Common Procedures
Topics on this page
Regular Exams and Cleanings
Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:
- Check for any problems that you may not see or feel
- Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
- Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
- Perform an oral health screening
Your regular exam will take about 45 minutes.
An exam should be done once a year and your teeth should be cleaned every six months.
Bridges
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite.
A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
Crowns
Crowns are a resto
rative procedure used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.
A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both.
Crowns are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression, which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
Dentures
Dentures are natural looking replacement appliances that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. Use a gentle cleanser to brush your dentures, always keep them moist when they’re not in use, and be sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well.
Extractions
There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. A tooth may have so much decay that it can't be fixed, so your doctor may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant. Periodontal (gum) infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.
The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a “tooth socket,” and your tooth is held in that socket by a ligament. In order to extract a tooth, your dentist must expand the socket and separate the tooth from the ligament holding it in place.
Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth.
Fillings
Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include amalgam (silver) or composite. Composites are white and are typically used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. Amalgam fillings are metal & harder than composites. They are used on back teeth & typically last longer than composites.
Fluoride
Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities. A fluoride treatment for a child in your dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. This is usually done every six months during the child's exam & cleaning appointment.
Implant Restoration
If you are missing teeth, it is best to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a long time!
An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of three main parts: one part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, the second part is the titanium post that sticks up above the top of the implant dody and is attached to the implant with a titanium screw. The third part is a crown that is cemented to the post. With implant treatment, you can smile confidently knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.
Nightguards
If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism.” Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when they are sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.
There is a non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards. Nightguards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that teeth grinding causes over time. Custom made by your dentist and a lab to fit your teeth, a nightguard is inserted over your top or teeth and prevents tooth to tooth contact.
Sealants
Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. It is difficult for your toothbrush to get in between the small cracks and grooves on the top of your teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants give your teeth extra protection against germs that cause decay and help prevent cavities.
Dental sealants are resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on your tooth’s surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.
Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. It is more common to seal permanent teeth rather than baby teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.
Sealants typically last from three to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealants come off, let your dentist know, and schedule an appointment for your teeth to be re-sealed.
