Bridges

When a tooth is missing, a bridge can be a good choice for replacing it. In a (three-unit) bridge, an artificial tooth is connected on each end to crowns. The crowns are placed over the neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place. A bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused-to-metal. A bridge is custom-made for you in a dental laboratory, and will take two appointments to complete your bridge. When you need to replace a missing tooth, a bridge can be a functional, natural-looking solution.

The benefits of a bridge:

• Replace teeth for biting and chewing
• Assist in clear speech
• Help prevent teeth from shifting
• Are supported by crowns that can serve as restorations for neighboring teeth that have damage or decay 

Crowns

A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. A crown may become necessary or desired for one or more of the following reasons:

• Broken of fractured teeth
• Cosmetic enhancement
• Decayed teeth
• Fractured fillings
• Large fillings
• Root canal

For your comfort and convenience we offer same day crowns known as CEREC crown.  The crown is made in our office and is a simple, one appointment procedure.

There are different kinds of crowns. The most popular type of crowns are porcelain crowns, because they most resemble your natural teeth. Durable and strong, crowns are expected to last many years, but like most dental restorations, a crown may eventually need replacement. Porcelain crowns are made and customized in size, shape and color to match your natural teeth. This is done to restore full functionality to your teeth and to provide optimal cosmetic results for your smile.

A traditional crown is custom-made for you in a dental laboratory, and will take two appointments to complete your crown

Dentures

A denture is a removable dental appliance created to fill the spaces left by missing teeth and surrounding tissue. Dentures, when used, are an important part of keeping the teeth and mouth fully functional when one or more teeth are missing.

There are two types of dentures – complete and partial. Complete dentures are for patients who are missing all of their teeth, while partial dentures will only replace missing teeth. When missing any teeth, partial dentures play an important role in preventing other teeth from shifting position in the mouth.

Typically, our patients receive dentures for the following reasons:

• Loss of all teeth in an arch (upper arch, or lower arch)
• Partial loss of teeth in an arch (upper arch, or lower arch)
• Enhancing smile and facial tissues
• Improve chewing, speech and digestion

A denture (full or partial) is custom-made for you in a dental laboratory. Due to regular wear, dentures may need to be remade, repaired and readjusted.

Fillings

A filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. In just one appointment, the decayed or otherwise affected portion of the tooth will be removed and the remaining space will be cleaned and filled. A filling helps prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria can enter.
 
 Our office uses either a composite filling (white, or tooth colored) or Amalgam (silver).

• Composite fillings are white colored and can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth. As with most dental restorations, white fillings are not permanent and may someday need replacement. However, they often last for many years and provide you with a fully restored smile.
• Amalgam, or silver fillings are a more inexpensive choice. Due to their dark color they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not recommended in certain situations. As with a composite filling, amalgam fillings are not permanent and may someday need replacement.

Hygiene

Because of our commitment to preventative dental care, we recommend a checkup every six months. Regular exams are the best way to eliminate the growth phase of dental problems, and minimize the time and money you spend in the dental chair.
 
 Most dental problems start small, but can develop at a rapid rate. Regular checkups enable us to catch the problems indicated below before they become serious conditions:

Plaque buildup, gingivitis, cavities, cracked or leaking fillings, or bad bite.

Routine cleanings enable us to keep tartar from accumulating on your teeth. During your regular visits, we will also perform a thorough exam to check your gums, measure the bone levels around your teeth, look for cavities, check your existing restorations, and examine your bite.
 

Implants

 When a tooth is missing, a dental implant with a crown is an excellent treatment for replacing it. Although each case will be different, placing an implant generally involves two phases; surgery, then placement of the implant crown.
 
 An implant restored with a crown has several advantages. The implant stops the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is lost, and it prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting into the space. Unlike replacing the tooth with a traditional bridge, there is no need to reduce the size of neighboring teeth. The crown with implant also looks and feels like your natural teeth when your chew and talk.
 
 With proper homecare and regular checkups, your implant can be a long-term solution for a natural-looking smile. 

Invisalign

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straighten teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. Dexter and Dr. Cochran plan out for you.
 
 There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every week, until your treatment is complete and you achieve the confident smile that you've always wanted.
 
 The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth! For more information please visit www.invisalign.com.
 
We accept most insurance plans and will gladly process your claim. Please bring the necessary information with you on your first visit.
  

Periodontics

Periodontal dentistry is a field of dentistry that is preventative and restorative in nature, helping patients prevent periodontal disease and restoring the gums back to health when necessary. When someone has periodontal disease it means that an excessive amount of plaque and calculus (tartar) have accumulated around the teeth, causing deterioration to the area surrounding your teeth (which can include the jaw bone). Left untreated, periodontal disease will eventually begin to destroy the gums and bone.

Aside from the risk of losing your permanent teeth, there are many health risks associated with periodontal disease. It is important to note that there is a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, diabetes, stroke and low birth rate. That is why we make an effort to prevent the disease, and to save you from the unnecessary costs of periodontal disease.
 
 To avoid advancement in periodontal disease, patients should practice good oral hygiene, eat a balanced diet, and attend regularly scheduled dental appointments. Because untreated periodontal disease can be dangerous, if there is any pain or discomfort surrounding your teeth or gums, it is strongly recommended that you visit a dentist immediately.

Root Canal

When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or dies, root canal therapy is necessary to save the tooth. It is generally comfortable treatment that can save your tooth and keep your mouth healthy.
 
 Symptoms of infection:

• The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold.
• The tooth hurts with biting or pressure.
• There is throbbing, severe tooth pain.
• The area around, or near the tooth is swollen.
• You have a bad taste in your mouth.

You may also be unaware of the problem because there are no symptoms at all. A thorough examination is necessary in either case.
 
 It is important to treat an infected tooth in order to prevent the infection from traveling through the root tips and causing a painful abscess in the jawbone.

Veneers

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark, or dis-colored teeth. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance.

It takes two (or more) appointments to restore teeth with veneers. Once in place, veneers virtually become part of the teeth. The final result is beautiful and natural-looking teeth.

Whitening

No matter how well you take care of your teeth, they can darken and stain over time. We offer custom made bleaching trays and bleach solution for at home whitening. Home whitening can be an easy way to help brighten your smile.
 
 A home whitening system can: 

• Lighten teeth stained by coffee, colas, tea, red wine, or berries. Tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco can cause teeth to take on a yellowish or brown hue.
• Be done at your convenience.

Because the trays are custom made, they fit securely over your teeth. Let us know if you experience some sensitivity during or following the whitening process. This is normal, and should subside within a short period of time. We can suggest toothpaste that will alleviate the sensitivity. Avoid foods and beverages that stain, like coffee, colas, teas, berried and red wine, or brush or rinse with water after consuming them.