IMPLANTS

are "root" devices, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth in the form of crowns, bridges or dentures.  Dental implants will fuse with bone, however they lack the periodontal ligament, so they will feel slightly different than natural teeth during chewing. These devices are a great way to replace missing teeth without the need to reduce permanent tooth structure on adjacent teeth as is needed for bridge preparations.  Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them.  This give someone who has lost teeth the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural and that their facial contours will be preserved. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.  To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.

TOOTH COLORED FILLINGS/COMPOSITE RESINS

are types of synthetic resin  which are used in dentistry as restorative material .  Unlike amalgam which essentially just fills a hole and requires retention features to hold the filling, composite cavity restorations when used with dentin and enamel bonding techniques restore the tooth back to near its original physical integrity. Nevertheless, time to failure is still longer for amalgam, and it has remained a superior restorative material over resin-base composites, but with poor aesthetic qualities.  Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, dentists have better ways to create pleasing, natural-looking smiles.  Composite fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium that produces a tooth-colored filling. Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to tooth fracture. Less tooth structure is removed when the dentist prepares the tooth, and this may result in a smaller filling than that of an amalgam. Composites can also be "bonded" or adhesively held in a cavity, often allowing the dentist to make a more conservative repair to the tooth.

VENEERS

are thin layers of restorative material placed over the front of a tooth , either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and dental porcelain. Typically we prefer porcelain veneers fabricated by a ceramist in a laboratory.  These restorations can be multilayered and have the translucency and depth of a natural tooth, while only being .3 mm thin.

ROOT CANAL THERAPY

is a sequence of treatment for the pulp of a tooth which results in the elimination of infection and protection of the decontaminated tooth from future microbial invasion. This set of procedures is commonly referred to as a "root canal." Root canals and their associated pulp chamber are the physical hollows within a tooth that are naturally inhabited by nerve tissue, blood vessels and other cellular entities. Endodontic therapy involves the removal of these structures, the subsequent cleaning, shaping, and decontamination the structure with tiny files and irrigating solutions, and the obturation (filling) of the decontaminated canals with an inert filling such as gutta percha and sealer.

EXTRACTION 

is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment.

DENTURES

(also known as false teeth) are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues.   Conventional dentures are removable, however there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants.

NITROUS OXIDE

commonly known as laughing gas is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. It is known as "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it. It can make appointments less stressful and more relaxing.  It also gives the patient the ability to drive to and from their appointment by themselves.

CROWNS AND BRIDGES

are type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement or resin. Crowns can be made from many materials including zirconia, lithium disilicate (all porcelain crowns), gold or a combination of the two. Crowns are often used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. The most common method of crowning a tooth involves reshaping the tooth and taking an impression of the tooth to fabricate the crown outside of the mouth. The crown can then be inserted at a subsequent dental appointment. Bridges are multiple units of crowns connected together and are used to replace missing teeth.

ORAL SEDATION

is a type of conscious sedation, in other words it allows the dentist to sedate the patient but not put them to sleep.  The sedation is performed by taking  medication prior to the appointment as well as the proper amount of medication titrated during the procedure.  Oral sedation gives patients the option to be more relaxed during the procedure and does have a hypnotic effect so that memories of their dental visit are less likely.  It is necessary to have someone accompany the patient for the procedure, both driving them to the appointment and returning them home.