Sealants
Sealants are a plastic material, or resin, applied to the chewing surface of teeth that bond to the grooves and pits where food and bacteria can become trapped. Sealants provide a barrier that will protect tooth enamel and dramatically reduce the risk of decay. This procedure is painless and requires no drilling or anesthesia. Any tooth with grooves is a candidate for a sealant, as long as no filling is present. This procedure saves money and time in the long run, since you are much less likely to ever need a filling in a tooth with a sealant. So, seal out decay!!
Periodontics
Gum Disease affects three out of four adults at some time in their lives. Periodontics is the treatment of the diseases and conditions that affect the gums and supporting structures around the teeth. At Mason Dental, our hygienists are unsurpassed in knowledge and success when treating periodontal conditions. Sometimes without warning, conditions such as gingivitis or periodontitis (bacterial irritation causing the gums to pull away from the teeth) can cause the loss of many or all teeth. It is very important to maintain healthy gums in order to ensure the overall health of your mouth If you notice bleeding gums when brushing, tender gums, bad breath, loose teeth or anything out of the ordinary, it is imperative to have a periodontal screening. Early detection is vital and we would love to help you keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Tooth Colored Fillings
At Mason Dental, we only place composite resin fillings. These fillings are white, or tooth colored, and almost impossible to distinguish from natural tooth structure. We do not place silver, or amalgam, fillings. Instead, we choose a shade of resin to perfectly match your tooth color and bond it in place. The filling is contoured to the proper shape and bite to appear natural. These fillings are leading the way in restoring decayed tooth structure and replacing old, broken down silver fillings that are no longer serviceable. Dr. Mason prefers to be conservative when removing tooth structure, so he replaces the silver fillings that are malfunctioning. But at the request of many, he will often remove silver fillings and replace them with white, bonded fillings as a safety measure, due to the mercury content of this metal and to improve the appearance of their smile.
Root Canals
Endodontic treatment, or root canals, is the treatment of disorders affecting the nerve (also called the pulp) of a tooth. Other than extracting a tooth, a root canal is the only way to save a tooth with infected nerve tissue (also known as an abscess). Sometimes trauma, irritation or severe gum disease can also make root canals necessary. Whatever the cause of need for this treatment, Dr. Mason removes the irritated pulp and permanently fills it and seals it off, inhibiting any future irritation or infection. The tooth can then be restored to full chewing function. It is Dr. Mason’s pleasure to treat any tooth with a root canal within normal circumstances. We will make every effort to ensure your comfort during treatment and answer any questions you have. We want to preserve your natural teeth for a lifetime of confident smiles!
Full Dentures
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 teeth or a denture, facial muscles sag, and this can cause a person to look older. With dentures, you will 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. This may take several weeks. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. Dr. Mason takes measurements and makes models of your mouth during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, you do not have to be without teeth during the healing period. This is a great option for some patients and we would love it if you came in for a consultation.
Removable Partial Dentures
When you’ve had several teeth removed, or even just one, it is important to replace them to prevent shifting of other teeth, difficulty cleaning remaining teeth. Complications with the way your teeth fit together can also occur, making it difficult to chew. One way to replace these teeth and remedy all of these problems is to have a “partial” custom made, just for you. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored acrylic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision attachments are generally more esthetic than metal clasps and they are nearly invisible. A consultation may be necessary to determine whether you would be a good candidate for a partial.