Maintenance Appointments and Cleanings
Regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. Patient home care between these visits is also important to keep a healthy smile. Depending on the patient’s needs, these preventive appointments can range from every 3 months to every 6 months.
A routine visit will include a professional cleaning, a comprehensive dental exam, oral cancer screening, and possibly X-rays to aid our doctors in completing an accurate diagnosis. Professional cleaning removes calcified plaque, called calculus or tartar, which can build up in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. The teeth are then polished to remove surface stains and soft bacterial plaque. Following the cleaning, the doctor will complete a thorough examination, looking for early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or any other systemic issues and determine the proper course of action.
Periodontal Treatments
Periodontal disease, or “gum disease,” can range from simple gum inflammation (gingivitis) to a more serious disease that can result in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth (periodontitis); and in more advanced cases, can lead to tooth loss.
Gingivitis is a reversible condition that with proper home care and continued regular maintenance appointments can be prevented from progressing further, thus preserving your healthy teeth and smile.
Periodontitis requires more extensive treatment such as a deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planning, to control the infection. This procedure removes deposits and toxins that build up above and below the gum line, therefore eliminating the bacteria that contribute to the disease.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good strength and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings. This is a more aesthetic solution to traditional silver fillings, and due to the bonded adhesion of the material, they can keep the tooth stronger than a silver filling.