Preventive Care
Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams, Sealants and Silver Diamine Fluoride
We take pride in educating our patients on how to properly maintain great oral health and provide services to help prevent oral diseases that require further restorative treatment.
X-Rays and Intra-Oral Photography
Dental radiographs (X-rays) allow us to visualize the health of your bone and the interior portions of your teeth. We use digital radiographs which significantly minimizes the amount of radiation exposure and increases the diagnostic quality of the images. We also use intraoral cameras to identify areas of concern which we are able to show our patients so they may ask questions about these areas.
Sealants
Dental Sealants help prevent tooth decay by coating the deep grooves on chewing surfaces of permanent premolars and molars. A thin protective coating is painted into the deep grooves of teeth. This helps keep bacteria and food from entering these areas to help prevent the onset of dental caries (decay).
Comprehensive Exams
A comprehensive dental exam is a complete and thorough patient examination which evaluates all aspects of your health as we know that there is a strong correlation with the overall health of your body. Taking a comprehensive approach helps us determine and provide the most predictable and long lasting dental care. Doing so can result in the prevention and early detection of oral and other diseases. It involves listening to the needs of our patients and gathering the appropriate information. A comprehensive exam typically involves the following:
- Series of X-rays
- Intraoral photos
- Evaluation of periodontal (gum) health
- Evaluation of teeth and your bite
- Head, Neck and Oral Cancer Screening
Cleanings
Dental Cleanings involve removing plaque from teeth to prevent tooth decay (cavities), gingivitis (gum disease) and periodontal disease (bone loss). Routine cleanings are performed every three to six months. Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) differs from routine cleanings in that it is performed to remove the plaque, bacteria and calculus that exists deep below the gumline in a patient that has been diagnosed with periodontitis. SRP’s are performed to prevent the bone loss that is caused by periodontitis.
Topical Flouride
Topical fluoride varnish is painted onto the teeth at the end of a dental cleaning to help restore the strength and health of your teeth. When oral bacteria eat sugars and carbohydrates they produce acids that cause the enamel of your teeth to demineralize and break down. Fluoride, a natural occurring mineral, is used to help prevent this breakdown by remineralizing (rebuilding) the weakened enamel and by preventing the growth of harmful oral bacteria.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a clear liquid that gets brushed into small areas of decay to stop that decay from developing further. SDF does not require any anesthesia (commonly known as “Novocaine”), drilling or filling. This makes it a great temporary solution for small areas of decay on primary (baby) teeth. We recommend re-applying the affected areas with SDF every six months for it to be effective.