Procedures

• Dental Cleanings
• Crowns & Bridges
• Fillings
• Root Canals
• Dentures & Partials
• Invisalign
• Veneers
• Implants & Bone Grafting
• Teeth Whitening
• Oral Surgery & Extractions
• Botox & Dermal Fillers
• Wisdom Teeth
• Full Mouth Reconstruction
• Digital X-Ray Technology
• TMJ Treatment

Dental Cleanings

A teeth cleaning by a Registered Dental Hygienist is performed in our office to remove plaque and tartar deposits that build up over time. If allowed to accumulate the plaque and tartar will form calculus, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth.  Constant bad breath? There is a good chance you have a buildup of calculus on your teeth.  Good oral hygiene is the basis of preventing tooth decay.  A hygienist will give you helpful tools for practicing home-care that will help keep your teeth healthy overtime.

A professional teeth cleaning or a prophylaxis is recommended once every six months for most patients.  During the appointment, our hygienists will clean the surface of your teeth that you can see, as well as below the gum line, where you can’t see.  Keeping these areas of the gum line clean is crucial to good oral hygiene.  Ever notice your gums are inflamed and red? There is a good chance you have something stuck under your gums.  We offer several types of cleanings in our office including the basic prophylaxis, a gross debridement, and scaling & root planning periodontal treatment.  During your exam, the doctor will evaluate your mouth to see which type of cleaning is best for you.

Crowns & Bridges

Dental Crowns: Sometimes a tooth becomes so damaged, a simple repair is out of the question. In these instances, a crown, often termed a cap, may be the treatment of choice. Any infected tooth structure must first be removed. Depending on the specific case, a filling may need to be inserted to fill in any large missing tooth structure. The whole tooth is afterwards reduced to ensure enough room for the crown. This crown will be fabricated using precise measurements to assure a proper bite pattern. Our dentists will be happy to explain the entire process to interested patients in need of this service.

Dental Bridges: When someone has a missing tooth, a bridge might be necessary in order to fill in the space. All too often, people neglect to see the potential future damage that could occur if a bridge is not placed. Over time, teeth may shift and the entire bite can become out of alignment. Utilizing a bridge prevents this from occurring. To put it simply, a bridge is two crowns which are connected by a fake tooth. Our dentists will finish by cementing the structure. This is a fantastic fix for a missing tooth.

Fillings

Do you find yourself hesitant to smile due to dark colored fillings? We offer patients Aesthetic/Tooth Colored Fillings as an alternative. The results are simply dramatic. People will feel free to smile widely. Our process makes the fillings look natural. We use composite fillings that are safe and blend flawlessly in with your teeth. Our dentists will match up the colors for the most successful results. These fillings are made from a resin based material. There is no metal or mercury involved. These fillings are effectively bonded to your existing teeth. Dental care has evolved with beneficial advances in technology.

With these newer Aesthetic/Tooth Colored Fillings, no one will notice. All people will see is a gorgeous smile. This is especially appealing to children and young adults. Peer pressure exerts a lot of influence in their lives. Many older folks are discovering the advantages of this procedure. Some people are happy with their smile for the first time in their lives. It is amazing what marvels that science and dentistry have to offer individuals today. Check into this procedure if you are dissatisfied with your current smile. We are happy to be a provider of this great service.

Root Canals

Many people have heard horror stories about Root Canals. In our experience, most of these procedures are performed without any complications. Our staff is well versed in putting patients at ease. We strive to provide a calm and friendly environment. Patients will feel welcome with the very first greeting. A root canal necessity is usually due to trauma or decay. With either of these events, the tooth’s nerve may cease to properly function. Patients may experience pain if they wait until the tooth or the surrounding area becomes infected. Our office handles routine exams, and we diligently watch for signs of this issue.

Nowadays, a root canal is nothing to fret about. Our experienced doctor will use specialized instruments to remove the affected nerve. After this is accomplished, the canal area is thoroughly cleaned and then shaped. Patients can expect a root canal specialized filling material to be placed temporarily. The patient will then be scheduled to complete the final restoration. Our patients are thrilled at how easy this entire process is. The first step is getting an initial exam. If you feel you need this procedure, do not delay

Dentures & Partials

Our many services include Dentures & Partial Dentures. A denture is a prosthesis that is removable. It serves to replace all of an individual’s teeth that are on an arch. A partial denture is also a removable prosthetic device. It is utilized to replace several teeth that normally set on an arch. The difference with a partial denture is that it does not replace all of the teeth. It is critical to find a dentist that is skilled with fitting these devices. Our doctors are fully equipped to handle this task. Our office can even use dental implants that serve to support either a partial denture or denture.

