Basic Dental Services:

Hygiene –
Our hygiene services consist of an oral health update, initial exam by the dentist and a cleaning by the hygienist. Mouth and teeth will be examined, and gum pockets will be probed for overall tissue health. Cleaning expenses are generally covered by the insurance and allowed once every six months. Sometimes, however, hygiene is required every 3 or 4 months, or deep root cleaning may be required.

X-rays –
X-rays are an important part of dental diagnostics and are taken once a year as a matter of course. X-rays enable us to see areas that need treatment even though they are not giving the patient pain or discomfort. Our X-ray equipment is the very best and picks up problems other equipment may have missed. X-ray expenses are generally covered by insurance and allowed once a year or on a diagnostic basis.

Restorative Services:
           
Fillings –
When most of us think of fillings we think of the silver or amalgam fillings. While these materials are still used and required in some circumstances, they have been replaced by the newer composite resin filling material. Composite fillings are white (selected to match your teeth) and serve the purpose of filling holes due to cavities, or filling areas that have been chipped or worn by gum erosion. Coverage for fillings is dependent on your insurance plan. Please check with your insurance company if you have questions regarding coverage.

Crowns –
Crowns are a common solution for patients that have severe decay, need to replace very large old fillings, or have a severely cracked or chipped tooth. The procedure requires that the tooth be drilled clean, an impression is taken to fit the tooth that requires the crown, a temporary is placed, and the crown is inserted in about two weeks. This procedure requires two visits because a temporary crown is installed while the permanent crown is constructed. Most crowns last about ten years and can be constructed of porcelain or gold depending on the patient’s chewing, grinding or biting patterns. Insurance will typically pay for 50% of the expense of the crown.

Dental Implants –
Implants are one of greatest dental solutions developed. While they have been around for a number of years, most people are not familiar with them. If a patient needs to have an extraction, or is already missing a tooth, an implant replacement can be inserted without affecting the surrounding teeth. The procedure requires that a dental implant be placed into the bone. Once the area has healed (about 3-6 months), then a crown is placed on top of the implant. This procedure can greatly improve chewing as well as appearance.

Cosmetic Services:

Cosmetic services are available for patients that want to improve the appearance of their teeth…and ultimately their self-confidence. We invite you to learn more about the options available in this rapidly growing area. Some services may be covered by insurance but most are not.

Tooth Whitening System –
This truly marvelous technology has made remarkable changes for people that want to whiten their teeth. The process is simple and harmless…here’s how it goes. An impression is taken of your teeth, and our dental assistant fabricates the custom whitening trays for your take home use. Each day for approximately ten days you will fill the trays with the whitening gel and wear them anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours. Many of our patients choose to whiten while they sleep at night. Some patients experience a slight bit of sensitivity, in which case we recommend that you space treatments with a day or two in between. The results are fantastic, and within days you will have a beautiful white smile. Maintenance is different for everybody, but most patients generally need a touch up about once a year. Research shows that if done properly, the whitening effect can last up to 5 years.

Porcelain Veneers –
If you want to change the shape, color or size of your teeth with minimal impact to the tooth structure, then you may want to consider porcelain veneers. A porcelain veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that is adhered to the tooth without invasive drilling or shaving. With minimal tooth preparation, the final results are easy to control and patients love the simplicity and natural look of their smiles.