Family Dentistry

An Overview of Family Dentistry in Henderson, Nevada



Bring Out Your Best Smile with Family Dentistry Clinic in Henderson, near Las Vegas, NV options.

Twisted out of shape and discolored teeth make many of us want to hide our smile, but these Oral issues can all be mend. Instead of hiding your smile, do something about it! At St. Rose dental, we have several customized Family & General dentistry services that will help you achieve the smile you want.

St. Rose Family Dentistry in Henderson can perform several cosmetic, families and General dentistry services, including the following:

Exams & Cleaning


Dental Exam and Check-Ups

A comprehensive dental or Oral exams performed at your initial dental visit. Regular Dental check-up exams in Henderson, NV include the following:

  • Dental Examination for diagnostic radiographs (x-rays): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer Screening Test: We Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, and tissues for any signs of oral cancer or oral cavity cancer. We also offer additional aid, the VELscopeVx, to detect early oral cancer that is not visible to the naked eye.
  • Head and Neck exam: Check these areas for any abnormal findings that could include lymph node swelling or unusual moles.
  • The Positioning of the midline – do the front teeth meet where they should in relation to the rest of the facial structures?
  • Gum disease evaluation: Check the gum tissue and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Oral Examination for tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
  • Examination of existing restorations: Check current dental fillings, cavity filling, crowns, etc.

Oral Cancer Screening Test or Oral Cavity Cancer Detection

For Oral Cancer Screening Test, we used the latest advanced equipment like VELscopeVx, which is the most powerful tool available for assisting in the discovery of oral abnormalities. The VELscope's distinguishing the blue-spectrum light causes the soft tissues of the mouth to naturally fluoresce. Healthy tissues fluoresce in different patterns — patterns that are visibly disrupted by trauma or disease. By using the VELscopeVx, a wide variety of oral abnormalities can be detected — often before they're visible to the unassisted eye. The VELscope Device helps in visualize abnormalities in the mucosal tissues of your lips, mouth & upper throat. In just 2 Min, with no rinses, stains, and discomfort, a VELscope scanning lets us improve our assessment of your overall oral health.

The VELscope's blue light "excites" molecules (called "fluorophores") deep within the layers of oral or dental mucosal tissues. The fluorophore is a fluorescent chemical compound that can re-emit lights in shades of green, yellow and red, upon light excitation. The device having a proprietary filter, which makes fluorescence visualization possible, by blocking emitted blue light, and by enhancing the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue. The VELscopeVx does not admit any radiation and is completely safe.

The detector finds soft tissue abnormalities is particularly vital in the fight against oral cancer or oral cavity cancer. Because the VELscopeVx device assists in early detection, oral or dental cancer can be caught before it has time to spread, potentially saving lives through less invasive, more effective treatment.

Professional Dental Cleaning Service

Affordable Professional dental prophylaxis (dental cleanings or deep teeth cleaning) are performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your deep teeth cleaning in Henderson appointment will include a dental exam or oral checkups and the following:

  • Clear of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and then firmly deposited to the tooth surface. Calculus makes above and below the gum tissue line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
  • Clear of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth where bacteria, food debris, and saliva are growing. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gum tissue. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing and cleaning: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

Teeth Cleaning & Prevention Dental Care Services

Always remember that carefully Teeth brushing, flossing, and consuming healthy foods can keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Dentist teeth cleaning, regular dental exams and preventive dental care services at St. Rose dental clinic or dental office in Henderson can prevent problems like cavities, tartar build-up, and periodontal disease. Dental teeth cleanings help remove hardened deposits of tartar, and regular or routine oral exams can catch the early signs of periodontal disease and better help in periodontal disease treatment.

More preventative actions and treatments include sealants and fluoride. These can help protect teeth and prevent cavities and other permanent damage to teeth. Preventive dental care and preventive dental treatment helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.

Dental Periodontal Disease and Treatment

The word periodontal means "around the tooth". Dental Periodontal disease attacks the gum tissue and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky deposit on teeth surface in which bacteria proliferate. If plaque is not cleaned from teeth, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums tissue and bone. Diagnosis of Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gum tissue.

4 out of 5 individuals have dental periodontal disease and don't know about it! Most people are not aware of periodontal disease because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Bad breath is often caused by periodontal disease because of the bacteria and builds up that has become hard to remove.

Not only is it the no. one reason for tooth loss, dental researchers suggest that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Dental Researchers and dentist are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affect these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.

Good dental hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing advanced or normal periodontal disease.

Gingivitis Disease and treatment

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque and its toxin by-products irritate the gum tissue, making them tender, inflamed, and likely to bleed.

Gingivitis Disease is a mild form of gum disease or periodontal disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gums, or gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It's important to take gingivitis diseases seriously and treat it promptly. If Gingivitis treatment is not done at the right time, then it can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.

The common cause of gingivitis disease is poor oral hygiene. Good dental health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular oral checkups, can help prevent and reverse gingivitis.

Periodontitis

Plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus and plaque continue to build up, the gum tissue begins to recede from the teeth. Deeper pockets form between the gum tissue and teeth which become filled with bacteria and pus. The gum tissue becomes very irritated, inflamed, and bleed easily. Slight to moderate bone loss may be present.

Advanced Periodontitis

The teeth lose more support as the gum tissue, bone, and periodontal ligament continues to be destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth will become very loose and may be lost. Generalized moderate to severe bone loss may be present.

Treatment:

Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Dr.Campbell and his dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gum tissue becomes filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gum tissue and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth. If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings per year will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.

