Fillings are done to remove decay,
and replace the affected tooth structure. It is called a filling because new a
material fills hole that decay left. Now days 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.
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. This can be anything done to
correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Virtually anyone who is
unhappy with their smile can have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only
when smiling, while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is reversed when
talking, with the upper teeth remaining hidden while the lower teeth show. The color, alignment, spacing as
well as regularity of the teeth are the characteristics that give the overall
appearance. Any of these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.
Cosmetic Procedures
We offer a wide variety of
cosmetic options. Some of these options are whitening, smile design,
recontouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all
ceramic/porcelain crowns. Whitening is the procedure of
making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several
methods: Zoom!, passive tray whitening, and professional strength white strips. Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth
whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an
hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in
comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice
for the busy individual. The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple. It begins
with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then
applies the proprietary Zoom! whitening gel that is activated by a specially
designed light.
Teeth typically become at least
six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A fluoride treatment completes the
procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even
whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended
afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance.
In addition, our office provides:
- Sealants
- Tooth Colored Fillings
- Children's Dental Care - Crowns and Bridge - Endodontics / Root Canal Therapy - Oral Surgery to Remove Teeth - Treatment/Prevention of Gum Disease