General Dentistry in Edmond, OK

We know that your oral health is not only about looking your best. It’s about maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Did you know that the cause of most tooth loss is not decay? It’s gum disease. And recent studies have established a link between gum disease and your overall health. The good news is that gum disease can be treated successfully, often without surgery. We want all of our patients to have outstanding oral health. Our commitment to you includes paying meticulous attention to all of your needs so you look your best and have optimum health.

One of the most important reasons to visit the dentist is to have your teeth cleaned by a professional hygienist. Plaque and tartar form on teeth over time. Plaque is soft and sticky, but regular brushing can usually remove most of it. But plaque hardens into tartar, which is beyond the scope of your typical toothbrush and floss. Tartar accumulates below the gumline as well as on the surface of the teeth. If you don’t remove plaque, you risk more serious problems with your teeth and gums later on. Recent research shows a definite link between untreated gum disease and other serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Having your teeth cleaned regularly is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy!

For years, the silver-mercury amalgam has been the standard filling material used in dental practices, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have certain shortcomings. Metal does not bond well to teeth, so decay can and does eventually leak into the tooth. But the biggest reason many of our patients are choosing the white bonded fillings has to do with the way they look. Many people just don’t want an ugly black plug in their teeth. We offer modern restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and can actually strengthen your teeth. They also bond very tightly with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much less chance of decay in the future.

Minimize Your Risk

It’s an often unknown statistic that oral cancer causes one American death every hour. For 40 years, this mortality rate hasn’t changed. But it’s not all bad news. Early detection means a 90% cure rate for oral cancer. That’s why we conduct a visual screening for oral cancer at every six-month checkup and cleaning. If the hygienist or doctor sees anything that gives them cause for concern, the first step will be to do a brush biopsy. This screening tool is done in-office. If the screening results are positive you will be referred to an oral surgeon. This screening could literally save your life!

Teeth with roots that have been damaged or infected used to require extraction, which can cause a lot of problems and should be avoided whenever possible. The good news is that we are well experienced in advanced root canal therapy.

A root canal is a procedure to fix a tooth by removing the pulp chamber of a tooth and filling it with a filling material. This is often necessary when dental decay reaches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has become infected), and a simple filling will not be suitable. In the not-too-distant past, the situation mentioned above would have required the tooth to be extracted. When dentists started performing root canals, they were quite dreaded, and the root canal has received a reputation as something to be avoided. However, with modern anesthetics and technology, root canals are often manageable.

Proper Bite Alignment Treatment Helps You Say ‘Goodbye’ to Headaches and Jaw Pains!

Did you know that dental occlusion (i.e. your bite) is sometimes the cause of frequent headaches, aching or popping jaws, shoulder pain, and neck pain? If your teeth have been ground down over the years or lost due to accident or dental disease, your jaw is not able to settle into a naturally relaxed position. This causes tension in the muscles in the jaw, and can lead to a variety of pain that you may have already grown accustomed to living with. By restoring your dental occlusion, the jaw can be returned to the position that nature intended. This highly technical procedure, known as a full mouth rehabilitation, is available in our office. If you have been living with the pain and discomfort described above, we invite you to discover the benefits that this procedure may bring to your quality of life.

Xylitol is a natural substance found in fruits, berries, mushrooms and other vegetables. Our own bodies produce from 5 to 10 grams every day. It is particularly effective in combating tooth decay caused by eating foods high in sugars and starches. Over 25 years of clinical testing confirms that xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth. It has been endorsed by dental associations in Finland, Norway, Sweden, England, Ireland, Estonia and the Netherlands.

Xylitol can be taken in the form of chewing gum, tablets, toothpaste, mouthwash, or even candy. It’s also very helpful for those suffering allergies and also comes in a nasal spray. In our practice we offer and encourage our patients to use xylitol products. The results have been amazing. If you want fewer cavities and better upper respiratory health, ask us about xylitol!

Did you know that 5 million teeth are knocked out each year in the United States alone? Many sports can be dangerous without the proper protection. The one-size-fits-all mouthguards found in stores just don’t fit very well. Wearing these, proper breathing can be difficult while running during sports. On the other hand, custom-made sports mouthguards fit well, protect well, and can be worn for any sport. The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouthguards for the following sports: Acrobatics, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shotputting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting, wrestling.

Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, develop later than other adult teeth, usually between 17 and 25. These teeth are located at the very back of the mouth, often causing impaction if they don’t fit in the arch of the upper or lower jaw. Impaction does not allow the tooth to grow straight up; instead, it becomes enclosed in the jaw bone. This can create a range of problems, as they push and crowd other teeth, making them grow in improperly. Cavities easily develop as they are difficult to keep clean. Infection can even occur in the jaw bone.

The best solution is to have them removed as soon as they develop, before these problems and the density of the jaw bone increases, making it more difficult to extract them. We do most wisdom teeth removal in our office, so you will not be inconvenienced with a referral to another office. Our compassionate manner will make you feel comfortable in our care for this treatment.