Services
Dr. Walden and staff are dedicated to making sure your visit is as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible. Each procedure will be thoroughly discussed with you
Sleep/Sedation Dentistry
Many people are afraid or uncomfortable going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry offers pain-free and anxiety-free dental procedures for patients who fear dental procedures, fear needles, have difficulty with their gag reflex, have very sensitive teeth or have difficulty becoming numb from oral injections. It also provides an opportunity to perform multiple or lengthy dental procedures in a single session.
Sedation dentistry requires that the patient take a prescribed medication about one hour before the scheduled visit. The patient will arrive at the dentist in a deeply relaxed state, though fully responsive. During the procedure, patients aren't unconscious, but mentally "detached" from what's going on. The sedative usually lasts about six hours and the patient will need a ride to and from the dental appointment.
Other types of conscious sedation include inhalation and intravenous sedation. Inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide oxygen, otherwise known as laughing gas) is the most common sedation technique. Patients recover more quickly and may leave the dental office alone and immediately resume normal activities. Intravenous conscious sedation is also a safe sedation technique. Patients will not remember any of the procedure and will feel as though they were asleep, even though they were wide-awake throughout. Intravenous sedation requires the patient be monitored for blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. Patients may only leave the office with an escort.
If you fear dental procedures, then sedation dentistry may be the no-pain, low-anxiety dental alternative you desire.
Tooth Whitening
Do you want a beautiful smile? Whitening your teeth is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your smile and boost your self-confidence. Imagine, a single whitening procedure can counteract years of exposure to coffee, tea, red wine, cola and smoking, giving you the smile you've always dreamed of!
Even with today's advanced whitening techniques, not everyone's teeth will whiten with the same results. During the visit with your dentist, your situation will be carefully evaluated and you will be advised accordingly.
Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers
Do you have discolored or crooked teeth, teeth with spaces between them or teeth stained by fillings? You can change the shape,
color and length of your teeth using veneers. Veneers are thin, durable shells designed to cover the front of the tooth. They are
typically made of porcelain and are extremely durable, stain resistant, natural-looking and easy to maintain.
Veneers are custom-fitted to your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel and bonding the veneer to your teeth using a safe, high tech polymer resin. You can expect veneers to stay bright and strong for many years by performing good oral hygiene.
Cosmetic Bonding
If you have teeth that have stains that cannot be removed by bleaching, and veneers or crowns are not necessary, then cosmetic
bonding might be a good option for you. Cosmetic bonding is an affordable, quick and painless way to repair many cosmetic
flaws or injuries, including:
- Gaps in teeth
- Spots or stains
- Chipped teeth
Dental bonding sculpts individual teeth without requiring removal of any tooth structure. This technique bonds a composite material that looks, acts and feels like the real thing, to an existing tooth. This procedure usually doesn't require the use of an anesthetic; is relatively quick to apply; gives an immediate result and is less expensive than veneers.
White Composite Fillings
Until recently, dentists used a silver and mercury amalgam to fill and seal cavities. Because a larger amount of the original tooth
must be removed, these types of fillings often weaken teeth. Recent innovations now allow us to replace old silver fillings with
composite or porcelain fillings that are stronger, safer and more natural looking. Say goodbye to "metal mouth" and hello to a
beautiful new smile.
Crowns
Teeth are often restored using silver or porcelain fillings. However, when too much of a tooth's structure is removed to support a
filling, a crown or "cap" may be needed. A crown may be needed to:
- Restore a tooth when it is unable to support a large filling
- Attach bridges
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or restore fractured teeth
- Cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
- Cover dental implants
A crown essentially covers a tooth to restore it to its natural shape and size. This permanent covering fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth. Fitting a crown generally requires at least two visits to the dentist's office.
Inlays and Onlays
When more than a third of a tooth's biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay. Large fillings on back
teeth often require a stronger and properly contoured restoration, such as porcelain inlays or onlays. They are created at an
off-site dental lab and are bonded into place using a strong resin. Inlays and onlays protect teeth similarly as crowns, but conserve
more natural tooth structure and are a better match to your tooth's natural color.
Bridges
Healthy and strong teeth support and maintain your jaw alignment. That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining
teeth may shift, and the ability to chew and speak may be affected. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating
the gap where those teeth had been. The bridge is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Regardless of the type of bridge
recommended, its success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth healthy and strong.
Dentures
Missing teeth can create a host of aesthetic and functional problems including sagging facial muscles, inability to eat certain foods
and speak. Dentures may be your best solution if you've lost all your natural teeth due to periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury.
Fitting a patient for dentures does not have to be a traumatic experience. During the preliminary visit, the remaining teeth are removed and a model is made of the patient's jaw. An immediate denture may be fitted so the patient does not have to be without teeth while the mouth tissue heals. Once the mouth tissue is completely healed, the patient is fitted with their custom dentures.
Implants
When you lose a tooth, a dental implant may be needed to replace the tooth root and crown. Dental implants are simply
"anchors" that permanently support replacement teeth. They are secure and durable and can be cleaned and cared for much
like your natural teeth.
