In the past, braces were the only way to straighten teeth affected by malocclusion (a bad bite). But now there is a new system called Invisalign® which allows us to straighten your teeth without using the brackets and wires of traditional braces.

The patented Invisalign® system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually reposition teeth. Our practice has chosen to offer the Invisalign® system because the aligners are more visually appealing than braces. They are also removable, which makes it easier to clean your teeth after eating. The clear aligners are comfortable to wear and they don’t irritate your gums, cheek, or tongue.

During Invisalign® treatment we will first take impressions of your teeth, photographs, and x-rays. We will then send these materials to the Invisalign® laboratory where they will create your aligners. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and you will remove them only to eat, drink, brush and floss. About every two weeks you will come into our office to replace the aligner with the next one in the series. Your teeth will move a little between each visit until they are straightened to the desired position.

Invisalign® treatment typically takes nine to fifteen months to complete. The time it takes to complete treatment will vary according to your specific circumstances.

After a thorough exam by one of our doctors and review of your health history and lifestyle, we will be able to determine if Invisalign® is right for you.

With dental implants, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural.

These implants are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure and prevent the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

If you, like many others, feel implants are the clear choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed. Your questions and concerns are important to us, and we will closely work with you to help make your procedure a success

Tooth colored (composite) fillings are used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, or fractures. The damaged portion of the tooth is removed and restored with the filling material which actually bonds to the tooth. Because the material bonds to teeth, they provide the added strength that damaged teeth need to withstand frequent biting pressure. Also, we can match the color of the filling material to your teeth to preserve your beautiful, natural-looking smile.

When a tooth is missing, a three-unit bridge can be a good choice for replacing it. In a three-unit bridge, an artificial tooth is connected on each end to crowns. The crowns are placed over the neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place.

A bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused-to-metal.

Benefits of a bridge include:
-replace missing teeth for biting and chewing
-assist in clear speech
-help prevent teeth from shifting which can cause periodontal and biting problems
-are supported by crowns that can serve as restorations for neighboring teeth that have damage or decay

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In-office whitening makes it possible to achieve a whiter, brighter smile—right here in our office. Since every case is different, we carefully evaluate your individual results. Your new smile will lighten, on average, about 4 to 8 shades. We may sometimes recommend a fluoride treatment, or additional bleaching at home. We’ll also give you instructions for taking care of your new smile and for handling any post-whitening sensitivity. In-office whitening is a safe and effective technology that can help give you a beautiful new smile, all in one appointment.

We love kids! SFD recommends bringing your child in for their first appointment around there first birthday so we can check the teeth for any problems. The first visits are fun and easy so the child gets off to a positive start taking care of there teeth.

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. A veneer generally covers only the front and top of a tooth. Veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained or dark teeth. When teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original appearance.

When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or dies, root canal therapy is necessary to save the tooth. It is generally comfortable treatment that can save your tooth and keep your mouth and body healthy. Root canal therapy consists of removing the infected tissue and disinfecting the canal space. The canal space is than filled and sealed with a crown restoration.

When a tooth is missing, a dental implant can be a great choice for replacing it. An implant is a small titanium post that replaces the roots of a missing tooth and supports a custom-made crown. When the teeth adjacent to the missing space how no restorations, an implant is a better option than a 3-unit bridge.

When a tooth is severely decayed or fractured beyond repair, an extraction is sometimes necessary to relieve pain and prevent infection.

When many teeth in your upper or lower arch are missing, a partial denture is a good treatment for replacing them. We provide 2 types of partial dentures. Conventional partials are held into place by metal clasps that fit around some of the remaining teeth. We also offer a metal-free flexible partial denture.

When all your upper of lower teeth are missing, a full denture is a good treatment for replacing them. With proper home care and regular adjustments and relines, your denture can provide a functional bite and a natural-looking smile. For full function, ask us about implant supported dentures.

Content coming soon.

Digital radiography has many advantages over traditional xrays:
-It’s faster
-It’s safer, with no chemical development and up to 80% less radiation
-we can view images instantly
-we can enhance images to improve viewing

Digital x-ray technology enables more efficient diagnosis and treatment because it provides a large, easy-to-see image, and it allows us to make adjustments and see details in the x-ray images. The digital x-rays can then become part of your dental record and be easily e-mailed to specialists and insurance companies.

While x-rays provide valuable information that we can’t get from any other source, they can’t show you everything that’s going on in your mouth. That’s why we have invested in an intraoral camera—a highly advanced piece of diagnostic equipment that allows you to see what we see inside your mouth.

The intraoral camera handpiece is approximately the size and shape of a dental mirror. It has a built-in light source, and serves as a tiny video camera that allows us to zoom in on one tooth, or give you a video tour of your entire mouth. The images are displayed on a computer monitor, so you’ll be able to see problems such as worn or broken fillings, cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings, and excessive wear.

The intraoral camera allows you to be an active partner in your dental treatment by enabling you to see what we see inside your mouth. With a clear understanding of you dental conditions, you’ll be able to make treatment decisions with confidence.

Air abrasion is a process in which a special handpiece removes decay by propelling a stream of clean dry air mixed with tiny abrasive particles onto the surface of the tooth. It is most effectively used for removal of small discolorations and stains, and repair or replacement of small fillings. It can be used to expose hidden cavities, which we can then remove and restore with a filling material.

Advantages include:
-there is no vibration
-there is usually no need for anesthetic, so less discomfort and time for the patient
-we can precisely remove a minimal amount of tooth structure, preserving more of your natural tooth