Exam and X-rays
The diagnosis appointment is the most important phase for any dental treatment and at State Street Dental we make sure to do a very thorough evaluation. Our new patient exams include, a review of the patients general health, full mouth X-rays, a complete periodontal and dental evaluation, oral cancer screening and impressions for study models which will also be used to make our patients teeth whitening trays. We also take digital photos of our patient’s teeth that will be displayed on an iPad for them to view and discuss with Dr. Mee.
Continuing Care
Continuing care visits are usually every 6 months and include a dental cleaning and check up. These visits are extremely important for maintaining oral health and will dramatically reduce the risk of developing dental problems like periodontal disease, gingivitis, tooth loss and tooth decay. Coming in for regular visits also helps prevent any undiagnosed or new pathology from progressing.
Sports Mouth Guards
Athletes everywhere are realizing the importance of sports mouth guards especially in high impact sports like football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, softball, even snowboarding and skateboarding. Sports mouth guards can help prevent damage to the teeth, the supporting bone and soft tissues. It is important to realize that the better the fit and materials used the better the protection. Store bought mouth guards do not provide the level of protection that a custom made tray requiring impressions would. The custom fit mouth guards also help facilitate better breathing during physical activities because they are less bulky and stay on the teeth more securely.
Sealants
Sealants are an excellent preventive treatment option for preventing tooth decay. Often time the grooves on teeth can be very deep and narrow, to narrow to reach with a toothbrush. When sealants are done these grooves are cleaned and then sealed with a composite material to prevent food and bacteria from accumulating and therefore preventing tooth decay.
Fluoride
Application of fluoride or fluoride rinses can be an excellent and conservative treatment for preventing tooth decay and also helping with tooth sensitivity. Fluoride optimizes the mineralization of enamel and therefore helps strengthen the outer shell of the tooth.
Night guards
Night Guards or Occlusal Guards are used to help protect the dentition and also the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) especially in patients who have a grinding or clinching habit. The night guard is custom fabricated by the dental lab after impressions are taken. The guard is then tried in the mouth and adjusted to fit the opposing teeth in order to achieve total balance with every tooth. Improper fit or imbalance of the night guard can produce enough force to move teeth while the guard is worn; this is one reason why the store bought or smaller mouth guards available are not recommended. When the night guard is worn it protects the teeth and supporting structures from damaging forces and also positions the jaw in a more relaxed position so it can also help with TMJ or jaw muscle pains.
To schedule a consultation for any of our preventive care procedures, contact our office at (909) 748-7292.