Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  At Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry, your oral care and health are our top priorities. Many people do not realize that the health of their teeth directly affects the rest of their body. That is why our team relies on high-quality, innovative dental technology, such as digital X-rays, to prevent, identify, and heal oral diseases and defects of all types. A dental X-ray provides a thorough blueprint of your oral health that can often be overlooked through physical oral exams. X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation.
• X-rays
  In contrast with visible light, this type of radiation can pass through soft tissue, while bones reflect a greater amount of the radiation, making them visible to your dentist. Traditional X-rays use film to capture the final image, but digital dental X-rays transfer the image to a computer through a special sensor that uses a thin wire to connect to the computer. Dentists use dental X-rays to detect the vast majority of oral issues, including the following dental developments. Contact our dentists in Gainesville, FL, to schedule a dental X-ray appointment.
• Oral Cancer Screening

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  At this appointment, we are eager to get to know your entire health history, as well as any concerns you may have with your teeth or smile. After listening to all concerns, we will then develop a treatment plan with services like teeth cleaning and tooth filling, to either restore your beautiful smile or continue to maintain the one you already have.
• Fluoride Treatment
  The final step of the cleaning process uses a fluoride treatment, which is a protectant for the teeth that helps fight against cavities and tooth decay for several months after its performed. The fluoride treatment may come in several different flavors, from which the patient may choose. Once the flavor is chosen, then the hygienist applies a foam, gel, or sticky paste into a mouthpiece that fits over the patient’s teeth. The mouthpiece is to remain in place for a minute or so. In some cases, fluoride varnish may be applied to the teeth with a small brush. This varnish hardens when it comes into contact with saliva, so patients can eat and drink immediately following their treatment.
• Dental Sealants
  Your general dentist may provide you with detailed instructions to help you improve your oral hygiene routine while at home. They may also recommend one or more preventative treatments, such as dental sealants and customized night-guard and mouthguard fittings if required. We offer the following preventative, general dentistry services. Contact our office to learn more about our preventive dental services.

Restorative

• Fillings
  Dentists may use a variety of different materials to fill your teeth. In addition to the tooth-colored filling, other types of fillings for teeth may include silver amalgam fillings, ceramic fillings, glass ionomer fillings, and gold fillings. For more information about our available filling options and the best type of filling for your needs, please contact our dental office.
• Resin Composite
  If you develop tooth decay in one or more of your teeth or a cavity, then your dentist will likely recommend that you get a tooth filling in order to ward off infection and protect your tooth from further damage. There are several types of materials used for dental fillings, though the most common types of materials used are amalgam and composite, or composite resin. While amalgam was the most commonly used material for fillings in years past, composite fillings have grown in popularity and use, due to their natural appearance and durability.
• Veneers
  During your first visit for veneers, you will have the opportunity to speak with our skilled team of dentists in Gainesville about your goals for your bright new smile. Then, your dentist will decide which cosmetic dental plan will work best for your teeth. This normally involves taking impressions of your mouth with wax in order to confirm the proposed treatment.
• Crowns
  A cracked tooth or one requiring a large filling often needs a full-coverage tooth restoration. A crown protects a damaged tooth and is often indistinguishable from the surrounding teeth, which allows patients to feel confident in their smiles. After a large filling is placed, the tooth is prepped for a crown and an impression is taken. We then send this impression to a laboratory to have the crown created. Once the crown is ready, it is then sent to our office where it will be cemented onto the patient’s tooth permanently.
• Bridges
  Dental bridges are a natural-looking solution for missing teeth. Bridges are custom-made to fit each patient and each tooth. It is permanently adhered to surrounding teeth to stabilize it and strengthen your bite.
• Dental Bonding
  Composite bonding is an optimal solution for people with chipped, discolored, or unevenly spaced teeth. A resin mixture is placed on the needed area and sculpted to fill in or reshape the area. This is a great choice for patients with small damages and leaves a huge impact on one’s smile.
• Restorative Dentistry
  Another facet of general dentistry is restorative dentistry. Restorative dental services focus on diagnosing, managing, and treating diseases of the teeth and their supportive structures as well as the rehabilitation of the teeth and gums to the aesthetic and functional needs of the patient. When your dentist identifies a dental issue, they will ensure that you receive prompt and appropriate treatment.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  A root canal is a dental procedure performed to correct a severely decayed, problematic tooth. This procedure involves the removal or extraction of the tooth’s pulp, or soft tissues. The pulp of a tooth is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that help the tooth form and grow and perform its intended task. Root canal treatment comprises the removal of the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfection of the inside areas of the tooth, and then the replacement of the tooth pulp with a filling. The filling acts as a seal that protects the tooth from reinfection.

