Services

At Ardagh Family Dentistry, we offer a wide range of services to our patients.

Preventitive Dental Care

This is the practice of caring for ones teeth to help keep them healthy. Preventative Dentistry prevents people from developing dental problems later on such as; cavities, gingivitis, enamel loss and bone loss. Frequent dental cleanings and exams allow the dentist to identify problems and take care of them right away. Oral health us connected to the body as a whole, the mouth is a easy breeding ground for bacteria, maintaining a clean mouth benefits overall health!

Sealants

Sealants act as a barrier against decay causing bacteria. Sealants are usually applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth (pre-molars & molars) where decay occurs most often. The plastic resin we apply bonds into the grooves of the teeth known as pits and fissures. The sealant acts as a barrier protecting the enamel from plaque and acids. It only takes a few seconds to seal each tooth. Sealants are usually implemented for children but adults can benefit from them too!

Digital Radiography

Dental radiography allows us to detect things such as:

• Cavities
• Bone loss
• Abcesses/Cysts
• Developmental abnormalities
• Hidden teeth (wisdom or impacted)

Dental xrays are pictures of the teeth, bones and soft tissues. These pictures help us to find problems with the teeth, mouth and jaw. These x-rays are very safe and use very little radiation. A lead apron is placed over you while exposed to help protect your thyroid from radiation. The following types of dental x-rays are most commonly used:

Bitewings:

Used to check decay between the upper and lower teeth as they line up. Also can detect bone loss.

Periapical x-rays:

Used to show the entire tooth from exposed crown to the end of the root including the supporting bone.

Panoramic x-rays:

This is a 360 degree view of the jaw, teeth, sinuses, nasal area and jaw joints. These x-rays can show problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, infections and fractures. We also use this technique to assist in orthodontics.

Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings involve the removal of plaque( soft, sticky bacteria) and calculus( hardened plaque) that can not be removed by brushing. The purpose of a cleaning is to leave the surface of the teeth feeling clean and smooth so that bacteria is unable to stick to them, this procedure is done by our dental hygienists. Fluoride is the final part of the cleaning. Fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth, reduce cavities in both adults & children, also helps repair early stages of tooth decay.

Sports Guard

Sport guards involve the prevention of injury to the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, through the use of properly fitted mouth guards. Mouth guards create a cushion that provides potential stabilization of the jaw. They can also help to reduce injury affecting the soft tissues of the mouth such as lips and gum tissues surrounding the teeth. In general mouth guards can help provide protection against many serious injuries and are highly recommended!

Dental Emergencies

Ardagh Family Dentistry takes emergency patients during the hours of operation. We will try to get you in as fast as possible! Here are a few tips to try to remember:

• Knocked out tooth you must keep moist at all times. You can soak the tooth in milk or try to put back in socket, this is too try and preserve the tooth as long as possible.
• If you bite your tongue or lip clean area with warm salt water and apply a cold compress
• For toothaches, rinsing with warm water might help with relief, Tylenol or Advil may help suppress pain for a few short hours

Dentistry with nitrous

Here at our office we offer nitrous, also known as laughing gas during extractions or restorations. Nitrous Oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax and feel more comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off soon after the mask is removed.

Extractions

A dental extraction is the removal of teeth from the socket in the bone. We offer the service of extractions and extractions under sedation with a surgeon available on site.

Impacted wisdom teeth?

Root canal

Root canal therapy is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. A root canal procedure is performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. During the procedure the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

Whitening (offer free with new patient exam)

We offer whitening here at our office! We first take impressions that will give us a mold of your teeth, we then fabricate take home whitening trays and provide you with a bleaching solution. The trays stay in for an hour each night for 7 days, you should start to see results by then. More bleaching solution is available at our office when finished. Tooth whitening gel will only whiten natural teeth not caps, crown, bridges, fillings or any other dental work. Sensitivity to gums and teeth is very common with whitening trays and is not harmful.

Dentures

Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back in your mouth. Todays dentures are made more natural looking and comfortable then ever. There are two types of dentures; full and partial. Dentures are custom made in a dental laboratory after impressions are taken of your mouth. The dentist will discuss options with you and help determine what type of denture is best for you.

Crown and bridge

Crowns are bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants that can only be removed by a dentist. A crown is used to entirely cover or cap a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a tooth a crown can be used to improve appearance, shape or alignment. A bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to drift or rotate into the empty spaces. Before a crown or bridge can be made the tooth must be reduced in size so the crown or bridge can fit properly, an impression will be taken to provide a exact mold and sent to the lab. A temporary material will be placed over the prepared tooth while the permanent one is being made in the lab.

Night Guards

Night guards are used to help with grinding of the teeth while sleeping. This helps prevent damage to the teeth over time. The night guard acts as a cushion and absorbs all the grinding and clenching forces. Night guards are usually made from durable hard plastic to withstand grinding over time and only need to cover the occlusal surfaces of the teeth.