Services

In terms of repairing dental imperfections, masking of discolorations, or the closure of gaps between teeth, a dental bonding procedure is considered one of the most effective, economical, and quickest methods of care. Unlike porcelain veneers or ceramic crowns, which are necessary to conceal more significant defects, a dental bonding procedure is a minimally invasive way to transform a less-than-perfect tooth into one that appears flawless. 

Bonding Procedures Restore The Look And Integrity Of Your Smile

We use the latest generations of dental materials and composite resins to perform bonding procedures that restore tooth structure lost to dental chips, or decay, as well as to conceal stains or discolorations, close gaps, and improve the look of misshapen or undersized teeth. Our skilled and experienced professional team combines the art and science of dentistry to achieve aesthetically pleasing, durable, and long-lasting results of care. Your new dental bonding will appear naturally beautiful so that you can feel confident sharing your smile with the world.

To find out more about how we can improve the look, health, and function of your smile with dental bonding procedures, or one of the many other restorative and cosmetic dental solutions that we provide, give us a call today.

As the most recognizable expression and the universal sign of happiness, a beautiful smile is an important asset. Studies show that an attractive smile can boost your self-confidence, contribute to your overall well-being, and help make a positive impression on everyone you meet.

Transforming Smiles With Porcelain Veneers

If your front teeth are stained, discolored, chipped, worn-down, misshapen, a little gapped, or slightly misaligned, you're not alone. According to statistics, more than one-third of adults in the United States are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smiles. Cosmetic imperfections may be due to genetics, excessive wear and tear on the teeth, the aging process, dietary choices that stain the dental enamel, smoking, or as a side effect of certain medications.

In some cases, if the imperfections are minor ones, a teeth whitening procedure or cosmetic bonding may be all it takes to create a more perfect-looking smile. However, darker dental stains, discolorations, and more significant flaws involving the size, shape, and alignment of the teeth, are sometimes better addressed with porcelain veneers.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we recognize that every smile is different and tailor treatment to address individual needs and expectations of care. Whether your smile is best served by the fabrication of dental veneers or another cosmetic dental procedure we provide, you can count on our office for the latest, most effective, pleasing, and healthy solutions for your smile.

What are dental veneers?

One of the most conservative yet highly effective and aesthetically pleasing ways to transform the appearance of imperfect looking teeth is the fabrication of dental veneers. Fully customized to the exact specifications of your smile and the cosmetic corrections required, veneers are ultra-thin facings, seamlessly bonded to the fronts of the involved teeth.

This versatile and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure conceals a range of imperfections to dramatically improve the look of teeth that are misshapen, exhibit minor chips, enamel defects, or stains. They also provide an excellent solution for closing small gaps as well as addressing other minor alignment issues.

Among the chief benefits offered by veneers are that they require little to no preparation of the underlying tooth and offer a relatively quick way to achieve long-lasting and pleasing results. And because they are ultra-thin, veneers preserve the maximum amount of natural tooth structure and are kind to the tissues along the gumline.

With veneers, your smile looks naturally beautiful.

Whether you're looking to improve the appearance of a single front tooth or multiple ones, dental veneers can turn a less-than-perfect smile into one that appears naturally beautiful and flawless.

Your veneers are fabricated from the highest quality of dental-grade porcelain to recreate the natural translucency of healthy tooth enamel. Since porcelain reflects light in much the same way as dental enamel, veneers produce a vibrant, flawless, and naturally beautiful-looking smile.

From preparation to taking an impression and placement, the entire process of getting dental veneers only takes a few visits. Furthermore, even though a veneer is fragile to handle before placement in the mouth, once it gets bonded to the underlying tooth, it becomes quite strong and durable. With proper oral hygiene and care, you can maintain your new veneers for many years to come.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we successfully combine the art and science of dentistry to create healthy, beautiful smiles. We've helped many patients enhance the look of their smiles and feel confident we can do the same for you.

What to expect when getting veneers

• Initial consultation and care

  The process of getting dental veneers begins with a consultation and thorough assessment of your dental health, oral function, and smile aesthetics. We'll also discuss your smile goals and treatment expectations. Although getting veneers is a relatively quick process, it's essential to address any periodontal problems or cavities in the involved teeth before your new veneers get fabricated.

• Tooth preparation and Impression taking

  While the amount of tooth preparation varies, depending on the unique requirements of the case and the type of porcelain veneer, the removal of tooth structure from the front and sides of the tooth is typically quite minimal. It's just enough enamel for the ultra-thin facing to look most natural and remain sturdy and strong when placed.

  Once the teeth are prepared, an impression gets taken, and an appropriate shade of porcelain is selected, your new veneers are ready for fabrication. Porcelain veneers are most often sent out to a dental laboratory for custom fabrication. For the short time it takes the permanent ones to come back from the lab, attractive temporary veneer facings cover the teeth.

• Fitting and placement

  When your veneers are ready, it's time to check their fit, size, shade, and shape. Prior to getting affixed to the teeth, any adjustments to ensure a precise fit and optimal aesthetics are made. At this time, we'll also confirm that you're pleased with the look of your new smile. Once fitted and approved, the involved teeth are then cleaned, and the veneers are permanently bonded in place with composite resin cement. Following placement, any further adjustments or minor refinements are performed as needed.

If your teeth are stained, discolored or yellowed, you may benefit from a Zoom! teeth whitening procedure. As a leading choice in care, Zoom whitening systems represent the safest and most effective way to lighten and brighten your smile! With a Philips Zoom in-office whitening procedure in as little as a single visit—typically clocking in at under an hour—Zoom's innovative light-activated whitening system is able to whiten teeth a full eight shades brighter. The entire procedure, from start to finish, requires little beyond sitting comfortably back in the dental chair and is virtually absent of any risks or side effects.

