Exams

Your first visit to our office is very important with regard to establishing your oral health baseline. We will begin by carefully reviewing your medical and dental histories and taking special note of all of your dental concerns, as well as any symptoms that you may be experiencing. This will be followed by a thorough clinical examination, including an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation, an analysis of your occlusion (bite) plus a thorough examination of your teeth, their supporting structures, and the complete orofacial area. Any needed diagnostic dental films will be taken at this time.

Deep cleaning (scaling and root planning)

A deep cleaning is used to treat periodontitis, or gum disease. It works best in the early stages of the disease, and prevents both its progression as well as future surgery. Deep cleaning usually occurs after the exam and x-rays are completed. Because deep cleaning is a more involved procedure, it usually requires a local anesthetic for the patient’s comfort.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Screening for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is done during a routine recall check-up. The exam will include looking for lesions, including areas of leukoplakia (an abnormal white patch of cells) and erythroplakia (an abnormal red patch of cells).

Professional Cleaning (prophy)

A dental cleaning – or prophylaxis – is about more than a pretty smile. It removes dangerous plaque and tartar from your teeth, and is a key component of proper dental health. The licensed dental hygienists at Jolanta Smyda Dentistry can help keep your teeth healthy and bright. Dental cleanings are typically performed twice or more per year.

Digital X-Rays

In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using 90 percent less radiation than conventional x-rays. This digital technique also allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.

Sealants

Sealants – a thin acrylic coating placed over the teeth – form an extra protective barrier that keeps food from getting trapped between them and in the grooves. This reduces the risk of plaque build-up and cavities. Sealants are not a replacement for brushing and flossing, but they are very effective when placed over the back teeth. Molar sealants can reduce the risk of cavities by up to 80%!

Night Guards

A removable acrylic appliance intended to relieve temporomandibular joint pain and other effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism). Usually worn at night to prevent grinding during sleep.

Sport Guards

A sport guard is a soft plastic or laminate device used in sports to prevent oral injuries to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw. The American Dental Association projects that one third of all dental injuries are sports related.

Tooth Colored Fillings

When considering tooth fillings, one of the options available is composite fillings which are made from durable plastics that are similar in color to natural teeth. Because the composite fillings are tooth-colored, they look more natural and are less noticeable compared to other types of fillings.

Implant Crowns

A dental implant is an appliance that is placed below the gumline to act as a replacement tooth root. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed replacement teeth like crowns or to help with retention of removable appliances. Once restored, esthetically and functionally, they are made to mimic your natural teeth.

Root Canal Treatments

Every tooth consists of three different layers. The outermost and hardest layer is enamel, and the second layer is dentin. The third is pulp, which is the cavernous space where the live tissue and nerve of each tooth is located.

If for any reason the pulp space is exposed to the outside, the tissue becomes contaminated and eventually infected. The exposure of pulp happens in many circumstances, such as when you have a large cavity or a fractured tooth. Your dentist can explain the exact reason for damage to this tissue. In these cases, the treatment is usually root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is the process of going inside the pulp space and removing the infected, dead tissue. The space is then disinfected and sealed with special materials. Nowadays, root canal treatments are performed with advanced techniques and materials, making them far more comfortable and faster. After root canal treatment is complete, your restorative dentist will usually place a crown on your tooth to safeguard against fracture.

Extractions (simple and surgical)

You may need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are decayed, others may have advanced periodontal disease or may have broken in a fashion which cannot be repaired. Other teeth may have to be removed because they are poorly positioned in the mouth, such as impacted wisdom teeth. Teeth that are malpositioned or crowded may have to be extracted in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Should I Replace an Extracted Tooth?
When a tooth is missing its neighboring teeth tend to shift, sometimes significantly, which in turn can have a major impact on your dental health. Even the removal of a single tooth can lead to problems. To avoid these complications we recommend that you replace the tooth that has been extracted. There are a number of options available to replace missing teeth including dental implants and dental bridges.

Dentures

Dentures are artificial teeth that are designed to fit precisely to your mouth. We spend multiple appointments customizing every part of the denture to accommodate your desired result. With your help we will select tooth shape and color in order to achieve a result that will make you happy. The Dentures will rest on your gums and may require dental adhesive to increase retention. There are a few types of dentures.

Full Dentures
When someone has lost all the teeth on the top arch or bottom arch they may need a full denture. We will custom fit the denture to precisely fit your gums to maximize comfort and retention. The result will be a fully functional smile you can be proud of.

Partial Dentures
Partial Dentures are designed when there are gaps of missing teeth surrounded by healthy teeth. After an evaluation by dentist, if the remaining teeth are determined to be healthy and capable of supporting a partial denture, we can proceed with that treatment. Partial dentures snap into the missing spaces to replace and restore the function of the missing teeth allowing you to smile, eat and talk with ease.