If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planning (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done two quadrants of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum tissue line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planning). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric toothbrush may be recommended to help control infection and healing. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gum tissue and supporting bone).

Digital X-Rays

The new dental digital x-ray imaging systems use a small digital sensor instead of film to allow us to analyze your teeth. The main advantages of digital X-rays, when compared to conventional films, are you are exposed to much less radiation, better diagnostic ability due to better resolution, and seeing the image on a large screen. This also allows the dentist to better show you where the dental disease is occurring. All this contributes to better care by your dentist and a better understanding of why we need to do the work diagnosed.

Fillings

A filling is a process to repair a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. The dentist removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned-out cavity with a filling material.

By closing affected spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials which are used for fillings decayed tooth include gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings) and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).

Different materials which are used for fillings decayed tooth include:

  • Gold fillings are made to order in a dental laboratory and then cemented into place. Gold inlays are well tolerated by gum tissues and may last more than 15 years. That's why many dentists consider gold the best filling material.
  • Amalgam (silver) fillings are resistant to wear & inexpensive. But, due to their dark color or miss matched color, they are more noticeable than porcelain or composite restorations and are not usually used in very visible areas, such as front teeth.
  • Composite resins are matched with the color of your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The component is mixed and placed directly into the cavity, where they harden. Composites may not be the perfect for large fillings as they may chip or wear over time. They can also become stained from coffee, tea, cigarettes and do not last as long as other types of fillings generally from 3 to 10 years.
  • Porcelain fillings, called inlays or onlays, are produced to order in a lab, then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched with the color of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration covers most of the tooth. Their cost is the same as gold fillings.

Crowns

Crowns cover the entire tooth which helps to repair the function of the tooth. Crowns are used when a tooth has very little tooth structure left due to dental disease or trauma and it is at risk for further fracture due to its weakened condition. Fractures get increase every time you chew on your teeth. If the fracture gets big enough where one of three things can happen:

  1. The tooth fractures above the gum tissue line & a crown can be used to restore the tooth back to normal function.
  2. The tooth fractures into the nerve chamber which needs a root canal before positioning a crown on the tooth to restore function.
  3. The fracture is below the gum tissue line which necessitates extraction of the tooth. The tooth can then be restored to function with either a dental implant or dental bridge.

We believe that it’s important to take care of fracture lines and teeth before they become big problems like root canals, bridges, and dental implants.

Bridges Treatment

When a tooth is lost due to decay or fracture, then dental bridge treatment is one way to replace that missing tooth. The Dentist will prepare the teeth on either side of the space for crowns. An impression of all your teeth is sent to the dental laboratory along with photos to get the color match. The dental lab then makes a restoration which spans the space and attaches to the adjacent teeth. The bridge is then custom fit and permanently cemented in place.

There are several types of bridges. You and Dr. Campbell will discuss the best options for your case. The "traditional bridge" is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fixed bridges are most popular because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment is performed by the dentist when the pulp of the tooth is dead or dying due to infection & decay. The pulp chamber is accessed through the top of the tooth. The canals are then measured in length. Once the canal lengths are determined the dentist uses a series of files to clean and shape the canals. Once the canals have been shaped the canals are sterilized with a hypochlorite solution. Gutta-percha is then sealed in place to prevent a new infection of the canal space. A core buildup and crown are usually required after a root canal.

Dentures

Dentures are replacements for teeth which are missing that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. There are mainly two types of dentures: full dentures and partial dentures. During your dental exam appointment, we will discuss the type of denture that is best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced and the cost involved.

How do Dentures Work?

In full dentures, a gum tissue-colored acrylic base fits over your gum tissue. The base of the upper denture covers the palate, while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue.

Dentures are made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your jaws or mouth. Normally, you will have to take a series of appointments to make sure that the fit, bite, and color of the dentures are as accurate as possible.

Conventional Full Denture

The Conventional denture does not refer to a specific type of denture. A complete denture without retention other than what is achieved by adaptation to the upper or lower ridge (jaw) is often considered a conventional complete denture. This type of denture can also be placed immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth and it would then be considered a conventional immediate denture.

A removable partial denture with or without clasp retention and fabricated with just acrylic or acrylic with chrome cobalt metal framework may also be considered a conventional denture.

Complete and partial dentures can also involve implants, special attachments and special framework designs that would certainly categorize them as other than conventional.

Immediate Full Denture

Immediate dentures are placed immediately after the removal of teeth that have been treatment planned for extraction. The benefits of immediate insertion are for cosmetics dentistry and function during the period of healing. The denture may act as a splint to minimize swelling and control bleeding. Of course, as healing occurs adjustments may be required and often a reline is necessary to fit the denture to the healed ridge (gum).

Frequently back teeth may be extracted first, and the areas are then allowed to heal prior to taking the impression for an immediate denture. In this way, the denture may be more stable due to the healed back supporting areas of the ridge.

When an immediate denture is not performed there is often a 6-8-week period of healing following the extractions prior to beginning the process of making a conventional denture.

Partial Denture

A partial denture is a removable, natural-looking dental appliance that helps restore the shape and function of your jaw by replacing one or several missing teeth. Partial dentures are a combination of metal and acrylic – which gives them the strength to handle your needs for chewing and speaking, while also looking natural. Partial dentures are made from acrylic, these dentures tend to be less durable and structurally sound. As per the condition of teeth, crowns are also placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.

ST. ROSE FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH, SPONSORED BY, OR ENDORSED BY DIGNITY HEALTH ST.ROSE DOMINICAN HOSPITALS