Preventative care

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is the most common disease known to mankind. 75% of all adults have had it or will have it at some time. If left unchecked and untreated, periodontal disease will lead to tooth loss and adversely affect your smile. Periodontal disease has also been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.

We are committed to preventing and eliminating this destructive disease among our patients. Periodontal disease is caused by a large buildup of the bacteria found in plaque, which erode the soft tissues of the mouth.

The early stages (gingivitis) are marked by red, inflamed, bleeding gums. If it is detected in these early stages, gum disease can often be reversed. For those cases where it is not detected early on, periodontal disease may still be treated using the latest dental procedures

Inside each tooth lies a slender strand of “pulp,” which contains nerves and provides nutrients to the tooth. This pulp reaches all the way down to the tooth’s root. When a tooth’s pulp becomes infected or irreversibly inflamed, endodontic treatment is urgently needed – otherwise the tooth itself may be at risk of dying. Root canals are used to save teeth in such situations.

We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings from years past in their mouths. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure.

A crown ("cap") is a tooth-like covering placed over a carefully prepared pre-existing tooth. Crowns serve many functions, such as to strengthen, restore or improve the appearance of your natural tooth.

A bridge is a custom device anchored to neighboring teeth that replaces one or more missing teeth. When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing one are prepared as crowns to serve as abutments to hold the prosthetic (replacement) tooth in place.

Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior materials such as semiprecious or precious metals, porcelain, or a fused combination of the two. Aesthetics, function, and tissue compatibility are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.

The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they've been dreaming of with our simple "whitening" procedure. We offer both at home and in office whitening options.

It's safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin whitening your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much of each shows when you talk and smile.

Porcelain veneers are very conservative esthetic dental restorations. They offer vitality and beauty that is so life-like that people will believe they are your natural teeth. At the same time, porcelain veneers are incredibly strong. When bonded with today’s adhesive technology and procedures, they can increase and restore a tooth’s strength. Generally, a veneer can correct or enhance any cosmetic situation. A thin layer of the tooth is removed to allow a custom porcelain tooth facing to be bonded to the tooth.

This allows us to lighten dark or discolored teeth, fix fractured or chipped teeth, and straighten crooked or misaligned teeth without the need for braces. It can also close gaps and increase the length and size of teeth that have worn down with time. Amazingly, all of this can usually be accomplished in only two visits.

Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail.

Bonding can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, or unevenly spaced. Bonding is done by lightly etching the tooth surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic composite resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Thankfully, modern advances have made it almost impossible for the average person to differentiate between dentures and natural teeth. Full dentures can be made more secure by having implants placed to help secure the denture in place.