Patient Education / Dental Education Library
Sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent the intrusion of bacteria and debris into deep crevices. Young children are great candidates for this preventative measure, and even on teeth where decay is present, sealants have been shown to fight additional damage.
Some cases of acute periodontal disease that do not respond to conventional treatment may require scaling and root planing — a special deep cleaning procedure. A scaler or ultrasonic cleaner is used beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar, then root surfaces are planed and smoothed.
Root canal therapy is a remarkable treatment with a very high rate of success that involves removing diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection, and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. Most patients experience little or no discomfort and enjoy a restored tooth that can last a lifetime.
Fixed bridges and implants are often used to replace missing teeth and to correct some kinds of bite problems. Crowns and bridges are among the most effective procedures for replacing missing teeth, restoring proper function, appearance, and bite alignment for patients of all ages.
When facial reconstruction involving the oral cavity is needed, a maxillofacial surgeon performs procedures of the neck and head area. Common procedures include jaw surgery to correct protruding chins, misaligned teeth, and jaws that did not grow at the same rate, as well as denture-related procedures.
One of the most common jaw disorders involves the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. People with TMD often experience a clicking or popping sound when opening their mouths, along with frequent headaches, neck aches, and in some cases, tooth sensitivity.
Flap surgery is performed to remove tartar deposits in deep periodontal pockets or to reduce pocket depth and make it easier to keep the area clean. The procedure involves lifting back the gums, removing tartar, and suturing the tissue snugly around the tooth again to limit bacterial growth.
When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, extraction may be necessary. Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives, with most patients experiencing little or no discomfort.
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues, made of acrylic resin sometimes combined with metals. Complete dentures replace all teeth while partial dentures fill spaces created by missing teeth, improving chewing ability, speech, and support for facial muscles.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used to protect a weak tooth, restore a broken tooth, cover a dental implant, or hold a dental bridge in place for long-lasting results.
