These visits with our dental hygienist are to check the teeth and remove plaque, tarter build up and remove stains.  The harmful bacteria in plaque and tarter build up can create serious dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease.  Getting your teeth cleaned twice a year will help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. 

Also, professional teeth cleanings can lessen the risk of bacteria entering the blood stream, as well as, keeping your teeth from deteriorating further requiring more costly treatments.  Your routine cleaning will involve a dental hygienist using specialized tools to remove plaque and tarter build up from your teeth and just below the gum line, as well as, polishing and flossing your teeth in preparation for an exam by Dr. Orander.

Gum disease (periodontal disease) can be difficult to notice because the symptoms may not be bothersome until the disease progresses into more advanced stages.  This is why it is so important to have a trained professional dentist examine your teeth and gums. 

Some symptoms of gum disease are: red and swollen gums, bleeding or pain while brushing or flossing, constant bad breath, receding gum lines.  For mild issues with your gums our hygienists may perform a deep cleaning below the gumlines and schedule more frequent visits.  In other instances, a referral to a periodontist (gum specialist) may be necessary, as surgery requiring gum or bone grafts may be necessary to replace tissues that may have been worn away from gum disease.

We place a heavy emphasis on dental education.  The use of an intraoral camera allows us to capture magnified images of the teeth and oral tissues, helping the dentist and patient see abnormalities that may not be easily seen with the hand mirror. This tool is instrumental in diagnosing dental conditions as well as educating patients.

Maintaining the latest and greatest technology and materials allows us to provide you with the safest and most effective care.  Our digital x-rays emit significantly less radiation than traditional x-rays.  The digital sensor is connected to the computer, so when the x-ray is taken, the image is immediately available for us to view.  This technology also allows us to easily share your images with specialists if needed.  We also have a digital panoramic machine that allows us to take an image of the entire mouth.

At each routine dental visit Dr. Orander will perform an oral cancer screening.  He uses the Oral ID, fluorescence light technology, as an adjunct to help detect mucosal abnormalities. During your exam we will be checking your cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, roof of your mouth and back of your throat.  We are looking for lumps, spots, or nodules.  Most cancers have a significantly high chance of cure if found and treated early, oral cancer is no exception.  If you notice anything out of the ordinary in your dental health between checkups, please contact our office.  Risk factors for oral cancer include, but are not limited to:  tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, HPV (human papilloma virus) infections and genetic predisposition.

Acidic diets and plaque buildup strip the teeth of important minerals every day.  This makes them become increasingly more susceptible to decay.  Fluoride treatments are a proactive approach to decay prevention that remineralizes teeth and makes them more resistant to decay.  These treatments are especially important for children during their developmental years.  Fluoride treatments can also benefit the oral health of certain adults, especially those with dry mouth and/or deteriorating manual dexterity.

Deep grooves in molars and premolars can make them extremely difficult to clean and be prone to decay.  Dental sealants are a plastic like coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces to help seal out debris and decay. Used wisely dental sealants can be an excellent preventative measure, regardless of age.

Mouthguards are dental devices designed to minimize injury to teeth, gums and jaws, especially for athletic activities.

Biteguards or splints help protect patients who clench or grind their teeth.  Grinding, or bruxism, can be especially damaging at night.  Effective use of biteguards can help with bruxism and with jaw joint problems, called TMJ (temporomandibular joint).