Diagnostic
X-rays
Dental x-rays help clinicians evaluate your oral health beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. Digital x-rays decrease the amount of radiation exposure compared to traditional film, not to mention eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals used to develop the film. There are many types of x-rays that clinicians use to monitor your dental health.
Oral Cancer Screening
A full mouth series of x-rays (FMX) are taken every 3-5 years. If you are managing periodontal disease, your dentist may want to check your bone level around your teeth every three years. This will enable your dentist to respond more quickly to any changes in your periodontal condition. If you have healthy gum tissue, then a full mouth series is taken every five years. The FMX enables the dentist to evaluate not only the bone level but also check for early signs of problems with the health of the nerve in every tooth. In addition, the FMX serves as a hard tissue cancer screening, evaluating the maxillary and mandible, the bone of your upper and lower jaw.
Preventive
Teeth Cleaning
Restorative
Fillings
Crowns
A crown, also known as a cap, is used to mechanically reinforce a tooth that has lost a significant amount of tooth structure either to decay or to the tooth breaking off or a combination of the decay and breakage. A crown does not in any way protect your tooth from more decay; only good oral hygiene habits, a diet minimizing sugary and acid foods and beverages, and regular dental checkups can prevent decay.
Bridges
Dental Bonding
Simply put, attachments are small dots of dental bonding (usually the same stuff used for tooth fillings) that help the aligners fit more snuggly. Since they’re roughly the same color as teeth, they’re hardly noticeable. If you’re worried about the way they’ll feel when you don’t have your aligners in, most patients don’t even remember they’re there within a few days’ time.
Periodontics
Deep Cleaning
Careful cleaning of the root surface to remove plaque and calculus (tarter) from periodontal pockets is called scaling and root planning. A full mouth scaling and root planing is typically divided into two appointments, and half of the mouth is cleaned at a time. Once the initial scaling and root planning is performed, it is recommended that follow-up appointments, called periodontal maintenance, are scheduled every three to four months depending on the level of your gum infection. Scheduling and keeping periodontal maintenance appointments are critical to managing and successfully treating gum disease.
Prosthodontics
Dentures
Many times, when patients hear the word dentures, the recommendation is met with mixed emotion. However, thanks to technology available to dentists today, removable dental appliances (dentures & partials) help those who are unable to save their natural teeth. Unlike the uncomfortable, poor fitting dentures that existed thirty years ago, modern dentures have taken giant leaps forward to become almost indistinguishable from a natural set of teeth. So, whether your dentist has recommended them as a possible option for you, or you’re doing some recon work for a friend or family member, you’ve come to the right place. Here, our goal is to cover everything you need to know about dentures so you can make the most informed decision possible.
Implants
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a beneficial option for people ranging in age from young adult to elderly. Having only come about just over 40 years ago, dental implants have been changing the way dentists can provide treatment for their patients.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral Surgery
She has a particular affinity for endodontic therapy and oral surgery. She loves connecting with patients and appreciates the opportunity to earn their trust.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is used to create a solid base and is typically done with artificial bone. Depending on the condition of your jaw bone, the grafting process can be done during phase one (covered below) or require several months of healing as a separate step.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics
Did you know in the United States alone more than 4.5 million people are wearing braces at any given time, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. That’s right, even though it may feel like you’re making this completely normal dental journey all by yourself, there are plenty of people walking the same path.
Invisalign Orthodontics
The first step used to create your very own custom set of Invisalign trays is getting a detailed map of your mouth and teeth with the use of x-rays, pictures, and impressions. Your dentist may opt to use all three just to ensure the lab has sufficient data to build the 3-D molds.
Braces
All of that being said, thanks to the modern technology available to orthodontists, braces no longer have to be the bulky, noticeable fixtures they once were. Today, depending on your dental health, many patients that need braces have the option of getting clear braces instead.
General
Teeth Whitening
While it’s completely natural to want your smile looking as white as possible, toothpaste brands that include whitening ingredients can actually cause more harm than good. Depending on the ingredient used, ranging from plastic beads to walnut shells, permanent damage can be done to the enamel as a result of the abrasive nature some agents have.
General Dentistry
Dr. Morgan attended Oregon Health Science University, graduating with honors. In addition to practicing a broad scope of general dentistry for the past five years, Dr. Morgan has expanded into helping patients manage myofacial pain and grinding/clenching disorder with neuromodulator (Botox).
