Cleaning and Prevention

Dentistry is founded on the principle of prevention. All patients are recommended at a minimum twice a year cleanings and examinations. Not only do they help you quash dental problems before they arise, they leave your gums healthier, and your teeth cleaner and whiter. A professional cleaning removes hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. It also involves a fluoride treatment and polish to help protect and soothe your teeth and gums. Even if you haven’t had a cleaning in over two years, it’s never too late to treat your teeth.

What are some preventative measures I can take?

• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal

• Floss daily before bedtime

• Use an oral rinse after flossing

• Avoid sugary foods, coffee, and tobacco

Periodontal Maintenance

One out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has periodontal disease, according to recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among the causes for periodontal (gum) disease are genetic susceptibility, smoking, and other illnesses like diabetes. Periodontal maintenance involves removing plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Most gum diseases are preventable with proper oral hygiene. However, what can start out as gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums) can quickly turn into periodontitis. In such cases, gums pull away from the tooth to create “pockets,” thereby exposing a dental root to infection. It can also lead to prolonged bad breath, loose teeth, painful chewing and other complications. This is typically diagnosed between the hygienist and your dentist. The issue can pop up at anytime and may require lifelong maintenance.

Consequences of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth, according to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Research has also shown that periodontal disease is associated with other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The AAP has worked closely with CDC since 2003 on periodontal disease surveillance.

Further Treatment

We will monitor the measurements and health status of your gums at all periodontal maintenance appointments. If the numbers worsen or there are other concerns, we work closely with our periodontists, who specialize in gum disease, to make sure the situation is stabilized.

Fillings

Used to prevent the spread of tooth decay or correct any cosmetic damage, a filling is just one of the ways our dentists preserve your health. Before placement, any rot must be drilled out. We offer local anesthesia along with sedation to ensure maximum comfort for our patients. There are two different types of fillings: amalgam (otherwise known as silver fillings) and composite resin, the color of which can be customized to match your natural teeth.

Composite Resin

Since the color of a composite resin filling can be customized, it is the most aesthetically pleasing option. Composite resin is ideal for repairing chipped or cracked teeth, filling in a tooth gap, correcting dental discoloration, protecting any exposed tooth root from gum recession, or changing the shape of teeth. Patients may also choose composite resin for cavity fillings as they are bonded to the teeth in layers and therefore require less drilling away of the natural tooth.

Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.

Crowns

A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth without decay extending onto the roots. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface.

Procedure:

1. We will contour the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit

2. An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication

3. The color of porcelain can then be customized to match your other teeth

4. We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one

5. You will come in again for permanent crown seating roughly 2 weeks after the initial appointment

Bridges

To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.

Types of Bridges:

• Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one

• Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one

• Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”

Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.

Common uses for veneers:

• Chipped or broken teeth

• Misshapen or irregular teeth

• Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments

Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is faster, more effective, and longer lasting that treatments you find over the counter. As we age, our teeth darken over time. We can brighten your teeth by five to ten shades in a single session, but maintaining good oral hygiene and steering away from certain foods and beverages will help keep any future whitening services to a minimum. We may also prescribe some medication for you to use at home that helps the whitening process.

In-office Whitening

We have proudly partnered with Philips to offer Zoom Whitening procedures in our office. In just over an hour, with one visit, patients often see an increase in multiple shades of whitening. The process is detailed below. Ask about this procedure at your next visit!

Procedure:

1. Thorough cleansing and polishing of teeth

2. Application of gum protectant

3. Application of whitening agent

4. Whitening agent is laser-activated

5. Whitening agent is left on teeth for several minutes

6. Teeth and gums are rinsed

Things to avoid while using whitening products:

• Tobacco products

• Coffee and tea

• Red wine

• Food coloring

• Any bright-colored drinks

Implants

A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth. It is used to chew food and is therefore the most susceptible to cavities. The crown is attached to the jawbone by way of the root. When decay has gone deep enough or when a periodontal disease has advanced enough to warrant an extraction, the entire tooth, root and all, is taken out. The dental implant is a titanium root that gets fitted into a socket that we create in your jaw. Once the root heals, we place an artificial crown on top. The new crown is customized to match your bite and the color of your teeth.

What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?

