Teeth Whitening – In-office and At-home Procedures

For many of us, dazzling white teeth are the key to a beautiful smile. But, as we know, consuming certain foods; drinking beverages such as coffee, soft drinks, and tea; and use of tobacco can render white teeth a distant memory.

At our office, we offer ZOOM Whitening as seen on America’s “Extreme Make-Over”. You can experience teeth whitening in the comfort of our office, or you can whiten at home with an at-home teeth whitening system.

With so many different options available, teeth whitening from Dr. Dlugokinski is easier than ever. Contact our office today to learn more.

Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a permanent solution to replace missing teeth or dentures. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from a biocompatible, titanium material that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants can help maintain the bone structure in your face and preserve the neighboring teeth. Dental implants feel and look like natural teeth and are an ideal option for people with good general health.

TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint)

Many Americans suffer from TMJ pain, which can turn every chewing, swallowing, or talking motion painful. At our office in the RiverStone Medical Campus building, we have helped relieve the symptoms of TMJ pain for many patients.

TMJ patients often report sore jaw muscles, the inability to fully open the mouth, a popping sound in their jaw, lockjaw, pains in the ear, temple, or cheek, neck aches, headaches, a variety of tooth and bite problems, and even chest pain.

Although there is no cure, we offer several therapies to relieve the symptoms of TMJ. TMJ therapy can include surgical and non-surgical options, including mouth splints and orthodontics. Tooth restoration may be necessary for severe TMJ cases.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, contact Dr. Dlugokinski for a TMJ evaluation. If caught early, TMJ problems can be controlled before significant damage occurs.

Dental Bonding

Stained, chipped, cracked, or misaligned teeth can detract from a person’s smile. Dental bonding from Dr. Dlugokinski can restore your smile’s natural beauty quickly and painlessly. During the procedure, damaged teeth are repaired and strengthened with thin coatings of plastic or resin. Bonded teeth are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Contact our office today to find out if bonding is the best option for you.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Metal and amalgam fillings can make teeth appear dark and discolored. Today, natural looking fillings can be made to match the surrounding teeth and require less of the original tooth to be removed. The new fillings, made of durable resin or porcelain, are stronger and more natural looking than amalgam fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are virtually undetectable and easy to apply. Contact us today to find out about tooth-colored fillings.

Porcelain Crowns

Sometimes called caps, porcelain crowns are natural-looking covers that can fit snugly over teeth to protect and improve the appearance of cracked, discolored, injured, or chipped teeth. Porcelain crowns from Dr. Dlugokinski can minimize discomfort and support damaged teeth. Porcelain crowns can improve the look, feel, and function of your teeth.

Dentures and Partial Dentures

At Blue Ridge Dental, new technology allows us to customize dentures to fit your mouth perfectly and match the color of your existing teeth. Well-fitting dentures instill confidence, add strength, and ensure chewing comfort.

Full dentures are a great option for people who have lost all of their teeth. Today’s technology now allows us to fully customize dentures to precisely match the natural color of your teeth. Full dentures can keep the bite properly aligned, and allow for more comfortable chewing, while keeping the surrounding facial features naturally filled-out.

Gaps left by missing teeth can be filled using partial or removable dentures. Partial dentures are usually made of resin, metal, or both, and are held in place with discreet clasps attached to the natural teeth. When properly designed and fitted, partial dentures can help with chewing and improve speech.

Tooth Extraction

In some cases, a tooth can become damaged beyond repair. In these cases, the tooth may have to be removed. When this occurs, the extracted tooth can usually be replaced with a dental bridge or implant.

If you are in need of tooth extraction, Dr. Dlugokinski can help you. We can guide you through the extraction process, and perform the necessary restorative procedures.

Root Canal

Each tooth has a long thin strand of dental pulp extending from inside the pulp cavity, down to its root. This pulp provides nutrients and is where the tooth’s nerves are found. If this pulp becomes infected or injured, the tooth’s nerves can die. Without endodontic treatment, the tooth often dies as well, and can cause severe infection. Root canal is a procedure designed to save teeth damaged in this way. Under local anesthesia, an access opening is drilled into the tooth’s crown and pulp chamber, diseased pulp is removed, and the tooth canals are widened and sealed. The tooth is then sometimes restored with a natural looking crown.

Preventative Dental Care

Preventative care goes beyond twice-daily brushing and daily flossing. Regular examinations and cleanings from a professional like Dr. Dlugokinski are necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. Our practice offers preventative care that includes regular oral exams and cleanings, fluoride treatments, breath control, and periodontal exams designed to help you maintain the health and beauty of your smile. It is important to keep your teeth and gums strong and disease-free.

Sealants

Sealants are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque, not because the person doesn’t brush, but because they’re too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will develop cavities over time, so a coating is applied to the tooth that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

Intraoral Camera Technology

Finding dental problems early makes their treatment much easier. Tooth and gum problems diagnosed early result in fewer symptoms and less pain experienced by the patient. Also, there is a smaller risk of tooth damage and an increased likelihood of successful treatment. The use of the intraoral camera makes early diagnosis easier than ever, and for this reason is integral to our practice.

This tiny camera can be inserted into the patient’s mouth to take pictures of the teeth that can be displayed and enlarged on a computer screen that patients can view. The camera saves time, makes problems easily visible, and allows the patient greater understanding of the problems they have and the treatments involved.