During your comprehensive exam at Biscayne Dental, you’ll experience a detailed and thorough evaluation of your oral health. Here’s what the exam includes:

1. Oral Health Assessment: We begin with a complete assessment of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. This helps us identify any existing or potential issues early on.
2. Digital X-Rays: Using the latest digital imaging technology, we take precise X-rays of your mouth. These images allow us to see beneath the surface, detecting problems that aren’t visible to the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth or issues with the jawbone.
3. Gum Health Evaluation: Your gums are a vital part of your oral health. We carefully examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease and other issues, ensuring they are healthy and strong.
4. Oral Cancer Screening: Early detection of oral cancer can save lives. We perform a thorough screening to look for any abnormal signs in your mouth, ensuring your peace of mind.
5. Bite and Jaw Alignment Check: We evaluate your bite and jaw alignment to identify any issues that could lead to discomfort or more serious problems over time.
6. Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on our findings, we create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan outlines any necessary treatments and preventive measures to maintain and improve your oral health.

A dental cleaning is a gentle and thorough process where one of our skilled dental hygienists carefully removes plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. They use special tools to clean areas that are hard to reach, like between your teeth and along the gumline. This helps to prevent gum disease, keeps your breath fresh, and leaves your teeth feeling smooth, polished and bright. It’s a routine part of dental care that helps maintain a healthy smile!

A dental composite filling is a type of tooth-colored material used by dentists to repair cavities and restore teeth that have been damaged by decay or minor chips/breaks. Here’s a detailed description of the process and characteristics of composite fillings:

1. Material: Composite fillings are made of a mixture of plastic resin and fine glass particles. This material is chosen because it can be color-matched to the natural shade of your teeth, making the filling less noticeable compared to traditional silver amalgam fillings.
2. Procedure:
   • Preparation: The dentist first numbs the area around the tooth using a local anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure. They then remove the decayed portion of the tooth using a dental drill or laser.
   • Placement: After preparing the tooth, the dentist layers the composite material into the cavity in small increments. Each layer is hardened (cured) using a special light that activates the material, making it strong and durable.
   • Shaping and Polishing: Once all layers are in place and hardened, the dentist trims and shapes the composite to fit the contours of your tooth. Finally, they polish the filling to match the sheen of the natural tooth surface.
3. Advantages:
   • Aesthetic Appeal: Composite fillings blend in with the natural color of your teeth, making them nearly invisible.
   • Preservation of Tooth Structure: Composite fillings bond directly to the tooth, which helps to support the remaining tooth structure and prevents fractures.
   • Versatility: Besides filling cavities, composite materials can also be used for cosmetic improvements such as reshaping teeth or closing gaps between teeth.
4. Considerations: While composite fillings are durable and aesthetically pleasing, they may not be suitable for all cavities. In larger cavities or areas with heavy chewing pressure, alternative materials like porcelain or gold may be recommended.

Overall, dental composite fillings provide an effective and attractive solution for restoring teeth damaged by decay or minor fractures, helping to maintain both oral health and appearance.

A root canal is a dental treatment used to fix and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. During the procedure, the dentist removes the nerve and pulp from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the area, and then seals the canals. This helps to relieve pain and prevent further infection, allowing the tooth to be restored and used normally again. Teeth that are root canal treated often need crowns to protect them from breaking, and allow your tooth to have a good long term prognosis.

Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a dental procedure used to treat gum disease or periodontal problems. It involves three main steps:

1. Scaling: The dentist or dental hygienist carefully removes plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from above and below the gumline, using special instruments. This helps to eliminate bacteria and toxins that cause inflammation and gum disease.
2. Root Planing: After scaling, the root surfaces of the teeth are smoothed out (planed) to remove any remaining rough spots where bacteria can easily accumulate. This process helps the gums to heal and reattach to the teeth.

Deep cleaning is typically recommended when there is significant buildup of plaque and tartar, causing inflammation and pocketing around the teeth. It aims to stop the progression of gum disease and promote gum health.

A custom night guard is a dental appliance designed to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching during sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Here’s what it involves:

1. Custom Fit: Your dentist takes impressions or digital scans of your teeth to create a night guard that fits your mouth perfectly. This ensures comfort and effectiveness in preventing teeth grinding.
2. Material: Night guards are usually made from durable plastic or acrylic materials. They are hard enough to withstand grinding forces yet soft enough to be comfortable to wear.
3. Function: When you wear a night guard, it creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from coming into direct contact. This reduces the wear and tear on your teeth and protects them from damage such as fractures, chips, and excessive wear.
4. Benefits: Night guards not only protect your teeth but can also alleviate symptoms associated with bruxism, such as jaw pain, headaches, and muscle soreness. They can improve your sleep quality by reducing disruptive grinding noises.
5. Maintenance: It’s important to clean your night guard regularly with a toothbrush and mild soap to prevent bacterial buildup. Store it in a clean, dry container when not in use to maintain its effectiveness.

Overall, a custom night guard is a personalized dental appliance that helps protect your teeth and improve your overall oral health if you suffer from bruxism.