• They look and act like natural teeth

• They can last a lifetime with the right care

• You don’t need any adhesives

• They improve appearance, comfort, and speech

• It’s easier to eat

Dr. Aiken completed his post-doctoral implant training in Birmingham, Alabama under some of the most renowned implant dentists in the country. We use a highly technical approach to our implant placement and restorations which involves pre-surgical planning using Cone Beam CT imaging and 3D scans to ensure that the implants are placed in perfect positions for the restorations we are planning to put on them.

Orthodontic Treatment

There are various ways to correct crooked or crowded teeth without the use of traditional braces. One method involves attaching brackets and wire to the back of your teeth. In this case, extra oral hygiene is paramount and you will have to use a special flossing tool. Another technique works by way of placing, in sequence, clear, hard plastic retainers over your teeth. Each varies in shape and is customized to your bite. They must be removed for eating and may influence your speech. Whether you are an adult or a teen, our orthodontist will help you decide which method is best for you.

What are the advantages of orthodontic treatment using invisible aligners?

• Corrected bite and straighter smile

• Improved comfort over traditional braces

• Natural tooth appearance

• More convenient oral hygiene maintenance

Night and Snore Guards

Excessive jaw clenching and bruxism can accelerate tooth and jaw deterioration. Meanwhile, snoring can impact the quality of your own sleep and that of those around you. To help our patients most comfortably avoid this, we customize snore and night guards to their bite. One type of night guard acts as a cushion between the top and bottom dental arches while the other creates more space between the front teeth to prevent the top and lower jaw from touching. Snore prevention mouth pieces look similar, but instead of acting as a cushion or spacer, they keep the lower jaw forward, thereby preventing pressure on the larynx.

What are the causes of teeth grinding?

• Stress or anxiety

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Certain medications or recreational drugs

What are the causes of snoring?

• Sleeping on your back

• When the larynx is compressed by a relaxed jaw

• Large tonsils or a long soft palate

Extractions

Our dentists make every effort to preserve your natural teeth. However, extractions are necessary when decay has made the tooth unsalvageable or when you have an advanced periodontal disease. When a tooth is malformed, damaged, impacted or ingrown, different procedures are used, but all extractions are considered surgery. Depending on which tooth is removed, we can offer you a replacement in the form of a dental implant or oral prosthetic.

FAQ

Do I need my tooth extracted?

We try and maintain the natural dentition at all costs. That being said, we also like predictability at Tafel & Aiken. If the tooth does not have a good long-term prognosis, sometimes the tooth will need to be extracted. In today’s world, with all the modern advances in dentistry and technology, there are a variety of ways to replace extracted teeth following the procedure.

What should I expect during an extraction procedure?

Extractions will be completed under full, local anesthesia. The area will be numbed and patient comfort will be assured throughout the procedure. The root morphology of the tooth will be assessed via radiographs and the extraction will be completed according to that.

How long is the healing process?

The healing process will take several weeks. Typically patients report some level of soreness over the next 2-3 days, but are typically fully functional the same day of the procedure. After an extraction, it takes several weeks to allow the bone to heal properly and fill back in, at which point we are ready to replace the tooth however the patient sees fit.

Dentures

Missing teeth can make your cheeks look hollow and your mouth look sunken. More importantly, your diet can suffer. Those missing multiple teeth in a row may want to consider dentures for both cosmetic purposes and overall wellness. Depending on the amount of teeth missing, we may suggest partial or full dentures. During your consultation, we’ll assess all your options and you can choose what you feel most comfortable with. We also offer implant support dentures, both for partials and complete dentures to help aid in retention. The options are limitless

Partial Denture

Partial dentures are ideal for those who are missing only a few teeth. They use the gums for support and engage with any intact adjacent teeth for the best retention. Even if you only have one tooth on your dental arch, a partial denture may still work best, since the remaining tooth serves as a natural anchor.

Complete Denture

When your dental arch no longer has any teeth, a complete denture is the optimal solution. You can choose the traditional kind that latches to the gum line or choose to have dentures that are anchored by dental implants. The latter option has the best hold, but involves surgery. Our dentists can discuss all the details so you can make an informed decision.

Botox

Botox for dentistry/cosmetics

In 2019, Dr. Aiken completed his Botox training from MedAesthetics in Denver, Colorado. After several TMJ (jaw pain/limited opening) patients had exhausted all options and were still looking for relief, and his wife had nagged him endlessly about getting his certification, Dr Aiken decided to do the coursework and hands on course to be able to administer Botox in the dental office