Getting your teeth cleaned is an easy, yet very important part of keeping a healthy smile. Over time acids which form during the digestion process in our mouth can begin to harm the enamel in our teeth. They can also lead to that hard, yellowish substance called plaque. If left untreated you may develop tooth decay or even gum disease.

Teeth cleanings should take place once every 6 months to insure that your teeth and gums remain healthy as you age. This simple measure can insure that you retain a healthy smile for years and will help you to avoid more expensive procedures later in life.

Once you have started the habit of regular check-ups and cleanings, be sure to brush and floss your teeth daily. Eating foods like apples can also assist in keeping your teeth clean. Using certain mouthwash solutions regularly can help eliminate plaque  from forming as well.

Be sure to ask Dr. Barber about developing and maintaining healthy oral hygiene during your dental visit.

Caps & Crowns are sometimes necessary to help protect the structure of a tooth. they can also be used to help enhance the quality of your smile. Crowns have many uses, but are especially useful in the following situations:

1. To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
2. To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
3. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
4. To hold a dental bridge in place
5. To cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth
6. To cover a dental implant

Often metals like a gold alloy (or other materials) are used to create the crown. The crown is placed over the tooth to protect the portion of the tooth that is missing or has been removed during preparation of the tooth.

Drill Free dentistry is a great way to do cosmetic touch-ups without having to numb the teeth. Utilizing air-abrasion technology, drill-free dentistry allow us to work on the enamel of the tooth (or teeth) with little to no discomfort at all.

During the air abrasion, process an instrument works like a mini sandblaster and is used to spray away decay. During air abrasion, a fine stream of particles is aimed at the decayed portion of the tooth. These particles are made of silica, aluminum oxide, or a baking soda mixture and are propelled toward the tooth surface by compressed air or a gas that runs through the dental hand piece. Small particles of decay on the tooth surface are removed as the stream of particles strikes them. The particles of decay are then “suctioned” away.

Once the abrasion is complete, we can replace the material with either tooth-colored or traditional fillings to restore your smile to what it was intended to be. No Pain or Discomfort and the results are amazing!

There are numerous reasons why you may need an extraction. The main reason is because the tooth cannot be repaired or it is not practical to repair the tooth. The following list offers a majority of the reasons why you may need to have a tooth pulled.

1. The tooth is broken or severely cracked
2. The tooth is too damaged to be repaired
3. Periodontal disease
4. teeth may be mal-positioned
5. Preparation for Orthodontic Treatment

Regardless of which category you may fall into, our clinic offers a variety of methods to decrease the discomfort associated with the procedure. Be sure to discuss these options with Dr. Barber to decide on the method which is right for you.