Basic services

We provide nearly every facet of dentistry under one same roof. Our group of general practitioners keep updated to the changes in dentistry by attending many continuing education seminars throughout the year and reading specialized journals.
Therefore whether you need cosmetic dentistry, dental care for your child, wisdom teeth extractions, a root canal, implants, braces, gum treatment, a crown, dentures or just a cleaning you can get it all done right here.
Below is a list of some of the most common treatment we provide as well as a brief definition and links for more information regarding these procedures.

Prophylaxis (getting teeth cleaned): our professionally trained dental hygienists do not simply clean your teeth. One of the first objectives of a dental prophylaxis is to remove all the tartar from the teeth. Tartar is a hard, yellowish deposit on teeth. It is composed of mineral salts, food, and other debris that has hardened over time. Tartar cannot be brushed off. It has a rough surface, attracting more debris and food particles, causing a repeating cycle of tartar formation and buildup. Our office is equipped with state-of-the-art ultrasonic scalers which permit the removal of tartar in a gentle way.
Useful Link: http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalhealth/tp/reasonsdenclean.htm

Obturations (Fillings): a dental obturation may be defined as the removal of decay or of a defective filling and a replacement of tooth structure by a biocompatible material. Amalgam or silver fillings are very rarely used in our office. We prefer to use composite (white fillings). Composite has the advantage of being able to be bonded to the tooth and therefore, has less chances of falling out. Advances in dental materials have brought about new dental composites which last much longer than those of the past.
Useful Link: http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/materials/dental_fillings_facts_full.pdf

A crown or what some people call a “cap” is made of porcelain fused to metal or only of porcelain and is placed onto a tooth to restore or strengthen it. The tooth is reduced in size and an impression is taken and sent to the laboratory. A dental technician will fabricate the prosthesis according to the prescription given by the dentist. Although new CAD/CAM equipment such as a CEREC can also be used to fabricate the crown, it is my opinion that a good dental technician will produce a more highly aesthetic final result re-creating subtle details and a better color match than the machine made restoration.
Useful Link: http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthBasics/CheckupsDentProc/
CrownsBridges/Crowns.cvsp

A bridge, otherwise known as a fixed partial denture, is a prosthesis used to replace missing teeth and is not removable by the patient. A prosthesis that is removable by the patient is called a removable partial denture.

A dental bridge is fabricated by reducing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth than taking an impression (these teeth will serve as the pillars of the bridge and are called abutments) to send to the dental laboratory (just like for a crown). The missing tooth or teeth will be replaced by porcelain teeth and called a Pontic(s). Just as for a crown the bridge will be cemented permanently into place and is not removable.
Useful Link: http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/dental_bridges/index.html

Wisdom Tooth extraction:
The permanent dentition is comprised of 32 teeth, four of which are called the third molars or wisdom teeth. Only 4% of people have enough space for the wisdom teeth to grow in. When these teeth don’t have enough room to erupt, they often grow sideways and remain impacted or semi-impacted in the jawbone. In the instances when they do erupt, they often remain half trapped under the gum. Bacteria can then get beneath the gum and cause an abscess. Therefore, it is usually best to have them removed before they cause a problem. It’s also often much easier to take them out before the roots have completed their formation.
If you must have your wisdom teeth removed it’s often best to get all four out at the same appointment. This way you only have to go through healing once. If you’re nervous about getting them out you need not be, we can give you nitrous oxide to help you to relax, or if you prefer, we can heavily sedate you with the use of conscious sedation. (Read on our information on conscious sedation found elsewhere on this website)
Useful Link: http://www.animated-teeth.com/wisdom_teeth/t3_wisdom_tooth_removal.htm

