Smile Today
At Jefferson Valley Dental
Everyday wear and tear on your teeth can dull your smile and cause long term health problems. At Jefferson Valley Dental, our regular check-ups and procedures will ensure your smile shines as bright and healthy as possible.
Checkups and Cleanings
At Jefferson Valley Dental, we want to get to know you and your family and provide you all with the treatment and guidance you need to give you the healthiest smiles possible. To do so, we recommend each family member have a check-up and cleaning appointment twice a year, typically only taking 30 minutes total.
During the cleaning, a doctor or hygienist will clean your teeth as comfortably as possible to remove any plaque that may have built up on your teeth, and offer several options to brighten your smile.
During the checkup, a doctor will talk with you about your eating and cleaning habits, and examine your teeth visually or through low-radiation digital X-rays, if necessary. You and your doctor might discuss a treatment plan for further procedures--you can see some options elsewhere on our website.
Fillings
After removing decay from a tooth, we will use fillings to repair the tooth. Silver amalgam fillings are available, durable, and safe. If you aren't interested in silver filings, you might be interested in tooth-colored composite fillings.
The term composite refers to the actual filling material, which is a mixture of fine glass, or quartz filler in a resin medium. Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance in small-to-medium size restorations that can stand up to most normal daily wear and tear.
Oral Surgery
Damage to the nerve tissue inside of a tooth sometimes requires different forms of oral surgery, including root canal procedure. A root canal involves removing the soft tissue within the tooth (the pulp) when it has become infected and inflamed. Your doctor will gently file the infected tissue out of the root canals of the tooth (where the procedure gets its name) and will fill the void with an inert material. This may be followed by a crown or just a filling being placed on the tooth.
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes injury or decay extensively damages a tooth. And, in certain cases, extraction is the proper treatment option to start you on the path toward complete dental health. Our doctor will gently extract your troublesome tooth, giving you the treatment options for replacing that tooth and for completing your beautiful smile once again
Oral Cancer Screening
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, and a quarter of those cases result in death, generally due to late detection. The good news is that oral cancer can easily be diagnosed with an annual oral cancer exam, and when it is caught early there is a 90% success rate of healing.
The oral cancer examination is a completely painless process. During the visual part of the examination, the dentist will look for abnormality and feel the face, glands and neck for unusual bumps. If abnormalities, lesions, leukoplakia or lumps are apparent, the dentist will implement a diagnostic impression and treatment plan.
Nightguards
If you chronically clench your jaw and grind your teeth while you sleep, you may benefit from a customized night guard. These devices can prevent tooth erosion and other common side effects of teeth grinding. In many cases, your night guard can even reduce the risk of serious structural damage that could eventually destroy your smile.
Mouthguards
If your child plays sports or other similar activities, mouthguards are a great way to protect their teeth from potential injury. Mouthguards are easy to clean, come in many color combinations, and are custom made to fit comfortably in your child’s mouth.