At Elite Dental Associates, our general dentistry services are provided to benefit our valued patients in maintaining their dental health and preventing dental issues from developing in the future. With a range of treatments and resources available to help patients bring out the best in their smiles, and address concerns before they worsen, we are confident that our services can make a positive impact on our patients’ lives and their health.
If you are searching for exceptional general care in Redlands, CA, we will be delighted to meet, treat, and take care of you! Call our office today to schedule an appointment – you’ll be glad you did!
Crowns
Dental crowns are custom-made prosthetic dental appliances that are designed to encapsulate a damaged tooth. Crowns are usually placed when a tooth has been extensively damaged or when it has lost a large portion of its original structure; in most cases, they are placed following a root canal.
Dental crowns serve multiple purposes: aesthetics, health, and protection.
- The aesthetics of the prosthetic are capable of restoring the appearance of a tooth that has suffered cosmetically or appears less appealing than neighboring teeth. We will design your new crown to match the shape, shade, and size of surrounding teeth to ensure a blendable smile.
- Dental crowns aid the health of your natural tooth by providing strength to the structure following extensive damage. This keeps your natural tooth intact and the root connected to the jawbone; without the availability of procedures such as root canals, and restorations with crowns, many teeth would need to be extracted.
- A dental crown is designed to entirely cover the natural tooth and act as a durable barrier, protecting the tooth from external elements, such as acidic plaque or bacteria, or even hard, crunchy foods you consume. A damaged tooth has lost integrity and is much weaker and easier to break or suffer additional trauma. With the crown cemented over the top of the natural tooth, you have the opportunity to avoid extraction and prolong the health of your natural anatomy.
Bridges
Dental bridges are a type of restoration that is used to replace one or more missing teeth in a subsequent section of the mouth. These bridges are designed with three or more crowns that have been fused together to span the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth. In order to attach the bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap must be reshaped for the crowns to fit on top and encapsulate the teeth; this is where the bridge retains its strength and stability.
Once the bridge is properly designed, and the natural teeth are prepared, the bridge is cemented into position and capable of restoring the function and appearance of the smile for up to seven years; at this point, replacement of the appliance will be recommended.
Partials
Partials are a type of denture appliance that is commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. Contrary to full dentures, partials are designed to snap into place by being clipped onto neighboring teeth. Partials are removable appliances that must be removed and cleaned each night to avoid infection or gum tissue irritation. When utilized and cared for properly, partials can be a life-changing solution for those who are missing one or more teeth.
If you are considering getting a partial denture, it is important to consult with our doctors and discuss your concerns or needs. This will be an essential step in determining the best option for your restoration. While partials are incredible appliances, they are not suitable for everyone, and in some cases, bridges may be a better solution.
Dentures
Dentures are removable dental prosthetic devices that replace an entire arch of missing teeth in either the upper or lower jaw. They are made up of two parts: the tooth arch and the denture base.
- The tooth arch is made from strong, durable materials like porcelain or resin. These substances produce a product that is capable of sustaining bite force while also appearing natural in shade and texture.
- The denture base is made from a softer, moldable material like acrylic or polymer. This base is designed to fit snugly over your dental arch and become secure using either suction or adhesive. The base is colored pink to appear as natural, healthy gum tissue that secures the structure of the artificial teeth.
With a set of professionally designed dentures, patients can experience better overall health and happiness with a prosthetic that allows them to chew properly, speak clearly, and smile confidently.
Fillings
Dental fillings are a type of restoration that is used to fill in small areas of the tooth that have been damaged due to injury or tooth decay. They can be made from a variety of materials, including gold, silver, and composite resin. Dental fillings help to protect the teeth by preventing acidic saliva, plaque, or bacteria from reaching the pulp of the tooth.
By treating decay before the tooth’s interior region becomes compromised, patients are able to more invasive procedures and extractions.
Our process for applying a filling is as follows:
- To begin, the tooth and surrounding tissues are thoroughly numbed by a local anesthetic.
- Any decay that is present is removed from the tooth.
- We will carefully shape the tooth in a way that supports the filling.
- A gel will be applied that helps the material bond with the natural tooth.
- The filling will be applied and cured into position using an LED light.
- We will then check to see that your bite is comfortable and perform any polishing and reshaping necessary to finalize the filling process.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, or SRP, is a combination of dental procedures that are used to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. This treatment is commonly provided to patients who have more advanced stages of gum disease. Providing an SRP procedure allows diseased gum tissue the opportunity to recover and reattach to the tooth surface.
- Scaling involves the use of a scaler tool to remove plaque and calculus from the surfaces of the teeth – both above and below the gum line.
- Root planing is the smoothing of the root surfaces of the teeth. This helps to remove any additional bacteria from hallowed spaces and pockets. Once the roots are polished, this greatly diminishes the chances of plaque and tartar accumulating in the same spaces in the future.
Full Mouth Debridement
Full mouth debridement is a dental procedure used to remove excess amounts of plaque and tartar from all of the teeth. It is typically recommended for people who have an above-average presence of plaque and tartar build-up or patients who are at risk for developing gum disease.
The procedure involves using special instruments to scrape away the plaque and tartar from your teeth. This can be done in a single visit to the dentist, or it may require multiple appointments.
In contrast to regular dental cleanings, debridement procedures are reserved for circumstances that require a heavier focus on plaque and tartar removal. This service is performed for the purpose of removing deposits that can’t be eliminated with a toothbrush and allowing our dentist to perform a thorough inspection of the teeth after the build-up is removed.
Prophylaxis
Dental prophylaxis is a type of preventive procedure that is performed routinely to promote oral health by preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems from occurring. This is done by professionally cleaning the teeth at a dental office over a routine duration – typically every four to six months.
Prophylaxis is performed by our dentist or dental hygienist and can be done as part of a regular dental check-up or as a more focused treatment if we notice gum inflammation or the development of a small cavity.
Prophylaxis is an important part of oral care and can help to keep the teeth and gums healthy and looking their best. It can also help to prevent more serious dental problems from developing.
If you have any questions about dental prophylaxis, or if you would like to schedule a cleaning appointment, please call our office today.
Fluoride Varnish
Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in earth’s rocks and is released as an elemental contribution to water, soil, and air — it’s even in some of the food we eat and hygienic products we use (toothpaste, mouthwash, etc). In the human body, fluoride serves its purpose in strengthening our bones and teeth as calcium fluoride.
The mineral works by bonding with the calcium in your teeth to strengthen the tooth’s natural barrier — the enamel. This helps to prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acids that can cause cavities; in fact, it can even reverse the development of decay in the early stages.
In our office, we offer fluoride varnish to protect the teeth and strengthen the enamel. Varnish is painted onto the surfaces of the tooth and allowed to dry. This is most often suggested to patients under the following conditions:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Early cavity development
- Demineralization
Oral Health Education
As part of our commitment to our patients’ smiles, our practice prioritizes the care they receive in our office and at home between their visits. We want to empower them to take proper care of their smiles and see progress and improvements that they can take pride in.
In order to ensure that every patient is able to maintain their smile health, we provide individualized attention, resources, and education that truly makes a difference in their lives and oral hygiene habits.
Because we only see our patients a few days out of the year, we believe it is not only valuable but also essential that we provide them with the guidance and support they need to maintain their best smiles between appointments!
