Services

At The Smile Place, we offer a relaxing atmosphere to care for all your dental needs. Our team of doctors provides a wide range of services, including cosmetic dentistry, to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Whether you need a simple cleaning or a crown fitting, we’re here to assist you. We have two convenient locations and can help brighten your smile with whitening. So, visit us and let us take care of your dental health in a comfortable setting.

Comprehensive Evaluation / Oral Evaluation

An oral examination involves a thorough visual inspection of the mouth, head, and neck to identify any normal or abnormal structures. We use X-rays to help detect cavities, irregularities in existing dental restorations, gum, bone recession, and any other unusual findings within the mouth, head, and neck.

Cleaning (Prophy)

A dental cleaning, also called oral prophylaxis, involves removing dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth using specialized instruments. The process is gentle and does not cause harm to the teeth. Initially, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations is cooled by water and is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, smaller deposits are manually removed with hand tools, and the tooth surfaces are smoothed. After removing all tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces, the teeth are polished to complete the cleaning process.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planning is a non-surgical treatment for gum disease. It involves removing plaque and calculus from below the gum line using specialized dental instruments in a process called scaling. Afterward, the tooth’s roots are smoothed through planning to support gum healing and attachment to a clean surface.

Whitening

Whitening is the process of making your teeth brighter. The two different ways to make your teeth wider are In-Office Bleaching and At-Home Bleaching.

In-Office Bleaching: This procedure involves a one time office visit. A protective gel or a rubber shield is placed over the gums to protect the soft tissue. A bleaching agent containing carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth, and a laser light is then used to enhance the action of the whitening agent.

For At-Home Bleaching: Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to create a customized mouthguard with a whitening gel containing carbamide peroxide against your teeth. Then, you’ll wear the mouthguard for a set period of time, typically a few hours a day or every night for up to four weeks or longer, depending on your preferences.

Crown

A dental crown is a procedure that involves completely covering a tooth that has experienced severe decay to restore its function and appearance. Typically, the process can be completed in two visits. On the first visit, the decayed tooth is prepared by shaving it down, and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is then placed while the permanent crown is created. The second visit involves fitting the permanent crown comfortably and cementing it into place for a permanent restoration.

Bridge

A bridge offers a solution for missing teeth that do not involve dentures or dental implants. Instead, a prosthetic tooth is secured in place by connecting it to adjacent teeth. Fabricating a dental bridge involves creating crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and positioning the false tooth in between as a means of support.

Veneers

Porcelain veneers are delicate porcelain shells utilized to replicate natural teeth appearance. Fitting a veneer involves removing a minuscule amount of the original tooth enamel, followed by placing an adhesive layer between the slightly altered tooth and the veneer. The veneer is subsequently solidified and reinforced by applying a curing light.

Dental Implants & Restorations

Dental implants replace tooth roots in the mouth and provide a sturdy base for fixed or removable replacement teeth. These implants are small metal anchors made of biocompatible titanium, which are placed into the jawbone. Over several months, the anchors begin to fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Once the fusing process is complete, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of replacement teeth. Creating the replacement teeth involves taking an impression and making a model of the bite, which is used to fabricate the replacement teeth. These replacement teeth can take the form of either crowns or dentures.

Wisdom Teeth Removal (3rd Molars)

When a wisdom tooth is considered problematic, it is usually removed to prevent any oral issues. This procedure involves creating a small incision to expose the gum tissue covering the tooth and removing any bone that may be obstructing it. The tooth is then carefully grasped with dental forceps and gently rocked back and forth to release it from the jaw bone and surrounding ligaments. In some instances, the tooth may need to be fragmented into smaller pieces to facilitate its extraction. Following the removal of a wisdom tooth, sutures may be required.

Extractions

If a tooth is beyond repair with restorative materials, it may require extraction. Before the procedure, the area will be numbed with anesthesia to minimize discomfort. Using a dental elevator, the tooth is loosened from the socket and then delicately extracted using a forcep – a dental tool frequently employed during dental extractions. Following the removal of the tooth, stitches may be necessary.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a dental procedure that involves adding or improving bone tissue around teeth. Tooth loss can result in the deterioration of the surrounding bone, and bone grafting is utilized to counteract bone loss or to increase bone mass. The bone material used for the grafting may be sourced from various body parts or synthetic. Bone grafting aims to ensure that dental implants or prostheses are adequately supported.

Sleep Disorders

Sleep apnea is a condition where an individual experiences one or more interruptions in breathing or shallow breaths while asleep. It is a chronic disorder that interferes with the quality of sleep. When breathing is interrupted or shallow, one may shift from deep to light sleep, leading to poor sleep quality. Treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, breathing devices, or surgery. Custom-fitted mouthpieces or lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, or clearing nasal passages may benefit mild sleep apnea. However, moderate to severe sleep apnea may require using a breathing device called CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or surgery to widen breathing passages by shrinking, stiffening, or removing excess tissue in the mouth and throat or resetting the lower jaw. CPAP machines utilize a mask that fits over the mouth or nose and delivers a gentle stream of air to keep the airway open while sleeping. Shrinking tissue via surgery involves administering a small injection into the breathing passages, while stiffening excess tissue requires a minor incision in the tissue and inserting a piece of rigid plastic.

Apicoectomy

Apicoectomy refers to a surgical procedure that involves removing the tip of a tooth’s root to prevent the spread of root infection. An apicoectomy involves a minor incision in the gum and bone covering the tooth’s root. Once the root tip is accessed, it is thoroughly cleaned and sealed with a small filling. The gum is then repositioned and secured using stitches.

Gum Reshaping

Gum reshaping, or gum contouring, is a dental procedure used to reshape the gum tissue when positioned too high or too low on the teeth. The process involves outlining the new gum line, administering anesthesia, and using a dental instrument, such as a scalpel or laser, to shape the gum tissue and eliminate any extra tissue extending over the tooth.

Dentures

A denture is a removable appliance used to replace missing teeth. Two types of dentures exist: complete (full) and partial dentures. 

Complete dentures are created after all teeth are removed, and the gum tissue has healed. The denture includes an acrylic base custom-made in a dental laboratory to resemble natural gums, positioned over the gums or anchored to dental implants. 

On the other hand, partial dentures are produced when only a few teeth need replacement. The partial denture is connected to crowns on either side of the denture or to a metal framework attached to teeth on both sides of the partial denture. Partial dentures can be removable or anchored in place by connecting them to dental implants.

Laser Dentistry

Dental lasers have revolutionized many dental procedures by offering a quiet, nearly painless, and efficient way to perform treatments. These lasers emit light energy and can act as a cutting tool or tissue vaporizer when used for dental or surgical procedures. For example, when used in filling treatments, the laser helps to strengthen the bond between the filling and the tooth. Similarly, the laser acts as a heat source in teeth-whitening procedures to enhance the effect of tooth-bleaching agents. Laser dentistry treatments are minimally invasive and offer several benefits over traditional surgery, such as reduced heat and vibration, faster treatment times, and little or no need for anesthetics. Furthermore, dental lasers are used to “cure” or harden fillings, reshape gum tissue, remove areas of tooth decay, eliminate infected gum tissue pockets, conduct root canal therapy, correct tongue-tied conditions, and perform oral surgeries and extractions.

Additional Services

We offer a variety of services that may not have been listed here. If you have any questions regarding our services, please do not hesitate to contact our office, as we would be pleased to assist you.