Our team believes in family dentistry, providing care for the entire family with a preventive approach to help improve overall oral health and keep issues like cavities and gum disease at bay. We have an array of treatment options to help boost both gum and tooth health. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about our approach to family dentistry.
Checkups and Cleanings
We want to help you and your entire family, from your youngest member to the oldest, enjoy good oral health. With a checkup every few months, we can monitor the smile and identify possible risks in the earliest stages, addressing them before discomfort occurs in some cases. To make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, we will employ digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, which provide detailed images chairside quickly and comfortably, and provide a more detailed examination than a simple visual exam. In the same visit, we will also clean the teeth to remove all plaque and tartar, which lowers the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, tooth decay, and even gingivitis and gum disease.
Treatment for Kids
Our team can offer checkups and cleanings for kids of all ages too. Thes visits help us instill good oral health habits and also limits the risk of dental anxiety, as kids become accustomed to seeing the dentist. They may be more likely to continue seeing the dentist into adulthood too. Along with our checkups and cleanings, our approach to family dentistry includes preventive care for kids to lower the risk of cavities. For example, with fluoride we can apply a special varnish during each checkup that strengthens the outer enamel to keep cavities less likely. We can also apply dental sealants to the rear molars, which are hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss. These stay in place for years to help safeguard little smiles against cavities.
TMJ Disorder and Bruxism
Family dentistry also involves treating common disorders like TMD, also known as TMJ disorder, and bruxism (teeth grinding). These are two different oral health issues that are often related, as one can lead to the other. With TMJ disorder, pressure on the jaw from issues like tooth loss, misalignment, injury, or issues with the growth of the jaw or eruption of the teeth, leads to strain on the jaw joints. This causes painful symptoms. Bruxism means you grind and clench your teeth regularly, which can happen due to stress and the same underlying factors as TMD. Both lead to pain in the teeth, jaw, face, and neck and shoulders. But we can offer relief with an oral appliance, one custom-made for your smile!
Deep Cleanings
If you have warning signs of issues like gingivitis and gum disease, then you may need a deep cleaning. The procedure is more involved than a traditional cleaning, removing buildup from the teeth and the roots, and from beneath the gums too. This can take one visit or multiple ones, depending on the severity of your buildup. We will numb the smile to keep you comfortable, and may recommend traditional cleanings every three to four months afterwards.
Root Canal Therapy
When you have an infected tooth, we could offer a root canal to remove the infected tissues entirely, and we then cap the tooth with a custom and lifelike crown. The procedure prevents tooth loss and the spread of infection, preserving the health and stability of your smile for years to come.
Dental Filling
Family dentistry involves diagnosing and treating cavities. With a filling, we can offer a lifelike treatment that takes one visit to complete, so you can smile with confidence. The composite resin we use is lifelike in appearance and can be shaded to blend with your smile. In a dental bonding procedure, we can use the same material to address injuries or common cosmetic concerns.
Tooth Extraction
Sometimes, a dental restoration or root canal isn’t enough to save a tooth and prevent the spread of issues like infection. Instead, we need to remove the tooth entirely. This could be necessary for wisdom teeth, damage death, or a case of severe tooth decay or infection. We take steps to ensure the procedure is a comfortable one, and we can gently remove the tooth in as little as 30 minutes.
If you have any questions about family dentistry, then reach out to our team today to learn more!
Ready for Family Dentistry?
We can offer care to help you and your loved ones maintain good oral health and brighter smiles. Call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling (913)681-5500 to learn more about our treatments for kids and adults alike!
