X-rays are one of dentistry’s most vital diagnostic tools. While we have excellent eyes and can spot cavities and other problems on the surface of your teeth, problems can often develop inside the teeth or beneath the gumline. By the time these problems are visible, they may be very painful, have caused significant damage, and are much more costly to fix. X-rays allow us to see inside your teeth and under your gums to spot developing problems early when simple, conservative treatments may still be possible.

Dental x-rays use very little radiation. Standard dental x-rays give off about 0.5 millirems (mrem) of radiation, and digital x-rays give off even less – about 0.1 mrem! By comparison, you are exposed to 1 mrem of radiation flying in a jet for two hours, 10 mrem each year that you cook with natural gas, 42 mrem per breast per mammogram, and 700 mrem for an abdominal x-ray! We also take precautions to lower your exposure even further through the use of lead shields and other techniques. Your safety is important to us, and we feel that the health benefits provided by dental x-rays far exceed any slight risk that they might pose.

Cavities don’t have to be a fact of life. With good preventive care and a regular home brushing and flossing routine, you can considerably lower your risk of developing cavities. Follow these steps to keep your teeth cavity-free:

1. Visit our office regularly for professional cleanings and routine examinations.
2. Brush your teeth using good technique (we’ll be happy to demonstrate this for you).
3. Use a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your enamel.
4. Floss to avoid cavities between your teeth or beneath the gumline. We will discuss good flossing technique at your appointment.
5. Practice healthy lifestyle habits to keep your immune system in good shape.

Missing teeth can cause problems in a number of ways:

• They can cause you to feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about your smile.
• Missing teeth make it difficult for you to enjoy the fresh foods your body needs to stay health.
• People may judge you unfairly because of the stigma that has been placed on missing teeth.
• Missing teeth may lead to gum disease.
• Missing teeth lead to a breakdown in your gum and bone tissue, eventually changing the shape of your face, aging you, and even leading to further tooth loss.

We can replace missing teeth in a variety of ways. Call us today to schedule a consultation and find out which is right for you.

Dental implants are a new type of tooth replacement system that not only permanently replaces teeth with realistic lookalikes, but can also prevent the loss of bone and gum tissue in the area of your missing tooth or teeth. Implants represent a huge advancement in dental technology, and we are excited by the possibilities this procedure has created.

Both of these options can replace one or more missing teeth, complete your smile, and help restore functionality. The main difference between these two systems is that bridges are anchored in place with crowns on the adjacent teeth while most partials are designed to be removable.

We can, however, anchor partials and make them more permanent through the use of dental implants and implant-retained partials. This is an option that gives you the permanence of dental implants and the lower cost of partials. If you are interested in discussing this option with us, please give us a call!

We offer both in-office teeth whitening using Zoom II, and we can also provide customized take-home professional whitening kits. To determine which option is best for you, call us today to schedule a consultation!