Services
Whether you are looking to maintain your smile or to create a new one, we provide a broad scope of services to meet your needs. We use the latest technology and dedicate many hours of continuing education receiving specialized training so that we may provide our patients with the best that dentistry has to offer. Our focus on customer service and comfort is a top priority. Our treatment rooms are equipped with noise canceling headphones, private movie viewing glasses for DVDs, pillows, blankets, and warm towels for refreshment at the conclusion of your appointment.
Your Initial Exam
Our personalized initial exam and consultation are one of the many things that set us apart from the rest of the dental community. The exam will last 90 minutes. It is designed to provide you with a lifetime plan for having stable, comfortable, healthy teeth.
Preventative Treatment
Losing teeth due to tooth decay and bone loss are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventative care. We use the latest in technology to protect teeth as well as to detect decay and oral cancer.
Restorative Treatment
It is important to maintain the integrity of the teeth. When teeth have decay or are broken, it is essential that they are restored in order to maximize the beauty of your smile and to preserve your dental health. Restorations are chosen so that they will provide adequate protection for the natural tooth as well as maximize its function. If a tooth is not restorable, there is a variety of options to replace it.
Cosmetic Treatment
We can correct teeth that are discolored, misaligned, unevenly spaced, too long or short, worn down, and missing with procedures that are used singularly or in a combination of techniques and procedures.
Your Initial Exam
Your comprehensive exam will last approximately 90 minutes. Initially, you will be invited to discuss with Dr. Amatrudi your personal desires and any current problems regarding esthetics and function. After your consultation, Dr. Amatrudi will proceed with the following steps:
- Digital photos to evaluate smile, teeth, and gums
- X-rays to check for decay
- TMJ exam
- Oral Cancer Exam
- Check all restorations for breakage, decay, and cracks
- Periodontal Exam to check gums, mobile teeth, and bone loss
- Check evenness of your bite to make sure teeth are hitting properly and evenly
- Intraoral photos of existing fillings and decay
Following the exam, Dr. Amatrudi will review and explain her findings. You will then have the opportunity to discuss treatment options that best fits your lifestyle and budget.
Preventative Treatment
Cleanings and X-rays:
Regularly scheduled cleanings are an important part of your dental health routine. At the time of your appointment, the dental hygienists will scale and polish your teeth. This is done to remove any plaque or tartar buildup you may have that cannot be removed by regular brushing and flossing. Periodically, you will also have digital dental x-rays taken to check for decay. Digital x-rays allow us to get more information from each film than traditional x-rays because computers allow us to magnify and contrast the images in order to reveal anything that may be suspicious. Routine exams are an essential part of your overall health care because detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!
Sealants:
A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the deep grooves of the back teeth, usually the molars and premolars. These grooves can be very difficult to clean since they are narrow and deep where the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach them. These areas are snug places for plaque and food particles can get caught and can become areas especially prone to decay. The sealant is a plastic resin that bonds into the grooves and acts as a barrier to protect the enamel from plaque and acids that can cause tooth decay.
Vizilite oral cancer exam:
The Vizilite system is a rinse that uses immunoflourescence technology that is similar to that which is used for PSA tests and PAP smears. The test reveals any changes at a cellular level that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This early detection system is extremely valuable in successfully treating lesions and saving lives especially since one out of four cases of oral cancer diagnosed have no risk factors such as alcohol or tobacco use.
Restorative Treatment:
Tooth colored fillings:
Composite fillings are tooth colored fillings that are very durable, and are made to match the color of your natural tooth. Dr. Amatrudi uses these fillings to stop tooth decay from getting worse. Tooth decay results when plaque bacteria in the mouth use sugar and starch to break down tooth enamel and cause cavities in the teeth. Such cavities can be painful and, if left untreated, can result in a myriad of health problems including infection, abscess, and tooth loss.
