Check ups: The best way to keep your teeth and gum tissue is good shape is through regular periodic examinations and prophys(cleanings). We strongly encourage our patients to have these procedures. If there are any problems we can usually detect them while they are small. Therefore the required treatment is less extensive and less expensive. Waiting until problems are severe usually results in more extensive treatment. Together with a dental check up, we will take whatever x-rays are indicated. Adults are advised to have a Full Mouth Series of x-rays every 3-5 years to monitor periodontal (gum) health. We routinely do a screening for oral cancer and optionally have a more specific oral cancer detection technique, ViziLite, is available.

Tooth Colored Fillings: A mouth full of dark gray metal fillings used to be the norm. Now, with the widespread use of decay preventing fluoride in our water and toothpastes, cavities are much less common. When a tooth needs to be repaired now, we can do it with a tooth colored filling material that is just as strong as the old silver fillings but looks just like the natural tooth. Tooth colored fillings, also known as composites, are made of non-reactive, durable resin and porcelain materials that can be matched to the color of your natural tooth. These restorations are strong, natural-looking, and minimize the amount of tooth which must be removed, decreasing the chances of the tooth breaking in the future. Alternative materials, such as gold, porcelain, and even silver are still available.

Inlays/Onlays: Inlays/Onlays are lab fabricated fillings that are made similar to crowns. They are used to restore large cavities. They are indicated for cavities that are too large to be restored with a simple composite filling and too small to be replaced by a conventional crown. They have the additive benefits by conserving tooth structure and adding strength/durability to the restored tooth. Upon placement, they are virtually undetectable in the mouth.

Crowns and Bridges: Often referred to as “caps”, Crowns are dental restorations that are covered to fit over teeth. Crowns are appropriate when the cavity is too large to be restored with a simple filling or inlay/onlay for fear of possible tooth fracture. Crowns also serve to restore teeth that have had root canal therapy. The restored teeth are “capped” to prevent possible fracture and possible tooth destruction. Crowns can be made from different materials, which included non-metal all ceramic crowns, traditional porcelain fused to metal crowns and the all-metal crown. You and our doctors will decide which type of crown is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and esthetic concerns of the tooth involved. When a tooth is missing, a bridge is used to replace it. A bridge spans the missing tooth space and uses the adjacent teeth next to the space as a stabilizer.

Implants: Dental implants are a wonderful replacement option for the root portion of lost natural teeth. They look and feel like natural teeth and they are appropriate for almost anyone who is currently missing teeth or at risk for losing teeth. Implants are usually made from metal called titanium, which is readily accepted by the body. There is a phenomenon called osseointegration , meaning the titanium is so compatible that bone actually attaches itself to the implant. A laboratory-fabricated crown similar to natural tooth is then cemented over the implant. The advantages include the ability to restore a missing tooth without altering the teeth on either side of the space and increase stability of dentures while reducing long-term bone resorption.