Porcelain veneers -
To enhance a not-so-perfect smile, we offer custom-crafted porcelain
veneers that are bonded to your natural teeth. Veneers offer a
natural-looking enhancement to the shape, size, color or length of your
teeth.
Bonding - Is
an excellent way to repair chips or cracks in teeth or change their
shape and color, particularly in front teeth. You'll absolutely love
your new smile, not to mention an improved self-image.
Fillings
- When decay createds a cavity in a tooth, the dentist usually fills it
with a durable material-most often a composite resin (a tooth-colored
plastic), or a metal alloy called amalgam.
Crowns
- A crown is a cover for a tooth that's been weakened by decay or by
recurrent fillings. A crown may also be required after a root canal or
when a tooth has broken or cracked. The most common materials used
include gold, porcelain, and metal alloys.
Root Canals
- If a tooth's pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes
infected or damaged because of deep decay or an injury, root-canal
treatment may be the only way to save the tooth. The procedure cleans
out the pulp chamber and repairs the damage.
Dentures - That
are so secure and look so real, just like your natural teeth. Plus,
you'll be able to enjoy eating your favorite foods again. We also offer
quality partial dentures. Implants -
A viable alternative to dentures, implants are just like having your
own teeth! We're certified in restorative care and we'll work with your
oral surgeon for a perfect fit and a great smile.
Checking for Periodontal Diseases -
During your checkup, Dr. Luu will examine your gums. This is called a
periodontal examination. She will use an instrument called a
periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of the sulcus surrounding
each tooth. The healthy sulcus depth is usually three millimeters or
less.
Periodontal diseases cause the sulcus
to deepen into a pocket. A periodontal probe can determine whether you
have developed any pockets and the depth of those pockets. Generally,
the more severe the disease, the deeper the pocket.
Dental
X-rays, or radiographs, also may be taken to evaluate the amount of
bone supporting the teeth and to detect other problems not visible
during the clinical examination. If periodontal disease is diagnosed,
Dr. Luu may provide treatment herself or a periodontist, a dentist who
specializes in the treatment of periodontal disease.
How are periodontal diseases treated? Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.
The
first step usually is a thorough cleaning that includes scaling to
remove plaque and tartar deposits. The tooth roots also may be planed
to smooth the root surface, allowing the gum tissue to heal and
reattach to the tooth. In some cases, the occlusion, or bite, may
require adjustment.
Dr. Luu also recommend
medications to help control infection, pain, or to encourage healing.
These medications can be given in various forms: a pill that you would
swallow, a liquid mouthrinse, or in a form that the dentist could place
directly in the periodontal pocket after scaling and root planing. |