Procedures & Treatments Preventive Dentistry It all starts here. Our Hygiene Department is the heart of our preventive program. Our services are comprehensive and include pit and fissure sealants, fluoride treatments, desensitization, non-surgical periodontal (gum) treatment, even herbal gum tonic. We teach individualized oral hygiene instruction, including sonic toothbrushing. There is nothing like the feeling of a good cleaning and polishing of the teeth. Our patients develop close relationships with our hygienists. Cosmetic Who doesn't want to look better? The better we look...the better we feel. The better we feel...the healthier we are. The relationship between health and cosmetics is interesting. We are... what we eat We are... what we feel about ourselves. Please look at some of our own patients before and after photos. "Could one of them be you?" Can we help you look...and feel better? ...Photos Pediatric Dentistry We treat patients from ages 3 and up. "HAVE TEETH — WE TREAT". We place emphasis on developing a positive relationship between us and our young patients. We set the tone for a lifetime of dental health and enjoyment (this is... possible!). It is a joy to watch a three year old child master a key and lock for the first time in order to choose a prize from our Treasure Chest as a reward for good behavior. Our doctors have gone out in the community; schools, daycare centers, preschools, etc. to promote dental health. (Photos soon) We look closely at growth and development, and will recommend early orthopedic and habit correction when indicated. Our children are our future. We are a true "FAMILY DENTIST". Crown & Bridge Work We utilize today's newest ceramic and non-metalic crowns and bridges, and bonding technology; yet we still rely on time tested techniques like cast gold, whend indicated. EMPRESS "all porcelain" veneers and crowns will IMPRESS. Implant techniques allow us to replace missing teeth with single crowns and bridges. A crown can return a broken down tooth into service...for a lifetime. ...Photos Restorative Dentistry We are excited with the advances in adhesive dentistry which now allow us to "fill" a tooth with a variety of materials which outperform silver amalgam, and they look like....A TOOTH! Bonding technology affects many aspects of dentistry. When we do silver amalgam fillings, even they are "bonded" to the tooth, but not with the durability of resin bonding, which actually will add strength back to a filled tooth. We continually take CONTINUING EDUCATION courses to stay current with today's technology. As members of the Academy of General Dentistry, we commit to a much higher level of education than is mandated by our state licenses. We also use "drill-less" air abrasion technology for small fillings. Root Canal Therapy The dreaded word...ROOT CANAL. Root canals save teeth...and saved teeth improve the chances of keeping your teeth. You rarely hear about the wonderful relief of pain that a root canal brings, yet the very small percentage of root canals that flair or take time to heal...everybody hears about. Again modern technology has improved root canal therapy, many being completed in one visit. We do them when necessary, and utilize the Endodontist for difficult cases. Periodontal (Gum) Treatment The periodontium consists of the supporting structures of the teeth, the gums and the underlying bone. Adequate bone is the key to a lifetime of teeth, and healthy gums prevent the loss of bone. Daily control of the normal mouth bacteria (plaque), with quality oral hygiene, will keep the gums healthy. When pocketing (which leads to bone loss), occurs in the gums, we perform treatment and teach our patients the oral hygiene skills to maintain gum health. NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT is effective for most patients and is relatively painless. These services are regularly performed by our highly qualified hygiene staff. In addition to scaling and root planing with local anesthetic, we employ newer treatment such as antibiotic therapy and irrigation therapy. When surgical proceedures are indicated they are performed or referred to specialists as indicated. Today's technology and scientific advances now enable us to add replace lost bone and gum with grafting techniques. There are some exciting advances on the horizon! Implant Restoration There is no advance in modern dentistry more dramatic than Dental Implants. Implants have been around for many decades, but recent advances in materials and techniques now predictably enable us to replace missing teeth and roots, that previously could only be replaced by bridgework and full or partial removable dentures. Today, replacing a missing tooth with an implant is often preferrable to a fixed bridge because the adjacent teeth don't have to be cut down. The implant actually adds stregnth to the whole system. There are many types of implants and restorative options. Even current FULL DENTURE PATIENTS can have dental implants placed, and quite simply "snap" their present dentures to the implants. Instantly the ability to chew, which improves the overall health and quality of life...maybe even prolonging life, is improved. Who doesn't enjoy eating? Implants look good, feel good, and last a long time! ...Photos Full, Partial & Precision Dentures Not all dentures are created equal! Dentures are actually created by a dental laboratory. We have close relationships with the highest quality lab technicians. We prescribe the highest quality of American and European teeth to fabricate dentures with the most naturally pleasing esthetics. They look like real teeth...not a denture. We are comfortable to change or alter a setup chairside, at the try in phase. Dr Nogueira will often set his own teeth. PRECISION PARTIAL DENTURES incorporate crowns that the partial attaches to, and eliminates the noticible clasps. We present all treatment options to our patients. Oral Surgery We do simple and some complex extractions, but often refer to specialists for sedation and more complex situations. Residency training has enabled us to perform a variety of surgical procedures, including pre-prosthetic surgery (i.e.: extractions and placement of immediate dentures). Painless surgery is the norm. We are trained and equipped with today's most current techniques. The convenience of not having to be referred to specialists for many procedures is appreciated by many of our patients. Nitrous Oxide Analgesia Sometimes known as "sweet air", "laughing gas", or "moon air"; helps the phobic patient through dental treatment. We rarely use Nitrous Oxide, but have it (most dentists don't). There is a small fee for its use. Through either the use of nitrous oxide or even sedation medication, when necessary, we have had good success in helping the apprehensive patient deal with necessary treatments. Many "Nitrous" patients no longer need to use it because we have helped them conquer their fear. We even get our patients to laugh...without the gas! God help the Doctors singing and whistling! The Human Touch All the technology and improvements in modern dentistry are of little value without their delivery by skilled and caring people. We train ourselves to work as a team and make each patient's visit the best that it can be...maybe the best ever! We SERVE our patients...that is why they refer their families and friends to us. Our patients are like our family, we would love to have you join! WE WELCOME YOUR CALL. We are proud of our reputation and encourage