Services
serv·ice
/ˈsərvəs/
noun
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the action of helping or doing work for someone.
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an act of assistance.
Service is the heart and soul of everything we do at Smiles on Main. Our compassionate, highly-skilled team will provide you with comprehensive dental care to enhance your life and smile. It is our goal to ensure your optimal oral health. While the dental services we can provide are too numerous to list, below are a few of the more common services we provide for our patients. If you are interested in something that is not listed below, give us a call and one of our amazing dental women will be happy to answer any question you may have.
Routine Exams
A dental examination is a comprehensive assessment of a person's oral health. It typically involves a thorough inspection of the mouth, teeth, and gums to identify any potential issues or areas of concern. During the examination, Dr. Whittaker will check for signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. X-rays may be taken to get a more detailed view of the teeth and underlying structures. Dental examinations are an essential part of preventive dental care, allowing for early detection and treatment of dental issues, ultimately promoting overall oral health and well-being. Regular dental check-ups are a must to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent more significant problems in the future.
Dental Hygiene
A dental hygiene appointment, often referred to as a dental cleaning or dental check-up, is a routine visit to a dental hygienist to maintain and promote good oral health. During this appointment, your dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, removing plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to cavities and gum disease. They will also assess your overall oral health, checking for any issues like gum inflammation, cavities, or oral hygiene habits. Dental hygiene appointments are crucial for preventing dental problems, improving the aesthetics of your smile, and ensuring your teeth and gums remain healthy. They are typically recommended every six months, but the frequency may vary depending on an individual's specific oral health needs.
Vaneers
Dr. Whittaker has used veneers to enhance many patients smiles. The transformation can be truly life changing. Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells typically crafted from porcelain or composite resin, designed to enhance the appearance of a person's teeth. These shells are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth, effectively covering imperfections such as stains, chips, gaps, or misalignment. Dental veneers can provide a natural and aesthetically pleasing solution to achieve a more attractive and symmetrical smile. They are a popular cosmetic dentistry option due to their ability to create a dramatic transformation with minimal tooth reduction and are often used by individuals seeking a long-lasting and durable solution for improving the look of their smile.
Fluoride Treatment
A fluoride treatment is a dental procedure in which a concentrated fluoride solution is applied to the teeth to strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent tooth decay. It can be performed during a routine dental check-up or as a specific treatment. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can remineralize and repair the outer layer of the teeth, making them more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugary foods. The treatment is particularly beneficial for children, as it helps protect their developing teeth, but it can also be beneficial for adults to maintain good oral health. Fluoride treatments are available in various forms, such as gels, foams, or varnishes, and they are a valuable component of preventive dental care in promoting strong and healthy teeth.
Implants
Dr. Whittaker has spent hundreds of hours learning and practicing the most up-to-date dental implant techniques. She is a Misch-Resnick Institute graduate as well as having taken courses from the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota. Dental implants are a cutting-edge and highly effective solution for replacing missing teeth. They consist of small, titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots. Once the implant has integrated with the bone through a process called osseointegration, a custom-made crown is attached to the top of the implant, effectively replacing the missing tooth. Dental implants are known for their natural look, feel, and functionality, allowing individuals to regain a complete and functional smile. They are a long-lasting and durable option for tooth replacement and can significantly enhance oral health and quality of life by preventing issues associated with missing teeth, such as bone loss and dental shifting. Dental implants have become a popular choice in modern dentistry for their ability to provide a permanent and aesthetically pleasing solution for individuals with missing teeth.
Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening, also known as professional teeth whitening, is a dental procedure performed by a licensed dentist or dental professional to dramatically whiten and brighten a person's teeth. Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, in-office treatments are highly concentrated and utilize advanced techniques to deliver quick and noticeable results. The procedure typically involves the application of a powerful whitening agent to the teeth, often activated by a special light or laser. It can effectively remove deep-seated stains and discolorations caused by factors like aging, smoking, coffee, or red wine consumption. In-office teeth whitening is a safe and efficient way to achieve a noticeably whiter smile in a single visit to the dental office, making it a popular choice for individuals seeking rapid and professionally supervised teeth whitening results. At Smiles on Main we offer several great options to give you the brilliant white smile you have always wanted.
