Arestin is an antibiotic designed to treat periodontal gum disease. Bacteria is the cause of gum disease, so Arestin helps to kill that bacteria and remedy the problem at the root cause. This treatment is more effective than a pill because Arestin is applied right where you need it, while a pill is less concentrated. Arestin is easy, safe, and can be applied during routine visits.

Find out more about gum therapy.

A deep gum cleaning is also known as root scaling and planing. Harmful plaque is scraped from the teeth at and under the gum line. This can help prevent gums from receding where plaque is present and even allow the tissue to heal back over the tooth. Root scaling and planing is safe and can be done with a light anesthetic to help ease any discomfort you may feel.

During sporting events the chance of injury to your mouth is greatly increased, so to even the odds we offer fitted mouthguards to protect against accidents. Trust us, it’s better to keep your smile intact than to fix it later!

Tooth decay is caused by acid-producing bacteria that builds up around teeth and gums in a sticky, clear film that is often called “plaque.” To fight against this, dentists will apply fluoride, a mineral that helps to prevent the buildup of plaque. Fluoride has been used by dentists for decades and is a very common preventative treatment.

The cause of gum disease (periodontitis) is bacterial infection. Studies have shown that once the bacteria is removed, inflamed gum tissues will heal. Advanced dental technologies have resulted in the creation of lasers that can precisely clean around your gums and teeth. The result is less patient discomfort and reduced tissue damage.

Bruxism is a disorder that causes you to clench and grind your teeth, usually while sleeping. To prevent wearing your teeth down and joint pain, Dr. Patel will form a nightguard to fit specifically in your mouth. This guard acts as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth and prevents damage.

An oral cancer screening is the examination of your mouth for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. The main goal for this screening is to identify cancer early, resulting in an increased chance for a cure. This screening can be performed as part of your routine visit and is highly recommended by medical professionals.

Dental sealants are applied to be a barrier against cavities. They are made of a plastic material and commonly applied to your molars, where decay is more prevalent. A thorough tooth brushing does not always effectively reach all the way into the back of your mouth, where plaque likes to build up, so sealants are an excellent preventative option. Sealants are easy to apply, can withstand normal chewing pressure, and may last for several years before reapplication.

Sleep apnea prevents millions of adults around the country from having a restful, unobstructed night’s sleep. This condition causes people to gasp for air or stop breathing multiple times throughout the night due to a blocked airway. Snoring is also a common sign of sleep apnea. Dr. Patel is able to diagnose the condition and offer you appropriate treatment depending on the severity of your sleep apnea.

Dental bridges are a common way to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. To accomplish a natural look and feel, a typical bridge consists of two crowns and a false tooth or teeth that fill in the gap. The two crowns are placed on existing teeth or implants to act as the anchor, and the false tooth is placed in between. The false teeth and crowns are made to look exactly like your existing teeth, so your smile will look as good as new!

Dentures are an affordable, effective option for replacing either a full set of teeth in the upper or lower jaw (complete dentures) or for replacing multiple teeth in one section (partial dentures). When you wear dentures, you prevent your facial muscles from sagging due to missing teeth. We make sure to design your dentures to look natural and fit comfortably so you can enjoy a full smile once again.

A dental crown is used to cover or cap a damaged tooth. The purpose is to strengthen damaged teeth or improve the appearance, shape or alignment of existing teeth. They are made of either porcelain or ceramic and made to match the color of your other teeth, blending right in. Dental crowns are strong and made to last a lifetime so once you get one, it’ll feel like a natural part of your mouth. They are cleaned just like normal teeth so, after a while, you won’t even notice the difference!

When the pulp tissue inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it will result in a lot of pain. Luckily Jackson Smiles Family Dentistry offers a tooth-saving procedure called endodontics (root canal therapy). This is much better than extracting a tooth because even though the advancement of dental technologies has greatly increased the look and feel of fake teeth, nothing will truly replace the natural teeth you were born with.

When root canal therapy is performed, Dr. Patel will drill through your tooth to remove the inflamed or infected pulp tissue and then carefully clean out and shape the inside of your tooth. Next, he will fill the root canal with a biocompatible material placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing. The last step is to restore your tooth to full function by placing a crown or other restorative treatment on the area. You’ll be good as new with no pain!

Sometimes the best treatment for a toothache is an extraction, commonly referred to as “getting your tooth pulled”. Dr. Patel will only extract a tooth if all other procedures are ruled out, and it is the only course available. We’ll walk you through each step, decide how you would like a replacement, and answer all questions you may have. We are expertly trained to extract teeth with minimal obtrusion and pain so your experience is more of a relief than stressful. Our priority is your comfort, especially while performing big procedures.

A filling is placed onto a tooth that has been damaged by decay. First Dr. Patel will remove the decay from your tooth and clean the affected area, then fill in the cleaned-out area with a filling material. This will restore your tooth back to full functionality and help prevent any further decay. What we use for the filling can be made from many different types of material. Dr. Patel will talk with you about which filling material is best for you!

Dr. Patel and his staff have years of experience in every kind of oral surgery. Whether you require implants, extraction, or root canal therapy, Dr. Patel can take care of you. Our staff at Jackson Smiles Family Dentistry is committed to your comfort and safety, so when you come in for any procedure, big or small, you are treated like royalty! Oral surgery sounds scary, but we’ll make you feel at ease by calmly explaining every step of the way.

If you’ve experienced bone loss due to missing teeth, gum disease, severe infection, or another factor such as trauma, we may recommend getting bone grafting. Bone grafting is a simple, highly successful surgical procedure that restores and strengthens the bone structure in your jaw. It is sometimes necessary before placing dental implants to make the procedure more effective. Dr. Patel can determine whether bone grafting may benefit you and whether you are a suitable candidate for the procedure.