Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we provide you with quality care. Below are just some of the many procedures and services we regularly provide to our patients. Your smile is our first priority, and we’ll give you something to smile about.
Services
Cleaning and Prevention
Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended biannual cleanings and examinations. Not only do they help you quash dental problems before they arise, they leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. A professional cleaning removes hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It also involves a fluoride treatment and polish to help protect and soothe your teeth and gums. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in years, it’s never too late to take ownership of your dental health.
What are some preventative measures I can take?
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal
Floss daily before bedtime
Use an oral rinse after flossing
Avoid sugary foods, coffee, and tobacco
Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, Dr. Schames can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted prosthetic teeth that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.
CROWNS
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth without root rot. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface.
Procedure:
Remove the infected or weak tooth structure and make space for the crown.
An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication
The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized
Fit with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
You will come in again for permanent crown fitting
BRIDGES
To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), bridges are often a good solution.
VENEERS
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, Dr. Schames suggests composite bonding or veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that can be customized in color and shape. They are less invasive than crowns.
Common uses for veneers:
Chipped or broken teeth
Misshapen or irregular teeth
Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
Dentures
Missing teeth can make your cheeks look hollow and your mouth look sunken. More importantly, your diet can suffer. Those missing multiple teeth in a row may want to consider dentures for both cosmetic purposes and overall wellness. Depending on the amount of teeth missing, we may suggest partial or full dentures. During your consultation, we’ll assess all your options and you can choose what you feel most comfortable with.
COMPLETE
When your dental arch no longer has any teeth, a complete denture is the optimal solution. You can choose the traditional kind that latches to the gum line or choose to have dentures that are anchored by dental implants. The latter option has the best hold, but involves surgery. Dr. Schames can discuss all the details so you can make an informed decision.
PARTIAL
Partial dentures are ideal for those who are missing only a few teeth in a row. They latch onto the remaining gum line and any intact adjacent teeth. Even if you only have one tooth on your dental arch, a partial denture may still work best, since the remaining tooth serves as a natural anchor.
EXTRACTIONS
Dr. Schames prefers to preserve your natural teeth when possible. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease. Depending on which tooth is removed, we can offer you a replacement in the form of a dental implant or oral prosthetic.
Questions to go over with the Doctor:
Do I need my tooth extracted?
What should I expect during an extraction procedure?
How long is the healing process?
Fillings
Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic deficiency, a filling is just one of the ways Dr. Schames preserves your health. Before placement, any rot must be drilled out. There are two different types of fillings: composite resin, glass ionomer, and amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings).
COMPOSITE RESIN
Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. However, it is more expensive and not as strong as an amalgam filling. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Patients may also choose composite resin for cavity fillings as they are bonded to the teeth in layers and therefore require less drilling away of the natural tooth.
AMALGAM
Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are the most durable and economical option for our patients. Commonly used for filling in molar cavities, amalgam fillings can withstand biting pressure and can be fully administered in a single visit. Despite the mercury content, these silver fillings release minimal amounts of mercury. I usually place composite or glass ionomer fillings, but in some specialized cases, Amalgam fillings are a good option.
GLASS IONOMER
These are white fillings that bond well to teeth with minimal leakage. work well for back teeth and areas that are difficult to clean.
Implants
A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth. It is used to chew food and is therefore the most susceptible to cavities. The crown is attached to the jawbone by way of the root. When decay has gone deep enough or when a periodontal disease has advanced enough to warrant an extraction, the entire tooth and root is taken out. The dental implant is a titanium root that gets fitted into a socket that we create in your jaw. Once the root heals, we place an artificial crown on top. The new crown is customized to match your bite and the color of your teeth.
What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?
They look and act like natural teeth
They can last a lifetime with the right care
You don’t need any adhesives
They improve appearance, comfort, and speech
It’s easier to eat
Periodontal Maintenance
Among the causes for periodontal (gum) disease are genetic susceptibility, smoking, and other illnesses like diabetes. Periodontal maintenance involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Most gum diseases are preventable with proper oral hygiene. However, what can start out as gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums) can quickly turn into periodontitis. In such cases, gums pull away from the tooth to create “pockets,” thereby exposing a dental root to infection. It can also lead to prolonged bad breath, loose teeth, painful chewing and other complications.
Diagnosing Gum Disease
Further Treatment
Whitening
As we age, our teeth darken over time. We can brighten your teeth by five to ten shades in a single session, but maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future whitening services to a minimum. We may also prescribe some medication for you to use at home that helps the whitening process.
In-home Whitening
Procedure:
take impressions of your teeth and make stone models replicating your teeth.
make plastic custom trays to fit your teeth and hold whitening agent to teeth while shielding your gums
at home, you apply whitening gel in trays and wear trays whitening your teeth
Post-procedure Care:
Avoid: tobacco products, coffee and tea, red wine, food coloring, any bright-colored drinks
Night and Snore Guards
Excessive jaw clenching and bruxism can accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration. Meanwhile, snoring can impact the quality of your own sleep and that of those around you. To help our patients most comfortably avoid this, we customize snore and night guards to their bite. One type of night guard acts as a cushion between the top and bottom dental arches. Snore prevention mouth pieces act as a cushion while also bringing the lower jaw forward, thereby opening the airway and increasing airflow while breathing,
What are the causes of teeth grinding?
Stress or anxiety
Obstructive sleep apnea
Certain medications or recreational drugs
What are the causes of snoring?
When the larynx is compressed by a relaxed jaw
Large tonsils or a long soft palate