Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit. At regular check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will perform the following...
• X-rays
  Digital radiography (digital X-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental X-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of X-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged, helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems more easily. Digital X-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental X-rays.
• Oral Cancer Screening
  Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following...
• Fluoride Treatment

Restorative

• Fillings
  Although studies indicate that there are no measurable health risks to patients who have silver fillings, we do know that mercury is a toxic material when we are exposed at high, unsafe levels. For instance, we have been warned to limit the consumption of certain types of fish that carry high levels of mercury in them. However, with respect to amalgam fillings, the ADA maintains that when the mercury combines with the other components of the filling, it becomes an inactive substance that is safe.
• Resin Composite
  Bonding is a cosmetic procedure that allows the dentist to reshape or repair your smile using composite resin. Cosmetic bonding is particularly ideal if you’re insecure about the appearance of your smile or want an affordable alternative to invasive and more costly procedures such as orthodontics or veneers. With bonding, chipped or uneven teeth can be repaired easily and affordably, restoring your self-confidence. Additionally, bonding is often completed in a single visit and doesn’t require any anesthetic!
• Veneers
  Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They are very durable and will not stain, making them a very popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile.
• Crowns
  A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
• Bridges
  Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years; however, they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.
• Dental Bonding
  To begin, the dentist will isolate the teeth included in the procedure, etching them in preparation for bonding. After applying the etching conditioning liquid, the surface of the teeth will have small crevices that allow the tooth stronger adhesion with the bonding agent.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Periodontics

• Deep Cleaning
  The dentist is able to conduct deep cleaning treatments such as scaling and root planing to remove hardened calculus (tartar) deposits from the gum pockets. An antibiotic may be prescribed to ensure that the bacterium is completely destroyed and the periodontal infection does not spread. In most cases, periodontal disease can be prevented with regular cleanings and proper home care.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Wearing your prosthesis or night guard – Partial dentures, flippers, full dentures, retainers, or night guards should not be used for at least 10 days following surgery. If there are any special circumstances, our practice will discuss those with you during your pre-operative consultation.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root which is attached to the jaw bone. Eventually, a replacement tooth or bridge will be firmly fixed to this root, restoring complete function to the tooth. The key to a successful and long-lasting implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached. If bone has been lost due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor to allow for new bone formation.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  CBCT scans can be completed in less than a minute. The main use for scans is as an aid to plan dental implant treatment and other oral surgery.
• Flap Surgery
  Pocket elimination surgery – Pocket elimination surgery (also known as flap surgery) is a surgical treatment which can be performed to reduce the pocket size between the teeth and gums. Surgery on the jawbone is another option which serves to eliminate indentations in the bone which foster the colonization of bacteria.
• Tooth Extractions
  There are a number of reasons that your dentist might recommend a tooth extraction. Some dental patients suffer from tooth decay; others need to remove teeth hindering orthodontic treatment, whereas various patients simply need wisdom teeth removal. While a tooth extraction can be a serious dental procedure, aftercare is just as critical as the procedure itself. As the dental patient, it is important to understand that pain and the risk of infection can be lessened with proper care.
• Ridge Augmentation
  Ridge augmentation – Ridges in the bone can occur due to trauma, injury, birth defects, or severe periodontal disease. The bone graft is used to fill in the ridge and make the jawbone a uniform shape.
• Bone Grafting
  Autogenous bone graft – In this type of graft the bone is removed from elsewhere in the body and implanted in the mouth. Common donor sites for bone grafting include the iliac section of the pelvis, the chin and the posterior third molar areas of the jaw. If large amounts of bone need to be harvested, the hip or the shin bone (tibia) is generally used.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Less visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.
• Braces

General

• Teeth Whitening
  Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.
• General Dentistry
  Dr. Ridpath grew up in Savanna, Oklahoma and graduated from Savanna High School in 1998. He attended East Central University in Ada, OK and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 2001. He then attended the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and graduated in 2005. Following graduation, he started his career in the U.S. Army as a dentist serving at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency while serving in the U.S. Army. After completing his military service at Fort Sill, he purchased the practice from Dr. Mary Clayton in Choctaw, OK, where he continues to practice today. He is a Fellow of the