Procedures

Here's a list of some of the procedures we do at Mason Family Dentistry along with a brief description of what each entails. Take a moment to learn about some issues you may encounter by reading through the information in the following.

Filling a Cavity

When there is decay in a tooth or a previous restoration needs to be redone, Dr. Peters will remove the decayed area, any old fillings and place a new restoration. There are two materials commonly used to fill a cavity and you and Dr. Peters can decide which is best for each situation.

Amalgam or Silver Filling

Dental amalgam is one of the most commonly used materials to fill cavities in decayed teeth. One of the reasons is that amalgam has a proven track record. It is widely used because it is easy to place and stands up to the intense pressure of chewing. For over 100 years, it has proven to be one of the safest, effective, and least expensive materials to fill a cavity.

Composite Resin or White Filling

Composite resins are tooth-colored fillings made of a plastic mixture filled with glass or silicon dioxide. They're used in place of traditional silver fillings in areas where patients would like the restoration to match the color of the tooth.

When applying a composite resin filling, Dr. Peters will prepare the decayed tooth normally. Then he'll insert the composite and use a special light to harden the material. Lastly, he'll shape the composite to properly fit the tooth and polish it to prevent staining.

Crowns/Caps

When a tooth is broken, cracked, badly decayed or chipped it may need to be crowned. This involves fabricating an artificial covering of a tooth with gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.

Crowns are usually made from porcelain in a color that matches your teeth, and are attached to a strong metal shell. Less commonly, they're made of gold or non-precious alloys, ceramic, acrylic or composite resin, or any combination of these.

A crown involves two visits. In the first visit, the area will be prepared for the crown. Then, Dr. Peters and his assisstant will make a temporary to protect the tooth until the permanent crown is ready. The permanent crown will be made in a dental lab and will be placed about two weeks after your first visit.

Extractions

There are several reasons that a tooth might need to be extracted; either because it's too badly damaged or decayed to save or because the tooth is causing crowding, an improper bite, or preventing another tooth from coming in.

An extraction involves the use of a local anesthetic to completely numb the area around the tooth to be removed. Then Dr. Peters will gently move the tooth back and forth to loosen it from the socket. To control bleeding, Dr. Peters will place a gauze pad over the gums where the tooth was removed.

After an extraction, you will be given a complete set of instructions on speeding the healing process and often Dr. Peters will prescribe medication to control the pain and secondary infection.

Root Canal

When one of your teeth gets injured or infected, the soft tissues, blood vessels and nerves that lie in its center, called the pulp chamber, also become damaged. When the tooth's pulp loses its vitality, it results in pulp death. The most common causes of pulp death are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or traumatic injury to the tooth. This can result in an abscess forming at the end of the root, causing pain and swelling. At this time a root canal will be needed.

Depending on the tooth location, Dr. Peters may perform the root canal in his office or refer you to another dental professional.

Sealants

Dr. Peters often recommends sealants for children to help prevent development of cavities in the future. There is no anesthetic or drilling involved in sealants. They are painted on as a liquid and quickly dry and harden to form a protective shield over the tooth and the hygienist can put them on during a normal check-up. Molars are particularly in need of reinforcement because they have small, difficult to reach pits where food and germs tend to get stuck.

Sealants can offer protection for up to ten years, but it's a good idea to have them checked during regular office visits to make sure they're not worn or chipped. If they are, Dr. Peters can fix them simply by applying “touch-up” sealant.

Whitening

In our office, we provide a wide variety of whitening methods.

• Professional Strength Whitening Strips


• Zoom! Whitening Pen


• Fabricate custom trays which can be filled with whitening gel


• In-office Zoom! Whitening

During your next visit, feel free to discuss these options with your hygienist or with Dr. Peters.

Implants

If you have lost a tooth, a bridge or dentures are not your only options. Dr. Peters will be happy to discuss the advantages of dental implants. These implants are directly attached to the jawbone and are more comfortable than dentures and bridges and they work better, making it easier to chew and speak.

If you are interested in dental implants, Dr. Peters will perform a complete oral exam, check the condition of your mouth, the supporting bones in your jaws and the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. This will help determine whether or not implants are appropriate for you. Working with local professionals, Dr. Peters will begin the process, which involves inserting the anchor in place of the affected tooth. After the gums have healed, restorative teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Dr. Peters will make sure that the implants fit properly so that they are comfortable and work properly.

Outside Procedures

Sometimes it's necessary to send you to a specialist for certain procedures we don't do in our office.

We have a great relationship with many local doctors so we can meet all of your dental care needs.

Here's a list of the offices to which you may be referred.

Some important and informative links:

• WebMD
• Wikipedia
• Oral Physiology