As the number one patient-requested teeth whitening brand, Zoom provides patients with a range of whitening options that also includes highly effective home whitening systems. For patients who wish to learn more about the cosmetically pleasing results that can be achieved with Zoom whitening procedures, our office is happy to discuss every aspect of care and what type of treatment best suits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Digital radiography utilizes computer technology and digital sensors for the acquisition, viewing, storage, and sharing of radiographic images. It offers several advantages over the older traditional film based methods of taking x-rays. The most significant of these advantages is that digital radiography reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation. Other benefits are that images can be viewed instantly after being taken, can be seen simultaneously as needed by multiple practitioners, and can be easily shared with other offices. Digital x-rays are also safer for the environment as they do not require any chemicals or paper to develop.

An electronic pad, known as a sensor is used instead of film to acquire a digital image. After the image is taken, it goes directly into the patient’s file on the computer. Once it is stored on the computer, it can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.

Cone-beam computed tomography systems are radiographic systems used by dental professionals to analyze and reconstruct 3D images of a patient’s teeth, jaws and surrounding anatomy. The information obtained by means of CBCT imaging is useful in both diagnosis and precise treatment planning when two-dimensional diagnostic films are insufficient. Dental CBCT is useful for multiple types of analyses as well as the assessment of maxillofacial disorders or pathology. It is also most useful in surgical planning, including the accurate placement of dental implants.

An intraoral camera is a miniaturized camera that can take high-resolution images inside of the mouth and display them for viewing in real time on a computer screen. It is a pen-sized device that provides an up close, full-color and high-resolution view of the teeth and surrounding soft tissues.

 An intraoral camera is a wonderful communication tool that allows the dentist to directly show a patient a close up view of every tooth and the nearby soft tissues. With this technology any areas of concern can be instantly displayed and discussed.

The intraoral camera can also capture individual images that can be saved as part of a patient’s permanent record. These saved images can be reproduced when needed for use by other dental specialists, a dental laboratory, insurance companies, and others. 

In addition to taking small, individual diagnostic images of specific teeth or sections of teeth as needed, we also take a single digital x-ray to obtain a two-dimensional view of the all the teeth, the upper and lower jawbones, the nasal sinuses and the temporomandibular joints (the TMJ).  This extra-oral image is known as a panoramic x-ray. As a simple, comfortable, and fast diagnostic procedure, it produces digital images with minimal x-ray exposure to the patient. Because this picture is taken from outside of the mouth, the only requirement for the patient is to hold still while resting the jaw on a platform in the center of the unit, while the x-ray tube rotates in a semicircle around the head.  A panoramic x-ray can be viewed on the computer by the dentist and patient as well as shared with others as needed. A highly valuable diagnostic tool, panoramic x-rays are useful in checking for conditions such as periodontal disease, growths in the jaw, the dental development of the unerupted and erupted teeth, impacted teeth, TMJ disorders and sinusitis.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we emphasize taking a proactive approach as the best way to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. By coming to our office as recommended for checkup visits and routine care, we can help you and every member of your family prevent the onset and progression of many oral health problems. As skilled and experienced providers of care, we offer a comprehensive range of preventive services, including examinations, professional teeth cleanings, and oral cancer screenings, along with patient education on hygiene, diet, and healthy practices.

What Happens at the First Checkup Visit?

Your first visit to our office establishes your oral health baseline and provides essential information on your dental interests and needs. We begin by carefully reviewing your medical and dental histories and taking special note of all of your dental concerns, as well as any symptoms that you may be experiencing. This initial conversation is followed by a thorough clinical examination, including an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation, and an analysis of your occlusion (bite). To perform a comprehensive oral exam, we'll recommend and take diagnostic films as needed. As we take a close look at your smile, we'll examine your teeth, the supporting bone and soft tissues, and the surrounding areas of the mouth, head, and neck. We'll make a note of any signs of clenching or grinding your teeth and assess your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) function. A comprehensive oral exam can also reveal the consequences that certain dietary choices, eating disorders, medications, harmful habits, and inadequate oral hygiene practices may have on your smile.

We want every patient to enjoy the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile. At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, you can rest assured that your oral exam is performed with the utmost care and that every member of our team is sensitive to your needs. Based on your oral exam findings and what we see on your diagnostic films, we'll outline what further treatment, if any, may be needed and discuss all your options in care.

A Healthy Smile is Vital to Your Overall Well-Being

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we recognize that a healthy smile is more than just an attractive asset; it is also essential to one's overall well-being. Harmful conditions affecting your teeth, gums, jaws, and structures in and around the oral cavity can impact your overall well-being. As we perform an oral exam and check for the development of common dental conditions such as tooth decay or gum disease and screen for oral cancer, we also take note of any signs of problematic health issues that may have originated elsewhere in the body.

Today, researchers are establishing more and more links between poor oral health and systemic disease. Mounting evidence supports the idea that dental disease contributes to a range of health issues, including the following conditions:

• Digestive disorders

• Respiratory Problems

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Stroke

• Diabetes

• Alzheimer's Disease

The reverse is also true. Just as oral health problems can be linked to systemic illnesses, diseases in the body can likewise produce oral health issues. According to statistics, more than 90% of all systemic diseases (conditions affecting organs and systems in the body) can manifest signs and symptoms in the oral cavity. Experiencing dry mouth, bad breath, gum problems, ulcerations, or other oral lesions may be indicative of an underlying medical condition.

