DentaCare Associates can help you halt the progression of tooth decay and gum disease with one or more of our general dentistry services described below. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to learn more.
Comprehensive Exams
In general dentistry, we recommend periodic exams twice a year twice a year for patients with good oral health. This suggestion is in line with the American Dental Association’s recommendation. Early treatment is always in your best interest.
Comprehensive exams at our general dentistry practice in Plantation may include the following services: Dental X-rays, Digital photos, Occlusion/bite analysis, Oral cancer screening, Periodontal (gum and bone) disease assessment, and treatment consultation.
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal disease is bacteria from your mouth which can get into the blood stream when the gums are inflamed. Periodontal disease is also known as a risk factor for developing heart and lung disease as well as tooth loss. Symptoms may include swollen, red, and tender gums. Also, plaque produces a foul odor, so when it is removed, your breath will be fresher.
Periodontal therapy in Plantation will restore health to the gums and bone supporting teeth and preventing tooth loss. It will also reduce your potential for tooth decay and gum disease. The only way to ensure a healthy, periodontal disease-free mouth is through good dental hygiene. Good dental hygiene includes professional and home dental care.
Scaling and root-planing are deep cleaning techniques serving as the best starting point for controlling periodontitis (gum and bone disease). Scaling is the general dentistry process of scraping dental plaque off teeth. Plaque builds-up along the gum line and is the key factor in developing gingivitis and subsequently periodontitis (periodontal disease).
Root-planing is a deeper cleaning penetrating below the surface of the gum into the pockets that developed below the tooth harboring unfriendly bacteria. Scaling and root-planning often require multiple appoints to help prevent future infections. Prescribing local antibiotics is often required in conjunction with treating periodontitis.
Regular general dentistry maintenance visits are required to keep gums and bone healthy and strong. Additionally, we will advise you about what you should do for your optimal home care routine. Special mouth washes, toothpastes, and medication might be prescribed as part of this care.
Mouthguards, Night Guards, and Snore Guards
Mouthguards
A custom sports mouthguard can protect your smile (teeth, mouth and jaw) against injury. Every athlete should make a sports mouthguard standard gear. We utilize a special, high-quality dental laboratory for the manufacture of custom-made sports mouthguards.
Night Guards
Severe tooth, jaw, or facial muscle pain are common side effects of excessive grinding of the teeth (Bruxism) or clenching of the teeth. As part of your treatment, we will fabricate a thin, customized device fitting over your upper or lower teeth to offset the effects of bruxism and/or clenching while protecting your teeth from wear & tear.
Additionally, night guards are often recommended after dental restorations such as veneers or implants for the long-term viability of the restoration. Night guards can be worn at night or during periods of high stress.
Snore Guards.
Many people suffer from sleep-related breathing disorders due the jaw muscle improperly working. With the partial restriction of the airway the back of your throat vibrates causing snoring. When one experiences a complete, momentary blockage of the airway this is known as sleep apnea.
The snore guard is a small intraoral device used only at night to keep the lower jaw in a natural forward position thereby keeping your airway open. We will provide you with a device that is custom made to your mouth to fit snuggly over the top of your teeth to help eliminate snoring or mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea.
Sealants and Fluoride Varnish
There is another general dentistry safety net helping keep the teeth clean, it is called sealants. Sealants are a thein protective coating that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth.
Sealants are not a substitute for brushing and flossing but they can keep cavities from forming and may even prevent early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity. Sealants wear off over time and may need periodic replacement.
Fluoride varnish is a highly concentrated form of fluoride applied to the tooth surface. It helps strengthen and rebuild tooth enamel and reverse early signs of tooth decay.
Oral Cancer
We recommend all patients receive an annual, potentially life-saving screening exam for oral abnormalities even if no known risk factors exist. Oral cancer risk factors include: Tobacco use, chronic alcohol consumption, age 40 and older, and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
Symptoms include a sore that does not heal, a lump, or a white or red patch on the inside of the mouth. When oral cancer is identified in the earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 82%.
An annual screening exam in conjunction with a standard visual exam helps to identify and diagnose abnormalities. Your oral cancer exam may turn your annual visit into a life-saving experience.
We will examine your mouth using a light source that helps improve the ability to identify abnormalities which might be missed with the standard visual exam.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
A dental crown covers a structurally damaged tooth to restore its integrity. Deep cavities, chips or cracks may require a crown. We use high quality materials to ensure bio-compatibility and natural looking teeth. Our highly trained and experienced staff at our Plantation, FL general dentistry practice will help ensure you have a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.
Composite Resin Bonding
A small cavity, left untreated, can grow to destroy an entire tooth. Only professional dental care can correct your cavities and return the health and functionality of your tooth. Composite resin bonding can fill a repaired cavity and reinforce a tooth’s structure.
It is a natural looking, tooth colored material lasting three to ten years depending your oral hygiene. It is a procedure often completed within a single visit and can be inexpensive compared to other options. DentaCare Associates uses only mercury-free composite resin bonding materials.
Emergencies
A dental emergency can occur in virtually any time regardless of how well you take care of your teeth. It is not uncommon for many emergencies to leave a patient in severe pain and discomfort. For this reason, you will want to consider coming in for treatment as soon as you notice there is a problem.
We offer treatment in a relaxed and highly comfortable setting for our Plantation, FL patients. Some of the more common emergencies include sever tooth ache and pain, abscessing and infections, broken or cracked teeth, lost filling, crowns, or bridges, and broken or lost appliances (dentures or mouth guards).
A dental emergency can get worse in a short period of time without proper treatment. We recommend quick, adequate treatment as soon as possible.
Conscious Sedation in General Dentistry
Come and enjoy your general dentistry or any other dental procedure in a relaxed manner. Conscious sedation (Nitrous Oxide) is a safe and effective way to reduce potential anxiety and fear during dental treatment. It is not general anesthesia so there are no side effects similar to general anesthesia.
During conscious sedation you will retain the ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway and respond appropriately to verbal commands. The effects of conscious sedation typically wear off within a few minutes.