We want to help you and every member of your family enjoy good oral health, so you can avoid issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Which is why we offer family dentistry! In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist looks at the various treatments we offer to help protect your smile from major oral health issues!
Checkups and Cleanings
A major part of family dentistry is the checkup and cleaning. You should have one about once every six months, and this includes kids over the age of two! During the checkup portion of the smile, we will carefully look at the smile with digital x-rays and intraoral camera images, so we can make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. We then create a personalized treatment plan to correct these issues and help you enjoy optimal oral health and an attractive smile. In the same visit, we will also conduct a cleaning for your family, in which we remove all plaque and tartar buildup with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. This helps brighten the teeth, fight bad breath, and lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Deep Cleanings
Family dentistry also involves fighting issues like gingivitis and gum disease, which is why we offer a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing. The procedure involves our team gently and thoroughly removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth as well as the roots and from beneath the gum line. Since this is more involved, our team will numb the smile and this could take one visit or more, depending on the severity of your buildup. We then polish the smile and may recommend a traditional cleaning every three to four months to help protect your smile.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Family dentistry also includes screening for oral cancer! Our team will use advanced imaging systems to take a close look at your gums and soft tissues for signs of cancerous and precancerous tissues. We can then order a biopsy and refer you for treatment.
Treating TMD and Bruxism
When your jaw joints undergo excessive strain, this could cause a painful disorder known as TMD or TMJ disorder. You could also develop an issue known as bruxism, in which we grind and clench our teeth on a nightly basis. While different, these are often related, as one could lead to the other. For both, we could offer relief with an oral appliance. The device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn while you sleep. This helps reposition the jaw to ease stress and strain, and is easy to use and clean!
Care for Children’s Smiles
Part of our approach to family dentistry involves our team offering care for kids. In addition to a checkup and cleaning, we also offer preventive treatments to help lower the risk of tooth decay. For example, our team can use fluoride treatments to strengthen the outer enamel and lower the risk of cavities. We also have dental sealants, which are a special acrylic coating we add to the rear teeth, which are often hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss. The sealants take seconds to apply and can stay in place for up to ten years, protecting smiles from cavities!
Root Canal Therapy
If you have an infected tooth, we can help with family dentistry! An endodontic procedure known as a root canal treatment can be used to take on infection and prevent the loss of your tooth. The root canal procedure involves our team gently removing the infected tissues from within the tooth. We then clean the interior and add a special restorative material. Finally, we cap the tooth with a dental crown. The procedure helps keep your smile intact and stops discomfort.
Tooth Extraction
What if a tooth is too damaged or decayed/infected to be treated with a crown, or what if you have wisdom teeth soon-to-erupt? We could help protect your smile with a tooth extraction, so we can keep your smile intact.
Fillings
When you have a cavity, then we could help with a dental filling. This is a lifelike and durable material that can be used to treat the tooth and prevent infection. Placement only takes one visit!
If you have any questions about family dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Any Questions About Family Dentistry?
We want to help you and your entire family maintain strong and healthy smiles. Call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling (913)681-5500 to learn more.