The Importance of Routine Checkups and Professional Dental Cleanings

Enjoying a smile that looks good and functions at its best is not something you can take for granted. To maintain optimal oral health and a vibrant smile requires an effective dental hygiene regimen, a nutritious diet, routine checkups, professional cleanings, and a comprehensive program of preventive care.

Remember, it's important not to hold off seeing the dentist until you're in terrible pain or think there's something wrong. By scheduling a routine appointment for a comprehensive dental checkup and professional cleaning, we can help you keep your smile looking and functioning at its very best.

Our office encourages patients to come in twice a year for routine checkups and professional cleanings. In this way, we can monitor your oral health, reduce your risk of dental disease, and detect any issues early in their onset when they are typically the simplest to treat.

While maintaining a healthy smile depends upon keeping your teeth and gums clean at home, even for the best "brushers" and "flossers," it's difficult to reach every nook and cranny between the teeth and gums. For this reason, we emphasize the importance of professional teeth cleanings. In this way, our hygienist can thoroughly remove any accumulated plaque and tartar from between the teeth and gums, including areas that you may have missed. Since dental plaque harbors the bacteria that are responsible for cavities and gum disease, its removal prevents these disease processes from occurring. Following a dental cleaning and polishing to remove any superficial stains from your teeth, your mouth will feel fresh and clean.

Checkup and cleaning visits also represent an opportunity to educate patients in the best oral hygiene homecare methods and routines to maintain a healthy smile. As your trusted partner in care, we'll carefully explain and demonstrate the proper techniques for brushing, flossing, and other healthy oral care practices.

Even though proper dental care is essential at every stage of life, it's especially important for children to establish a strong foundation for a lifetime of oral health. With routine checkups, preventive treatment, and age-appropriate education in the best methods for taking care of their teeth, we can help your little ones protect their smiles from dental disease. We also monitor your children's dental and jaw development as they grow; keeping a close watch to determine if any orthodontic intervention will be needed to align their smiles.

Our goal is to help you and every member of your family establish healthy practices that will last a lifetime. At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we're proud of the reputation we've established for providing skilled and compassionate care. We work hard to make every visit to our office a positive experience while building long-standing relationships with our patients and achieving outstanding treatment outcomes.

What Do Dental X-Rays Show?

Although we perform a thorough visual inspection of every aspect of your smile, the only way to see the deeper structures of the teeth, as well as the surrounding tissues and bone, is with dental x-rays or radiographs. Diagnostic x-rays not only reveal the presence of dental disease, but they also provide valuable information on the development, health, and integrity of teeth and orofacial structures.

Thanks to advances in technology, x-rays have entered the digital age. Instead of using traditional film-based methods, which involved long-exposure times and developing solutions, digital x-ray images can now be acquired, stored, and managed via digital sensors and integrated software programs.

Digital radiography offers several benefits to the patient, including the following:

• Quicker with minimal exposure to x-ray radiation

• Images can be viewed immediately after acquisition

• Images can be electronically shared

• Digital radiographs do not require any developing chemicals, create less waste, and are safer for the environment

• Images are immediately stored in the patient's electronic file, where they can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.

What Are the Different Types of Dental X-Rays?

The type of diagnostic images our office will recommend depends on the nature of your visit and your oral healthcare needs.

Here's a list of some of the most common diagnostic films and the value of these images:

• Periapical x-ray - This small film is typically taken of an individual tooth and provides a view of the entire tooth from the top of the crown to the tip of the root and bone adjacent to it.

• Bitewing x-ray - This small film captures detailed views of the crowns of the premolars or molars and is typically used to check for dental decay.

• Full Mouth Series - This set of x-rays consists of bitewing and periapical views of all the teeth.

• Panoramic Film (panorex) - This film provides a 2D panoramic view of all the teeth and the left and right sides of the jaw. It offers a view of erupted teeth, developing teeth, impacted teeth, and allows an assessment of the health and integrity of the jawbone.

• Cephalometric Film - This film provides a profile view of the face and jaws and is often used by orthodontists to assess a patient's skeletal facial and jaw growth.

Today, it's also possible to capture detailed three-dimensional images for diagnostic purposes, treatment planning, and the delivery of care. By using Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) your dentist can acquire, analyze, and reconstruct 3D images of a patient's teeth, jaws, and surrounding anatomy. This technology is often employed for diagnosis, surgical planning, treatment, and the accurate placement of dental implants.

As part of your child’s dental prevention program, dental sealants are often recommended to protect their permanent back teeth from developing dental decay. In fact according to the American Dental Association, dental sealants reduce the risk of cavities in molars by approximately 80%.

While establishing a good oral hygiene regimen, maintaining proper toothbrushing habits, and avoiding sticky sweets are essential for the prevention of dental decay, children’s teeth often need more protection. The reason for this is that the deeply grooved chewing surfaces of the back permanent teeth can be difficult for a child to keep free of leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria. Moreover, young children do not always brush their teeth, as often or as thoroughly as they should, making them particularly vulnerable to dental decay.

Dental sealants afford additional protection from dental decay by providing a strong plastic-like protective coating for the chewing surfaces of a child’s permanent back teeth. They basically fill in the pits, fissures and grooves on these teeth to seal out harmful bacteria and food particles. Beyond preventing the development of cavities, sealants may also be useful over areas of incipient dental decay to stop further damage from occurring.

Applying dental sealants is a relatively quick and painless process. They are simply brushed on in a series of steps during a child’s dental visit and then cured (set) with a light wand. Sealants are strong and durable and can last for several years. The condition of your child’s dental sealants will be evaluated at each checkup and reapplied if the need arises. 

