Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent dental problems and bad breath. back

Dental Cleaning

Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque from teeth, in order to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontitis. It is part of a complete program of oral hygiene. If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease gum treatment rather than a simple cleaning will be necessary. back

Gum treatments

The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium include: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. With proper gum treatments, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. Periondontal disease often goes unnoticed until the problem is very severe. Therefore it is imperative to be examined by a trained dental professional regularly to diagnose and treat the disease in the early stages. back

Halitosis Treatment

Halitosis is sophisticated word for “bad breath.” Depending on the cause, bad breath may strike on occasional or may be a more persistent condition. The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria. Because the mouth is moist and warm, it creates perfect conditions for the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth. In fact, approximately 80% of bad breath is caused by something in the mouth. back

Sealants

Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. The sealants are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. back

Fillings

Sometimes cavities happen. A filling can help restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. If you have a tooth that requires a filling, we will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned out cavity with a filling material. A filling also helps prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria can enter.
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Inlays and onlays

If the damage to the tooth is extensive enough an inlay or an onlay is required to sufficiently restore the tooth. Inlays and onlays are conservative, indirect restorations fabricated in a qualified laboratory. back

Crowns

Crown refers to the restoration of teeth using materials that are fabricated by indirect methods which are cemented into place. A crown is used to cap or completely cover a tooth. back

Bridges

A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants. back

Root Canal

Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity or a crack is allowed through to reach all the way to the pulp (regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early). Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected and can even extend through the root tip and begin to deteriorate the surrounding bone. back

TMJ Treatment

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it's where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result. back

Neuromuscular Dentistry

Neuromuscular Dentistry can help alleviate symptoms such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, jaw pain, clicking or popping in the jaw, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The majority of North Americans suffer from one or more of these symptoms, and unfortunately in many cases these patients? symptoms are either misdiagnosed or dismissed as having no physiological cause. In a number of cases, these symptoms can actually be attributed to TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction). These terms are just different names for the same group of symptoms. Dr. McPherson may be able to help you if you are suffering from any of the above symptoms or a number of other symptoms. Click here for a more complete list of symptoms and how neuromuscular dentistry can help you
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Veneers

A veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory, and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement such as Panavia. In contrast, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated. back

Extractions

Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although we will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, sometimes there are still necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted. For example, a tooth may need to be extracted if the following occurs:

• Severe decay
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Infection or abscess
• Malpositioned teeth
• Fractured teeth or roots
• Impacted teeth

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Implants

Dental implant is an artificial tooth replacement procedure that helps individuals to replace teeth that have been lost or removed due to various circumstances. The implant procedure typically starts with insertion of a titanium pin, which has a “roughed up” surface, into the jawbone; titanium is used because of its unique ability to be fused to bone, allowing for a solid setting for the replacement crown. back

Whitening

Tooth whitening is a popular procedure to make teeth whiter and brighter, and therefore more attractive. Bleaching can be used to whiten stained and discolored teeth, or simply to enhance a dull smile. Either way, tooth whitening is a safe and relatively painless procedure ideal for most patients. back

Digital X-Rays

In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using up to 90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays. Using this technology, we are able to take an x-ray of your mouth by using a small sensor which records the image of your teeth and sends it to a computer. The result is a highly detailed image of your mouth that can easily be enhanced to better diagnose dental concerns and determine the very best treatment for each case. back

Intraoral camera

We use small cameras about the size of a pen, called intraoral cameras, to help clearly see the condition of your teeth and gums. With this advanced technology we can zoom in on small diseased areas, cracks, chips and worn metal fillings with extreme precision. The full-color images taken with the intraoral camera are sent to a computer screen so we can clearly see and diagnose dental problems much earlier than with traditional dental technology. Because images are displayed on our screens, patients will also be able to see areas being worked on and are able to gain a better understanding of dental procedures being performed. back

Hard And Soft tissue laser

Hard tissue lasers are used to remove old fillings, repair cavities, and prepare teeth for bonding. As with soft tissue lasers, they dramatically minimize discomfort and allow the dentist to treat teeth with more precision.

Soft tissue lasers are used to safely remove soft tissue, such as excess gum tissue. The soft tissue laser can also be employed to destroy bacteria in gum pockets, preventing infection and allowing the tissue to return to a healthy state. The soft tissue laser enabled the dentist to treat our patients with extreme accuracy and eliminates the need for most stitches. back

Telecopic loupes

The dentist performs most of his dental procedures while wearing a pair of funny looking glasses called surgical telescopes. These powerful glasses have magnifiers on them, allowing the dentist to see fine details that would go unnoticed to the naked eye. back

Diagnodent

Providing the absolute best service to our patients is of the highest importance to our office. To aid in achieving this goal, we use a new high-tech device called the DIAGNOdent. This small tool is a portable laser that allows us to detect cavities on the chewing surface of the back teeth that would have otherwise gone undetected by previous methods. Diagnosing cavities in the back of the mouth using traditional methods is difficult; studies even show that 50% of cavities are left undetected in these areas.However, the new DIAGNOdent enables us to locate and treat these cavities, putting a stop to further decay. The laser is easy to use, harmless, and will alert us with an audible signal if it detects a cavity. It will even calculate the approximate size of the cavity so we can better plan treatment. By using this device, you can rest assured that cavities will be accurately detected and treated in their infancy. To learn more about this device, click here. back

Electronic Claims

Our office utilizes electronic claims processing. This means that rather than sending your dental claim through the mail, it is sent electronically to your insurance company with the click of the button. By filing your claim electronically, information is submitted more efficiently and with fewer errors. This benefits our patients because the turn around time on claims is faster and fewer claims are returned or denied. We are happy to submit your dental claims to your insurance company on your behalf. back

paperless charting

Our office is a completely digital (paperless) dental office. This means all X-rays and charting are made and recorded with the aid of the computer. This technology allows us to maintain your dental records electronically and cut down the unnecessary paperwork used with traditional paper charting. back