BONDING
 Bonding involves adhering composite resin material to the front of the tooth.  Bonding is used to repair damage done to the tooth by decay; to alter the alignment of the tooth; to close gaps between the teeth; or for cosmetic purposes. First the surface of the tooth is textured to accept the resin material and hold it. A gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a primer/bond agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Then the bonding material is placed on the tooth and hardened with curing light. The composite resin material is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish as a last step.  Bondings are matched in color to the biological tooth for a natural look and patient satisfaction. 

SEALANTS
Sealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque.  This is not because of inadequate personal dental hygiene, but because the groove.s and pits are too narrow to allow even one toothbrush bristle into them. These grooves and pits will develop cavities over time.  A coating is brushed on that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to remove all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy

NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for one’s teeth. These structures are also referred to as the periodontium. Unhealthy periodontium jeopardizes the teeth, just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.

Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows:
Gums that are red, swollen or bleed easily
Persistent bad breath
Gums that are pulled away from the tooth
Loose teeth
Changes in the position or bite of the teeth

Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With proper care, however, it may be possible to return to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments are necessary. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatments usually involve deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with antibiotic agents. If the gum disease becomes too severe, it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get treated at the earliest sign of a problem.

X-RAYS
This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and to not use them could lead to undiagnosed dental problems or diseases. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention.
In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take X-rays using 50-70% less radiation versus conventional X-rays. Coupled with computer monitoring, digital x-ray technology allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concern.