RESTORATIONS
Restorations are done to remove decay and replace the affected tooth structure. It is called a restoration because a new material fills the hole that the decay left. Maple Dental utilizes both tooth colored composite resin and amalgam restorations. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection along with a more complicated treatment plan.
NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red or bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the teeth, loose teeth, or changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return your gums to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of any issues right away. The treatment usually involves root planing and scaling done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe, it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get treatment at the first sign of a problem.
X-RAYS
This is a focused beam of x-ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film or ditigal imaging showing the structure through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease. Without an x-ray of the whole tooth and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.
In our office, we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using 50-70% less radiation versus conventional x-rays. Coupled with computer monitoring, digital x-ray technology allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.