We provide dental care to children, teenagers, adults, and seniors.
General Dentistry
Hygiene Check-up: During your check up the hygienist will perform an exam, x-rays (if needed), and cleaning of your teeth. The x-rays and exam help the hygienist and doctor determine if a more thorough cleaning is needed. This thorough cleaning is know as scaling and root planning.
Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning is what one typically receives at a six month check up. It is appropriate for those who maintain excellent oral hygiene and have minimal gum pocket depths around their teeth.
Scaling and Root Planning: Scaling and Root Planning is usually recommended when one needs more than a typical cleaning. This may be due to lack of adequate home oral hygiene and deeper gum pocket depths around teeth. This procedure is usually divided into four office visits. Anesthesia is used since the cleaning will attempt to get to the depth of the deeper pockets in order to remove calculus (a.k.a. tartar) and bacteria. In some cases an antibiotic therapy may be used along with the scaling and root planning. The antibiotic therapy may enhance the treatment the patient received. The patient is then usually put on a three month recall regimen in order to maintain the bone and gums health.
We offer a wide range of dental services for adults and children.
Fillings
Silver Fillings: Dental Amalgam or Silver Fillings have been around for over 150 years. Amalgam is composed of silver, tin, copper, mercury, and zinc. Amalgam fillings are relatively inexpensive, durable and time-tested. The down fall of silver fillings is that they blacken over time and can give teeth a gray appearance, and they do not strengthen the tooth.
White Fillings: Composite, Resin or White fillings have been around for two decades. Composite fillings are composed of an organic polymer known as bisphenol-a-glcidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) and inorganic particles such as quartz, borosilicate glass, and lithium aluminum silicate. They have the advantage of requiring a more conservative tooth preparation, (less drilling required), can have a strengthening effect on the tooth and are very aesthetic. Composite fillings are used to restore front teeth. Some downfalls to composite fillings are increased sensitivity following treatment. They are highly susceptible to decay and usually cost more than amalgam fillings.
Extractions: Extractions are usually last resorts for people with a lot of dental problems. We do extractions on many people ranging from children with orthodontic cases to people needing dentures. If a tooth has a lot of decay, deep enough to reach the nerve or is easily broken, one option is an extraction. Some just find it more cost effective especially when no insurance is involved. Many difficult cases need specialist care and that cannot be determined until a x-ray is taken and the both is look at by the Dentist.
Endodontic Treatment
Endodontic Treatment (Root Canal): Dr. Ravin's office offers Endodontic treatment (Root Canal) on anterior teeth in most cases. Molars or back teeth will be referred out to a specialist.
A Root Canal consists of making an opening through the crown or back of the tooth into the pulp chamber. The pulp or nerve is removed and the root canals are cleaned, enlarged and irrigated.
The Canals are then filled with a rool canal material. A metal post may be placed in the canal for stuctural support. The crown of the tooth is them restored. Eventually the tooth will become brittle and a crown cap may be required.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Porcelain Veneers: Veneers can be used to improve a persons smile. They can whiten stained or discolored teeth, close gaps between teeth, "correct" a crooked smile without the need for braces, repair chips, and imperfections, and create a more attractive or youthful looking smile. This procedure usually takes two weeks from start to finish.
Crowns & Bridges: A crown can be used in many case to restore the function and look of a damaged tooth. Crowns can be made from several different kinds of materials, and based on location, esthetics, and cost, the right one to repair your damaged tooth can be selected. When more than one or two teeth are missing this puts stress on other teeth and changes your bite. This is when a bridge is suggested for treatment. The missing tooth is replaces with an artificial tooth connected between two crowns (caps) which are permanently cemented or bonded on the adjacent teeth.
Tooth Whitening: This process can help enhance a person's smile and confidence. Our office offers three main types of home bleaching methods. One which is supplied by Rembrandt. This product contains 22% or 30% carbonide peroxide and is used 1-2 times per day, or until desired whitening is achieved. For 22% concentration, use 1-2 times are day, for 1-2 hours, for a maximum of 3-4 weeks. We also supply a product which is a less time consuming approach to whitening. The Zoom Whitening kit is a 6% hydrogen peroxide gel which only takes a weekend. Use for a minimum of 4-5 hours per application for as many nights as it takes to achieve your desired shade. One of the down falls to this product is extreme sensitivity for some patients. Both of these products are used with custom fitted trays which are made by having impressions done at one appointment, then delivered to your in one week. We also have crest white strips (supreme) which are used as shown on T.V. This is sold thru us with and 80% stronger formula than available at stores.
Zoom! Professional Whitening System: The Zoom Professional Whitening System will make your teeth dramatically whiter in less than an hour. The procedure is simple. It begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leacing only your teeth exposed. The Zoom clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel which was designed to be used with a specially designed ligt. The Zoom! light and gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration. With peoper care your smile will sparkle for years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zoom!
