Dental Services & Treatments

White Street Smiles practices General (or family) Dentistry. It simply means that our team provides you and your family, the foundation for excellent oral hygiene and tooth health.

Through regular checkups that monitor the condition of your teeth and gums, along with common preventative and restorative treatments, we are often the first, and possibly the only dentist you’ll need to visit.

Bonding is the process of attaching a veneer or similar substance to a tooth. Our general dentists are more than capable of completing this treatment, although they may refer you to a specialist in cosmetic dentistry, depending upon the circumstances.

Cosmetic dentistry generally refers to any dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums and/or bite. It primarily focuses on improvement in dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance.

A crown, sometimes known as dental cap, is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement.

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth — and a false tooth/teeth in between.

Even the best brushing and flossing habits can’t keep back all the plaque and debris that builds up in and around your teeth. Through routine visits, your dentist can professionally clean your teeth and share oral hygiene maintenance information.

Ideally you should see your dentist every six months for an oral exam to ensure continued health of your teeth and gums. Just like a physical exam, an oral exam helps to ensure that problems can be caught early and treated conservatively. Some oral health issues can even be reversed if spotted in the earliest stages.

A dental implant is a permanently implanted prosthetic tooth. During dental implant surgery, the natural tooth’s root is replaced with a metal post or frame that sits in or on the jawbone. This surgery may require bone grafting, but once healed in place, the dental implant will provide a secure foundation for a dental crown that is custom-made to match your natural teeth.

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) — to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.

Dentures are custom-created removable appliances that look natural and function just as your own natural teeth, allowing you to smile, chew and speak with confidence. People young and old can benefit from dentures which replace missing teeth, support for the structure of your jaw and allow you to enjoy daily activities. Dentures are measured, fitted and delivered in-office.

Also known as dental radiographs, dental X-rays use controlled pulses of radiation to create images of the internal structures of the jaw and mouth. Dental X-rays are useful for viewing jawbones and various tooth structures to image cavities, bone or gum loss, periodontal disease, benign or malignant tumors, and other normal or abnormal structures within the lower portion of the head. Fast and safe, x-rays are usually recommended on your first visit and when dental issues or changes arise.

While cavities are 100% preventable, most adults have had at least one cavity by their early 20’s. A dental filling is a painless procedure that restores a decayed tooth, by removing decayed tissue and refilling the cavity with a hardened material. The process of filling a cavity is virtually painless, and there is a short recovery time that allows patients to eat, speak and resume normal activity very quickly.

In growing teeth, fluoride strengthens tooth structure making teeth more resistant to decay. It can also repair/remineralize areas of the tooth in which decay has already begun.

Scaling is the removal of all the plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) above and below the gumline, cleaning all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. One complete, your dentist will begin Root Planing; smoothing your tooth roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth.

Once complete, your dentist will re-evaluate to determine if additional Perio is needed.

Gum Surgery may be needed to reduce or eliminate loose gum pockets. Also, we may attempt to regenerate bone around teeth that was lost due to gum disease. We may be able to regenerate lost gum by ‘gum grafting’.

When a tooth is injured, cracked, or decayed, bacteria can reach deep into the tooth where soft tissue and tooth roots can become infected. This is often very painful and can lead to an abscess if it’s not treated. If your tooth’s root tissue is infected, your dentist will recommend root canal surgery to clean out the infected tissue, alleviate your pain and improve your tooth’s health.

A tooth or dental extraction, is a common dental practice that consists of removing a tooth from its socket. Both the crown (the visible portion of the tooth), and the tooth roots are removed. Teeth that have fully erupted are generally removed through a process called simple extraction, which involves specialized tools to lift or pull the tooth from its socket. Teeth that have not yet erupted are removed surgically, with the patient under anesthesia to prevent discomfort and trauma. If necessary, the extracted tooth can later be replaced by a dental implant or bridge.

Most people experience tooth discoloration as they age. Common causes include frequent consumption of certain foods and drinks, and smoking. But, did you know that you can utilize professional-grade teeth whitening at home? Our front office team can provide you with a simple whitening kit that can lighten your teeth several shades.

General Dentist Qualifications

It’s common for a general dentist to achieve three or more years of undergraduate education (typically with a BS or BA degree), plus four years of dental school to earn their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

After completing dental school, prospective dentists must pass a two-part written national board examination and a written and practical state or regional board examination. After passing these exams, a dentist is given a license to practice.

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