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General & Family Dentistry:
At Halfmoon Family Dental, our core philosophical approach to dentistry is centered around the concept of preventive care. We recommend seeing our patients at least every 6 months and sometimes even more frequently if indicated. In this way we can closely monitor any changes or issues in your oral health and take interceptive action as necessary. At every hygiene maintenance appointment, we will provide a thorough cleaning, polishing, dental examination, oral cancer screening as well as any indicated x-rays to help us discover problems in their earliest stages.
We are pleased to offer orthodontics to both our young and adult patients. We are very preventive oriented when it comes to orthodontics. When a problem is first detected we try to intercept it as soon as possible in order to guide the proper type of growth and development which may lessen or even possibly eliminate future treatment. The benefits of orthodontic treatment often go beyond the obvious physical changes of an improved bite and straighter teeth; it's also a great way to improve a person's overall self-image. While having beautiful straight teeth is important, even more important is the need to alleviate any potential health problems associated with the teeth or jaw. Crooked teeth or jaw problems may contribute to improper cleaning of teeth, leading to tooth decay and, possibly, gum disease or total tooth loss. Orthodontic problems that go untreated can lead to chewing and digestion difficulties, speech impairments, and abnormal wear of tooth surfaces. Over time, excessive strain on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth can affect the jaw joints leading to problems such as headaches or face and neck pain. With all of the recent advancements in orthodontics, wearing braces has never been easier. State-of-the-art appliances and treatments are now available, from traditional metal braces, to clear and tooth colored brackets, to techologically advanced wires that are heat activated and require fewer adjustments! Some patients may even be candidates for treatment with Invisalign, a revolutionary way to straighten teeth using clear, retainer type aligners that require no braces or wires! Some reasons for orthodontic treatment for adults & children include:
Implants provide superior benefits to traditional ways of replacing missing teeth. They are a more favorable approach than bridgework since they do not depend on neighboring teeth for support. Implants are also a great way to stabilize loose dentures. The dentures can actually be made to snap into attachments on the implants and provide excellent support and retention. To be a candidate for implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. You must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits as these are critical to the long-term success of dental implants. Cosmetic dentistry involves procedures used to restore teeth to their natural beauty as well as enhance a smile's esthetic appearance, while maintaining the health and function of the teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can also improve a person's self-image as enhancing a smile often has a positive emotional and psychological impact on a person's life. There are many new dental procedures and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry. They include, but are not limited to: - Porcelain veneers and inlays to fix broken/cracked, mismatched teeth, or correct gaps between teeth. After examining your teeth, our doctors can discuss customized cosmetic treatments that are right for your smile.
We offer both in-office and take home dental bleaching. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that bleaches the enamel to lighten and remove tooth discoloration and stains from teeth. Tooth discoloration can result from many factors, including: beverages that stain (such as coffee, teas, and colas), tobacco, trauma, tetracycline staining, excessive fluoride, and nerve degeneration. Under the guidance of a dentist, teeth-bleaching is one of the most safest cosmetic procedures available today. Research and clinical studies show that under dentist supervision, whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide is safe for both teeth and gums. These whiteners usually come in a gel form and are applied by the use of a custom-fitted bleaching tray.
Porcelain Veneers: A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of ceramic material placed over the natural tooth surface. The tooth is prepared the tooth by removing anywhere from none to up to 1mm of the natural tooth. This will allow for the thickness of the veneer. Next the dentist will take a mold of the teeth, and the veneers will be fabricated from the mold. After the veneers are made by a dental laboratory, they will be permanently bonded to the natural tooth.
A crown (or a cap) is a tooth shaped covering that is permanently cemented over a tooth. It is used to restore a tooth to it's proper shape and size as well as to improve its appearance and strengthen it. The crown will cover the visible portion of the tooth above and right at the gum line, once it is cemented into place. Crowns are used to hold weak, broken or cracked teeth together to avoid further fracturing. Crowns are also used to support large fillings, attach a bridge, or cover discolored or deformed teeth. Crowns may also be placed over dental implants. Treatment with a crown generally requires two dental visits to complete. First, we need to prepare the tooth or implant for the crown. The tooth needs to be prepared so that the crown can be fitted over it. Then, an impression of the tooth and the surrounding gums is made, which is then sent to a dental laboratory so that the crown can be created. At the first visit, a temporary crown is made to protect the tooth until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is fit onto the tooth and cemented in place. Crowns generally last about five to eight years, and with good oral hygiene most crowns last longer. Certain habits such as fingernail biting, chewing ice, and grinding teeth can do damage to the crown, and should be avoided. A dental bridge has a false tooth (called a "pontic") which is used to replace one or more missing teeth. The pontic is centered between two attached porcelain crowns, to create a fixed bridge. The fixed bridge is permanently cemented to the two teeth on either side of the tooth gap. There are numerous types of materials used to fabricate crowns and bridges. The most common type consists of porcelain fused to a metal substructure. We also offer all ceramic restorations for maximum esthetics.
