Treatments

Dental scaling is a routine procedure for all dental cleanings. Your dentist will clean your teeth with a small, specialized dental tool that is shaped like a hook. Scaling helps remove plaque from your teeth and keep your smile beautiful. 

To maintain your oral health, we recommend regular flossing, brushing, and rinsing with mouthwash. If you have a unique oral health situation, we may ask you to take additional steps to keep your teeth safe.

Adults who regularly smoke or drink, have a family history of oral cancer, or have been diagnosed with HPV are at high risk of developing oral cancer. Request an appointment with us if you have any of these risk factors.

We do our best to ensure the safety of our patients. When you are being x-rayed, we’ll follow the proper procedures to reduce your radiation exposure and keep you safe. Our professionals have years of experience working with x-rays, and we know how to minimize your exposure. 

Most dentists use two types of x-rays: panoramic x-rays and bitewing x-rays. The panoramic x-ray scans the entire structure of your mouth to create one big picture, which shows all of your jaw and teeth. A bitewing x-ray involves the patient biting down on a small plastic tool that holds x-ray film or a sensor. We then take an x-ray of that section of your mouth. 

Panoramic x-rays are better for showing a more general, single-image view of your mouth. This allows us to monitor general oral health. Bitewing x-rays are better for honing in on a specific area of your mouth, allowing us to catch smaller issues like root structure, bone levels, cysts, abscesses, and more.

First, our dentist will numb the area so you feel no pain. Then we’ll carefully remove any damaged tooth enamel and clean the area to prepare it for the filling. Once we’re sure we’ve removed all tooth decay, we’ll fill the cavity with filling material and shape it to fit the rest of your tooth. 

Luckily, fillings are low-maintenance. Simply follow your usual brushing, flossing, and mouthwash rinsing steps. Make sure to visit the dentist regularly for your checkups.

Patients who practice good dental hygiene can have fillings that last for years on end. We will also check your filling every time you come in for a regular dental checkup.

During a tooth extraction, we numb the local area where we’ll be removing the tooth. Then we’ll remove the gums and bone tissue to get to your tooth and gently take it out. Afterward, we’ll close up the extraction site. 

After tooth extraction, you should rest and relax for 24 hours. Your socket will form a blood clot that will start the healing process. Patients should leave the clot undisturbed while it heals, which means that patients should avoid rinsing, using straws, or smoking. Chew away from your extraction site and eat soft foods during this time. The soft tissue should heal in about two weeks.

Before we start with the root canal procedure, we’ll take an X-ray of the infected tooth so we know what areas to treat. After that, we’ll numb the area and prep the tooth by removing any saliva and bacteria. Then we’ll make a small incision to expose your tooth’s pulp and infected tissues. Our dentist will carefully remove the decay and kill any infection. To finish the procedure, we’ll fill and seal the tooth and place a crown on top that protects the tooth and restores your smile. 

Patients often recover quickly from a root canal. You may experience some discomfort after the treatment, but many patients return to work or school the next day. If you experience severe, lasting pain, let us know and we’ll take a look.

If you have lost a tooth, your dentist may be able to restore it if you preserve it. Put your tooth in a glass of milk or warm saltwater to preserve it and increase your chances of replacement.

Typically, teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not usually covered by insurance, but this varies from patient to patient. Reach out to your insurance company to learn what you’re covered for. 

Many stores offer at-home teeth whitening kits, which include strips or pastes that you apply to your teeth. You may have to use the kit regularly for weeks on end to see results. On the other hand, dental offices often have stronger, more powerful whitening agents that may provide faster results.

Before your crown is added, we’ll first have to treat the underlying problems with your tooth. We often add dental crowns after root canals. Our dentist will handle problems with your cavities or infections. Once all your tooth decay is removed, we’ll prepare the tooth for the crown. We may make a series of impressions or set you up with a temporary crown. 

Once your crown is ready, we will ask you to return to the office for placement. Our dentist will put on the crown and adjust for fit. Once we settle on the right fit, it’s time to cement the crown into place with a permanent adhesive. 

Dental crowns are vital for restoring your teeth to proper function and look after a major procedure. They work by bonding to your natural tooth and protecting it from further damage. Crowns are also important for restoring a natural-looking smile and promoting your self-confidence.

Taking care of your dental implants is just like taking care of your regular teeth. Simply brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like you normally would. Make sure to schedule regular checkups so your dentist can monitor your implant. 

The advantage of dental implants is that they are permanent replacements that feel very similar to natural teeth. They are often more comfortable than bridges or dentures, and they are more stable and long-lasting. Less permanent options can be inconvenient to take care of, and they might not last as long.

A dental bridge is easy to take care of. Simply follow your regular brushing and flossing routine, and make sure to go to your regular dentist appointments. You will also have to clean under the bridge to ensure no food is stuck there. 

Having a blank space between your teeth can cause serious damage over time. Your remaining teeth may drift into the space, and your chewing and biting will be negatively affected. Not to mention that a gap in your smile might affect your self-confidence. We recommend filling in missing teeth as soon as possible. 

Sometimes dentures are a better solution than dental implants or bridges. We often recommend dentures for patients who need a cost-effective, fast solution. 

Dentures are often completed quickly compared to dental implants. They are also low-risk and less invasive than dental implants or bridges, which can be an important factor for elderly patients who may be suffering from bone loss. 

Dentures require ongoing maintenance for the best care possible. Patients should soak their dentures overnight and practice regular denture brushing. Whenever you can, remove dentures after eating and rinse them to remove food particles. 

First, we’ll take an impression of your mouth and create a model. Then the dental lab technicians will use that model to build a personalized set of dentures that match your gum line for the best fit possible. We’ll receive the dentures and call you back into the office for a fitting and make any adjustments needed.