Services at our Prescott Valley AZ Dental Clinic
Learn how to restore the health and function of your teeth at our Prescott Valley AZ Dental Clinic through:
Dental cleanings
Dental cleanings involve the removal of the sticky film (plaque) and hard deposits (calculus) that harbor bacteria and cause disease. Once formed, calculus built up on the teeth is unable to be removed by normal tooth brushing and must be removed using specialized instruments designed for the task. In addition to the removal of this harmful substance, your hygienist will establish a personalized regimen in order to improve the health of your teeth and gums. She will educate you on tools and techniques that will increase your success at the removal of plaque before it becomes hardened into calculus. As the majority of patients visit the hygienist twice per year, it is imperative that you are educated on how to care for your teeth and gums the other 363 days of the year. Schedule your cleaning today at our Prescott Valley AZ Dental Clinic.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Tooth colored (composite) fillings have made vast improvements over the last few decades. Once only available for front teeth, they are now suitable for back teeth and can withstand the forces we place on them when biting and chewing. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings allow removal of less tooth structure than traditional silver fillings because the material physically bonds to the tooth. We use only the highest quality materials at our Prescott Valley AZ Dental Clinic, along with techniques that will decrease sensitivity and provide an aesthetic and functional restoration.
Root Canals
Root canal treatment is needed when bacteria reach the portion of the tooth that contains the nerve and blood supply. This is caused by either decay, fracture, periodontal disease or other means. Treatment will allow you to retain a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. Since no tooth is identical, the doctor will review your diagnostic films in order to determine if treatment can be performed in our office, or if you will need a referral to a specialist called an endodontist. Treatment of front teeth can usually be performed in our office since they usually have a single, straight, wide canal that is easily accessible. Back teeth have much more variability. They normally contain a minimum of three canals that are typically curved and narrow. These are better treated by a specialist that will use a high powered microscope to visualize these canals.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures can help to restore your smile and function when teeth are missing due to decay, periodontal disease, or trauma. By replacing your missing teeth with complete dentures you can prevent facial muscles from sagging, enjoy a healthy diet, and reclaim your smile. There are two main types of complete dentures; conventional complete dentures and immediate complete dentures. Conventional dentures are made after all teeth are removed and healing has progressed for at least six weeks. Immediate dentures are made prior to all the teeth being removed and are inserted the day that the final teeth are extracted. A conventional denture will provide a better fit as the underlying bone and tissue change once teeth are removed. However, this will require you to be without teeth for several months. With an immediate denture, you will not be without teeth through the process. Since the teeth are removed after the denture is made you will not have as good of a fit, and a reline of the denture will likely be necessary after healing is complete. Your dentist will discuss these options with you to help you choose which is best for your individual circumstance.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures can help to restore your smile and function by filling in the empty spaces where teeth have been lost due to decay, periodontal disease or trauma. As teeth are lost people tend not to make many changes to their diet. This leaves fewer teeth to withstand the same forces that we placed on them when we had all of our teeth. When missing teeth are not replaced, the ones that remain tend to wear out much faster leading to increased tooth loss and restorations. There are two main types of partial dentures that are distinguished by the type of material they are made from. Cast metal partials have a strong metal framework with clasps that are designed to adapt specifically to your teeth to hold them in place. It is then covered with an acrylic material that simulates tissue and provides support to the denture. Acrylic partials are made completely out of a plastic material. They contain clasps that are made of wire that is bent and shaped to fit your teeth in order to hold it in place. Each has their own indication and your dentist will discuss these options with you to help you choose which is best for your individual circumstance.
Bridges
Bridges can help to restore your smile and function by filling in empty spaces where teeth have been lost due to decay or trauma. They literally bridge the gap that is created by a missing tooth or teeth. They will typically require shaping of the teeth next to the gap and will act as anchors, called abutments. The replacement tooth (or teeth), called a pontic, is suspended between the abutments and is all made of one piece. After the bridge has been made by our laboratory, it is then cemented in place. The total treatment normally requires two appointments. A bridge is a quick way to replace a tooth or teeth that are missing. However, because it is cemented in place and attached all as one piece, it will require extra special attention in order to keep clean and free of plaque and debris.
Crowns
Crowns are indicated when a tooth has been weakened because of decay, fracture, or root canal. The crown is placed over the top of the tooth to protect it from breaking since we place a lot of force on our teeth when we bite and chew. The tooth is reduced so that it will be the proper size when the crown is placed over the top, and so that it will provide enough thickness of material to stand up to the forces placed on it when chewing. There are several different choices of materials that a crown can be made from. Your dentist will discuss these options with you to help you choose which is best for your individual circumstance.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can help to brighten your smile and tends to work best on healthy teeth and gums that are free of fillings. In moderation, whitening is a safe and effective way to improve the shade of your teeth and provide a more youthful appearance. The outer enamel of the tooth is translucent while the inner portion of the tooth (dentin) is yellow. As you age, the enamel thins and allows the yellow-colored dentin to be more visible. Whitening works by placing a solution on the teeth that leaches through the enamel and changes the shade of the dentin, making the teeth appear whiter and more vibrant. There are two ways in which whitening can be completed by our Prescott Valley AZ Dental Clinic – we can provide either at-home professional strength strips that are placed on the teeth, or we can make a model of your mouth and create custom trays that fit your teeth specifically. Your dentist will discuss these options with you to help you choose which is best for your individual circumstance.
Contact us to discuss your needs, concerns, and questions or request an appointment today at our Prescott Valley AZ Dental Clinic!
