We use the latest in Digital X-Ray Technology.

The many benefits include:

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction, also referred to as Myofascial Pain Dysfunction (MPD) is a chronic illness that affects 75 million people at any one time. As a chronic degenerative disease, it often takes years to develop. People who suffer from TMJ Dysfunction have a structural imbalance in their jaw-to-skull relationship. This is caused by a bad bite (malocclusion) which causes the following:

• It alters the position of the TMJ and places excessive pressure on the nerve-filled area surrounding them.
• It twists your jaw into a strained position. This affects the muscles in your face, neck, back and shoulders.

To correct this, the jaw must be brought back into a muscularly balanced position. In most cases, we can do this without surgery or the use of braces.

Dental extractions are usually done when a tooth is fractured, badly decayed or causing a chronic infection and cannot be restored.

There are a few different types of extractions.

• Simple
• Surgical
• Impacted
• Partially Impacted

When a tooth is impacted, it means that either the tooth is under the tissue or deeper under the bone.

Wisdom Teeth, or the third molars, are the most common teeth that require extraction. The wisdom teeth are extracted for a number of reasons. The primary reason to extract the third molars is because they don't have enough space in the jaw. They also decay easily due to difficult access when brushing and food often gets trapped in them. This may damage the second molars in front of the wisdom teeth, developing periodontal pockets.

A root canal is performed whenever the decay or injury to the tooth invades the inner part of the tooth where the nerve and blood vessels exist. Root canals are very small & narrow, and branch off from the top nerve & blood vessels chamber down to the tip of the root. A tooth has anywhere from one to four canals.

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal procedure is done to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The canal is filled with gutta percha, a rubber-like material, to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed with a possible post and/or a gold or porcelain crown. This allows patients to keep the original tooth.

Advanced Restorative

Direct Restorations are composite resin fillings that are bonded directly to the tooth. Direct fillings are tooth colored and very strong. These are used on teeth that need smaller restorations. They do not contain any metal, mercury or other allergens that may cause adverse symptoms. These fillings are fabricated right here in our office, using the best materials and techniques available in dentistry.

Preventative Treatments: The procedures used to maintain the optimum health of the mouth.

It is very important to start seeing a dentist between the ages of 1-3. Checking the gums and teeth at this early age will prevent dental problems & diseases.

Prophylaxis and Fluoride Treatments are procedures that clean the teeth and prevent future gum disease and cavities.

Scaling and Root Planning – When gum & bone disease is present, a regular cleaning is not enough. In these situations, a deep cleaning is necessary. The recommended treatment of scaling and root planning helps to clean below the gum line to remove plaque, tarter, & disinfect. Once the teeth are cleaned and with good home oral care, the gums can heal and preserve the areas to the teeth. We have well-trained hygienists that will help develop and maintain good oral health.

Sealants Treatments A coating is placed in the grooves & back pits of the teeth to prevent cavities.

Space Maintainers are fixed and removable appliances which maintain spaces in the arch when baby teeth are permanently lost.

Mouth Guards – A flexible appliance made out of plastic that is worn in athletics and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma.

The loss of natural teeth often results in loss of the bone that used to surround the teeth and will leady to the collapse of the facial structures. With advanced in science and technology, the consequences of tooth loss do not have to be permanent. You can now have replacement teeth that look, feel and function like real teeth.

Dental implants area titanium tooth roots designed to replace missing teeth. Described by some as a “third set of teeth”, dental implants provide the patient with many benefits including improved appearance, comfort, and function. Dental implants can offer patient replacement of a single tooth, several teeth, or replacement of the full upper or lower jaw.

You are a candidate for implants if you:

• Have lost one of more teeth
• Have lost all teeth in one or both jaws
• Would like to preserve the natural teeth next to a missing tooth
• Would like to stop to process of bone loss around missing teeth
• Would like to preserve the facial structures after tooth loss
• Have been suffering from painful or loose dentures or partials

To correct this, the jaw must be brought back into a muscularly balanced position. In most cases, we can do this without surgery or the use of braces.

With so many advances in modern dentistry, you cannot distinguish who is wearing dentures or partials these days. Custom made dentures or partials are made to fit comfortably and naturally. Dr. Halabu has a large interest with denture and partial cases. He is able to make an immediate denture or partial fitting your mouth in one visit.

With proper fit, maintenance, and regular dental care, dentures and partials improve overall dental health. They can also greatly improve appearance, eating function, speaking ability, and self-confidence.

Complete Dentures – Complete dentures replace the teeth in an arch which has no teeth – removable appliance.

Partial Dentures – Partial dentures replace teeth in an arch in which not all of the teeth are missing. Partial dentures are attached to the existing teeth by clasps and precision teeth – removable appliance.

Both children and adults can take advantage of orthodontics treatment to improve their bite and enhance the appearance of their smiles. Orthodontic treatment starts with a consultation. This is the best way to determine a treatment plan. We offer Free Consultations to meet and speak to Dr. Carstens, our Orthodontics specialist. At this appointment we discuss the treatment plan, approximate cost, and length of treatment. Dr. Carstens will answer any questions or concerns one may have at this point.

The following appointment would involve taking full diagnostic records and x-rays, which will allow Dr. Carstens to study and determine the complexity of the case and to create a treatment plan. The records will include models of the mouth, panoramic and cephalometric x-rays and photographs of the face and teeth.

The actual treatments begin when Dr. Carstens places brackets and bands in the mouth. This appointment typically takes 1 ½ hours. At this time he will go over instructions on what to expect and what kinds of foods to avoid eating. Dr. Carstens will also explain what to do when feeling discomfort in the mouth. Dr. Carstens will continue treatment by scheduling appointments with the patient on a monthly basis.

We offer two types of braces – Metal Braces and Ceramic Braces.

The advantage of Orthodontics at our office is that we can service all of your dental needs in right here in one office. We have general dentists as well as well-trained hygienists to make sure your teeth are being properly maintained during orthodontic treatment. It is very important to take special care of your braces, teeth and gums so you can have the best possible results.

INVISALIGN

Invisalign® can give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. It works through a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you're wearing. So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign has been proven effective and is available at our offices.

What Is Invisalign?

• Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
• Invisalign® uses a series of clear removable aligners (pictured to the left) to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
• Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices nationwide.

How Does Invisalign Work?

• You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
• As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.
• You'll visit your orthodontist or dentist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
• Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

Invisalign is Invisible, Removable and Comfortable.