OUR SERVICES

Associates for Dental Care offers a full array of dental services to help you maintain healthy teeth. You can read more on this page about specific services.

• Sedation Dentistry
• Laser Dentistry
• Nitrous Oxide Sedation
• Fillings
• Inlays/Onlays
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Dentures
• Implants
• Veneers
• Bonding
• Bleaching
• Root Canal Therapy
• Preventative

 

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is used to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for certain people receiving dental treatment. It enables individuals too afraid to go to the dentist to receive the dental care they need while avoiding the common apprehension known as dental phobia. This all too common “dental phobia” prevents people from receiving necessary routine dental care, potentially compromising the health and functionality of their mouth and smile.

What Is Sedation?
The technique is easy and requires no needles. Best of all, the medications create such a comfortable experience that most patients do not remember the visit; it is as if they slept through the treatment. In reality, oral sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in the patient for safety and cooperation.

Although some forms of sedation may raise your threshold for pain, most dental treatments still require a local anesthetic injected in the mouth, even when sedation dentistry techniques are performed. This local anesthetic will temporarily block pain impulses from the affected teeth and gum tissue. However, this injection will occur after you are already sedated and comfortable, so most likely you won't be bothered by or remember the sensation of having the injection.

It is important to have a responsible caregiver accompany you to the procedure to drive you to and from the appointment.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
One of the major benefits of sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform. Therefore, complex dental procedures such as smile makeovers or extensive rebuilding procedures that normally require multiple visits can often be performed in fewer appointments.

Also, because sedation dentistry addresses some of the fears that keep people from going to the dentist on a regular basis, sedation dentistry patients are more likely to receive recommended routine care. As a result, they are less likely to neglect their oral health or allow oral health problems to build to the point when drastic dental treatments become necessary.

Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry can be a precise and effective way to perform many dental procedures. The potential for laser dentistry to improve dental procedures rests in the dentist’s ability to control power output and the duration of exposure on the tissue (whether gum or tooth structure), allowing for treatment of a highly specific area of focus without damaging surrounding tissues. If you consider yourself somewhat of an anxious dental patient and are seeking extreme safety and comfort, you might consider looking for dentists who have incorporated laser dentistry techniques into their practices and treatments. It is estimated that 6 percent of general dentists own a laser for soft tissue applications, with that number expected to increase over time.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry
Here are some of the major benefits associated with laser dentistry:

• Procedures performed using soft tissue dental lasers may not require sutures (stitches)
• Certain laser dentistry procedures do not require anesthesia
• Laser dentistry minimizes bleeding because the high-energy light beam aids in the clotting (coagulation) of exposed blood vessels, thus inhibiting blood loss.
• Bacterial infections are minimized because the high-energy beam sterilizes the area being worked on.
• Damage to surrounding tissue is minimized.
• Wounds heal faster and tissues can be regenerated.

Soft Tissue (Gum) Laser Dentistry Procedures

• Gummy Smile: Dental lasers can reshape gum tissue to expose healthy tooth structure and improve the appearance of gummy smile.
• Muscle Attachment (Frenula): A laser frenectomy is an ideal treatment option for children who tongue tied (restricted or tight frenulum) and babies unable to breast feed adequately due to limited tongue movement. A laser frenectomy may also help to eliminate speech impediments.
• Soft Tissue Folds (Epulis): Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture - free removal of soft tissue folds often caused by ill- fitting dentures.

Other Laser Dentistry Applications

• Benign Tumors: Dental lasers may be used for the painless and suture-free removal of benign tumors from the gums, palate, sides of cheeks and lips.
• Cold Sores: Low intensity dental lasers reduce pain associated with cold sores and minimize healing time.

 

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

At Associates for Dental Care we are not only concerned with the quality of treatment but your comfort during and after as well. One of the options that we offer at Associates for Dental Care is Nitrous Oxide Sedation, otherwise known as laughing gas. This non-invasive treatment that is simply inhaled, with a slightly sweet smell provides a sense of well being and allows for a calm and relaxing experience. This option is particularly good for individuals with dental anxiety, or those who are undergoing a number of treatments in one visit. The expertise of the staff makes Nitrous Oxide sedation a safe, effective and convenient option.

