We recommend that you schedule your routine dental cleaning typically every 6 months. During this visit our hygienists with remove plaque build-up from your teeth, especially in places where your tooth brush can’t reach, such as under the gum line and in-between teeth. We will then polish your teeth and apply fluoride to help protect your teeth once you leave the office. Fluoride is a natural mineral that hardens and protects teeth by neutralizing the acid that causes decay. Studies consistently show exposure of teeth to fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure which helps prevent future decay. If you are due for your cleaning, please contact Blackduck Dental to schedule an appointment.

his is the process of replacing and restoring your tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or a fracture with a material. There are two types of materials that may be used for this process. Amalgam fillings (silver fillings) are strong and long-lasting, so they are less likely to break than some other types of fillings. Dental amalgam is the least expensive type of filling material. FDA has reviewed the best available scientific evidence to determine whether the low levels of mercury vapor associated with dental amalgam fillings are a cause for concern. Based on this evidence, FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. The amount of mercury measured in the bodies of people with dental amalgam fillings is well below levels associated with adverse health effects. Even in adults and children ages 6 and above who have fifteen or more amalgam surfaces, mercury exposure due to dental amalgam fillings has been found to be far below the lowest levels associated with harm. Clinical studies in adults and children ages 6 and above have also found no link between dental amalgam fillings and health problems. If your fillings are in good condition and there is no decay beneath the filling, FDA does not recommend that you have your amalgam fillings removed or replaced. Removing sound amalgam fillings results in unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure, and exposes you to additional mercury vapor released during the removal process. ​Composite Filling (also known as a white filling) is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide) and is a composite quartz resin that usually contains some sort of light sensitive agent.

An extraction is the complete removal of a tooth. Extractions are sometimes necessary if a primary tooth is preventing the normal eruption of a permanent tooth, if the tooth has suffered extensive tooth decay or trauma that cannot be repaired, if the patient has severe gum disease, or if the tooth is impacted (usually the wisdom teeth). Depending on the complexity of the case, an extraction can be performed surgically or non-surgically. A local anesthetic with or without the use of nitrous oxide is used to ensure you or your child is as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure. Wisdom Teeth Your third molars are more commonly called “wisdom teeth.” Usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties, third molars often lack the proper space in the jaw to erupt fully or even at all. This common condition is called impaction. When any tooth lacks the space to come through or simply develops in the wrong place of your jaw and becomes impacted, problems can arise. Primarily, damage to adjacent teeth, crowding or an inflammatory response called pericoronitis could occur. In certain cases, the wisdom tooth that cannot come through becomes inflamed under the gums and in the jawbone, causing a sac to develop around the root of the tooth that fills with liquid. This can cause a cyst or an abscess if it becomes infected. If either of these situations goes untreated, serious damage to the underlying bone, surrounding teeth and tissues can result.

We are proud to offer our patients the latest in root canal therapy. A root canal is a procedure that extracts decayed pulp from the central part of the tooth, reshapes the canal and replaces it with strengthened filler. A common misconception is that a root canal is a painful procedure. Actually, root canals are similar to having a cavity filled, producing minimal pain. There are a number of reasons a root canal may be necessary, including: Inflamed/infected tooth pulp Severe sensitivity to hot and cold elements Tooth decay Chipped or broken tooth Blow to the tooth Swelling or tenderness near the infected tooth Repeated dental procedures on a tooth When left untreated, these problems can lead to severe tooth decay reaching the root of the tooth, causing extensive damage to the tooth structure. When the damage goes beyond what can be treated with a filling, we can perform a root canal to preserve the tooth and retain its original integrity. ​The root canal procedure involves the following steps: The patient undergoes anesthesia. A dental dam is used to isolate the tooth. The tooth is opened to allow for removal of infected or dead dental pulp. The tooth is comprehensively cleaned, including any cracks and canals. With special tools, the doctor reshapes the canals. The tooth is filled again with cutting edge biocompatible filling material. A temporary covering is used to cover the access opening Following a recovery period, the patient will return for the placement of a permanent restoration.

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Teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of teeth can be caused by food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood illnesses, medications, tobacco use and/or improper oral hygiene. Tooth whitening services are growing in popularity, and it’s one of the most requested services offered by our practice. Everyone sees the growing consumer market focused on whiter teeth. The reality is that over-the-counter, “too good to be true” solutions typically don’t work. Blackduck Dental staff are trained professionals using industry-approved methods. Our goal is to meet the needs of every patient, and every patient’s needs are different. One of the methods used by our practice is a gentle peroxide gel-activated solution. Call us today for a whitening evaluation. Nothing improves your appearance more than a bright, white smile!