Dr. Wooddell and his staff offer the latest procedures and methods to ensure you receive only the best dental care with every visit.

 
PROPHYLAXIS or cleaning should be done regularly; for most patients, a regular six-month interval between cleanings is sufficient, but many others require a more frequently-scheduled cleaning.  The factors that influence the suggested frequency of prophylaxis include: the patient’s overall medical condition, past history of gum disease, irregular alignment of teeth, habits such as tobacco use, and many others. TOP

 
ADVANCED MEDICATIONS used to fight gum disease have recently been developed which allow us to place a small amount of antibiotic directly at the site of a localized infection.  Then, the medication is released slowly over several weeks to directly attack the infection and reduce pocketing.  The medication we use for this goes by the name of Arestin, and more information can be found at their website: (arestin.com).  There are some limitations to this procedure, but when used in appropriate situations, we have found Arestin to be very effective in reducing pockets. TOP

 
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING is a common non-surgical method of treating some stages of periodontal disease.  This can also sometimes be called “deep cleaning.”  By using special instruments, we remove pathogens such as bacteria from unhealthy, deep periodontal pockets that surround the teeth.  The teeth are scaled to remove plaque and tartar that accumulates over time.  Then, the roots are smoothed (planed) to eliminate rough areas that can allow plaque and bacteria to easily reattach.  This procedure removes pathogens from the pocket and allows the gums to heal naturally and reattach to the tooth, thereby reducing the pocket and creating much healthier gum tissue. TOP

 
COMPOSITE FILLINGS are tooth-colored and offer several advantages over the older amalgam (silver) fillings.  They are significantly more esthetic since they blend in with the enamel of the tooth.  They are chemically bonded to the structure of the tooth, resulting in much less potential for leakage.  After a cavity is prepared, it is treated for the bonding of the composite filling, the filling material is placed and shaped, and the composite is hardened  using a special light. TOP

 
CROWNS (CAPS) are made to cover over the entire tooth to provide protection to the tooth.  There are several reasons why crowns are done (see examples below), but the one thing they all have in common is that a filling alone just won’t work.  Crowns can be made of all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or all metal.  Dr. Wooddell would be happy to discuss with you which options are best for you. TOP

 
REPLACING MISSING TEETH It is usually important to replace missing teeth to keep teeth from drifting into the space that was created when they were lost.  This preserves the normal function and normal bite, keeping the jaw joint healthy.  There are basically three ways to replace a missing tooth.  Depending on the location of the tooth to be replaced, as well as the condition of the surrounding teeth, the options include Implants, Fixed Bridges, or Partial Dentures.  Implants are usually the best way to replace teeth if the patient desires a realistic prosthetic that functions like a real tooth.  Also, it is not necessary to fix implants to other teeth, as in the other two options.  Fixed Bridges are supported by adjoining teeth, and are cemented onto those teeth to keep the bridge fixed in place.  Brushing a bridge is no different than usual, but the flossing must be changed to keep the teeth healthy.  Partial Dentures are designed as removable appliances.  They are often the least expensive of the options to replace missing teeth, but it are bulky and it can be difficult to adjust to wearing and chewing with them. TOP

 
IMPLANTS are surgically-placed titanium cylinders that replace the root of a missing tooth.  Once the implant is ready, it is covered with a crown which produces a very satisfying tooth replacement.  Implants are state-of-the-art dentistry, and when done properly, function and feel just like a real tooth.    The implant tooth is made to stand alone, just like a real tooth, and can be brushed and flossed like any other. TOP

 
FIXED BRIDGES are supported by the teeth that are adjacent to the missing tooth.  They are an excellent way of replacing teeth, and before the advent of implants, they were often the best was to replace a missing tooth.  The disadvantages of fixed bridges are that they often require removing healthy tooth structure on the adjacent teeth, they tie together three or more teeth, and are much more difficult to floss than implants.  The advantages are that no surgery is required and that the missing tooth is restored more quickly with a fixed bridge than with an implant. TOP

 
REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES (RPDs) are also usually supported by the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth.  The advantage of RPDs is that they are often the quickest and least expensive method to replace missing teeth.  Unfortunately, RPDs are by design made to be removable, and are therefore much less stable than either an implant or a fixed bridge.  They also are considerably bulky and can result in unsightly metal clasps showing in your smile. TOP