General Dentistry
MORE THAN AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION.
Though we focus on aesthetics, our work is based on principles of excellent oral health. Our approach to general dentistry focuses on wellness and prevention. We begin by assessing your overall health, as well as that of your teeth, gums, jaw and mouth. Then, we’ll recommend a treatment plan to address immediate and long-term issues. In addition to preventive dentistry, we have the capabilities to take care of any restorative or cosmetic dental needs that may arise. Early intervention can help you avoid more costly procedures down the road, but we are also capable of providing complex treatment options such as crowns, implants or complete reconstruction.
Oral Health Exams
Before any work begins, each patient receives a thorough examination and health assessment. This typically includes digital x-rays and a complete survey and charting of your teeth, including cavities, restorations and missing teeth.
We also evaluate your periodontal health, occlusion (teeth position and bite) and TMJ (jaw joint), as well as screen for oral cancer. Of course, your exam will include a personal evaluation from Dr. Bryant or Dr. Pavinee, where they will discuss your needs, answer your questions and make recommendations for treatment.
Comprehensive Exam and Consultation
For patients requiring extensive treatment or major cosmetic changes, we will perform a more comprehensive exam. Depending on your needs, we can provide additional digital x-rays, CT scans, plaster models and other diagnostic procedures that go beyond what you might expect from a routine dental exam.
This additional information helps us get a more accurate picture of your health and treatment options, which is important if you need extensive care. For example, certain procedures, such as implants, require satisfactory underlying structures and soft tissues to support the reconstruction. If necessary, we may recommend certain procedures, such as bone or gum grafting, to better achieve a successful result. To ensure you have the best understanding of your health and treatment options, we often create a multimedia presentation to use as a visual aid in discussing your needs and unique situation with you. We have found this really helps patients truly understand their options as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure.
Ultrasonic Cleaning and Maintenance
Ultrasonic technology lets us perform even the most difficult cleanings thoroughly and comfortably. The device uses gentle, high-frequency sound waves to create a vibration (called cavitation) that removes heavy deposits and debris comfortably and thoroughly, with much less scraping.
Regular professional cleanings are essential for maintaining the health of the teeth and gums. Plus, after a cleaning, you’ll enjoy smoother teeth and fresher breath, which can help you feel better, too.
Periodontal (Gum) Treatment
A healthy smile depends on healthy gums. Unfortunately, most adults have some degree of periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to bleeding gums, gum recession, sensitivity and — in the worst case — tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults.
We offer the latest gum treatments to stop gum disease from progressing, which includes soft tissue management, medications, gum grafts and new tissue regenerative procedures. If your gums are detracting from the appearance of your smile, we also offer procedures such as gum lifts and pocket elimination surgery.
Sedation Dentistry
It’s not uncommon to have anxiety about dental treatment, especially when complex procedures are involved. When nitrous oxide gas or anti-anxiety medications are not enough, Dr. Pavinee can provide conscious sedation, which allows you to be near sleep while your work is completed.
With conscious sedation, you will be given oral medications, and we continuously monitor you for maximum safety and comfort. For more extreme anxiety, we also offer general anesthesia, administered by a certified anesthesiologist. Under general anesthesia, you are completely asleep during your procedure, waking up to a new, beautiful smile.
Technology
Dental technology has made great strides in recent years, and we have done more than just keep up. Our office features some of the most advanced equipment available, allowing us to thoroughly and accurately perform everything from routine care to complex procedures.
FAQ
A healthy smile is the basis for a beautiful smile, and it is imperative that we get a complete picture of your oral health before any work can take place. In some cases, your requested procedure may be ineffective (bleaching for tetracycline stains) or even damaging (gum lifts for patients with certain health problems). Often, we can recommend alternative treatments to get similar results, but we need the information from your exam to know for sure.
A prosthodontist is best viewed as the “architect” of your smile. Dr. Pavinee will develop a treatment plan customized for each patient, which may include adjunctive procedures (such as orthodontics). We supervise everything to ensure the results live up to our exacting standards.
Most healthy people should get a checkup and cleaning every six months. If you have certain general health problems (such as diabetes or prior radiation treatment) or oral health issues (like periodontal disease or dry mouth), you should come in more often. We will make our recommendations during your first examination.
We’re always happy to see patients for regular wellness and preventive dentistry. In fact, we encourage it! If you live or work downtown, our office is very convenient. We also offer early-morning, lunchtime and after-work appointments for busy professionals.
No, our practice is focused on adult patients only, but if you need a good pediatric dentist, we’re happy to refer you to some excellent providers.
We realize that dental fear is very common, especially during more complex procedures, and we offer several levels of sedation. Nitrous oxide (or “laughing gas”) produces a subtle, relaxing effect that wears off immediately. In other cases, we have oral medication that provides a deeper level of relaxation. For patients undergoing serious procedures and/or who have severe anxiety, we offer total sedation under the care of a certified anesthesiologist.
