Of course, the best way to combat mouth diseases and tooth pain is to take steps to prevent them from occurring in advance. Although advances in dental technology have made it possible for Dr. Beetham to restore the health of your mouth with relative ease and comfort, it is always preferable to preserve and protect your existing teeth. In addition to maintaining a sensible oral hygiene regimen, it is essential that you visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth professionally cleaned and screened for potential problems. By doing so, you increase the chances that your natural teeth will serve you well your entire life.

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Tooth-colored fillings have always presented a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional silver and amalgam fillings. However, due to evolving technology, they are now also stronger and more durable than their metallic counterparts. Indeed, a small filling may last a lifetime without ever requiring repair, while larger fillings should last for many years with appropriate care. Plus, tooth-colored fillings feel and function more like your natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with increased confidence and comfort.

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Full porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns – or “caps,” as they are sometimes called – are an excellent way to repair and strengthen badly damaged teeth. Like veneers, they dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth; however, unlike veneers, they cover the entire surface area of the tooth, helping to prevent weaker teeth from cracking or breaking. By strengthening these weaker teeth, they effectively reduce or eliminate pain, sensitivity, and difficulty with chewing and speaking. They are also commonly used to keep errant fillings in place. Whatever else their function, they will mask imperfections in the teeth, giving you a more pleasing, attractive smile.

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A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is permanently placed into your jaw. Dr. Marianna Beetham first places an implant into the bone and then fixes an artificial tooth or bridge onto the implant, allowing you to regain the full function and feel of the missing tooth. These implants can also be used to support a full set of dentures, making chewing and speaking significantly easier.

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As its name implies, a porcelain dental bridge literally bridges the gap where a tooth is missing. The bridge consists of an artificial tooth and two porcelain crowns, one for each natural tooth on either side of the gap. Dr. Beetham customizes the bridge to fit snugly and comfortably in your mouth, fixing it into place so that it cannot fall out or be removed by hand. The results are remarkably natural looking and extremely strong, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with full confidence.

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Veneers are thin porcelain shells that bond directly to the front of your teeth, covering stains, chips, and other imperfections. Because they are custom designed to match the size and color of your surrounding teeth, the results are completely natural looking and virtually undetectable to others. In addition, they are extremely comfortable and can even help correct a variety of bite problems, ultimately restoring both beauty and function.

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Bonding can quickly fill in ugly gaps between the teeth and repair chips and cracks. Through the use of dental bonding Dr.Beetham can yield dramatic results in a single office visit by lightening stains, closing gaps and even altering crooked or malformed teeth. Essentially, dental bonding hides any natural flaws through the skillful application of a thin layer of composite on the surface of the tooth.

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Possibly the most misunderstood of all dental procedures, having a root canal is actually an extremely safe and relatively pain-free process. Each of your teeth contains a long, thin strand of pulp that extends down into the root of the tooth. When this pulp becomes inflamed or infected, the result is often searing tooth pain and, in some cases, the eventual death of the tooth. A root canal restores health to the tooth by removing the affected pulp through a gap drilled in the tooth’s crown. The canal is then filled, and the tooth is permanently sealed with an artificial crown. This procedure allows you to preserve your natural tooth, which, whenever possible, is ideal.

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Routine extractions of one or more teeth.

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Gum disease is one of the most common diseases in the United States, affecting about 80% of American adults to some degree. Thankfully, regular periodontal screenings and proper hygiene can help to control the disease without the need for more drastic treatments such as surgery.

Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar, the latter of which can only be removed through a professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist. When left untreated, the buildup of plaque and tartar can lead to periodontitis, a disease in which the bones, gums, and other tissues that support the teeth are slowly destroyed by infection. If you consult a dentist early enough in the progression of the disease, there is an excellent chance that the infection can be controlled through deep cleaning and medication.

If you are experiencing gum pain or other signs of periodontal disease, Dr. Beetham can help to restore health to your mouth. If your teeth and gums feel perfectly healthy, Dr. Beetham can help to prevent the onset or the progression of gum disease through regular screenings and gentle cleanings. Please contact our office for more information or to schedule an initial consultation.

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A crown lengthening procedure is designed to reshape the gums at the base of the desired tooth. Its purpose is to expose additional tooth surface and if necessary adjust the bone level. There are a number of dental conditions that need restorations requiring this procedure. Most common is severe tooth decay below the gum line. Another is when a tooth has fractured and broken off beneath the existing gum line.

Crown lengthening is also frequently used to support cosmetic dental procedures. It is especially useful in cases where the gum extends too far down the length of the teeth causing them to appear unnaturally short. This can also increase their vulnerability to periodontal disease. Removal of this "extra" gum tissue can restore a natural look and thus improve a smile.

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Bruxism is the technical term for teeth grinding and clenching that abrades teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench, often called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as during sleep.

When this happens, TMJ symptoms occur. This cluster of TMJ symptoms can include: headaches, earaches, ear ringing, loud jaw clicking, even stiffness and pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders and back.

Non- surgical therapies for both bruxism and TMJ may include the wearing of an occlusal splint/nightguard to prevent wear and tear on both the teeth and the joints.

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Our custom fit mouthpiece concept is a preventive and protective device that avoids teeth grinding, bruxism, teeth clenching during night, and all possible jaw pains.

Mouthpieces are designed in a dental laboratory and can be made from either hard or soft plastic depending on its use.

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Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth and are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the mouth. Conventional dentures are removable; however, there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clipping onto teeth or dental implants.

Dentures can help give the patient better masticatory (chewing) abilities, as well as enhance their aesthetic appeal by providing the illusion of having natural teeth, providing support for their lips and cheeks, and correcting the collapsed appearance commonly seen between the nose and the chin. We offer many different designs of dentures including, but not limited to: complete dentures, partial dentures, implant supported dentures and temporary dentures (flippers).

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