Preventative Dentistry
Most dental disease is entirely preventable. We work with our patients to help them establish good home care and the healthy habits which help prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. Fluoride applied directly to the teeth and the application of dental sealants are important measures we take to aid in the prevention of tooth decay.
For most adults and children we recommend a cleaning and a check-up every six months. At this visit, the dental hygienist will remove deposits of plaque and tartar (calculus) and polish your teeth. The dentist will examine you. The exam consists of an assessment of your teeth for areas of decay and your gums are evaluated for gingivitis and more advanced periodontal diseases. Previously placed dental restorations are inspected for integrity, areas of leakage and recurrent decay.
X-rays are used to help assess the condition of your restorations and they also help us find decay between the teeth. X-rays are also important in evaluating the structures which support your teeth.
Patients that have a recent history of decay, extensive restorations and/or certain health conditions may benefit from annual bitewing x-rays. However for most adults radiographs may only be needed every 18-24 months. The dentist also examines all of the soft tissues in and around your mouth for any signs of oral cancer and other problems that can develop.
Fluoride (direct application)
Dental Sealants
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Dental Exams
X-Rays
Oral Cancer Screening
Preventative Dentistry
Most dental disease is entirely preventable. We work with our patients to help them establish good home care and the healthy habits which help prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. Fluoride applied directly to the teeth and the application of dental sealants are important measures we take to aid in the prevention of tooth decay.
For most adults and children we recommend a cleaning and a check-up every six months. At this visit, the dental hygienist will remove deposits of plaque and tartar (calculus) and polish your teeth. The dentist will examine you. The exam consists of an assessment of your teeth for areas of decay and your gums are evaluated for gingivitis and more advanced periodontal diseases. Previously placed dental restorations are inspected for integrity, areas of leakage and recurrent decay.
X-rays are used to help assess the condition of your restorations and they also help us find decay between the teeth. X-rays are also important in evaluating the structures which support your teeth.
Patients that have a recent history of decay, extensive restorations and/or certain health conditions may benefit from annual bitewing x-rays. However for most adults radiographs may only be needed every 18-24 months. The dentist also examines all of the soft tissues in and around your mouth for any signs of oral cancer and other problems that can develop.
Fluoride (direct application)
Dental Sealants
Plaque and Tartar Removal
Dental Exams
X-Rays
Oral Cancer Screening
Restorative Dentistry
Tooth Colored Fillings:
Composite resin restorations
Most commonly we use a composite resin (tooth-colored) filling material in our practice. “Composite” is a mix of acrylic resin and powdered ceramic particles that produce a tooth-colored filling material that provides good durability in small to midsize restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. Dentists use a special process to bond these fillings directly to the enamel and dentin in your tooth.Using composite resin allows for very esthetic results. In addition to restoring teeth with decay, composite is valuable for closing gaps in your smile, recontouring the shape of the teeth and replacing stained fillings in front teeth.
Amalgam Restorations:
Silver amalgam has been used for more than 150 years and is one of the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative materials used in dentistry. Silver amalgam provides a strong, durable restoration that stands up to biting force and is extremely wear resistant. Silver fillings are normally the least expensive and one of the most dependable kind of filling. These restorations are highly resistant to future decay have a low frequency of repair and replacement.
While concerns have been raised about the very low levels of mercury in amalgam, the US centers for disease control have found no evidence of harm. Amalgam can darken over time, while this does not affect the function of the filling, many find it less attractive than tooth-colored restorations.
Other Types of Restorations:
In addition to composite resin and amalgam restorations. We also provide gold and ceramic fillings. Restorations of these types can be superior to either composite or amalgam fillings as they provide superior wear characteristics and improved fit at the margins which can mean less leakage and recurrent decay.
A crown or “cap” is the restoration used to treat a tooth in which there is already an extensive filling which is failing or a tooth that is fractured or prone to fracture. Another indication for a crown is on a molar or premolar tooth that has had a root canal. Crowns can be made of several different types of material. Material selection for your crown is made on a case-by-case basis. We will help you decide which type of crown is best for you.
Dentures can be used to replace a complete or a partial arch of missing teeth. Dentures are removable, and it is generally recommended that they not be worn overnight.
A complete denture is used in cases where all of the teeth in an arch are missing. In most patients, complete dentures provide good chewing function, esthetics, and comfort. The fit, stability and chewing performance of complete dentures can be improved through the use of two to four strategically placed dental implants. This treatment plan can be especially helpful to patients whom have worn dentures for a long time and have undergone the typical shrinkage (atrophy) of their gums.
A partial denture is a denture which utilizes the remaining, healthy teeth in an arch to retain and stabilize the denture base. Patients most commonly achieve success with a partial denture. Partial dentures are usually the most cost-effective way to replace several missing teeth in the same arch.
The denture making process, for both complete and partial dentures, consists of 3 to 5 appointments. A properly fitting denture depends upon an accurate impression and a sequential set of fitting visits. Cutting corners will compromise the fit and function of your dentures. Whenever possible we do an aesthetic try-in before you take the dentures home so that you can see how they will look and the dentist can optimize how they will function before the completion steps. After the dentures are completed, and the patient begins to use them, it usually takes an additional one to three visits for custom fitting adjustments before optimum comfort and function are realized.
