General Dentistry
General Dentistry includes most routine procedures we perform in our office such as cleanings, exams, x-rays, and fillings.
Most patients come for some type of general dentistry service several times per year. Advancements in dental technology, however, have changed the way you will think about cleaning, exams and x-rays forever. In fact, many of our new patients comment about how comfortable and high-tech the procedures are. They are truly amazed at how far dentistry has come.
Teeth Cleanings
No longer is a teeth cleaning just a scrape and polish. Advanced treatments in our office include the use of an ultrasonic scaler, which uses gentle ultrasonic vibrations to loosen plaque and tartar along the tooth surface. The treatment is finished with a prophy jet, which uses a baking soda spray to polish the teeth almost like a mini-power washer. These procedures are incredibly comfortable when performed by one our talented dental hygienists.
Digital X-Rays
Dental x-rays have come a long way in the last few years. Our office now uses a system that is totally digital. A digital x-ray sensor has replaced the use of conventional x-ray film. When the x-rays are taken, they pop up instantly on the computer screen. And, the amount of detail in incredible, almost twice that of conventional x-rays. But, the biggest reason to be excited about digital x-rays is that the amount of radiation exposure has been by reduced by 70%, which is a huge benefit to the patient.
Laser Cavity Detection
We now use a small laser scanner to help detect cavities in the teeth. This revolutionary device allows us to quantitatively measure a soft spot in the tooth and determine its depth. Armed with this information we can monitor soft spots in the teeth at every check up to determine if they are getting worse. If
a cavity reaches pre-established threshold, then it must be filled. The real advantage here is that when cavities are caught at an early stage, it typically results in a smaller filling. These fillings can be 50 to 70% smaller than older metal fillings. No one wants a filling, but wouldn’t you rather have a small one, preserving more of your natural tooth, than a large one?
Exams
Our Comprehensive exam is one of the most thorough can receive. We do a full set of digital x-rays, a full set of digital photographs, a complete tooth charting, a periodontal screening, an oral cancer and soft tissue screening, a bite analysis, TMJ exam, and a detailed tooth exam checking every tooth for chips, cracks, and cavities. We spend ample time discussing the findings with you to make sure your have a thorough understanding of your oral health. We will also print you a report of our findings and a treatment plan for any care that is needed.
Treatment for Gum Disease
Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease, which was one called pyorrhea, is actually much more common that you would think. We see lots of patients that have not been to the dentist in a few years with periodontal disease. In most cases the treatment can be done easily and comfortably in our office with the use of our advanced ultrasonic scalers and the use of a little novocaine. The key is not to delay. If you have a problem with your gums being puffy or bleeding, then you may have gum disease. Early treatment is critical to success, otherwise you may begin to lose teeth.
