Preventive Care & Patient Education
Preventive dental care includes actions taken by a patient to prevent against oral diseases and maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime. These actions include daily brushing with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet – along with scheduling regular oral exams and professional cleanings. X-rays, dental sealants, and fluoride varnish, and SDF.
We believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about their oral health. At Martin Family + Cosmetic Dentistry, we take the time to educate you on preventive care practices and treatment options, ensuring you make informed decisions.
Nitrous Oxide for Anxious Patients
Dentists have expertise in providing anxiety and pain control for their patients. While anxiety and pain can be modified by a positive relationship with a trusted dentist, a safe and welcoming environment, and support from caregivers, at times, the administration of nitrous oxide can be beneficial for everyone—from the patient to the dentist.
This substance, sometimes called "laughing gas," produces a state in which the patient is conscious but pain and anxiety have been greatly diminished or eliminated.
For Children
Dr. Martin grew up enjoying visiting the dentist and her entire team's goal is to promote that kind of experience for all children.
When traditional, non-pharmaceutical methods fall short, the dentists at Martin Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are trained and equipped to administer nitrous oxide to help ensure a safe experience.
In children, it can expedite the delivery of procedures that are not particularly uncomfortable, but nonetheless require that the patient not move for the dentist. It also may allow the patient to tolerate unpleasant procedures by reducing or relieving anxiety, discomfort, or pain.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has said that the bottom line is that dental sedation, especially with nitrous oxide, is incredibly safe, even for children.
For Adults
For adults with severe anxiety during dental visits can also use nitrous oxide!
Fillings
Dental fillings are a fundamental aspect of restorative dentistry, which is crucial in repairing cavities and restoring the structural integrity of damaged teeth. Primarily used to repair cavities caused by tooth decay, fillings restore the affected tooth’s integrity, function, and aesthetics. The process involves removing the decayed tooth material, cleaning the affected area, and then filling it with a material such as amalgam, composite, or porcelain. This restores the tooth’s shape and prevents further decay by sealing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria might enter. With advancements in dental technology, today’s fillings are functional and can also be closely matched to the natural colour of your teeth, offering a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.
Crowns
A full coverage crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that fits entirely over your existing tooth. It protects the remaining tooth structure, restores the tooth's ability to function normally, and improves its appearance. Often, the materials used mimic that of a natural tooth, allowing for it to fit in seamlessly with a patient’s smile.
Dental crowns are versatile solutions for several issues:
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Large cavities: When a filling isn't enough to support the tooth, a crown may be the right option to restore strength.
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Cracked or broken teeth: Crowns hold a damaged tooth together, preventing further breakage.
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Root canals: Teeth that have had root canals often become brittle. A crown adds protection and lowers the risk of fracture or infection that could lead to extraction.
Alignment
Like traditional braces, aligners are designed to shift your teeth into their desired position gently. Before starting treatment, we will check your teeth and jaws using X-rays, photos, and digital scans.
With the information gathered, we will provide a diagnosis before designing your smile and treatment plan in the aligner software. This details which tooth moves where and in what order, guiding your teeth into healthy positions.
The actual aligners are created using your initial impressions or digital scans as the starting point.
Clear aligners aim to create a healthy bite by repositioning all teeth, not just the few that are seen when you smile. It is important to remember that moving teeth is a complex biological process and needs commitment.
On average, each set of aligners is worn for a week or two before switching to the next set. The total number of aligners will depend on your specific needs. Wearing them consistently and as instructed will help insure your teeth reach their ideal positions.
Remember, this can be done at ANY age! It's never to late to feel confident in your smile.
Whitening
Dental whitening procedures done in offices tend to be much more effective than at-home methods.
Results can vary depending on individual factors such as the original shade of your teeth and the type of stains (yes, there are different types!).
Generally, you can expect your teeth to be several shades lighter after a professional whitening treatment.
Depending on your individual case, we will do all or some of the following:
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Professional Cleaning: Before whitening, we will clean your teeth to remove any plaque, tartar, and debris. This helps ensure that the whitening agent can work effectively and is a major reason why it is so much more effective in office!
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Whitening Gel Application: The most common method involves applying a whitening gel directly onto the teeth. This gel contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are active ingredients that penetrate the enamel and break down stains.
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Activation: Some whitening procedures use a special light or laser to activate the whitening gel. This activation helps to accelerate the whitening process.
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Post-Procedure Care: After the treatment, we may apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your teeth and reduce sensitivity. All in all, a session might last around 60 minutes. (Depending on the desired level of whitening and the severity of stains, you may need more than one session.)
Slide for examples of happy patients from Martin Family & Cosmetic Dentistry!
Botox
Botox is often administered by dentists to address TMJ. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) occurs when the temporomandibular joints become inflamed or painful. The TMJs connect the lower jawbone to the skull. They allow us to open our mouths wide enough to eat, speak, yawn, and swallow.
Today, botox injections are used to treat TMJ. They relax the muscles around the jaw joints and reduce inflammation. Injections are usually done every 6 months.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and experience the difference at Martin Family + Cosmetic Dentistry.