Oral Hygiene
Our goal is primarily to improve and maintain the soft tissues and supportive structures. With preventive focused services, this results in better overall health and contributes positively to the preservation of teeth.

Treatment Options:
Adult prophylaxis/cleaning
Child prophylaxis and fluoride
Deep cleanings with anesthesia
Periodontal maintenance
Plaque control
Breath control
Occlusal sealants
Counseling for dry mouth and nutrition
Counseling for smoking and dental anxiety

Periodontics (Gum Surgery)
A periodontist is responsible for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth which includes the gums and bone. These treatments are routinely performed under local anesthesia or mild sedation. Our goal is to help correct problems that have already developed and help prevent further damage, which can help patients keep their teeth for many years.

Treatment options:
Laser periodontal disease treatment
Deep cleaning with anesthesia
Soft tissue grafting
Antibiotic therapies
Crown lengthening
Osseous surgery
Bone grafting
Guided tissue regeneration
Implant placement

Prosthodontics
A prosthodontist is a dentist who is certified and specializes in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth. They most often will collaborate with the general dentist and other specialists to manage complex and diverse cases. Our goal is to provide the absolute finest care available and give the patient long lasting comfort and function with excellent esthetic results.

Treatment options:
Full mouth reconstructive dentistry
Maxillofacial rehabilitation
Pre and post radiation rehabilitation
Dental implant reconstruction therapy
Fixed and removable dentures
Dental crown and bridge reconstruction

Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is performed to treat the inner aspects of a tooth, the pulp (whose nerve has undergone degenerative changes), so as to provide an environment where the tissue surrounding a tooth's root are free of inflammation caused by bacteria and tissue irritants. Our bodies, as a defense mechanism, will initiate an inflammatory reaction when irritants have injured or destroyed body tissues. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma, deep decay, fractured or cracked teeth, or repeated dental procedures, causing pressure and pain. Sometimes the deterioration is so gradual that little pain is felt. As the disease process takes place, the bone surrounding the tooth may become infected and abscessed, destroying the surrounding bone. Symptoms may include swelling of the gums surrounding the tooth, sensitivity to temperature and pressure, and pain in the tooth.

If the teeth are still restorable, root canal therapy can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. During a root canal, the injured pulp is removed and the root canals are thoroughly cleaned, shaped, filled, and sealed. The procedure usually involves local anesthesia. After the procedure is completed, the tooth needs to be fully restored with some type of permanent restoration to be determined to protect and restore chewing functions.

Invisalign
Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces. By using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-fit to your teeth, Invisalign gradually straightens your teeth to give you an incredible smile. Treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks for the course of about a year or so, specific to your course of treatment. Aligners are worn at all times and can be removed to eat, brush, and floss.

Extractions
A tooth may need to be extracted because it is severely decayed, has advanced periodontal disease, or has broken in a way that it cannot be restored. Other teeth that may need to be removed include impacted teeth (such as wisdom teeth), or if there is severe crowding in preparation for orthodontic treatment. The procedure usually involves numbing the area with just local anesthesia.

The removal of a tooth can lead to problems such as chewing ability, TMJ problems, and shifting teeth. In order to avoid these problems, different options are available:

Treatment Options Post-Extraction:
Placement of dental implants
Bone grafts
Bridges
Partial dentures

Direct Bonding
At Progressive Dental Arts, we are proud to offer freehand bonding to our patients as a treatment option. This is a process of using composite resin filling materials to improve color, rotations, fractures and shape of the front teeth. This process can normally be done in one visit without the use of a lab or temporaries. Due to advances in materials, the results can be very realistic and exhibit incredible shine and lifelike colors. Advantages of this style of cosmetic care include very conservative tooth preparations, instant results, total control of shade and shape and reduction in cost because no lab fee is generated. Some limitations include long term durability, about half the time as compared to porcelain. In addition, successful results are directly related to the skill and training of the doctor. We normally choose direct bonding for children, some teenagers, when instant results are needed or when a less expensive treatment is necessary.

Veneers
Veneers are very thin shells of either porcelain or ceramic, custom made to bond over the front surface and leading edge of existing teeth with only a small amount of natural tooth structure removed, for correction of rotations, color, and shape. These non metal restorations are fabricated in a laboratory by a "Master Ceramist." They can be very esthetic and natural looking. Due to the lack metal, veneers never show a dark line at the gum tissue commonly seen with metal based crowns.

Veneers can quickly correct these conditions:
Closing diastemas (gaps between teeth)
Restoring broken or chipped teeth
Covering stained or discolored teeth
Correcting uneven, crooked, or badly shaped teeth

Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns
Porcelain/Ceramic crowns are also non-metal restorations yet cover more of the prepared tooth and can sometimes completely encompass the remaining tooth structure. They have the same advantages related to esthetics and like veneers resist staining, fracturing and can last for many years. The difference between veneers and crowns is becoming more difficult to label as improvements in porcelain and adhesives continue to aid our ability to conservatively repair and alter teeth with less removal of tooth structure.

Bitesplint/Nightguard
A bitesplint may be recommended for several reasons. Some patients will grind or clench their teeth when they are not chewing food-this is known as "parafunction," and can wear away the outer tooth enamel, potentially leading to temperature sensitivity, esthetic concerns, and bite problems. The appliance is made of a hard acrylic material, and will protect your teeth from wearing down. Others may have jaw pain (TMD symptoms) related to stress, muscle tenderness or joint damage.

Wearing a bitesplint will help neutralize the disharmony occurring between your jaw muscles, ligaments and joints by helping to place your jaws in a more relaxing position in relation to one another. It can also help protect new restorations such as crowns, veneers, implants, etc.

Teeth Whitening
This is the most conservative way to improve the appearance of your smile. Teeth stain due to substances in our diet, age, and smoking, just to name a few. An initial appointment with a consultation will be done first, which will include a baseline reading of your starting tooth color, to have a general idea of the results we can obtain. Impressions will be taken and we will have you return to demonstrate how to use the bleaching kit at home, which is very easy.

Within a couple of days, most people start noticing results, and within 2 weeks the process is usually completed. Touchups may be necessary at periodic intervals, depending on your lifestyle.

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