Gregg Trent DDS : Cosmetic - Implant

Gregg Trent DDS : Cosmetic - Implant - General Dentistry

There is no doubt about it; the best type of dental care is preventive! Through proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, the chances of significant dental decay and gum disease are greatly reduced.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting a dentist every 6 months. A regularly scheduled check-up is often referred to as a "cleaning", which is necessary to the prevention of oral disease. Patients with a history of extensive dental treatment or periodontal disease will typically need to see a dentist for frequently.

Your dental visit includes:

• Oral Examination / Dental Screening - The oral examination includes an inspection of the hard and soft tissues of your mouth. The hard and soft tissues include the teeth, gums, top and sides of the tongue, and inner lining of the cheeks. An instrument (called a probe) is used to detect the depth of the pockets between the teeth and the gum. The examination is painless and takes about 5 to 7 minutes. The depth of the pockets is recorded on your dental chart.

• Digital x-rays -Our dental hygienist takes x-rays of the mouth to document the condition of your teeth. Children seldom need x-rays before the age of four.

• Teeth Cleaning – Your teeth cleaning will be performed by a Registered Dental Hygienist. During the teeth cleaning procedure, harmful plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line are removed.

• Advice - Our dental hygienist may provide you with special instructions on brushing, flossing, and good oral hygiene, emphasizing areas of the mouth that have significant plaque and tartar buildup.

{ Back to top }

Our Digital image x-ray system uses a small fraction of radiation as compared to traditional x-ray radiographs.

These images reveal the health and position of teeth. Any impacted, un-emerged, or extra teeth can easily be seen on an x-ray. Other abnormalities of the teeth, such as cysts, pre-cancerous, or cancerous growths may also be seen.

X-rays are able to reveal many dental defects that cannot be detected by the naked eye. Examples of such defects include decay under old fillings, teeth trapped below the gums, cavities between the teeth, bone loss as a result of gum disease, bone damage, gingivitis problems (including a fractured jaw), and changes in jaw bone structure. Changes in jaw bone structure are very important to detect because they can be caused by a systemic disease (disease that affects the whole body) and may be indicative of a greater medical condition.

{ Back to top }

Dental Sealants are plastic materials that coat the biting surfaces of the teeth. Sealants can be used as a good preventive measure because the plastic coating creates a barrier between the tooth and decay-causing bacteria that can be found in plaque. The dental sealant makes it more difficult for plaque to stick to the tiny grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth. This will reduce the risk of forming cavities and tooth decay.

When applying a sealant, we first clean the teeth and then etch the teeth with a solution that will help the sealant adhere to the teeth. Next, the sealant is "brushed on" and a special ultraviolet light is used to cure the material. The procedure is considered "child-friendly" because there is no need for anesthesia or drilling.

Sealants are an effective preventive measure to reduce the need for fillings and other more expensive treatments that may be required to repair damage caused by cavities. Therefore, sealants can save you money in the long run.

Sealants are most effective in reducing cavities in children with newly formed permanent teeth. Sealants are recommended for all children when they get their permanent first molars (around 6 years of age) and their permanent second molars (around 12 years of age). They are also useful in reducing the formation of decay in adult teeth.

{ Back to top }

Tooth fillings are the most common, most effective, and least expensive restorative method for preventing tooth loss. If a cavity is detected in a tooth, a drill is used to remove the decay. Fillings are used to "fill" the hole in the tooth that is made after the removal of tooth decay. This helps to repair and seal the tooth.

Composite Fillings (White Fillings): Composite fillings are a durable alternative to amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are made of a composite plastic material and, due to their natural tooth color, are typically used for front teeth and the area of teeth that are closest to the gum line. The composite plastic filling material is applied layer by layer and then cured using an ultraviolet light.

{ Back to top }

A Crown or Inlay is used to repair damage involving over ½ of the biting surface of a tooth. They are typically made of Porcelain. A crown or inlay is used when the damage to the tooth is too large to be repaired by a filling. Crowns and Inlays are performed following the removal of tooth decay. This requires approximately 2 visits.

A dental crown serves as a cover for a damaged tooth or as an anchor for a dental bridge. A crown is usually suggested when the root of a tooth is intact but the surface (enamel) area of the tooth is damaged. Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface area of an affected tooth and add strength, durability, and stability to the tooth.

There are various situations that would require the placement of a crown, such as root canals, dental bridges, lost fillings, decay below a filling, and chipping and cracking of tooth enamel. The cracking or breakage of teeth can be caused by age, fillings, tooth decay, and/or an improper bite.

{ Back to top }

Gum treatment is the treatment of active periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease refers to any condition in which bacteria attack the gum and bone tissues that surround and support teeth. Gum tissue and bone can be destroyed, resulting in tooth loss. Because there are different stages of gum disease, ranging from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, there are different levels of treatment. In some cases, you may need to see a specialist.

A bridge is used to replace one or more teeth. The bridge is supported and attached by a crown on either side of the space. The two side teeth or (anchor teeth) are prepared to provide support to the bridge.

{ Back to top }

Root canal therapy may need to be performed when the nerve of a tooth becomes irreversibly infected or abscessed (pocket of infection at the base of the root). A tooth can become abscessed as a result of deep decay, cracks, or trauma to the tooth. This is usually caused by the infiltration of bacteria into the center-most part of the tooth (called the pulp). Root canal therapy is the only procedure that can save the tooth.

A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy is brittle and must be crowned to give the tooth sufficient strength. The tooth is typically restored within a couple of weeks. A crowned tooth is cared for in the same way as other natural teeth by brushing and flossing daily and through regular visits to the dentist.

The number of visits necessary to complete a root canal may vary depending upon the degree of infection, the number of canals in the tooth, the anatomy of an individual's tooth, and the complexity of the procedure.

Due to technological advancements, root canals can be performed faster, more accurately, and with less discomfort than before. If the root infection is too severe for a root canal to be performed, then the only other alternative is tooth extraction.

{ Back to top }

Although less desirable that Implants or Bridges, dentures can be used to partially or fully replace missing teeth. Dentures are removable, and occasionally need relining and adjusting.

{ Back to top }