General and preventive dentistry are done to keep your teeth healthy and to find problems ahead of time, addressing potential issues before they damage your teeth. Our list of general and preventive services include:
Your comprehensive examination might be different than anything you’ve previously experienced. It will involve an oral cancer exam, a detailed clinical evaluation of your teeth and supporting tissues (gums), joints, bite, and muscles. Additionally, a series of diagnostic images (x-rays and photographs) will be taken. Evaluating this information allows us to develop a comprehensive plan that will address any functional or esthetic issues you may have.
This screening involves a visual and manual examination to see if a patient has any symptoms of oral cancer. We use a Velscope for each screening, because the appearance of abnormal tissue may be an early sign of cancer. Velscope uses fluorescent light to show any abnormal points that may be invisible to the human eye. Oral cancer is very treatable when caught early and increases the odds of eradicating it completely.
Digital x-rays use digital sensors to capture an image of your teeth and jaw instead of photographic film. This allows us to see the image faster and enhance the image in a way that cannot be done through film. We can even share them with you while you are still in the exam chair, showing you exactly what is happening in your mouth. These images can then be stored on our computer and accessed at future visits.
The Piezo scaler is a precision ultrasonic tool that removes plaque and stains that might persist even after brushing. Removing plaque helps prevent cavities, tooth loss, gum disease, and makes your breath smell better. And who doesn’t want a brighter, healthier smile?
Your gums are the foundation of your teeth. Keeping your gums healthy is critical to keeping your teeth and your smile in good condition. In addition, your gums are portals to the rest of your body; disease or infection in your gums can lead to whole-body problems. Our gum disease (periodontal) therapy can include a multifactorial approach; a deep cleaning below the gum line to reduce bacteria and inflammation, the use of an antibiotic that is used to kill the bacteria that fosters gum disease, and bacterial testing. Studies show that high-risk oral bacteria from periodontal disease are a contributing cause of cardiovascular disease and with this information, we can better reduce your risk for disease and improve your quality of life.
Patients receive a fluoride treatment at every visit to help prevent tooth decay. While most water supplies in the United States have fluoride in them, the amount isn’t enough to completely protect your teeth. Our fluoride treatments are a good way to help build up strong teeth for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
If you suffer from TMD or have issues with grinding your teeth at night, we may recommend a Nightguard. It is an acrylic dental appliance worn over the teeth while you sleep. It protects the biting surfaces of your teeth from abnormal wear and helps balance your jaw joints and the forces of your bite. We also design sports mouthguards to make sure you are safe during contact sports. They can prevent serious injury to the teeth and gums and can also prevent concussions.
Sleep apnea is a blocking of the airways during sleep. This limits the amount of air that your body receives and can lead to all kinds of discomfort. We can discuss various appliances that help to open your airway and improve your sleep through the night – without the need for forced-air treatment or uncomfortable masks.
If you have an emergency, don’t worry. We are here to help and will get you in as soon as possible. We refer to emergency visits as comfort appointments because our goal is to make you comfortable as quickly as possible.
This major advancement in technology works fast with little to no bleeding. There is barely any pain and it allows for faster healing time. Plus, there are no stitches! With this laser, we can effectively treat cold sores, lesions, and other issues with the tissues of the mouth. We even perform frenectomies. A frenectomy is a simple and common procedure that creates a more pleasing position for the top lip or can close up a gap between the two front teeth.