A visual exam of your mouth, looking not just for cracked and decayed teeth, but also for growths and sores on the tongue, palate and mucous membrane that line the cheeks and cover the gums. Regular dental exams are vital to maintaining your dental and overall health.

Digital x-rays eliminate the process of biting down on cumbersome swatches of film and waiting for the x-ray to develop. The digital method allows the hygienist or dental assistant to glide a small sensor around inside the patient’s mouth and see the images instantly pop-up on the computer screen. With the x-ray image up on the computer screen it can easily be enlarged and manipulated to accurately and clearly show the doctor what is going on in the your mouth.

Additional advantages of digital x-rays include:

• The ability to e-mail x-rays to referrals and to insurance companies
• The x-ray images can be digitally compared to previous radiographs, subtracting out everything that is the same to give a clear image of anything that is different. This means that tiny changes that may not be noticeable with the naked eye can be seen earlier and more clearly with digital-subtraction radiography.
• Reduced radiation exposure
• Intra-Oral Camera – This is a highly advanced piece of diagnostic equipment that allows you to see what the doctor sees in your mouth – making it much easier for the doctor, and you, to see and understand what is happening – with up to 25x high-resolution magnification.

Brighton Dental offers dentures as replacements for missing teeth, that can be taken out for cleaning and maintenance and then readily put back into the your mouth. There are two main type of dentures: full and partial. A conventional, full denture is placed in the mouth after all remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed. In contrast, a partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to the patient’s natural teeth as a removable alternative to a bridge.

Nitrous oxide is a sweet smelling, non-irritating, colorless gas which is inhaled and has been the primary means of sedation in dentistry for many years. Nitrous oxide is safe and the patient is able to breathe on his/her own and remain in control of all bodily functions. This is used for individuals that are apprehensive, frightened or just need a little bit of calming down.

Sealants are ultra-thin resin coatings applied to the chewing surface of the permanent back teeth – the molars and premolars – to help protect them from decay.

A basic restoration is the simplest method to restore a tooth damaged by decay and bring it back to its full, normal function and shape. We offer only composite=-colored restorations. The composite restoration becomes “one with your tooth,” and more effectively closes off and seals any spaces where bacteria can enter, helping to prevent further decay. Composite restorations are color-matched to your natural teeth. For larger or more complex restorations, the doctor may elect to mill a porcelain restoration using the CEREC^® system.

 

What’s the difference between a “filling” and a “basic restoration?”

 

A “filling” simply fills a hole in a tooth created by decay and the resultant drilling to remove that decay. A “restoration” is designed to restore the tooth back to full, long-term functionality, stability and comfort. A restoration is a healthier, longer lasting solution to dental health.

A root canal is the removal of the tooth’s dead or damaged pulp – the small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the dysfunctional pulp is removed, all bacteria is eliminated and the tooth is refilled with an inert, tooth-compatible material. The most common causes of pulp damage or death are a cracked tooth, a deep cavity or an injury to a tooth, such as a severe blow.

Occlusal night guards help combat the nightly clenching and grinding that many people suffer from. If you are waking up with headaches and a sore jaw you may be clenching and grinding your teeth at night. We take impressions of your teeth and from those make a custom-fit bite splint that you wear while you’re asleep.

Sports guards are worn over the teeth to protect them from blows and impact to the face and head during any activity or sport that involves falls, body contact or flying equipment. They typically cover the upper teeth and are designed to protect against broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to the mouth. They are also ideal for protect your investment in crown, bridge, implant and other cosmetic restorations. Custom-fit sports mouth guards, as compared to store bought, offer a better, more functional fit, are more comfortable, and offer much better protection.

Air abrasion is a modern method of cleaning out tooth decay without using a drill. It works like a tiny sandblaster using compressed air and an abrasive powder to wear decay off the tooth. For some procedures, such as deep fillings, crowns, inlays or onlays, air abrasion is insufficient and a conventional drill is still the best solution.