PATIENT SERVICES

 

Preventative Care

> Dental Hygiene and Routine Checkups
> Periodontal (Gum) Disease
> Bite Appliances and Nightguards for    clenching, grinding and TMJ problems
> Athletic Mouthguards
> Stop Smoking

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Restorative Dentistry

> Tooth Colored Fillings

> Crowns (Caps)

> Cracked Teeth

> Replacing Missing Teeth

> Dental Implants

> Bridges

> Dentures

> Partials

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Cosmetic Dentistry

> Tooth Colored Fillings

> Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers®

> Tooth Colored (Porcelain) Crowns

> Teeth Whitening

> Smile Makeovers

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Surgical Dentistry

> Extractions and Oral Surgery

> Implants

> Endontic Therapy (Root Canals)

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Pediatric Dentistry (Children)

> Sealants

> Fluoride

> Athletic Mouthguards

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Technology and Patient Comfort

 

PREVENTATIVE CARE

Missing teeth can negatively impact oral comfort, function, and appearance, and may contribute to serious health complications. Drs. Eberhardt will work with you to determine what your best options are for restoring your missing teeth.

 

 

Dental Hygiene and Routine Checkups

Preventative care is an integral part of our practice. Thorough examinations and professional cleanings allow us to identify problem areas and stop periodontal disease and tooth decay. Our Dental Hygienists are highly educated, experienced and trained in the latest methods of preventative hygiene. Your oral health is not only important to your appearance and sense of well-being, but also to your overall health. Cavities and gum disease can be painful and lead to serious infections. They may also contribute to many serious conditions such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, and perhaps heart disease and low birth weight babies. Researchers have found that periodontitis (the advanced form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, prevention of periodontitis is an important step in maintaining overall health. In most cases, good oral health can be maintained with good daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and regular professional care. Promoting health through preventative dentistry and educating our patients on good oral hygiene is the heart of our practice. In order to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life, the American Dental Association recommends routine visits with our hygienists along with an exam every six months.

 

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

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Periodontal disease is the most common disease in the United States, which is why checking for signs and symptoms is a routine part of our examinations including first patient visits as well as your six month hygiene visits. If you have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease, the good news is it can often be treated successfully. Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth (the gums and bone). Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. The normal sulcus depth should be 3 milimeters or less. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket. Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis which involves the loss of bone support around the teeth. Treatment of either form of the disease often depends on how far the condition has progressed and how well your body responds to therapy.

 

Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

 

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth (floss), eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.


Treatment for Gum Disease

If caught early enough, prevention may be as simple as learning new brushing techniques, changing oral healthcare products, or improving your flossing routine. We can often treat gum disease with non-surgical therapies that include:

 

 

Drs. Eberhardt use Arestin, an antibiotic treatment in powder form. After performing scaling and root planing, if indicated, we will sometimes place the antibiotic powder into the infected areas of the gums. The slow-release medicine fights disease-causing bacteria for up to 21 days. Studies show that the combination of therapies is more effective at reducing infection than scaling and root planing alone.
An advanced case of gum disease may require periodontal surgery. If required, Drs. Eberhardt can refer you to a trusted periodontal specialist.

 

Bite Appliances and Nightguards for clenching, grinding and TMJ problems.

Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth because they do it while they sleep. The clenching and grinding (bruxism) may be quite audible and can disturb sleep partners. Others make no sound while bruxing their teeth, and do not realize they are doing it until the dentist discovers unusual wear spots on their teeth. Bruxism may cause people to awaken with a headache, earache or toothache. Their facial muscles may be sore, or their jaw joints tender.

 

Besides causing discomfort, grinding can eventually damage dental restorations, and may loosen teeth. Bruxism can also cause damage to the joints on either side of the mouth that connect the lower jaw to the skull called the Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ. The pressure from clenching and grinding can cause cracks or fractures in the teeth. As the tooth enamel is worn away, the underlying layer of dentin may be exposed. This causes the tooth to become sensitive to temperature changes and pressure.

 

Bruxism can develop at any age, and although the causes are not really known, several factors may be involved. Stressful situations, problems in sleeping, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth may contribute.

 

Based on your specific diagnosis, one or more treatments may be recommended. We may suggest a nightguard that may be worn while sleeping. This is custom made to fit your teeth, and will help relieve some of the pressure and tooth to tooth contact that happens during grinding and clenching. This will help not only lessen the pressure you put on your teeth, but it will also prevent the tooth enamel from being worn down.

 

Pain in the Temporomandibular Joint is not uncommon, and may be able to be treated by a few simple steps done at home. In severe cases, we may recommend that you see a physical therapist or oral surgeon for further diagnosis and treatment.


Athletic Mouthguards

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of an athlete’s standard equipment from an early age. In fact, an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth when not wearing a mouthguard. They help buffer an impact or blow, that otherwise would cause broken teeth, jaw injuries or cuts to the lip, tongue or face. Mouthguards also may reduce the rate and severity of concussions.

 

We can make a custom mouthguard for you or your child that is comfortable and offers superior protection. Treating a sports related dental injury can cost thousands of dollars, therefore a custom mouthguard is a worthwhile investment.

 

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