Overview

Examinations

We start with an update of your medical and dental history, listen to your concerns, then we take necessary x-rays, examine the color, shape and overall condition of the soft tissues on the cheeks, lips, tongue and the floor of the mouth. We screen the temporomandibular joint for existing conditions and perform a Joint Vibration Analysis using the biopak technology. We evaluate the integrity of the teeth and any existing restorations, address any concerns the patient may have and then formulate an optimal treatment plan.

Cleanings

No smile stays beautiful without care and attention.

Smile Makeover

We are pleased and proud to offer our patients a variety of cosmetic and restorative procedures, which can enhance your smile through a unique combination of science and art.

Cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening can help you to look younger. Veneers and bonding can restore a youthful appearance by filling out fine lip lines and by concealing tooth discoloration and gaps. Tooth-colored fillings of composite or porcelain look like natural teeth enamel, and crowns, bridges, and dental implants can restore even a seriously damaged smile.

In order to make sure you receive the proper treatment required there are a couple of things we must first do. It is important to have a full examination done, which may be followed by x-rays, photos and impressions depending on the procedure required. Then we have a lab construct a wax-up of what the final stage will look like. If the patient approves and is fully satisfied with the wax-up we go ahead with the treatment.

AIR ABRASION

Air abrasion is relatively new technology intended to replace the dentist drill and the need for freezing on newly formed cavities.

The new instrument works like a tiny sandblaster. A small stream of compressed air blended with a super fine abrasive powder sprays onto the tooth to wear away the decay. The dentist will then fill the cavity with a tooth-colored filling material.

What patients like most about the air abrasion is that it is gentle, noiseless, odorless, and that there is no need for a drill or needle.

Results

BAD BREATH THERAPY

Most people experience bad breath sometime in their life time. The most common cause for this condition is food particles decomposing with help from bacteria. The single most effective way to combat bad breath is to keep the mouth clean by effective brushing and flossing and regular cleanings. For those patients that experience persistent bad breath, diseases/medical conditions, medications and smoking are factors that need to be considered. For these cases we have tongue scrappers and antibacterial/non-alcohol rinses, designed to eliminate bad breath not just mask it.

DIGITAL X-RAYS

Less Radiation, more accurate diagnosis

Until recently, our only option when taking X-rays was to place a film packet in your mouth and, using a traditional X-ray machine, expose the film packet, then wait up to 10 minutes for it to develop. With digital radiography, the process is computerized.

How does it work?

We place a sensor next to your tooth, and within seconds your X-ray is displayed in sharp, vivid detail on a computer screen. Because of this short exposure time, the amount of X-ray radiation is reduced by as much as 90 percent.

An efficient, computerized process

Once the X-ray image is on our computer screen, we can enhance it to make more precise diagnosis. We can save images on computer for instant retrieval, and once they are digitized, we can easily send them to insurance companies or specialists as needed.

GENERAL DENTISTRY

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HIGH TECH DENTISTRY

State-Of-The-Art Precision Diagnosis

Surgical Telescopes

When the doctors and hygienists work on your teeth, they will most likely be wearing a funny-looking pair of glasses. These are actually surgical telescopes that allow them to see and evaluate intricate details as they work. These special "glasses" help us to make tiny but important adjustments to the procedure that would go unnoticed with the naked eye. They are an invaluable tool in providing the most precise, beautiful dentistry possible.

Laser Cavity Detection

Studies show that 50% of tooth decay goes undetected by present diagnostic methods. The new KaVo DIAGNOdent aids in diagnosing hidden decay more accurately and confidently. Most tooth decay occurs in the complex anatomy on the chewing surfaces where deep pits and grooves are difficult to keep clean. This also makes diagnosis with traditional methods difficult, because the outer tooth surface often appears to be intact. The DIAGNOdent is a new high tech laser system. It utilizes laser light of a defined wavelength to help detect and quantify demineralized tooth substances without x-ray exposure. This revolutionary new device is easy to use and turns caries detection into a harmless, measurable, more reproducible and exacting procedure.

