Regular teeth cleanings and dental examinations are important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing are excellent for maintenance between office visits, but a healthy mouth and beautiful smile require routine cleanings and preventative care to stay that way. Our practice offers encourages regular oral examinations and cleanings. We provide preventative care which includes fluoride, professional breath control, and periodontal (gum disease) treatments designed to help keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. By taking care of your teeth throughout your life, you give yourself a better chance of having healthy teeth and gums well into old age.

Dental visits are not scary at our office. We provide comfort along with high technology, so you can relax during your visits, confident of obtaining the very latest in dental care. With a few minutes a day and a couple of visits to our office each year, you can maintain your smile's health and beauty. Contact our office today to schedule a cleaning or consultation.

Many American adults suffer from gum disease. It’s very common, but the good news is that it’s treatable. A periodontal pocket is an area where inflammation and/or infection is present. Later stages of the disease involve bone loss. Periodontal infection can lead to bad breath, bad smell/taste, bleeding, tender gums, and eventually tooth loss. It’s also been linked to heart attacks, strokes, diabetic complications and low birth weight in babies.

Our non surgical gum care consists of periodontal debridement through scaling and root planing with hand instruments along with an in office irrigation treatment with the warmed medicaments: chlorhexidine and fluoride; which are known to aid in the healing process.

Our goal is to resolve the signs of inflammation, reduce pocket depths and detectable plaque to a level associated with periodontal health. Ideally we can halt the progression of the periodontal disease.

We always start with a conservative, non-surgical periodontal therapy program, but you should be aware that referral to a periodontist may be necessary to evaluate the need for periodontal surgery. By non-surgical gum care techniques, our hope is you will avoid or limit the need for periodontal surgery.

To find out more or to schedule an appointment, please contact our practice today.

Cosmetic fillings for cavities and stained, chipped or irregular teeth, are composite resin dental fillings. These fillings mimic the appearance of natural teeth and are used when a natural appearance is important. Traditional dental fillings such as gold, porcelain, and composite/amalgam are still useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing (such as in the back of the mouth). Although composites were produced initially for cosmetic purposes, and used most commonly in the front teeth, they are used increasingly in the back molars that require more strength. Nowadays the cosmetic fillings used on front teeth are more polished, while the fillings used on back teeth are made with a stronger material.

The ultimate decision about what to use is best determined in consultation with your doctor. Before your treatment begins, discuss the options with your doctor.

If you already have silver fillings but wish that they would look more natural, you can replace them with composite fillings. For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office today.

A crown is a restoration that covers or "caps" a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings won't solve the problem. Often a porcelain crown is a better choice for cosmetic improvement because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and have superior strength.

Crowns are cemented onto an existing tooth which fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage doesn't get worse. Crowns are also used as an improvement over a large filling when there isn't enough of the tooth remaining to help attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth or cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.

Unlike fillings which are applied directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.

Crowns should last approximately 10 to 15 years. However, with good oral hygiene and supervision most porcelain crowns will last much longer. Some damaging habits like grinding your teeth, chewing ice or fingernail biting may cause this period of time to decrease significantly.

To find out more or to schedule an appointment, please contact our practice today.

A dental bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress in your bite. Sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, bridges literally bridge the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. The bridge typically consists of a replacement tooth connected to two crowns. The crowns are slipped over the teeth adjacent to the gap, creating the 'bridge." Unlike partial dentures, bridges are permanent; patients cannot remove them.

A bridge stabilizes the bite of a patient who is missing one or more teeth and prevents the surrounding teeth from moving or shifting in the mouth. A missing tooth that is not replaced may cause surrounding teeth to become unstable and require removal or make the teeth harder to clean, compromising oral health or change the shape of a face and diminish the beauty of a smile.

A dental bridge is aesthetically pleasing and in many cases it also makes chewing and speaking easier.

To find out if a dental bridge is best for you, please contact our practice today.

