An oral examination is a visual clinical inspection of the mouth, head, and neck, performed to detect abnormalities. We also incorporate a Diagnodent, which is a painless laser cavity detection using laser light. In addition, we take intra-oral digital radiographs allow for a more complete examination, helping the doctor to detect cavities, problems in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession or other abnormal conditions within the mouth, head and neck area.

At your first visit to the Madison Dental Spa, a comprehensive full mouth series of dental x-rays should be taken. Using the most modern digital sensors, which emit the lowest dosage, not only help the doctors to see things never seen before but allow the doctors to present the images to patients to help patients understand their dental care choices and needs.

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.

Home care is an extremely important part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but even excellent home care cannot prevent bacteria and plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden, becoming calculus. We will recommend a periodontal maintenance program that is best for you based on how quickly you develop calculus and your past and current periodontal health. During your maintenance visits we will perform and oral examination as well as a dental cleaning.

During an oral examination, a visual inspection is performed to detect normal and abnormal structures of the entire mouth, head and neck. Along with radiographs, an examination detects cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession and any other abnormal findings within the mouth, head and neck

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.

Soft-tissue diode lasers have numerous functions to improve periodontal health:

• Reshape gum tissue
• Biopsy or removal of soft tissue lesions and ulcers
• Remove areas of tooth decay
• Eliminate infection in gum tissue pockets
• Fuse tissues
• Perform frenectomies (such as correction of ankyloglossia)

Laser Bacterial Reduction and Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy

When used in conjunction with a periodontal program, soft-tissue diode lasers can be extremely effective in reducing or eliminating bacteria located in the periodontal pockets.

Tartar and plaque on the tooth surfaces can harbor bacteria, allowing for the development of gingivitis. Often causing discomfort and swollen or bleeding gum tissues, gingivitis can progress to an infection in the the gum tissues, known as periodontitis. This infection of the gums can create periodontal pockets, separating teeth from the surrounding gum and bone structure. If left untreated, this condition will lead to tooth loss.

To repair the damage to the tissue, the infection needs to be cleaned out, and the pockets must be sealed. What previously required surgery and stitches can now be accomplished through laser treatment. This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser technology to remove the diseased tissue and bacteria. The laser is also used to help seal the pocket so that new germs can not get back in. This treatment minimizes trauma to the gum tissue, providing a more comfortable procedure for the patient than traditional methods and significantly reducing healing time.

A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a severely decayed tooth. Dental crowns can be completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepped (shaved down) and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is fitted comfortably and then cemented into place for a permanent restoration. We make crowns out of only ceramic or zirconia, which make for a beautiful, durable, and metal-free restoration.

See also CAD/CAM.

Is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

A bridge replaces missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A false tooth is held in place by being attached to a neighboring tooth. In order to fabricate a bridge, crowns are made for the teeth on either side of the space and a false tooth is placed in between the crowns, as a support. Often, bridges are made of very strong zirconia and require absolutely no metal.

Dental implants replace tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium, which are placed in the jawbone. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth. We work with specialists in implant placement to create the optimal treatment for you. A specialist will place the implant, and then we fabricate and place the replacement teeth. 

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures, complete (full) and partial dentures.

Complete (Full) Dentures are made after all the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. The denture includes an acrylic base that is custom made in the dental laboratory and are made to look like natural gums, which sits over the gums or can be anchored to dental implants.

Removeable Partial Dentures are made only when a few teeth need to be replaced. The removable partial denture either attaches to crowns on either side of the denture or to a metal framework that is attached to the teeth on both sides of the partial denture. Partial dentures can be removable or they can be anchored in place by attaching them to dental implants. Removable partial dentures can be supported in place by attaching them to dental implants when wearing them during the day.

Tooth-colored fillings are the most lifelike material used to fill cavities. Composite fillings can be done in one visit. Once the decay is removed from the tooth, it is filled with this composite material and left to harden immediately afterwards.

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is gently removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.
When used for surgical and dental procedures, the laser acts as a cutting instrument. When used for “curing” a filling, the laser helps to strengthen the bond between the filling and the tooth. When used in teeth-whitening procedures, the laser acts as a heat source and enhances the effect of tooth-bleaching agents. The procedures performed with dental lasers are minimally invasive and preferable to conventional surgery.

Other benefits of laser dentistry over traditional methods can include:

• Reduced heat and vibration
• Little or no need for anesthetic
• Faster treatment time
• Increased rate of retention
• Less post-operative complications

Lasers can be used to:

• Reshape gum tissue
• Biopsy or remove soft tissue lesions and ulcers
• Remove areas of tooth decay
• Eliminate pockets of infected gum tissue
• Perform root canal therapy
• Correct ankyloglossia (tongue-tied)
• Perform oral surgery and extractions

CAD/CAM is an acronym that stands for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM technology is used to help the dental team fabricate precise shapes and sizes for dental restorations including inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges. This technology provides patients with durable, esthetic, well-fitted single and multiple tooth restorations in a more efficient manner. The first step in using CAD/CAM technology is tooth preparation. Next, an impression is taken and the prepared tooth’s exact dimensions are entered into a computer. Afterwards, the computer software creates a virtual restoration replacement part for the missing areas of the tooth. The software then sends the virtual restoration data to the milling machine, where the replacement part is carved out of a solid block of ceramic or zirconia, which make for incredibly strong restorations. The restoration is adjusted in the patient’s mouth and cemented or bonded in place.

Also see crowns.

An inlay or onlay is a partial crown restoration that can be placed when there is not sufficient tooth structure to support a filling, but not quite large enough to require a crown. Using all-porcelain restorations to restore the original shape and size of the tooth, inlays and onlays aesthetically and functionally replace the missing tooth structure.

Zoom! whitening uses a patented Zoom light and proprietary gel to facilitate the whitening process. The procedure takes approximately one to one and a half hours and can whiten a patient’s teeth by six to eight shades in one visit.

Whitening, also known as bleaching, is the procedure used to brighten teeth. There are two different ways to achieve a desired whiter smile, in-office whitening (see Zoom! Whitening) and at-home bleaching.

At-Home bleaching requires an impression of the teeth to be taken to make a customized mouth guard to hold the whitening gel, containing carbide peroxide, against the teeth. Once the mouth guard is made, it is worn for a period of time, as instructed by our office. The amount of time may vary from a couple hours a day, or all night, for up to four weeks or longer, if desired.

Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth. To place a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed. Afterwards, an adhesive layer is placed between the slightly prepped tooth and the veneer. The veneer is then hardened with a curing light.

We use a soft-tissue diode laser in our office. Dental lasers are a medical technology that emits a beam of concentrated light. When used for surgical and periodontal procedures, the laser acts as a cutting instrument. The procedures performed with dental lasers are minimally invasive and preferable to conventional surgery.

Lasers in dentistry allow for many periodontal procedures to be performed with no noise, minimal pain, less bleeding, faster recovery times and fewer appointments. Some additional benefits lasers have over traditional methods include:

• Reduced heat and vibration
• Little or no need for anesthetic
• Little to no bleeding
• Faster treatment time
• Reduced damage to healthy tissues
• Minimal post-operative swelling and discomfort
• Fewer infections or post-operative complications
• Shortened duration of cold sores and canker sores
• Cleaner impressions