Examination

A great way to start your dental experience is with an examination. This includes examination for detection of cavities and gum disease, as well as oral cancer screening and other oral problems. A set of x-rays can help detect problems that cannot be seen by clinical exam alone, such as bone health, tumors, abscesses and cavities in places that are not visible without x-rays.

Prevention

Our hygienists Lori and Aileen are experts at dental prevention. They can clean teeth, but they also can help you understand what you can do to keep your teeth in excellent health. We believe it is not only important to brush and floss your teeth, but to have them cleaned and examined regularly. We would also like you to understand what can make your mouth healthy, and what can cause harm to you.

For many patients, examinations and cleaning should happen every 6 months. Some with gums problems that need more frequent attention will find that cleaning them every 3 or 4 months is even more effective at keeping the mouth healthy.

Sealants

Sealants are great prevention for the grooved chewing surfaces o the permanent molars. They can reduce the incidence of cavities in these areas by about 8 times. After the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the sealant is a reinforced plastic that is bonded into the grooves. Now in those deep grooves where the plaque likes to hide, it cannot get there anymore, and the toothbrush has an easier time keeping the tooth clean.

Restorative Dentistry

We have many ways of replacing missing teeth, restoring decayed or broken down teeth, or improving the function and beauty of teeth.

Porcelain crowns and bridges can appear like natural teeth. We also use gold where the appearance is not objectionable, for superior strength and durability.

For filling teeth, we can use time-tested silver amalgam for its strength and longevity, or composite-resin or porcelain for its beauty and resemblance to natural tooth structure. Gold is also available for extra durability.

Cosmetic Dentistry

From porcelain crowns, to porcelain veneers, to bonding, to bleaching, we have the techniques to make your smile more beautiful.

Nitrous Oxide

Nervous? Have you had an unpleasant dental experience? Sometimes Nitrous Oxide is perfect for making your experience easier. Although some of our more nervous patients find that this makes the visit more pleasant, many find that after a few visits they don't need it anymore. They realize that we have so many ways of treating teeth painlessly, and can then lose their fears and feel comfortable with dental treatment without the Nitrous Oxide.

Nitrous Oxide is a gas that you breathe through your nose. It does not put you to sleep, but rather makes you feel relaxed. It raises the "threshold of pain", meaning that you feel things less. Since we strive to have you feel no pain anyway, it is still useful for those who worry about what "might" happen, even though the pain may never come.

Since its effect is gone a short time after you stop breathing it, it is safe to drive home after appointments.

Dentures

We strive to make dentures that look like natural teeth. Sometimes we use photographs to make dentures look like the original teeth that they are replacing. Sometimes we make them similar to the natural teeth, making corrections in some of the flaws, but leaving the "personality" of the original teeth.