Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended biannual cleanings and examinations. Not only do they help you squash dental problems before they arise, but they also leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. A professional cleaning removes hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It also involves a fluoride treatment and polish to help protect and soothe your teeth and gums. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in over two years, it’s never too late to treat your teeth.
Cleaning & Prevention
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Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
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Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal
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Floss daily before bedtime
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Use an oral rinse after flossing
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Avoid sugary foods, coffee, and tobacco
What are some preventative measures I can take?
Professional teeth whitening is faster, more effective, and longer lasting that treatments you find over the counter. As we age, our teeth darken over time. We can brighten your teeth by five to ten shades by maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future whitening services to a minimum.
Whitening
There are various ways to correct crooked or crowded teeth without the use of traditional braces. One technique works by way of placing, in sequence, clear, hard plastic retainers over your teeth. Each varies in shape and is customized to your bite. They must be removed for eating and may influence your speech. Whether you are an adult or a teen this may be a choice for you. Call our office to get a consult today.
Invisible Alignment
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Corrected bite and straighter smile
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Improved comfort over traditional braces
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Natural tooth appearance
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More convenient oral hygiene maintenance
What are the advantages of invisible alignment?
A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth. It is used to chew food and is, therefore, the most susceptible to cavities. The crown is attached to the jawbone by way of the root. When decay has gone deep enough or when a periodontal disease has advanced enough to warrant an extraction, the entire tooth, root and all, is taken out. The dental implant is a titanium root that gets fitted into a socket that we create in your jaw. Once the root heals, we place an artificial crown on top. The new crown is customized to match your bite and the color of your teeth. Once the Oral Surgeon has uncovered the implant in most cases we can make the abutment and crown in our clinic in one day.
Implants
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Corrected bite and straighter smile
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Improved comfort over traditional braces
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Natural tooth appearance
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More convenient oral hygiene maintenance
What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentist can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth. In most cases, crowns and bridges can be completed in one appointment here at Columbia Family Dental.
Crowns
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant.
Procedure for lab-made Crown:
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We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
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An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication
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The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized
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We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
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You will come in again for permanent crown fitting
Same Day Crown Using CEREC System:
1. We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
2. We will take scans of the teeth with our computer.
3. The Crown will be fabricated in clinic.
4. You will leave that day with your custom made Crown.
Crowns, Bridges, & Veneers
Bridges
To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.
Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one.
Veneers
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.
Common uses for veneers:
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Chipped or broken teeth
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Misshapen or irregular teeth
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Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentist preserve your health. Before placement, any decay must be drilled out. We offer local anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth.
Fillings
Composite Resin
Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Patients may also choose composite resin for cavity fillings.