PREVENTATIVE AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Taking care of your teeth means more than brushing and flossing. For complete care and to maintain a healthy smile, it’s important to visit a dentist every six months for a regular checkup and professional cleaning.

Checkups

Dental exams are performed at regularly scheduled intervals to evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene. The dentist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, looking for signs of gum disease, tooth decay and infection. We will also perform an Oral Cancer screening at every routine exam that focuses on the following areas: face, neck, lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of mouth, palate and tonsils.

X-rays

X-rays, also known as radio-graphs, are a critical component of a comprehensive dental exam. X-rays can diagnose problems that could otherwise go unnoticed, such as damage to jawbones, impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts or tumors, and decay between the teeth. Spring Creek Dental utilizes digital X-ray equipment that not only offers enhanced image quality for superior diagnostic capability, but a reduction of radiation exposure by 75% over conventional X-rays. Everyone’s oral health varies, and as a result, the dentist will evaluate your needs and recommend an X-ray schedule accordingly.

Dental Cleanings

Dental prophylaxis, or a “dental cleaning”, is an essential procedure to aid in the prevention of gingivitis, periodontal disease and dental decay. A licensed dental hygienist removes food debris, built-up plaque and tartar thereby disrupting the bacterial bio-film and biotoxins that mediate most dental disease. Additional benefits of a professional dental cleaning include stain removal for a whiter, healthier looking smile and fresher breath. Our team will also assess the effectiveness of your at-home oral care routine as well as your susceptibility to dental decay (caries risk assessment) and recommend a recall interval that works best for you.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in all water sources that actively prevents tooth decay. Fluoride has been scientifically proven to successfully prevent tooth decay in both children and adults primarily by strengthening the protective enamel layer of teeth. Some patients need more fluoride than what can be found in most over the counter toothpastes and mouth rinses. Fluoride recommendations by our team are based on your or your child’s individual caries risk assessment. Factors considered in the assessment include the following: history of cavities, dietary factors and habits, dental hygiene, frequency of dental visits, well water, and dry mouth due to medications or medical conditions. Spring Creek Dental offers the following options for fluoride: in-office placement of fluoride varnish, fabrication of fluoride trays, prescription strength fluoride toothpaste and fluoride tablets.