BASIC HEALTH

                                                                         Recall visits
We believe in the importance of preventive dental health care.  Appointments are scheduled for periodic dental examinations at varying intervals depending on  individual care requirements. A periodic oral health exam includes  a professional cleaning for the removal of tartar and screenings for decay, oral cancer, and gum disease. 

SEALANTS
These are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they are too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These teeth will develop cavities over time.  A coating that seals the grooves and pits will be placed, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for the teeth. These structures are also referred to as the periodontium.  When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be any of the following: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. With the proper care, however, it is possible to return to a healthy state.  The treatment  may involve a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease is too severe there may be a need to  treat with surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get treatment at the first sign of a problem.

X-RAYS
This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.

In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take X-rays using 50-70% less radiation than conventional X-rays. Coupled with computer monitoring, digital X-ray technology allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.

Fillings
Fillings are done to remove decay and replace the affected tooth structure.  It is called a filling because new material fills a hole that had been left by decay .  Most teeth can be treated with bonded tooth colored composite resin.  Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly.  If not treated, decay can lead to discomfort and/or infection.