Preventative Procedures
Overview
Healthy eating habits play a big role in helping you keep your natural teeth and supporting gums and bone for the rest of your life.
We work together with you as a team. We want your mouth to be healthy. This means coming in for regular exams, x-rays, and professional cleanings. When you take care of small cavities before they become bigger problems, you save time and money.
Digital X-Rays
Digital radiography is the latest technology used to take “pictures” of your teeth and supporting structures. This technology uses a digital sensor that captures images and stores the digital picture in our computer. We can see this image instantly and can enlarge it to view it easier. This allows us to show you what is going on. You can see it in front of your eyes. We can enhance the images, which minimizes retakes and reduces your exposure to radiation. Digital x-rays already reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays. Dental x-rays can show us conditions like, cavities between the teeth, bone loss, cysts, tumors, developmental abnormalities, infections, abscesses, poor tooth and root alignment, problems inside a tooth or around the bone. Finding and treating these conditions at an early stage will prevent spending your valuable time and money for repairs.
How safe are X-rays?
There is radiation all around us in our environment. The digital radiographs work using a much lower level of radiation in comparison to the traditional film x-rays. They are not just safer, but also quicker and more comfortable for you the patient. We do take the precautions to avoid any excess radiation by using lead aprons when taking x-rays. These aprons block the exposure from your body. We also reduce the amount of harmful chemicals that we have to dispose of in our environment. We are helping stay “green” in our small part of the world.
How many times a year should I get x-rays taken?
Everyone has different needs for their certain conditions. Some may require every six months taking “bitewing” x-rays to see between the teeth for cavities or evaluate bone loss. Often “periapical” x-rays are taken to see the tips of the roots for evaluating infections and cracks. Dr. McAnear will evaluate your specific needs each time you visit our office.
It is usually recommended to capture a full mouth series of dental x-rays. This allows Dr. McAnear the ability to diagnose comprehensively instead of one tooth at a time. The full series is usually adequate for three to five years but nay need to be retaken if major changes have occurred.
Fluoride Treatments
You can receive fluoride systemically through the public water supply if your area has approved fluoridation of water. The other way to have the benefit of fluoride is having fluoride treatments in a topical form while here in the dental office or a take-home gel prescribed by Dr. McAnear.
Sealants
Dental Exam
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Regular Cleanings
If you do not have existing periodontal disease including bone loss, mobility, or localized infection, you may only require a dental prophylaxis (regular cleaning). This involves scaling tartar and removal of plaque and stain. The teeth are then polished to give them a renewed shine.
Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing
If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease (up to 80% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease) then you will be scheduled for a scaling and root planing appointment to ensure that all foreign bacterial born particles on the tooth are removed. You will then be placed on a periodontal maintenance cleanings at recommended intervals. Usually scheduled 3,4, or 6 months time span to prevent the build up from forming again.
Home Care
Flossing is recommended at least once a day usually at night before bedtime. You need to use floss that you wrap around your fingers unless you are physically unable to do so. Take the floss as far down below the gums as you can. If you do not regularly floss, this may cause discomfort or bleeding. This is not a sign of incorrect flossing necessarily, but a sign of inflammation that needs to be treated. So continue to floss and disrupt the bacteria to prevent further breakdown of the gums and attached supporting structures.
In addition to brushing and flossing, you may incorporate tongue scraping and mouth rinses. Shop around to find a rinse that you like best.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening
Please take note that any restorations that are present in your mouth will not whiten and will need to be replaced once the whitening procedure is complete.
Porcelain Veneers
An impression is taking and temporary veneers are placed until the final ones return from the lab. They are tried in and then once you are pleased are bonded into place. The look is very natural and makes your smile young again.
Dental Procedures
Composite Fillings
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain Bridge
Implants
When the healing process is complete, the gum tissue is removed from over the implant and the crown is fabricated to go on top of the implant. It functions as realistically as a natural tooth does.