Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Your dentist will determine whether your third molars need to be extracted based on a dental examination and panoramic radiograph.
• X-rays
• Oral Cancer Screening
  At your first appointment, your doctor will complete a comprehensive oral examination. This includes a complete review of your medical and dental history, all necessary x-rays and intraoral photos, study models (if necessary), oral cancer screening, periodontal health evaluation, and examination of your teeth and soft tissues. Following this exam, your dentist will discuss the findings with you, listen to your concerns and goals for your oral health, and develop a treatment plan that you are comfortable with.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Also, at the initial examination we found 2 abscessed teeth and periodontal disease. Both of these situations are causes of inflammation and stress for the body. Treatment with periodontal cleanings and removal of the abscessed teeth were performed as soon as possible. We also recommended our patient use a Waterpik to help irrigate the deeper pockets and showed him an essential oil rinse he can add to further reduce the bacterial counts. This treatment was highly important considering the blood pressure problems that already were present.
• Dental Sealants
  Parents often have questions about dental sealants and if they are a good option for their child. Why Dental Sealant May Be Necessary Teaching your child to brush and floss properly (and regularly) can take some time, but it doesn't take long for harmful plaque and bacteria to damage teeth. Read More

Restorative

• Fillings
  Our dentists are SMART certified in the removal of amalgam fillings. SMART-certification signifies that a dentist has completed the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology’s educational program about rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental mercury amalgam fillings. Our dentists will work with your medical health care provider to develop a personalized plan for amalgam removal.
• Veneers
  Porcelain veneers are the most commonly used veneers. When used in the correct situations, they can correct a variety of problems and are both conservative and long-lasting. Veneers bond to the existing enamel of the tooth, which is a very strong bond. Your bite plays an important part in deciding which restorations are the right choice for you.
• Crowns
  Intraoral scanning is a replacement for traditional impression materials. A digital impression is taken, which can be used to either print models of the teeth or create design a crown on a computer that can then be milled. While other camera systems use lasers, pictures or continuous video, the Trios takes up to 1000 3D /images/second and builds a HD color 3D model of the mouth from these images. The Trios is currently the only system that boasts shade matching technology in the image capture system. This gives the lab more details about the different colors, areas of brightness and shape of the teeth.
• Bridges
  I am a third generation native of Boise. My grandfather was born in a house on Warm Springs avenue. After attending Bishop Kelly High School I received a B.S. in Biology, with a minor in chemistry, from the College of Idaho. During college I enjoyed being a member of the basketball and soccer teams, as well as participatingin campus ministries and being a founding member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity on campus. I graduated from the University Of Washington School Of Dentistry in 2005. While in school, I received awards and achievement-based scholarships in fixed prosthodontics (crowns and bridges), operative dentistry, gold work (inlays, onlays, crowns), and for state and national essay competitions on ethics in dentistry and geriatric dentistry. One of the most interesting awards was for having the top marks in fixed prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, onlays, etc.). For a year I was the proud owner of a 2-foot tall wooden tooth carved by a chainsaw. Sadly, it was a traveling award and I had to return it for the next year's class.
• Dental Bonding
  Bonding is used to repair small to moderate sized chips, spaces, discolorations or other defects in teeth. A composite material of a similar shade is used to bring the tooth back to its proper shape.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  I grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho and initially became involved in dentistry through dental assisting. This is where my passion for patient care was ignited. I decided to further my education in dentistry with an undergraduate degree at Idaho State University followed by my dental degree from University of Las Vegas, Nevada School of Dental Medicine, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I also received the Joel F. Glover General Dentistry Award which is given to one student in each graduating class for "outstanding integrity, humility, promise of leadership, and proficiency in all aspects of general dentistry." Subsequently, I completed a competitive residency program for Advanced Education in General Dentistry through ISU. There I received additional training in implant placement, endodontics, 3rd molar extractions, as well as licensing in conscious sedation. Since then, I have sought out and remained actively involved in several dental study clubs here in Boise through which I am continually learning in this evolving field.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Dental Implants are one of the most exciting treatments in modern dentistry. Although the first implant was placed 40 years ago, the new developments in the field are making implants a more often utilized restorative option for tooth loss and denture retention. Dental implants can help replace missing teeth that can affect your appearance, oral function, or self-confidence. Drs. Bruce, Ririe, and Pothier have years of experience placing dental implants in Boise, Idaho.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Success rates for dental implants vary depending on the study, but in general success rates are between 90-98%. Selecting patients who are good candidates for implants is important and contributes to success. Smoking, inadequate bone height, width or quality, systemic diseases, hygiene and other factors contribute to failure, but even people with some risk factors can still have dental implants.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
• Tooth Extractions
  Sedation dentistry involves the use of medications to help patients relax during dental procedures. Dental sedation can help patients suffering from various levels of dental anxiety and phobia to have a pleasant experience during their appointment. There are various other situations besides dental anxiety in which sedation may be a good option as well. Some of these include difficulty keeping your mouth open for long periods of time, extensive or more complex treatment needs, or simply a desire to minimize time in the chair and the number of visits to completion. Sedation dentistry is also a routinely used and ideal option for wisdom teeth extractions in young patients.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Myofunctional orthodontics involves the use of permanent, removable and/or semi-removeable appliances and/or exercises that affect not only the teeth but the posture of the jaw and encourage ideal growth of the face. This is done through light expansion of the arches and improvement of tongue posture. The actual treatment plan necessary will be determined by the degree of crowding or tongue dysfunction and the age of the child. Since studies show 90% of the growth of the head is completed by age 12, ideally problems are identified as early as possible and the underlying issues causing these problems are corrected. Without fail, our treatment plan includes improving chewing and tongue function. Our appliances can be thought of as ways to facilitate the return to ideal function, and thus form, of the teeth, jaws and airway.
• Invisalign Orthodontics
  Invisalign® is a system of clear aligners used to straighten teeth. Making the decision to straighten your teeth is much easier when you know that Invisalign® is flexible enough to let you live your life the way you want to. With Invisalign®, the aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they're also removable. That means you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing, to eating whatever you like. With other devices, brushing and flossing properly can take much longer.
• Braces
  Based on your individual treatment plan, a series of custom-made, clear aligners are then created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable BPA-free plastic that won't irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete and you achieve the smile you have always wanted. The best part of the whole process is that most people won't even know you are straightening your teeth.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  Zoom, White Strips, at-home tray whitening, your great aunt Elma's homemade teeth whitening concoction—There are more ways to whiten your teeth now than ever before. So how do you decide which whitening product is the best for your situation?
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental procedure that improves the look of your smile. Doctors Bruce, Ririe, and Pothier provide many cosmetic services, ranging from small composites and whitening to all ceramic crowns. Below are some of the cosmetic dentistry options we offer at our offices...
• General Dentistry
  Drs. Bruce, Ririe, and Pothier have expertise in a wide variety of dental services utilizing the latest technology. From simple preventive care to excellent restorative and cosmetic services, we have you covered. A list of the general dentistry services we perform include...