A dental veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. A porcelain veneer is usually more aesthetic than a composite veneer and will last longer. I like to tell people that it’s comparable to false fingernails. A thin porcelain chip of the desired color is bonded onto the front of the tooth. Multiple veneers can help align minor to moderately crowded teeth and can permanently change the shade and shape of your teeth. Worn-out teeth can be lengthened, narrow teeth can be widened, small spaces between teeth can be filled and the overall appearance of your smile can be greatly enhanced through the use of porcelain veneers.
Useful Link: http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/veneers.html

A root canal
A root canal is needed when the pulp of the tooth (nerve) is sick. This happens when the tooth has been traumatized or when dental decay has reached deep within the tooth.
The objective of a root canal is to remove the inflamed (or abscessed) pulpal tissue and to replace it with a biocompatible paste. Although the tooth can be considered to be dead (no more feeling of hot and cold) it’s periodontal (gum) attachment remains healthy so you can still feel normal pressure on it when biting down.
A tooth which has had a root canal will, however, tend to darken and becomes dry and brittle and can fracture. This is why all teeth which have been subjected to a root canal require a crown.
Useful Link: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/root_canal_faq.asp

A dental implant is simply an artificial tooth root replacement which can be used to support an individual crown or a bridge or a removable denture.

View our section on implant dentistry by clicking on implants on our home page.
Useful Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant

A removable denture is a dental prosthesis made to replace a few (partial denture) or all (complete denture) teeth in a given arch.
We make all types of removable dentures: cosmetic, acrylic, metal, claspless, implant retained, partials, immediate (healing) and regular dentures.
Typically, people have a much harder time getting used to a removable denture in the lower arch (bottom denture). Whereas the upper denture covers the palate to give it suction, the lower denture is trimmed in a horseshoe shape and has the constant presence of the tongue to deal with. Studies have shown that the lower denture can move up to 1 cm in all directions when chewing food. This is why so many people with lower dentures have problems wearing them. Fortunately today there exists a procedure which can permanently stabilize dentures by allowing them to snap into place. View our section on implants and mini implants to read more on this wonderful new procedure.
Useful Link: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/dentures_partial_faq.asp

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that deals with occlusion (the way your teeth bite together) and tooth alignment.
Dr. Lyons has been practicing orthodontics since 1993 and has spent more than 750 hours of continuing education in the field of orthodontic dentistry.
Commonly referred to as braces, orthodontics no longer requires you to have the metal mouth look of yesteryear. In fact, some techniques require no braces at all such as Invisalign.

While most people associate braces to teenagers, the truth is you can straighten your teeth with braces at any time whether you be 10 or 80 years old.

Visit our orthodontic website at www.dentsdroites.com

Periodontal or gum treatment is needed when the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth are affected. Gingivitis is usually the beginning sign of gum disease. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and is the leading reason for tooth loss in adults. Common signs of periodontitis are bleeding gums and bad breath. However, many times gum disease goes unnoticed and the longer you wait to receive treatment the worse the gums become. Eventually, teeth can become loose and are prone to abscess: it’s then too late to save them. In its early stages, we may treat gum disease by what we call a curetage. This is basically a deep cleaning where we may numb up the concerned teeth so that we may clean them below the gum line. If the disease has progressed too much for a curetage surgery may be needed, and we may refer you to a gum specialist called a periodontist
Useful Link: http://www.perio.org/consumer/proto2/healthygums.htm?g2&gclid=CKK_ga354pMCFRuuQAod0gs
CVw

 

 

Whitening
In-office bleaching (also called chairside or one hour bleaching) requires one or more visits to your dentist. Dr Lyons will apply a bleaching agent to your teeth, and uses a special light to quicken the work of the agent. Your gums will be protected from the bleach by either a gel or a rubber shield. Each visit can last anywhere from half an hour to an hour.

At-home bleaching comes in a gel form along with a mouthguard. Place the gel into the mouthguard and use as directed. The duration and frequency of the treatment varies. Dr Lyons recommends overnight use for a shorter period of time.

Teeth whitening is a safe and popular form of cosmetic dentistry. According to the American Dental Association, 96% of users report a whiter smile.