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. Over 50 percent of 5 to 9 year old children have at least one cavity or filling, with that proportion increasing to 78 percent among 17-year-olds. Additionally, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness.

As an added level of protection against dental decay, it is recommended that children receive periodic fluoride treatments as part of a program of preventive dental care. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to prevent cavities by making the hard outer enamel of the teeth more resistant to the acids produced by the harmful sugar processing bacteria in dental plaque. It can also help to remineralize the teeth to reverse incipient decay.

During a periodic checkup visit, the dentist may recommend the application of a topical fluoride to help strengthen and protect both a child’s baby teeth and the permanent ones. Topical fluorides can be applied as a foam, gel or varnish. Whatever type is selected, the procedure is quick and painless. Once the teeth are cleaned the fluoride is simply painted on the surfaces of the teeth or placed in a small tray to sit over the teeth for a brief period of time. Some types of fluoride treatment require no eating or drinking for half an hour as the fluoride is absorbed into the surface of the teeth. The dentist and dental hygienist will provide specific and detailed instructions as needed.

Fluoride treatment may also be indicated in adults who are at a higher risk for developing tooth decay.

It’s Important to Brush & Floss!

Maintaining a healthy smile depends upon keeping your teeth and gums clean with a daily routine of brushing and flossing. According to the recommendations of the American Dental Association, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing your teeth with a fluoride containing toothpaste that has been awarded the ADA seal of acceptance helps to keep your smile healthy and vibrant. Moreover, to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it is also essential to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gumline on a daily basis. Simply by taking a few minutes to gently floss the teeth once a day, you can reduce your risk of dental disease.

What You Eat Matters!

At your routine checkup visit, a member of our team will demonstrate the proper technique for brushing and flossing your teeth as well as provide helpful dietary guidance. While sugary foods, as well as sweet and carbonated beverages, can be harmful to your oral health, other foods that are rich in nutrients help to keep your teeth and gums strong, and boost your resistance to dental disease.

Want to know more about keeping your smile in tip-top condition? We’re dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy and beautiful smiles. Give us a call today.

Oral cancer accounts for 2.9% of all diagnosed cases of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society it is estimated that 51,000 people across the country will develop oral cancer this year and that 10,000 fatalities are expected from the disease.

Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the orofacial complex but is most often found on the tongue, the tonsils and oropharynx, the gums, floor of the mouth, lips, cheek lining or the hard palate. While the disease can affect anyone, men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as women. Those particularly at risk for oral cancer are men over the age of 50 who are heavy smokers and frequently drink alcohol. Additional risk factors may include UV exposure from the sun or sunlamps, GERD (gastro-intestinal reflux disease), prior head and neck radiation treatment, exposure to certain chemicals and poor diet. While the death rate from oral cancer has been decreasing in the past several decades thanks to early detection and advanced methods of treatment improving the outcomes of care, there has been a recent rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer due to increased transmission of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV).

As part of a comprehensive exam, the dentist will perform a screening for oral cancer. To start, the dentist will review the patient’s medical and dental histories and ask if there have been any changes to his or her oral health or overall health. The dentist will then carefully check in and around the oral cavity as well as the head and neck area for signs or symptoms that may indicate the presence of a problem

According to recent studies good oral hygiene is essential not only for your dental health, it is important to your overall health and well-being. Our comprehensive dental hygiene program is designed to preserve your teeth and the supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental disease.

To maintain your optimal oral health we recommend periodic professional dental cleanings. Removing plaque and debris from teeth, especially from places where a toothbrush can't reach, like underneath the gum line and in-between teeth is extremely important.

It is also important to keep in mind that in conjunction with periodic dental professional cleanings, a good dental home care regimen is necessary. As part of the preventive program at this office your current home care practices will be reviewed. Following that, we will make recommendations as to what areas require improvements, and instruct you in the proper methods of brushing and flossing.

Additional preventive services may be indicated for individual patients. An integral part of our preventive program for pediatric patients includes periodic fluoride treatments and the application of dental sealants.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), also referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are the most common source of chronic facial pain and jaw dysfunction. It is estimated that more than 10 million people in the United States are affected by temporomandibular joint problems.

What is the Temporomandibular Joint?

There are two temporomandibular joints that connect the left and right sides of the lower jaw to the temporal bone. Both joints and their associated muscles, ligaments and tendons work together to allow for all manner of oral function as the jaw moves up and down, front to back and from side to side. Containing a shock-absorbing, soft disc that sits between the rounded condyles of both sides of the lower jaw and the corresponding concavities in the skull’s temporal bone, the TMJ makes chewing, speaking, yawning and all jaw movements possible.

Since the TMJ is a joint with both up and down hinge-like movements, as well as side to side and front to back sliding motions to perform, it is often considered one of the most complicated joints in the body and one of the most difficult to treat when problems arise.

Types and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can fall into one or more of the following three categories:

• Myofascial pain- Refers to pain in the area of the jaw joint due to various causes of increased muscle tension and spasm

• Internal derangement-Involves displacement of the disc, jaw dislocation or trauma to the condyles of the jaw

• Degenerative joint disease -Arthritis

The risk for developing a TMJ problem is greater in the presence of long-term teeth grinding or bruxism, a jaw injury or various types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Furthermore, the manifestations of a TMJ disorder can vary from person to person with a wide range of symptoms possible, including earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), headaches, back and neck pain, vertigo, muscle spasms and joint tenderness as well as jaw pain, popping or grating sounds with jaw movement, jaw locking and limited jaw movement. For some people a TMJ disorder can be resolved within a relatively short period of time, while for others it will continue to persist despite extensive therapy.