With DIAGNOdent the doctor will be able to make better treatment decisions earlier, whether they call for further watching of suspect areas to monitor changes, preventive measures or placing a small filling. With the new KaVo DIAGNOdent, we are able to detect the invisible.

Intra-Oral Camera

The old saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is so true. In the past, a dentist would check your teeth and then explain their findings in terms that were difficult for some patients to understand. With the aid of this new and exciting camera, the doctors and staff of The Smile Zone can show you exactly what they are seeing. Even better, the image is magnified 35 times its normal size and displayed on a flat screen monitor. This dramatically improves our ability to diagnose small cavities, dental fractures and leaking fillings which allows for earlier treatment and the prevention of more serious problems. The intra-oral camera is also great for before & after photos as well as supporting documentation for insurance claims. You have to see it to believe it.

Computerized Injections (Shots) - The Wand

The wand is the latest addition to injections (shots) to make them virtually painless. It is not the needle that hurts, it is the sting of the solution. "The Wand" is a computer-controlled system that delivers a slow, even flow of anesthetic, which allows the dentist to give a very comfortable and virtually pain-free injection. It also allows the dentist to perform new and improved injections that are precise enough to just numb the targeted area, so now a patient can leave the dentist without a crooked smile, drooling or slurred speech. It also does not look like the typical dental syringe, therefore, it does not trigger that "fearful" reaction that many children and adults experience.

SEALANTS

Dental decay is the most prevalent disease among children. Sealants are highly effective in preventing and reducing tooth decay, beyond what has been done by fluoride and other preventative measures.

Sealants are simply a thin plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of back teeth, covering pits and grooves where bacteria and food lodge and cause tooth decay. Sealants can be white, clear or tinted and can't be seen when you talk or smile.

Applying dental sealants is an easy and simple process. First the teeth are thoroughly cleaned. Next a mild solution is applied to help bond the sealant properly. Then the sealant is placed on the tooth to seal the grooves and only takes about 60 seconds to harden and set with our curing light. That is it, no discomfort and it is done very quickly.

SLEEP DENTISTRY

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SOFT TISSUE LASER

LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers have become part of our daily lives; they're in our computers, and we see them in the grocery store when we buy our food. Now, with new advancements in technology, lasers have become an important part of dentistry as well.

The laser is used for soft tissue procedures, such as:

• cosmetic gum recontouring
• lesion removal
• treatment of gum disease
• removal of excess gum tissue
• gum surgery

The benefits of the laser include:

• faster healing
• less bleeding
• reduced swelling

ZOOM2

Zoom! got it's name from it's speed – it is considered one of the fastest teeth whitening systems, and can fit easily into the most hectic of schedules. Zoom! can whiten your teeth at the office or at home. If you choose the in-office teeth whitening option, your teeth should look up to eight shades lighter in just one hour. If you choose the take-home option, your teeth should look up to six shades lighter in just three days - and, with additional applications, you can go even lighter.

Zoom! One-hour whitening is a light-activated teeth whitening treatment. After checking your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy enough to handle bleaching, your dentist will spread a whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide over your teeth. Then, we will flash the Zoom! low-heat on your teeth to activate and break down the hydrogen peroxide. As the hydrogen peroxide breaks down, it allows oxygen to enter your teeth and bleach the dentin and enamel. After three twenty-minute gel applications, we will finish up the procedure with a five-minute fluoride treatment.

It's Your Choice !

Whether you want your teeth whiter right now or over a few nights while you sleep, Zoom! is your answer. The Zoom! In-Office Teeth Whitening System uses proprietary technology to whiten your teeth an average of eight shades in a little over an hour while you relax at our office. It's ideal for anyone who wants immediate results. The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System uses a revolutionary patent-pending gel to whiten your teeth an average of six shades in three nights. And you may go even lighter with additional applications. Start on Friday and by Monday you'll have a whole new smile.

Why waste time with strips or paint-on gels? Get your teeth whiter in a fraction of the time with Zoom!

Do you want to Zoom! in one hour?

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective, and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom! Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

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