Crowns
A dental crown, sometimes referred to as a dental cap, is a custom-made prosthetic covering that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth. It is designed to restore the tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance while protecting it from further damage or decay. Dental crowns are typically made from materials like porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, depending on the patient's needs and preferences. The process involves removing any decay or damage from the tooth, shaping it to accommodate the crown, and then cementing the crown securely in place. Crowns are commonly used to repair severely decayed or fractured teeth, cover dental implants, support dental bridges, and improve the appearance of discolored or misshapen teeth. They play a crucial role in restorative dentistry, helping to preserve the functionality and aesthetics of damaged teeth.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, often referred to as a deep cleaning, is a non-surgical dental procedure aimed at treating gum disease, specifically gingivitis and periodontitis. This comprehensive cleaning involves two main steps. First, scaling involves the removal of plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the tooth surfaces, particularly along and below the gumline. This process helps eliminate bacteria and irritants causing gum inflammation. The second step, root planing, entails smoothing the tooth's root surfaces to prevent bacteria from adhering and to facilitate the gum tissue's reattachment to the teeth. Scaling and root planing is a crucial treatment to halt the progression of gum disease and prevent tooth and bone loss. It is often performed by a dental hygienist and may require multiple appointments for more advanced cases of gum disease.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are restorative materials used to repair and replace areas of a tooth that have been damaged by decay or cavities. When a dentist identifies a cavity, they will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then fill the resulting empty space with a dental filling material. The materials we use at Smiles on Main are tooth-colored materials like composite resin. The filling not only restores the tooth's shape and function but also prevents further decay by sealing off the affected area. Dental fillings are a common and effective solution for treating cavities and maintaining the structural integrity of the tooth, helping individuals maintain their oral health and smile.
Smile Makeovers
This is what Smiles on Main does best. "Smiles" is in our name for a reason. The whole team loves to see a patient truly transformed by a smile makeover. A smile makeover is a comprehensive and personalized cosmetic dentistry procedure designed to enhance the overall appearance of a person's smile. This transformative process involves a combination of various dental treatments and procedures tailored to address specific aesthetic concerns, such as stained, misaligned, or chipped teeth. A smile makeover may include treatments like teeth whitening, dental veneers, crowns, orthodontics, and gum contouring, among others, depending on the individual's unique needs and goals. The goal of a dental smile makeover is to create a harmonious, natural-looking, and aesthetically pleasing smile while also addressing functional issues. By combining artistry and advanced dental techniques, a smile makeover can boost confidence, improve self-esteem, and provide individuals with a radiant and rejuvenated smile.
Dental TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) and TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) pertain to conditions affecting the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull, facilitating essential actions like chewing and speaking. TMJ disorders encompass a range of issues causing pain, discomfort, or dysfunction in this joint and the surrounding muscles. TMD can result from various factors, including jaw misalignment, teeth grinding, arthritis, or stress. Symptoms may include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, and headaches. Dental professionals often diagnose and treat TMJ/TMD, employing approaches like lifestyle changes, bite guards, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgical interventions. Customized treatment plans aim to alleviate symptoms and enhance the overall functionality of the jaw joint, promoting improved oral health and well-being.
Periodontal maintenance is a crucial aspect of ongoing dental care, particularly for individuals with a history of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This specialized maintenance program involves regular dental visits, typically every three to four months, to monitor and manage the condition of the gums and teeth. During these appointments, a dental hygienist or dentist performs a thorough cleaning, scaling, and root planing as needed to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from above and below the gumline. They also assess the overall health of the gums, check for any signs of inflammation or infection, and provide personalized oral hygiene instructions. Periodontal maintenance is essential in preventing the recurrence or progression of gum disease and ensuring the long-term health and stability of a patient's teeth and supporting structures. It plays a vital role in preserving oral health for those with a history of periodontal issues by actively addressing and managing the underlying causes of gum disease.
and so many more...
There is so much we can do for you, your smile, and your oral well being. Give us a call, or stop by and let us know how we can help you.
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh