Patient Comfort You are not alone if you feel anxious about a visit to the dentist. At Dental Equipment Supply, we understand and share your concerns and strive to make every dental visit comfortable for you. In addition to topical and local anesthetic, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available for those patients who need additional pain relief. If you would like to "sleep" through your appointment, IV sedation is available.At Dental Equipment Supply, we know that emergencies can occur at any time. We can be reached 24 hours a day. With early morning, lunchtime and late afternoon appointments, you can be seen at a time that is convenient for your busy schedule.

Hygiene
An integral part of maintaining your teeth for life is the removal of plaque and tartar on a regular basis. The frequency of your visits is based upon your individual needs and oral health. During each visit we will update your medical history, perform an oral cancer screening exam, check your teeth for cavities, review oral hygiene instructions and monitor your periodontal (gum) condition. Fluoride treatments are provided for children under the age of 13 and for adults when appropriate.

Sealants
Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively "seals" the deep grooves where decay is most likely to start.

Orthodontics
For patients who have crowded or crooked teeth, spaces between their teeth or misaligned teeth and jaws, orthodontic therapy can help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and trauma due to protruding teeth. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children have an evaluation by seven years of age. We also provide orthodontic treatment for adults.

Implants
A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like an artificial root, which ultimately supports a new tooth. The advantages of implants for patients with dentures are denture stability, increased patient comfort and confidence.

Crowns
Crowns can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improve the appearance of your teeth. A "cap," "jacket" or "crown" will restore a broken, heavily filled or cracked tooth to an ideal size and shape. This may also be recommended after root canal therapy has been completed, as the tooth is more apt to fracture.

Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses reshaping your teeth, veneers or bonding, natural-looking tooth-colored fillings and bleaching. Veneers are porcelain shells that are fabricated in a laboratory and fit over the fronts of your teeth. Composite veneers or bonding work the same way; they are made with composite (tooth-colored filling material) and can be done in a single visit. Bleaching, or teeth whitening, is usually done at home but can also be done in the office if faster results are needed.

Tooth Decay and Repair
Often a tooth will not start bothering you until there is significant loss of tooth structure. With the help of routine x-rays, problems can be detected earlier-before you experience a toothache.

Periodontal Disease
While seldom painful and frequently free of any obvious signs or symptoms, periodontal disease can progress, undetected, to the point where supporting bone is destroyed. Early treatment and prevention is essential. While periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a number of other factors, including poorly fitting bridges, badly aligned teeth and defective fillings, contribute to the development of this condition.

Oral Surgery
The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss. When a tooth cannot be saved, extraction (removal) of the tooth may be the only course of treatment. A panorex x-ray allows us to see a complete picture of the alignment of your jaw, the positioning of your teeth and whether there is sufficient space for your third molars (wisdom teeth) to fully erupt. In addition, it is an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating the supporting bone for possible cysts or tumors. Most surgeries, including impacted wisdom teeth, are performed at our facility; however, the doctor may choose to refer you to a maxillofacial surgeon for more complicated cases.

Bridges
A nonremovable bridge can restore your teeth to normal function by replacing missing teeth. It will improve the entire health of your mouth by keeping the surrounding teeth in position and can also help maintain the structure of your face and jaw.

Root Canal Therapy
If a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment may be the only way to save the tooth or relieve severe pain, short of removing the tooth. Root canal treatment consists of removing the nerve that lies within the root of the tooth. With modern techniques, this is generally a very comfortable procedure. Our practice performs root canals, when necessary, on all teeth including molars without outside referrals. In rare instances when root canal treatment does not succeed, retreatment and root canal surgery (apicoectomy) can be done in our office. Very complicated cases will be referred to an endodontist (root canal specialist) as needed.