General Dentistry
Along with complete examinations, diagnoses and treatment plans, we offer products to protect your teeth and make your lives more enjoyable.
dental visits :
additional services:
• grinding and clenching of teeth
CHILD’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT
- We suggest that your child’s first visit to the dentist happens at about age 2-3.
- Your child’s first visit will be low-key and comfortable.
- Your child’s medical history will be reviewed with a parent.
- We will give your child a ride in the chair and use a show-tell-do approach geared toward your child.
- Your dentist will visually examine your child’s teeth by counting the teeth. Any concerns for your child’s dental health will be addressed. These concerns may include thumb sucking, grinding of teeth, when to expect baby teeth to be lost and permanent teeth to come in and where the teeth should be coming in.
- A thorough examination includes two to four small digital films to detect “in-between” decay, unseen by the eyes. At age 6-7 a full view film may be taken to check for growth patterns and such things as crowding of teeth, missing permanent teeth and condition of bone.
- Careful removal of any build up of plaque or calculus will be performed along with polishing your child’s teeth.
- A fluoride treatment will be accomplished using trays or a brush-on technique if your child cannot handle the trays. Use of an at home fluoride supplement will be discussed.
- Demonstration and explanation of home care techniques including brushing, flossing, diet and habits that affect your child’s teeth will be discussed.
- An appropriate treatment plan for your child will be developed with you after a discussion of any dental problems.
- Future dental hygiene recare visits can be quickly and easily scheduled chairside.
- Our goal is for your child to have a pleasant and comfortable hygiene visit.
ADOLESCENTS INITIAL DENTAL VISIT
- A medical history of your child will be reviewed.
- Digital images as recommended by the ADA will be taken to detect decay or other pathology not seen in the visual exam.
- A panoramic view may be taken to detect the growth of permanent teeth or situations that may indicate a referral for braces or wisdom tooth removal.
- A thorough exam including the soft tissues, gums and teeth will be performed. Your concerns for your child’s dental health will be addressed.
- Careful removal of any build up of plaque and calculus and the polishing of teeth will be accomplished.
- A fluoride treatment will be given with parental consent.
- Oral hygiene home care instructions including brushing, flossing, diet and habits affecting the teeth will be demonstrated and discussed.
- After all of your questions are answered, we will develop an appropriate plan with you should your child need further treatment.
- Future dental hygiene recare visits can be quickly and easily scheduled chairside.
ADULT INITIAL DENTAL VISIT
- Your medical history and your past dental history will be reviewed with you.
- A periodontal exam is performed by a dentist or registered dental hygienist. This includes evaluating the condition of your gums by measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums to aid with diagnosing gum disease.
- An oral cancer exam by the dentist is done to detect any abnormal tissue conditions that need further evaluation by a specialist. The diagnostic test, Vizilite, is recommended once a year to assist in the detection of oral cancer.
- A full mouth set of digital x-rays will be taken if you have not had a full set in the past three to five years. This involves 18 individual pictures or a panoramic film which are needed to find conditions such as decay, cysts, tumors, gum disease or abscesses that exist in the bone surrounding the teeth. They are used to determine the health of the teeth and nerve tissue within the teeth. This series of films are recommended by the ADA every 5 years or every three years if you have gum disease.
- If a more involved treatment for gum disease is not indicated, the removal of plaque and calculus and the polishing of your teeth will be accomplished by a registered dental hygienist.
- One of our dentists will examine your oral tissue, teeth and gums to determine if any treatment is necessary or to help plan optional or cosmetic treatment. Your concerns will be addressed.
- A personalized treatment plan will be made after a thorough discussion of the options along with the risks and benefits of each. We encourage your questions and always welcome your input and comments.
- Chairside scheduling of your next hygiene recare visit in 3-6 months allows you to pre-arrange your appointment to better fit your busy life.
senior ADULT DENTAL VISIT
- Your medical history will be reviewed and discussed.
- Your visit includes everything we do at an initial adult dental visit but may also address these considerations:
• Evaluation and cleaning of existing partials or dentures.
• Special attention to senior problems such as dry mouth, root decay, gum conditions and oral hygiene difficulties.
• Discussions of dental needs and treatment planning with a spouse, adult child or legal guardian. - Arranging dental visits through an assisted living center or senior care center.
Mouthguards
It is estimated by the American Dental Association that mouthguards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and college football.
Mouthguards include a large range of products, from “over the counter” models to professionally manufactured and dentist prescribed custom-made mouthguards.
The most effective mouthguards are custom-made and supplied by your dentist. After a dental impression is taken of your upper arch, a dental professional will custom form a mouthguard that is form fitted to a stone model of your mouth. The mouthguard material provides 3mm of thickness that is effective in absorbing impact energy. Speaking and breathing during your activities is easier wearing a custom-made mouth guard. Custom-made mouthguards come in a variety of colors.
Snoring Appliance
Snoring is a common problem among people of all ages. It affects both genders of approximately 90 million American adults – that’s almost a third of the entire U.S. population! Snoring sounds are a clear indication that your breathing passage is at least partially blocked. There have also been studies conducted that showed snoring to be a singular risk factor of high blood pressure and other cardiac diseases. A snorer will experience some degree of daytime dysfunction due to fragmented sleep. Snoring can cause morning headaches, concentration difficulties, reduced work performance and fatigue.
There’s no need to continue suffering; snoring is completely treatable with nearly a 100% success rate in most cases. Many doctors specializing in sleep medicine recommend a dental appliance called a Mandibular Repositioning Device, (MAD). This adjustable oral device is used to gently push the lower jaw and tongue forward to help clear the airway. It is a safe and cost effective method to treat snoring, as well as mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Night guards for bruxism: the grinding and clenching of teeth
If you find yourself waking up with a sore jaw or sensitive teeth you could be clenching or grinding your teeth at night. The stressful force of clenching causes pressure on the muscles, tissues and TMJ (temporomandibular joint). This can lead to jaw joint disorders, jaw pain and soreness, headaches, earaches, damaged teeth and other problems. Migraines can be caused by many things; bite-related migraines are often stress related. Clenching your teeth puts tremendous strain on the muscles of the head, neck and face.
Your dental professional may recommend a nightguard to protect your teeth, muscles and TMJ from damage due to bruxism. There are many nightguard options available. We can discuss which nightguard is the best option for you and take a simple impression. Then, a dental professional will custom design a nightguard. The nightguard protects your teeth and keeps your muscles relaxed by providing the space needed for your jaws to be at rest.
