A professional dental cleaning is recommended at least twice per year to reinforce your home-care oral hygiene. The dentist or hygienist will remove plaque, tartar, and staining before polishing the teeth. Most people do not experience any discomfort during their dental cleaning. However, topical anesthetic can be used for those with sensitivity or discomfort. During the appointment an oral cancer screening and diagnostic exam, including x-rays and use of a near-infrared cavity detection device, are also performed to identify any additional treatment needs.

This problem-focused exam addresses an acute issue, such as pain, infection, or trauma. The dentist will perform an isolated exam, which may include x-rays of the specific area, before diagnosing and recommending treatment to alleviate your pain. It is important that emergency dental issues are treated in a timely manner and at Modern Elevations, we make every effort to see you as soon as possible.

Extractions, or exodontia, are the removal of teeth from the socket in the alveolar, or jaw, bone. Extractions may be performed for numerous reasons including teeth that have become non-restorable due to extensive decay or periodontal issues. Wisdom teeth that are impacted, or unable to erupt normally into the oral cavity, may also need to be extracted, particularly if they cause frequent infections. Teeth that are crowded may sometimes need to be extracted to facilitate orthodontic treatment.

A dental filling, or direct restoration, is a treatment to restore the function and appearance of teeth. Fillings may be required to replace lost tooth structure due to decay or trauma. The procedure will involve the placement of a filling material into prepared tooth structure. The material is shaped while it is soft to build up the tooth before it is set hard. There are a variety of different filling materials and the best one for your particular situation will be chosen based on the location and size of the restoration.

Bacteria that is not regularly removed can cause swollen and bleeding gums, or gingivitis. Gingivitis is easily reversed with a specialized dental cleaning and improved home care, involving the use of additional medicated rinses. Untreated gingivitis can become periodontitis, a disease in which the gums will pull away from the teeth and form spaces or “pockets” that become infected. Untreated periodontitis will result in the destruction of the gums and bones that support the teeth and may result in the loss of teeth. Periodontitis is treated with a specialized deep dental cleaning, scaling and root planning, and the use of additional antibiotic medications. Patients with periodontal disease will need to be seen more frequently and may need to be referred to a specialist.

Mouth guards are protective coverings that are worn over the teeth to prevent damage from injury during sports and other physical activities. Custom-fit mouth guards are individually designed in our office based off an impression of your mouth. They are more accurate, comfortable, and provide better protection than stock mouth guards.

Many people avoid going to the dentist because of fear, delaying necessary dental treatment until it becomes a painful emergency. Nitrous oxide administered through a mask placed over the nose and oral sedative medications can reduce patient’s fear and anxiety related to dental procedures, ensuring that they have a relaxed and comfortable experience.

Dental sealants are thin coatings that are bonded onto the biting surfaces of the back teeth to act as a barrier against plaque and acids that may not be removed with regular tooth brushing. Placing dental sealants is a quick and painless procedure that does not require numbing and will protect teeth from decay.