Lamoille Health Family Dentistry

Also known as a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces a missing tooth or teeth by literally bridging the gap between the remaining teeth. A bridge is made of gold, porcelain or a combination of the two, and it is bonded to remaining teeth (or implants) for support. Therefore, unlike removable dentures, bridges can only be removed by a dentist.

CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser technology replaces the need for incisions by cauterizing the soft tissue, so there is little to no bleeding. Lasers allow for a much cleaner procedure and can eliminate the need for sutures. Healing time is faster and there is less post-operative pain.

When a tooth becomes weakened by cavities, nighttime grinding habits (bruxism), or other means, it is sometimes necessary to cover the tooth to strengthen it and restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown can be made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of the two, and it completely surrounds the tooth to protect it from breaking or to restore a tooth that already has broken. Since a crown covers the top of your tooth, it is sometimes referred to as a “cap.”

A comprehensive evaluation of your teeth and the surrounding tissues is conducted to help determine what dental procedures will be of the most benefit to you. To help ensure a thorough evaluation, we utilize state-of-the-art equipment such as digital radiographs (x-rays) and LED technology.

When all of the teeth are missing either on top, bottom, or both top and bottom, a removable complete denture is used to restore function and esthetics to your mouth. We work hard to establish an intimate fit between the denture and your mouth. However, no denture is ever as effective as natural, healthy teeth. A popular alternative to traditional dentures is something called an overdenture, which uses dental implants to help stabilize the denture.

There are several different types of dentures. Bridges are a type of denture that are bonded to the teeth and cannot be removed. However, when most people talk about dentures, they are referring to removable dentures. These can be either removable partial dentures (replacing some but not all teeth on the top and/or bottom) or complete dentures (replacing all of the teeth either on top, bottom, or both top and bottom).

Sometimes teeth reach a point where they are causing problems and can no longer be saved. Other times, your dentist may notice a non-functional tooth that he or she anticipates will cause problems in the future, such as an impacted tooth (a tooth trapped beneath your gums). In either situation, the tooth must be removed by a dentist to establish a healthy environment in your mouth, free from infection, inflammation, and pain.

A dental filling is used to repair worn or damaged teeth and cavities. Dental fillings are generally either tooth colored (composite) or silver colored (amalgam). Both options have certain benefits and drawbacks, and we can help determine which will be best for you.

These include any procedure performed by your hygienist. Depending on your needs, these may include a prophylactic cleaning (basic teeth cleaning), scaling and root planning (deep teeth cleaning), fluoride treatment, sealants, or x-rays.

Also known as endodontic treatment, a root canal is performed when the nerve inside of your tooth becomes inflamed or dies. It is usually the result of trauma (an injury) to the tooth or a large cavity, and the tooth may or may not show symptoms such as pain and/or swelling. Root canals are generally performed in one or two appointments, and they allow us to save your tooth rather than having it extracted. Our dentists utilize the latest technology to perform this procedure as comfortably, effectively, and quickly as possible. After a root canal, you may also need a crown to help strengthen the tooth, and we will discuss this with you beforehand.

There are various options for whitening teeth. At Lamoille Health Dental, we make custom trays to fit your teeth. This means that the whitening product we use is held directly against your teeth and does not leak onto your gums or other areas of your mouth. The result is whiter teeth and less sensitivity or irritation. Studies have also shown that the products we use to whiten your teeth can help fight cavities and may help your composite (tooth colored) fillings last longer.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of a tooth. They are a minimally invasive way to fix teeth that are unsightly due to stains, gaps, cracks or other factors.

Also known as radiographs, X-Rays allow us to see parts of your teeth that are otherwise not visible during an exam, such as between your teeth and below your gums. X-Rays also allow us to look inside your teeth to make sure that everything is healthy. At Lamoille Health Dental, we use only digital radiographs, which provide great benefits for our patients, as well as reduced environmental waste.