Teeth Whitening, Dental Implants, Veneers.

Implants

Implants are titanium tooth- root- shaped structures that are placed in the upper jaw or lower jaw to replace a missing tooth, replace multiple missing teeth or to help stabilize and retain a partial denture or full denture. Implants allow for removable (full dentures or partial dentures) or non-removable (crowns and bridges) treatment to be done. Dr. Ragsdale refers to two periodontists (gum specialists) with whom he has been working for over 20 years.

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Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal scaling and root planing, also called or known as non-surgical periodontal/gum treatment or “deep cleaning”, is a program utilized to treat periodontal disease of various stages to prevent or aid in periodontal surgery. Our program is most commonly a three visit program that is widely successful when done following our treatment and follow-up recommendations. Our program is done with anesthesia (either local or topical) and will clean above the gumline, below the gumline, on the tooth surfaces above the gum, and the root surfaces below the gumline removing food debris, plaque, calculus, and infected and inflamed gum tissue to get a clean, sterile environment for the gums to begin to get healthy. We also utilize antibiotics when needed, prescription mouth rinses, home care instruction, and any other special dental aides necessary to get your gums healthy and to keep them healthy.

Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain or ceramic restorations bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are used to change color and/or shape. Veneers can be used on teeth that are stained, discolored, uneven, chipped, oddly shaped, crooked or with spaces between them. Veneers have a longer life expectancy and greater color stability than bonding. Veneers usually require the removal of a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate them, however there are instances when veneers can be done without any removal or altering of tooth structure (these are called no prep veneers, an example of which are Lumineers.) Veneers can be done on all teeth except primary teeth and permanent molars. Biting and functional habits and other habits such as ice-chewing, hard candy chewing, fingernail biting, opening packages, and tearing fishing line may not make the patient a candidate for veneers.

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns are used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal in order to strengthen the tooth, because a root canal will make a tooth brittle and prone to fracture. It also will cover the tooth and keep it natural -looking since a root canal will cause a tooth to darken. Crowns are also indicated when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, making it too large to fill. Crowns can also be used to repair teeth that are cracked or overfilled and prone to future breakage, possibly preventing more expensive, time-consuming treatment or potential tooth loss. Additionally, crowns can also be used to cosmetically enhance a patient's smile whether it involves one tooth or multiple teeth.

Bridges are non-removable dental treatment that can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Bridges involve crowning the tooth or a group of teeth in front and in back of the space needing to be closed. Bridges are done to restore function and support in the area where the teeth are missing. Bridges also protect the gum in the area of the missing tooth (teeth) and protect the teeth in front and in back of the space from excessive bite pressure due to the loss of teeth in the space area. Additionally, bridges prevent teeth from shifting in front and in back of the space as well as in the opposing arch, which can lead to gum disease, tooth breakage or tooth loss and possibly TMJ issues .

Bonding

Bonding is a cosmetic procedure that utilizes tooth-colored filling material (composite) to cosmetically change teeth. It can be used to close spaces up to a certain width, repair cracked or broken teeth up to a certain limit, and alter the color of teeth provided they are not too dark or stained. Bonding is the least expensive of the cosmetic treatments. Bonding, by its very nature, is a very beautiful and natural-looking alternative to veneers or crowns. Its limitation is such that since it is layered on and not of a porcelain or ceramic material, it is not as color-stable, durable or wear-resistant long term as veneers or crowns, but it is still a good and economical alternative to crowns or veneers .

Cosmetic Contouring

Cosmetic contouring is a simple, non-invasive treatment to correct slight irregularities and chips in tooth structure. It is done as an alternative to situations where crowns, veneers, or bonding would require removal of excessive tooth structure or not be successful long term. Contouring involves utilizing small burs or discs specifically made to smooth tooth structure without removing large amounts of tooth structure or using anesthesia. Cosmetic contouring will leave the area smooth and glossy.

Cosmetic Fillings

Dr. Ragsdale has not used amalgam (silver) fillings in his practice since 1996. All materials for fillings and crowns are tooth-colored so a patient gets the strength of tooth-colored materials as well as the beauty of tooth-colored fillings. dingBC

Teeth Whitening

We offer two levels of teeth whitening depending upon your budget, time involvement, particular stain/color of your teeth and your desired whiteness. Traditional trays that are worn overnight for two to four weeks. ZOOM in-office whitening…this is the most popular. We offer this as a program. Our fee includes pre-treatment desensitizing gel, four ZOOM cycles, touch up trays for the whitened teeth/arches, and one tube of touch-up gel.

Root Canals

Root canal therapy is a remarkable treatment with a very high rate of success, and involves removing the diseased tissue, halting the spread of infection and restoring the healthy portion of the tooth. In fact, root canal therapy is designed to save a problem tooth; before the procedure was developed and gained acceptance, the only alternative for treating a diseased tooth was extraction. Root canal therapy usually entails one to three vists. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and medication designed to prevent infection. If necessary, the drilled hole is temporarily filled until a permanent seal is made with a crown..

Dentures

Dr. Ragsdale does both partial dentures and full (complete) dentures. We utilize custom teeth, both in the natural and cosmetic shades. We make dentures to fit the normal mouth, over implants, and precision attachments.

We can also make complete dentures or partial dentures for patients with existing complete or partial dentures. In addition, we can also do immediate complete or partial dentures where teeth will be extracted and then dentures placed (delivered) immediately following the extractions so there is no need to go without teeth. We can also extract the teeth and wait six to eight weeks before beginning the dentures, but there is no need to do this because the bite, facial muscles, chewing, speaking and cosmetics can be replaced by utilizing immediate denture techniques.

We also offer acrylic partials to be utilized on a temporary basis to allow for various restorative, extraction or implant situations. For this situation we utilize conventional acrylic partials, Snap-On Smile, In-Style Smile or ESSIX partials.

Snoring Treatment

We utilize Silent Nite treatment to treat snoring and mild cases of sleep apnea. This treatment is not meant to replace C-Pap treatment unless approved by a physician. The Silent Nite snoring treatment is 80 to 90 percent successful and is a simple process involving impressions and then a return visit for receiving the Silent Nite appliance.

Nightguard/Bruxing

We fabricate clear acrylic upper or lower mouthpieces to help minimize and eliminate the harmful effects of clenching, grinding, or bruxing. This can prevent tooth breakage, tooth loss, tooth mobility, muscle tenderness, ear pain, gum issues and potentially more devastating TMJ symptoms. This is a simple process involving impressions and a return visit for receiving the nightguard.