Fillings

The concept of a "filling" is replacing and restoring your tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture with a material. We will replace old, broken-down amalgam/metal fillings that contain traces of mercury with white fillings (composites) to restore your smile and teeth to a more natural look and feel.

With today's advancements, no longer will you have to suffer the embarrassment of unsightly and unhealthy silver/mercury fillings or metal margins of the past. Eliminate the dark, black appearance in your teeth with new-age, state-of-the-art, tooth-colored resin or porcelain materials.

Comparing White Fillings Versus Silver Amalgam Fillings:

• White fillings bond to the tooth; they strengthen the tooth by restoring most of its original shape. Silver amalgams, on the other hand, weaken the teeth and make them more susceptible to breaking. Broken teeth can be very expensive to replace; white amalgam can actually save time and money in the long run.
• White filling composites are preferred by most patients. This is due to the natural color, strength and overall appearance and feel. Composites are naturally more comfortable.
• Hot and cold sensitivity is greatly reduced with composite material compared to the silver/mercury amalgams.
• Restorations with composites require less removal of tooth, less structure to place than those with amalgams and especially with new cavities. Dramatically smaller holes are needed with a composite.
• White fillings are healthier because no traces of mercury are used, unlike silver amalgams.

 

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays are small restorations that fit within the contours of the biting surface of a tooth, similar to a filling. An onlay is more extensive as it covers a portion or the entire chewing surface. Inlays and onlays are suitable for treating mild to moderate decay, and can be used to restore a cracked or fractured tooth if the damage is not extensive enough to require a crown. They are custom-made to fit the prepared cavity and then securely bonded to the tooth.

The process for placing inlays and onlays generally requires two office visits. During the first visit, the decay is removed, and an impression is made of the tooth, which is sent to a dental laboratory. A temporary sealant is placed on your tooth until the custom-made inlay/onlay is manufactured in the laboratory.

During the second visit, the temporary sealant is removed and the inlay/onlay is fitted to ensure proper fit. If it fits properly and does not interfere with your bite, the inlay/only is then bonded to the tooth and polished.

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

Porcelain inlays/onlays achieve not only esthetic results but also functional results in restoring teeth that are discolored, decayed and have metal fillings. These restorations are more conservative than a full crown, and are recommended when the damage is not extensive enough to require a crown.

The treatment time for porcelain inlays/onlays require two appointments with one hour dedicated per tooth. Porcelain can be fractured, so it is best to avoid biting hard objects. For maintenance and the longevity of your restoration, follow your normal brushing and flossing routine using the mouth rinse and toothpaste prescribed by your dentist.

Advantages of Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

• Aesthetically pleasing
• Does not show metal
• Will not stain
• Strong and durable
• Well suited for large cavities

Disadvantages of Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

• Can fracture when biting hard objects
• More costly than composite or amalgam (silver)

 

Crowns

A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance, although it is often less durable.

The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:

1. Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it.
2. Re-sculpturing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.
3. Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually takes one to two weeks).
4. Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-made crown is being created.
5. Applying the permanent crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the permanent one onto the tooth.
6. After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, the dentist cements it into place.

This process generally consists of a minimum of 2-3 visits over a three to four week period.

Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns. This helps in the prevention of gum disease. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime.

Bridges

A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:

• Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
• Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

There are three main types of bridges, namely:

• Fixed bridge- this is the most popular and consists of a filler tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
• The "Maryland" bridge is commonly used to replace missing front teeth and consists of a filler that is attached to metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth. The metal bands consist of a white-colored composite resin that matches existing tooth color.
• The Cantilever bridge is often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical three-unit cantilever bridge consists of two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth space. The filler tooth is then connected to the two crowned teeth, which extend into the missing tooth space or end.

 

Dentures

Periodontal disease, injury and tooth decay can all cause a loss of your natural teeth. However, we can bring back the smile on your face with dentures to restore your missing teeth. With improved technology and updated materials, dentists can now make them appear more natural and more comfortable for the patient.

