A preventive (recare) program is a joint cooperative effort between you and our team to preserve your natural teeth, gums, and bones of the oral area by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions. Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in our dental office by the efforts of Dr. Test and the dental hygienists as they promote, restore, and maintain your oral health. Regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays are all part of an effective prevention program. Other great preventive treatments include sealants and fluoride.
Learn MoreThere are many reasons why adult teeth may need restorative treatment. The most common reason is decay, followed by fractured teeth, and old restorations needing replacement. If we recommend that a tooth with a cavity be treated and more than a few weeks pass after the initial diagnosis, the cavity will almost always get bigger and can cause pain. Once this happens, it will likely require more extensive and expensive treatment. The tooth may even have to be removed and replaced with a false (or artificial) tooth. If you have a cavity and it needs a restoration, there are different kinds of materials that may be used to restore the functionality of the tooth.
Learn MorePeriodontics is that specialty of dentistry that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth. This includes crowns, implants, or other substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and aesthetics of all of the structures and tissues. Professional dental cleanings are necessary at least twice each year to maintain good oral health. Many people require a routine cleaning three or four times a year due to buildup of plaque and tartar.
Learn MoreOral and maxillofacial surgeries are special areas of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital or acquired diseases; dysfunction, defects, or injuries of the mouth, jaws, face, neck, and associated regions. When a tooth must be extracted due to trauma, bone loss, or other reasons, implants may be placed in the bone if your dentist determines that you are a good candidate for implants. Please see our tooth fractures page view different types of fractures that occur in teeth.
Learn MoreOrthodontic treatment corrects teeth and jaw alignment problems and involves the design and use of appliances such as braces, retainers, aligners, rubber bands, and headgears. If you have crowded or overlapping teeth, it makes them harder to clean which increases your chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss. With orthodontic treatment, you can improve the health of your teeth and start to smile with confidence!
Learn MorePediatric dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with infants, children and adolescents including those patients with special care needs. You must brush your child's teeth because children develop plaque just like adults do and it must be removed on a daily basis so it does not lead to tooth decay. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that will fit into the child's mouth at least once a day to begin with when they are very young and at least twice a day by the time most of the baby teeth have erupted.
Learn MoreThe term endodontic is a combination of the Greek words endo, which means "inside" and odont, which means "tooth." Endodontic treatment involves treating the inside of the tooth and is also referred to as root canal therapy because it is focused on the root part of the tooth, specifically in the canal portion of the root where the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue of the tooth reside.
Learn MoreOne hour before your appointment, you will take a pill. You will need a driver to escort you to and from the dental office. You will likely be drowsy upon arrival. You'll be sedated just enough to be unaware of the treatment, as if you were asleep. We can perform a wide range of dental procedures in a single visit. Upon completion of your dental treatment under conscious sedation, you will feel relaxed with little or no memory of the procedure.
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