Diagnosis and Treatment

When evaluating for the presence of a TMJ disorder, the dentist will perform a thorough clinical assessment of joint symptoms and function. Special radiographic imaging and other diagnostic tests will be ordered as needed. The treatment of a TMJ disorder may include oral appliances such as night guards or stabilization splints to alleviate strain on the joints. Other types of therapy may include steroid injections, occlusal adjustments as well as orthodontic or prosthodontic treatment to improve occlusion. In cases of persistent and serious TMJ problems, surgery may be recommended.

Methods of self-care can be helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms of a TMJ disorder. Patients are typically advised to eat soft foods, avoid extreme jaw movement such as wide yawning and gum chewing, to practice stress reduction and relaxation techniques and applying ice packs or moist heat as directed. If recommended, a patient should follow the dentist or therapist’s instruction for gentle stretching exercises. The short-term use of over-the-counter, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medications may provide relief. If not the dentist or physician may prescribe stronger pain or anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants or anti-depressants.

What You Need To Know About Having A Tooth Extracted

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, our patients' care and well-being are our top priorities. Every member of our skilled and experienced team strives to ensure patient comfort and a stress-free dental experience. Our dedication to the consistent provision of compassionate and personalized attention along with gentle, precise care has earned our office the respect and trust of our patients.

While we do everything we can to preserve the integrity of your natural smile, it's sometimes necessary to extract a tooth to protect your oral health and overall well-being.

Some of the most common reasons our office may recommend having a tooth extracted include the following ones:

• A "baby" or deciduous tooth that is over retained (reluctant to fall out), severely decayed, or damaged
  In most cases, a baby tooth will fall out as scheduled as the underlying permanent one begins to erupt into place. However, occasionally a baby tooth continues to remain firmly attached to the bone. Either the roots of the baby tooth have failed to resorb and shrink as intended, or the baby tooth has become anklylosed and fused to the supporting bone. The problem is that over-retained baby teeth can disrupt the development and alignment of your child's smile. As we monitor your child's smile as they grow, we'll advise you if and when an extraction of a baby tooth is required to facilitate the eruption of its underlying permanent successor.

• A permanent tooth that has extensive decay and is deemed non-restorable
  Beginning as a simple pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay will continue to compromise healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of the tooth. Without proper care, a cavity can lead to significant damage to tooth structure, irreversible damage to the nerve of the tooth, a dental infection, and serious consequences to your oral health and overall well-being. When the tooth has sustained far too much structural damage and cannot be restored, a dental extraction may be required.

• A permanent tooth that has been severely fractured or cracked and can not be restored
  There are many different types of chips, cracks, and fractures that can affect your teeth. The extent of the damage that it causes will determine if there is enough intact tooth structure to save the tooth and the type of treatment required. In cases where too much tooth structure or the root of a tooth has also been compromised, an extraction may be necessary.

• Advanced gum disease that has significantly compromised the tooth's supporting tissues
  The most common cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. When left untreated, periodontal disease, which affects the hard and soft tissues supporting your teeth, can lead to gingival pocket formation, gum recession, and diminishing alveolar bone. As advanced and untreated gum disease progresses, the teeth ultimately loosen, fall out, or require extractions.

• Poorly positioned, impacted, or decayed wisdom teeth
  Wisdom teeth, which are also known as the third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop in the oral cavity and the final ones to come into place. However, as is often the case, many wisdom teeth do not have sufficient room to erupt, are not developing correctly, develop extensive decay, or cause issues for the adjacent teeth and the surrounding tissues. Although the extraction of wisdom teeth sometimes gets recommended for an older patient, the early removal of troublesome or potentially problematic third molars in young adults is more often the case.

• Overcrowded Teeth
  A tooth size to jaw size discrepancy often results in a crowded and misaligned smile. More simply put, the upper and lower jaws are not large enough to accommodate all the permanent teeth. As part of an orthodontic treatment plan to optimally align teeth and establish an attractive, healthy, and functional bite, the extraction of select permanent teeth may be required.

How is a tooth extraction performed?

Whatever the reasons for a dental extraction may be, you can rest assured that your care is in the best of hands at our office. As the first step in care, our dentist will review your medical and dental histories and discuss any special considerations in care.

It's essential to inform our office of any existing medical conditions or medications you are currently taking. In some situations, extra precautions, including premedication with antibiotics, a change in medication, and a medical clearance may be required. Follow all our pre-surgical directives and let us know if you are sick or have developed other symptoms on the day of surgery.

Our goal is to reduce any anxiety and help ensure patient comfort whenever a tooth extraction is necessary. In advance of the procedure, we'll discuss any medical considerations or precautions and go over our pre-surgical instructions. We'll also discuss post-surgical recommendations, including whether replacing the extracted tooth or teeth is needed and the best options in care.

To thoroughly assess the tooth and the type of extraction required, we perform a comprehensive examination and take digital radiographs as indicated. Extractions are typically categorized as either "simple" or "surgical extractions."

What Is A Simple Extraction?

When the tooth is clearly visible in the mouth and the root anatomy is not extensively hooked, fused to the surrounding bone, or otherwise unusual, it usually falls into the category of a simple extraction. Once the tooth and the surrounding tissues get sufficiently numbed with a local anesthetic, our dentist will loosen any attached periodontal tissues and apply forceps to remove the tooth. As with all dental procedures, we do all we can to help ensure your comfort and relaxation throughout every step in care. For patients who are anxious about dental work or certain procedures, we can discuss additional options in dental sedation.

