ORTHODONTICS
	PERIODONTAL DISEASE While seldom painful and frequently free of any obvious signs and symptoms, periodontal (gum) disease can progress, undetected, to the point where supporting bone is destroyed. With 80 to 90% of all teenagers having some form of gingivitis (inflamed gums) and 75% of adult tooth loss for people over the age of 35 due to periodontal disease, early treatment and prevention is essential. While periodontal disease is cause by plaque, a number of other factors including poorly fitting bridges, badly aligned teeth and defective fillings contribute to the development of this condition.
	SEALANTS Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively "seals" the deep grooves where decay is most likely to start.
	CROWNS A "cap","jacket" or "crown" will restore a broken, heavily filled or cracked tooth to it's original size and shape. This may be recommended after root canal therapy has been completed as the tooth tends to become brittle and is more apt to fracture. Crowns can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improve the appearance of your teeth.
	IMPLANTS A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a "bolt" which will ultimately support a new tooth. The advantages of implants for patients with dentures are: denture stability, increased patient comfort and confidence.
	ROOT CANAL THERAPY If a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) becomes infected and inflamed, root canal treatment may be the only way to save the tooth, short of removing it. Root canal treatment consists of removing the nerve that lies within the root of the tooth.
	ORAL SURGERY The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss. When a tooth can’t be saved, extraction (removal) of the tooth may be the only course of treatment. A panorex x-ray allows us to see a complete picture of the alignment of your jaw, the positioning of your teeth and if there is sufficient space for your third molars (wisdom teeth) to fully erupt. In addition, it is an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating the supporting bone for possible cysts and tumors. Most minor surgeries are performed at our office, however the doctor may choose to refer to a maxillofacial surgeon for more complicated cases.
	DENTURES AND PARTIALS Many people believe that once they have dentures, they no longer need regular dental care. Denture wearers require annual exams to ensure their health, comfort and appearance. Gum tissues are in a constant state of change. Periodic relining of the dentures may be necessary to ensure a tight and comfortable fit.
	NIGHT GUARD A bruxism splint (or bite guard) functions to keep the teeth from meeting. Due to the many stresses we endure today, unfortunately, we can take stress out on teeth by grinding or clenching teeth. This causes strain on the tempero-mandibular joint (TMJ) which can cause headaches and pain along the joint. Grinding or clinching teeth can also cause multiple fracutres in teeth resulting in future crowns. Bruxism splints can be worn at night or during the day to relieve this stress also as a preventive measure to avoid fractures in teeth.