BASIC HEALTH

FILLINGS
Fillings are necessary when a tooth has decay.  The removal of decay is the first step in treatment.  Once this is achieved, the open area is filled.  If this decay is detected early, the tooth  can be treated easily and painlessly.  If cavities are left untreated, pain and infection may result leading to a necessary root canal or extraction of the tooth. 

BONDING
Bonding involves adhering composite resin material to the front of a tooth.  This provides a natural look because the resin is matched to the natural tooth color.  Bonding can be an option under certain circumstances for cosmetic purposes, gaps in teeth, alignment of a tooth, or decay.  The process involves roughening the tooth surface, etching the tooth with gel, and applying a primer/bond agent which is hardened with intense light.  The resin material is then shaped and polished to a lustrous finish. 

SEALANTS
In some cases a tooth's structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque.  This isn't necessarily due to poor hygiene, but rather the tooth's anatomy. This makes it difficult for the bristles of a brush to clean effectively.   Over time these grooves and pits can develop into cavities.  Sealants are used to fill in these grooves making it possible to brush off all plaque, keeping your teeth healthy. 

NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth called the periodontium  form the foundation for ones teeth. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.  Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows:  gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth.  Any of these signs may mean something is wrong.  With early detection and proper care, however, it may be possible to return them to a healthy state.  Treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local anitibiotic agents.  If the gum disease gets too severe, it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. 

X-RAYS
This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed.  gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.

Digital radiography is used within our office.  This process uses 50-70% less radiation than  conventional X-rays. Digital ragiography coupled with computer monitoring, digital x-ray technology allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.