pleasing appearance is a vital asset to one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. The orthodontics goal is to achieve that smile. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain which may result in tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. They can also lead to misalignment of jaw joints causing headaches and pain. Early treatment is best to help alleviate these problems and help to bring harmony to your teeth, lips and face.

Oral Surgery

Wisdom Teeth
     Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned can be valuable asset to the mouth. Unfortunately this is often not the case, and problems develop that require their removal. Extraction of third molars can protect the overall health of the mouth.
Extraction is generally recommended when the following conditions occur:
- wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general illness can result.
- Impacted wisdom teeth may continue growing without enough room, damaging adjacent teeth.
- A fluid-filled sac or tumor forms, destroying surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots.
      People between 16 and 19 should have their wisdom teeth evaluated. If they need to be removed, it should be considered before the age of 20, when, generally, fewer complications occur.

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TMJ

What is TMJ syndrome?
     Any number of problems associated with the chewing muscles, ligaments, bones or the joints that prevent the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) from functioning properly.

Symptoms:
    - headaches
    - tenderness of the jaw muscle
    - pain in or around the ear
    - clicking, popping or grating sounds
    - pain or difficulty in chewing yawning or opening wide
    - jaws that get stuck or lock
    - earache or pain when no infection is present
    - dizziness

What causes TMJ syndrome?
The two most common causes are:
     Oral habits, grinding & clenching additional damage caused by grinding:
     - chipped enamel
     - flattened, grooved, worn-down teeth
     - loosened teeth
     - cracked teeth
     - improper bite

How is TMJ syndrome treated?
Eliminate the muscle spasm & pain:
     - appliance therapy
     - muscle exercises
     - massage therapy
     - relaxation techniques
     - drug therapy

Root Canal - Endodontic

What is it?
     Root canal treatment usually involves the removal of the tooth’s pulp (nerve), a small threadlike tissue that was important for tooth development. Once removed it is replaced with materials that seal off the root canal.

Signs
    - Sensitivity to hot and cold
    - Abscess
    - Pain in mouth

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Sports Mouth Guard

     Do you play football, basketball or go mountain biking? How about racquetball, skateboarding, soccer or volleyball? No matter what sport you are in there’s always a risk of injury. A properly fitted mouth guard or mouth protector is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your smile. Mouth guards help cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. It is believed that they may also reduce the severity and incidence of concussions.

Bad Breath Treatment

    Through the use of appliance therapy, snoring can be treated.

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