Our services.
Fillings.
We offer both composite filings and traditional amalgam filings, whatever best fits your dental needs. A filling is a treatment for a cavity caused by tooth decay. Composite fillings use a composite resin material to restore your oral health. Composite resin is a material made up of a mixture of different substances, including fine glass and plastic, while Amalgam fillings are made of a mixture of metals.
Root Canals.
Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root, prevent reinfection, and save the natural tooth. When one undergoes a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the
inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
Root canals are needed for a cracked tooth from injury or genetics, a deep cavity, or issues from a previous filling. Patients generally need a root canal when they notice their teeth are sensitive, particularly to hot and cold sensations.
There are a few symptoms that mean you might need a root canal:
Severe pain while chewing or biting
Pimples on the gums
A chipped or cracked tooth
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed
Swollen or tender gums
Deep decay or darkening of the gums
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, give us a call to discuss treatment options with your dentist.
Dental Implants.
Dental implants are medical devices surgically implanted into the jaw to restore a person's ability to chew or their appearance. They provide support for artificial (fake) teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Implants are highly recommended by dentists because of their bone preserving properties. The implant transfers bite forces into your jaw, which stimulates the tissues. Implants are the only oral prosthetics used in dentistry that effectively address the bone tissue breakdown that occurs when a tooth falls out.
Dentures.
A denture is a removable dental device that replaces missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and can enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures.
COMPLETE DENTURES
Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing. A Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed to prevent patients from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.
PARTIAL DENTURES
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.
Dentures are very durable devices and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear and tear.
What does getting dentures involve?
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.
Expect to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty. However, this will subside as your muscles and tissues adjust to dentures.
You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new denture, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.
At Dry Creek Family dental, we plan to implement 3D print technology to aid in giving you a custom-made denture. This technology will allows us to create dentures that fit the mold of your mouth with exactness.
Schedule your appointment today to see if a denture is a good fit for you and your dental needs!
Dental Emergencies.
With any type of dental emergency, the longer you wait to see a dentist, the higher the risk of permanent damage or expensive treatments down the road. If you are experiencing any of the following concerns, our team is here to help!
Partially Broken or Chipped Teeth
Cracked Teeth
Loose Teeth Due to Trauma
Knocked Out Teeth Due to Trauma
Loose or Missing Dental Fillings
Broken or Detached Dental Crown
Our experienced dentist has the skill and knowledge to assess a dental emergency quickly and put a plan into action.
If you’re experiencing one of these dental emergencies, contact us immediately to receive care as soon as possible.
Crowns and Bridges.
Dental bridges and crowns are two different ways to restore damaged or compromised teeth.
Crowns are designed to fit over a damaged or compromised tooth. They protect the tooth from further damage and improve its size and shape. You can expect the restoration to last for many years before it will need to be replaced.
Why are Dental Crowns needed?
The most common reason is because a tooth has cracked, fractured or broken. You might need a crown if you've recently undergone a root canal, which can leave the tooth more prone to breaking. If a tooth has a large filling in it or a deep area of decay, we might recommend simply crowning it to protect and restore it.
Who is a candidate for Dental Crowns?
We will examine your teeth to determine if a crown is necessary. If you do need a crown, it is best to have the work done right away to prevent further damage to the tooth. If you have an older crown that needs to be replaced, we can do this easily in our office at your own convenience. Crowns can be placed over virtually any tooth in need of restoration.
Bridges take the place of missing teeth. A dental bridge can fill the gap with one or more artificial (false) teeth. A bridge is typically made of crowns on either side of the missing tooth or teeth supporting the pontic (false tooth) and is cemented in place.
Who needs a dental bridge?
Dental bridges can help if you have a missing tooth or teeth. The most common causes of missing teeth are tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. Or you may have been born with missing teeth due to a congenital condition. To get a dental bridge, you need healthy teeth on either side of the missing ones.
Why do I need a dental bridge?
Your teeth work together. If a tooth is missing, nearby teeth can move into the empty space. The teeth in your opposite jaw can also move up or down toward the space. This can cause:
Bite problems.
Chewing difficulties.
Pain from the extra stress on your teeth and jaw.
Self-consciousness about the way you look or your smile.
If you’re missing teeth or have a broken or damaged tooth, it is best to have it treated with a crown or bridge to improve your bite function.
Pediatric Dental Care.
