Comprehensive examination of head and neck area including palpation of muscles, glands, thyroid, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Comprehensive examination of all intraoral tissues, teeth and gums

Oral cancer screening 

Removal of all plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) on teeth with special hand instruments and ultrasonic tools if needed

Polish all teeth with special paste followed by flossing

Oral hygiene instruction

Fluoride application if needed

Bitewing X-rays are recommended to be taken once per year (or less often if patient is low cavity risk) - checks for decay in between the teeth (which can not be seen visually until the decay is so large that it will result in removal of more tooth structure and/or nerve involvement)

Full mouth series of X-rays are recommended once every 3-5 years (pending risk factors) - X-rays show all teeth in the mouth and are used to check root structures and bone - these X-rays can show infections, cysts, bone abnormalities, etc. as well as possible decay (cavities)

Single xrays can be taken for emergencies or more specific tooth issues as needed

Like a hat for your tooth

Needed when there is a fracture or minimal remaining natural tooth structure

Always needed following root canal treatment on back teeth (they are at a higher risk of fracture following root canal treatment)

Tooth is shaped in a specific way and then an intraoral scanner creates a 3D model - this is sent directly to a dental lab to fabricate a custom fit crown

I only use certified dental labs with excellent reputations - we make sure that they only use authentic materials that are safe for a patient

Made out of various ceramic materials

This treatment is to remove hardened plaque (calculus) that has occurred well below the gum line and has started to cause bone loss

Areas being treated are anesthetized (numbed) so that the patient is comfortable at all times

Complete dentures replace all teeth in someone that is missing all of their teeth 

Partial dentures are for ppl who still have some teeth and want to replace the ones they are missing 

Usually have a metal substructure

Complete and partial dentures should be taken out every night before bed for proper tissue health

Removal of decay (cavity) and filling material placed 

“Bonding” is when a front tooth has a small chip or fracture. White composite material that matches the tooth is placed and sculpted, recreating the missing portion of the tooth

Removal of a tooth

Tooth and surrounding gum tissue are numb so that patient is comfortable

Similar to a crown but multiple teeth are worked on so that a fake tooth sits where a tooth is missing

Partial covering of front teeth for cosmetic purposes - to fix large chips, change tooth shapes, or fix color discrepancies

Sort of like a “press-on-nail” for your tooth (but much more custom)

Implants are used to replace missing teeth, and are not removable. They are screwed into the bone by a periodontist or oral surgeon and I place the crown or bridge into the implant in order to create a functional tooth or teeth

Implants can help better hold a denture or partial in place. The implants are placed by a periodontist or oral surgeon and I place the parts that attach the denture or partial to the implant. The denture or partial is still able to come in and out of the mouth (must still be taken out at night), but they often feel “tighter” and more stable when used with implants

Not removable by patient

Implants placed by periodontist or oral surgeon

I place the prosthetic that gets screwed into the implants, and replaces all teeth

Patient must use water flosser routinely to ensure it stays clean

Should be removed every year (or more depending on home care) by the dentist to clean and check oral tissue

Routine cleanings still recommended for proper maintenance of implants and prosthetic