Services

Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucous and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar.

During a dental cleaning, expect to be scheduled with an experienced, licensed dental hygienist. The hygienist may complete a review and update of your medical history, an oral cancer screening, evaluate your gums for evidence of disease (probing), take x-rays to check for cavities and gum disease, scale the teeth to remove hard deposits, polish the teeth to remove plaque and stain, apply fluoride and provide oral hygiene education. Hygienists are trained to tailor the patient’s appointment to his/her specific needs.

A crown, sometimes called a “cap”, is a type of dental restoration which completely encircles a tooth. The procedure can be performed by a general dentist or prosthodontist. A crown is also used to restore dental implants. A crown can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, precious metals, porcelain, and other tooth colored materials. At least two appointments are needed to fabricate a crown. The first appointment usually involves preparing the tooth, taking dental impressions, and making a temporary crown to wear while the crown is being fabricated at the lab. The second appointment is usually about 2-3 weeks after the initial appointment. During the second appointment the dentist “tries in” the crown, checks the color/shade of the crown, checks the bite, and makes any needed minor adjustments to the crown. The final step at that appointment is cementing the crown into the mouth.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available -- complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Our dentists can help plan for teeth that need to be removed in preparation for a denture replacement. They are also skilled at relining existing dentures to ensure optimal fit and function.

The Upper Arlington clinic functions like a traditional, private practice. Emergencies for established patients will be treated as deemed appropriate by the on site provider. Walk in emergencies or walk in appointments will not be accepted. Dental emergencies for new patients are best treated at the Ohio State College of Dentistry’s walk in Dental Emergency Care Clinic at 305 W 12th Ave, Postle Hall, Columbus, Ohio 43210

If you feel you are experiencing a true medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or head to your nearest emergency room.

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc). Decay can be detected by clinical evaluation and by taking x-rays. The damaged tooth will be numbed and prepped (drilled) prior to filling placement.

The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called “gingivitis.” In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” (which means “inflammation around the tooth”). In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural response to infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.

The main goal of gum disease treatment is to control the infection. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The doctor may also suggest changing certain behaviors, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve treatment outcome.

Gum disease treatment typically involves removal of  plaque and tartar through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove bacteria that contribute to the disease. In cases of severe disease, a referral to a gum specialist called a Periodontist will be recommended.

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers) are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length. The front of the original tooth must first be prepped (drilled) and an impression is taken so that the veneer can be made to fit the tooth exactly. A temporary veneer will be placed while the impression is sent to a lab for the final veneer to be made.