At SmiliesOnFamilyDental our goal is to minimize the out of pocket expense of our patients. We are participating dentists in major dental insurance plans and accept many more. We are also great about working with flexible spending accounts, and obtaining financing for our patients. Please call our office or e-mail us with any detailed questions. We also offer a great alternative for patients who do not have dental insurance.
For patients who would like to finance their treatment, we accept CareCredit as an option.
Please see www.carecredit.com for details
Prevention is the key to a healthy and beautiful smile. We believe in having routine exams and x-rays to prevent minor existing conditions from becoming serious problems.
Professional cleanings are needed every 3, 4 or 6 months depending on each individual's dental needs. We will make that assessment during the exam and provide our patients with the best schedule for their cleanings. Our office provides ultrasonic and manual cleanings as well as scaling and root planning procedures.
Throughout all the stresses that we put our joints through, patients may not realize that the soreness or pain they are experiencing in their jaw or ears may be due to stresses on their Temporal Mandibular Joint. We custom fabricate appliances to help alleviate those stresses and prevent further damage and pain.
These are tooth colored fillings that are custom chosen to match and blend into your teeth so they are inconspicuous, unlike older amalgam (silver) fillings. Amalgam restorations containing mercury also break down over time leading to leakage of bacteria and decay under the restoration. With composite restorations, they are bonded to the tooth structure which lessens the chance for leakage.
There are a multitude of options for crowns available for our patients depending on the dental situation and/or need. All crowns are full coverage restorations that help to restore broken down teeth to their original shape, form and function. Non-metal crowns are aesthetically pleasing while still having the strength of traditional porcelain-metal crowns. The shade is custom chosen to blend with your teeth and with no metal they do not cast the dark black edges that some porcelain-metal crowns do.
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap -- these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth -- and a false tooth/teeth in
between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported
by natural teeth or implants.
Denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available -- complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
Root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form. This is a great alternative considering the only other option would be to have the tooth removed. It is recommended to place a crown after root canal therapy to protect it.
Zoom is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. Tooth discoloration may result from drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine; or from smoking. The aging process also can stain and darken your teeth. The Zoom in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged.
Veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover
the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the
light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. You will need to discuss
the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.
A common cause of malocclusion is teeth that have too much or too little room in the jaw. If children have a small jaw, their teeth may grow into a space that is
too small. As a result, teeth may grow or drift out of place. Other causes of crooked teeth include thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and tooth loss. Braces treatment
can correct the way teeth and jaws line up.
Braces are sets of wires and brackets cemented to the teeth. Over a period of about 9 to 24 months, the wires are tightened and adjusted, gradually applying
enough force to move the teeth into alignment.
Invisalign is a clear and virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth. Invisalign provides exceptional results for spacing, crowded or crooked teeth. If you are someone that has always wanted a more even smile but have been deterred by the look of traditional braces, this may be the way to perfect your smile. Come in for a consultation by our invisalign certified doctors to see what the best solution for you may be.
Sometimes despite out efforts to save out teeth, they are lost due to trauma or disease. When this happens, dental implants are the current standard of care and an excellent choice to restore a single tooth or multiple teeth. Our specialists are highly qualified to place dental implants which will replicate the natural function and appearance of your teeth.
With an in house periodontist as part of our team, we are ready to take care of all your needs when it comes to your periodontal health. Whether it be gum grafting (for areas of recession), cosmetic gum lifts (to improve gummy smiles) or treatments to improve your periodontal health, you can be assured that you will receive the proper attention you need. Schedule a consultation for more information.
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. Nitrous oxide, sometimes called "laughing gas," is one option your dentist may offer to help make you more comfortable during certain procedures. It is not intended to put you to sleep. You will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions the dentist may have. Your dentist will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes you should start to feel the effects of the nitrous oxide. You may feel light-headed or a tingling in your arms and legs. Some people say their arms and legs feel heavy. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off soon after the mask is removed.