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 (calculus or “tartar”) that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It also involves a fluoride treatment and polish to help protect, strengthen, and soothe your teeth and gums. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in over two years, it’s never too late to treat your teeth.

What are some preventative measures I can take?

• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal. Electric toothbrushes are highly recommended.

• Floss daily before bedtime

• Use a fluoridated mouthwash (like ACT) before flossing

• Avoid sugary drinks (soda, juice, sweet tea, sports drinks, chocolate milk), candy, coffee, and tobacco. Drinks with sugar alternatives will not cause decay.

Fillings

Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentists preserve your dental health. Before placement, any decay must be drilled out. We offer local anesthesia along with sedation to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth.

Amalgam Removal

Made up of silver, copper, mercury, and tin, amalgam fillings are one of the original dental filling materials, also known as “silver” fillings. Due to their tendency to fracture as well as potentially staining surrounding healthy teeth and gums, we do not offer amalgam fillings at Flossy Mountain. We are happy to safely remove any faulty and many existing amalgam fillings and replace them with a composite filling or a white crown if needed. We have a specially designed suction which prevents the old filling material from being inadvertently inhaled or swallowed and the material is responsibly separated into a trap so as not to enter into the environment.

Composite Resin

Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the more aesthetically pleasing option. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth decay from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Composite resin is also recommended for cavity fillings as they are bonded to the teeth and therefore require less drilling away of the natural tooth. Composite fillings, however, are not as strong as healthy and natural tooth enamel. Therefore, if your tooth decay extends into more than half your tooth, a crown covering the tooth may be recommended as a crown would be a better and more long-lasting option.

Laughing Gas

Nitrous Oxide, also commonly referred to as “laughing gas” is a safe and effective way to reduce dental anxiety.

What do I need to know about laughing gas?

• It is breathed in through the nose along with additional oxygen via a nasal hood, which is like a sticker that goes over your nose.

• It makes you feel relaxed, like you’re floating on a cloud, but you will not be “put to sleep”

• It starts taking effect within a few minutes of turning it on, and wears off within a few minutes of turning it off

• It can make your body feel “tingly” and sometimes has a slight numbing effect

• Your heart rate and oxygen levels will be continuously monitored throughout your appointment

• Sit back, relax, and enjoy your dental visit!

Extractions

Our dentists make every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable, infected (abscessed), or when you have advanced periodontal disease, which may make the teeth become loose. When a tooth is malformed, damaged, impacted or ingrown, different procedures are used, but all extractions are considered surgery. Depending on which tooth is removed, we can offer you a replacement in the form of a bridge, denture, or other prosthesis.

FAQ

Do I need my tooth extracted?

We will only be able to evaluate if your tooth is saveable or if it needs to be extracted after obtaining a current radiograph (x-ray) and clinically evaluating the tooth in question.

What should I expect during an extraction procedure?

If you are nervous about having an extraction, we offer nitrous (laughing gas) to help calm your nerves and help you feel relaxed. See our additional info about laughing gas on the services page. We will ensure that your tooth and the surrounding area is completely numb, so all you will feel is some pressure while the tooth is removed. Snap, crackle, and pop noises are completely normal during extractions as well. We will do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible.

How long is the healing process?

The healing time varies depending on multiple factors such as: age (younger patients heal faster than older patients), smoking (delays healing and may cause a dry socket), difficulty of extraction, baby or permanent tooth, etc. We will give you all the post-op instructions on the day of surgery, but expect to not return to school or work for the rest of the day. We recommend resting for the remainder of the day, soft foods, and tylenol and/or ibuprofen for any discomfort.

Space Maintainers

If a permanent or baby back tooth is removed, a space maintainer is usually recommended to prevent the teeth from shifting. In the case of a permanent tooth, the space maintainer is designed to hold the space until a permanent restoration (such as a bridge or implant) is placed. In the case of a baby (primary) tooth, a space maintainer is placed when the baby tooth has been removed prematurely, usually due to the tooth being broken or infected (abscessed). The baby space maintainer is designed to hold the space until the permanent tooth underneath erupts, and then the space maintainer will be removed.

Band and Loop

Band and loop space maintainers are designed to hold the space of one missing back tooth. The band wraps around one neighboring tooth, and the loop rests gently against the other neighboring tooth. They are cemented with a permanent cement, but can be easily removed at a dental visit with no numbing needed. Band and loop space maintainers can be made in-house in a single office visit.

Whole Arch

If there are back teeth missing on both sides of the same arch, a whole arch space maintainer may be recommended. On the upper arch, a band wraps around a molar on each side, then a small acrylic “button” rests against the upper palate to prevent the teeth from shifting. On the lower arch, a band wraps around a molar on each side, and a metal bar gently rests along the tongue-side of the lower front teeth. These types of space maintainers are made by a lab, so they require two visits: one to fit the bands and take impressions, and another about 1-2 weeks later to deliver and cement the appliance.

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

During your cleaning appointment, we will evaluate your gum health and also the health of the bone surrounding your teeth using visual diagnostics (such as radiographs) along with precise measurements. If we detect large amounts of calculus (tarter), any recent bone loss, or signs of gum infection, we will recommend a deep cleaning to prevent progression of the gum disease.

Further Treatment

If you have advanced periodontal disease, we may refer you to specialist known as a periodontist who may recommend further treatment to stabilize your condition. Otherwise, after your deep cleaning, we will review ways to improve your oral health at home in order to prevent periodontal issues and we will also monitor your gum and bone health at your future appointments.