The Hawthorne Dentist

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry aims to replace missing teeth or repair damaged ones so you can maintain a healthy, functioning smile. Restorative dentistry involves procedures like implants, dentures, bridges, crowns, and fillings, which general dentists perform. You can be a candidate for this procedure if you have permanent adult teeth that are missing, decayed, or damaged. Our dental professionals will evaluate your oral condition thoroughly during your routine dental checkup. We will then develop a treatment plan designed to fit your oral health requirements.

Restorative dentistry has the following benefits:

• It can have long-lasting results with proper oral hygiene habits and routine visits to your dental professional
• Preserve jaw bone density
• Prevent further dental problems
• Comfort and convenience
• Enhances aesthetics
• Eliminates pain
• Improves oral function

Different types of materials are used in restorative dentistry, depending on the procedure. The common materials include:

• Denture base resins
• Glass ionomers
• Polymers
• Amalgam
• Metals
• Composites, and
• Ceramics

However, there are some risks linked with restorative dentistry. Tooth sensitivity is one of the common risks, which tends to resolve shortly after a restorative dentistry procedure. Sometimes, you can experience an infection or allergic reaction to a dental material used. A restoration can also become cracked or loose. If this happens, you should notify your dental professional immediately.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry deals with enhancing the visual appearance of a person’s smile by correcting various imperfections like:

• Improperly shaped teeth
• Misalignment, and
• Discolorations

Improving the appearance of a person’s smile has many oral health benefits, such as making the teeth easier to clean and plaque-free. It also enhances self-esteem and boosts confidence.

Your dentist can recommend cosmetic dentistry if you have healthy teeth with minor imperfections, such as spacing, alignment, and discoloration. This procedure can also be suitable if you are missing teeth and are looking for a way to replace them.

Common cosmetic dental treatments include veneers, teeth whitening, inlays and onlays, and composite fillings. You can choose a cosmetic dental treatment that addresses the issues you wish to correct. First, list the imperfections you want to correct when considering cosmetic dental treatment. After that, decide how you prioritize the corrections.

You should also consider your commitment to treatment. Some cosmetic dental treatments can be completed in one visit, while others require additional visits and more effort. It is also crucial that you consider your budget before choosing a treatment.

TMJ Treatment

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatment is a corrective procedure that dentists use to try and ease the pain of the joint. The TMJ is located in front of the ears and on both sides of the head. These joints connect the lower jaw bone to the skull. They also enable facial movements like chewing, laughing, and talking. A TMJ disorder affects the surrounding ligaments, muscles, and joints. The normal functioning of these joints would be difficult and painful if you have a TMJ disorder.

The common signs of TMJ Disorders include:

• Unexplained dizziness
• A tired look on the face
• Changes in how the upper and lower teeth fit together
• Unexplained swelling on both sides of the face
• Pain or sensitivity of the teeth without a dental disease
• Grinding and clenching of the teeth
• Complex mouth movement, mainly while chewing
• Popping or clicking sounds of the jaw, mainly when opening and closing your mouth
• Locked jaw in closed or opening position
• Ringing or earaches in the ears that are not caused by an ear infection
• Sharp pain in the shoulder, back, and neck
• Unexplained and consistent headaches
• Pain in the jaw, particularly in the morning and afternoon

The leading causes of TMJ disorders include:

• Growth disorders
• Jaw problems present at birth
• Erosion of the TMJ joint
• Arthritis

Some of the surgeries that can treat TMJ disorders include open-joint surgery, arthroscopy, and arthrocentesis. Physical therapy and drugs like muscle relaxers and corticosteroids can also manage TMJ disorders.

Dental Examination

A dental examination involves an assessment of a patient’s dental and oral health. This can include:

• A dental examination of any signs of decay or cavities
• An evaluation of the gums
• A dental cleaning
• Dental x-rays, and
• A comprehensive evaluation of the condition of your mouth and teeth

Regular dental examinations prevent dental issues and maintain optimal dental health. The main benefits of dental examination include:

Improved Oral Hygiene Habits

A dental examination can be a reminder to practice good dental hygiene. This includes limiting sugary foods and drinks, flossing daily, and brushing twice daily.

Elimination Of Bad Breath

You can reduce bad breath caused by dental problems by undergoing regular dental examinations. Dental examinations enable your dentist to identify and treat any dental issues that can be causing bad breath, such as:

• Gum diseases
• Cavities, or
• Food particles stuck between the teeth

Early Detection Of Dental Problems

Dental examinations enable your dentist to detect dental problems early, allowing timely and appropriate treatment. This will prevent more complex dental work in the future, such as tooth extraction or root canals.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Also known as scaling and polishing or dental prophylaxis, professional teeth cleaning is essential to maintaining optimal oral health. It is done to remove stains, tartar, and plaque, leaving your teeth looking their best and feeling refreshed. The benefits of professional teeth cleaning include the following:

Preventative Care

Regular teeth cleaning helps strengthen gums and teeth, lowering the risk of future dental problems.

Early Detection Of Oral Health Issues

Your dentist can identify possible issues during your cleaning, like gum disease and tooth decay.

Fresh Breath

Removing bacteria that cause bad breath can leave the patient feeling refreshed and confident.

Brighter Smile

Through teeth cleaning, surface stains are removed, revealing an uncompromised and more radiant smile.

Improved Oral Health

Regular teeth cleaning helps prevent bad breath, cavities, and gum diseases by removing harmful bacteria.

The standard cleaning frequency recommended is every six months. However, you should follow your dentist’s instructions based on your oral health needs. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing your teeth only. Our dentists can remove tartar using special instruments.

General Dentistry

General dentistry involves several treatment options and procedures that are important for protecting and maintaining a good standard of oral health. This procedure is done to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy and free of pain. Our general dentists provide the following services:

Our dentists can provide cosmetic treatments to improve the aesthetics of a patient’s smile. Bonding, veneers, and crowns are cosmetic tooth restorations that give patients a smile they are confident sharing with the world.

Preventive dental treatment is important to help the patient look after their oral health and prevent diseases before they become problematic. Tooth loss is often caused by decay and gum disease, which can be prevented with the right treatment. Preventive treatment services include regular examinations and hygiene therapy. They also involve professional cleaning and polishing.

Tooth Extraction

A general dentist can perform a quick and painless session when a tooth needs to be removed entirely from your mouth. However, most dentists will only remove your tooth when it is inevitable to do so. The dentist can then replace your tooth with a dental prosthesis like a crown, bridge, or implant.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry involves the examination and management of dental health in children. Children must have their milk teeth regularly checked by pediatric dentists for tooth decay and caries. The following are some of the conditions that are likely to be identified by a pediatric dentist:

Misaligned Or Malocclusion Teeth

A malocclusion is when the teeth of the upper and lower jaws do not meet when the jaws are closed together. This can result in speaking and eating problems, as well as injuries or pain to the insides of the mouth, gums, and tongue when biting. Pediatric dentists usually use braces to address the problem of poorly aligned teeth.

Dental Caries And Tooth Decay

It is essential to maintain milk teeth well even if they will be shed to be replaced by permanent teeth. A child can easily suffer tooth decay and cavities that can expose the inner dental pulp to bacteria and cause toothaches. Children are prone to tooth decay and dental plaque because they are more likely to eat sticky, sugary foods and fail to maintain their dental hygiene. It is, therefore, possible for a pediatric dentist to identify tooth decay even in toddlers.

Teething problems

If an infant’s teething is delayed, you should consult a pediatric dentist. The developing jaws and teeth should be appropriate for introducing the infant to solid foods. Timely and good teeth eruption is also important for appropriate speech development.

Emergency Dentistry

A dental emergency is any dental issue that needs immediate attention. For example, you can get involved in an accident that knocks out a tooth or something. In this case, the faster you seek medical help, the quicker the problem will be solved.

It is essential to know an emergency dentist because it saves you stress and panic during an emergency. You should first call your dentist for further instructions if you are experiencing a dental emergency. Dental cases that can require an emergency dentist include:

Severe Soft Tissue Injury

Injuries to the soft tissues, like gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue, can cause bleeding. You can do the following to control bleeding before you get to a dentist:

• Use a mild salt-water solution to rinse your mouth.
• Apply pressure to the bleeding site using moistened gauze or a caffeinated tea bag. Tea has tannic acid, which shrinks blood vessels and inhibits bleeding.
• Hold a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or mouth in the affected area to relieve pain or control bleeding.
• See your dentist immediately if the bleeding does not stop.

Lost Or Broken Dental Restoration

In some cases, old dental restorations can become dislodged or fall out. If you have a broken or missing filling, stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity. You should see your dentist as soon as possible.

If you have a broken dental crown or bridge, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. You should carry the restoration with you. If possible, put your restoration back in place. Before doing so, coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement or toothpaste.

Dental Abscess

Abscesses are pimple-like infections or swollen areas in the space between your teeth and gums or around the root of a tooth. An abscess can destroy the tissue and surrounding teeth. The infection can cause swelling of your face or jaw if left untreated. You should see your dentist immediately if you have a dental abscess.

Dislodged Tooth

If your tooth is partially dislodged, you should see a dentist immediately. Before you reach the dentist’s office, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to relieve pain. If needed, take over-the-counter pain relievers, like naproxen and acetaminophen.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Take the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse off the root with water. Do not remove tissue fragments or scrap it. Try to place your tooth back in its socket. Do not force it into the socket. If it is not possible, put your tooth in a small container of milk.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that involves aligning a person’s bite and straightening the teeth. You should see an orthodontist if you have gapped, twisted, overlapped, or crooked teeth. Retainers, clear aligners, and braces are the common orthodontic treatments.

Our qualified orthodontists provide orthodontic treatment. After graduating from dental school, an orthodontist normally undergoes two to three years of additional training. Our experts focus on improving a person’s bite. This doctor does not provide general dentistry treatments like bridges, crowns, or fillings.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children undergo their first orthodontic treatment at the age of seven. Most children do not require this treatment at this age. However, it is the best time to find out if there is any dental problem to watch out for. Children who require early orthodontic treatment can reduce the need for complex dental procedures in the future.

Most people seek orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their smiles. In addition to cosmetic benefits, orthodontics improve chewing and oral health.

We Employ Dental Technology To Enhance Your Comfort

We are committed to addressing your oral health needs and providing a pleasant and relaxing dental treatment every time you visit us. To accomplish this, we leverage the advantages of modern technology, such as cutting-edge procedures, materials, dental equipment, and tools. For example, our imaging diagnostic tools allow us to make accurate, timely diagnoses and successfully establish your treatment strategy. We invite you to explore our website to discover more. Our team is trained regularly to employ technology to enhance your health and provide compassionate, high-quality treatment.

We Listen to Our Patients

Before commencing dental treatment, we will listen to you, explain your treatment options, and review various procedures. Well-informed patients are at ease and excited about their dental visits.

Personalized and Comprehensive Dental Appointments

We do not rush when holding dental appointments because we understand that good oral health is more than a beautiful smile. Dental wellness is a window into your overall health since it can reveal health issues you were previously unaware of.

When you walk into our office, a cheerful receptionist will welcome you with an inviting smile, check you in, and alert the dental team of your presence. We will verify your dental insurance and walk you through the necessary new patient paperwork. You can save time by completing the paperwork on our web page before your visit.

A dental assistant will accompany you to the dentist’s office for a thorough examination. During the checkup, your dentist will review your overall health history, discuss your fears, and take your blood pressure to assess your health. We can perform diagnostic imaging and oral cancer screening, which includes a thorough examination of the mouth, neck, tongue, gums, and jaws.

If you are feeling anxious, now is the moment to inform us. Your well-being is our top priority, and we are committed to making your appointment safe, pleasant, and smooth. We want you to feel relaxed sharing concerns and seeking advice.