General & Restorative Dentistry

In some cases, extracting a tooth is the best treatment option to reduce crowding, prepare for dentures, or eliminate a dead or dying tooth.

Extraction is a common procedure. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure and will then carefully remove all parts of the tooth or teeth scheduled for extraction. Afterwards, be sure to follow postoperative instructions closely so that your gums will heal promptly. If you have questions or concerns following an extraction, don’t hesitate to contact our office immediately.

A small cavity, left untreated, can grow to destroy an entire tooth. Unlike our skin, our teeth do not heal naturally. Only with professional dental care can cavities be treated, returning you to optimal oral health. Dental fillings can be made of amalgam, a tooth-colored composite resin or a porcelain or gold inlay. These fillings restore the treated cavity, reinforcing the tooth’s structure.

To place a filling, the dentist will first make sure you are comfortable, then the tooth will have the decay and bacteria removed, and the tooth will be restored with the filling material you and the dentist have chosen.

In some situations, you can avoid tooth extraction by undergoing a root canal. An internally infected or inflamed tooth may be treatable. Inside every tooth, canals house the pulp (nerve) that sustains the tooth’s life. A deep cavity or crack can compromise the pulp and cause infection or inflammation. As infection and inflammation builds, the tooth begins to ache from internal pressure. At this point, your dentist will recommend extraction or a root canal.

During root canal therapy, infection or inflammation is removed from the canals of a tooth. Your dentist will insert biocompatible materials into the emptied canal and then crown or restore the tooth. A root canal is a common procedure that can often be completed in one visit. Rest assured, your comfort will be maintained throughout treatment.

“Periodontal”, refers to the supporting structures of the teeth, this includes the gums and bone around each tooth. Periodontal disease (or gum disease) is an infection that destroys the connection the gums have with your teeth and the bone surrounding the teeth. Gum disease has serious overall health implications and is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, low birth weight in babies born to women with gum disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease

The treatment recommended for your gum disease will depend on its severity. For mild to moderate cases of infection a procedure called scaling and root-planing will be recommended and can be done here in our office. This procedure involves removal of the hardened deposits and bacteria with their toxins from below the gumline. This procedure, along with an emphasis on patient specific post-therapy maintenance, results in healing that can be profound and long lasting. For moderate to advanced periodontal disease a referral to a periodontist may be recommended. In some cases, surgery may be required to eliminate and treat this disease

TMD or TMJ disorder is a misalignment of the sensitive jaw joints. This can cause muscles to become stressed, which irritates nerves and leads to symptoms that range from mild to severe.

For conservative, effective treatment, we can create a custom oral appliance to correct jaw alignment and relieve nagging symptoms. If you suffer from TMJ symptoms, consult with us to determine whether an oral appliance will relieve your pain.

Snoring is simply the sound that occurs when soft tissues in the mouth and throat vibrate as a person breathes. Sleep apnea involves complete airway blockage for periods of 10 seconds or longer repeatedly during a sleep session. While snoring is not dangerous, sleep apnea increases a person’s risk for stroke, heart attack, daytime fatigue, irritability, and other issues.

Sleep apnea can be diagnosed by a sleep lab, or we can arrange for an at home sleep study to begin to determine if you suffer from sleep disordered breathing. Traditionally, a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) appliance is the gold standard for sleep apnea treatment. However, many patients do not respond well to CPAP because of a poor fit, claustrophobia or discomfort. For these patients, and others, a sleep guard may be recommended. Your dentist can create a custom sleep guard to hold your lower jaw slightly forward, which prevents soft tissues from blocking airflow. Many patients find relief from this non-invasive solution.