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Treatments & Procedures
Doctors Knuth and McFarland over a full range of dental
treatments and procedures for the entire family. When routine
exams identify the need for additional procedures to maintain
the health of your mouth and teeth we are equipped with
state-of-the-art training and equipment to meet the majority of
your needs. On occasion we may need to refer your to a
specialists. However, the majority of your dental needs can be
handled in-house.
Oral Exams & X-Rays
The ADA recommends annual dental exams and diagnostic x-rays
(radiographs) to diagnose, treat and maintain optimal oral
health. Our digital x-ray machines minimize the amount of
radiation needed to accurately asses the condition of your
teeth, jawbone, and gums. X-rays allow us to evaluate both the
internal aspects of the tooth as well as the tooth's root
portion and the bone that encases it.
Teeth Cleaning
In addition to your every daily brushing and flossing, it's
important to get your teeth cleaned professionally. The ADA
recommends semi-annual (every six months) routine teeth cleaning
appointments. Some individuals may require more frequent
appointments to maintain optimal oral health.
Restorations
Amalgam Fillings
Dental amalgam (silver filling) is considered a safe,
affordable and durable material that has been used to restore
the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a
mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to
mercury, which chemically binds these components into a hard,
stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and
reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and
effectiveness.
ADA Statement on Dental Amalgam
Composite Fillings
Composite resins are tooth-colored, plastic materials (made
of glass and resin) that are used both as fillings and to repair
defects in the teeth. Because they are tooth-colored, it is
difficult to distinguish them from natural teeth. Composites are
often used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is
important. They can be used on the back teeth as well depending
on the location and extent of the tooth decay. Composite resins
are usually more costly than amalgam fillings.
Extractions
A tooth may need to be extracted for any one of a number of
reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely
decayed, others may have advanced periodontal disease ("gum
disease"), or else have broken in a fashion which cannot be
repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly
positioned in the mouth (such as impacted wisdom teeth), or else
in preparation for orthodontic treatment ("braces").
When a tooth is missing its neighboring teeth will tend to
shift. Even the removal of a single tooth can lead to problems
related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint,
and predispose the teeth that have shifted to problems also. To
avoid these complications, in most cases, we recommend replacing
the tooth that has been extracted. Becasue there are a number of
options to replace a tooth that has been extracted we will
provide you with the best options for your individual situation.
Bridges, Crowns, Dentures & Implants
Crowns
A crown is used to cover a tooth and restore it to its
normal shape and size. A crown can make your tooth stronger and
improve its appearance. Crowns can cover and support a tooth
with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth left. It can
be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking
or restore one that's already broken. A crown is a good way to
cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It's also used
to cover a dental implant.
Bridges
Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces
missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally
bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. The
restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a
combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding
teeth for support. Bridges help maintain the shape of your face,
as well as alleviating the stress in your bite by replacing
missing teeth.
Bridges
If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from
periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures
can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing
teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without
support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person
look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people
often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.
There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional
full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the
remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may
take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted
as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes
measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a
preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer
does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.
Dental Implants
Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only
options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental
implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural.
Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments,
implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual
replacement teeth, bridges or a denture.
Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone.
Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your
replacement teeth feel more natural and some people also find
the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes.
Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and
adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation is
needed to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental
implants.
Endodontic Procedures
Root canal treatment is necessary when the soft inner
tissue, or “pulp,” of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected.
This may happen as a result of deep decay, repeated dental
procedures on the tooth, or an injury to the tooth. Root canal (endodontic)
treatment removes the damaged pulp. Then the tooth’s canals are
cleaned and filled to help preserve the tooth.
Often, the only alternative to surgery is extraction of the
tooth. The extracted tooth must then be replaced with an
implant, bridge, or removable partial denture to restore chewing
function and to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Because
these alternatives require surgery or dental procedures on
adjacent healthy teeth, endodontic surgery is usually the most
biologic and cost-effective option for maintaining your oral
health.
Periodontal Procedures
Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and
periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated,
can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means
"around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial
infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It
begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film
that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become
inflamed.
Root scaling and planing are non-surgical procedures in
which the plaque and tartar are removed from below the gum line.
Tooth root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially
designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and
tartar from the pockets, because aside from the bacterial toxins
that irritate the gums, plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar
make it easier for bacteria to get a foothold.
Depending on how far your periodontal disease has progressed,
treatment can vary widely. If the disease is caught early,
simple procedures can be done that will remove the plaque and
calculus from below the gum line and eliminate the
infection-causing bacteria. If the disease has advanced to the
point where the periodontal pockets are deep and the supporting
bone is lost, surgery might be necessary.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of
tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of
teeth. They're placed on top of your teeth and are used to
correct nature's mistake or the results of an injury. Veneers
can be used to create a beautiful smile by hiding gaps in your
teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked.
Because it's necessary to remove a small amount of enamel
from your teeth to accommodate the shell, it's important to know
veneers are a permanent and normally irreversible solution and
that it is best to avoid some foods and beverages that may stain
or discolor your veneers such as coffee, tea or red wine.
Sometimes a veneer might chip or fracture. But for many people
the results are more than worth it.
Teeth Whitening
A number of in-office bleaching agents have the ADA Seal of
Acceptance, your assurance that they have met ADA standards of
safety and effectiveness. If you are a candidate for bleaching,
our dentists may suggest a procedure that can be done in our
office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may
require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30
minutes to one hour.
During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either a
protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the
oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the
teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of
the agent. We do not use teeth whitening procedures using lasers
to enhance the action of the whitening agent as they are not
currently are on the ADA list of accepted products.
520-296-8549
Knuth & McFarland, D.D.S.,
P.L.L.C.
Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
6828 E. Broadway Blvd · Tucson, Arizona 85710
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