Here are some of the many procedures and services we regularly provide to our patients – with a gentle touch, and trusting results. Your comfort is our first priority, and your health of greatest importance. Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we promise to listen to your concerns while providing you with exceptional care. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. We look forward to providing you with the personal care you deserve.
A preventive approach is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.
Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist and dental team to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
It’s great news that the incidence of tooth decay has significantly diminished over the years due to the use of fluorides and an increase in patient awareness. However, teeth are still susceptible to decay, infection, and breakage and sometimes need to be restored back to health. Through improved techniques and modern technology, we are now able to offer more options for restoring a tooth back to its normal shape, appearance and function.
Should your teeth ever require a restorative treatment, you can rest assured knowing we will always discuss with you the available options, and recommend what we believe to be the most comfortable and least invasive treatment. Providing you with excellent care is our number one priority when creating your beautiful smile.
The word periodontal means “around the tooth”. Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages.
Not only is it the number one reason for tooth loss, research suggests that there may be a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk during pregnancy. Researchers are determining if inflammation and bacteria associated with periodontal disease affects these systemic diseases and conditions. Smoking also increases the risk of periodontal disease.
Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.
Dental anxiety and fear can become completely overwhelming. It is estimated that as many as 35 million people do not visit the dental office at all because they are too afraid. Receiving regular dental check ups and cleanings is incredibly important. Having regular routine check ups is the easiest way to maintain excellent oral hygiene and reduce the need for more complex procedures.
The overwhelming fear of dental appointments can be a common cause of anxiety. Many people visualize fearful events in the dental office that cause pain and anxiety. The reality, however, is very different. The comfort, relaxation and happiness of the patient is embedded deep at the heart of our dental practice. The staff at the practice will do their best to reduce anxiety, allay fears and provide painless treatments.
In addition, our practice offers “sedation dentistry” which is a comfortable approach and many times allows patients to complete their treatment in a few appointments or only one appointment.
Talk to the dentist – The dentist is not a mind reader. Though it can be hard to talk about your fears the dentist can take extra precautions during visits if fears and anxiety are communicated.
Bring a portable music player – Music acts as a relaxant and also drowns out any fear-producing noises. Listening to calming music throughout the appointment will help to reduce anxiety.
Agree on a signal – Many people are afraid that the dentist will not know they are in significant pain during the appointment, and will carry on the procedure regardless. The best way to solve this problem is to agree on a “stop” hand signal with the dentist. Both parties can easily understand signals like raising the hand or tapping on the chair.
Spray the throat – Throat sprays (for example, Vicks® Chloraseptic® Throat Spray) can actually control the gag reflex. Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.
Sedation – Sedation offers an excellent option for many people. There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after treatment is complete. Please ask about your options.
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. There are a whole host of reasons why you might need root canal treatment:
In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess
There are many clinical reasons for needing root canal treatment, but there are also countless practical reasons why saving the natural tooth is a wise choice. Endodontic treatment helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limit the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
Our practice has invested in and utilizes state-of-the-art, small volume cone-
beam CT (computed tomography) technology that provides highly accurate, 3-D radiographic images for the diagnosis, planning and treatment of implants,
endodontic disease, comprehensive cases. This allows three-dimensional
visualization of teeth, bone, sinuses and surrounding structures with minimal
radiation to the patient, enabling a level of anatomical accuracy and patient
care not possible with 2-D technologies (regular dental x-rays). With the
addition of cone-beam CT technology to our office, our practice is committed
to providing innovative, high-quality, patient care.
At some point in our lives, we must decide to either let our wisdom teeth grow in – which can lead to severe complications – or have them removed. Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to emerge. Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth: Two on the top and two on the bottom. When your wisdom teeth become impacted due to overcrowding, this can present an oral health problem. Wisdom teeth can be hard to clean, so they may be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth. When they have erupted partially, the opening around the teeth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection resulting in swelling, stiffness, pain, and illness. At Sims Dentistry, we strive to provide safe and comfortable removal of all teeth that are needed to be removed. Dr. Elmore completed a specialty residency Program at Iowa State University in 2017 on oral surgery, implants and IV Sedation. We also offer several options and levels of sedation.
