Services

An air abrasion unit is used to remove the decay and for small areas of decay. The advent of bonding technology has allowed fillings that can be placed with a minimal loss of tooth structure. In these situations a numbing injection isn’t necessary, which is a great incentive to treat decay when it is small.

When the natural structure of a tooth has been extensively damaged or compromised due to dental decay, damaged fillings, root canals, or habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth, a dental filling may not be adequate for its repair. In such cases, dental crowns, also commonly referred to as caps, can be placed to effectively restore the natural integrity, function and appearance of the affected tooth.

Out of all of the materials that are available today for this type of full coverage restoration, metal-free crowns, also known as all ceramic crowns, offer most life-like aesthetic result. Strong and durable, ceramic crowns don’t incorporate a metal substructure which can be kinder to the surrounding soft tissues. Furthermore, ceramic crowns present no problems for individuals with sensitivities to various metals. Since they are fabricated of the highest grade of dental ceramics, ceramic crowns most closely approximate the natural translucency of your own teeth. These crowns can be handcrafted by a lab technician or milled by a machine from a single block of ceramic material.

All of our crowns are made by a lab technician for optimum appearance within the patient’s smile. Gold crowns can also be indicated for areas where appearance is not crucial. It is still the best material in the mouth, despite any advances in material technology.

Whether from disease, malnutrition, genetic disorders, or an accident sometimes it is necessary for an individual to have some or all of their teeth extracted. While this can be devastating, partial or full dentures can be fabricated to restore an attractive smile, provide needed support for normal facial contours and reestablish a highly functional occlusion.

A denture consists of natural looking artificial teeth set in a supportive base. It may be fabricated to replace either a small group of teeth, an entire upper arch, an entire lower arch, or used to restore both dental arches.

A complete denture refers to the replacement all of the teeth in a dental arch. It can be inserted either of two ways. It can be inserted some weeks after the extraction sites and all of the surgical procedures have had a chance to heal, or as an “immediate” denture placed the same day the last remaining teeth are extracted. Although an immediate denture offers the advantage of not having to go without teeth for any period of time, it can require multiple adjustments as the tissues remodel and heal following dental extractions or other surgical procedures.

In situations where some sturdy teeth remain, partial dentures can be fabricated. Partial dentures can achieve adequate retention and stability by having clasps on the teeth surrounding the edentulous areas.

In some cases added stability for the dentures can be provided by strategically placed implants.

Digital radiography utilizes computer technology and digital sensors for the acquisition, viewing, storage, and sharing of radiographic images. It offers several advantages over the older traditional film based methods of taking x-rays. The most significant of these advantages is that digital radiography reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation. Other benefits are that images can be viewed instantly after being taken, can be seen simultaneously as needed by multiple practitioners, and can be easily shared with other offices. Digital x-rays are also safer for the environment as they do not require any chemicals or paper to develop.

An electronic pad, known as a sensor is used instead of film to acquire a digital image. After the image is taken, it goes directly into the patient’s file on the computer. Once it is stored on the computer, it can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.

Dental emergencies can come about in any number of ways. Your discomfort may be due to an injury to the oral facial area, the acute flare up of a longstanding problem, or the result of the sudden onset of seemingly inexplicable pain. Whatever the case may be, urgent dental care is needed to provide you with relief and to avoid any further consequences to your oral health or function, as well as your overall well-being.

There are many reasons to seek emergency dental care, including severe toothaches, chipped or fractured teeth, a dental abscess, and impacted teeth, loose or broken fillings lost or dislodged crowns, broken dentures and more. Whether your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, contact our office immediately for care. We will make every effort to see you as promptly as possible.

Endodontics, or root canal therapy, is employed when the nerve and blood supply to a tooth has been irreversibly damaged by damage or decay. It is a way to prevent or help resolve a dental infection and save a natural tooth from extraction. A root canal is performed when there is enough sound root and crown structure remaining to eventually restore form and function to the involved tooth.

Inside every tooth is either a single central chamber or multiple ones that contain connective tissue, a nerve supply, and blood vessels. A root canal procedure is required when this dental pulp is irreversibly damaged or has died.

Root canal therapy involves cleaning and shaping each canal, and then filling them with a special inert material. Following this they are sealed to prevent any subsequent infection. Once root canal therapy has been completed, the tooth should be fully restored as recommended.

Sometimes it is necessary to extract a tooth. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Extractions are commonly performed in cases where a deciduous (baby) tooth is reluctant to fall out, a severely broken down and non-restorable tooth is present, or a wisdom tooth is poorly positioned and unable to fully erupt into place.

To reduce any anxiety and insure patient comfort whenever a tooth extraction is necessary, the procedure, the post-surgical instructions, as well as any restorative follow-up care will be carefully and completely explained.

Your first visit to our office is very important with regard to establishing your oral health baseline. We schedule an hour and a half appointment. This visit includes a review of your medical history, special note of your dental concerns and wishes, complete set of X-Rays, full set of intra-oral photographs, oral cancer screening with a special light, complete periodontal evaluation, occlusal evaluation, complete exam of teeth and a customized treatment plan.

