General care
Cavities
A cavity is a spot where decay has worn through the outer layer of a tooth. Caught early, it is a quick, simple filling.
Signs to look for
- Sensitivity to sweets. A twinge when you eat sugar.
- A dark spot. A brown or black mark.
- Food getting stuck. Food catches in the same spot.
How we treat it
- Tooth-colored filling. Repairs it in one short visit.
- Fluoride. Helps stop new cavities.
- Regular checkups. We catch the next one early.
Fillings are usually covered by insurance.
General care
Sensitive teeth
Sensitive teeth happen when the layer under your enamel is exposed. It is common, and there is usually a simple way to calm it down.
Signs to look for
- Cold hurts. Ice water sends a sharp jolt.
- Brushing stings. Some spots hurt as you brush.
- Longer-looking teeth. Teeth look longer at the gums.
How we treat it
- Desensitizing treatment. A coating painted on in office.
- The right toothpaste. We tell you which one helps.
- Bonding. Covers exposed spots if needed.
Usually handled during a regular checkup.
General care
Bleeding gums
Bleeding gums are often the first sign of gum disease. At this stage it can be turned around with a good cleaning and a few changes at home.
Signs to look for
- Pink in the sink. Blood when you brush or floss.
- Red, puffy gums. Gums look swollen or tender.
- Bad taste. A taste brushing will not fix.
How we treat it
- Deep cleaning. Clears buildup under the gums.
- Home care plan. Easy brushing and flossing tips.
- Check-ins. Cleanings closer together.
Most PPO plans cover cleanings.
General care
Receding gums
Gums can slowly pull back from brushing too hard, grinding or gum disease. We find the cause and stop it before it goes further.
Signs to look for
- Longer teeth. Teeth look longer than before.
- Notches at the gumline. Small dips you can feel.
- Sensitivity. Twinges near the gums.
How we treat it
- Gentle brushing plan. The right brush and pressure.
- Deep cleaning. If gum disease is the cause.
- Night guard. If grinding pushes gums back.
We check your gums at every cleaning.
General care
Bad breath
Bad breath that sticks around usually starts in the mouth, from gums, a cavity or buildup on the tongue. Most of the time it is easy to fix.
Signs to look for
- It comes back fast. Even right after brushing.
- A bad taste. A sour or metal taste lingers.
- Dry mouth. Your mouth feels sticky or dry.
How we treat it
- Cleaning. Clears buildup brushing misses.
- Finding the source. We look for the real cause.
- Home tips. Tongue care and what to drink.
Usually handled during a regular checkup.
General care
Grinding and jaw pain
Many people grind or clench at night without knowing it. Over time it wears teeth down and makes the jaw sore.
Signs to look for
- Morning headaches. Or a sore jaw when you wake up.
- Flat, worn teeth. Edges look shorter or chipped.
- Clicking jaw. A pop when you open wide.
How we treat it
- Night guard. A custom guard worn at night.
- Repairing wear. Bonding or crowns for wear.
- Jaw tips. Habits that help muscles relax.
Night guards are often partly covered.
Kids’ dentistry
Baby teeth coming in
Baby teeth usually start coming in around six months. The first dental visit should be by their first birthday, and it is mostly a friendly look and a chat.
Signs to look for
- Drooling and chewing. Everything goes in their mouth.
- Sore gums. Fussy, red or swollen gums.
- A first tooth. Usually a bottom front tooth.
How we treat it
- First visit. A quick look and tips for you.
- Teething tips. What helps and what to skip.
- Brushing help. How to brush tiny teeth.
Book their first visit by their first birthday.
Kids’ dentistry
Cavities in kids
Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth, so cavities in them still matter. Most can be fixed quickly and gently.
Signs to look for
- White or brown spots. Often near the gums.
- Avoiding one side. Chewing only on one side.
- Complaints after sweets. Candy or juice makes it hurt.
How we treat it
- Gentle fillings. Quick, and explained first.
- Sealants. A clear coat for back teeth.
- Fluoride. Stronger teeth at each checkup.
Sealants and fluoride are usually covered for kids.
Kids’ dentistry
Thumb and pacifier habits
Thumb sucking and pacifiers are normal for little ones. Past about age four, they can start to move teeth, and we can help you ease off.
Signs to look for
- Teeth pushed forward. Front teeth tipping out.
- An open bite. Front teeth that do not meet.
- Still going after four. The habit has not faded.
