Oral Hygiene Care
Maintaining good oral health is the cornerstone of keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Healthy teeth and gums are very important to your overall health and well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop, which in turn saves you money and discomfort.
Dental Cleaning
A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning you receive from our dental hygienists. Our dental cleanings last approximately 45-60 minutes. Cleanings are generally performed every 3, 4 or 6 months to remove calculus plaque buildup, depending on your health. Plaque gone undetected can lead to unhealthy gums and decay. Our hygienists are caring and gentle and understand that each and every patient has different needs.
Periodontics
Over 75% of Americans age 35 and over have some form of gum disease, a result of poor dental hygiene and the subsequent build-up of calculus. In its earliest stage of gingivitis your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst stage pariadontitis you might lose your teeth. The good news is that gum disease is preventable in most cases. Attention to everyday oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), coupled with professional cleanings twice a year, could be all that’s needed to prevent and actually reverse the early stage of gum disease. If you do have gum disease, we will identify it during your exam and recommend the best treatment and maintenance program for the level of severity.
Sealants
Sealants are used to fill narrow grooves on the chewing surface of our teeth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing our teeth. Sometimes the grooves are so narrow in our teeth that no matter how hard we brush we cannot reach the base of the groove where the plaque likes to hide. To help avoid cavities developing over time, we will brush on a coating that fills in these grooves and pits, This preventative care is primarily used on permanent molars.
Bonding
Bonding is a process of adhering a composite resin material that is matched to the color of your tooth, to the front of your tooth. We use this procedure to repair damage caused by decay, close gaps between the teeth, or other cosmetic procedures.
Fillings
A filling is one way to restore a tooth that has been damaged by decay back to its original shape and function. If you have a tooth that requires a filling, Dr. Putman will remove the decay from your tooth first, thoroughly clean the infected area, and then fill the cleaned cavity with a filling material. The filling material can be either composite, which is tooth colored or amalgam, also known as (silver filling). The current preference is composite. Ask Dr. Putman if you have any questions. A filling helps prevent the decay from progressing into a root canal, or in some cases extraction. If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of your tooth, a crown ( or “cap”) may be recommended for the longevity of your tooth. If decay has reached the nerve of your tooth, root canal therapy may be needed.
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges are used to enhance and restore teeth that are damaged or missing. A crown ( or “cap”) is used to cover the entire damaged tooth to strengthen a tooth, dramatically improve its appearance and shape, and protect it from the force of our bite. Crowns and bridges may be used to: *Replace a large filling when there may be little tooth structure. *Protect a weak tooth from fracturing. *Restore a fractured tooth. *Replace a missing tooth by attaching a bridge. *Cover a dental implant. *Cover a tooth that has had a root canal therapy. *Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth.
Crowns and bridges may be used to:
- Replace a large filling when there may be little tooth structure.
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
- Restore a fractured tooth.
- Replace a missing tooth by attaching a bridge.
- Cover a dental implant.
- Cover a tooth that has had a root canal therapy.
- Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are plates of porcelain that are bonded on the front surface of the anterior (front) teeth. Although they are very thin veneers become very strong once bonded to the tooth. Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for covering cracked, chipped, or discolored teeth. Because of their natural appearance, porcelain veneers can make a very pleasing improvement to your smile. Veneers have advantages over other treatments—often, little or no anesthesia is required for the procedure and little or no tooth structure needs to be removed. A veneer application can be completed in only two office visits.
Implants/ Post Implant Care
Implants offer a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth for those patients who are suitable candidates for this treatment. A dental implant is a replacement tooth constructed of medical grade titanium and is placed by a specialist. After a certain amount of healing time, we will have you come back to our office to complete the crown ( or bridge, or over-denture, if more than one tooth is involved). Dental implants are extremely stable, strong, and natural looking.
Root Canal Therapy (Endodontics)
Root canal therapy (treatment) is necessary when the decay has reached the nerve of the tooth. Treatment may also be necessary when there is nerve damage due to trauma to the tooth. Once the nerve (pulp) becomes infected, it can begin to eat away the bone surrounding your tooth, or better known as an abscess. If the nerve is infected, not only is it very painful, but it requires immediate treatment, as it cannot heal itself . Possible symptoms may be: *Hot or cold sensitivity. *Sensitivity to sweets. *Pain and swelling. *Pain to biting or pressure. *Sometimes a bad taste in the mouth. Root canal treatment is performed to clean out the infected nerve and decay filled with a material to seal the tooth. Due to the tooth losing its vitality, a crown is recommended for strength and protection. Without a crown, the tooth is more susceptible to fracturing.
Possible symptoms may be:
- Hot or cold sensitivity.
- Sensitivity to sweets.
- Pain and swelling.
- Pain to biting or pressure.
- Sometimes a bad taste in the mouth.
Root canal treatment is performed to clean out the infected nerve and decay filled with a material to seal the tooth. Due to the tooth losing its vitality, a crown is recommended for strength and protection. Without a crown, the tooth is more susceptible to fracturing.
Dentures/Partials
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. There are two types of dentures available to you: partial dentures are used where there are natural teeth still remaining or complete dentures for people that have no teeth or replacement of teeth that are non-restorable.
Dentures and partials are made to resemble your natural teeth so you can smile!
Tooth Extractions
Extractions of teeth are the last resort. Dr. Putman strives to do everything he can to make this time as easy on you, the patient, as possible.
Teeth Whitening
Dr. Putman offers at home whitening. Tooth whitening is a popular procedure these days to make teeth brighter and whiter. Whitening can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or simply to brighten your smile. Tooth whitening is a safe and relatively painless way to a brighter smile. Take Home Whitening is a simple procedure
Mouth Guards and Night Guards
Custom designed mouth guards and night guards are made of flexible plastic and formed to fit the shape of your teeth. Mouth guards are recommended to protect your teeth during sports and physical activity that may make your teeth vulnerable to trauma. Night guards are recommended for patients that may grind or clench their teeth throughout the night as a way to protect their teeth and bite. Guards also protect the soft tissue of your tongue, cheeks, and lips.
Digital X-rays
We use digital x-rays because Dr. Putman knows that digital format for films exposes you to about 90%less radiation than conventional films. Using this digital technology we are able to take a detailed picture of your teeth using a small sensor, which is then sent to a computer for review.
Oral Sedation
Dr Putman offers oral sedation for procedures such as tooth extractions, fillings and crowns for your comfort during this time.
