Family dentistry
Dental cleaning
A dental cleaning is a professional teeth cleaning that you receive from a certified dental hygienist. Cleanings should be performed every 3-6 months to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Plaque consists of masses of bacteria that grow on and between the teeth, and along the gum line.
When plaque is left untreated, it can lead to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. A routine dental cleaning includes scaling, root planing, and polishing. Scaling and root planing are the process of removing plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces with a variety of methods, depending on the amount of plaque and tartar.
Dental hygienists perform scaling by hand and/or with advanced electric scalers. Polishing completes the cleaning, making the surface of the teeth smooth and minimizing future plaque build-up. Since we focus on family dentistry, you can bring your whole family in for simultaneous cleanings, rather than waiting for one hygienist to clean the whole family's teeth.
Orthodontics
Dental implants
Cosmetic dentistry
We are as dedicated to improving your confidence in your smile as we are to ensuring your oral health. You deserve to look and feel your best! Have you noticed how every actor, actress, and model have the most beautiful and perfect smiles? You would be surprised how few of them were actually born with perfect teeth.
When general dentistry and orthodontics are not enough to correct the aesthetics of your smile, we can help. With today’s rapid advances in dental techniques and technology, a variety of cosmetic services are now becoming more affordable and readily available to you.
It may be easier than you think to achieve that perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Even if you are only curious, please feel free to ask us for a consultation. Our team has the training to provide you a variety of cosmetic options that are specifically customized for you.
Endodontics
Root canal treatment also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy, is used to save an infected or damaged tooth and avoid having to remove it.
A root canal becomes necessary when a neglected cavity reaches all the way to the pulp at the center of the tooth, causing the pulp to become infected. More regular cleanings and checkups can detect and prevent problems early on. Trauma can also cause deep damage to the nerve of a tooth.
Once this occurs, the pulp becomes infected and begins to eat away at the surrounding bone (abscess). By the time the pulp is infected, it must be treated and cannot heal on its own. In some cases, it can even weaken the body’s entire immune system, making it very dangerous and often painful. Symptoms of infected pulp may include sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures, sweets, pain, swelling, pain with biting, pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms, and you are unaware of any problem until a preventative checkup.
A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the entire tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) is then filled in order to prevent any further infection. Crowns are usually recommended to cover and restore a tooth after root canal therapy.
Pediatric care
At Summit, we adapt all treatments and services to meet your child’s needs. Whether you are in need of sedation options, special equipment, or value an overall gentle touch, we are committed to helping your child have a great dental experience. While dental needs are different for baby teeth vs. developing mouths, our comprehensive exams include preventive care and oral hygiene instruction designed specifically for your child’s needs. We are invested in your child’s future health as much as you are!
With Summit, you can now enjoy the ease of having one dental home for the whole family. Family dentistry that truly is for the whole family!
Periodontal treatment
We also may suggest specific toothpaste and mouth rinses. In severe cases, we may refer you to the care of a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gum care.
- Stroke
- Respiratory Disease
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Ulcers
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Pre-Term Births
Your oral health is connected to your entire body’s health and wellness. Gum disease causes a buildup of bacteria in deep pockets between the teeth and gums. That bacteria can transfer to your bloodstream when gums bleed, putting you at a much higher risk to develop the following health problems: