Preventive And Basic Dentistry

Dental Exam

The secret to a bright, healthy smile is actually no secret at all: brush, floss and get a professional dental exam and dental cleaning at least once every six months. Professional dental exams are all about prevention – preventing existing problems from getting worse and preventing dental problems from developing in the future. Regular dental exams make it possible to identify and treat a problem in its earliest stage – which is not only good for your oral health but also good for your budget!
 
There's nothing to fear with a dental exam. Your teeth will be visually examined for signs of plaque, tartar and tooth decay. Your gums will also be examined for puffiness or discoloration, which are signs of gum disease. Dental exams typically follow a dental cleaning with one of our hygienists.

Digital X-Rays

Our practice has been using digital x-rays for several years now. Their benefits include instant viewing, easier image manipulation, much less radiation and it is easier for the patient to see their problems as the image can be enlarged to fill an entire computer monitor. Images can quickly be sent to other specialists and insurance companies. Digital, rather than film x-rays, also eliminates the use of hazardous developing chemicals in our practice that are harmful to the environment.

Prophylaxis: Teeth Cleaning And Polishing

Our hygienists provide a thorough cleaning and gentle polishing of all tooth surfaces. This is one of our most basic services but also the most important. Depending on how fast you accumulate plaque and calculus, your dentist and hygienist will help you decide how often this service should be performed for your maximum dental health.

No matter how often you brush and floss, plaque and tartar deposits can still build up on your teeth. A professional teeth cleaning is the single most effective way to remove these deposits and prevent them from causing more serious problems in the future. While a traditional teeth cleaning involves manually scraping away these deposits with special dental tools, advances in dental technologies now give you more options for teeth cleanings.

Ultrasonic cleaning, is a popular supplement to traditional teeth cleanings. An ultrasonic scaler (rather than a manual probe) is used to remove deposits, kill harmful microbes and eliminate bacteria around the teeth and gums through high-frequency sound waves. Many patients find ultrasonic teeth cleanings more comfortable than traditional teeth cleanings because they are quicker and less manual scaling is required.

A deep cleaning may be recommended if excessive plaque and tartar deposits have developed below the gum line. Deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planing, involve a two-part process: first, the stubborn deposits are removed, and then the root surfaces are smoothened. A deep cleaning helps prevent periodontal disease and restores gum tissues to a healthy state.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer affects nearly 35,000 Americans every year. The keys to surviving oral cancer are early detection and early treatment. This starts with a regular oral cancer screening – at least once every six months. An oral cancer screening takes just minutes, is pain-free and can be performed during regular dental exams. If you are male, a regular oral cancer screening is especially critical: Oral cancer is more than twice as common in men as it is in women. Other people at high risk of oral cancer include people over the age of 60, tobacco smokers and heavy drinkers.

Dental Fillings

If you've been told you need a dental filling, you're not alone: 92% of Americans have had at least one cavity. Dental fillings are the tried-and-true treatment for treating cavities – and they come in a variety of options to suit every need. Dental fillings can be made of silver amalgam, composite, porcelain and even gold. Amalgam fillings have been used by dentists for more than a century and are still the most common and cost-effective type of dental filling. But composite fillings, which are made of a tooth-colored plastic and glass composite, are quickly becoming the preferred dental filling due to their natural appearance and durability. The type of dental filling used is determined by a number of factors, including size and location of the cavity, as well as your budget.

Composites Or Bonding

 A regular part of our practice is providing our patients with fillings which match their natural tooth  color otherwise known as composites or bonding. Modern advancements in dentistry have made this composite material strong enough to now place these composites in back teeth under most  circumstances,  as well as front teeth, although many insurance companies will only pay for white  fillings in front teeth. Results are often indistinguishable from natural tooth structure. We will also  provide silver fillings or amalgams for back teeth according to the patient’s preference.

 If your silver fillings make you feel self conscious when you smile, or it's simply time to replace  them, consider white fillings. White fillings are just as durable as they are attractive! Made of  composite resin, white fillings match the natural color of your teeth and are an excellent option for  small to mid-sized cavities. White fillings are strong, stain-resistant and require less removal of your tooth structure than amalgam fillings.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown may not make you feel like royalty, but it is one of the premiere treatments for teeth with extensive decay or damage. Dental crowns can also used to hold a dental bridge in place, cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth, or cover a tooth after a root canal procedure. Made of either porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic or gold, dental crowns are placed during a multi-step process and sometimes require more than one dental visit. The first step is a dental impression. A temporary crown is then placed to protect the tooth while the impression is sent to an offsite laboratory to create the final restoration. In some cases, same-day crowns are possible, so be sure to inquire. With good oral hygiene and minimal wear and tear, your beautiful new dental crowns can last up to 15 years.

Sealants

 

Sealants are a preventative measure to deter cavities in the deep grooves of those back teeth that have been determined to be at a higher risk for developing decay. A sealant is a flowable plastic that is painted into the grooves and hardened with a curing light. Sealants can be beneficial to patients of any age but many insurance companies only pay for them for children. Our office uses a brand called Ultra Seal XT plus ® by Ultradent® products and is also fluoride releasing for extra protection.
 
 
 

Porcelain Dental Crowns

Although dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including stainless steel, gold and silver, nothing looks better than a porcelain dental crown. Porcelain dental crowns match the natural color of your teeth and are virtually undetectable by the naked eye. And because they're metal-free, porcelain dental crowns are an excellent option for patients with metal allergies. Best of all, porcelain crowns don't just look beautiful – they're long-lasting, too!

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges have been used for centuries to replace missing teeth. Today, dental bridges are still considered one of the most durable, conservative and cost-effective options for bridging the gap between a missing tooth and surrounding teeth. Comprised of two anchoring teeth and a replacement tooth, dental bridges help prevent surrounding teeth from drifting out of position, improve chewing and speaking, and help keep your natural face shape in tact.

There are three types of dental bridges: 1) traditional dental bridges, 2) cantilever dental bridges, and 3) Maryland bridges. Traditional bridges have either dental crowns or dental implants on either side of the missing tooth, plus a replacement tooth, which is held in place by a post-like structure called a dental abutment. Cantilever dental bridges are used in cases where there are surrounding teeth only on one side of the missing tooth. Maryland bridges are made of a specialized resin that is cemented to a metal framework and cemented to the enamel of surrounding teeth.

Dental bridges typically take 2-3 weeks to complete and are less invasive than other options, such as dental implants. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, dental bridges can last up to 20 years.

Dentures

Using dentures to replace missing teeth is not only great for your oral health; it's a great way to look and feel younger! Today, there are a variety of natural-looking and comfortable dentures for patients who need to replace missing teeth. Made of a gum-colored plastic resin or acrylic base and either resin or porcelain replacement teeth, dentures are custom designed to fit your mouth. If you have several teeth or all teeth missing on the upper or lower jaw, full dentures may be your best option. Partial dentures, which can be either fixed or removable, are great for patients who have several missing teeth scattered along the upper or lower jaw.

The process of getting dentures may take a few months and several dental visits. In some cases, however, same-day dentures are also possible. With same-day dentures, the dentures are created right in the dentist's office instead of at an offsite laboratory. Same-day dentures aren't for everyone, though. If your dentures require a lot of customization, same-day dentures may not be right for you.

Just as with your natural teeth, dentures require daily maintenance. With regular wear and tear, your dentures can last 5-7 years. During that time, you may need periodic denture relines to accommodate changes in the contours of your mouth. Regular denture relines involve resurfacing the base to ensure that your dentures fit and function perfectly. If you break your dentures, it's critical to bring them to your dentist for professional denture repair. Home denture repair kits can cause more damage and be even more costly to fix.

Gum Disease Treatment

Red, swollen gums are a red flag for one thing: gum disease. If you have the symptoms, you're not alone. More than 80% of adults have some form of gum disease. Fortunately, there are many effective and pain-free gum disease treatments. For gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, treatment typically involves a thorough dental cleaning, followed by daily brushing and flossing. Advanced gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, requires scaling and root planing to remove stubborn deposits below the gum line. If non-surgical methods of gum disease treatment are ineffective, a gingivectomy, or periodontal surgery, may be necessary.

Root Canals

Dr. Roth routinely performs basic endodontic or root canal services. Most teeth can be treated painlessly in about an hour. We gladly provide this service when the patient prefers to have this done in our office rather than go to another unfamiliar office. For complex cases, usually for molars or multi-rooted teeth, we frequently make referrals to local endodontic specialists. An X-ray and other diagnostic tests will be performed to determine the best course of action for you.

Root canals get a bad wrap. But don't believe the rumors; the dreaded root canal isn't dreadful at all! Root canals are needed when either decay or an injury infects the inner tooth (the pulp). In the earliest stages of infection, you may not feel any pain at all. But when it progresses, you could have a toothache and swelling, or a dental abscess might form. Root canals remove the infection and prevent it from spreading. Most teeth that have had root canal therapy require crowns or onlays to protect them against fracture.

Oral Surgery

Single and multiple extractions of primary or baby teeth and permanent teeth are a regular service of our practice. A referral will be made to an oral surgeon when patients prefer heavy sedation, have complex medical conditions or for certain complex cases including impacted wisdom teeth. When coordination is required between an oral surgeon’s office and the delivery of a prosthesis such as a denture to replace those missing teeth, we will make sure this will happen so the patient never has to go without teeth. 

Oral surgery is an umbrella term for surgical treatments such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions and bone grafting. Dental implants, an excellent solution for missing teeth, are surgically placed tooth roots that hold dental crowns in place. A wisdom tooth extraction may be recommended if there isn't enough room in your mouth to accommodate wisdom teeth and they become impacted, partially erupted or infected. Bone grafting transfers bone from one part of the jaw to another, usually to accommodate a dental implant. While a general dentist can perform some oral surgery procedures, an oral surgeon is required for others.

Pediatric Dentistry

We are a family practice here at Dr. Roth's office. We aim to serve your whole family including children from age 3 and up for basic dental needs such as cleanings, exams,  fillings, sealants and extractions.  If you need to have dental treatment for your infants and children under 3 or for children with needs beyond the pervue of a general family practice, we will refer your child to a highly respected, local,  pediatric specialist, who we trust will take care of your special needs.

 

 

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Our Regular Schedule

Primary Location

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed