For Patients

Terms to Know

When you choose Hastings Family Dental as your dental provider, you are choosing a partner who will be actively involved in the long-term health of your smile. Patients who understand basic dental terms and procedures are better armed to ask questions that directly relate to their individual needs.

If you’ve pondered the difference between an incisor or a molar, why tarter and plaque can wreak havoc on your smile, the risks of periodontitis and more, this is a good place to start. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Conditions

Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth occurs when you have a cracked or broken tooth, when your tooth is full of decay or when you have gum disease that allows bacteria to grow deep in the tooth or gum tissue. This bacteria can eventually lead to infection in the tissue surrounding the tooth or gums. This infection creates what we call an abscess. If an abscess is not treated immediately with antibiotics and professional dental care, tooth loss or bone loss can occur as the abscess dissolves the bone.

A dental abscess can be extremely painful, so if you are experiencing this, contact us for a thorough dental exam.

Accidents

Dental injuries can be painful and irreversible, but if you know what steps to take, you can minimize the chances of suffering permanent damage. In the event that a dental accident occurs, here are some things to keep in mind.

A “Knocked-Out” Tooth
A tooth that has been entirely knocked out of its socket often can be successfully reimplanted if you are prepared and know what it do. Follow these simple steps:

  • Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) not the root. The tooth should be handled carefully – touch only the crown, to minimize injury to the root.
  • Gently rinse the tooth with water, remembering not to handle the root surface.
  • Do not soak in water
  • Do not use soap or chemicals
  • Do not scrub the tooth
  • Do not dry the tooth
  • Do not wrap it in a tissue or cloth
  • You can attempt to restore the knocked out tooth in its socket until you can seek dental attention.
  • Place the fractured tooth in your mouth (saliva helps), put it in a glass of milk or sterile saline solution, try to avoid putting it in plain tap water.
  • Call your dentist immediately.

A “Fractured” Tooth
If you have an accident that causes one or more of your teeth to be broken, remove the broken or fractured portion of the tooth and call your dentist. If you are bleeding, apply pressure to that area.

What can be done for broken teeth? Depending on the extent of the damage, broken teeth can be treated by:

  • Composite fillings or a crown if the pulp is not exposed or affected.
  • Root canal treatment followed by composite filling or post-crown if the pulp is damaged.
  • Extraction in some situations. The lost tooth or teeth can be replaced by means of a denture, a bridge or dental implants.

A “Loose” Tooth
When a tooth gets knocked loose, it remains somewhat in the same position but can be rocked back and forth in its socket. There may also be bleeding from the gums. Your dentist may let the tooth “tighten-up” on its own, or your dentist may bond the tooth to the uninjured teeth next to it for support until it heals. The tooth may turn dark and/or abscess after an accident.

Allergies

It is important to alert your dentist to any allergies you have to materials or medications. At your first dental visit, you will be asked about any specific allergies when you fill out your medical history form. Always be sure to let your dentist or hygienist know of any changes in your medical history since your previous dental appointment. Be sure to let the dentist know prior to treatment if you have allergies to any of the following:

Allergies to Medications
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine, including dental anesthetics, please let us know. Alternate medications and anesthetics can be used once we know what you are allergic to.

Allergies to Materials
If you do have an allergy to a material that is commonly used in the dental office, please let us know and we will find an alternate material or treatment for you. For example, if you are allergic to Latex we will use a different kind of glove when we work on you.

Bad Breath

“You have BAD Breath!”* No one likes to hear it, but it’s worse walking around with it!

Bad breath is a term used to describe a noticeably unpleasant odor exhaled in breathing. Bad breath, in the sense that we commonly think of, is caused by eating certain foods or unhealthy lifestyle habits, however, there are several factors that can heighten a person’s problems with bad breath.

Bad breath is commonly noticed in the morning when bacteria accumulate on a whitish coating that covers the surface of the back portion of the tongue. Other factors that can contribute to Bad Breath (also known as Halitosis) include:

  • Poor Dental Health Habits
  • Periodontal Disease or “Gum Disease”
  • Smoking
  • Dry Mouth
  • Sinus Conditions
  • Cavities
  • Tonsils that may have trapped food particles
  • Cracked Fillings
  • Less than clean Dentures

Having bad breath isn’t something you have to live with and fortunately, this problem is often an easy fix. Our doctors will work with you to determine the cause of your Halitosis (Bad Breath) and develop a treatment plan so you never have to hear those four embarrassing words* again.

Bleeding Gums

Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?

Do you spit up blood when you brush?

There are many possible causes of bleeding gums, the most significant being gum disease, commonly know as gingivitis and periodontitis. These conditions result from the formation and accumulation of plaque at the gum line, usually caused from not brushing and flossing properly or not at all!

If you have bleeding gums contact us for a thorough dental check-up. It may be an easy fix or it may be a chronic condition that needs immediate attention before long-term damage is done.

Broken/Chipped Tooth

An accident could cause one or more teeth to be broken or chipped. In this case, remove the fractured portion of the tooth and call your dentist. If you are bleeding, apply pressure to that area.

What can be done for broken teeth?
Depending on the extent of the damage, broken teeth can be treated by:

  • Composite fillings or crown if the pulp is not exposed or affected.
  • Root canal treatment followed by composite filling or post-crown if the pulp is damaged.
  • Extraction in some situations. The lost tooth or teeth can be replaced by means of a denture, a bridge or dental implants.
Cavities

No one likes to hear the word “cavity” when it comes to a dental check-up. What does it mean? A cavity in your tooth is a hole that will just keep getting bigger and deeper if it is not taken care of by a dentist.

What causes a Cavity?
It is caused from bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria need food to live and when you eat sugary foods, the bacteria use this sugar as food, too. The bacteria then make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids eat their way through your tooth enamel. Without proper dental care, these acids will continue to make their way through the enamel causing a painful toothache!

If you notice a hole in your tooth or are experiencing a toothache, contact us for a thorough dental care check up.

Cracked Tooth

When decay occurs around a filling, the tooth is weakened. Biting pressure on a weaken tooth can cause flexing of the tooth, creating cracks and ultimately fracturing of the tooth. Proper restoration of a tooth often requires a bonded core to replace missing tooth structure.

If you do chip, crack or break a tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. Minor tooth fractures usually don’t hurt, but if you have broken more than half of your tooth off then it can damage the nerve inside the tooth and cause pain. Contact your dentist right away if you are experiencing pain with a fractured tooth. If you notice swelling, put cold compresses on your face until you receive the proper dental attention.

Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, from the interaction between teeth, food and bacteria. A sticky film of bacteria, called Plaque, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the enamel of the tooth. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel breaks down. This is when cavities can form.

Denture Problems

If your dentures are loose and aren’t fitting your gums properly, it can be not only an annoyance but also lead to a source of embarrassment! Dentures that fit properly, rest on a ridge of bone and gum tissue comfortably. Over time, that ridge can shrink and cause the denture to fit loosely. This can lead to sore spots in your mouth.

One alternative to loose dentures is to have your dentures relined. Other alternatives to hold the denture in place include:

  • Overdenture
  • Implant-Retained Denture
  • Partial Denture
  • Complete Denture

If you notice that your dentures have a bad odor and are discolored, contact us for advice on some simple remedies. A broken or chipped denture can sometimes be repaired.

Discolored Tooth

Teeth can become discolored for a variety of reasons:

  • Drinking colas, coffee, or tea
  • Certain antibiotics may darken developing teeth in children.
  • Dentin underneath the enamel of a tooth gradually darkens with age.
  • Tobacco use
  • If a tooth has been traumatized, the tooth can die and turn dark
  • Once in a while, after Root Canal Therapy, a tooth may darken.

What Can Be Done?
Four solutions tooth discoloration are:

  • Bonding
  • Whitening
  • Veneers
  • Crowns

Contact us to set up a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss your discoloration concerns.

Emergencies

Hastings Family Dental recognize that you can have a dental emergency situation arise at any time. A dental emergency can be any injury to teeth or gums and should not be ignored. We will provide emergency dental care for all individuals during regular business hours but we do advise that you call our office as early in the day as possible. Our top priority is to relieve you of your dental pain as soon as it starts. We also provide after-hours emergency dental care, exclusively for patients of record. If you are a patient of record, it is after business hours and you feel your dental pain requires immediate attention, you may call our doctors at home or go directly to the emergency room.

Dental accidents can happen when you least expect them, but knowing what to do can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Below are some tips for you to go by in case of a common dental emergency:

If you knock out a permanent tooth, try to keep it moist at all times. You can either put it into a glass of milk or water. If possible, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching or damaging the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums until you can see your dentist or emergency room.

If you chip, crack or break a tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. Minor tooth fractures usually don’t hurt, but if you have broken more than half of your tooth off then it can damage the nerve inside the tooth and cause pain. Contact your dentist right away if you are experiencing pain with a fractured tooth. If you notice swelling, put cold compresses on your face.

If you see swelling inside your mouth or outside on your face you may be forming an abscess. A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) caused from a bacterial infection in the center of a tooth. Abscesses can form very quickly and become serious because the infection may spread to other parts of the body. Call your dentist immediately or go to the emergency room if you think you are experiencing a tooth abscess.

For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.

Gingivitis

Healthy gums are very important to prevent tooth loss and other dental problems. Tarter and red, inflamed gums are a sign of gingivitis or gum disease. The cause of Gum Disease is bacteria, which can turn into tarter and plaque buildup, irritate your gums and lead to bleeding and receding gums. Gum disease affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Left unchecked, this long-term infection can eventually cause “loss of your teeth!”

Grinding Teeth

Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and typically includes the clenching of the jaw. In most people, bruxism occurs during sleep.

The following factors may be associated with bruxism:

  • Disturbed sleep patterns, snoring
  • Malocclusion or misalignment of your teeth
  • High levels of stimulants such as: drugs, caffeinated drinks and foods (coffee, colas, and chocolate)
  • High levels of blood alcohol
  • Smoking
  • High levels of anxiety and stress.

If you feel that you grind your teeth, contact us for a thorough dental exam so a treatment plan can be developed to avoid further damage to your teeth or jaw.

Gum Disease

Gum Disease, or Periodontitis, is a common disorder that affects about 80% of Americans. The symptoms of this disease range from red gums and bad breath, in mild cases, to bone loss and eventually tooth loss. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Plague and bacteria on the tooth cause an inflammation of the gums, the result is red and swollen giniva that bleeds easily. This form of periodontal disease can be easily reversed by daily brushing, flossing and regular cleanings by a dental hygienist. If gingivitis goes untreated, it will develop into a more serious condition. The gum tissue that is normally attached separates from the tooth, creating pockets above the gum line.

Halitosis

“You have BAD Breath!”* No one likes to hear it, but it’s worse walking around with it!

Bad breath is a term used to describe a noticeably unpleasant odor exhaled in breathing. Bad breath, in the sense that we commonly think of, is caused by eating certain foods or unhealthy lifestyle habits, however, there are several factors that can heighten a person’s problems with bad breath.

Bad breath is commonly noticed in the morning when bacteria accumulate on a whitish coating that covers the surface of the back portion of the tongue. Other factors that can contribute to Bad Breath (also known as Halitosis) include:

  • Poor Dental Health Habits
  • Periodontal Disease or “Gum Disease”
  • Smoking
  • Dry Mouth
  • Sinus Conditions
  • Cavities
  • Tonsils that may have trapped food particles
  • Cracked Fillings
  • Less than clean Dentures

Having bad breath isn’t something you have to live with and fortunately, this problem is often an easy fix. Our doctors will work with you to determine the cause of your Halitosis (Bad Breath) and develop a treatment plan so you never have to hear those four embarrassing words* again.

Impacted Tooth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to fully pass through the gums. Teeth start to pass through the gums (emerge) during infancy, and again when the primary (baby) teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth.

If a tooth fails to emerge, or emerges only partially, it is considered to be impacted. The most common teeth to become impacted are the wisdom teeth (the third set of molars). They are the last teeth to emerge, usually between the ages of 17 and 21.

Loose Dentures/Partials

Why are my dentures all of a sudden loose? There are a few reasons why dentures can become loose over time, including overadjusting, grinding or jaw shrinkage due to extractions, weight loss, disease and age. Loose dentures can be adjusted and even relined to make them fit properly. However, if the denture or partial is worn or brittle, or if the change in the ridge is significant, our doctors may need to make you a new one.

Sore Spot
Sore spots from dentures may occur due to pressure at a particular site or a change in how the denture or partial rests on the gums. Sore spots may appear as a small mark or wound on the gums, causing pain. Sore spots can lead to discomfort with chewing; speech difficulties and excess saliva production because of the presence of the dentures. If you have dentures or a parital and a sore spot develops, contact us for an adjustment.

Discolored Dentures
Because dentures can discolor and collect bacteria, it is important to know how to properly care for them. Just like regular teeth, dentures need to be cleaned daily to prevent the build up of food particles and plaque. Scrubbing them with a denture brush or regular tooth brush and soaking them in a denture cleanser will help remove bacteria and stain.

Bad Odor
Denture-related breath odor is likely the result not cleaning them appropriately. Dentures can absorb bacteria and fluids that cause offensive odors to develop. Diligent denture care not only prevents bad breath, it keeps your denture in tip-top shape, free of stains and discoloration.

Broken or Chipped Denture
If your denture is chipped or cracked it usually can be repaired very quickly by us at Hastings Family Dental. If your denture is broken in half, your situation is more serious. Please call our office and we can evaluate your denture situation.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion occurs when there is a difference between the size of the upper and lower jaws or a difference between jaw and tooth size, resulting in overcrowding of teeth or in abnormal bite patterns.

Causes of Malocclusion can be:

  • Childhood habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond age 3, and prolonged use of a bottle
  • Extra teeth, lost teeth, impacted teeth, or abnormally shaped teeth
  • Ill-fitting dental fillings, crowns, appliances, retainers, or braces
  • Misalignment of jaw fractures after a severe injury
  • Tumors of the mouth and jaw

Different categories of malocclusion include:

  • Class 1 malocclusion is the most common. The bite is normal, but there can be crowding, irregular spacing or overlapping.
  • Class 2 malocclusion, or “overbite”, occurs when the lower molars and upper molars are not aligned making the top teeth protrude over the bottom.
  • Class 3 malocclusion, or “underbite”, occurs when the lower molars are too far forward thrusting the lower part of the jaw beyond the upper teeth.

Our team can evaluate each individuals case to determine the best course of action to prevent or cure a malocclusion.

Open Bite

An open-bite is when the upper and the lower teeth do not touch each other, even when the mouth is closed. An open-bite is caused by anything that puts a strain on the alignment of the teeth, especially when the patient is young.

Examples of an open bite include:

  • Thumb sucking
  • Tongue thrusting
  • Prolonged and incorrect use of feeding bottles and pacifiers

In younger patients, when the jaw is still developing, any of these habits could cause the front teeth to flare out and the teeth to become misaligned.

Correcting this condition usually involves orthodontics. Sometimes, though, as soon as the braces come off, the tongue gets back to work and pushes the teeth to their original position. The best cure is to prevent the open bite from occurring in the first place. You can gently eliminate thumb sucking and reduce the dependence on the pacifier.

Periodontitis Disease

Gum Disease, or Periodontitis, is a common disorder that affects about 80% of Americans. The symptoms of this disease range from red gums and bad breath, in mild cases, to bone loss and eventually tooth loss. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Plague and bacteria on the tooth cause an inflammation of the gums, the result is red and swollen giniva that bleeds easily. This form of periodontal disease can be easily reversed by daily brushing, flossing and regular cleanings by a dental hygienist. If gingivitis goes untreated, it will develop into a more serious condition. The gum tissue that is normally attached separates from the tooth, creating pockets above the gum line.

Pyorrhea

Pyorrhea is an advanced form of periodontal disease that causes damage and infection to the bones surrounding the teeth. Proper dental care can help avoid pyorrhea from developing, and can also treat the effects of the condition. If you suspect you have pyorrhea, call our office immediately for a full evaluation.

Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort in one or more teeth that is triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks, or even by breathing cold air. The pain can be sharp, sudden, and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.

Toothache

A toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws primarily as a result of a dental condition. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease. However, disorders of the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint) can also cause pain that is referred to as “toothache.” The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. The pain may be aggravated by chewing or by cold or heat.

If you are experiencing dental pain please call our office immediately to avoid further dental complications.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties.

Most adults have four wisdom teeth, but it is possible to have fewer or more, in which case they are called supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth commonly affect other teeth as they develop, becoming impacted or “coming in sideways.” They are often extracted when this occurs.

Procedures

Anesthesia

At Hastings Family Dental we offer main ways to reduce anxiety and remove pain from our patient’s procedures. These include:

  • Local Anesthesia
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Moderate Conscious Sedation
  • Local Anesthetic

Local anesthesia, also commonly known as Novocain, is used during most dental procedures. This medication is administered as an injection designed to temporarily prevent the teeth nerve fibers from transmitting impulses, thereby numbing the area. It is possible, however, to combine local anesthesia with various types of conscious sedation techniques to further reduce your awareness and anxiety with the procedure.

Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, is the lightest form of conscious sedation. It is administered by breathing through a nasal mask. It is very short acting and is completely eliminated from the body minutes after turning it off, thereby allowing the patient to leave the office without an escort. Although its effects vary from patient to patient, most patients feel nitrous oxide “just takes the edge off.”

Some patients fear needles, have difficulty becoming numb from oral injections or even have a problem with their gag reflex. If you have any of these concerns, then Nitrous Oxide may be the answer for you. Nitrous Oxide, also know as laughing gas, is a colorless, odorless gas inhaled through a nasal mask. Once you begin breathing the gas, you will become relaxed, so we can perform your dental work in a timely manner while you stay completely comfortable.

Moderate Conscious Sedation (Oral Sedation, Sleep Dentistry)
Moderate Conscious Sedation Dentistry is done by taking a small pill 60 minutes before your dental appointment. It allows you to be sedated (about like sleep walking) just enough to be relaxed and comfortable through your dental treatment. Although it is very safe, your vital signs will be carefully monitored throughout your appointment. The purpose of moderate conscious sedation dentistry is to establish a calm and relaxed patient who is free of anxiety.

Find out more about patient comfort options on our Sedation Dentistry page.

Apicoectomy

An Apicoectomy may be necessary when inflammation and infection persists in the area around the root tip after root canal therapy or root canal retreatment. The procedure involves making an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.

Bleaching

At Hastings Family Dental, we offer both at-home and in-office teeth whitening.

ZOOM! In-Office Whitening
A whiter brighter smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is ideal for anyone who wants immediate whitening results. ZOOM! In-Office Whitening is basically a “jump start” for the busy individual who doesn’t want to mess with days of wearing trays and gradual whitening. The Zoom! Whitening process utilizes a scientifically formulated pH balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the Zoom! light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration. With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.

At-Home Options
If you prefer, we also offer at-home teeth whitening kits. Our doctors will help you decide which option is best for your specific needs. Don’t let your teeth remain in the dark ages. Bring them into brighter times with teeth whitening from Hastings Family Dental.

Bonding

Bonding is a simple, non-painful procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light This light ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or improve a person’s smile. It is used to close spaces in between teeth, improve appearance of discolored teeth, repair decayed, chipped or cracked teeth and can also serve as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings.

Bone Grafting

This procedure is performed when periodontitis has destroyed the bone surrounding your tooth root. The graft may be composed of small fragments of your own bone or the bone may be synthetic or donated. The bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also serves as a platform for the regrowth of natural bone. Bone grafting may be performed during a technique called guided tissue regeneration.

Braces

Braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structure are healthy. Our team corrects bites and enhances smiles and faces by straightening teeth, closing gaps, correcting underbites and overbites, eliminating crowding, correcting jaw discrepancies and expanding jaws – thereby eliminating permanent tooth extraction. These are accomplished with braces.

Bridges

Dental Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. The procedure utilizes a false tooth (called a pontic) and fuses it between two dental crowns to “bridge” the empty space. This will prevent your other teeth from shifting and compromising your oral health.

Caps

A dental crown also known as a “cap” is placed over a tooth to cover it and to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance.

When cemented into place, a crown fully encases the entire visible portion of a tooth. It lies at and above the gum line.

Crowns can be made of metal, porcelain or resin materials. At Hastings Family Dental, we also crowns using the advanced Cad/Cam technology.

Cleaning

Regular visits to Hastings Family Dental are an important part of your normal oral hygiene program. Our doctors recommend regular maintenance cleanings every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevent any oral health problems that may arise from time to time.

Plaque left on the surfaces of your teeth can harden and turn into tartar (also known as calculus) in only 24 hours. Your daily home brushing and flossing helps to control plaque and tartar, but some hard-to -reach areas will always need special attention from your hygienist.

At Hastings Family Dental, there are two important parts to your regular dental maintenance visit. The first part is the check-up. The second part is the cleaning.

During your dental check-up, our doctors will examine any existing dental restorations (caps, fillings, crowns, etc.), examine your teeth for signs of decay along with providing an oral cancer screening (gums, lips, tongue, cheeks, face, neck, and throat).

As part of your regular dental cleaning, our hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, remove any signs of stain or plaque, discuss and recommend oral hygiene aids (electric toothbrushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.), and, if necessary, utilize a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of the pockets or gaps around and between each tooth and the surrounding gums to ensure that they are healthy.

Once your dental check-up has been completed, we recommend an appointment for your next dental check-up and cleaning (usually 6 months from your last appointment) be made.

Remember, good oral hygiene practices begin at home. Regular dental check-ups are also essential in maintaining good dental health and to keep your smile bright and beautiful.

Contouring Enamel

Crowding, overlapping, and rough edges can all be fixed with enamel shaping. The process files a small layer off of the teeth in order to make them smoother and create more space without the use of anesthesia.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Hastings Family Dental can improve your smile using a variety of methods. Here are just a few.

Whitening: Zoom! is an in-house whitening system that will give you a jump-start to a bright new smile.

Bonding: A tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light, which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or improve person’s smile.

Veneer: A porcelain shell that is bonded to the surface of your tooth.

Enamel Shaping: Filing away a small layer on your teeth can fix crowding, overlapping, and rough edges.

Tissue Re-Contouring: Reshaping your gums can make your teeth appear larger.

Crowns

A dental crown also known as a “cap” is placed over a tooth to cover it and to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance.

When cemented into place, a crown fully encases the entire visible portion of a tooth. It lies at and above the gum line.

Crowns can be made of metal, porcelain or resin materials. At Hastings Family Dental, we also crowns using the advanced Cad/Cam technology.

Dental Laser

Periodontal disease not only affects the teeth (causing bone loss) but recent research studies have found that it can be linked to health problems such as diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke and even low birth weight babies. Traditionally, periodontal disease has been treated by extensive gum surgery but now gums can be treated non-surgically with the use of a Dental Laser.

The Dental Laser is used on the gums after ultrasonic cleaning & deep scaling of the roots. Special anti-bacterial mouth rinses are used to irrigate the gums at the dental office and at home. Research shows that advances in non-surgical gum treatment can be effective in eliminating surgery in a high percentage of cases. The success of non-surgical periodontal treatment, however, depends on the willingness of the patient to maintain a routine home care program.

Dentures

Dentures, “false teeth”, are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. An implant supported denture is a type of overdenture (animation 1) that is supported by and attached to implants. Dentures can be complete (animation 2) or partial (animation 3). Dentures can also be implant-supported.

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth with dentures will benefit your appearance and your health.

Animation 1: Overdenture
Animation 2: Denture Bridge
Animation 3: Denture Replacement

Extractions

When it is determined that a tooth cannot be saved, our doctors may need to extract it. There can be a number of reasons for a tooth extraction. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

Here at Hastings Family Dental, we perform two types of tooth extractions: simple extractions and surgical extractions. A simple extraction involves teeth that are visible in the mouth, while a surgical extraction involves teeth that cannot be easily accessed; such as impacted wisdom teeth (third molars), teeth that are not fully emerged, or teeth that are broken under the gum line.

  • Extraction Premolar
  • Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Fillings

A filling is a dental restoration procedure that our doctors do to repair teeth that have been affected by decay, fractures, cracks and other problems that can affect your tooth and your smile.

There are many types of dental fillings made from various materials, such as gold, metal alloys, and dental amalgam. A composite filling is unlike an amalgam or metal filling, in that a composite filling is tooth colored to match the natural surrounding tooth in which it is placed.

Composite fillings offer a natural aesthetic that shows no dark or metallic spots in the mouth like that of gold or silver amalgam fillings. Natural in appearance, composite fillings are also best suited to front teeth and other high-visibility areas. As with most dental restorations involving fillings, the procedure requires the removal of the decayed portion of the tooth before the composite filling can be placed.

Flap Surgery

In this procedure tiny incisions are made in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective cleaning. The gum flap is then sewn back into place and covered with gauze to stop the bleeding.

Fluoride

Although most Americans receive small amounts of fluoride from their food and water, it is not enough to help prevent tooth decay. At Hastings Family Dental we administer a fluoride varnish to our patients when necessary. The fluoride varnish works by seeping into the outer enamel surface of the teeth and strengthening them against decay. It is especially important to treat children that are cavity prone.

Gum Treatment

Periodontist is a serious gum infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth.

Non-Surgical Treatments include:

  • Dental Laser: Used on gums after ultrasonic cleaning & deep scaling of the roots
  • Root Planing: Smooths the root surfaces, discouraging further buildup of tartar
  • Scaling: May be performed using instruments or an ultrasonic device

Surgical Treatments include:

  • Bone Grafting: helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place
  • Flap Surgery: Tiny incisions made in your gum so that a section can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective cleaning
  • Soft Tissue Grafts: usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth or another donor source and attaching it to exposed roots caused from receding gums
Implants

Applesauce or Apples? Soup or Salad? Do your dentures decide what you eat? With implants, the choice is yours!

Dental implants replace tooth roots anchored to the bone, like a natural tooth. They replace missing teeth. Implants consist of a titanium screw with a rough surface that serves to replace the root portion of the tooth. Titanium has the amazing capability of fusing well to bone. Bone actually grows around the titanium screw forming a tight connection. This prevents bone loss, which can be a problem with other tooth replacement options.

What else can Dental Implants do?

Dental Implants can replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.

Dental Implants can support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.

When natural teeth are missing from the mouth, implants are used to replace the root portion of teeth. Replacement teeth are then fixed onto these new roots to provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Dental Implants can support full upper and lower dentures. The dentures are snapped into place allowing solid, comfortable chewing. This means “no more adhesives!”

Non-Surgical Laser-Assisted Gum Treatment

The cause of Gum Disease is bacteria, which can turn into tarter and plaque buildup, irritate your gums and lead to bleeding and receding gums. Gum disease affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Left unchecked, this long-term infection can eventually cause “loss of your teeth!” This more serious form of gum disease is called periodontitis.

Periodontal disease not only affects the teeth (causing bone loss) but recent research studies have found that it can be linked to health problems such as diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke and even low birth weight babies.

Traditionally, periodontal disease has been treated by extensive gum surgery but now gums can be treated non-surgically with the use of a Dental Laser. The Dental Laser is used on the gums after ultrasonic cleaning & deep scaling of the roots. Special anti-bacterial mouth rinses are used to irrigate the gums at the dental office and at home. Research shows that advances in non-surgical gum treatment can be effective in eliminating surgery in a high percentage of cases. The success of non-surgical periodontal treatment, however, depends on the willingness of the patient to maintain a routine home care program.

Oral Sedation

Moderate Conscious Sedation (Oral Sedation, Sleep Dentistry)
Sedation Dentistry can allow you to confidently pursue the smile you’ve always wanted, allowing you to receive services with little or no memory that they have even taken place. We can comfortably eliminate decay and old fillings, extract diseased teeth and wisdom teeth, restore sore gums to good health, whiten yellow or stained teeth, fixed chipped and infected teeth, and more. At Hastings Family Dental, we understand that these fears are real and that is why we offer “Oral Sedation Dentistry.”

Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation is done by taking a small pill 60 minutes before your dental appointment. It allows you to be sedated just enough to be unaware of your dental treatment. You will have little or no memory of what was accomplished during your dental visit. Because you are completely relaxed, we can correct, improve or restore years of dental problems (concerns) in one or two visits. This alone is beneficial not only to people who fear dental work but also to people with busy schedules. Although your dental procedures may take hours, you will feel as if they take only minutes. Some patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep. You will need someone to drive you to and from our dental office, because the effects of oral sedation can last for several hours but will disappear within 24 hours.

Deep Sedation and Moderate Conscious Sedation differ from general anesthesia, since they do not put the patient totally to sleep, thus involving less risk.

Sedation dentistry may be the ideal solution for you if you have:

  • Fear of dental treatment
  • History of traumatic dental experiences
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • Very sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening your mouth
  • Extremely sensitive teeth
  • Busy schedule
  • Complex dental problems
  • Embarrassment about teeth
  • Denial of dental problem until pain becomes unbearable
  • Have avoided dental care for years – even decades
  • Regularly make, and cancel, dentist appointments
  • Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests of the dentist chair
  • You’ve had a bad experience at the dentist.
  • You dread going to the dentist for any reason.
  • You have difficulty keeping your mouth open.
  • You need a lengthy or invasive treatment.

So if you have been putting off going to the dentist because you are too afraid that it might hurt or will take too long, then you will be excited to hear that we offer sedation dentistry!

Orthodontics

Braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structure are healthy. Our team corrects bites and enhances smiles and faces by straightening teeth, closing gaps, correcting underbites and overbites, eliminating crowding, correcting jaw discrepancies and expanding jaws – thereby eliminating permanent tooth extraction. These are accomplished with braces.

Partials

Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.

Periodontis

The cause of Gum Disease is bacteria, which can turn into tarter and plaque buildup, irritate your gums and lead to bleeding and receding gums. Gum disease affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Left unchecked, this long-term infection can eventually cause loss of your teeth! This more serious form of gum disease is called periodontitis.

Periodontal Disease or “Gum Disease” is a common disorder that affects nearly 80% of Americans. It is a serious gum infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth.

