Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  New patients receive a comprehensive examination which includes a screening for oral cancer, gum and bone disease, blood pressure, and systemic disorders. A routine oral exam is performed on established patients to determine any changes in dental and health status since the previous visit.
• X-rays
  It is recommended to have a full set of dental x-rays taken once a year during a regular dental checkup. Most dental insurance plans will cover the cost of x-rays taken once a year and should not be skipped out on. Dental x-rays will expose any problems that might be currently present and can be used to prevent problems that may occur in the near future. Tooth roots, jaw bone and sinuses are all visible with a quick x-ray which allows us to detect problems with the bone surrounding teeth and even allow us to see teeth that have not erupted such as permanent teeth in children or wisdom teeth in adults.
• Oral Cancer Screening
  During every dental checkup, we will visually check and feel around for any signs of oral cancer. We check for signs of visible lesions inside the mouth and gently feel around the jaw for any lumps or swelling that may be present. Many early signs of oral cancer can go unnoticed by people as they go about their daily lives but we want to make sure that your overall oral health is in as best condition as possible when you see us for a dental checkup.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  For most people, a checkup and cleaning every 6 months is standard protocol. Depending on a person's dental health, however, a dental cleaning every 3 to 4 months may be recommended.
• Fluoride Treatment
  For children between the ages of 6 and 16, we will generally incorporate a fluoride treatment to help strengthen tooth enamel that can prevent cavities. Fluoride treatments are also beneficial for adults.
• Dental Sealants
  Sealants are one of the easiest preventive dental procedures that can be done. Sealing your teeth can be done in a single dental visit and is entirely painless!

Restorative

• Fillings
  Composite fillings are today's modern filling choice. They are made to match your tooth's natural color to make them virtually invisible to notice and are placed onto the tooth by bonding the filling material to the tooth so they do not have the unlikely chance of falling off. Many patients choose to replace their old silver and gold fillings with composite fillings.
• Resin Composite
  Inlays or onlays can be made of gold, composite resin (plastic) or ceramics. They can last for decades. However, how long they last depends on the material used, the teeth involved, the forces of chewing and how well the patient maintains them with good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dentist.
• Veneers
  When you look at your smile, do you wonder if it could be just a little (or a lot) more attractive? We want you to know about an affordable dental procedure that can fix crooked, discolored, uneven, and unsightly teeth. The solution is porcelain veneers! The Idaho Falls Dental Group specializes in placing porcelain veneers over your existing teeth to instantly correct multiple problems at once. If you are already thinking about getting porcelain veneers or have any questions about porcelain veneers working in your specific situation, please call us at (208) 525-8383 or request an appointment through our website. We will be happy to share everything we know and see if porcelain veneers can give you the smile you have been searching for.
• Crowns
  Recent controversy regarding the use of Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs) in some states have led some parents to question dental care providers more thoroughly on their use and on other alternatives. SSCs have been used in dentistry for over 50 years for primary and permanent dentition.
• Bridges
  A partial denture may not be the best option for replacing missing teeth but it is the least expensive tooth replacement option when compared to a dental bridge or a dental implant.
• Dental Bonding
  Dental bonding requires the least amount of a tooth's enamel to be removed, thus minimizing discomfort and keeping as much of your tooth's structural integrity as possible.
• Restorative Dentistry
  Welcome to The Idaho Falls Dental Group, founded in 1984 by a core of eight individual private practice dentists in Idaho Falls. Today our group consists of 30 employees, including four full-time dentists. Our services include cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, full and partial dentures, implant dentures, crown and bridge, implants and oral surgery, children's dentistry, root canals, and preventive dentistry.

Endodontics

• Pulpotomy
  For primary teeth, SSCs are usually placed on teeth that have extensive caries (where two or more surfaces are extensively involved), or teeth that have pulp treatment (such as pulpotomy or pulpectomy). We also use them in teeth that will remain in the mouth for a considerably long period of time; where other materials will not last long enough.
• Root Canal Treatment
  A root canal may be needed if the decay has reached the tooth's nerve. Essentially, a root canal involves cleaning out a tooth's infected root, then filling and sealing the canal.

Periodontics

• Deep Cleaning
  Each person's oral health is unique and the stage and current condition of the teeth and gums will dictate how involved a deep cleaning is as well as how long it takes to heal. Usually a deep cleaning is done one-half of the mouth at a time and healing takes about a day or two.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Removable partial dentures are composed of a metal framework with plastic teeth and gum areas. The framework includes metal clasps or other attachments, which hold the denture in place. Partial dentures are removed easily for cleaning.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  One of the benefits of sedation dentistry is that it eliminates movement during a periodontal or dental implant procedure. Sedation dentistry relaxes the patient and allows those who might avoid a dental visit a safe and anxiety-free alternative. If you are hesitant about scheduling your next visit, consider sedation dentistry. Ask us for more information, and we will be sure to put your mind at ease.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Dr. Hunter received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Washington University School of Dental Medicine in 1975. Following dental school, Dr. Hunter did a general practice residency in the US Air Force. During his residency, he had extensive training in oral surgery and IV conscious sedation. Following his residency he spent 2-1/2 years doing all the surgery and sedations on his next base. He served for four years in the Air Force. He was stationed with his family at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio where he did his residency, and then Plattsburg AFB in upstate New York.
• Tooth Extractions
  Dr. Rhees is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where he graduated with honors. While working in public health clinics in Ohio, Dr. Rhees realized his love for surgery, which led him to pursue further training. He was accepted to an advanced education in general dentistry residency through the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. During this residency, he received extensive training in wisdom tooth extractions, implants, IV sedation, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Rhees was then stationed for three years as an active duty dentist at Minot AFB in Minot, North Dakota. Dr. Rhees is proud to have served his country.
• Bone Grafting
  This prosthesis is used in special situations for patients who have enough bone in the anterior regions of the lower or upper jaws, but limited amount of bone in the posterior regions and are not candidates for extensive bone grafting.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
• Braces
  Crooked or crowded teeth are very common in the growing patient. Even patients that get braces may develop a minor degree of crooked (crowded) teeth, particularly in the front teeth of the jaws, as they grow old.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  At Idaho Falls Dental Group we make molds of your teeth that allow us to make custom fitted bleaching trays. These trays are reusable and worn as needed to lighten the color of your teeth. Patients can expect to lighten their teeth a few shades lighter after use.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Kirk Tingey received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree, cum laude, from Loyola University, Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1978. Having been raised in Idaho Falls, he returned to his roots and has been practicing dentistry ever since. He is board certified to practice all aspects of modern dentistry, including adult and children dentistry, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, prosthetics, and many other disciplines. Dr. Tingey is a member of the American Dental Association and the Idaho State Dental Association. He is a member of the G3 Foundation, a humanitarian dental team that travels to third world countries each year to provide charity dentistry to the poor and underprivileged. He attends many hours of continuing education every year and feels it important to use the latest advances in materials and equipment, and the most current techniques to treat his patients.
• General Dentistry
  For Dr. Thompson, dentistry is the right mix of Art and Science. He spent six years in a high powered dental cosmetic practice in Salt Lake before joining the Idaho Falls Dental Group in 1991. In addition to cosmetic dentistry, he also enjoys pediatric dentistry, root canals, crowns and general dentistry.