General – L Town Dental

Dental sealants can play an important role in helping to prevent tooth decay in some locations on your teeth.

The placement of dental sealants involves your dentist bonding a plastic coating into the grooves of your tooth. The net result is a smoother tooth surface, one which is less likely to trap food and plaque and that is easier to clean with your toothbrush. Dental sealants are placed on children once their adult molars erupt. They are maintained throughout adolescence at their dental cleaning appointments.

Both hygienists and assistants on our team can place the sealants to help prevent decay.

Periodontal therapy is treatment administered when gums become diseased. There are many stages of gum disease that our Doctors and their hygienists’ screen for, diagnose, and treat.

Gums provide more than just aesthetics for your smile. The main role of gums is to provide support for your teeth and create a barrier for harmful bacteria entering the bloodstream. Once gums are diseased, your hygienist will complete a deep cleaning, using their instrument to clean below the gum line. They may also recommend more frequent cleanings to maintain a healthy periodontal status.

While there are many risk factors for gum disease, our Doctors and your hygienist will work with you to discuss how certain lifestyle changes and routine maintenance can help control this disease.

Below are the two stages of gum disease. Despite there being two stages, each stage can have varying degrees of severity and may show a range of possible symptoms.

Gingivitis

An early stage of gum disease often characterized by red, swollen or bleeding gums that are more prone to sensitivity.

Periodontitis

Advanced gum disease can lead to receding gums, shifting or lose teeth, and even tooth loss.

This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed.

This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease or treatment. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.

In our office, we use digital radiography which allows us to take X-rays using 50-70% less radiation versus conventional X-rays. This digital technique also allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.

Our Doctors require x-rays one time per year in order to provide the utmost quality of care possible to her patients.

Great oral health is the gateway to excellent overall health.

Routine dental cleanings play an important role in maintaining your natural smile through preventative dental care.

While home healthcare is important to your overall oral health, our Doctors recommend coming to our office two times a year for a more thorough dental cleaning and exams.