Services

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth -- to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:

• To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth

• To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down

• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of tooth left

• To hold a dental bridge in place

• To cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth

• To cover a dental implant

• To make a cosmetic modification

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap -- these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth -- and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

Root canal procedures are performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. Actually, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. The discomfort experienced in the period leading up to a seeking of dental care is truly the painful period of time, not the root canal procedure itself.

A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

After the implant post surgery, the implant posts need to heal for approximately three to six months. During this healing period (called osseointegration) the titanium post fuses with your jawbone to provide a solid foundation on which to place the artificial tooth restoration. Once the implant post has successfully integrated into the jawbone, and the area is healed, work will begin work on your restoration. This may include placing a crown, or perhaps a bridge, depending on your needs. Dental implants can even anchor a full or partial set of dentures.

They allow you to live the way you want to – confidently eating,
smiling, laughing, talking, kissing and enjoying all of your everyday
activities without worrying about your teeth.

Before development of dental implants, dentures and partials were the
only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth.

Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to
screws. Implants are anchored to the jawbone and act as a
foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. Implants can
also be used to attach dentures and partials.

Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful
implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and
have a strong immune system. Call our office today to schedule a
consultation to see if you are a candidate. In all cases, dental implants
require strict oral hygiene.

Implants are so well designed that they mimic the look and feel of
natural teeth. Implants are usually made of a synthetic yet
biocompatible material like titanium or ceramic.

Like any restoration, implants require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure they last a long time.

Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth.

A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed (permanent) bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This "bridge" is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns. This is a more natural-looking appliance.

It can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. It can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking, or restore one that's already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It's also used to cover a dental implant.

There's no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or with teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct nature's mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth

During the teeth scaling process, we will numb the gums and tooth roots with a local anesthesia, but teeth scaling and root planing cause very little discomfort. We will use specialized tools to remove the hardened deposits of plaque buildup (tartar) from the teeth both above and below the gum line. Root planing involves smoothing rough spots on the roots of the teeth that can promote gum disease by trapping and holding bacteria.

The whole procedure may be done in a single visit, although generally a quadrant (1/4th of the mouth) or half of the mouth is recommended per appointment. After a scaling and planing, you can expect that your gums will be numb from the anesthesia and then possibly a little tender. But if you maintain a consistent oral health routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing, your gums should quickly regain a firm, healthy, pink appearance.

our patients' needs, patients of all ages. We offer relatively mild
sedatives administered through IV, orally or via inhalation. Our
sedationdentistry options include:

Inhalation sedation dentistry - delivers sedation via inhaled
nitrous oxide gas, or "laughing gas". The gas takes effect within
a few minutes of administration and provides a mildly sedate
state. The patient is able to drive home immediately following the
procedure.

Oral conscious sedation dentistry - delivers sedation in pill or
liquid form. The patient takes the pill for approximately 90
minutes before the dental appointment. By the time the patient
arrives at our office, he/she is mildly sedated and relaxed for the
procedure. Patient requires a driver to and from the appointment.
The patient will also need care for the day.

Intravenous (IV) sedation dentistry -- An anesthetic technique
sometimes referred to as "twilight sleep" that is lighter than general
anesthesia. IV sedation provides pain control and prevents patients
from remembering the procedure. The patient is awake right after
the procedure, but may not drive for 24 hours.

with stained, dull, or discolored teeth. More and more people today
are choosing teeth-whitening procedures to reverse the effects of
aging and abuse from food and tobacco stains.

Food particles are naturally attracted to a tooth’s enamel by a certain
protein. Products like coffee and tea, berries and soy sauce are
notorious for staining teeth. Over time, teeth actually become more
absorbent and vulnerable to staining from food and other substances.

We have 3 different options in our office:

• In-house professional whitening.


• In-house professional whitening with take home custom
  trays.


• Ready to go Opalescence take home whitening trays*.

*(Opalescence Go is the professional alternative to over-the-counter whitening options. It's a simple, fast, and great-tasting way to start a whitening treatment or for whitening touch-ups. With no impressions or custom trays necessary, Opalescence Go is ready to use right out of the package!)