- Dental ExaminationHaving a professional cleaning and dental exam every six months will also help prevent you from developing gum disease and tooth decay. During your cleaning, a dental hygienist will remove any plaque and tartar (plaque that has hardened to the teeth and is more difficult to remove) as well as polish and remove stains from your teeth. Dental examinations are performed by the dentist and generally include a visual examination of tooth decay, gum disease evaluation, oral cancer screenings and an evaluation of soft tissues in the mouth and neck area.
- X-raysTypically a full mouth series of x-rays is taken on your first visit, which includes 2 to 4 bitewing x-rays (look at the spaces between teeth and the way the top and bottom teeth fit together) and 14 periapical x-rays (look closely at individual teeth). Panorex or panoramic x-rays (look at the entire mouth on a single x-ray) may also be taken, depending on your dental history.
- Oral Cancer Screening
- Teeth CleaningWhether you’re coming in for regular teeth cleanings, tooth pain, or just need help to straighten your teeth, you’ve come to the right place. Our highly reviewed Washington dentist gives patient’s teeth the expert dental care they need to shine for a healthy and confident smile!
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride treatments are another great option for helping prevent tooth decay. In fact, fluoride treatments can actually reverse early cavities! Every day acids—formed by plaque, bacteria, and sugar—attack the tooth’s enamel, while minerals such as fluoride work to restore your enamel. Although small amounts of fluoride are found naturally in food and water, sometimes it isn’t enough. To help balance this, fluoride is often added to the teeth through fluoride-treated water, toothpaste, rinses, and most effectively through professional fluoride treatments.
- Dental SealantsSealants also help prevent tooth decay by sealing or filling in the normal pits and grooves of your back teeth. These pits and grooves easily trap food that can’t be removed by brushing or washed out by water and saliva. By placing a tough, plastic material designed to stick to the enamel on the chewing surface of the tooth, you can help fight against these pits and avoid future decay. Sealants are clear or tooth colored and make little to no difference in the shape or feel of your tooth.
- FillingsOnce tooth decay or a cavity has been detected, the decayed portion of the tooth must be removed and rebuilt with a filling. To do this, the dentist will numb the tooth with a local anesthetic, remove the decay with a high speed dental drill and layer the filling material into the tooth for a smooth finish. Patients can choose from a number of materials to fill the tooth including tooth-colored fillings, silver fillings and gold fillings. Kid fillings are also available in purple and pink colors with sparkles.
- Resin CompositeDental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.
- VeneersDental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.
- CrownsCrowns are also used to help restore and strengthen teeth from major decay and fractures. During this restoration process, decay is removed from the tooth and a mold of that tooth is made. A special laboratory will then use this mold to create a porcelain (or tooth-colored) crown. Once the crown is made to match the tooth, the dentist will cement it into place, capping the existing tooth and protecting it from further decay.
- BridgesDental implants are another great option for replacing missing teeth. Unlike bridges and crowns, dental implants surgically replace not only the tooth, but the roots as well. While this option may seem more extreme, implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework because they don’t rely on the neighboring teeth for support. Dental implants can even be used as an alternate to dentures—giving you a strong, natural smile.
- Dental Bonding
- Restorative DentistryMost people experience some form of tooth decay during their lifetime. To prevent tooth decay from spreading and causing additional damage, it is important to promptly remove any decay and restore your teeth. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your treatment plan!
- Root Canal TreatmentTeeth that are discolored — either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth
- Deep CleaningPreventative dental care includes a dental exam, teeth cleaning, and fluoride treatment. The dental exam is a comprehensive evaluation of the teeth, gums, and oral tissues. It helps to identify any problems early on so they can be treated promptly. The teeth cleaning is a deep-cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from the teeth. Fluoride treatment helps to strengthen the teeth and protect them from decay.
- DenturesAn important step to maintaining your smile and health is to replace missing teeth. Dentures can improve your ability to chew and speak, provide support for facial muscles, and enhance your facial appearance and smile. Associates in Dentistry offers a variety of dentures to choose from, making sure you have a full and comfortable smile.
- OverdenturesTooth supported overdentures are another great option for securing loose dentures. Dentures are attached to existing teeth to help secure the denture, making eating and talking more comfortable. A variety of attachments can be used on the teeth to help secure the denture.
- Dental ImplantsThere may be times when more extensive procedures, such as root canals or dental implants, must be performed to restore your smile. While these procedures often receive a painful or unpleasant reputation, Associates in Dentistry works to make you as comfortable and at ease as possible.
- Oral SurgeryFor teeth that cannot be saved, oral surgery is sometimes necessary. Teeth are extracted or removed for a number of reasons. This includes severe decay, advanced gum disease, and teeth that are broken beyond repair. Teeth are also sometimes removed because they are positioned in the mouth inappropriately such as impacted wisdom teeth or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.
- Tooth Extractions
- Invisalign OrthodonticsUsing 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign lets you view your own virtual treatment plan before you start.
- BracesInvisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you can eat and drink what you want during treatment. You can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene.
- Teeth WhiteningTeeth whitening is a fast and easy way to enhance your overall smile. We use a bleaching process that lightens the discoloration of your teeth caused by aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco and red wine. While your hygienist can remove stains on the surface of the tooth, deeper stains require a special whitening process, using our custom teeth whitening trays.
- Cosmetic DentistryShortly after graduation, Dr. Abrams returned as a Peoria dentist and joined Associates In Dentistry to begin her practice. By 1996, Dr. Abrams was a partner in the business and a steady fixture in the Peoria office with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry.
- General DentistryHe joined Associates In Dentistry in 1988 where he divided his time between the Washington and Peoria offices. Since that time, Dr. Burton has become a partner in the business and remains very active in his profession and continuing his education—focusing on all aspects of general dentistry. Currently, Dr. Burton is practicing in the Washington office.