How we treat it
- A friendly chat. We talk to your child directly.
- Simple plans. Charts and rewards that help.
- Watching growth. We track new teeth coming in.
Kids’ dentistry
Nervous kids
Lots of kids are nervous at first. We go slowly, show them everything and keep visits short until they feel at home.
Signs to look for
- Tears before visits. Worry the night before.
- Will not open. Clamping shut in the chair.
- A bad past visit. A visit that went badly before.
How we treat it
- Happy visits. A chair ride and a look around.
- Show, tell, do. We show each tool first.
- Parents in the room. You can stay the whole time.
Tell us when you book and we plan extra time.
Kids’ dentistry
Wobbly or late baby teeth
Baby teeth usually start falling out around age six. If they go much earlier or later, or adult teeth come in crooked, a quick check helps.
Signs to look for
- A double row. Adult teeth behind baby teeth.
- Lost too early. A baby tooth gone before five.
- Not budging. No wobbly teeth by age eight.
How we treat it
- An X-ray check. We see where adult teeth are.
- Gentle removal. A stubborn baby tooth taken out.
- Space keepers. Hold room for the adult tooth.
Kids’ dentistry
Sports and mouth injuries
Bumps and falls happen. We check teeth after a knock and make mouthguards that help stop the next one.
Signs to look for
- A chipped tooth. A piece missing after a fall.
- A loose or pushed tooth. A tooth moved after a knock.
- A grey tooth. A tooth turning dark days later.
How we treat it
- A same-day check. We see your child quickly.
- Repairs. Smoothing or rebuilding chips.
- Custom mouthguards. Made to fit for sports.
Knocked-out tooth? Call us right away.
Emergency care
Toothache
A toothache is your tooth telling you something is wrong, most often a cavity, a crack or an infection. The sooner we see it, the simpler the fix usually is.
Signs to look for
- Sharp pain when you bite. A jolt when you chew.
- A dull, steady ache. Pain that keeps you up at night.
- Pain with hot or cold. That lingers after you stop.
How we treat it
- Same-day visit. We find the cause and ease pain.
- Filling or crown. Repairs the tooth for good.
- Root canal. Clears infection to save it.
Same-day visits most days. Call us first.
Emergency care
Broken or chipped tooth
Teeth can break from a fall, a hard bite or an old filling giving way. Most breaks can be fixed so you would never know.
Signs to look for
- A missing piece. Something feels gone.
- A sharp edge. Cutting your tongue or cheek.
- Pain when you bite. Or with hot and cold.
How we treat it
- Bonding. Tooth-colored fix for chips.
- Crown. A cap for bigger breaks.
- Root canal. If the break reaches the nerve.
Save any pieces and call us.
Emergency care
Knocked-out tooth
A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if we see you within the hour. Act fast and handle it gently.
Signs to look for
- The whole tooth is out. Root and all.
- Bleeding. From the empty socket.
- Loose teeth nearby. Others may be wiggly too.
How we treat it
- Putting it back. We put it back and splint it.
- Checking the nerve. Over the next few weeks.
- Replacing it. An implant if it is lost.
Hold it by the top, keep it in milk and call right away.
Emergency care
Swelling or abscess
Swelling usually means an infection. It will not go away on its own, and it needs to be seen quickly.
Signs to look for
- A puffy cheek or gum. On one side.
- A pimple on the gum. That may drain.
- Fever or a bad taste. Feeling unwell.
How we treat it
- Draining the infection. To ease the pressure and pain.
- Antibiotics. When they are needed.
- Treating the cause. Often a root canal or removal.
If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to the ER.
Emergency care
Lost filling or crown
Fillings and crowns can come loose with age or a sticky bite. The tooth underneath needs covering again soon.
Signs to look for
- A hole you can feel. Where the filling was.
- The crown in your hand. It came off while eating.
- Sensitivity. Sore to air or cold.
How we treat it
- Recementing. Putting the crown back on.
- New filling. Replaces the lost one.
- New crown. If the old one cannot be reused.
Keep the crown and bring it with you.
Emergency care
Cuts in the mouth
A bite, fall or knock can cut the inside of your mouth. Most small cuts heal on their own, but some need a closer look.
Signs to look for
- Bleeding that will not stop. After ten minutes of pressure.
- A deep or wide cut. One that gapes open.
- A loose tooth nearby. From the same fall or knock.
