Dental Hygiene
What services do I provide?
One of my favorite parts of hygiene therapy care is helping you, the patient. I will educate you regarding the importance of your individual oral care, as well as how we can improve your overall health. We will work together to find simple solutions for your specific needs.
Every time a person sits in my chair I... Examine your teeth (restorations, and detection of decay and cavities), perform an Oral cancer screening and look for signs of TMJ (in your jaw), and check your periodontal status (your support of your surrounding foundation around the teeth)
A Registered Dental Hygienist (an RDH) that is licensed in the state of Colorado can perform and charge for oral exams.
Radiographs are an important addition to your oral care. They allow us to see things that are not visually aparent when just looking in the mouth during a routine cleaning. They allow us to see in between teeth, the rootsurfaces, and bone levels to help determine health. They can also help detect periodontal disease.
Actual photos are taken of the tooth area or the surrounding roots. Looking at the surrounding tissue areas is a way to monitor health or signs of disease. These photos are a great tool for having a base line to see monitor any changes.
Lasers:
-Lasers help eliminate the bacteria that may be introduced into the blood stream.
-Lasers help prevent cross contamination of infection.
-Lasers increase blood circulation.
-Laser helps with aphthous ulcers & herpetic lesions.
This is the type of laser I use. It is made and licensed by Epic Hygeine. Here is their website: https://www.biolase.com/products/dental-lasers-soft-tissue/epic-hygiene/
This means having a healthy foundation. Your teeth, and any surrounding tissue, need to remain healthy. The evaluation of periodontal probe readings and use of x-rays are performed to analyze health or periodontal disease.
Oral DNA is a test done in office. It is a simple saline solution swish that is sent off to a lab. The results come back within two weeks! Learning more about oral pathogens will provide more information about the oral systemic connections in your overall health.
According to the Oral DNA website, "pathogens can be tested to determine if a patient is at increased risk for cardiovasular disease, diabetes, stroke, and other health complications."
They do other forms of testing as well. Learn more at their website here: https://www.oraldna.com/
Therapy with the use of Laser helps support your foundation and stabilize any inflammation.
It is important to have a maintenance of 3 month care. Every 90 days, bacteria reintroduce themselves to the bottom of pockets. If pockets are deeper than 3mm, you can not achieve full reduction with regular floss or the use of water flossing. Along with brushing, the need for therapy from an RDH with the instruments and laser are needed to help reduce the infection and achieving an optimal level of stabilization.
For more information, visit: https://www.perio.org/consumer/types-gum-disease.html
This machine, along with the vibrations and cavitation with the use of
water to help flush out debris and toxins in pockets, are an important part of any hygiene therapy care.
Every age benefits from this treatment, but I offer a variety of other re-mineralizing treatments. Please feel free to discuss other options with me upon your appointment.
Bacteria can cause breakdown about every 3-4 hours. The use of this treatment helps lower PH levels to more neutral state, and it helps to re-mineralize the tooth structure. This heightens resistance to decay.
A preventative coating that is placed on the chewing surface of the tooth intended to help prevent tooth decay, also known as cavities.
Let's discuss options that will fit your needs!
*This treatment will not change a restoration color (a filling or crown) if in the smile line*
Referrals to Dentist for treatment. If you do not have a Colorado Springs Dentist I can help refer you to a dentist best suited for your individual needs.