Safe products that are clinically proven to support oral health are a great complement with the dental team’s friendly guidance on hygiene and other factors that can either help or hinder health, such as nutrition; for instance, Dr. Scola may recommend fluoride therapy. This beneficial mineral encourages remineralization of protective tooth enamel and helps to prevent cavities. Dental sealants also help to prevent tooth decay when applied to back teeth. Molars are susceptible to cavities because they are a.) hard to reach and b.) have natural pits and grooves that trap food and bacteria. Sealants are coverings that behave like raincoats to keep out substances that promote decay.

At Scola Family Dentistry, we use advanced technologies, such as digital and panoramic x-rays and CBCT 3D imaging, to clearly and accurately detect those structures and abnormalities that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These tools are vital because problems such as gum disease often don’t cause pain and other symptoms until after they have progressed, and the damage is irreparable. Additionally, even with Dr. Scola’s trained eye, many oral problems and areas, such as impacted wisdom teeth, and the jawbone and sinuses, aren’t visible. Sophisticated imaging brings these conditions and structures to the surface.

At Scola Family Dentistry, we also use digital radiography. Conventional imaging uses x-ray film to produce images of the teeth, gums, and other structures in the oral cavity. But digital x-rays use special sensors instead of film to produce clear images of oral structures. These sensors and associated plates require less radiation than traditional film x-rays. So, they are safe. Additionally, they can reveal areas that otherwise remain undetected, such as decay between teeth or underneath restorations such as crowns and fillings. Dr. Scola can review the images immediately on a computer monitor and enhance them to see details more closely.

Another type of digital technology, intraoral cameras, are wand-like instruments that are placed in the mouth to capture images of internal oral structures. As the wand passes over the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues, Dr. Scola can transfer what the camera “sees” onto a monitor. You can review trouble spots alongside your dentist. This helps you to better understand the available treatment options. Also, patients love that the device is so unobtrusive and generally well-tolerated, even for those with a gag reflex or jaw pain.

CBCT stands for “Cone Beam Computed Tomography.” While that sounds like a mouthful, CBCT imaging is a variation on conventional computed tomography (CT) scans. The technology features an arm that will rotate around you 360 degrees. A large volume of high-quality images of your oral cavity and interconnected structures (ear, nose, throat) are captured from many different angles with an X-ray beam that is shaped like a cone. Precision images from various perspectives provide a fuller picture of your condition and needs than is rendered with a single scan.

Additionally, CBCT scans are convenient; a 20- to 40-second scan captures your entire mouth and related structures. A 10-second scan renders images of a localized, specific area. No preparation is required. And the process of getting scans is well-tolerated. CBCT is also considered to be the safer alternative to the original CT. Some units are associated with, on average, almost 80% less radiation than conventional CT systems.

Computer-Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has been a mainstay of the engineering, architectural, and “built” worlds for decades. Now, we can use CAD/CAM software and hardware by Planmeca to design, fabricate, and refine dental restorations while you wait. With conventional equipment and approaches, restorations such as crowns would require at least two appointments: The first visit to plan and prepare the tooth and permanent crown and the second visit to place the permanent crown made in an outside lab.

Planmeca CAD/CAM technology essentially brings the lab to us. We have the in-house capabilities to plan, prepare, design, make, place, and adjust (as needed) the dental crown in a single visit. CAD software allows us to digitally scan and create a virtual, 3-dimensional model of your mouth. That simulation is used to design crowns, veneers, and other restorations. CAM hardware then allows us to “mill” the restoration from a quality block of dental porcelain. Adjustments can be made on-site. With all aspects of the restorative process available at our office, you also avoid the need to wear a fragile temporary crown while you wait for another lab to make your new crown. Get to know these and other advanced technologies for a stress-free dental visit by scheduling your appointment at Scola Family Dentistry.

Also known as a “complex” extraction, surgical tooth removal differs largely from simple tooth removal when teeth are so broken, decayed, or otherwise damaged that most or all the structure is underneath the gum tissue. In these situations, the tooth cannot be loosened, grasped, and lifted from the socket with specialized instruments. Incisions must be made to access the trouble tooth; for instance, a wisdom tooth may be impacted or fail to erupt fully through the gums.

Several factors are considered before determining the best technique to efficiently and precisely remove your tooth, including its position, the length of the roots (and how they are curved), the surrounding bone’s density, and your overall health. We will also discuss sedative options as appropriate, as well as instructions for care prior to and after treatment. It is important to follow nutritional guidance and other instructions, which supports healthy and prompt healing. Dry socket, for instance, occurs when the blood clot that forms at the extraction site is dislodged. It can be avoided with steps such as refraining from using straws, rigorous exercise, smoking, and other behaviors as instructed that could damage the wound.

Do not wait for problems to arise. A little care and “maintenance” can go a long way toward protecting the health, beauty, and function of your smile.

There are many different types of fluoride supplements that dentists, such as Dr. Scola, can recommend. Tablets may be taken by mouth, and gels and varnishes may be applied to the teeth. We also use Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), a fluoride product formulated with other ingredients to kill bacteria and remineralize the teeth. Applied as a solution, SDF presents a painless, safe, and quick cavity-fighting treatment.

We work closely with our patients to recommend oral hygiene techniques and oral products that are appropriate for their habits, lifestyle, age, underlying health conditions, and needs. We generally recommend that patients brush their teeth and other bacteria-harboring areas (such as the surface of the tongue) with fluoride toothpaste. Brush at least two times each day.

Excessive consumption of fluoride and, in turn, side effects, such as fluorosis, are quite rare. To further minimize the risks, we encourage patients to monitor their children when they brush. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that caregivers with children under the age of three use no more than a smear (a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. For children older than three, the AAP recommends a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

During your appointment, one of our hygienists will use his or her specialized training and dental instruments to remove sticky dental plaque and hardened plaque or heavy tartar. Plaque is constantly forming on your teeth and gums. If it is not removed properly by brushing and flossing, the plaque builds up. Once plaque hardens, it sticks to the teeth and must be removed with professional tools and care. Tartar erodes at the teeth and inflames gum tissue. Our hygienists also measure the depth of the space between the gums and teeth. These spaces or pockets grow larger as gum disease progresses. After the plaque is removed from the surfaces of the teeth and from under the gumline, we will polish your teeth to remove any stains and bacteria that linger.

As partners in your oral health, we will make recommendations on oral care products, techniques, and nutrition. All of these factors play an important role in the health of your smile and your overall well-being. No exam is complete without screening for abnormalities that might indicate oral cancers and warrant further investigation.