Periodontics

• Deep Cleaning
  A deep teeth cleaning may be appropriate for patients who suffer from periodontal disease, or gum disease, as well as those who do not receive regular dental checkups and twice-yearly dental cleanings. The dental deep cleaning is similar to a traditional dental cleaning, in that they both actively treat the patient’s teeth and gums, though deep cleanings typically penetrate deeper into the gums and feature a more thorough procedure. This can include scaling and root planing, which are techniques used to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline and in between the teeth. You may need a deep dental cleaning if you have a consistently bad taste or breath, separating or loose teeth, gums that bleed easily, gums that are swollen or tender, or gums that have receded from your teeth.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  When an individual has lost their teeth, they may experience a number of issues with regard to the function and appearance of their mouth. They may experience reduced self-esteem in their smile, have difficulty with speaking, and problems with eating certain foods. A denture is a custom-made, removable replacement appliance for missing teeth, gums, and surrounding oral tissue. Dentures restore both the appearance and functions of the mouth previously lost due to missing teeth or teeth that were previously removed.
• Overdentures
  When your jaw is not sufficiently stimulated, it can cause dental problems such as bone loss in your jaw and lead to a decrease in the distance between your chin and nose. Overdentures activate the jaw bone and prevent this process and therefore allow for a more natural facial structure.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Welcome to Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry, proudly serving the Gainesville community since 1987. The father-daughter dentist duo, Dr. William K. Van Dyke and Dr. Rachael C. Van Dyke, and their staff are dedicated to delivering quality and compassionate dental care. As a convenience to our patients, we are one of the few dentists in Gainesville available for evening and Saturday appointments.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  Our teeth start to pass through our gums during infancy. This happens again when our permanent teeth replace our primary, or baby, teeth. If a tooth does not come in or emerges only partially, it is considered impacted. However, if the tooth doesn’t hurt and isn’t in a position to cause problems later down the line, a dentist may recommend leaving it alone. Wisdom teeth often become impacted and need to be removed through oral surgery, as leaving wisdom teeth alone can cause a variety of issues including cavities; gum disease (periodontal disease); trauma, decay, or damage to neighboring teeth; and oral infections or abscesses.
• Tooth Extractions
  Our Gainesville dentists always prefer to save a patient’s natural teeth whenever possible. But in some cases, other restorative methods just aren’t enough to remediate tooth problems. If a patient’s tooth has been severely damages past the possibility of repair, then tooth removal may be necessary. Your dentist may recommend extraction in the following cases. Additionally, your dentist may recommend tooth extraction if the infected or problematic tooth poses a risk of infection, trauma, or other type of issue to the surrounding teeth, in order to maintain the health of the rest of your teeth and gums. For more information, please contact our office.

Orthodontics

• Braces
  SureSmile® Clear Aligners are an alternative to traditional metal braces. They are clear and removable, making them a more approachable choice for adults who want to straighten their teeth without the look and feel of metal braces.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  KöR is a well-known, effective teeth whitening system that we use to make our patient’s smiles brighter and whiter. KöR stands alone as the industry leader in professional whitening systems. KöR has designed its tooth whitening process so patients experience minimal tooth sensitivity or discomfort.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and it conveys an impression of yourself, your age, and your health. Cosmetic dentistry can refresh and rejuvenate your smile, helping you feel more confident and more comfortable, plus a happier smile means a happier you!
• General Dentistry
  Basic dental care with general dentistry can prevent tooth decay and gum disease while giving you a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Learn More