Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  The secret to your bright, healthy smile is actually no secret at all: brush, floss and get a professional dental exam from Lighthouse Dental at least once every six months. Our professional dental exams are all about prevention – preventing existing problems from getting worse and preventing dental problems from developing in the future. Regular dental exams make it possible to identify and treat a problem in its earliest stage – which is not only good for your oral health but also good for your budget!
• X-rays
  Dental X-rays have come a long way and are a great diagnostic tool. Today’s dental X-rays are safer, faster, more comfortable and more informative than the X-rays of years past. We use digital X-rays, one of the latest and most advanced dental technologies, which produce high-quality images of your teeth that can be viewed instantly by you and by us on an LCD monitor. Digital X-rays reduce radiation by up to 90 percent and provide exceptional diagnostic information to ensure that potential problems are caught in their earliest stages. We also use intraoral photography. Problems such as cavities, fractures and discolorations in the teeth are captured through clear and sharp photographic images that are taken with a digital camera.

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  Even when you brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar deposits can still build up on your teeth. Our professional teeth cleaning is the single most effective way to remove these deposits and prevent them from causing more serious problems in the future. While a traditional teeth cleaning involves manually scraping away these deposits with special dental tools, our advanced dental technologies gives you more options.
• Dental Sealants
  Children often get dental sealants to protect the hard-to-reach teeth in the back of their mouths. However, dental sealants can benefit adults and those who have a higher risk of decay. Dental sealants are a layer of plastic-like material that coats the top surface of the tooth. Sealants protect the crevices in the tooth where bacteria reside and minimizes exposure of the tooth to harmful acids and sugars that wear down enamel.

Restorative

• Fillings
  If your silver fillings make you feel self-conscious when you smile, or it’s simply time to replace them, consider white fillings. White fillings are just as durable as they are attractive! Made of composite resin, white fillings match the natural color of your teeth and are an excellent option for small to mid-sized cavities. White fillings are strong and require less removal of your tooth structure than amalgam fillings.
• Resin Composite
• Veneers
  Years ago, smile makeovers involved multiple dental treatments over a period of several months. That’s no longer the case, thanks to porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are ultrathin shells made of translucent porcelain that can be bonded to your teeth for cosmetic purposes. Extremely versatile and durable, porcelain veneers are an excellent option whether you want a total smile makeover or need to cover a chipped tooth, mask a cracked tooth, or close gaps between your teeth. They require little to no prepping and can often be applied in just one dental visit!
• Crowns
  A dental crown may not make you feel like royalty, but it is one of the premiere treatments for teeth with extensive decay or damage. Dental crowns can also be used to hold a dental bridge in place, cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth, or cover a tooth after a root canal procedure. Made of either porcelain-fused-to-metal, ceramic or gold, dental crowns are placed during a multi-step process and sometimes require more than one dental visit. Using the latest technology, we scan the tooth. A temporary crown is then placed to protect the tooth while the scan is sent to an offsite laboratory to create a custom fit, final restoration. With good oral hygiene and minimal wear and tear, your beautiful new dental crowns may last up to 15 years.
• Bridges
  Did you know that dental bridges have been used for centuries to replace missing teeth? Today, dental bridges are still considered one of the most durable, conservative and cost-effective options for bridging the gap between a missing tooth and surrounding teeth. Comprised of two anchoring teeth and a replacement tooth, dental bridges help prevent surrounding teeth from drifting out of position, improve chewing and speaking, and help keep your natural face shape intact.
• Dental Bonding
  Let us fix that chipped tooth, cracked tooth or a gap in your teeth with fast, easy and affordable with dental bonding. Dental bonding can also be used to improve the appearance of slightly discolored teeth and to change the shape of teeth, but it is typically recommended only for small cosmetic changes. Unlike other cosmetic treatments, dental bonding can be performed with little to no advance preparation. Dental bonding is also convenient and durable, taking just 30-60 minutes per tooth and lasting from three to 10 years.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Root canals get a bad rap. But don’t believe the rumors; the dreaded root canal isn’t dreadful at all! Root canals are needed when either decay or an injury infects the inner tooth (the pulp). In the earliest stages of infection, you may not feel any pain at all. But when it progresses, you could have a toothache and swelling, or a dental abscess might form. Root canals remove the infection and prevent it from spreading.

