General Dentistry for All Ages

Preventive care is an essential part of ensuring oral health. With that in mind, we make sure to include an array of routine preventive services in our comprehensive patient exams. These include:

We also take in-depth medical histories from each of our patients when they come to our office. This helps us better understand our patients' current health, predict what problems might develop in the future, and keep track of any medications they are taking that may impact their dental health.

Dental appointments for children are important to evaluate the teeth and gums as well as to educate the young patient for a lifetime of dental hygiene. We will talk with you about your child’s oral health and hygiene, including teething, fluoride, brushing and flossing, cavities, sealants and orthodontics.

Teeth Bleaching

Bleaching products brighten teeth that have been stained or darkened by food, tobacco use, injury or aging. In-office bleaching takes place over a series of one-hour appointments at the office. First, your teeth will be examined and cleaned to make sure there are no cavities, loose fillings, gum problems or other issues that may be exacerbated by the bleaching process. A custom-fit mouth tray will be made for your teeth. Then the bleaching gel is applied to your teeth in the tray

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Veneers

Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front sides of teeth to close gaps, cover stains and discolorations, and correct chipped or misshapen teeth to give you a bright, even, attractive smile.

Tooth Colored Fillings

Unsightly metal fillings can make an otherwise perfect set of teeth look unattractive. Now there are fillings specially designed to match the natural color of the tooth. Directly-bonded, tooth-colored resin fillings can make a tooth look like new, whether they are used for small areas of decay or to replace current fillings.

Full Service Implants

Dental implants provide a stable base for replacement teeth that look, feel and work like natural teeth. With dental implants, a person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat and smile with confidence. Implants can replace one tooth or several missing teeth.

Dental implants are cylinders made of titanium that are surgically implanted into the jaw. The jaw bone grows around the base of the implant, while the top protrudes through the gums. Once they are secure in the jaw, the posts serve as anchors for tooth replacements such as fixed crowns and bridges and secure removable dentures.

In most cases, the implant surgery can be done in our office, eliminating the need to see a specialist. We will as lo provide the necessary crown, bridge or denture after the implant has healed.

Dentures

Patients who have lost their natural teeth due to decay, periodontal disease or injury can suffer from related problems including further decay, difficulty eating and speaking, and drooping of facial muscles. Full and partial dentures replace the missing teeth both aesthetically and functionally, providing support and restoring the smile. Full (complete) dentures are used when all of the natural teeth have been lost, while partial dentures fill in the gaps between natural teeth. The gums, dentures and any remaining natural teeth will need to be cleaned regularly to prevent staining, sores and plaque build-up.

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Root Canals

Root canals can prevent tooth loss when there is damage to the soft core of the tooth (the pulp). Despite its reputation as a painful ordeal, a root canal is actually not very uncomfortable. During the procedure, the damaged pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off, and a crown is bonded to the tooth to maintain strength.

Tooth Extractions

Extraction is recommended when a tooth becomes loose from gum disease, when teeth are crowded, when one tooth is preventing another from erupting, or when a tooth is so damaged or decayed that root canal therapy would be ineffective.

Because missing teeth can cause health problems ranging from tooth shifting to difficulty chewing, restorative procedures are recommended following extraction. These may take the form of dental implants, bridges or dentures.

The procedure itself may require removal of soft or hard tissue, depending on whether the tooth is fully erupted. A local anesthetic is usually all that is needed to eliminate discomfort, although general anesthetic may be used for sensitive patients or children.

Nitrous Oxide (Sedation Dentistry)

Nitrous oxide is available for patients who are nervous, sensitive, or wish to have extensive dental work completed in a single visit. First, you'll breathe pure oxygen through a mask or tub. Nitrous oxide is slowly added to the oxygen, helping you feel more comfortable during the procedure. You will remain awake but feel calm and relaxed.

Urgent Emergency Care

We are trained to care for dental emergencies, including broken or knocked-out teeth, toothache, objects stuck between teeth, bitten tongue or lip, and other trauma to the teeth, tongue, lips and cheeks. Patients with emergencies are given priority.

Dr. Joe and Dr. Kate will do their best to see their patients with urgent needs during their regular office hours. In addition, through Dental 911, patients can be seen in the evening and on weekends and holidays for emergency care.

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