What Is Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a non-allergenic, non-irritating gas that affects the central nervous system. It's one of the safest forms of sedation available, and patients who have used it report very few, if any, side effects. If you're like most patients, you'll begin to feel the nitrous oxide take effect within 3 to 5 minutes. Following treatment, the effects of this gas are completely reversed within 3 to 5 minutes, simply by breathing normally. In fact, you will be able to safely drive home or to work following your appointment.

What Are the Benefits of Having Nitrous Oxide During Dental Treatment?

• Nitrous oxide can make you feel more comfortable during your appointment.
• You remain conscious and are fully aware during treatment.
• The depth of sedation can be varied throughout your treatment as required.
• Your gag reflex and flow of saliva are somewhat decreased.
• Nitrous oxide can reduce the discomfort or anxiety associated with an injection of local anesthesia. In some cases, particularly with small children, it takes the place of an injection all together.
• Most importantly, it helps to eliminate fear and reduces anxiety by helping you relax.

Who Can Have Nitrous Oxide?
Nearly all patients can have nitrous oxide. There are practically no side effects associated with nitrous oxide use. Occasionally, however, asthmatic patients or those suffering from severe bronchitis or other known lung disorders may elect not to use it. Ultimately, this is a decision best made by you and your dentist. Make sure you report any changes in your medical history to your dentist prior to using nitrous oxide.

Laser Dentistry

We Can't Cure What We Can't See!
Locating hidden decay before it destroys tooth structure (from the inside out) is a big problem in modern dentistry. The widespread use of fluoride supplements in dental materials, toothpastes, and drinking water have made tooth surfaces harder and more resistant to decay. However, diagnosing cavities is more challenging because the disease process can start through microscopic defects in the hard surface enamel and can readily spread into the softer tooth structure beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, the external surface of the tooth still appears to be healthy. X rays and probing with an explorer are simply unreliable in detecting subsurface decay, particularly when the cavity is in its early stages. Fortunately, the new DIAGNOdent is a major breakthrough that allows the dentist to monitor tooth surfaces. The DIAGNOdent allows the dentist to locate hidden decay and with treatment, stop the spread of disease before it destroys the tooth from within. This treatment is patient friendly, especially with children.

This unique instrument provides instant feedback on the health of the tooth. A pen-like probe simply glides over tooth surfaces constantly checking the health of the tooth. A number scale and an alarm signals the operator when there are signs of hidden decay. This new technology is completely safe and pain free.

Tooth Sealants

Why Seal Teeth?
Over the past 15 or more years, numerous materials and techniques have been developed to seal the top occlusal surfaces of teeth. These procedures are necessary because many teeth have defective occlusal surfaces when they complete mineralization, and food debris and microorganisms penetrate into the tooth during eating. Patients cannot clean these areas effectively and dental decay (caries) occurs frequently.

Do All Teeth Need to Be Sealed?
Usually only the back (posterior) teeth require sealing. We cannot tell which teeth require sealing, since the incomplete fusion of the teeth often leaves a nearly microscopic entry from the enamel outside of the tooth into the softer dentin inside. Therefore, it is suggested that all posterior teeth and selected anterior teeth be sealed. A few teeth that do not require sealing may be sealed inadvertently, because it is impossible to select defective from non-defective teeth at an early age.

How Long Do Sealants Last?
Studies show sealants last many years. However, occasional resealing may be required depending on diet and other factors.

TMJ Syndrome

What Is TMJ Syndrome?
Sixty million Americans have it. It’s more common in the elderly and affects men and women equally. Its exact cause is unknown, but women are nine times more likely than men to seek treatment for this malady.

The lower jaw (mandible) is attached to the skull by a joint on each side of the face, called the temporomandibular joint. We refer to it as the TMJ. Any number of problems associated with the chewing muscles, ligaments, bones, or the joints can prevent the TMJ from functioning properly—hence, the term TMJ syndrome.

What Causes TMJ Syndrome?
Disorders often result when the chewing muscles and the TMJ work incorrectly. When this occurs, the muscles frequently cramp or go into spasm. Sometimes the spasms become part of a cycle that results in tissue damage, pain, and muscle tenderness.

Accidents, including injuries to the jaw, neck, or head, or even diseases such as arthritis, may cause TMJ disorders. The two most common causes of TMJ syndrome, however, are oral habits (grinding and clenching) and improper bite.

Root Canal Therapy

What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy (endodontics) treats disorders of the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. It used to be that a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be removed. In 95 percent of these cases today, however, this is no longer true. We believe in saving teeth (instead of removing them), and we will make every effort to save yours!

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
There are several reasons that you may need a root canal. The most common are trauma and physical irritation.

How Can Your Tooth Be Saved with Endodontic Treatment?
First, the tooth may be isolated with a piece of rubber dam. This confines the treatment area and protects the mouth from bacteria and chemical agents. An opening is made through the crown into the pulp. (Your tooth may be numbed prior to this procedure.)

We then carefully remove the diseased pulp. The root canal area inside your tooth is cleaned, enlarged, and shaped. Then, depending on your individual case, the root canal(s) and pulp chamber may be permanently filled and sealed. In some cases, however, we place a temporary medication in the tooth to control bacterial growth and reduce infection.

A temporary filling is placed in the opening of the tooth until the next visit. In some cases, however, the tooth may be left open. This allows the infection to drain.

At the next appointment, we sterilize the inside of the tooth to remove the bacteria. Throughout the root canal procedure, we take X rays to ensure that all of the infected pulp is removed and that the walls inside the canal are smooth.

The root canal and pulp chamber are permanently filled and sealed, and finally the tooth is fully restored to chewing function.

Periodontal Disease

What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Plaque is most harmful when these bacteria form into colonies, which takes about 24 hours. If not removed daily, plaque mixes with sugars and starches in the diet to form acids and other by-products in the mouth. Plaque irritates the gums, causing them to become red, tender, and swollen. It causes the gums to bleed easily. If not removed, plaque hardens to form calculus (tartar) around the necks of the teeth.

Eventually, the tissue that attaches the gums to the teeth is destroyed by the irritants in plaque. The gums pull away from the teeth, and small pockets form between the teeth and gums. These pockets become filled with more plaque. Eventually, the jawbone supporting the teeth is destroyed. Periodontal disease is usually a slow, painless, progressive disease. Most adults with gum disease are unaware that they have it. If diagnosed early, however, the teeth can be saved.

Insurance
Preferred providers for the following dental insurance companies are:

• Met Life
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
• United Concordia
• Delta Dental (Premier and Preferred)
• Ameri-Plan (not insurance/a discount program)

* We accept most major dental insurance plans. We would be happy to review your insurance plan with you and file your insurance claims.

Most major credit cards accepted.

Please contact us if you have further questions.