A replacement tooth or teeth supported by permanent attachment to the adjacent teeth is called a fixed bridge or fixed partial denture. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and literally “bridges” the gap where one or more teeth used to be. Bridges can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and are attached to surrounding teeth for support. This type of restoration provides a strong, natural and esthetic solution to missing teeth and provides excellent function.
Bridges require some modifications to your home care regimen in addition to normal brushing and flossing. Simple to use cleaning aids are prescribed to help you care for your bridge. These modifications become second nature once you are familiar with their use. Failure to comply with this regimen can lead to recurrent decay and periodontal disease and may result in the loss of the bridge. Because bridges require the irreversible alteration of the teeth adjacent to the space being restored the use of dental implants should be considered when these teeth have only small fillings or no fillings at all.
Perhaps the best way to restore missing teeth is through the use of dental implants. Implants are reliable, easy to maintain and do not involve attachment, or alteration to the adjacent teeth. Dr. Wollensak works with a team of oral surgeons who place the proper implant in the optimal position. Generally, after three to six months the implant is ready to support the new tooth. Dr. Wollensak will take a special impression, and the replacement tooth will be fabricated and attached to the implant.
Implants can also be used to secure complete dentures eliminating instability and float with the fit.
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth. They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your smile. In fact, the development and use of implants are one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. Dental implants are made from titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth.
Additional Treatments
Contrary to common belief, root canal treatment is generally painless. In fact, root canal often provides immediate relief of dental pain. In most cases, the root canal therapy process can be finished in two visits. Sometimes, however, it can take more than two visits depending on the specific problem and the configuration of the root canal system.
Inside of each of your teeth is a hollow space which contains some soft tissue known as the dental pulp. People commonly refer to this soft tissue as “the nerve.” This pulpal tissue is composed of connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatics and nervous tissue. When the pulpal tissue is affected by a deep cavity, a fracture in the tooth, or a deep or leaking restoration, it can become inflamed and painful. Sometimes chronic irritation from a deep filling or a cavity can cause the pulp to die, often without any symptoms. In any of these cases, the indicated treatment is a root canal. When you have a root canal, the diseased tissue is removed from the inside of the tooth through a small hole in the crown of the tooth. The canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected before being sealed with a special rubber compound called gutta percha. Once the root canal therapy has been completed, the tooth is ready to be restored.
We routinely do both simple and complicated tooth extractions as well as biopsies, gum grafts, and pre-prosthetic surgery.
Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. It can I have a significant impact on your general health and reflect problems with your general health such as diabetes and heart disease.
The term periodontal disease refers to a broad spectrum of conditions from minor gingivitis to advanced periodontitis where the supporting structures of the teeth are destroyed resulting in teeth becoming loose and ultimately to tooth loss. Most patients with periodontal disease issues are effectively treated at our office. Treatment can be as simple as having cleanings more frequently and receiving home care instructions.
In more advanced cases we may administer special medicines to the affected areas in your gums or recommend some minor gum surgery.
Additional Treatments
Contrary to common belief, root canal treatment is generally painless. In fact, root canal often provides immediate relief of dental pain. In most cases, the root canal therapy process can be finished in two visits. Sometimes, however, it can take more than two visits depending on the specific problem and the configuration of the root canal system.
Inside of each of your teeth is a hollow space which contains some soft tissue known as the dental pulp. People commonly refer to this soft tissue as “the nerve.” This pulpal tissue is composed of connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatics and nervous tissue. When the pulpal tissue is affected by a deep cavity, a fracture in the tooth, or a deep or leaking restoration, it can become inflamed and painful. Sometimes chronic irritation from a deep filling or a cavity can cause the pulp to die, often without any symptoms. In any of these cases, the indicated treatment is a root canal. When you have a root canal, the diseased tissue is removed from the inside of the tooth through a small hole in the crown of the tooth. The canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected before being sealed with a special rubber compound called gutta percha. Once the root canal therapy has been completed, the tooth is ready to be restored.
We routinely do both simple and complicated tooth extractions as well as biopsies, gum grafts, and pre-prosthetic surgery.
Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. It can I have a significant impact on your general health and reflect problems with your general health such as diabetes and heart disease.
The term periodontal disease refers to a broad spectrum of conditions from minor gingivitis to advanced periodontitis where the supporting structures of the teeth are destroyed resulting in teeth becoming loose and ultimately to tooth loss. Most patients with periodontal disease issues are effectively treated at our office. Treatment can be as simple as having cleanings more frequently and receiving home care instructions.
In more advanced cases we may administer special medicines to the affected areas in your gums or recommend some minor gum surgery.
Emergency Treatments
Patients with emergencies are given preference in scheduling and are usually seen the same day that they contact us.
Toothaches
Abscesses
Broken / Traumatically Avulsed Teeth
Lip Lacerations
Broken Dentures, Fillings, Crowns, & Bridges