General Dentistry

General dentistry services are designed to meet the needs of patients of all ages. These services prevent future problems as well as treat current ones. Regular dental visits are needed for optimal oral health and to maintain a healthy smile. During each visit, your dentist will perform a thorough exam to detect any dental issues as early as possible. Early detection ensures the most conservative treatment options are available to successfully address any issues.

Your teeth should be checked and cleaned by a dentist every six months in order to keep them strong and healthy. Professional cleanings provide a deeper clean than you can achieve at home, and they remove any hardened plaque that cannot be removed with brushing or flossing alone. Plaque can build up quickly when it is not removed from your teeth regularly, leading to cavities and other oral health concerns. In addition to professional cleanings, exams provide your dentist with an opportunity to detect the presence of any oral conditions that may require treatment.

An inlay or onlay is a restoration used to repair rear teeth with advanced decay, cavities, or other structural damage to the tooth. They are created in a laboratory and then bonded to the surface of the tooth. Unlike fillings, which tend to weaken the tooth structure, an inlay or onlay strengthens and protects the tooth. An inlay is used when the cavity is limited to the cusp of the tooth. The inlay fits inside the top edges of the tooth, similar to the way a puzzle piece fits inside its puzzle frame. An onlay is similar to an inlay in that it covers the entire chewing surface of the tooth, but it is used when the damage goes beyond the cusps of the tooth.

During your routine visit, our dentists will perform an oral cancer screening to look for signs of precancerous growths. These screenings are important because early detection is key to successful treatment. Using the latest technology in our practice, we can identify potential problems sooner and make the best recommendations for treatment. We recommend coming in every 6 months for routine visits so we can screen your mouth for any potential signs of oral cancer. And if you smoke or use tobacco products, we recommend that you come in more frequently – preferably every 3-4 months. By seeing us regularly, you can reduce your risk of getting oral cancer significantly. If caught early, the survival rate is about 90 percent.

When diagnosing problems with your teeth or jaw, your dentist may want to take x-rays of your mouth. X-rays can help the dentist detect cavities in between teeth, abscesses on your tooth roots, impacted wisdom teeth, and even fractures in your teeth and jaws. A digital X-ray takes an image of your tooth using a small sensor instead of a traditional film-based X-ray. The digital sensor is connected to a computer that displays the image instantly on the screen so that both you and your dentist can see it clearly. The image can then be saved in your file for future reference.

Dental sealants are a protective coating applied to teeth to prevent cavities and decay. They can be applied as soon as a child’s first adult tooth comes in but should be reapplied every three to five years when teeth are at risk for decay. When properly applied, they can prevent up to 80% of cavities in children and adults. They are quick and easy to apply, and they can help prevent the need for fillings—a great preventive option!.

A cavity is a small hole that forms in your tooth as a result of tooth decay. If left untreated, this decay can get worse and cause further damage to your teeth, which may require more extensive dental treatments. A tooth filling is a treatment used to fill and seal the space left behind by decay so that bacteria cannot enter and harm your tooth. After a cavity is cleaned out, the visible part of the tooth is filled with either amalgam or composite resin. These materials are designed to match the color of your natural teeth. That way, once the procedure is complete, the filling will be virtually invisible to others and won’t stand out when you speak or smile.

If a tooth is significantly fractured or decayed, a dentist may recommend restoring the tooth with a crown. A crown fits over the existing tooth structure like a cap and protects the tooth from further damage while also restoring its strength and function. Dental crowns can be made of porcelain fused to metal, composite resin, ceramic, or gold alloy. Which material your dentist recommends will depend on the strength and function of the affected tooth.

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a crown on either side of the gap. The bridge is then bonded into place, permanently replacing any missing tooth or teeth. Bridges can be made of a variety of materials and are carefully crafted to match the surrounding teeth for a seamless appearance. Like crowns, bridges can also be used in conjunction with dental implants to replace multiple missing teeth at once.