General Dentistry
General Dentistry Services
Dental Exams
Timely dental checkups are important as they can help you detect problems at an early stage. It is recommended to get a professional dental exam at least once every six months. This can prevent existing problems from getting worse and the development of future problems, as well. Dental checkups usually end with a dental cleaning, to remove surface stains and buildup.
Detecting problems early on will also help you in avoiding spending a lot on treatments and procedures. We'll visually examine your teeth for signs of plaque, tartar and tooth decay. Your gums will be checked for puffiness or discoloration. You may be required to take full set of dental X-rays to check below the surfaces of your teeth.
Dental X-Ray
Dental X-rays these days are are safer, faster, more comfortable and more informative compared to the past. Considered one of the latest and most advanced dental technologies, they produce high-quality images that can be viewed instantly on LCD monitors. Digital X-rays reduce radiation by up to 90%.
Intraoral photography is an alternative to traditional dental X-rays to capture problems such as cavities, fractures and discolorations. A 35mm or digital camera is used to sharp photographic images in this method.
Teeth Cleaning
It is possible for plaque and tartar deposits to build up on your teeth even if you brush and floss regularly. Professional teeth cleaning is the best way to remove these deposits and prevent them from causing more serious problems later on.
Compared to the traditional teeth cleaning which involves manually scraping away these deposits, latest developments have made way for more options for tooth cleaning.
A popular alternative to traditional teeth cleaning is laser teeth cleaning, also known as an ultrasonic cleaning. An ultrasonic scaler, instead of a manual probe, is used to remove deposits, kill harmful microbes and eliminate bacteria around the teeth and gums through high-frequency sound waves.
Laser teeth cleaning is more comfortable to many than traditional teeth cleanings because they are quicker, quieter and pain-free. In case excessive plaque and tartar deposits have developed below the gum line, a deep cleaning may be recommended.
Also known as scaling and root planing, deep cleaning is carried out in a two-part process. The stubborn deposits are removed first, followed by the smoothening of the root surfaces. Prevent periodontal disease and restore gum tissues to a healthy state with deep cleaning.
Pediatric Dentistry - Age Two and Above
Excellent oral hygiene practices and a good diet are crucial for maintaining the dental health of your child. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry - AAPD, children should visit the dentist by their first birthday.
Receiving proper dental care and developing proper oral hygiene habits from the start is important for your child's newly-erupted teeth, which erupts between 6-12 months of age.
Your child should be taken to a dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to build strong teeth. Tooth sealants are very effective. They prevent tooth decay by sealing the deep grooves in your child's teeth.
Although, sealants don't need to be reapplied for several years, they will be examined during your regular checkups.
Oral Cancer Screening
Nearly 35,000 Americans every year are affected by oral cancer. Early detection and early treatment play a vital role in surviving this deadly disease. This can be achieved with a regular oral cancer screening at least once every six months. You can get an oral cancer screening during your regular dental exam. It is pain free and will be done in a few minutes.
A regular oral cancer screening is necessary, especially if you are a man since oral cancer is twice as common in men as it is in women. People over the age of 60, tobacco smokers and heavy drinkers are also at high risk of oral cancer.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
If you feel that silver filling might make you feel self conscious when you smile, try tooth-colored fillings. They're durable and attractive. White fillings are made of composite resin and are made to match the natural color of your teeth. It's a excellent option for small to medium-sized cavities. The advantages of white fillings include:
- Strong
- Stain resistant
- Requires less removal of your tooth structure than amalgam fillings
For more information, get in touch with us today.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown made of porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, or gold. This procedure requires more than one dental visit as it's a multi-step process. During the first step, a dental impression of your tooth is taken and sent to an offsite lab to create the final restoration. Until the, a temporary crown is placed on your tooth.
Same-day crowns may also be available, don't hesitate to ask our dentist. Your dental crown can last up to 15 years with good oral hygiene. It's uses include:
- Treat extensive tooth decay or damage
- Hold dental bridge in place
- Cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth
- Cover a tooth after a root canal procedure
Porcelain Dental Crowns
Nothing looks better than a porcelain dental crown. They match the natural color of your teeth and are undetectable to the naked eye. If you have a metal allergy, then these crowns are your best choice. Looks are not the only advantage of a porcelain dental crown, they last long, as well.
