Today's dental x-rays are a lot more healthy and safe than years past.
• Digital x-rays are a safe option when it comes to exposing patients to a lesser level of radiation.
• They also get processed faster, which means that Dr. Silverman can analyze the x-rays very soon after they are taken.
• Digital x-rays are also safe for children. They are sometimes needed to see certain aspects of a child's mouth, such as the jaw formation and tooth decay.
Have you recently been diagnosed with gum disease? Are you suffering from symptoms of periodontal disease?
What is Root Planing and Scaling?
Root planing and scaling is a special procedure to fight periodontal disease. We remove the calculus (called tartar) and plaque during the scaling process. Furthermore, we also target the root area below the gumline during the root planing process.There are times when antibiotics must be prescribed in order to kill and remove all of the bacteria.
To make the procedure as comfortable as possible, some patients choose sedation dentistry. Sedation can be an option if you would like, too.
Composite fillings are also known as white fillings. They are used to fill cavities and can also fix minor chips on teeth. In contrast to the older silver (amalgam) fillings, the color of white fillings can be customized to blend naturally with your teeth color and do not contain any metals.
Things to know about fillings:
Wisdom teeth are the furthest molars in your mouth that usually grow in between the ages of 15 and 20. Many times, these molars grow the wrong way and can cause serious problems in the mouth. We highly recommend that if you are in this age range, you come and see us for a consultation and free x - rays! We can then advise you on the best course of action to take in your specific situation.
Wisdom teeth can cause a variety of issues if left untreated, including:
• Bacteria growth and infection in gum
• Pain and swelling
• Misalignment of other teeth
If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, we offer minimally-invasive surgical options to meet your needs. We recommend having wisdom teeth removed before any serious dental issues begin and/or to correct any damage that your wisdom teeth already caused. Depending on whether or not you prefer to stay awake or be asleep during the procedure, we offer our patients different sedation and anesthesia options.
Root canal therapy is done to save a tooth that is severely infected. When tooth decay is large it can spread to the pulp chamber of the tooth. The pulp chamber and root canals hold the nerves of the tooth, which is why extreme pain is often felt when a tooth needs root canal therapy. Once the nerve is infected the only way to save the tooth is to remove the nerve and clean out the tooth by doing root canal therapy. Once this is done, the tooth becomes weakened and must have a crown placed over it to protect it.
A crown is used to restore a tooth's function by covering it completely. It fully encloses the portion of your tooth that is above the gum line. Crowns can also be placed on dental implants. Crowns are custom made so they naturally blend in with the rest of your teeth shape and color.
Things to know about crowns:
• With good oral hygiene and dental care, crowns can last between 5-10 years
• Restores a tooth's strength and durability by protecting it completely
• Once permanently cemented only a dentist can remove the crown
• Requires two in-office visits as the crown must be sent to the lab to be custom designed
• It is best to wear a night guard if you grind your teeth as it will greatly reduce the useful life of your crown
A bridge is a fixed permanent restoration used to replace a space of missing teeth. It involves preparing the teeth on either side of the space so that they can hold together the artificial tooth (can be multiple artifical teeth) that will fill the missing space. The bridge is designed so that the area between the artificial tooth and gums can be cleaned with dental flossers and proxy brushes.
When will your dentist recommend a bridge?
• When you have a missing tooth or a span of multiple missing teeth
• When the teeth next to the missing space already have crowns on them
• When your replacement is not a good candidate for an implant
Veneers are thin porcelain restorations that are cemented over the front of your teeth. Unlike bridges or implants, veneers are not used to replace lost teeth but are used to improve the tooth cosmetically by changing the color, size and shape of the tooth.
Reasons patients might need veneers include:
• Teeth that are chipped or have lots of wear
• Have staining from lots of coffee or wine
• Discoloration from improper care during braces
• Irregularly shaped front teeth
Dentures are removable dental devices that replace large spans of missing teeth. Dentures are a good, cost-effective alternative for when a patient is not a good candidate for dental implants.
Things we want our patients to know about dentures:
• Getting dentures requires fitting sessions in our office that will take a few weeks
• Dentures have a natural look with good chewing function
• Dentures should last years and are very durable if cared for properly
• Dentures should be brushed daily to remove plaque and food
• Remember to soak your dentures overnight with a mild solution made for dentures
• Don't brush too hard, boil, soak in hot water or bleach dentures, as these methods of cleaning will damage them
Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed uses a proprietary LED light to accelerate the whitening gel chemical reaction. It is a fast and safe procedure powered by innovative technology. After an initial oral exam, the complete treatment takes one office visit.
The procedure begins with a short preparation period followed by three 15-minute bleaching sessions. Your results will depend on your natural tooth color, the level of staining and which Philips Zoom treatment your dental professional recommends.
Dental professionals measure the change in your teeth color in "shades." For most people, even a change of two or three shades will make a noticeable difference. What's your starting shade? Using the shade bar below, click the color that most closely matches your current tooth color to see which whitening options are recommended for you.