General Dental Services We Offer
Listed below are common procedures performed in our office.
Comprehensive Exam
- Review Health History and how it’s related to dental health.
- Perform an oral cancer screening checking the lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for signs of oral cancer or other disease.
- Examine gums and the bone around the teeth for any signs of infection or disease.
- Low Radiation Digital X-rays are taken to detect decay, tumors, cysts, infections, and bone loss around the teeth.
- Teeth will be examined for presence of dental disease or breakdown. Any recommended treatment will be thoroughly explained.
Preventive and Therapeutic Services
Our knowledgeable hygienists provide thorough, gentle cleanings while maintaining patient comfort. There are different types of cleanings.
Prophylaxis
A Prophylaxis cleaning removes plaque, calculus and stains from teeth. It is intended to control local irritating factors. These are performed on children or healthy adults without Periodontal Disease.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal Maintenance cleanings are performed following periodontal therapy (Scaling and Root Planing). During this appointment, bacterial plaque and calculus both above and below the gumline are removed. Periodontal Maintenance intervals are determined through clinical evaluation by Dr. Eller and your hygienist.
Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing
Periodontal Scaling and Root Planning (SRP) is a non-surgical procedure performed by one of our licensed hygienists. SRP is the initial treatment for Periodontal Disease, which is the loss of jaw bone supporting the teeth. A careful cleaning of the root surfaces removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the deep periodontal pockets and smoothes the tooth root surfaces. Patients will require ongoing Periodontal Maintenance care to maintain oral health. We typically use our needleless anesthetic for this procedure.
Sealants
Sealants are typically placed on children with deep grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of their back adult teeth. These areas are hard to clean and prone to tooth decay. Flowable plastic is bonded in these deep grooves and cured. Sealants typically last for several years. They need to be evaluated at regular dental checkups for any signs of breakdown. No anesthetic is needed for sealant placement.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and more resistant to decay. Our community water is not fluoridated, which creates a need for supplemental fluoride. We evaluate patient's need for fluoride on an individual basis. Fluoride varnish is placed on teeth in our office.
General Dentistry
Sensitive teeth
Many people complain that their teeth are sensitive to hot and cold beverages, cool air, or brushing. Over time, tooth enamel can be worn away or gums can recede, exposing root surface, leading to sensitivity. This exposed layer of tooth structure contains tubules (microscopic passageways) that connect to the nerve endings within the tooth. If over-the-counter sensitivity toothpastes are ineffective, we have several non-invasive solutions performed in our office.
External and Internal Tooth Whitening (bleaching)
External whitening lightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Our custom bleaching trays are made for you here in our office. Then, you can effectively bleach your teeth in the comfort of your own home.
Internal whitening is indicated when a tooth is discolored internally, typically from an older root canal. This quick procedure is performed in office without the use of anesthetic.
Bonding
Bonding can help improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. Tooth-colored materials are bonded to the tooth surface in a single visit.
Fillings: Fillings replace missing tooth structure, typically from cavities. We use either "silver" amalgam or "plastic/tooth colored" fillings.
- Composite/Resin Fillings: "Tooth colored" plastic fillings are used exclusively on front teeth and can be used in most instances on back teeth. They are strong, durable, and look and feel like your tooth.
- Silver/Amalgam Fillings: Silver fillings or amalgam fillings have been used by dentists for over 100 years. Amalgam is the most researched and tested dental filling material. It’s very durable, resistant to wear, and relatively inexpensive in comparison to other materials. Amalgam fillings do contain a small amount of mercury but numerous studies have shown no deleterious health effects.
Veneers
These thin custom-made porcelain shells cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth, teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped, or slightly crooked. Veneers are made in a local laboratory and take approximately two weeks.
Inlay/Onlay
These are indicated on teeth requiring a restoration that is bigger than a filling but smaller than a crown. Inlay/Onlays may be made of gold or porcelain and require two visits.
Crowns/Bridges
Crowns, also known as caps, completely cover the crown of your tooth. Crowns are indicated on back teeth with root canals, some broken teeth, or teeth with a large amount of missing tooth structure. Crowns are typically made of gold, porcelain with gold, or pure porcelain. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these materials and help you decide what material is best for you. Simply stated, bridges are crowns connected together, used to fill in missing spaces between teeth.
Partial/Full Dentures
We offer many different options for patients missing anywhere from one to all of their teeth.
Dental Implants
Implants are a safe, effective method to replace missing teeth or to support dentures. Dental Implants are small, rod shaped titanium implants that are surgically placed into the jawbone. Once they have completed their healing phase, we complete the restorative process with crowns or attachments for dentures.
Night Guards
Most people clench or grind their teeth at some point in their life. The excessive forces generated during these activities can be very destructive to teeth, jaw joints and muscles, and any dental restorations. Left untreated, clenching and grinding may cause excessive permanent wear to teeth, broken teeth, and damage to the jaw joint and its supporting muscles. Our laboratory-made Night Guards are custom fit to your teeth and designed to address your specific condition. The night guard is worn nightly.
Referrals
We strive to treat the needs of our patients. Occasionally, there are times when a dental specialist is best suited to treat a patient’s specific condition. We will work with you to determine which specialist is best suited to treat your dental needs. Then we will work closely with the specialist to ensure the best treatment possible.
