Amalgam, or silver, fillings are very durable and relatively inexpensive.  Their strength allows them to endure heavy biting pressure so they are ideal for the back teeth.  You fill find that many insurance companies will cover the cost of amalgam fillings for back teeth.  Our Georgetown dentists can advise you on what your particular insurance company will cover.

What you may not like about amalgam fillings is that they are comprised of mercury and other metals.  As of June, 2008, the FDA has declared that silver dental fillings may not be safe.  While the amount of mercury in a dental filling is very small, vapors can still leak out during the drilling process, particularly if a filling has to be removed due to a tooth becoming damaged (possibly in the case of a root canal).  Mercury is very toxic and can cause a number of health issues so it is important to avoid exposure to it.

Experiencing hot and cold sensitivity after having an amalgam filling is also one reason people may find that this type may not be the right choice for them.  You may also be concerned that more tooth structure is lost when amalgam fillings are set due to the dental surgeon having to make a bigger preparation to allow for this substance.  The amalgam also does not harden immediately, making chewing on the affected tooth difficult for several hours.  The silver color of amalgam fillings is also not aesthetically pleasing to some.  Consulting one of our dental professionals here in our Georgetown dentist office will help you decide if amalgam fillings are appropriate for your situation.

Composite fillings are tooth colored, blending in with your natural teeth.  The composite filling material does not contain mercury; it’s made of acrylic and glass particles.  The composite hardens immediately; therefore you will be able to chew as soon as you leave the dental office.  Most importantly, the dentist does not need to make as large a preparation with the composite material as with the amalgam so less tooth structure is lost.

There are some cons to consider, though, in the use of composite fillings.  For one thing, composite fillings are more expensive than amalgam fillings.  They may take somewhat longer to place and they can stain over time.  Coffee, tea and tobacco use can stain composite fillings just as they can natural teeth, however composite fillings do not respond to teeth whitening treatments.  And while the composite filling materials are strong, and can be used on back teeth, they are not as strong as amalgam fillings.  For this reason some insurance companies do not cover composite fillings on back teeth.  A dental professional in our Georgetown dentist office

can help you make the best decision when choosing fillings for your teeth.

Having an individualized evaluation of your mouth, teeth and gums by one of our friendly, efficient dentists can be helpful in determining the impact of your oral health on your physical well-being.  Since optimum oral hygiene can play such a large role in keeping certain medical conditions at bay, we make it a priority to fully educate our patients on the importance of maintaining good dental habits.

Our team recommends regular dental checkups every six months to help avoid tooth decay, gum disease and tooth erosion.  Avoiding the dentist can result in an unawareness that these conditions are present and can lead to the point that they progress to irreversible and dangerous stages.

For our diabetic patients we often recommend more frequent dental checkups due to the fact that gum disease is more prevalent in those with diabetes.  Your compromised circulation and increased glucose levels in your saliva make you more susceptible to the bacteria and inflammation that causes gum disease.  For this reason we highly recommend you maintain a vigilant cleaning protocol with one of the qualified tooth experts here in our Georgetown dentist clinic.

If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as tobacco use, a high fat diet, obesity, alcoholism, high stress, advanced age or a sedentary lifestyle then it’s important to know that gum disease increases that risk as well.  Caught early, gum disease can be treated and reversed, but allowed to progress can lead to heart disease and strokes.  Bone and tissue loss can also result, causing teeth to become mobile or to be permanently lost to the disease.

We’ve made it our mission to provide quality dental care to our patients in a relaxed atmosphere that fosters individual relationships.  In our Georgetown dentist clinic our dentists and staff are friendly, energetic and helpful and always strive to make your visit as comfortable as possible.  It is always important to us that you feel welcome and appreciated when you choose someone from our Georgetown dentist clinic to serve your dental needs.  We appreciate our patients and want that to be reflected back to you every time you make an appointment with us.

We are available to assist you in all aspects of preventive dentistry and are happy to help you if you need treatment in the areas of pediatric, restorative or cosmetic dentistry as well.  Dental crowns, implants, tooth-colored fillings and periodontal therapy are some of the procedures we are happy to provide.  Our staff will be happy to consult with you to discuss potential treatment options and the financing options we have available to assist you.  We look forward to meeting you soon.

Cosmetic procedures can vary per individual and it is best to have a consultation with one of our Georgetown dentists to determine the best procedure for you.  Power teeth whitening can be performed in our office, achieving results up to 8 shades whiter in less than an hour.  We can also apply veneers, including Lumineers®, and find this to be a very popular choice for many people in achieving a more attractive smile.  Dental tooth bonding and composite fillings are also offered and are of the more affordably priced options offered by our Georgetown dentists.

More extensive restorations would involve the use of dental implants, porcelain dental crowns and fixed bridges.  These are more costly, but very effective in creating aesthetically pleasing yet functional smiles.  We are experts in these techniques and are happy to offer video imaging so you can preview your new smile before treatment has commenced.

In addition to the cosmetic services we provide we can also assist you with dental cleanings, providing digital X-rays; fluoride and sealants; ceramic inlays and onlays; night guards; snore guards; extractions; root canals; and periodontal therapy.