Symptoms include:

  • Swollen gums
  • Bright red or purplish gums
  • Gums that feel tender when touched
  • Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
  • New spaces developing between your teeth
  • Pus between your teeth and gums
  • Bad breath
  • Bad taste in your mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Depending on its severity, there are several ways to treat periodontitis. The goal of periodontal treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets of bacteria in the gums so as to prevent further destruction of your gums and bone structure.

Nonsurgical treatments
Less invasive treatments of periodontitis include:

  • Dental Laser
  • Root Planing
  • Scaling
  • Surgical treatments

If you have advanced periodontal disease, your gum tissue may not respond to non-surgical treatments and good oral hygiene. In that case, you may require dental surgery, such as:

  • Flap Surgery
  • Soft Tissue Grafts
  • Bone Grafting
Prophylaxis

Cleaning
Regular visits to Hastings Family Dental are an important part of your normal oral hygiene program. Our doctors recommend regular maintenance cleanings every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevent any oral health problems that may arise from time to time.

Plaque left on the surfaces of your teeth can harden and turn into tartar (also known as calculus) in only 24 hours. Your daily home brushing and flossing helps to control plaque and tartar, but some hard-to -reach areas will always need special attention from your hygienist.

At Hastings Family Dental, there are two important parts to your regular dental maintenance visit. The first part is the check-up. The second part is the cleaning.

During your dental check-up, our doctors will examine any existing dental restorations (caps, fillings, crowns, etc.), examine your teeth for signs of decay along with providing an oral cancer screening (gums, lips, tongue, cheeks, face, neck, and throat).

As part of your regular dental cleaning, our hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, remove any signs of stain or plaque, discuss and recommend oral hygiene aids (electric toothbrushes, fluorides, rinses, etc.), and, if necessary, utilize a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth of the pockets or gaps around and between each tooth and the surrounding gums to ensure that they are healthy.

Once your dental check-up has been completed, we recommend an appointment for your next dental check-up and cleaning (usually 6 months from your last appointment) be made.

Remember, good oral hygiene practices begin at home. Regular dental check-ups are also essential in maintaining good dental health and to keep your smile bright and beautiful.

Root Canal Therapy

A Root Canal, (also known as endodontic treatment), is a dental procedure that becomes necessary when the pulp of a tooth has been infected or damaged. It could happen if you have severe tooth decay, severe periodontal disease, a cracked tooth or old filling.

Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess and can be very dangerous and painful). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own.

Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup. A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection.

Root Planing

Root planing smoothes the root surfaces, discouraging further buildup of tartar.

Root Planing Antibiotics
Our doctors may recommend using topical or oral antibiotics to help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or insertion of gels containing antibiotics in the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after deep cleaning. However, oral antibiotics may be necessary to completely eliminate infection-causing bacteria.

Scaling

Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from your tooth surfaces and beneath your gums. It may be performed using instruments or an ultrasonic device.

Sealants

Dental sealants are made of a plastic resin that bonds to the tooth surface sealing pits or fissures where decay commonly occurs. Sealants are painted quickly on to the surface of the tooth and allowed to dry, thus forming a protective layer over the deep grooves of teeth. Sealants intended purpose is to prevent cavities from forming.

Dental sealants are a recommended dental care application for children and young adults who are cavity prone (aged 6-16 years) and adults with deep grooves in their tooth surfaces.

Sedation Dentistry

Moderate Conscious Sedation (Oral Sedation, Sleep Dentistry)
Sedation Dentistry can allow you to confidently pursue the smile you’ve always wanted, allowing you to receive services with little or no memory that they have even taken place. We can comfortably eliminate decay and old fillings, extract diseased teeth and wisdom teeth, restore sore gums to good health, whiten yellow or stained teeth, fixed chipped and infected teeth, and more. At Hastings Family Dental, we understand that these fears are real and that is why we offer “Oral Sedation Dentistry.”

Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation is done by taking a small pill 60 minutes before your dental appointment. It allows you to be sedated just enough to be unaware of your dental treatment. You will have little or no memory of what was accomplished during your dental visit. Because you are completely relaxed, we can correct, improve or restore years of dental problems (concerns) in one or two visits. This alone is beneficial not only to people who fear dental work but also to people with busy schedules. Although your dental procedures may take hours, you will feel as if they take only minutes. Some patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep. You will need someone to drive you to and from our dental office, because the effects of oral sedation can last for several hours but will disappear within 24 hours.

Deep Sedation and Moderate Conscious Sedation differ from general anesthesia, since they do not put the patient totally to sleep, thus involving less risk.

Sedation dentistry may be the ideal solution for you if you have:

  • Fear of dental treatment
  • History of traumatic dental experiences
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • Very sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening your mouth
  • Extremely sensitive teeth
  • Busy schedule
  • Complex dental problems
  • Embarrassment about teeth
  • Denial of dental problem until pain becomes unbearable
  • Have avoided dental care for years – even decades
  • Regularly make, and cancel, dentist appointments
  • Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests of the dentist chair
  • You’ve had a bad experience at the dentist.
  • You dread going to the dentist for any reason.
  • You have difficulty keeping your mouth open.
  • You need a lengthy or invasive treatment.

So if you have been putting off going to the dentist because you are too afraid that it might hurt or will take too long, then you will be excited to hear that we offer sedation dentistry!

Shaping Enamel

Crowding, overlapping, and rough edges can all be fixed with enamel shaping. The process files a small layer off of the teeth in order to make them smoother and create more space without the use of anesthesia.

Sleep Dentistry

Moderate Conscious Sedation (Oral Sedation, Sleep Dentistry)
Sedation Dentistry can allow you to confidently pursue the smile you’ve always wanted, allowing you to receive services with little or no memory that they have even taken place. We can comfortably eliminate decay and old fillings, extract diseased teeth and wisdom teeth, restore sore gums to good health, whiten yellow or stained teeth, fixed chipped and infected teeth, and more. At Hastings Family Dental, we understand that these fears are real and that is why we offer “Oral Sedation Dentistry.”

Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation is done by taking a small pill 60 minutes before your dental appointment. It allows you to be sedated just enough to be unaware of your dental treatment. You will have little or no memory of what was accomplished during your dental visit. Because you are completely relaxed, we can correct, improve or restore years of dental problems (concerns) in one or two visits. This alone is beneficial not only to people who fear dental work but also to people with busy schedules. Although your dental procedures may take hours, you will feel as if they take only minutes. Some patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep. You will need someone to drive you to and from our dental office, because the effects of oral sedation can last for several hours but will disappear within 24 hours.

Deep Sedation and Moderate Conscious Sedation differ from general anesthesia, since they do not put the patient totally to sleep, thus involving less risk.

Sedation dentistry may be the ideal solution for you if you have:

  • Fear of dental treatment
  • History of traumatic dental experiences
  • Difficulty getting numb
  • Very sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening your mouth
  • Extremely sensitive teeth
  • Busy schedule
  • Complex dental problems
  • Embarrassment about teeth
  • Denial of dental problem until pain becomes unbearable
  • Have avoided dental care for years – even decades
  • Regularly make, and cancel, dentist appointments
  • Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests of the dentist chair
  • You’ve had a bad experience at the dentist.
  • You dread going to the dentist for any reason.
  • You have difficulty keeping your mouth open.
  • You need a lengthy or invasive treatment.

So if you have been putting off going to the dentist because you are too afraid that it might hurt or will take too long, then you will be excited to hear that we offer sedation dentistry!

Soft Tissue Care

Periodontist is a serious gum infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth.

Non-Surgical Treatments include:

  • Dental Laser: Used on gums after ultrasonic cleaning & deep scaling of the roots
  • Root Planing: Smooths the root surfaces, discouraging further buildup of tartar
  • Scaling: May be performed using instruments or an ultrasonic device
  • Surgical Treatments include:
  • Bone Grafting: helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place
  • Flap Surgery: Tiny incisions made in your gum so that a section can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective cleaning
  • Soft Tissue Grafts: usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth or another donor source and attaching it to exposed roots caused from receding gums
Soft Tissue Grafts

Soft Tissue Grafts are often used to treat gum recession. This is usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth or another donor source and attaching it to exposed roots caused from receding gums.

Sterilization

Sterilization means using a method or process to kill microorganisms. At Hastings Family Dental, instruments and hand pieces are steam-heat sterilized in an auto clave after each use. The auto clave is spore tested on a routine basis to ensure proper function. Steriliztion keeps disease and viruses from spreading and protects your health so you don’t get an infection. Once dental instruments are sterilized, they can’t be touched until they’re ready for use.

Tissue Re-Contouring

Patients may wish to reshape their gums if they feel their teeth appear too short or small. The process will essentially be the same as a Laser Gingivectomy, in which a laser is used to remove tissue. The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Veneers

A veneer is a porcelain shell that is bonded to the surface of your tooth to give your smile a natural, beautiful look. Veneers are used to fix chipped or malformed teeth, rejuvenate severely stained or discolored teeth, lengthen teeth that are to short, or in some cases, veneers can be an alternative to orthodontics.

Veneers can dramatically reshape your teeth and smile – creating a greater confidence in your smile and improving self-esteem.

Whitening

At Hastings Family Dental, we offer both at-home and in-office teeth whitening.

ZOOM! In-Office Whitening
A whiter brighter smile can make a big difference for everyone. The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is ideal for anyone who wants immediate whitening results. ZOOM! In-Office Whitening is basically a “jump start” for the busy individual who doesn’t want to mess with days of wearing trays and gradual whitening. The Zoom! Whitening process utilizes a scientifically formulated pH balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the Zoom! light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration. With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.

At-Home Options
If you prefer, we also offer at-home teeth whitening kits. Our doctors will help you decide which option is best for your specific needs. Don’t let your teeth remain in the dark ages. Bring them into brighter times with teeth whitening from Hastings Family Dental.

X-rays

Hastings Family Dental use digital x-ray technology. When using digital x-rays, a sensor is used in the mouth instead of a traditional photographic film. With digital x-rays, a diagnostic view of the tooth appears instantaneously on a computer monitor. This image can be enhanced and enlarged with our dental software so you can see what the dentist sees. Using digital x-rays also decreases the amount of radiation a patient is exposed to by 90%!

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