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

 

RESTORATIVE 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.

 

 

Tooth Colored Fillings

A wonderful alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings are the tooth colored composite resins. Many patients prefer to have their old silver restorations replaced with resin. Not only are composite fillings more esthetic, as we can mix colors to achieve the perfect match to your tooth color, but they also allow for a much more conservative preparation of the tooth, keeping more of your natural tooth structure in tact. Occasionally, some patients will experience mild and temporary post-operative sensitivity with tooth colored restorations. This is rare, but normal if it does occur, and usually disappears within a few days.

 

Crowns

Cracked, broken, decayed, or worn teeth, can be restored to healthy, natural-looking teeth with dental crowns, also called caps. A crown can return structure, strength, and function to a tooth with extensive decay or damage. Crowns are designed to fit precisely and function as a healthy tooth, it will protect your tooth from further damage and preserve your jaw’s correct, natural alignment. We use precious metal, porcelain fused to metal, or all-porcelain crowns. To maintain a fully white smile, we may recommend all-ceramic crowns. Porcelain crowns are also extremely durable and long lasting, which makes them popular with dentists as well as patients. Typically, we can design, fit, and place your crowns in just two appointments. Once a crown is placed, you care for it as you do your natural teeth. Conscientious brushing twice a day and daily flossing will protect the base of your crown from bacterial growth. Be sure to see us at least two times each year for professional cleanings and a preventive exam to maintain the health of your dental work.

 

REPLACE MISSING TEETH

 

Implants

Dental Implants provide the closest possible alternative to a natural tooth. They can improve your smile and your lifestyle. They look, feel, and function like your natural teeth because of a titanium anchor attached to your jawbone. Not only are they perfect for restoring one missing tooth, they can also be used as anchors for bridges, partials, or full dentures to eliminate slipping and movement. After a thorough evaluation we can tell you whether you are a candidate for dental implants as they require adequate bone support for placement. First, a titanium cylinder is placed in the jawbone, that will serve as the root of your tooth. Once the implant is stable, we will attach a custom made, permanent crown to the titanium cylinder that will match your natural teeth to blend seamlessly with your smile. Not only does the implant give the appearance and function of natural teeth, but, you will also enjoy restored chewing function. Since implants are strong and secure, your restored smile will boost your confidence, enhance your appearance, and improve your quality of life.

 

Bridges

A bridge contains one or more teeth in a row to serve as a replacement for those that you are missing. Crowns are placed on either side of the missing tooth (teeth) to serve as anchors that hold the replacement tooth (teeth) in place. The result will be a natural looking, and functional replacement for the missing part of your smile. If the teeth on either side of the space are not healthy enough to support a crown, we may suggest dental implants as an alternative. Patients who are missing many teeth may benefit from a partial denture.

 

Dentures

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost. There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

 

How long will it take to get used to wearing a denture or partial?

For the first few weeks, your new partial denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture will require some practice. Follow all instructions given by your dentist. Your denture should fit into place with relative ease. Never force the partial denture into position by biting down. This could bend or break the clasps.

 

Partials

Partials are actually partial dentures. They can replace multiple missing teeth, but unlike a bridge the missing teeth do not have to be in the same area right next to one another. Partials are held in place securely by clasps on adjacent teeth. The replacement teeth are attached to pink (gum colored) acrylic, which is supported by a metal frame. Today, in some cases, the entire partial can be made of an esthetic, flexible, comfortable acrylic.

 

Cracked Teeth

When you bite down, you feel a sharp pain. It quickly disappears, and perhaps you ignore it. You avoid certain foods or chew only on one side of your mouth. Does this sound familiar? If so, you may have a cracked tooth.

 

 

How can you tell if a tooth is cracked?

It could be difficult. You may not even be able to tell which tooth hurts or whether the pain is from an upper or lower tooth. A crack may appear as a hairline fracture, running vertically along the tooth. It often is invisible to the eye and may not show even on an X-ray.

 

You can help your dentist determine which tooth is causing the problem by noting when and where you have sensitivity to heat or cold and to sweet, sour or sticky food, as well as approximately, where the pain is when you are chewing.

 

Why does a cracked tooth hurt?

A cracked tooth may hurt because the pressure of biting causes the crack to open. When you stop biting, the pressure in released and a sharp pain results as the crack quickly closes.

 

Even though the crack may be microscopic when it opens, the pulp inside the tooth may become irritated. The pulp is a soft tissue that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. If the crack irritates the pulp, the tooth may become sensitive to temperature extremes. If the pulp becomes damaged or diseased as a result of the crack, root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.

 

How is a cracked tooth treated?

Depending on the size and location of the crack, treatment may vary from bonding to root canal treatment. A severely cracked tooth may need extraction. Your dentist will determine the best treatment for you.

 

Tiny cracks are common and usually do not cause problem. Regular dental checkups are important, They allow your dentist to diagnose and treat problems in the early stage. If you continue to have pain, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and call your dentist.

 

Reference: Journal of the American Dental Association, “For the Dental Patient” Vol. 134, April 2003