Dental Services

Dental sealants are a plastic resin that bonds and hardens in the deep grooves on your tooth's surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.

Sealants are typically applied to children's teeth as a preventative measure after the permanent teeth have erupted as a way to prevent tooth decay. Adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal "permanent" teeth rather than "baby" teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and Dr. Babcock will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.

Using the most advanced dental technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced digital X-ray technology in our office.

Digital X-ray dental services provide several advanced imaging options designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos and expose patients to less radiation than with traditional X-ray technology.

Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to improve your tooths shape or to strengthen a tooth.  Our crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.

Crowns are caps cemented onto an existing tooth which fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.

Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling bonds with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.

Tooth bonding can also be used for teeth fillings instead of amalgam fillings. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than the silver amalgam fillings. Bonding fillings can be used on front and back teeth depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.

A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite.

A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials, and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.

The success of any bridge depends on its foundation--the other teeth, gums or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it's very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.

If you have missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. When teeth are missing, your mouth can shift and even cause your face to look older. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime!

An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It's composed of two main parts: one part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. With periodontal treatment, you can smile confidently knowing that no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.

Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial.

Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Conventional full dentures are placed after the gum tissue has healed which can take several months. Immediate full dentures are placed immediately after the teeth have been removed and may require frequent adjustments during the first couple of months of use.

Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are considered a removable alternative to bridges.

Dentists can create customized fittings of crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays and other dental restorations using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). Through the CAD/CAM technology, Dr. Babcock can provide you with the most precise restorations possible.

By using CAD/CAM, Dr. Babcock is able to create durable, well-fitting, individual or multiple tooth restorations. CAD/CAM technology also delivers advantages when it comes to office visits - traditional tooth restorations may take several days and multiple office visits, but with CAD/CAM technology, we are able to perform single-visit tooth restorations!

You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains or misshapen teeth! With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth's imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a perfect alternative for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-colored materials (such as porcelain) designed to cover the front side of your teeth. To prepare for veneers, your doctor will create a unique model of your teeth. This model is sent to the dental technician to create your veneers. Before placing your new veneer, Dr. Babcock may need to conservatively prepare your tooth to achieve the desired aesthetic result.

There are many products and techniques available for patients who want to achieve a whiter smile, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the method that is right for you. The best way to begin any teeth-whitening regimen is to schedule an appointment and talk to Dr. Babcock about the differences between in-office professional whitening and at-home whitening.

Dental services for gum disease can vary depending on the severity of each individual case. Typical treatments include:

• Non-surgical treatments such as at-home periodontal trays and scaling & root planning (deep cleaning)
• Periodontal surgery and laser gum surgery
• Dental implants

Root canal treatment involves one to three visits. During treatment, your dentist removes the effected tissue. Next, the tissue will be removed and the interior of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed. Finally, the tooth is filled with a dental composite. If your tooth had extensive decay, your doctor may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breaking. As long as you care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.

When it is determined a tooth needs to be removed, Dr. Babcock may extract the tooth during a regular checkup or may request another visit for this procedure. The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a "tooth socket," and your tooth is held in that socket by a ligament. To extract a tooth, Dr. Babcock must expand the socket and separate the tooth from the ligament holding it in place. While this procedure is typically very quick, it is important to share with us any concerns or preferences for sedation.

Regular dental checkups are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular checkup, your hygienist will:

• Check for any problems you may not see or feel
• Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
• Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
• Provide a thorough teeth cleaning, rinse and polish

Visiting the dentist every six months gives you the chance to talk with your doctor and receive answers for any questions you may have about your oral health. Checkups are also a great way for you to find out about new treatments that may benefit your smile.