Aside from routine checkups and cleanings we also offer these services. Please click on the links below for more information.
- Bonding
- Bridges
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Crowns
- Dental Cleaning/Prophylaxis
- Dentures
- Fillings
- Implant Placement
- Nitrous Oxide
- Non-Surgical Gum Treatments
- Root Canal Treatment
- Sealants
- TMJ Treatments
- Whitening
- X-Rays
- Veneers
Ask about:
Free Orthodontic Consultations
Free Implant Consultations
Services
Bonding
Bonding
involves adhering composite resin material that is matched
to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth. This
is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to
alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the
teeth, or for cosmetic purposes. First the surface of the
tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding and hold
it. A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a
primer/bonding agent is applied so the material adheres to
the surface. Then the material itself is placed on the tooth
and hardened with intense light. The composite resin
material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as
a last step.
Bridges
This
is an option for filling the space created by a missing
tooth. It is formed to look like the missing tooth, and it
takes its place in the mouth. The sides of a bridge use the
two surrounding teeth for support, hence the name. A bridge
replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and
cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an
exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys,
porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material.
The choice of material depends on requirements for strength,
wear, and/or esthetic.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a whole chain reaction of bad things. Teeth use their neighbors for support, and, with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The surrounding teeth deteriorate and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as the neglect continues.
Cosmetic Dentistry
This
can be anything done to correct imperfections in the
appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with their
smile can have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only
when smiling, while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is
reversed when talking, with the upper teeth remaining hidden
while the lower teeth show. The color, alignment, and
spacing as well as regularity of the teeth are the
characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of
these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.
At Choice One Dental Care, a wide range of cosmetic options are offered. Some of these options are whitening, smile design, recontouring of the shape of the teeth, veneers, bonding, and all ceramic/porcelain crowns.
Crowns
Crowns
are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a
tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be
restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after
root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The
larger the hole made by a cavity that has to be treated, the
more likely a crown will be needed. Even after a filling is
put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep
in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human
body. Teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns
ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and
protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken or cracked
tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult
to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as making for a nice
smile.
It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating a crown. Between the two visits, the crown is made, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold. During this time a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit this temporary is removed. Then the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.
Dental Cleaning/Prophylaxis
A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Plaque left untreated can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. Polishing is the last step in tooth cleaning and involves finishing the surface of the teeth to make them shiny and clean.
Dentures
There
are different types of dentures, but they share a common
function. They replace teeth that have become loose or been
lost due to bone loss. When bone loss around the roots of
teeth is great enough to loosen them or let them fall out,
it's time for dentures. Relax. No one enjoys losing their
natural teeth, but you can still eat and talk regularly.
The entire mouth is examined and a determination is made as to which teeth will have to be removed, and which will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted. Dentures are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth, depending on the type. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and one just carries on as usual. Often implants can be used to further stabilize the dentures.
Fillings
Fillings
are done to remove decay and replace the affected tooth
structure. Currently used is a tooth colored composite resin
material that is bonded in the hole left by the decay.
Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily, and if not treated decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection. The tooth would then need a crown, root canal treatment or extraction.
Implants
A
dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth. In
this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically
implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows
around it forming a tight connection, which additionally
slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the root of a
natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in
the mouth, the dentist then works to attach the replacement
tooth onto the top of the shaft. This permanent solution has
the advantages over bridge work that it does not stress the
surrounding teeth for support, and, should the tooth wear
out, another can simply be replaced on the shaft.
Implants can also be used as support as part of an implant bridge. This is an alternative to partial dentures, and has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period to acclimatize the patient who, once the work is done, only feels teeth, not metal supports intruding into the mouth. Second, this slows the bone loss occasioned by missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. And, best of all, of course, they don't have to be taken out all the time.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing gas)
Now, this isn't really a service in itself, it's used to make other treatment more comfortable. This is the famous dental anesthetic. It's safe, has proven effective over a long period of time, and is pleasant. You will be given a mask that allows you to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. In about 30 seconds to 4 minutes you will notice a more sedated feeling, and your cheeks and gums may go numb. After this any needed local anesthetic is applied and treatment begins. Afterwards, you will be given pure oxygen to breathe for about five minutes to dissipate the effects of the nitrous and return you to a normal state.
Non-Surgical Gum Treatments
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. Scaling and root planning is the initial phase of periodontal therapy. Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces and cleaning pockets in the gums to treat and prevent gum problems. Root planning involves insrumentation under the gums to clean plaque and tartar buildup. Local anesthesia may be used to maintain comfort during the procedure. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.
Root Canal Treatment
Root
canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or
endodontic therapy) is necessary when a cavity is allowed to
reach all the way to the pulp.
Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems
early.
Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.
A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection.
A core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy
Sealants
This
is used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be
adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth
structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque,
not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're
too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will
develop cavities over time, and you don't want that. So the
dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and
pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and
keep your teeth healthy.
TMJ Treatments
TMJ
stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple
area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw;
joint as in it's where the head and jaw meet. Problems in
this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth,
trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones
that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are
involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of
trouble can result.
Problems in this area can cause:
- Earaches
- Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Pain in the jaw muscles
- Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face
Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.
Whitening
This
is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more
attractive. It involves having impressions taken from which
fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A carbamide peroxide
gel is placed in these trays and the trays with gel are worn
for about 3 hours, or overnight. The entire process takes
3-4 weeks of daily use. Three different strengths of gel may
be used, however the higher the strength the greater the
likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. The tray
method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as
tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of use
to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of
whitened teeth the trays should be used every several
months.
X-Rays
This
is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which
produces an image on special film, showing the structure
through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and
white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose
problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic
process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed
disease. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting
bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect
infection or pathology that requires attention.
In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take X-rays using 50-70% less radiation versus conventional X-rays. This digital technique also allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.
Veneers
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure can be direct or indirect.
The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as bonding.
The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.
The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.