Come to a place that is qualified to perform all of the tasks of getting patients expertly crafted dentures, partials, and/or implants. We do it all here. This is a relief for those that need these services and devices. Nothing is worse than undergoing the process only to come away with an ill fitting dental prosthesis. Great care is taken to ensure that does not happen here. Dentures and partial dentures should fit comfortably, and last a very long time. Do not take chances. Make an appointment to discuss all of your options today.

Orthodontic & Braces

Invisalign

Many people yearn for straighter looking teeth. Invisalign® (Clear Braces) could be the right alternative for you. We offer this innovative product in our office. This is a way to straighten teeth without everyone noticing it. Many individuals do not want to wear braces. This option offers many valuable benefits. In many cases, patients can obtain the smile of their dreams in under a year. A beautiful smile is a strong self-image booster. Our qualified professionals can help you ascertain whether or not you would be a good candidate for this remarkable treatment option. For further details on this incredible service, visit www.invisalign.com

People of all ages are interested in this novel treatment alternative to standard braces. This is a wonderful option for teens that do not want to stand out in a crowd. Older individuals are also seeing the advantages of this procedure. Ask about this outstanding treatment option. For those that do not qualify, there is still hope. Our dental experts work closely with highly regarded orthodontists in the region. Even complex cases can have a satisfactory solution. Our office strives to get you the smile that you have always wanted.

Veneers

Porcelain Veneers are not just for celebrities anymore.  They are a common request in the world of cosmetic dentistry.  Anyone can have this simple procedure to get a radiant smile. During treatment for veneers, the tooth surface must be prepared by removing small amounts of tooth structure, generally from the front of an individual’s teeth. Using new techniques, a thin layer of porcelain veneer is custom made. This is then bonded onto the existing tooth.

There are many advantages to having this procedure performed. People that have gaps in their teeth can fix this with porcelain veneers. Many people are embarrassed by discolorations on the teeth surfaces. We can whiten your smile as much as you like. We can give your smile a whole new look and even the size and shape of the teeth can be changed to look more appealing. With the new veneers, your new smile will be turning heads in no time.

Implants & Bone Grafting

This is an excellent place to turn to for Dental Implants & Bone Grafting/Socket Preservation. When people are missing one or more teeth, dental implants may be used to replace the missing teeth. Our skilled dentists will evaluate how much bone tissue is available in each specific case. For a dental implant to be successful, this information is critical. The doctors at South Port Dental have extensive expertise on these subjects and more. These caring doctors will explain the specifics about your unique case. This is an important component of comprehensive dentistry. These procedures can produce healthy and beautiful smiles.

The art of dentistry has come a long way. People that come to this office have often feared living without one or more of their teeth. A dental implant can markedly improve an individual’s life. Sometimes bone grafting may be necessary. This office has the capacity to offer this helpful procedure. The doctors here can also take steps to insure socket preservation. Many patients leave this office in high spirits. The staff takes pride in ensuring that their patients are informed and remain comfortable.

Teeth Whitening

Our office offers effective Teeth Whitening procedures. Many people are envious of celebrities that flash dazzling smiles. Now, anyone can improve on the color of their teeth. This process is simple and provides lasting results. Patients can come into our office for the whitening procedure. We also offer convenient at-home teeth whitening trays. People can brighten their smiles while resting comfortably at home. Each tray will be customized to fit every patient’s specific needs. This is not the same as drugstore or over the counter teeth whitening products. People will notice a dramatic difference after the treatments are completed.

Why continue to waste money on products that do not deliver the promised results? Come into our office and inquire about the teeth whitening services that we provide. Our competent staff will fully instruct you on the use of any at-home treatments that you may opt for. A brighter and whiter smile is definitely worth the small cost. Scores of people are trying this method with astounding results. Our staff will be able to tell if these treatments will work for you. Some people may need alternative procedures, so follow the advice from our trained doctors.