Veneers are ultra-thin high-stregnth shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten severely discolored teeth and to improve a smile in many ways. Veneers can literally change your smile in just a few weeks.

A significant advantage of placing porcelain veneers as opposed to cosmetic dental bonding is that a porcelain veneer's surface is just that, porcelain. Since porcelain is a ceramic, and therefore glass-like, a veneer's porcelain surface will be extremely stain resistant. Wafer-thin dental veneers give an aesthetically pleasing naturalness unsurpassed by other restorative and cosmetic dentistry options.

Generally, dental veneers last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity when properly performed. To find out more or to schedule an appointment, please contact our practice today.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or injured. Without endodontic treatment the tooth’s nerves die. In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with root canal treatment, you may save that tooth.

When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp. Bacteria can cause an infection inside the tooth. Left without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess causes the pulp tissue to die. When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling result. Certain byproducts of the infection can injure your jawbones and your overall health. Again, without treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.

Root canal treatment occurs in three stages: First comes the diagnosis. Next comes the root canal itself, in which the pulp is removed (and thereby also the infection), and cleans the inside of the tooth preparatory to filling it, sometimes applying antibiotics to thwart further infection. A temporary filling is placed at the crown opening. Finally, in a subsequent appointment, a crown is installed to seal the tooth and protect it from further damage or infection.

Most of the time a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort. Excellent oral hygiene after your root canal can help ensure success and prevent reinfection. To learn more about this procedure or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office today.

With the application of tooth colored filling material (composite), stained, chipped, cracked or misaligned teeth can be quickly and painlessly restored for a natural, beautiful smile. Composite filling is placed onto your tooth then artfully crafted, smoothed and polished to improve its appearance. The filling "bonds" with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.

Tooth bonding can also be used for teeth fillings instead of amalgam fillings. Many patients prefer bonding fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than the silver amalgam fillings. Bonding fillings can be used on front and back teeth depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.

Bonding is a conservative and generally less expensive way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. The procedure usually can be completed in one visit.

To find out more or to schedule an appointment, please contact our practice today.

Soft drinks, coffee, tea, tobacco, and other dark foods or drinks leave ugly stains on our teeth. To achieve a bright white smile, we offer a wide range of in-office and home bleaching options.

Chair side power bleaching can be done in one hour at our office. We apply a protective gel for your gums, apply tooth whitening agent and use a special light to enhance the action of the agent. One session is generally enough to significantly whiten your teeth although some patients may require an additional session.

Take-home tooth whitening is available as well. We'll give you a custom-made bleaching tray that you will wear at home as prescribed by your dentist for great, lasting results.

The majority of patients experience no pain or sensitivity during the in office or at home whitening process. With regular professional care and use of after-care products, you can maintain your new whiteness for many years.

Make an appointment today and restore your teeth to dazzling perfection! To find out which bleaching option is best for you, please contact our practice today.

If you are missing teeth, crowns and bridges or dentures are not your only options for repair. Dental implants offer patients a stronger and more permanent way of replacing missing teeth than either bridges or dentures. Made of titanium, dental implants are strong, safe, and attach easily to the underlying bone. With dental implants, a small titanium screw or cylinder is surgically placed in the upper or lower jawbone. The implant replaces the root of the missing tooth, providing an anchor for your new tooth / teeth. Because dental implants fuse to the jawbone, they offer better stability, look extremely natural, and provide a secure fit.

State-of-the-art dental implant technology provides predictable, comfortable, and aesthetic results allowing high quality eating, speaking, and smiling. Chewing and speech problems caused by missing teeth may be restored or improved. You'll be able to eat foods you previously avoided. Best of all, an increased confidence in your smile allows you to enjoy an active lifestyle. That's why many people choose dental implants over other procedures. The result is a natural appearance that is intended to be permanent.

Candidates need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by the doctor will help determine whether you are a good candidate.

If you have missing teeth and are looking for a solution that will provide strength, support, and long-term results, dental implants may be an appropriate option. Please contact our office for more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment.