Solid preventive care is the foundation for your oral and overall health. Good at-home hygiene habits, in combination with professional cleanings, can keep your smile free from decay and other oral health issues like gum disease. Regular exams allow your dentist in Tempe to monitor your oral health so you can address any minor concerns before they become larger, more costly, and more invasive issues.
We get it, it can be a bit too easy to put off your bi-annual dental exam and we don't blame you, life gets busy! But remember, skipping your appointments can cost even more time and money in the future. Coming in twice a year allows us to catch small issues before they become time-consuming, expensive problems. Regular check-ups only take about an hour and we assure you that we will make it a comfortable process. Let's keep that smile of yours healthy with our excellent preventive services.
Regular teeth cleanings and hygiene appointments are the foundation of preventive dental care. During your cleaning, we will thoroughly cleanse your teeth and gums, removing any plaque or debris from every surface in your mouth. You’ll even be able to reverse minor stains to keep your smile bright and beautiful. We recommend scheduling routine cleanings and exams every six months for most patients.
However, good oral hygiene shouldn’t stop when you leave our office. Keeping up with your at-home brushing and flossing routine is equally as important as attending professional cleanings, and is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Use a fluoride-rich toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time; and don’t forget to floss! Flossing at least once every day, ideally before going to bed, helps to get rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.
Digital x-rays are safe, quick, and comfortable. Using the latest technology, we can create crisp, high-resolution images of your mouth’s structure, so we can make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. Digital x-rays use only a fraction of the radiation as traditional film x-rays, so you can rest easy. Most patients receive one or two full sets of x-rays every year, but we may recommend additional imaging in the case of a dental emergency, or if we find an oral health issue that we need to investigate further.
Fluoride treatments are one of the best ways to keep dental decay at bay. A simple, non-invasive procedure, fluoride treatments help to keep your enamel strong. After your cleaning, we’ll apply a fluoride-rich varnish or gel; we may ask you to refrain from eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes or so following your visit. Fluoride helps kickstart a process called “remineralization,” which restores essential minerals like calcium and phosphates to your teeth, keeping your enamel hard and resistant to acids, like those that cause tooth decay.
Dental sealants are a great way for patients to protect their teeth from decay. Dental sealants are often recommended for children, but can still be a great option for patients of all ages. Plus, dental sealants can provide protection for your teeth for years after being applied.
Applying dental sealants is a quick, non-invasive procedure that utilizes a dental resin that is applied to the molars. The uneven surface of molars, which are located in the rear of the mouth, are filled with grooves where plaque and bacteria can flourish. After application, the resin is cured with a UV light, causing it to harden into a powerful barrier between your teeth and the foods, drinks, acid, and bacteria that lead to decay.
Dental emergencies can be painful, stressful experiences, but we're here to help. If you're experiencing a dental emergency, the first thing to do is take a deep breath and keep calm. Then, give us a call to find out if you need immediate care. Dental emergencies can be anything from a knocked-out tooth or dental work to a persistent toothache. If you're unsure if what you're experiencing qualifies as a dental emergency, it's better to be safe than sorry, so get in touch with us right away so you can get the care you need when you need it.
When left untreated, gum disease can have serious effects on your oral and overall health. Gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss can occur without proper treatment, so scheduling regular checkups for treatment is essential. Our team can keep gum disease from compromising your smile through a variety of periodontal treatments, such as deep cleanings (also known as scaling and root planing). If your gums are inflamed or bleed easily, if you have persistent bad breath, sensitive teeth, or notice any changes in your bite, get in touch with us today. We'll schedule a consultation at our Tempe dental practice to get your smile back on a healthy path.
As a common symptom of periodontal disease, receding gums may cause insecurity, sensitivity, and even discomfort. We want you to feel comfortable in your smile, and soft tissue grafting is a great solution to re-establish your gum line. Not only will you be more confident, but it prevents further deterioration. Get back to a healthy, comfortable smile by booking your first consultation.
Dental anxiety doesn't have to stop you from getting the care you need for your smile. We're happy to offer sedation options, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy painless, stress-free dental care, no matter the complexity of your treatment. If you're interested in our sedation options, get in touch with us today, and we'll find out what option will work best for you.
Oral cancer screenings are a part of every preventive visit, and are a quick way to fortify your peace of mind. Through consistent exams, we can catch oral cancer early on, which gives us a better chance at treating it before it spreads. A routine oral cancer screening can even save your life!
Your dentist will examine your gums, tongue, and the rest of the soft tissues in your mouth, keeping an eye out for lesions and other abnormalities like lumps and discolorations. If there is anything that concerns us, we may recommend getting a biopsy, which will be analyzed by a specialist to determine the cause of the abnormality. Regular oral cancer screenings allow us to identify any potential problems before they become major issues.
Unconscious teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, is a common issue that tends to happen at night while patients are asleep. However, night guards can help patients alleviate symptoms of bruxism by creating a barrier between your teeth that protects them from grinding-related damage. Depending on the severity of the case, night guards can be made from several different materials with varying degrees of softness.
To get fitted for a night guard, you will receive impressions or digital scans of your teeth and gums that we will use to custom-craft a mold that will then be sent to the lab. Your night guard will be created to match your exact specifications and measurements for a perfect fit. Night guards ease tension in your jaw, alleviating the painful headaches and preventing dental damage caused by clenching and grinding. Night guards can keep your smile healthy and help you get the restful sleep you need.
Does your jaw click or pop when you open your mouth? Do you regularly experience soreness, tension, or find it hard to enjoy your favorite foods? You may have a form of TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). Fortunately, there are a variety of minimally invasive treatments that can provide you with the relief you deserve. Don't live with jaw pain; get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you alleviate your TMJ/TMD so you can get back to living life with a smile.
The most significant benefit of restorative dentistry is that it restores dental function to damaged and missing teeth. That way, patients can regain their ability to bite, chew, swallow, and speak properly. This restored functionality means you can return to your usual diet and speak confidently.
Restorative dentistry also improves your teeth’s appearance, giving you a lovely smile and making you feel more confident and comfortable in social situations. It can also help address dental problems earlier on to prevent them from worsening and spiraling out. Restoring your damaged teeth also makes maintaining proper hygiene easier, thus improving your oral health.
Cosmetic and restorative dentistry are different but interrelated branches of dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of teeth and gums for a better smile. While restorative dentistry centers on the restoration of damaged and missing teeth so they can regain their full functionality. Sometimes, restoring damaged teeth can improve their appearance, hence the crossing over between cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
Restorative dentistry can solve several problems, but most dentists recommend repairing damaged teeth from physical trauma or extensive dental decay. Physical trauma can cause cracks, chips, and fractured teeth. Dentists use restorative dental treatments like dental bonding, filling, and crowns to repair damaged teeth.
Dentists also use restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth. Patients with missing teeth can get partial or complete dental implants, depending on the number of missing teeth. These implants look and function like your regular teeth. Lastly, you may need restorative dentistry (usually a dental crown) after a root canal to replace the damaged portion of your teeth following a root canal.
Some restorative dental procedures qualify as dental emergencies, depending on the situation. For instance, you may need emergency restorative dental treatments if you suffer from severe toothaches that don’t stop even after taking painkillers. In such cases, the dentist might recommend dental filling or bonding to cover the exposed nerve causing pain.
You may also need emergency restorative dentistry treatment if you accidentally knock out your tooth/teeth. The same goes if you fracture your teeth from physical impact after an accident or while playing physical sports. The dentist will recommend a dental implant for the lost teeth and bonding, filling, or a dental crown for the fractured teeth. Both cases are emergencies, but you can salvage the knocked-out or fractured teeth if you can get to the dentist within an hour of losing or breaking your teeth.
Whether insurance covers restorative dentistry depends on your particular insurance plan. However, restorative dental treatments are almost always covered by insurance. Most insurance policies offer complete coverage, but some only offer partial coverage. Either way, it’s best to check your policy to know whether your restorative dental treatments are covered by your insurer.
