Procedures

After one or more teeth are extracted, I will definitely recommend that those teeth be replaced, not only to restore your lost chewing capacity, but also to help support the remaining teeth and oral tissues. One of the ways we can replace a tooth is by the use of a dental implant. An implant is simply a titanium screw that is carefully placed in the bone where you lost your tooth, or teeth. Over the last 25 years I have had to refer my patients to a specialist to have this done, but now, after several hours of continuing education, I am placing them myself in the lower jaw. If the implant is needed in the upper back part of the jaw, or if a bone graft (more bone is needed) before the implant is placed, I will refer you to a specialist to have the implant placed.

Implant technology has come a long way since I graduated from dental school. More and more patients are finding that losing a tooth is not the end of the world. They can get a dental implant and then a crown can be cemented on to the implant and serve as the missing tooth for the rest of the patient’s life.

Implants can also be used to help support a denture or partial. There are many people who have loose dentures, (especially the lower one), and have a very hard time chewing and speaking without the denture or partial moving around. In most of these cases, one or two implants can have a dramatic effect on stabilizing the denture, making it much more comfortable for the patient to eat and speak.

When a patient has several missing teeth, or all their teeth missing, one option to replace the missing teeth is the fabrication of a partial removable denture, or a complete removable denture. In our office we make both of these. Obviously, I try to do everything in my power to prevent this from happening, but sometimes it is unavoidable. Patients with severe periodontal disease may eventually need to have their teeth extracted if all treatment options have been exhausted. Sometimes this happens over many years and they may need a partial denture which replaces just some of their missing teeth. The partial denture usually attaches to a few of the remaining teeth in their mouth. Most patients can function well for years with their partial denture, and especially if one or two implants are used to stabilize it. The same goes for full dentures, except they need at least two to four implants to help keep them from moving around. However, even a well-fitting set of dentures will only provide you with 30% of the chewing ability compaired with a set natural teeth. So my goal is to help you save your teeth above all!

“Preventive dentistry” is a catch-all term that includes all that we do to help you “prevent” oral disease, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. Actually, what you do at home is the most important part of preventive dentistry. Good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing, eating a low sugar diet, not smoking or drinking to excess, using topical fluoride when appropriate, are all important life decisions that help you keep your teeth for a life time.

There are several things we can do to help our patients maintain healty teeth and gums. Our dental assistant can deliver flouride treatments to kids and some adults after their cleaning appointments. She helps instruct and reinforce good brushing and flossing technique. We also supply home products that can help to stop the growth of small cavities you may already have.

Instead of sealants, I usually perform “preventive resins” on kids with newly erupted molars that have deep grooves. Preventive resins are more involved than a sealant and require more of my time to perform them. Also, a preventive resin will last a lot longer than a superficial “sealant”, and will protect the tooth better.

Another procedure to help prevent tooth wear and gum disease from getting worse, is the fabrication of a night guard. A night guard is a hard plastic device that we custom make for you based on impressions we take at the first night guard appointment. At the second appointment, we make sure the night guard fits perfectly to your mouth, usually to the upper teeth, and adjust it so that the opposing teeth, (usually the lower teeth) hit it evenly. With some patients we have also found that a night guard can alleviate TMJ pain, and relieve headaches that can result from grinding and clenching.

Cosmetic dentistry is another catch all term that when most people hear it they think of someone who has had dental work done to improve their smile. This can incorporate many dental procedures and even things people can do at home, like Crest White Strips.

I have helped my patients bleach their teeth for 20 years. I have used many products over the years, but they mostly consist of a gel that the patient places in custom fabricated trays that fit close to your teeth. The gel contains 15-20% Carbamide Peroxide and doesn’t seem to cause any reactions in my patients. This chemical is non-toxic and does sometimes cause tooth sensitivity to cold. It might also cause a temporary whitening of the gums near the edge of the bleach tray. This is temporary and does no permanent damage to the gums.

Over the last few years, most of our patients are using the white strips. We sell a stronger version than the strips that people can buy in the store. I still make the trays for patients, and I think they do work a little better than the white strips, but they are also more of an investment.

For me, cosmetic dentistry really encompasses everything that I do, whether it is a small filling, a crown or a full mouth reconstruction. I want all my dental work to look like it is not there. It needs to have the ideal form and function and also look great. If a patient is requesting six veneers on their front teeth, I will build them to restore lost tooth funtionality from decay or wear and tear, but also harmonize with the appeance. I like my porcelain crowns and veneers to look and feel as natural as possible, but also not distract from a patient’s other facial features. I would rather call the dentistry I do “Comprehensive Dentistry ” than “Cosmetic Dentistry”, because cosmetics in just one small part of providing excellent oral healthcare.