Dental Bridges
For centuries, dental bridges have been used to replace missing teeth. They are still considered as a durable, conservative, and cost-effective option for bridging the gap between a missing tooth and surrounding teeth. It comprises of two anchoring teeth and a replacement tooth to help:
- Prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting out of position
- Improve chewing and speaking
- Keep your natural face shape intact
Types of dental bridges:
- Traditional - They have either dental crowns or dental implants on either side of the missing tooth. It also has a replacement tooth, which is held in place by a post-like structure called a dental abutment.
- Cantilever - It's used when the surrounding teeth are only towards one side of the missing tooth.
- Maryland - Made from specialized resin that is cemented to a metal framework, these bridges are then cemented to the enamel of surrounding teeth.
Taking two to three weeks to complete, the dental bridge procedure is less invasive than other options, such as dental implants. With good oral hygiene, a bridge will last up to 30 years.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Look and feel younger while improving your oral health by using dentures to replace your missing teeth. Now-a-days there a variety of natural-looking and comfortable dentures for patients who need to replace missing teeth. It is made of a gum-colored plastic resin or acrylic base and either resin or porcelain replacement teeth and are customized to fit your mouth.
If you have several missing teeth in either the upper or lower, then full dentures may be your best option. Partial dentures, can be removable or fixed, and are great for people who have several missing teeth across both the jaws
Getting a denture may take a few months and several dental visits. Same-day dentures are also available if customization isn't required. Make sure to discuss with your dentist about the type of dentures you require.
With regular maintenance and proper oral hygiene a denture can last for five to seven years. To accommodate the changes in the contour of your mouth, regular relines are also required. If you break your dentures, let your dentist know and please don't try to fix it home wi9th denture kits as it might be more harmful.
Gum Disease Treatment
Red, swollen gums are signs of gum disease. More than 80% of the adults have some form of gum disease, but there are several effective pain-free gum disease treatments, as well— don't worry. Types of gum diseases:
- Gingivitis - Mildest form of gum disease. Treatment involves a thorough dental cleaning, followed by daily brushing and flossing.
- Periodontal disease - Advanced gum disease. Treatment involves scaling and root planing to remove stubborn deposits below the gum line.
A new alternative to scaling and planing is laser gum surgery. It uses beams of high-speed light to remove plaque and tartar buildup. We can also perform a gingivectomy, or periodontal surgery, if non-surgical methods are ineffective.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is an umbrella term for procedures such as:
- Dental implants - An excellent solution for missing teeth. These are surgically placed tooth roots that can hold dental crowns in place.
- Wisdom tooth extraction - This procedure may be recommended when there isn't enough space in your mouth or when the wisdom tooth becomes infected or ruptured.
- Bone grafting - Transfers one part of the bone to another usually to accommodate a dental implant.
A general dentist can only perform a few of these procedures. For the rest, an oral surgeon is needed.
Emergency Services
Dental Emergencies During Office Hours
At CityTooth, we always try to reserve enough time to see people with dental emergencies, especially our patients. Even if you're not one of our patients and have a dental emergency, don't hesitate to give us a call.
After-Hour Dental Emergency Services for Our Patients
If you have a dental emergency after our office hours, call us— our answering machine will have the dentist's emergency number recorded. We wouldn't want any of our patients to wait until our office opens the next day.
TMJ Treatment
Are you suffering from persistent jaw pain, ear pain and headaches? You might have TMJ— temporomandibular jaw disorder. This disease may be caused because of:
- An improper bite
- Misaligned jaw joints
- An injury to the jaw or face
Proper treatment can relieve you from the discomfort and pain. The treatment varies from patient to patient, but involves:
- Use of an orthotic splint
- Enamel reshaping
- Dental crowns
- Dental braces or night guards
The goal of the TMJ treatment is to stabilize your bite so that your teeth, jaw muscles, and jaw joints work properly together without strain and without pain!
Sleep Apnea
You could have sleep apnea if you wake up groggy every morning or have a difficult time concentrating throughout the day. Apnea is Greek means without breath, people who suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing for about 5 - 15 seconds when asleep.
It's one of the leading causes of:
- Chronic sleep deprivation
- Daytime sleepiness
- Poor concentration
If left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions. There are several ways to cure it. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is one of the most common treatments. But, many patients find it difficult to adjust to the bulky CPAP mask.
Don't worry, we provide alternative methods to cure sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment today!
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