What Is A Surgical Extraction?

For teeth that are severely broken down, anklylosed, or impacted, a surgical extraction is often indicated. We may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to perform this procedure. During a surgical extraction, a small incision in the soft tissues and localized, precise removal of overlying bone provides greater access to remove the tooth. As with all tooth extractions, patients are given a local anesthetic to completely numb the involved tooth and the surrounding tissues. Once again, additional options in dental sedation, pre-surgical considerations, and directives are thoroughly discussed and explained.

What To Do After Getting A Tooth Taken Out

As skilled and experienced providers of care, we recognize that every case is different and provide treatment that addresses the unique requirements of each patient. Depending on a patient's specific needs, we provide post-operative instructions, including special instructions, limitations on activities, medications, and follow-up care that support optimal recovery and healing. In some cases, post-op care may also include the involvement of a patient's physician. In general, and unless modified otherwise by our office, the following post-operative guidelines apply to simple extractions.

Post-Op Care Following An Extraction

1. Maintaining gauze pressure
   Following your extraction, some gauze to bite down on will be placed over the extraction site. By biting down and maintaining pressure on the gauze as instructed, any active bleeding should stop. You may change the gauze pad after the first hour. Continue to bite down for another 45 minutes if heavy oozing continues. While it's normal for a little oozing to continue for 24 hours, contact our office if you are still experiencing profuse oozing or bleeding.

2. Until the local anesthesia wears off
   Until the local anesthetic has completely worn off, it's essential to protect yourself from unintentionally biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue.

3. Take medications as prescribed
   

   • Antibiotics:
     If you have been given a prescription for antibiotics, be sure to take the correct dosage and full course of medication as prescribed.

   • Pain management:
     It's helpful to take a pain reliever before the local anesthetic completely wears off. Over-the-counter (non-aspirin) pain medication may be taken to relieve discomfort. Any prescription pain medication should only be taken as directed.

4. To facilitate healing
   Do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, or suck on candies. It's essential to allow the extraction site to clot and not dislodge the new clot once it has formed.

5. Applying ice
   An ice-pack held in place in the facial area overlying the extraction site helps to control swelling. Apply the ice for 10-minute intervals during the first day following your procedure.

6. Avoid smoking
   Smoking not only prevents clot formation, but it also interferes with healing. Avoid smoking and tobacco products for the first week.

7. Watch what you eat and drink
   Stay away from hot or spicy foods and drinks for the first day or two. Also, refrain from drinking any carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Stick with a diet of soft foods and liquids for the first couple of days following surgery. Drink plenty of fluids.

8. Oral hygiene
   Brush gently; it's essential to take great care not to disturb or irritate the extraction site for a few days. A very mild lukewarm saltwater solution can be used to freshen your mouth. Remember not to rinse or spit that first day or two. Simply let any liquids gently fall from your mouth into the sink.

9. An appointment for a follow-up visit
   If sutures (stitches) were placed, or if a complex extraction, an infection, or other issues requires a visit to monitor your healing and progress, you will be given an appointment for follow-up care. It's essential that you keep this appointment as provided.

If you experience continued bleeding, ongoing pain, more swelling, have a bad taste in your mouth, or other unusual symptoms, contact our office.

Why choose the office of Evergreen Dental Care?

You deserve quality care that's personalized to meet your individual needs, and at the office of Evergreen Dental Care, you can rest assured your smile is in the best of hands. We deliver precise and gentle care, keeping you informed and relaxed throughout your procedure. If your tooth needs to be replaced, we'll discuss your best options, including dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants. As the most advanced method of tooth replacement available, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.

When the structural integrity of a tooth has been compromised, be it from dental decay, cracks or fractures, restoring the damaged area with a filling serves to rebuild the tooth’s natural form and return it to full function.

Up until recent decades, most dental fillings have been composed of amalgam, which is a mixture of metals. While amalgam fillings are very effective and durable, newer materials offer the benefits of being both mercury and metal free as well as much more aesthetic. These “tooth-colored or white fillings” invisibly restore the form and function of the involved tooth, while seamlessly blending in with the remaining tooth structure as well as the individual’s overall smile. 

Tooth colored fillings are made of the latest generation of composite resin materials in which filler particles are bound together by a hard matrix material. Strong and durable, tooth colored fillings are chemically bonded to fill and rebuild a tooth once the decayed or damaged tooth structure has been removed. With a low potential for expanding and contracting at different temperatures, composite fillings are less likely than traditional amalgam fillings to damage the remaining tooth structure over time.

In addition to restoring teeth affected by injury or decay, composite resins can also be used to cosmetically change the size, color or shape of teeth with imperfections or minor alignment issues such as spacing.

Replacing Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

If you're missing teeth, you're not alone. Tooth loss is a far more common problem than you think. In fact, studies show that 178 million people across the United States are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million are completely edentulous (missing all their teeth). Whether you have lost one tooth or multiple ones to gum disease, tooth decay, or a traumatic injury, the office of Evergreen Dental Care can help. We provide state-of-the-art care and offer the latest solutions to help patients reestablish complete, healthy, and beautiful smiles.

Dental implants for a smile that looks and feels completely natural!

Today, dental implants represent the most advanced system for the replacement of missing teeth. While conventional fixed bridges and dentures remain effective and satisfying ways to replace missing teeth, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.

