A comprehensive dental exam includes multiple components during the appointment. These include x-rays and diagnostic imaging (pictures), caries risk assessment, gums risk assessment, oral cancer screening with head and neck examination, and a comprehensive oral evaluation.

X-rays can identify many aspects of oral disease, including cavities between the teeth, bone loss or periodontal disease, infections, bone lesions, unusual dental growth and unerupted teeth. Pictures allow for the magnifications of dental conditions and the evaluation of existing restoration and potential new cavities under filling

A caries risk assessment is the evaluation of snacking habits, oral hygiene habits and the existence of current cavities among other items to make an assessment of the likelihood of future cavities.

An oral cancer screening and head & neck examination is the examination of the cheeks and gums to identify early lesions that may need follow up to detect and prevent oral cancer. The salivary glands, lymph nodes, and hard and soft tissue structures are examined as well.

After a comprehensive oral evaluation, the doctor can build a customized plan to fix current issues and prevent caries, gum disease and oral cancer in the future.

A dental prophylaxis, also known as a teeth cleaning or "prophy", is a procedure that thoroughly cleans the teeth and gums to prevent gum disease and periodontal disease. This type of cleaning removs plaque and tartar/calculus buildup on tooth structure that is above or just below the gumline. These cleanings are typically 6 months apart, or twice a year.

Scaling and root planing (SRP) is a deep cleaning procedure used to treat periodontal (gum) disease. It involves removing plaque and calculus, also known as tartar, from both above and deep below the gum line. This non-surgical treatment helps prevent the progression of gum disease and promotes healing of the gum tissue. Depending on the severity, it may take multiple appointments to complete SRP. Also depending on the severity, you may need to be numbed in order to remove all buildup. Once all quadrants in the mouth have had SRP treatment completed, cleanings move to periodontal maintenance cleanings and will be scheduled 3-6 months apart.

With both types of cleanings, the dental hygienist will complete a gums risk assessment, or perio chart. A gums risk assessment is the measurement of the gums in millimeters, and evaluation of the color, aspect, and bleeding propensity of the gums to form an assessment for future gum problems.

A dental filling is a restorative material used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay or minor fractures. The dentist removes the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cavity with a material such as white composite resin or silver amalgam. Fillings help restore the tooth's function and shape while preventing further decay or breaks.

Incipient dental decay, or early-stage tooth decay, can often be reversed through the application of remineralizing and/or regenerating materials. These materials help restore weakened tooth enamel, effectively halting and potentially reversing the decay process. By promoting remineralization, these treatments can prevent the need for more invasive procedures and help maintain the natural structure of the tooth.

SDF stands for "Silver Diamine Fluoride," a liquid solution used to treat and prevent tooth decay by killing bacteria that cause cavities and remineralizing the tooth structure. It's often used in situations where more invasive treatments like fillings are not suitable. SDF is known for its ability to stain decayed areas black while leaving healthy tooth structure unaffected. SDF is applied topically very carefully to only the affected area and then treated with a fluoride varnish to help in remineralizing the tooth.

Povidone Iodine is used to help prevent tooth decay and treat gum disease by reducing the bacterial load in the mouth. It is also sometimes used before an extraction to help keep the surgical site clean. It is applied all over teeth and gums by using a cotton swab soaked in the solution.

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that shield the chewing surfaces of back teeth from harmful, cavity-causing bacteria. Sealants can last for many years. This procedure is minimally invasive, with no tooth structure removed and no need to be numb. First, the tooth is cleaned and polished. After the tooth is dried, we apply the sealant material, and then either use a light to harden the sealant or let it set on its own. After the sealants are applied, you can eat and drink as usual without any restrictions.

A tooth extraction is a dental procedure during which your tooth is completely removed from its socket. Sometimes, people refer to this as “pulling" a tooth. There are many different reasons a tooth might need to be extracted or pulled including tooth decay, severe gum disease, bone loss, trauma to the tooth, an abscess or infection, overcrowding, or wisdom tooth removal.

This is a topical treatment that is applied over the surfaces of the teeth. The varnish hardens after saliva touches it, allowing the fluoride to seep into the enamel. Fluoride treatments can help prevent new cavities, slow or stop decay from getting worse, and repair or strengthen teeth that were just starting to decay.

We are excited to begin offering partials and dentures in the near future.