Oral Surgery & Extractions

Our patients know they are in experienced hands should an Oral Surgery/Tooth Extraction become necessary. This route may be recommended if your tooth is too damaged to repair. Our compassionate staff will explain the process and advise patients on what options are available following a Tooth Extraction and/or Oral Surgery. Our highly qualified doctor is adept at making this procedure as comfortable as possible for each valued patient. Sometimes an abscessed tooth is what prompts an individual to seek relief. We handle this sort of problem quickly and effectively. Many of our patients are impressed with how relaxed they feel throughout all phases of this important procedure.

By deciding to undergo your Oral Surgery enhanced Tooth Extraction here, you will quickly realize the many advantages. We offer safe sedation to those who need or want it. Furthermore, our office has many unique and stellar services to fit your specific dental health needs. We offer our patients a number of innovative ways to replace a missing tooth. Our staff will assist you through this time with novel approaches to providing exemplary Tooth Extractions and other Oral Surgery procedures. We are fast, friendly, experienced and firmly dedicated to providing exceptionally comfortable dental care.

 Wisdom Teeth

The average adult has thirty-two teeth by age eighteen: sixteen teeth on the top and sixteen teeth on the bottom. Each tooth in the mouth has a specific name and function. The teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors, canine and bicuspid teeth) are ideal for grasping and biting food into smaller pieces while the back teeth, or molar teeth, are used to grind food up into a consistency suitable for swallowing.

However, the average mouth is made to hold only 28 teeth. It can be painful when 32 teeth try to fit in a mouth that holds only 28 teeth. These four other teeth are your Third Molars, also known as “wisdom teeth.”

Why Should I Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt within the mouth. When they align properly, and gum tissue is healthy, wisdom teeth do not have to be removed. Unfortunately, this does not generally happen.

The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from properly erupting within the mouth. They may grow sideways, partially emerge from the gum, even remain trapped beneath the gum and bone. Impacted teeth can take many positions in the bone as they attempt to find a pathway that will allow them to erupt successfully.

These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result – swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jaw bone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

When an individual needs to have their entire mouth reconstructed, the procedure is called Reconstructive Dentistry. This requires a fair amount of skill and artistry. Fortunately, we have a competent doctor that understand how to do this often complex treatment. A combination of several different types of dental structures are generally used. Typically, the dentist may make use of bridges, crowns, implants and porcelain veneers. Our dentists have the necessary skills and the patience to complete this form of treatment successfully. Many grateful patients owe their new and improved smiles to our dedicated team of dental experts. See what we have to offer.

We are proud to be able to offer Reconstructive Dentistry to our many patients. Many happy patients are impressed with the end results. Our team takes what the patients wants seriously. We strive to provide our patients with the finest work. Sometimes people need this sort of procedure due to some sort of trauma. Others have lived with less than perfect dentition for some time. It is a true pleasure for the staff to see the joyous moment when a patient sees the completed job. Our doctors have the experience needed to provide this technically advanced treatment.

Digital X-Ray Technology

At our office, sophisticated Digital X-ray Technology is utilized. We take the concerns about our patient’s fears of overexposure to radiation seriously. Dental X-rays are an important component to providing the best care possible. While dental X-rays have been significantly reduced for a number of years, we take it a step further. Digital X-ray’s have been shown to reduce radiation exposure by more than half. This is due to the significant advances in digital radiography technology. Our patients can be assured that they are getting high-quality imaging with less radiation exposure. This is just one more reason why our patients choose our exemplary services.

Many people find dental X-rays to be an uncomfortable experience. One of the benefits of Digital X-rays is that the process is quick. Our patients are amazed by how simple this important procedure is. Our dental professionals like the many advantages that Digital Technology brings. An accurate assessment of the mouth can be easily and rapidly obtained. In addition, our office has a large monitor that can display the results. Patients are able to see potential problems before any decision is made. Our patients are able to make an informed decision with this revolutionary diagnostic technology.

TMJ Treatment

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) attaches the jaw to the skull and is a source of pain for many people. As many as 35 million Americans suffer from pain related to problems with TMJ. Symptoms of a TMJ disorder can include headaches, loss of sleep, difficulty eating, locking jaw, clicking in the jaw and ear, earaches, neck pain and shoulder pain. The severity of these symptoms can increase due to stress and trauma. Some patients who suffer from TMJD disorder experience mild to moderate symptoms that have little effect on their day to day life. For other patients, the symptoms of TMJ disorder can be debilitating. At South Port Dental, we offer treatment that can bring relief to those who suffer from TMJ issues.