With dental implants, you can once again enjoy all your favorite foods and speak and smile with renewed confidence and ease. Because dental implants behave in much the same way as the roots of natural teeth, they provide unrivaled stability for the placement of a broad range of dental prostheses, including crowns and bridges up to a complete set of teeth. For patients who wear full dentures, dental implants provide the added stability and retention required to improve comfort and fit while preventing any embarrassing slippage.

If you are struggling with tooth loss and looking for the best solutions for the replacement of missing teeth, visit the office of Evergreen Dental Care to learn more about dental implants and all the state-of-the-art services we provide. At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we take pride in creating beautiful and healthy smiles!

Let The Office Of Evergreen Dental Care Help You Rebuild A Beautiful Smile

Missing teeth do more than cause embarrassing gaps in your smile. For one thing, they can also affect your ability to speak or chew nutritious food with ease. By not replacing missing teeth, the adjacent ones can shift towards the space over time and change your bite and compromise the health of your smile in many ways.

With all of the advances in dental materials, technology, and treatment methods available today, it's easier than ever before to replace missing teeth with the most natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing results of care.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we're pleased to offer leading solutions to improve your oral health and give you a smile you can feel confident sharing with the world. We give you back the complete smile you have lost and provide personalized solutions for all of your oral healthcare needs. To find out more about dental implants or schedule an appointment so that we can take a closer look at your smile, give us a call today.

Thanks to advances in dental materials, technology, and methods of care, it’s easier than ever before to replace missing teeth with the most natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing treatment outcomes. While dental implants and fixed bridgework provide effective and satisfying solutions for missing teeth, removable dentures remain a tried and true method for reestablishing a complete smile.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we fabricate dentures from the highest grade of dental materials for a precise and comfortable fit. Our dentures are meticulously designed to rebuild beautiful smiles and support natural facial contours while enabling patients to speak, smile, and chew with renewed confidence and ease.

We’re dedicated to helping patients to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile and take pride in offering personalized solutions to address their dental needs, lifestyle, and budget.

How missing teeth affect your smile, your health, and your outlook

According to recent statistics, it’s estimated that across the country, over 175 million adults have lost at least one tooth, and close to 40 million are missing all of their teeth. In most of these cases, tooth loss is the end result of extensive dental decay, advanced gum disease, a traumatic injury, a congenital anomaly, or associated with a medical condition. 

In addition to the psychological and social consequences having embarrassing gaps in your smile often produce, missing teeth can affect your ability to speak clearly and eat a satisfying and nutritious diet. Left unaddressed, missing teeth can also cause gradual changes to your appearance and the alignment of your remaining teeth. These changes not only affect your bite, but they have the potential to create more unsightly and unhealthy gaps in your smile. Furthermore, without the support of a complete set of teeth, facial contours may also begin to look more sagged and haggard over time. 

While it’s never too late to rebuild a complete and beautiful smile, it’s always best to replace missing teeth sooner than later. Both partial and full dentures from the office of Evergreen Dental Care offer an effective and satisfying solution for reestablishing a complete smile.

What are dentures?

Dentures are removable appliances that are designed to precisely and comfortably rest on top of the gums that cover the jawbones. They consist of natural-looking artificial teeth set in a supportive base. In addition to offering a cost-effective solution for the replacement of missing teeth, dentures are quite versatile. They can be used to replace either a few teeth that have been lost or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaws.

While conventional bridgework and dental implants offer fixed solutions for rebuilding complete smiles, partial and full dentures are removable oral appliances. This statement means it’s possible to take dentures out of the mouth to clean and maintain the health of the underlying tissues and any remaining teeth, as well as clean the dentures themselves, or remove them while sleeping.

Types of Dentures

You can rest assured that rebuilding your smile is in the best of hands at the office of Evergreen Dental Care. As skilled and experienced providers of care, we’ll carefully evaluate all aspects of your smile, the health and integrity of any remaining teeth, along with the surrounding tissues and the supporting bone to develop a treatment plan that satisfies the functional and aesthetic requirements of your case.

The two main types of removable dentures are full dentures and partial dentures. Which of these types offers the best solution for your smile depends on how many natural teeth are still present in your mouth and the health of these remaining teeth. While a partial denture can offer an effective solution in cases where some sturdy natural teeth remain, you may be a candidate for a complete denture when all the upper or lower teeth are missing or require extraction.

Full Dentures

Full dentures, also known as complete dentures, can effectively replace all the upper teeth, lower teeth, or both the upper and lower teeth. As with other types of dental solutions, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for every case. The ultimate design, fabrication, and insertion of a full denture can vary based upon a patient’s specific needs.

Conventional Full Denture

This type of denture is fabricated and placed after all of the remaining teeth are removed, and the surrounding tissues have adequately healed. Fabricating a full denture when healing is complete supports a precise and comfortable fit.

• Immediate Denture

  With an immediate denture, a patient does not have to go without teeth while waiting for complete healing of the extraction sites. Although an immediate denture offers the advantage of not having to go without teeth for any length of time, it can require a reline and adjustments as the tissues remodel and heal. In some cases, for optimal comfort and fit, a conventional denture may eventually be required.

• Overdenture

  An overdenture is a type of complete denture that receives added stability and support from special attachments that are secured to the remaining underlying teeth or specialized dental implants.

• Implant-Supported Dentures

  As the name implies, this type of denture attaches to a select number of strategically placed implants in the upper or lower jaw. These small surgical posts provide precise points of attachment for the overlying denture and add a significant measure of stability and retention.

