Preventive Care
At West Davis Dental, we practice dentistry for the whole family. Preventive dentistry is the area of dentistry concerned with preventing dental problems before they become costly, painful or both. A large part of preventive dentistry is patient education. This includes learning the proper at-home dental care, nutrition, etc. Another aspect of preventive dentistry is oral hygiene through regular dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, mouthguards & more.
DIAGNOdent®
The DIAGNOdent® is an early detection tool that uses a laser to locate hidden decay in the cracks & crevices of your teeth before it is otherwise detectable. This can mean less damage, less pain & less hassle down the road. Early detection & treatment are essential to preserving your beautiful smile!
Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard food or ice, or by biting on an unexpectedly hard object. Teeth with or without restoration may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical silver-alloy restoration are most susceptible.
Restorative Care
We know that even when you do everything right, something can go wrong. If you are suffering from a dental problem, we are here to help. Modern technology combined with the in-depth experience of our clinical team can assure you of a successful & long-lasting result. Whether the cause is an accident or disease, we can restore your smile.
Dental Crowns
Crowns cover & support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. They can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken. A crown, also called a cap, is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped as well, or to cover a dental implant. A crown can make your tooth stronger & improve its appearance.
There are several types of crowns, including porcelain, ceramic, resin & metal alloys. The material used can be altered to match the color of your teeth. Our primary concern is keeping your smile bright & healthy, so ask [dr-name-short] which type is right for you!
Getting a crown takes two steps: First, we prepare the tooth by taking x-rays & pictures to check the surrounding bone & tissue & filing down the tooth to make room for the crown. Then the crown is made & cemented into place.
A crown acts the same way as a tooth, so after your crowns are placed, you should treat it the same way as well. Continue to brush & floss regularly & see your dentist for regular checkups!
Bridges
Bridges are custom oral appliances created by your dentist to replace missing teeth & restore your smile. Bridges are usually made to resemble your natural teeth, but can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, alloys or gold. There are several types of bridges that vary in both stability, application & cost. Removable bridges can be removed for cleaning but are not as stable, fixed bridges are cemented to the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth gap, & implant-supported bridges use an artificial metal tooth root to attach the bridge to the bone of your jaw. Your dentist can recommend which type of bridge is best for you.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are man-made replacements for natural teeth. The implants themselves are artificial tooth roots anchored in the gum or jawbone, on which replacement teeth are permanently secured. Because implanted teeth are fixed in the mouth—rather than being removable, like dentures—they allow a return to the comfort & function of natural teeth. Increased chewing ability means you can enjoy more nutritious foods, contributing to your overall health & well-being. In short, dental implants improve the quality of your life. They can improve your appearance, boost your self-confidence & allow you to speak with greater clarity. This restorative dentistry treatment can be finished in three to five visits over the space of about 4–8 months.
Not all patients are eligible for dental implants. Generally, you must be in good general & oral health to be a candidate for implants. Those who are undergoing cancer treatment, have uncontrolled diabetes or uncontrolled periodontal (gum) disease, may not be eligible for dental implants. These conditions can affect whether the dental implant can be properly secured into the bone of your jaw, & can also affect post-operative outcomes. In creating your dental implant treatment plan, the dentist will assess all of the relevant health factors & advise you accordingly.
Because dental implants are a permanent solution & don’t need to be adjusted, refitted, or replaced, they are often a more cost effective in the long run than bridges or dentures. We understand that many patients have concerns about the cost of dental implants, & while the initial cost may seem high, having a permanent replacement for your teeth may ultimately mean you pay less for dental care in the future. Dental implants can help prevent future dental problems, especially the gradual bone loss in the jaw associated with missing teeth. Dental implants are a great investment in the long-term health of your smile. If you are interested in dental implants but have concerns about the cost, we encourage you to talk to us about your financial options.
Dentures
If you’ve lost teeth from decay, injury or periodontal (gum) disease, dentures are the solution. Whether you need partial or full dentures, they’re essential not only to improve the look of your smile but also your oral health. In addition to allowing you to eat as if you had never lost your teeth, dentures also protect against facial sagging that would otherwise occur & cause a more aged appearance. Dentures can also improve your speech. Denture maintenance combined with a regular regimen of proper brushing can guarantee you'll lead a more comfortable & healthy life.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Having a great smile can make a huge difference in the way you look & feel. We offer a complete range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to create the confident smile you’ve always wanted. We begin with a detailed smile assessment, discussing with you which aspects you like & dislike about your smile. Once our assessment is complete, we will discuss with you treatment options to help your smile look more natural, healthy & youthful.