The traditional treatment of TMJ Disorder has been limited to a bite guard, which is also referred to as an occlusal splint or night guard. These bite guards are worn at night and help ease the symptoms of TMJ issues.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring and sleep apnea are two related but different conditions that cause different sets of issues. Both have to do with partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, causing sleep-disordered breathing. Snoring, which is benign, can progress to obstructive sleep apnea, which can be serious.

During normal sleep, an individual should be able to breathe through an unobstructed nose and/or mouth, making little noise. However, this normal breathing may become obstructed at one or more of several anatomic points in the process. The nose may become obstructed due to a deviated nasal septum or enlarged turbinate bones. Normal breathing through the mouth may become obstructed due to an enlarged tongue, an elongated soft palate, or a short or deficient upper or lower jaw.

Snoring occurs when the tongue (which is attached to the lower jaw) or the soft palate (which is attached to the upper jaw) begin to fall back against the back wall of the throat, or the pharynx, causing a vibration which creates a noise, sometimes a very loud noise. While snoring doesn’t cause any serious health problems for the snorer, it can significantly disrupt the sleep of other individuals within hearing range, leading to sleep deprivation.

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, on the other hand, can cause significant health concerns. OSA occur when, during sleep, as the muscles of the face and jaws relax, the tongue pushes back against the soft palate, completely obstructing the airway. The result of this is apnea, or absence of breathing. When this occurs, snoring stops, since there is no passage of air into the lungs. This may last anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. During this time, the oxygen level in the blood is progressively reduced, and the brain perceives this potentially dangerous drop in oxygen. As a result, the brain then wakes the individual up out of a deep sleep just enough to get the person to breathe. Then, one or several gasping breaths occur, raising the oxygen level and allowing the individual to return to sleep. Then the cycle begins again, and may happen anywhere from a few to dozens of times per hour, resulting in fragmented sleep and daytime drowsiness. If it remains untreated, OSA can lead to high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke and a host of other heath concerns.

OSA is diagnosed by polysomnography, an overnight monitored sleep study in a laboratory. The goal of treating OSA is to open the airway to allow normal breathing during sleep. This may depend on the location of the obstruction and the severity of the apnea. If the obstruction is in the nose, nasal surgery such as a septoplasty or turbinectomy may be indicated. If the obstruction is in the throat, treatment is aimed at bringing the soft palate and the tongue forward, away from the back wall of the throat, opening the “posterior airway space”, or PAS. This may be accomplished in several ways, from nonsurgical CPAP or oral appliance therapy, to a variety of different surgical procedures.

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is generally the first line of treatment for moderate to severe OSA. CPAP involves wearing a nasal or facial mask during sleep, which is connected to a machine providing air under pressure to keep the airway open. This is often effective and well-tolerated. However, some patients find it difficult to tolerate and cumbersome.

For benign snoring, and for mild to moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy may be indicated. This involves the laboratory fabrication of a custom dental device consisting of two parts, one to engage the upper teeth, and a second to engage the lower teeth. The two parts are themselves connected, and a gear mechanism allows for the precise adjustment to advance the lower jaw to eliminate airway obstruction by the tongue. This is particularly effective for those with short lower jaws, CPAP intolerance, or to be used as a travel appliance.

However, some individuals seek a solution for OSA which will allow them freedom from nightly CPAP or oral appliances. Oral surgeons provide surgical procedures for treatment of OSA, depending on the location of the obstruction and the severity of the apnea. Studies have shown that maxillomandibular advancement, or MMA, has the highest success rate in the treatment of severe OSA. MMA involves performing orthognathic surgery to make a series of cuts, or osteotomies, in the upper and lower jaws, allowing them to be separated and significantly advanced, or moved forward. Because the soft tissues in the airway which cause the obstruction, the soft palate and the tongue, are attached to the jaws, this results in a significant increase in posterior airway space which can be noticed dramatically in the before and after x-rays seen below.

If you or a loved one are concerned about your snoring or sleep-disordered breathing, The doctors at South Port Dental will perform a detailed examination and develop a personalized treatment plan specifically for you working along side your primary care physician. For more information, check out the AAOMS webpage on obstructive sleep apnea.