Composite (tooth colored) fillings Composite fillings can be used for many reasons. These include the restoration of chipped, broken or decayed teeth, to reshape or whiten your smile, or to fill in gaps between the teeth. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. However, they are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile. And, of course, good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings.
Periodontal disease attacks the gums and bone that supports the teeth. Generally caused by bacterial plaque, it is the major cause of adult tooth loss. Left untreated, bacterial plaque will harden to tartar. Tartar is a rough, porous mineral buildup that is usually yellow or brown in color. Tartar forms at and underneath the gum line, and because it is porous, it absorbs stains. Tartar excretes the toxins that cause gum inflammation, resulting in the development of deepening pockets between the tooth and the gums that hold even more toxins and bacteria. This condition can leads to the loosening of the teeth, or even the teeth falling out. And as the condition worsens, the accumulated toxins and bacteria move deeper into the jaw to destroy the bone that holds the tooth in place. Signs of gum disease include: Not only is periodontal disease the number one reason for tooth loss, research has shown that there is a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affects these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease. Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. The dentists and dental hygienists will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment
A root canal is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with a material to prevent any bacteria from entering into the body. Root canal therapy involves first removing the decayed or dead pulp, and cleaning out the canal. The canals will be reshaped and an irrigant will be used to remove any matter in the canals as well as to kill bacteria. Once the canals are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, they will be filled with gutta percha (a rubber-like material). The tooth will then be temporarily sealed with a temporary filling. The majority of teeth that have root canals will then require a crown to permanently restore and protect the tooth. Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are occasions where it is sometimes necessary to extract a tooth. A tooth may need to be extracted for the following reasons:
After careful examination and treatment, the dentist may advise to have a tooth extracted. Before a tooth is removed, the dentist will take an x-ray in order to understand the shape and position of the tooth.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that makes it possible to chew. This joint allows your jaw to open and close, and allows jaw movement forward, backward, and sideways. The TMJ only works properly if the lower jaw and its movements are synchronized. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a condition caused by strenuous physical activities, stressful situations, overuse of the muscles, and grinding of the teeth. TMD affects jaw muscles, the temporomandibular joint, and nerves where movements become out of synch. These habits wear out the jaw muscles and lead to headache or neck pain. It can also result in sensitive teeth, injured soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort, and headaches. Other symptoms include difficulty opening and closing your mouth, and the jaw locking when you talking, yawning or eating. Fortunately, TMD is treatable. A variety of mouth guards can be made which will help diminish the effects of the causative factors. More severe cases can treated with orthodontics, physical therapy, ice and hot packs, and posture training. TMD is usually cyclical and may return when you experience stress. Our doctors can recommend the right therapy for you.
A denture is an artificial set of removable teeth made of acrylic resin, sometimes combined with metal. Dentures replace missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Dentures can be either partial or complete. A partial denture serves to fills in the spaces made by missing teeth and prevents the remaining teeth from shifting position in the jaw. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth. There are two types of complete dentures: immediate or conventional. An immediate denture is fitted onto the gums as soon as the teeth are surgically removed. Some disadvantages of an immediate denture are that they may be loose fitting and may require multiple adjustments. Additionally, there will be the need to reline the denture after the gums have completely healed in order to achieve a stable fit. A conventional denture is fitted onto the gums after the gums have had a period of time to heal after surgery. Dentures can take approximately four to five dental visits. First, the dentist takes an impression of the gums and a wax bite - these are necessary to determine the vertical dimensions and proper jaw position. The dentist may make a trial denture or "try-in" to make sure of the right shape and color as well as proper fit. Minor adjustments are usually needed when the denture is placed. Fortunately, with the use of dental implants, dentures that were once very unstable and a nuisance, can now be stabilized. It usually only takes a few implants to create a wonderfully stable denture which will enable you to enjoy a wider variety of foods as well as give you added confidence when in public. Prosthodontics: Our doctors will work with you to help determine a treatment plan that will also achieve esthetic balance.
First, a soft composite resin filling is first scooped onto the teeth. The dentist will sculpt, and shape the composite filling. Next, a high intensity light is applied to the resin, which hardens the material. Finally, the dentist polishes the surface to obtain natural looking appearance that blends with the tooth.
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