Dental cleanings are very important to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis. These cleanings remove the plaque and tartar that accumulate on and in between your teeth, as well as below your gum line. A thorough dental cleaning can also remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. For discoloration that remains, we can discuss teeth whitening as an effective treatment. Additionally, polishing your teeth to a high shine will make them look and feel better.

What is a comprehensive examination?

A thorough evaluation of your oral-facial structures from both a functional and esthetic approach, which does two basic things:

1. Gathers information that will be of value in diagnosing any problem in the head and neck region, including the teeth and gums.
2. Allows you time to get to know the staff, completely understand your dental condition and all options of therapy or treatment, if necessary.

Why is a comprehensive exam important?

In order to successfully treat any existing dental problem, or intercept a developing one, the cause(s) of the problems must be discovered. Also, before any restorative dentistry (e.g., fillings or crowns) can be started, detailed planning for long-term success is mandatory.

For more information go to our Comprehensive Examination page.

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Why are dental x-rays needed?

Many diseases of the oral cavity (including the teeth and surrounding tissues and bone) cannot be seen when the dentist examines your mouth. An x-ray exam may help the dentist see:

• small areas of decay between the teeth or below fillings
• bone damage from a tooth infection (e.g., an abscess or cyst)
• bone loss due to periodontal (gum) disease
• developmental defects
• some types of tumors
• the effects of trauma
• the position of unerupted teeth in children and adults

For more information go to our Digital Radiographs (X-Rays) page.

Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss for American adults. This condition, also known as periodontal disease, has been associated with increased risk for stroke, heart attack, diabetic complications, low birth weight, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other serious health problems. At your check-up or hygiene visit, we will assess your gum health and let you know if gum disease is a concern.

In the mildest cases, periodontal disease may be treated with improved oral hygiene at home and close monitoring in our office. However, a deep cleaning may be necessary if your condition is more advanced. One of our hygienists will perform the deep cleaning, which is known technically as scaling and root planning. Scaling involves removing hardened plaque, called tartar or calculus, from below the gum line.

In root planning, rough areas on the roots of the teeth are smoothed to reduce the potential for plaque build-up. Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed to destroy bacteria and promote reattachment of the gums to the teeth. After deep cleaning, patients are encouraged to attend more frequent visits so that we can closely monitor the gum health and address any future concerns immediately.

What are dental sealants?

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and adolescents occurs on the chewing surfaces of these back teeth, which have irregular pits and grooves that tend to trap food and bacteria debris. Sealants fill and cover these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.

Why is sealing a tooth better than filling a cavity?

Sealants help maintain sound, healthy teeth by preventing decay, which is a disease that destroys the structure of the tooth. Each time a tooth is filled or a filling is replaced, additional tooth structure is lost. A typical filling will only last an average of 8 to 10 years before it needs to be replaced. Appropriate use of sealants can save time, money and the discomfort associated with restorative dental procedures.

For more information go to our Sealants page.

An important part of the preventive care that we offer is educating our patients on a variety of oral health topics, including at-home care, dental diseases, nutrition and smoking cessation. Please view our website section titled "Dental Info" if you are interested in learning about a dental topic that may pertain to you.