According to recent studies good oral hygiene is essential not only for your dental health, it is important to your overall health and well-being. Our comprehensive dental hygiene program is designed to preserve your teeth and the supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental disease.

To maintain your optimal oral health we recommend periodic professional dental cleanings. Removing plaque and debris from teeth, especially from places where a toothbrush can't reach, like underneath the gum line and in-between teeth is extremely important.

It is also important to keep in mind that in conjunction with periodic dental professional cleanings, a good dental home care regimen is necessary. Our hygienists review your current home care practices. We will make recommendations as to what areas require improvements, and instruct you in the proper methods of brushing and flossing as well as provide samples of products to try at home.

One of the significant advances in modern dentistry has been the development of dental laser technology. Today, dental lasers are being increasingly used to treat tooth decay, periodontal disease, perform biopsies or the removal of oral lesions, to cure restorative (filling) materials, as well as to activate in-office teeth whitening systems.

Dental lasers combine laser energy with water and air to safely cut and shape soft or hard tissues in the mouth. Laser energy precisely cuts through tooth structure by exciting the water molecules in the tooth. It operates without direct contact to the tooth and without heat, vibration, or pressure thereby minimizing the discomfort of the procedure and the need for dental anesthesia. In addition dental lasers can minimize post-operative bleeding and swelling, and preserve healthy tooth structure during the removal of decay. While dental lasers may be an excellent treatment option in some situations, they cannot be used for every dental procedure.

Occlusion (the way your teeth come together and move during chewing cycles) is the key to longevity of dentistry. If the chewing system is balanced and working well, the forces being placed on the joints, bone, gums and teeth will be within the natural tolerances of each component. When one or more of these components is overloaded, breakdown occurs. An analogy is that the tires on your car last longer when there are balanced and the wheels are aligned. When the balance and alignment are off, not only do the tires wear out faster, but the suspension components, the steering, the brakes etc. all suffer.

Fixing one tooth at a time without a plan leads to malalignments of the occlusion. It is similar to changing tires one at a time with different brands. The car would be difficult to drive well and all components would soon develop issues.

Dr. Patel has had extensive training in the management of occlusal issues and uses this training in the planning of simple as well as extensive cases. His aim is to generate a balanced system where the components work together in harmony thereby leading to long-lasting health.

At our office we take pride in creating and maintaining beautiful and healthy smiles for our younger patients in an environment that is warm and inviting. With an emphasis on establishing oral health habits that last a lifetime. Our primary tools are fluoride treatment and dental sealants placed on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. No Cavities of the month prize given to a lucky winner and a visit to our Treasure box is a treat for our patients who are young or just young at heart.

Periodontal disease damages the surrounding soft tissues and bone that support the teeth. It is predominantly caused by the accumulation of bacteria, mucus and other particles in the form of plaque or tartar that sit between the teeth and the gums. Periodontal disease can range in severity from a simple gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, to more serious damage to the bone. Left untreated periodontal disease can result in significant tissue damage and eventual tooth loss.

The problem with periodontal disease is that often the progression is painless. As a result the affected individual may ignore other symptoms of disease process. This is why it is so important to recognize the signs of the earliest stage of periodontal disease, called Gingivitis. The symptoms of gingivitis typically include red, swollen and bleeding gums. A series of deep dental cleanings, an improved home care regimen, and a commitment to regular maintenance may be all that is required to prevent this stage of periodontal disease from progressing.

Left untreated, gingivitis can escalate into Periodontitis. However, there are other factors that can contribute to the escalation of periodontal disease, including smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes. In either case, when Periodontal disease has progressed to a more advanced stage there is usually clinical and radiographic evidence of damage to the bone and soft tissues. Treatment in this phase is designed to halt the progression of the disease and to restore tooth support as possible. This may involve medications to control the bacteria and reduce the size of the pockets between the teeth and gums, Gum surgery, as well as bone and tissue grafts may also be indicated.

Teeth that have been stained or darkened by food, age, medications or injury can be lightened and brightened by means of a non-invasive teeth whitening.

While there are many over the counter options for teeth whitening, the most effective teeth whitening systems are the professional strength ones available at the dentist’s office. A professional whitening system offers a higher concentration of whitening gel and delivers them to the teeth in the most efficient manner to achieve optimal results.

At our office we offer three exceptional options for tooth whitening. You can choose either an in-office tooth whitening procedure, a custom fitted take home system and also a professional strength strip system. However, the biggest advantage of the in-office procedure is that in as little as one hour you can achieve a smile that is several shades whiter and brighter than the original color of your teeth.

Our professional strength take home system also produces excellent results. However, this is achieved by way of a more gradual process. Our take home kit may be prescribed alone, or after an in-office treatment to perfect or maintain the in-office result.

If your teeth suffer from gaps, chips, stains, or discolorations you may be a candidate for porcelain veneers, a highly effective and minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that can achieve beautiful results.

Porcelain veneers are thin facings custom-made of the highest quality ceramic materials that are designed to fit perfectly over the front of your teeth. Veneers can mask a host of dental imperfections to give you an overall whiter and a beautiful smile.