Minimally Invasive Dentistry
At our practice, we believe in treating our patients with minimally invasive dentistry whenever possible. Many patients fear that dentistry is all about needles and drilling. We would rather offer excellent preventive care to avoid problems from starting in the first place. If a problem does occur, we are skilled at a number of procedures that allow us to treat the problem in such a way that healthy tooth structure is preserved whenever possible.
Minimally Invasive Dentistry: The Basics
When you come to our office for your regular examinations, we carefully check your teeth and gums for signs of decay and disease. We determine your risk for bacterial growth and check how much saliva you produce. These factors help us establish the overall health of your mouth and your risk for future problems.
Your preventive dental care program will be based around your unique needs and risk factors. We are thrilled that you trust us with your dental care, but the truth is most of the dental care you will receive during your life will actually be administered by you!
We will discuss your home dental care routine and what can be done to improve it to prevent problems from developing. For example, we will use hands-on demonstrations to teach you the best way to brush and floss your teeth – you would be amazed at how many people are doing it wrong! If oral bacteria appear poised to cause cavities and increase your risk of gum disease, we can provide recommendations as to which types of toothpaste and rinse will be the most effective along with other home care products. In fact, we stock many of the best care products right here in our office, saving you an extra trip.
Many people don’t realize that what they eat has a direct effect on their dental health. You probably know that sweets and soft drinks aren’t good for your teeth, but do you know what you should eat to help protect your teeth? We will discuss ways to get vitamin- and mineral-rich foods into your diet to help strengthen your teeth and boost your immune system.
Minimally Invasive Treatments
We offer a number of procedures and services that are minimally invasive and will help prevent or treat a variety of dental problems:
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Ozone Dentistry – Ozone dentistry is a unique method of treating cavities and decay in some cases without the need for drilling and needles. In addition to saving your teeth, it can actually strengthen them as well and may prevent cavities from developing in the future.
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Fluoride Treatments – While the tap water in Elk Grove is fluoridated, many families prefer to drink bottled or filtered water. Fluoride has been proven to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities, and if your family has been missing out on this important mineral, we can provide fluoride supplementation through rinses and fluoride varnish treatments.
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Preventive Resin Restorations – Dental sealants are a very thin coat of plastic resin applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth that are prone to cavities. This treatment may be used to prevent cavities in patients who are particularly prone to them.
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Dental Onlays – When restoration is needed, a dental onlay is a less invasive option than dental crowns. Onlays require only removal of decayed or damaged tooth structure while crowns require the removal of healthy tooth structure in order to properly shape the tooth to allow the crown to fit.
To learn more about minimally invasive dentistry and how it can benefit your family, please call our dental office today and schedule an appointment.