At The Smile Center we always make every attempt to treat your teeth and remedy
any dental malady. But if the damage to your teeth is extensive, then it may be
necessary to extract one or more teeth in order to maintain dental health. We will
help you through the process of deciding what treatment is best for your needs and
provide the treatment you want. Follow-up care is provided for all surgical procedures
and we will call to check on you too!
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Periodontal
Gum disease or Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the gums and bone
that support your teeth. Approximately one out of every two adults has periodontal
disease and is unaware of it because it is usually painless and silent until the
advanced stages.
Some symptoms include:
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen, tender and bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus drainage from the gums
- Your bite feels different
The goal is to prevent periodontal disease with daily brushing and flossing. Routine
dental exams, cleanings and x-rays will help detect periodontal disease in its early
stages. Early detection usually involves non-surgical treatment to help control
the progression of the disease. Therapies are customized to the individual patient.
Medical studies increasingly show a connection between periodontal disease and incidence
of heart disease, stroke, and development of diabetes and preterm births.
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Root Canal Treatment
Every tooth has a root canal space. These are the canals within the tooth where
the nerve and blood supply runs to allow the tooth to be vital. When the nerve and
blood supply becomes compromised due to trauma or decay, the soft tissue dies. This
can sometimes be painful.
Treatment of the root canal involves numbing the tooth, then cleaning, shaping,
sterilizing, and filling the root canal space so that bacteria cannot live within
the tooth. This allows us to keep the tooth rather than having to extract it.
This is a service we provide for our patients. We set aside emergency time each
day to minimize patient discomfort.
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Temporomandibular Joint Disease
TM (Temporomandibular) disorders are problems related to your jaw joints and the
associated muscles that work to bring your teeth together. Problems with these structures
may develop from clenching and grinding your teeth or from damage due to injury
or disease.
Once a problem is recognized, a conservative treatment is usually suggested first.
This can include exercises to stretch and relax your jaw muscles, application of
heat and/or cold, eating a soft diet, any use of non-steroidal, anti- inflammatory
medications and/or muscle relaxant.
Often an occlusal splint, a clear plastic appliance that fits over your upper or
lower teeth, may be used to reduce the clenching or bruxing and help relax muscles
and reduce pain. They also may be designed to change your jaw posture and reduce
pressure in your jaw joints.
Symptoms include pain in your jaw joints or facial muscles; clicking, popping or
a grating noise when you open your mouth; and pain when eating or yawning. If you
have any of these symptoms, tell us about them, we can help!
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Orthodontics
Great smiles are created by using braces with wires and brackets, or a removable
appliance to correct spacing, crowding, rotation, and bite problems. Crooked teeth
and teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, are at risk
of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease. They also cause
extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches.
Each patient receives a complete evaluation and has individualized treatment placed.
Our doctors check their patient’s progress at every appointment. We offer this service
to patients of all ages. Our services include Straight Wire and Invisalign.
The benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing
appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime, and dazzle the eye.
We are happy to evaluate your situation and customize a plan to get you where you
want to be.
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