Preventative Dentistry

Teeth Cleaning

Our Registered Dental Hygienist will focus on the removal of Calculus (Tartar) and Plaque along with a polishing procedure to remove stains that are not otherwise removed during normal tooth brushing.

• Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.

 

Oral Cancer Screening

During our comprehensive dental exam, Dr. Marino will check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer. Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated. Dr. Marino will use the state of the art VELScope system.

• Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more) is the primary risk factor for oral cancer.

• Oral cancer kills one person every hour of every day, 24/7/365, throughout the United States.

• The overall 5-year survival rate of oral cancer is 52%, but when discovered, the survival rate increases to 80% - 90%.

 

 

Patient Education

In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take time to help our patients educate themselves on proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed.

 

Periodontal Therapy

An improper bite or a traumatic occlusion may increase bone destruction attached to such offending teeth. We may either choose to adjust your bite so that teeth meet properly and function better, or construct a custom bite guard or splint (a removable device that fits over upper and lower teeth) to protect teeth surfaces and relax tense jaw muscles.

• Plaque is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva which produces toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease.

• Over 70% of the population has some form of periodontal disease, and the majority are not aware of it.

 

Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is an umbrella term for surgical treatments such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions and bone grafting. Dental implants, an excellent solution for missing teeth, are surgically placed tooth roots that hold dental crowns in place. A wisdom tooth extraction may be recommended if there isn't enough room in your mouth to accommodate wisdom teeth and they become impacted, partially erupted or infected. Bone grafting transfers bone from one part of the jaw to another, usually to accommodate a dental implant. While a general dentist can perform some oral surgery procedures, an oral surgeon is required for others.

 

TMJ Treatment

If you've been living with persistent jaw pain, ear pain and headaches, you could have TMJ – temporomandibular jaw disorder. TMJ can often be traced back to an improper bite, misaligned jaw joints, or an injury to the jaw or face. TMJ treatment from a dentist can relieve the discomfort. Although TMJ treatment varies from patient to patient, it typically involves one or several procedures, including the use of an orthotic splint, enamel reshaping, dental crowns, dental braces or night guards. The goal of TMJ treatment is to stabilize your bite so that your teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joints work properly together without strain – and without pain!

 

 

Nitrous Oxide and Oral Sedation Dentistry

Ever wish you could sail through dental visits without anxiety or fear? Would you rather endure an agonizing toothache than go to the dentist? Answering “yes” to these questions could mean that you're a perfect candidate for sedation dentistry. With sedation dentistry, you can forget about fear and focus on pure relaxation.

There are different levels of sedation to accommodate every patient. Minimal sedation involves inhaling nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”). Nitrous oxide helps you relax and wears off quickly. Electronic anesthesia is an alternative form of mild sedation that uses electronic impulses to help you relax. Conscious sedation is a moderate level of sedation that causes drowsiness and is taken in pill form. IV deep sedation is typically administered intravenously and works very quickly. With IV deep sedation, most patients fall asleep but can be easily awakened. Total sedation could be the only solution for people with an intense fear or phobia of dentistry. With total sedation, or general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious and cannot be easily awakened.

 

Pediatric Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is especially important for children. Instilling excellent oral hygiene practices and a good diet at an early age will better prepare your child for a lifetime of dental health.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.