There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures cover the patient's entire jaw while partial dentures, with their metal framework, replace multiple missing teeth. Ask our doctors to see which type would be right for you.

It may take some time to adjust to your dentures. Speaking and eating may feel different at first, but these regular activities will resume normally once you are accustomed to your dentures.

Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient's need to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant's usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:

• Single Tooth Replacement
• Anterior Replacement
• Posterior Replacement
• Full Upper Replacement

Types of Implants
There are two main types of implants:

• The root implant
• The mini implant

The root implant is the more traditional type of implant. It mirrors the size and shape of a patient's natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient's original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months.

Mini Implants

One of the many important advances in implant dentistry over the last 25 years has been the development of mini dental implants, used to stabilize dentures. Mini dental implants can be placed in one visit, in about an hour, in a simple procedure that requires no cutting of the gums or stitches. With placement, there is little discomfort and no long-term healing, just great results!

Mini implants are placed into your jawbone and are securely attached to the base of your denture, allowing you to eat and speak more comfortably and confidently. Thousands of patients have experienced the benefits of mini dental implants. Contact us today to find out if you are a candidate for this affordable and revolutionary solution to loose dentures.

For more information on the Mini Dental Implant by Imtec, visit http://www.imtec.com/implants/products_MDI.php

Veneers

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent "shells" typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.

Common problems that veneers are used for:

• Spaces between the teeth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Unsightly, stained or discolored teeth
• Permanently stained or discolored teeth
• Crooked or misshapen teeth

Veneers are a great aesthetic solution to your smile that may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.

Please contact our office if you have any further questions on veneers.

Bonding

Bonding is a common solution for:

• Fixing or repairing chipped or cracked teeth
• Reducing unsightly gaps or spaces between teeth
• Hiding discoloration or faded areas on the tooth's surface

Often used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. As the name indicates, composite material, either a plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.

Composite bonding has many advantages:

• It is a quick process, which typically lasts less than one hour.
• It does not reduce the tooth's original structure and is relatively inexpensive.
• Composite resins come in many different shades and provide better matching of shades to the natural color of your teeth.
• Composite bonds, however, are not as durable and long-lasting as veneers and crowns and may need to be re-touched or replaced in the future.

Composite bonds stain more easily and therefore require proper care and regular cleaning. In order to ensure the longest possible duration of the bonding, composites should be brushed and flossed daily. Common staining elements include coffee, tea, tobacco, foods and candy.

Bleaching

Your teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene. Restoring your natural white smile is a priority for our dental team. We can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile.

Tooth whitening services are growing in popularity, and it's one of the most requested services offered by our practice. Everyone sees the growing consumer market focused on whiter teeth. The reality is that over-the-counter, "too good to be true" solutions typically don't work.

We are trained professionals using industry-approved methods. Our goal is to meet the needs of every patient, and every patient's needs are different. One of the methods used by our practice is a gentle light-activated hydrogen peroxide solution. Our process will whiten your entire smile in one visit. Call us today for a whitening evaluation.

Nothing improves your appearance more than a Bright, White SMILE!

Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal therapy, more precisely referred to as Endontic Therapy, is a sequence of treatments for the pulp of a tooth whose end result is the elimination of infection and protection of the decontaminated tooth from future microbial invasion. Although this set of procedures is commonly referred to as a root canal, this term is imprecise; root canals and their associated pulp chamber are the anatomical hollows within a tooth which are naturally inhabited by nerve tissue, blood vessels and a number of other cellular entities, whereas endodontic therapy includes the complete removal of these structures, the subsequent cleaning, shaping and decontamination of these hollows with the use of tiny files and irrigating solutions and the obturation, or filling, of the decontaminated root canals with an inert filling, such as gutta percha (a natural latext derivitive) and a usually plant-based cement.

Despite the bad reputation for being an unpleasent procedure, when done correctly it can be surprisingly pain free with little to no discomfort.

Preventative

Coming soon...