Patient Info

• Red and puffy gums
• Bleeding gums
• Tender Gums
• Bad breath
• New spacing between teeth
• Loose teeth
• Receding Gums
• Pus around teeth and gums

Make an appointment today to have a thorough evaluation.

Four out of five people have gum disease and don’t know it. Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in most stages.

Periodontal disease begins when plaque-the sticky, colorless film of bacteria, food debris and saliva is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce toxins that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone.

Several factors increase the risk of developing gum disease:

• Smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Certain tooth conditions such as crowded teeth and defective fillings.
• Dental bridges that no longer fit well-both fixed and removable.
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes and autoimmune issues.
• Pregnancy and hormone changes.
• Lack of “proper brushing and flossing”.
• Certain dietary factors-what you eat, how you eat it, and how often you eat it.

• History review: knowing the status of any current medical conditions, medications, and illnesses can give us insight to your dental health.
• Taking digital diagnostic x-rays, we use the lowest ultra-low dose x-rays to evaluate and detect decay (cavities), tumors, cysts, cancer, bone loss, and deformities to determine any issues we cannot visually see.
• Oral cancer screening: we check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, and gums for any sign of cancer.
• Visual exam with surgical binoculars-the mouth is a small world and we use special loupes to examine you. We check all tooth surfaces for cavities, all gum tissue for gum disease, check for bite disease, oral cancer check, functional exam, TMI exam, examination of current fillings, crowns, bridges, partial and full dentures, examination of the airway and missing teeth. We take your blood pressure and may take intra-oral and extraoral camera pictures.

• We start with the removal of calculus (tartar) – We use the newest most gentle generation of sonic units called piezoelectric to clean your teeth initially, followed by hand instruments to remove this hardened plaque at and just below the gum line.
• We follow that up with a prophy – which is the polishing of your teeth with a rubber cup and tasteful paste to remove stains that have built up since your last visit.
• We floss every tooth to make sure the calculus has been removed and to check on any restorations in your mouth. If the floss shreds, something is wrong.
• Probe all your gums and input the data into your electronic chart-lets us know if any changes occur between visits.
• Evaluate your mouth from your first base line new patient visit or subsequent recall visits. We keep an eye on everything that may impact your dental health.
• Oral hygiene recommendations.
• Blood pressure check.
• Review any concerns you have.
• Determine what intervals between hygiene visits are appropriate for you.

Fillings can last for many years, but over time they wear down, discolor, crack and sometimes fall out. Early detection of problems with fillings can help you avoid getting cavities under the filling and causing more serious decay. Let us know if you’re experiencing any pain. We’ll check your fillings at every visit to determine if any need to be replaced.

Composite fillings are widely preferred to amalgam today to fill new cavities and replace old fillings needing repair. However, there are some instances when amalgam is still recommended, based on your individual health profile. In addition, some insurance providers will not approve composite fillings in posterior teeth, which would increase your out-of-pocket expenses.

Absolutely. Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools. Many oral conditions occur between teeth or under the gums or bones, undetectable by the human eye, and may have no early signs or symptoms. Left untreated, these conditions can create serious dental and general health problems, including loss of teeth and heart problems. Early detection with x-rays can make treatment much less painful, faster, and less expensive. The American Dental Association recommends getting a full series every three years.