Periodontics

• Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
  Red, swollen gums are a red flag for one thing: gum disease. If you have the symptoms, you are not alone. More than 80 percent of adults have some form of gum disease. Fortunately, we can provide many effective and gum disease treatments. For gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, treatment typically involves a thorough dental cleaning, followed by daily brushing and flossing. For more advanced gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, we perform scaling and root planing to remove stubborn deposits below the gum line. If non-surgical methods of gum disease treatment are ineffective, a gingivectomy, or periodontal surgery, may be necessary. We will refer you to a capable and trusted periodontist only if we feel we cannot help you control your disease.
• Periodontal Surgery
• Deep Cleaning
  We may recommend a deep cleaning if excessive plaque and tartar deposits have developed below the gum line. Deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planing, involve a two-part process: first, the stubborn deposits are removed, and then the root surfaces are smoothed. A deep cleaning helps prevent periodontal disease and restores gum tissues to a healthy state.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  Dentures are a solution for those who have lost many or all their teeth. They create a realistic, aesthetically pleasing smile. They are ideal for patients that are missing multiple teeth on either the top or bottom. Our team will start by taking an impression of your mouth. We will then send the impression to a lab for a customized set of dentures to be created. Once your dentures are ready, we will ensure a proper fit and make any necessary adjustments. Dentures should be cleaned regularly with a non-abrasive cleanser. Our team will provide you with all the information you need to take care of your dentures.Â

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Dental implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement option. Unlike dentures, which may require replacement, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. Our team will ensure your gum tissue is healthy enough with adequate bone support to anchor the implant. For some patients, additional preparations may be necessary such as a bone graft to guarantee your implant has a strong, stable foundation.Â

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
• Tooth Extractions

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Lighthouse Dental proudly offers SureSmile Aligners, a cutting-edge solution revolutionizing the field of orthodontics. SureSmile utilizes advanced 3D imaging and robotic technology to create custom treatment plans, resulting in faster and more precise teeth alignment. With SureSmile, patients experience reduced treatment times and fewer appointments, all while achieving exceptional results. Say goodbye to traditional braces and hello to a brighter, straighter smile with SureSmile Aligners at Lighthouse Dental.
• Braces
  Tired of masking your smile because you don’t like the way your teeth look? A smile makeover can be a big boost to your confidence and self-esteem. With a total smile makeover, chipped teeth, cracked teeth, gapped teeth, crooked teeth, stained teeth and gapped teeth can be completely transformed into the smile of your dreams. This is done through a combination of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments, including white fillings, cosmetic dental bonding, porcelain veneers, cosmetic dental crowns, dental braces, dental bridges and dental implants.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. One way to make a lasting impression is to have a healthy-looking smile. Over the years, teeth whitening has become immensely popular. People turn to in-office whitening, over-the-counter whitening, and home-made whitening techniques. Did you know that there are ways to keep your smile white with just small changes to your daily routine? Read the tips below to keep your smile looking pearly white.Â
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Exceptional dental care is a lot closer than you think. Dr. Melissa Zyk ‘s general and cosmetic dentistry practice in Washington, MO is easily accessible to patients throughout the 5-county area (Franklin, Warren, Gasconade, St. Louis, and St. Charles counties). Our great location, convenient office hours and friendly staff make every visit to Lighthouse Dental a pleasant experience. Remember, you don’t have to travel far to get the quality care you deserve.
• General Dentistry
  Dr. Melissa Zyk and the staff at Lighthouse Dental are proud that our commitment to excellence in general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry has earned so many positive reviews. See for yourself what patients say about their experience with Dr. Zyk.