Inlays and Onlays:
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are used to repair teeth that are badly damaged by decay or wear. If the tooth’s chewing surface has substantial decay or holds a large filling that is worn or cracked, then either an inlay or onlay may be recommended to restore the tooth. A back tooth has cusps, which are like peaks, and pits that are like valleys. If the cusps or peaks are intact, then an inlay will be made to fit into the contours of the cusps. If one or more cusps are weak or broken, then an onlay will be made to cover the cusp and provide protection and support to the chewing surfaces of the tooth. As long as there is adequate tooth structure remaining, both inlays and onlays are more conservative than crowns since they do not involve cutting down the entire tooth. Inlays and onlays can be made out of composite resin, porcelain, or gold.
Crowns:
A crown is used to cover a tooth and bring it back to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are placed when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings won't solve the problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage doesn't get worse. Crowns are also used to support a large filling when there isn't enough of the tooth remaining. There are 3 types of crowns: porcelain crowns, porcelain fused to gold crowns and full gold crowns. Porcelain crowns are predominately used on front teeth where esthetics is very important. There is no metal used so therefore, there are no dark lines that can be seen at the gumline. Porcelain fused to gold crowns are used in the back teeth where more strength is needed since these teeth take a lot of chewing forces and need added protection. This type of crown has a gold center for strength but is tooth colored on the outside so that they match your natural teeth. Full gold crowns are used when extra strength is needed to protect the teeth and is usually used in areas that are not seen when you smile.
Bridges:
A bridge is a restoration that replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. The natural teeth that are adjacent to the space created by the missing teeth are modified similar to that of crowns. They serve as retainers for the bridge, which is cemented into place. A fixed bridge looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth. It prevents other teeth from shifting and will help to maintain the shape of your face. They can either all porcelain, porcelain fused to gold, or all gold.
Implant Dentistry:
Dental implants are metal posts that work as a substitute for a real tooth root. The metal posts are placed in the bone under the gum where a tooth is missing. The bone will then heal around the metal post and a crown can then be placed on the post making this implant look like your natural tooth.
Implants help retain bone that would otherwise be lost because of a phenomenon called bone resorption. When a root is missing the bone will basically deteriorate because there is no root to hold the bone in place. When an implant is placed, the bone adheres to the implant and will not deteriorate which allows the implant to act as a strong foundation for biting and chewing. The advantage of doing a single tooth implant versus doing a bridge is that with an implant, the adjacent teeth are not affected. Dental implants may also be used to secure bridges and dentures when more than one tooth is missing.
Dentures and Partials:
When dental implants are not an option for missing teeth, Dr. Amatrudi may fit you with a denture or partial. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework.
Cosmetic Treatment
Veneers:
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia, and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth, and to improve a smile. Highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking, the wafer-thin porcelain veneers can achieve a tenacious bond to the tooth, resulting in an esthetically pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other restorative options.
Porcelain Crowns:
Porcelain crowns are used on teeth where esthetics is very important. They are placed when a tooth is generally broken down or when old crowns need to be replaced. Since there is no metal used, with porcelain crowns there are no unsightly dark lines that can be seen when you smile. Although porcelain crowns are used predominately on front teeth, there are now new high strength porcelain materials available that can be used on some back teeth.
Bonding:
Dental bonding is a process where tooth colored composite resin is bonded to the teeth. It is a conservative way to correct flaws in a smile. Bondings can be used to smooth out irregular edges, correct minor misalignments, and eliminate gaps between teeth. They can be placed in one appointment and will immediately transform your smile.
Tooth Contouring and Reshaping:
Tooth contouring and reshaping are simple procedures that are often used to correct minor imperfections such as teeth that are chipped, have irregular angles or are oddly shaped. Teeth that are uneven or slightly overlapping may also benefit from this treatment. It is usually a quick procedure that usually does not involve any anesthetic and can create a more attractive smile.
Whitening:
A bright white smile can make a dramatic impact on your appearance. There are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of your smile. We offer in office whitening as well as custom dental whitening trays you can take with you and use at home. If you would like to improve the color of your smile, ask Dr. Amatrudi what treatment is best for you!