Partial Dentures

In situations where some sturdy teeth remain, partial dentures can offer an effective solution for the replacement of missing teeth. Partial dentures typically achieve adequate retention and stability with clasps or precision attachments on the teeth adjacent to the edentulous areas (the spaces formerly occupied by the missing teeth).

Removable partial dentures can fill the void left by individual missing teeth and multiple ones to restore the look and function of a complete smile. At the same time a partial denture fills the gaps left by missing teeth; it also stabilizes the dentition and bite and prevents unwanted drifting of the remaining natural teeth.

As with full dentures, partial denture design and fabrication varies based on a patient’s specific needs. With advances in dental materials and technology, partial denture wearers have more options than ever before. Today, a partial denture’s supportive framework can be fabricated from various materials, including cast metal, flexible resins, and hybrid materials.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we’re dedicated to building healthy and beautiful smiles. As your trusted partner in care, you can depend on our office to design and fabricate a denture that will look good, fit comfortably, and serve you well for years to come.

Providing integrated solutions to rebuild smiles

Fabricating an attractive, well-fitting, and long-lasting denture requires a comprehensive understanding of oral function, facial aesthetics, dental materials, and appliance design. At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we maintain a position at the forefront of advances in care and successfully combine the art and science of dentistry to provide patients with outstanding treatment outcomes.

Once we’ve had an opportunity to review your medical and dental history, assess all aspects of your smile, and discuss your expectation of care, we’ll discuss the best options for restoring and rebuilding your smile.

Based upon a comprehensive analysis of your case, including advanced diagnostic imaging, we’ll advise you if any dental work, additional procedures, or extractions are required prior to the fabrication of a partial or complete denture. It’s essential that any remaining teeth are healthy and have sufficient bone support. Sometimes, a pre-prosthetic procedure to improve the tissue anatomy and ensure a denture’s optimal fit is recommended.

Having a denture or set of dentures made is a sophisticated process involving dental impressions, framework try-ins, selecting the right shade, shape, and size of the artificial teeth, and making sure that the bite and all aspects of oral function are comfortable and healthy. Whether it takes a single visit or a few visits to fabricate a partial or complete denture, a satisfying and healthy outcome relies on the careful execution of every step in care.

What To Expect When You Receive Your New Denture

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, our patients' care and comfort are our top priorities. Our goal is to help patients enjoy optimal oral health and to keep them well informed every step of the way.

• Adjusting to wearing a new denture

  Getting used to wearing a new denture, especially a full denture, can take a little time. It’s not unusual to need some minor adjustments as you begin to speak, chew, and function with your new teeth. It can take a few adjustments to fit completely and feel comfortable. If you have a sore spot, try to wear the denture at least the day before your adjustment visit. In this way, we can see exactly where we need to relieve the area causing your irritation.

• More saliva than usual

  One of the natural responses to a new denture is for your mouth to produce more saliva. Not to worry, this is only a temporary reaction. The flow of saliva gradually decreases back to a normal level.

• Speaking with ease

  While it may seem challenging to speak clearly at first with a new denture, that feeling will pass within a few days. It’s important to keep talking, as usual, to allow yourself to adapt to your new set of teeth. You can help things along by reading some passages from printed materials or a computer out loud.

• Getting used to eating with a denture

  If this is your first denture, it can also take some time to adapt to eating with your new prosthesis. Getting used to eating with a full denture is typically more challenging than doing so with a partial denture. It’s best to start with soft foods and to avoid chewing on just one side. Your tongue, lips, cheeks, and soft tissues will soon adapt to chewing with your new denture, and from then on, you’ll be able to eat with ease.

• Taking care of your dentures

  • It’s essential to keep your denture clean! Rinse your dentures after eating and brush them daily. In this way, you can prevent stains and bacteria from accumulating on your new set of teeth. It helps to use a brush designed for dentures. Also, remember to soak your dentures in water when you’re not wearing them and at least once a week in the recommended denture cleaner.

  • Brush any remaining teeth as well as your gums to keep them clean and the tissues healthy and firm. If you wear an upper denture, rinse and gently clean the roof of your mouth as well.

  • Take your dentures out at bedtime. This practice gives the gums and the jawbone a chance to rest, helping to prevent irritation and infection as well as bone resorption (shrinkage).

• Added stability

  Due to the status of the underlying tissues and other factors, there are some cases where full dentures benefit from additional means of retention. While denture adhesive is often sufficient, full dentures that are implant-supported or clip onto special attachments offer added stability and retention.

• Follow-up care

  Maintaining oral health and overall well-being involves routine checkups and care. At these visits, we not only check the fit and condition of your dentures but we also perform a comprehensive exam to check the status of any remaining teeth as well as assess the health of all of the soft and hard tissues in and around the oral cavity.

• Relines

  Over time, the tissues supporting the denture can change. As the shape and contours of these tissues shrink or remodel, your denture may not fit as comfortably or feel as stable as it once did. A separate procedure, which is known as a reline, may be recommended.

At the office of Evergreen Dental Care, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of care. If you have any additional questions or concerns about your new dentures, feel free to contact our office.

The process of full mouth reconstruction often involves rebuilding and/or replacing many, if not all of the teeth in the mouth, and can require the coordinated approach of a number of dental specialists. Candidates for full mouth reconstruction are individuals who have been cosmetically and functionally debilitated by extensive tooth loss, dental trauma, dental decay, dental habits, TMJ jaw-joint disorders, grinding their teeth, have suffered the effects of long-term acid erosion of tooth structure, or been affected by medical conditions or therapies involving the head and neck area. Additionally, individuals with congenital disorders that have dental manifestations like missing teeth or defective tooth structure may also be candidates for full mouth reconstruction.