General Treatments
Emergency Care
Patients will be seen as soon as possible for emergency dental care including toothaches, broken teeth, sports injuries, or jaw pain. Many times, the emergency visit will be scheduled the same day the patient calls to schedule the appointment. Every effort will be made to keep our patients comfortable.
Gum Health
Hygiene: Regular professional cleanings are a must for a healthy smile and your total body health. At each visit, a complete check of your gums, teeth, and supporting bone will be done. We will advise you as to the best professional cleaning schedule to meet your individual needs. University Family Dental prioritizes prevention, therefore, be prepared for a one to one and a half hour visit for cleanings, education, and exam. Cleanings are recommended every 3-6 months; more frequently for our patients with gum disease/periodontal disease. As a courtesy, our office will remind you when your regular cleanings and exams are due.
Deep Cleaning/Scaling and Root Planing for Periodontal Disease: There is significant literature to support that periodontal health is linked to overall well-being regarding risk factors for heart attack, stroke, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies are ongoing establishing strong indications to improve periodontal health to improve total body wellness. Scaling and root planing is seen as a vital component in removing the bacterial layer that resides deep in our gums and causes our body to actually attack itself, destroying gum tissue.
A deep cleaning is necessary when your gums are excessively swollen, bleeding, bone levels are shrinking or changing around the teeth, and/or there is heavy tartar (calculus) on the teeth or roots. In most cases, the area is numbed for the cleaning to ensure your comfort. A numbing gel, called Oraquix, may be an option for an injection-free treatment. Once the initial treatment is completed, our office recommends dental cleanings, called Periodontal Maintenance, every 3 months to keep the bacterial counts low around your teeth.
Restorative Work
Fillings: University Family Dental offers tooth-colored fillings only. We have a variety of shades to match your individual tooth and fillings will be virtually invisible. Most recently, insurance companies cover tooth colored fillings similarly to amalgam. Research shows that amalgam/silver fillings are safe while in the mouth, but once removed and disposed, can pose a hazard to the environment. Therefore, our office approach is to reduce amalgam waste for the future and only place resin based fillings at this time.
Crowns: A crown, sometimes called a “cap”, covers the entire tooth and is used to treat teeth for cosmetic reasons (badly stained or crooked) or teeth that need extra strength and support (teeth with large fillings, fractured teeth, and/or teeth that have had a root canal). A mold is made of the tooth/teeth after preparation and sent to a lab to be carefully custom made. A temporary crown will be placed while our patients wait for the permanent crown. This procedure is usually completed in two appointments, two weeks apart. A significant improvement in appearance can be made with this technique.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening: You can dramatically whiten your smile in the comfort of our office or in your own home. In-office whitening is highly effective! Also, a one to two week home program with whitening trays, used alone or after in-office bleaching, can offer excellent results. Occasionally, teeth may be stained in a way that tooth bleaching is done prior to more advanced treatments such as veneers or bonding. Some sensitivity may occur as the teeth are whitening. The symptoms usually subside when whitening is discontinued for several days. Fluoride may be recommended to patients that whiten their teeth to decrease sensitivity. Our teeth bleaching products are carefully selected for maximum whitening results while providing the most comfort.
Veneers: Porcelain veneers are used to treat teeth that are stained or discolored, chipped, crooked, worn, or for front teeth that have an unsightly gap. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded onto the front of the tooth. Each veneer is carefully crafted in the lab and cemented for maximum strength. Teeth Whitening is usually recommended before veneers are done to reach the best cosmetic result.
Tooth Replacement
Bridges: A bridge is used to fill in gaps in teeth. An artificial tooth is attached to two crowns and then cemented on the adjacent teeth. The benefit to a bridge over a partial denture is that it is not removed and it looks and feels like your “real” teeth. Bridges are highly durable and can last many years when they are properly cared for and cleaned.
Dental Implants: A dental implant is a permanent, long lasting approach to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement with success rates running 95% and higher in non-smokers. The initial process involves working with a dental specialist trained in implant placement, such as a Periodontist or Oral Surgeon. A titanium “post” is surgically placed below the gum in the supporting bone and allowed to heal. Once healed, usually 3-6 months after placement, a permanent crown(s) are placed painlessly. Surrounding teeth are untouched and care for the implant is similar to the care of a natural tooth. Implants can last many years and can be a cost-effective, long term tooth replacement option used singly, support a bridge, or under dentures.
Partial and Full Dentures: Dentures replace missing teeth and can improve our appearance dramatically. Partial dentures can fill gaps in teeth and full dentures can replace all of the teeth. A mold is made of the patient’s mouth and sent to a lab in a series of steps. The finished product creates the appearance of a full set of beautiful teeth. We can also utilize different techniques to minimize excessive movement by creating “snaps” on the appliances or relining existing dentures to make them feel more snug.
Straightening
Invisalign: Invisalign (Invisalign.com) is an approach to straightening teeth utilizing clear aligner retainers instead of straight wire braces. A series of aligners are used to rotate, straighten, and align your teeth. The aligners are removable and teeth can be cared for thoroughly during your orthodontic process. The average wearing time for adults in Invisalign is 11 months. Complimentary teeth whitening, finishing refinements and post-treatment retainers are also offered at no extra cost to our Invisalign patients.
Dr. Kimberly Martin is a Preferred Provider of Invisalign earning several awards of recognition for her work with Invisalign in this region. She can tell you if you are a good candidate for this type of teeth straightening in a complimentary exam.
Invisalign Teen: Invisalign Teen is similar to the adult Invisalign treatment but offers more to meet a teenager’s needs. Replacement aligners, wear indicators and the ability to guide erupting adult teeth are some of the benefits to Invisalign Teen. As above, complimentary teeth whitening, finishing refinements and post-treatment retainers are also offered at no extra cost to our Invisalign Teen patients.
TMJ Treatment/Nightguard/Occlusal Splint Therapy: A nightguard can be recommended to improve headaches, sore or tired jaws, excessive clenching/grinding, or prevent further bone loss from a traumatic bite. A splint is fabricated by prescription and monitored often to evaluate and modify the fit, as needed. In some cases, a referral to a Physical Therapist is indicated in conjunction with dental splint therapy.
