General and Family Dentistry
The Dental Health and Wellness Center offers all general dentistry services that you would find at any dentist office. The reason we are called biological is because we provide you with total body wellness care. We consider your entire body’s well being, not just your teeth.
Comprehensive New Patient Exam
This is the single most important visit to determine your needs and to present treatment options. We spend a lot of time listening and exploring dental and medical history as well as your current symptomology and health/wellness profile. Aside from a thorough clinical dental exam, x-rays and oral cancer screening.
Limited Oral Examination (Emergency Care)
This examination is to evaluate a specific urgent/pressing need or concern. Once this is addressed an appointment for a comprehensive exam will be scheduled.
Consultation/2nd Opinions
Many times those who are being presented with a treatment they are unsure of, or want to learn what natural/alternative approaches may be available, come in for this service. We can also provide 2nd opinions and guidance if you are restricted to an in-network dental insurance plan.
Composite fillings
Dentists are now able to restore decayed teeth with strongly bonded, wear-resistant plastic fillings, rather than with traditional silver amalgam material. There are many advantages to preventive resin restorations:
- Natural tooth-color of the material assures a normal appearance.
- Only decayed tooth tissue is removed, saving more of the healthy tooth structure.
- They are bonded to the natural tooth, strengthening the union of the tooth and the restoration, thus guarding against microscopic leakage at the edges.
- They can be easily repaired by the simple addition of resin.
Crown/Bridge
Crown and bridge treatment is a long-term method of replacing missing teeth. A crown is placed over an individual tooth, (somewhat like a thimble over your finger) where there is no longer sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling.
A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth on either end of the span are crowned, and are referred to as abutments. The false teeth in a bridge that join the abutments are referred to as pontics.
Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior materials such as precious metals (gold), semi-precious metals, porcelain, or a combination of metal fused to porcelain. Both esthetics (appearance) and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Losing a tooth can be of social and psychological concern. Teeth are lost for a number of reasons including:
- dental decay
- periodontal (gum) disease
- trauma (injury or accident)
When a permanent tooth is lost, the neighboring teeth are affected. Because the support and chewing forces are altered, the remaining teeth will begin to shift. The tooth above or below the one that was lost will begin to move up and out of its socket. This accelerates periodontal (gum) disease and causes further breakdown in the dental arch. If the missing tooth is not replaced, more teeth will eventually be lost, due to the improper forces exerted during chewing.
Replacing Missing Teeth:
- Helps restore and maintain the natural bite
- Prevents unnatural stress on other teeth
- Helps keep opposing teeth in their proper place
- Prevents shifting and tilting of adjacent teeth
- Helps prevent further dental decay and periodontal (gum) disease
- Maximizes your smile, speech and chewing
“We will make every effort to ensure your comfort during crown and bridge treatment. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Our concern is your comfort and confidence. Our goal is to help preserve your smile for a lifetime.”
