General Dentistry
GENERAL DENTISTRY

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child have their first dental visit by the age of one. These exams are simple and baby friendly, providing an opportunity to catch early signs of decay before restoration is needed. Parents are able to partner with our dental team to create a proper plan for both diet and oral hygiene for their child.

FILLINGS

Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health issues treated in our office. Decay usually starts as a result of bacteria in the mouth interacting with sugars from food, causing the formation of acid. The acid breaks down the tooth enamel, making the tooth even more susceptible to bacteria. The result is decay. A filling is when the dentist removes this decay and replaces it with a filling to repair the tooth or teeth that are affected by the decay (cavity). Dental fillings may also arise from accidental chipping or cracking of a tooth, grinding or clenching of teeth, uneven pressure from chewing, or normal wear of dental enamel.

CROWNS

When a tooth is severely broken or heavily decayed, your dentist may recommend a crown. Crowns help to prevent additional damage to the tooth and allow restored function by structurally reinforcing the tooth. The most common crown is a dental restoration that covers or replaces most or all the visible portion of a tooth and is made of either gold or porcelain. Crowns are also used to cap implant posts.

BRIDGES

A dental bridge is used to close a gap in your teeth and help keep your remaining teeth in place. It is a permanent fixture that consists of one or more artificial teeth positioned between two permanently crowned teeth (abutments). An alternative to replacing missing teeth with a bridge is to have a dental implant placed where the tooth is missing. Implants are preferred to bridges where adequate bone exists. Our CBCT X-Ray machine is used to determine the quality & quantity of bone before making this decision.

ROOT CANALS

Every tooth contains pulp at its core, which is composed of blood vessels and nerves. Every root of a tooth has a canal through which these blood vessels and nerves coexist. Root canal therapy is required when the nerve of a tooth is damaged by either infection from dental decay or by some form of trauma to the tooth. 

When the pulp is diseased or damaged, the pulp tissue dies, leading to infection. The procedure to save the tooth involves removing the pulp, cleaning the root canal, and sealing it off to protect it.

TMJ TREATMENT

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) make it possible for you to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and swallow. They allow your lower jaw to move forward, backward, and side to side. The TMJ consists of joints, muscles, ligaments, and bone.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) includes a extensive range of dysfunctions, including:
  • Locked jaws in either the open or closed position
  • Problems chewing
  • Headaches, toothaches, earaches, dizziness
  • Pain or tenderness in the face
  • Swelling in the jaw area
  • Clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth

Because there are many causes of TMD, and as a result varied treatments, a consultation and exam with our dentist is the place to start to determine the treatment plan most appropriate to your individual needs.
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