Mercury-Free Dentistry
We understand that some patients may have concerns about whether mercury amalgam (silver) fillings are hazardous to their health. At West Davis Dental Excellence, we believe that the overall health & peace of mind of our patients always comes first. Accordingly, at our office we have elected only to use new & advanced tooth fillings made of tooth-colored materials that contain no mercury.
The major advantage of offering mercury-free tooth fillings is that we are able to offer you more subtle, flattering options for fillings. With these new materials, getting a filling no longer means your friends & family see a flash of metal when you smile or open your mouth. Our tooth-colored or white tooth fillings are essentially indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
While our biggest concern is the health & function of your teeth, we are proud to offer tooth filling options that do not affect the aesthetics of your smile.
ZOOM!® In-Office Teeth Whitening
Now you can have significantly whiter teeth in a matter of minutes. Both comfortable & affordable, ZOOM!® in-office teeth whitening can make your teeth up to six to eight shades lighter in as little as 45 minutes. ZOOM!® in-office teeth whitening is safe, effective, fast & performed only by dental professionals. Call West Davis Dental today for more details.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns & can perfect your smile by masking stains, hiding chips, correcting misalignment & creating uniformity. Therefore, anesthesia & temporaries are not required. Bonding porcelain to enamel creates a solid, secure bond, meaning that you’ll have a safe, relatively easy, attractive & longterm solution with porcelain veneers.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that involves changing the position of teeth in your mouth, using braces or other orthodontic technologies. Orthodontics can be used to treat problems with how the teeth of your upper & lower jaws line up, known as a bad bite. Called malocclusion by dentists, examples of bad bites are underbites, overbites, & crossbites. Orthodontics can also be used to straighten teeth & fix spacing problems (such as gaps or crowding).
Orthodontic treatments can give you the beautiful & straight smile you desire, but they can also benefit your oral health. Orthodontics can help prevent jaw problems that can arise from a misaligned bite & teeth that are properly spaced & aligned are easier to keep clean. So while you'll certainly have a more beautiful smile at the end of your orthodontic treatment, you'll also have a more functional, healthier smile!
At West Davis Dental Excellence we are proud to offer a range of orthodontics options for our patients. If you are interested in orthodontics for either cosmetic or functional reasons, please start a discussion with us about your options.
Other Services
Digital X-Rays
West Davis Dental Excellence offers in-office digital x-rays for your convenience. Digital x-rays are computer-generated images that require up to 90% less radiation than conventional film-type x-rays. Instead of using the traditional silver-oxide x-ray film, which must be developed & then fixed in caustic & environmentally damaging solutions, the new system takes pictures via a small electronic sensor. A picture of the tooth is instantaneously transmitted onto the monitor in the treatment room so we can see your teeth & surrounding structures immediately.
X-rays, also known as radiographs, have long been part of preventive care in dentistry. X-rays pass through the soft tissues of the face & mouth (lips, cheeks, etc.) & are absorbed by the hard material of teeth & bone. This allows the dentist to see potential oral health issues that may not be easily visible to the naked eye. X-rays are used primarily to find cavities, but dentists also use them to look at tooth roots, the health of bone surrounding the tooth, to assess possible periodontal (gum) disease problems & to keep track of development in younger patients.
The immediacy of digital x-rays allows the dentist to assess the health of your teeth & identify potential problems right away. Because the images from digital x-rays are available immediately, the dentist can also share these images with you while you’re still in the dental chair, allowing you to see & understand your oral health condition as the dentist explains it.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a great tool for patients who may be uneasy about their dental procedures. The beauty of laughing gas is that your dentist can constantly adjust your level of sedation during the procedure & once shut off, the effects stop almost immediately. A few minutes after the procedure is complete, you’ll be back to normal!
West Davis Dental Care is certified to administer nitrous oxide for nervous patients. Call today to schedule your appointment, or to see if you’re a candidate for nitrous oxide sedation!
Sleep Apnea & Snoring Appliances
Did you know that people with sleep apnea can stop breathing for 10–30 seconds at a time while they are sleeping? This can happen up to 400 times in a single night! If you suffer from sleep apnea or snoring, we can help. Through the use of oral appliances, you may avoid the health consequences of sleep apnea, including increased rates of heart disease & stroke. These devices will also help relieve snoring, leading to a better night’s rest for you & your partner. For more information, call West Davis Dental today!