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Dental Health

FILLINGS

Fillings are done to remove decay, and replace the affected tooth structure. It is called a filling because new material fills the hole that decay left. Most teeth are treated with bonded, tooth colored composite resin fillings.
Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, which could result in the need for root canal treatment or extraction.

IMPLANTS
Implants are a great alternative to removable partials and dentures, along with replacing single teeth.  Our office places and restores implants.  Dr. Boyd also performs the surgery and placement of hybrid prostheses which replace removable prostheses that can many patients can not tolerate.

​SEALANTS

Sealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn't brush, but because they're too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will develop cavities over time. 

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PERIODONTAL 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 and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and 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 them to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in.  The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing 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. 

X-RAYS AND 3D IMAGING
X-rays or radiographs are a necessary part of the diagnostic process and not using 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. Dr. Boyd also uses 3D Imaging or Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) to better diagnose in certain situations. 

COSMETIC DENTISTRY 
This can be anything done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can have it fixed. The color, alignment, spacing as well as regularity of the teeth are the characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth. We offer a wide variety of cosmetic options. Some of these options are whitening, smile design, recontouring of the shape of the teeth, bonding, and all ceramic/porcelain crowns. 

WHITENING 
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses two methods: Zoom! and Glo.  Zoom! is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast, very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. The convenience of Zoom! in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.  In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure. Trays with gel are recommended afterward for maximum whitening and maintenance. The tray method involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. For maintenance of whitened teeth the trays should be used every several months.  Glo is used for patients with severe sensitivity who want to whiten their teeth.  Either method requires using a high fluoridated toothpaste prior to treatment.

Invisalign and Clear Correct
Clear Braces straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step
by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. And unlike braces, these clear aligners can be removed while you eat and brush your teeth as usual.