An oral examination is a visual inspection of the mouth, head, and neck, performed to detect abnormalities. Radiographs allow for a more complete examination, helping the doctor to detect cavities, problems in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession or other abnormal conditions within the mouth, head and neck area.

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.

Fluoride is a natural substance that helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Fluoride treatments are administered at this office as in important component of pediatric dental treatment. The fluoride is applied to the teeth in a gel, foam or varnish form.

Dental X-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool used to identify decay, extra teeth, bone defects, tumors, cysts and check the progress of previous procedures. Our office now offers digital X-rays, which reduce radiation exposure more than 50 percent, and produce instant, high-quality images that can be viewed immediately by the dentist and the patient.

Dental sealants are a safe resin material applied to the surfaces of teeth (commonly permanent molars) to prevent cavities. Sealants fill in the crevices of a tooth and “seal” off the tooth from cavity causing agents like food and plaque. The teeth are prepped for the sealant application and the sealant is painted directly on the chewing surface of the teeth and then hardens. Sealants are applied in one visit.

Oral cancer affects thousands of Americans yearly. We use the latest technology to detect changes in oral tissue consistencies and/or lesions. A special light is shined into the mouth to detect unhealthy tissue. Healthy tissue looks lighter under the light while spots of bad tissue appear dark. With early detection, cancer may be caught before it has time to spread, potentially saving lives.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

Tooth-colored fillings are the most lifelike material used to fill cavities. Composite fillings can be done in one visit. Once the decay is removed from the tooth, it is filled with this composite material and cured to hardness with a special light.

A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a severely decayed tooth. Dental crowns can be completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepped (shaved down) and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is fitted comfortably and then cemented into place for a permanent restoration.

A bridge replaces missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A fabricated tooth is connected to crowns that are placed on the adjacent teeth. The adjacent teeth and bridge structure itself provide the support for the restoration. If multiple consecutive teeth are missing, an implant may be recommended to provide support for a bridge.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth. To place a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed. Afterwards, an adhesive layer is placed between the slightly prepped tooth and the veneer. The veneer is then hardened with a curing light.

An inlay or onlay is a partial crown restoration that can be placed when there is not sufficient tooth structure to support a filling, but not quite large enough to require a crown. They are made of a composite or porcelain that aesthetically and functionally replaces the missing tooth structure.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Milling (CAM) offers advanced treatment options with less waiting time for a restoration. Depending on the procedure(s) being performed, your dental restoration(s) may be able to be placed on the same day or next day instead of the usual wait of one to two weeks or more. Using a special scanner, Dr. Goscilo can take a digital impression without using traditional trays, improving patient comfort. The restoration(s) is then designed using advanced computer 3D technology that can analyze the interaction of the new restoration with your other teeth. A new crown is milled out of a solid piece of tooth colored material providing excellent durability. Once created, the crown will be custom stained to match your natural teeth.

A laser is “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” A gas, carbon dioxide for the Solea® laser, is stimulated by electricity, resulting in the emission of light energy which is then amplified and concentrated to use that energy to ablate or remove decayed tooth (enamel and dentin) as well as bone and soft tissue.

Dental lasers are used to replace the drill and the scalpel. Little to no local anesthetic is needed and the treated area is left free of bacteria, which contributes to faster healing with less complications, such as infection.

Procedures made easier with the laser include:

• Fillings
• Oral surgery involving the removal of gum tissue
• Growths for biopsy
• Correcting ankyloglossia (tongue tied)

Cosmetic bonding is the process of filling or restoring teeth with a tooth-colored material in order to maintain a natural appearance. In order to bond a tooth, tooth colored material is added to the tooth to build it up.

Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium, which are placed in the jawbone. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth.

Clear Correct® uses a custom-made series of aligners made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic to straighten your teeth without traditional metal braces. Your teeth will gradually and gently shift into place as you wear the aligners based on the exact movements Dr. Goscilo plans out for you. You change into a new set of aligners approximately every three weeks until your treatment is complete and complete your new smile with little interference or inconvenience in your daily life.

Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, is the process to brighten teeth dulled by accumulated stains. There are two different methods to achieve the desired whiter smile. In-Office bleaching or At-Home bleaching.

In office bleaching usually takes a single office visit to place the highest strength bleaching gel on teeth. Several applications are usually needed and the entire process takes about an hour.

At home bleaching uses a custom bleaching tray made from an impression the teeth. The bleaching gel is placed in the custom trays and then placed over the teeth for the prescribed amount of time. These trays are used once or twice daily over a period of one to two weeks.

A denture is a removable replacement for teeth. It can be a complete denture which replaces all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. If only some teeth are being replaced, it is called a partial denture. A complete denture relies on the underlying support of sufficient bone. If the remaining bone cannot support the denture, dental implants can be placed in the bone to provide support for the complete denture. A partial denture relies on the remaining teeth for its support. If the remaining teeth are not strong enough, dental implants can also serve to support a partial denture.

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.

Root canals are most often necessary when decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. When root canal therapy is performed, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth chamber. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned and disinfected before filling and sealing to limit the possibility of future infection. Soon after the root canal is performed, the tooth is restored with a dental crown or filling to protect the tooth and restore normal tooth function.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is similar to a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

To treat TMJ disorders, first the cause has to be identified. In less severe cases TMJ disorders can be treated with self-managed care (easting soft foods, using ice packs, avoiding extreme jaw movement) or nonsurgical treatments (anti-inflammatory medications, Botox injections, stabilization splints).

Snoring is caused by narrowing or blocking of the airway. The disruption of airflow causes the soft palate and tissues of the throat to vibrate, and the narrower the airway becomes, the louder the snoring.
Snoring can often be treated by wearing a snore guard that maintains an open, unobstructed airway in the throat while you sleep.

A custom removable acrylic appliance can be made to intended to protect teeth against wear, breakage and other effects of grinding the teeth (bruxism). Usually worn at night during sleep.

Many sports require athletes to use a Mouth Guard to protect their teeth while practicing and playing. Frequently used in contact sports, the mouth guard covers the gums and teeth to provide protection for lips, gums, teeth and arches. A properly fitted mouth guard can reduce the severity of dental injuries.

Pre-formed, ready-to-wear mouth guards can be purchased inexpensively at many sporting stores, but they do not always fit well. They can be uncomfortable and interfere with talking and even breathing.

Sporting goods stores also offer semi-custom mouth guards, in which the plastic is heated and then the athlete bites on it while still warm to provide some level of custom fit.

Our office can make a custom mouth guard by taking an impression of your teeth and then creating a device fitted to your mouth for the highest level of both comfort and protection. (A custom fitted mouthguard can be particularly important for athletes who wear braces.)

Be sure to bring your mouthguard to your dental appointments so your doctor can be sure it still fits you well.

Nitrous Oxide, sometimes referred to as “laughing gas,” is an effective and safe sedation agent that is inhaled through a mask that fits over the nose to help patients relax. Mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide allows the patient to breathe normally through the nose. The effects of the sedation will be felt within just a few minutes and may be experienced as a light-headed feeling or a tingling or heaviness in the arms and legs. Ultimately, patients should feel comfortable and calm. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly after the small mask is removed. Talk to the doctor about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.

Local anesthesia refers to the use of a topical and/or injected anesthetic that will affect only the targeted area for a brief period of time to minimize or eliminate sensation or pain in that specific “localized” area during a dental procedure.