Our comprehensive treatment is consistent with the highest professional standards and qualities in all aspects of dentistry.  It is our goal to provide the highest level of patient care while maintaining exceptional hygiene methods to lessen the chance of infection.

While there are many people who would dearly love the opportunity to change or enhance their smiles, what they tend not to realize is that there are flexible payment options available to help achieve this goal for those who are unable to pay up front with cash.

Cosmetic dentistry prices vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the techniques being utilized.  Talking to one of our Georgetown dentists can give you an accurate idea of how much your dental procedure will cost.  A dentist cannot provide you with the exact cost of a cosmetic procedure until he has had the opportunity to evaluate you in person.  During an initial examination your dentist will make a determination on the best course of treatment and the amount of work it will require helping you achieve your individual smile goals.

We are accepting new patients today in our friendly Georgetown office and have a friendly staff ready to assist you with a full range of dental services.

Unfortunately, too many times, people turn to products widely available at the local supermarket or over the Internet in hopes of achieving a brighter, whiter smile.  The problem is that in the commercially available products, the whitening agents in these teeth whitening systems is formulated at a much lower dosage than that of what you would receive from a dental professional like that of our Georgetown dentists.  You are only looking at concentrations of 3%-10% in a store-bought system, while your professional teeth whitening system will be much higher, at 15%-43%.  Naturally, the higher the hydrogen peroxide concentration, the better results you will achieve.

Many times teeth whitening offered by our Georgetown dentists can achieve shades 8-10 shades whiter, while store brands will generally only get you 1-3 shades whiter.  Also, the commercial products, including trays, pastes, strips and paint on liquids, will take anywhere from 7-14 days to see any results and will usually revert if you stop using the system.  Our teeth whitening system, performed by a Georgetown dentist trained in its application, can be done in the office in about an hour.  For some people with resistant discoloration follow-up visits will be required, but the initial results will be virtually immediate.

Another unfortunate problem some people encounter when opting not to choose a professional teeth whitening system, and instead purchasing one of those recently hyped products currently being offered on the Internet, is that they end up being the unwitting victims of a scam.  Not to mention that we are unaware of any of these “celebrity-type” products being effective.  Some people have complained about being charged as much as $78 dollars for a product advertised as being a free sample after they unknowingly signed up for a program that allowed their credit cards to be charged every month.  Contact information for these companies is not listed so getting a refund is next to impossible.  We strongly caution buyer beware when purchasing teeth whitening products via the Internet.  Use a reputable, well-known company if you decide to go this route.

A better option, though, is to have your teeth whitening done professionally by one of our Georgetown dentists.  When done properly, professional teeth whitening is safe and effective and can last for as long as five years.  This is much longer than any result you may achieve with a do-it-yourself kit and the savings you will reap over the long term are likely to be well worth the up- front cost for achieving the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

Has it been awhile since you had a dental checkup?  If so you could be at risk for some serious health conditions.  During a dental checkup our Georgetown dentists aren’t just checking the condition of your teeth; they’re also screening you for potentially life-threatening conditions that can develop as a result of poor oral hygiene.

Many people are unaware of the serious implications gum disease can have on their health.  Left untreated gum disease can lead to strokes and heart disease.  Allow us to explain.  When plaque and calcium deposits (tartar) build up and are not removed with regular cleanings during a dental checkup they cause the gums to become inflamed.  In its first stage, gingivitis, gum disease is reversible.  Sometimes better brushing and flossing habits are all that are needed to get gums in better shape.  Your Georgetown dentist can make recommendations for you during your dental checkup.  He may also prescribe a simple chlorhexidine gluconate antibacterial rinse for you to use each night before retiring.  This mouth rinse is highly effective and patients often see results quite quickly.

Clenching and grinding of the teeth can also be contributing factors of gum disease, as well as tobacco use, certain medications and genetics.  If you are a teeth grinder our Georgetown office may have you wear a night guard to help protect your teeth.  Smoking increases your risk of gum disease so if you are a smoker understand that this is another of smoking’s many health risks.

If the first stages of gingivitis are allowed to progress, then full-fledged periodontal disease will result.  When this occurs bone and tissue break down due to inflammation in the infected areas.  Your teeth can begin to loosen and tooth loss can ultimately result.  To protect your teeth from loss it is very important to seek regular dental checkups from our Georgetown dentists.

High levels of bacteria and chronic inflammation are what are thought to be what links gum disease to higher instances of heart disease and stroke.  If you are exhibiting any signs of gum disease we urge you to schedule a dental checkup with one of our Georgetown dentists right away.  Having regular dental checkups can do much more than save your teeth and gums, regular dental checkups can even safe your life.

Before you schedule your appointment we would like to suggest that you take a moment to make a list of all your current medications.  When you arrive for your initial appointment we will have medical history and personal information forms for you to fill out.  Being sure to provide complete information on all your medications will ensure that there will be no adverse reactions to any treatment the dentist will perform or medication he may need to prescribe for you.