Everyone on our staff is dedicated to helping you have the best oral health possible. At each appointment they will help answer your questions and customize a home care regimen that is right for you. Below are definitions of common dental terms and procedures.

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Extractions
A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons; the most common reasons being severe tooth decay or a fracture that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable.

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Tooth colored, Composite Fillings, or Restorations

Reasons for composite fillings:

• Chipped teeth.

• Closing space between two teeth.

• Cracked or broken teeth.

• Decayed teeth.

• Worn teeth

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc.  The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

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Crowns

A crown, often called a cap, is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
 

Reasons for crowns:

• Broken or fractured teeth

• Cosmetic enhancement

• Decayed teeth

• Fractured fillings

• Large fillings

• Tooth has been endo treated (root canal)

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Dentures/Partials

A denture is a removable dental appliance which replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissue.  They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
 

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

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Reasons for dentures:

• Complete Denture - Loss of all teeth in an arch

• Partial Denture - Loss of several teeth in an arch

• Enhancing smile and facial tissues

• Improving chewing, speech, and digestion

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Teeth Whitening

The take-home bleaching system uses custom made intraoral trays that

are fabricated by our staff in our laboratory. These custom fit trays only

have to be worn for about 30 minutes a day for a couple of weeks. The

peroxide based bleaching system that we use is safe for tooth surfaces

and won’t harm the enamel. It is recommended that people who are

interested in tooth whitening should have a professional dental

cleaning first, this will give them a better end result. Everyone’s teeth

whiten differently and at a different rate so treatment time will vary

from person to person.

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Whitening may not be a viable option for those with the following

conditions:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)

• Normal wear of outer tooth layer

• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)

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Dental Cleaning

Adult professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) will always be performed by Registered Dental Hygienists.  Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:

• Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.

• Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease or gingivitis.

• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface.  Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.

• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a continuously growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce acids that inflame the gums and cause tooth decay. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!

• Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

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Periodontitis

Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus. When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.

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Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

• Bleeding gums – gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss

• Loose teeth – also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone)

• New spacing between teeth – caused by bone loss

• Persistent bad breath – caused by bacteria in the mouth

• Pus around the teeth and gums – sign that there is an active infection and dental treatment should be sought immediately!

• Receding gums – loss of gum around a tooth

• Red and puffy gums – gums should never be red or swollen

• Tenderness or Discomfort – plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth

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Fluoride Applications

Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay.

It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost

all foods and water supplies. The benefits of fluoride have been well

known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and

professional organizations.

 

Although most people receive fluoride from food and water, sometimes

it is not enough to help prevent decay.  Your dentist or dental hygienist

may recommend the use of home and/or professional fluoride treatments

for the following reasons:

• Deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth

• Exposed and sensitive root surfaces

• Fair to poor oral hygiene habits

• Frequent sugar and carbohydrate intake

• Inadequate exposure to fluorides

• Inadequate saliva flow due to medical conditions, medical treatments
  or medications

• Recent history of dental decay

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Sealants

We feel strongly that a properly placed dental sealant is one of the best preventive services that the dentists and registered dental hygienists perform.

A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface.

Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.

Reasons for sealants:

• Children and teenagers – as soon as the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear or any time throughout the cavity prone years of 6-16

• Adults – tooth surfaces without decay that have deep grooves

• Baby teeth – occasionally done if teeth have deep grooves or depressions and child is cavity prone