Preventive and "Everyday" Dentistry

Patient education- Patient education is one of the cornerstones of our practice. It is our conviction that a patient should understand both the condition of their mouth, and any therapeutic recommendations, including available alternatives.
Preventive dental hygiene and regular check-ups- This one-hour appointment accomplishes tooth cleaning, any necessary x-rays, and an examination of the teeth and gums. Patients are seen at 3-month, 4-month, or 6-month intervals depending upon their dental history and current oral condition.
Mouth guards - Mouthguards are plastic covers for the teeth made to protect them from the effects of teeth clenching and grinding. They may also be used to treat painful jaw muscles. Clenching and grinding, called bruxism is very common, and the patient is usually not aware of it. The effects of tooth wear can, however, be observed on the teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to fracture, and can damage dental restorations.
Bonding - The term "bonding" refers to tooth-colored dental restorations that can repair front or back teeth that are damaged or discolored due to dental decay or fracture. When bonding is used to cover the entire visible surface of a front tooth, it falls under the category of cosmetic dentistry (see below).
Tooth-colored fillings - Tooth-colored fillings are used to repair damage to front or back teeth, and can be made from synthetic resin ("bonding" as described above), or porcelain materials.
Inlays and onlays -Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used to restore teeth that may have decayed or fractured, but are not damaged to the extent that crowns are necessary. They cover less of the tooth than a crown, but more than a typical "filling." They can be cast from gold alloy or made from porcelain.
Metal-porcelain crowns - the most commonly prescribed type of crown for badly damaged or root-canal-treated teeth. The tooth-colored porcelain material is layered over a sub-structure of metal. The metal underneath the porcelain greatly increases strength.