How we treat it
- Cleaning the cut. To stop infection.
- Stitches. If the cut needs closing.
- Checking the teeth. For cracks you cannot see.
Press with clean gauze and call us.
Cosmetic care
Stained teeth
Teeth darken with age, coffee, tea and wine. Whitening in the office or at home can lift years of stains safely.
Signs to look for
- Yellow tone. Teeth look darker than before.
- Spots. Patches brushing will not lift.
- Uneven color. Some teeth darker than others.
How we treat it
- Whitening. In the office in about an hour.
- Take-home trays. Custom trays for a few weeks.
- Veneers. Thin covers for deep stains.
Free consult to talk through your options.
Cosmetic care
Chipped or uneven edges
Small chips and uneven edges are common and easy to smooth out, often in a single visit.
Signs to look for
- Rough edges. Small nicks on front teeth.
- Different lengths. One tooth longer than the next.
- Odd shapes. A tooth looks pointed or narrow.
How we treat it
- Bonding. Tooth-colored, shaped by hand.
- Contouring. A gentle smoothing of the edges.
- Veneers. For bigger changes in shape.
Cosmetic care
Short or worn teeth
Teeth can look short from grinding, wear or how they grew in. We can rebuild them to a natural length.
Signs to look for
- Flat edges. Front teeth worn straight.
- A gummy look. More gum shows than tooth.
- An older-looking smile. Teeth look shorter now.
How we treat it
- Bonding. Adds length to worn edges.
- Veneers. Rebuilds front tooth shape.
- Night guard. Protects your new smile.
Free consult to talk through your options.
Cosmetic care
Dark old fillings
Old silver fillings can darken teeth and show when you laugh. We can swap them for tooth-colored ones.
Signs to look for
- Grey or black spots. On back teeth.
- Darker teeth. Around old fillings.
- Cracks. Lines near an old filling.
How we treat it
- Tooth-colored fillings. That blend in.
- Inlays. Sturdier for large fillings.
- Crowns. If the tooth needs more support.
Insurance may cover a filling that is failing.
Cosmetic care
Uneven gum line
When gums sit higher on some teeth than others, your smile can look lopsided. A small change to the gum line can even it out.
Signs to look for
- A gummy smile. Lots of gum shows as you smile.
- Uneven heights. Some teeth look longer.
- Short-looking teeth. Gum covering part of the tooth.
How we treat it
- Gum shaping. Gently evening out the gum line.
- Bonding or veneers. To even out tooth length.
- A preview first. See the result before we start.
Start with a cosmetic consult.
Cosmetic care
Teeth that do not match
One tooth that is darker, smaller or a different shape can catch the eye. We can match it to the teeth around it.
Signs to look for
- One dark tooth. Often after an old knock.
- A small tooth. Narrower than its neighbors.
- Old work that stands out. A crown that no longer matches.
How we treat it
- Whitening. Sometimes for just one tooth.
- Bonding. Tooth-colored, to reshape it.
- A veneer or crown. Matched to your other teeth.
Start with a cosmetic consult.
Teeth straightening
Crooked or crowded teeth
Crowded teeth are harder to clean and can make you shy about smiling. Clear aligners move them a little at a time.
Signs to look for
- Overlapping teeth. Some teeth sit in front.
- Twisted teeth. Turned to one side.
- Hard to floss. Floss snaps or shreds.
How we treat it
- Clear aligners. Trays you swap every few weeks.
- A preview first. See how teeth will move first.
- Retainers. Keep teeth in place afterward.
Monthly payment plans available.
Teeth straightening
Gaps between teeth
Gaps can come from how teeth grew in or from teeth shifting. They can be closed with aligners or bonding.
Signs to look for
- A gap in front. Between the top front teeth.
- Spaces that grew. Gaps getting bigger over time.
- Food catching. In the same spaces.
How we treat it
- Clear aligners. Close gaps by moving teeth.
- Bonding. Fills small gaps in one visit.
- Retainers. Stop gaps from coming back.
Free consult to talk through your options.
Teeth straightening
Bite problems
When teeth do not meet evenly, some wear down faster and the jaw can get sore. Many bite problems can be improved with aligners.
Signs to look for
- Overbite. Top teeth far over the bottom.
- Underbite. Bottom teeth in front of top.
- Uneven wear. Some teeth wearing faster.
How we treat it
- Clear aligners. Gradually bring teeth into line.
- Bite check. We look at how your jaw moves.
- Referral. To a specialist if needed.
Monthly payment plans available.
Teeth straightening
Teeth moving after braces
Teeth slowly shift back if retainers stop being worn. Short aligner treatment can bring them back into line.
Signs to look for
- New crowding. Straight teeth now overlap.
- A retainer that will not fit. It feels tight or does not fit.
- New gaps. Spaces opening up.
How we treat it
- Short aligner plan. Often just a few months.
- New retainer. Made to fit your teeth now.
- Retainer checks. At your regular cleanings.
Monthly payment plans available.
Teeth straightening
Front teeth that stick out
When top front teeth tip forward, they are easier to chip and can make lips hard to close. Aligners can bring them back into line.
Signs to look for
- Teeth tipped forward. Past the bottom teeth.
- Lips that do not close. Without a little effort.
- Chipped front teeth. From knocks or biting.
How we treat it
- A 3D scan. Plans how each tooth moves.
- Clear aligners. To ease teeth back.
- A retainer. To keep them there.
Monthly payment plans available.
Teeth straightening
Hard-to-clean teeth
Crowded teeth leave tight spots that a brush cannot reach. Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean and healthy.
Signs to look for
- Food that gets stuck. In the same spots every time.
- Floss that shreds. Between tight teeth.
- Cavities between teeth. Where plaque builds up.
How we treat it
- Clear aligners. To open up tight spots.
- Cleaning tips. Ways to reach the tight spots.
- Regular cleanings. To stop cavities starting.
Monthly payment plans available.
Restorative care
Missing teeth
A missing tooth affects how you chew, speak and smile, and nearby teeth can drift into the gap. We can replace it so it looks and works like your own.
Signs to look for
- A gap. From a lost or pulled tooth.
- Shifting teeth. Nearby teeth lean into it.
- Chewing on one side. Avoiding the gap.
How we treat it
- Implant. A new root and crown that stays.
- Bridge. A tooth held by its neighbors.
- Partial denture. A removable set of teeth.
Payment plans spread the cost over time.
Restorative care
Cracked teeth
Cracks can come from grinding, chewing ice or large old fillings. Fixing a crack early keeps it from splitting the tooth.
Signs to look for
- Pain when you let go. After biting down.
- Sensitivity. To hot and cold.
- A line you can see. On the tooth surface.
How we treat it
- Crown. Holds a cracked tooth together.
- Bonding. For small surface cracks.
- Root canal. If the crack reaches the nerve.
Crowns are often partly covered.
Restorative care
Worn-down teeth
Grinding, acid and age can wear teeth down. Rebuilding them protects what is left and makes chewing easier.
Signs to look for
- See-through edges. Thin, glassy tips.
- Flat back teeth. Smooth where bumps used to be.
- Sensitivity. Twinges when you chew.
How we treat it
- Crowns. Rebuild and protect worn teeth.
- Onlays. Cover just the worn part.
- Night guard. Stops more wear.
Crowns are often partly covered.
Restorative care
Failing fillings or crowns
Fillings and crowns do not last forever. Replacing them before they fail is simpler than fixing a broken tooth.
Signs to look for
- Rough edges. Around an old filling.
- A dark line. At the edge of a crown.
- Food catching. Under or beside old work.
How we treat it
- New filling. Replaces the old one.
- New crown. When the tooth needs more cover.
- Regular X-rays. Spot problems under old work.
Insurance usually covers replacing failing work.
Restorative care
Loose dentures
Gums change shape over time, so dentures that once fit can start to slip. A reline or implants can hold them steady.
Signs to look for
- Slipping. When you talk or eat.
- Sore spots. Where the denture rubs.
- Using adhesive daily. To keep them in.
How we treat it
- Reline. Refits the denture to your gums.
- New dentures. Made to fit your mouth now.
- Implant-held dentures. Snap onto implants and stay.
Payment plans spread the cost over time.
Restorative care
Trouble chewing
If you chew on one side or skip foods you love, a damaged or missing tooth is often why. Fixing it makes meals easy again.
Signs to look for
- Chewing on one side. To avoid a sore spot.
- Skipping foods. Like nuts, apples or steak.
- Pain when you bite. On one tooth or area.
How we treat it
- Crowns. Make a weak tooth strong.
- Bridges or implants. To fill a gap.
- Bite checks. So teeth meet evenly.
Payment plans spread the cost over time.