“Family dental” means quality dental care for the whole family. Kids are welcome here at Dry Creek Family Dental! We want them to have a pleasant experience and feel comfortable about visiting the dentist. Our dentist is great with little kids and will help them learn how to properly care for their teeth. For this reason, it is important to bring children to the dentist as soon as you notice their first tooth erupt. Their visits will focus on prevention, as well as early detection and treatment of any dental disease.
If you haven’t already, set up an appointment with our patient and caring staff and set your child up for a lifetime of oral health!
Extractions.
When you are in intense dental pain or have suffered damage to a tooth, we can perform a tooth extraction, when necessary. Get the relief of having the pain and problem totally gone!
As soon as you suspect you have a major dental issue, give us a call. At your regular checkups, we’ll also monitor any at-risk teeth to prevent future problems.
Here are several problems that lead to tooth extractions:
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: You may need your wisdom teeth pulled if your growing wisdom teeth are running up against a bone, another tooth, or your gums. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause serious pain and damage. Wisdom teeth removal can relieve pain and promote dental health. At Dry Creek Family Dental, we can perform this procedure on any erupted wisdom teeth.
Crowded Teeth: Growing teeth can move other teeth out of their healthy positions—or even directly damage other teeth. The growing tooth is sometimes better off being extracted.
Infection: A bacterial infection can cause so much damage to a tooth that its structure is lost. It then has to come out in order to protect your health.
Accidental Damage: Sports injuries and other accidents can break a tooth so severely that we have to take it out quickly. We can get you through emergencies quickly.
If your teeth are causing you pain, come see us about a possible extraction.
Cleanings.
Regular cleanings help remove plaque and tartar. Plaque is a film that is always growing on your teeth. It’s colorless and sticky. It can accumulate on any tooth surface but is particularly prevalent around the gum line.
Since plaque is colorless, you probably won’t even notice that it’s there. It contains bacteria that can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and other dental conditions. You might notice the symptoms of tooth problems without realizing that you have plaque. During your cleaning the hygienist uses a scaler to remove the plaque from your teeth. Even if you are great at flossing, you might have trouble accessing hard-to-reach areas. The hygienist can get into tight spots and remove plaque that you might have missed.
Tartar develops when plaque does not get completely removed. When plaque remains on the teeth, it combines with your saliva to harden into tartar, or calculus. Tartar is much harder than plaque. It’s also yellow or brownish. Tartar can make you lose your teeth or develop a receding gum line. It also contributes to decay and gum disease. You can’t remove tartar at home. A professional cleaning is the only way to get rid of the unsightly tartar that can weaken your oral health.
After using the scaler, the hygienist or dentist will clean your teeth. This is usually done with a gritty toothpaste and a rotating polishing tool. The toothpaste is mildly abrasive and removes any plaque and tartar that the scaler may have left behind.
Although it’s safe to use a grainy product like this twice a year, you shouldn’t be this rough on your teeth at home. The dental team has experience with using products such as these and understands how to use them properly.
What Else Happens During a Cleaning?
When you go to your cleaning, you may be offered X-rays or fluoride treatments.
Topical fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay. People with frequent cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, crowns or bridges may benefit from fluoride treatments. Dentists don’t always recommend fluoride treatments for adults, but they may if you are prone to cavities or have other issues.
Depending on your dental history, we may recommend X-rays every six months, or less frequently if you are not prone to cavities.
A cleaning is also a great time to ask your dentist questions! If cavities pop up every time you visit the dentist, you may want to find out how you can better care for your teeth. Even though most adults think that they know how to brush their teeth, you could be missing spots without knowing it.
Some of the best questions to ask your dentist at a cleaning include:
• How do I brush my teeth to properly clean them?
• Can you demonstrate how to effectively floss?
• How can I brighten my teeth?
• Do I have gum disease?
• Is my oral health routine at home effective?
• Would I benefit from using mouthwash?
• Does it look like I am grinding my teeth?
You might also want to point out any sensitive spots on your teeth or in your mouth.
We recommend visiting with us every six months as an essential part of your health care routine.
Teeth Whitening.
Brighten your smile with professional whitening treatment for your next big event! Is your smile looking dull or stained? We can help with that by recommending proven whitening products or fitting you with professional whitening products and gels.
Call for an appointment today for a brighter smile tomorrow!
Implant Restoration.
After healing from implant placement, and once cleared by surgeon, we can finish your implant treatment with a customized abutment and crown. This abutment and crown will look like a natural tooth and will restore your tooth’s ability to chew and function again.