The procedure requires a titanium root be fitted into your jaw to replace the lost tooth's root. Once the implant is anchored into the bone, the bone around the implant requires six weeks to six months of healing. Once the bone has healed, a support post and replacement tooth is anchored onto the implant.
Mini-Implants
Mini-implants consist of a miniature titanium implant that acts like the root of your
tooth and a retaining fixutre that is incorporated into the base of your denture. The
head of the implant is shaped like a ball, and the implant snaps over the ball when the
denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated,
the denture gently rests on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for
micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces. Placement of the implants is
accomplished quickly and easily in a process performed in the dentist's office, with
local anesthesia or light sedation to help make you more comfortable. Using a precise,
controlled, minimally invasive surgical technique, mini-implants are placed into the
jawbone. The heads of the implants protrude from the gum tissue and provide a strong,
solid foundation for securing your dentures. It is a one-step procedure that involves
minimally invasive surgery, no sutures nor the typical months of healing.
Pediatric Dentistry
Our dentist is comfortable with all phases of children's dental care, including cleanings, fillings, fluoride treatments, sealants and
more. We have techniques specifically designed for children, which establish trust and help your child accept dental treatment. Our
team will regularly evaluate your child's dental needs to provide the highest level of prevention and treatment. As your child grows,
we will monitor your child's teeth for early treatment of bite or tooth alignment problems that may arise. We are committed to
providing the best possible dental care for your child in a friendly, anxiety-free environment.
Nitrous Oxide
Many people are afraid or uncomfortable going to the dentist. They fear needles, have difficulty with their gag reflex, have very sensitive teeth or have difficulty becoming numb from oral injections. If you are a nervous patient, Nitrous Oxide may be the answer for you.
Nitrous Oxide, also known as Laughing Gas, offers patients pain-free and anxiety-free dental procedures. Patients are put in a relaxed, yet fully responsive state where they will be unaware of the treatment. From brightening to bridges, patients are completely comfortable but completely free of anxieties. Treatment can be completed in less time and with less stress, which allows quicker recovery. And, with Nitrous Oxide, patients typically leave the dental office alone and can immediately resume normal activities. Ask your doctor if Nitrous Oxide is right for you.
Pain-Free Dentistry
Many people are afraid or uncomfortable going to the dentist. We offer pain-free and anxiety-free dental procedures for patients who fear dental procedures or have difficulty becoming numb. Dr. Walden will completely numb the area using a topical gel, where you will get a completely gentle and painless injection. Our local anesthetic also prevents pain in your mouth by blocking the nerves that sense and transmit pain. The result is a painless and anxiety-free dental procedure that will leave you smiling!
Periodontal Therapy
There have been major advances in non-surgical periodontal treatment for chronic periodontal disease. Our state-of-the-art ultrasonic scalers have been designed by a periodontist for maximum effectiveness on root surfaces. Antibiotic gels, which are placed below the gum line, reduce the need for periodontal surgery. And the latest innovation, a dental endoscope (camera) which can be placed below the gum line, further reduces the need for surgical treatment of periodontal disease.
We take every opportunity to help you control your periodontal disease problem non-surgically and then reevaluate to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. If surgical treatment is required, the treatments maximize your comfort and your ability to regrow lost periodontal support.
TMJ Treatment
Do you experience jaw joint clicking or locking, ear pain, headaches or sensitive teeth? Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is
usually characterized by a dull aching pain in the jaw joint, inability to comfortably open the mouth, clicking and popping in the jaw
joint, teeth sensitivity, headaches and pain in the neck, shoulder or back. While many TMJ sufferers get better without treatment,
TMJ can be responsible for persistent and debilitating pain. If you suffer from persistent TMJ, visit us for a thorough examination
and individualized treatment plan.
Root Canal Therapy
When a tooth's nerve or pulp area becomes diseased or injured, a special dental procedure called root canal therapy may help you save that tooth. If the diseased pulp is not removed, your tooth becomes infected and you could lose it. During a root canal, the dentist removes the pulp, cleans the root canal and seals the canal to protect it. Once you are healed, your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. Generally, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort.
Extractions
An extraction is performed when a tooth becomes impacted because it is prevented from growing into its normal position in the mouth by gum tissue, bone or other teeth. Teeth may also be extracted to make more room in the mouth prior to straightening the remaining teeth (orthodontic treatment), because they are so badly positioned that straightening is impossible or to remove teeth that are so badly decayed or broken that they cannot be restored. Tooth extractions can usually be performed with local anesthesia.
Sleep/Sedation Dentistry
Tooth Whitening
Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers
Cosmetic Bonding
White Composite Fillings
Crowns
Inlays and Onlays
Bridges
Dentures
Implants
Mini-Implants
Pediatric Dentistry
Nitrous Oxide
Pain-Free Dentistry
Periodontal Therapy
TMJ Treatment
Root Canal Therapy
Extractions
