Ladera Dentistry

Services We Provide

Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and hygiene appointment, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we promise to provide you with exceptional care as we enhance the natural beauty of your smile.  Below are just some of the many procedures and services we regularly provide to our patients – with a gentle touch, and stunning results.  Your smile is our first priority, and we’ll give you something to smile about.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.  We look forward to providing you with the personal care you deserve.

Patient Safety

To protect our patients and ourselves, our staff wear masks, gloves, glasses, as well as hospital scrub uniforms. We strictly observe all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. All instruments are cleaned, disinfected and routinely sterilized as recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control. Whenever possible, disposable single use items are used to ensure your safety.

Handpieces (drills) are sterilized with a state-of-the-art sterilization unit specifically designed for this purpose. All surfaces in the treatment rooms are cleaned and disinfected after each patient.

Patient Comfort

You are not alone if you feel anxious about a visit to the dentist. We understand and share your concerns and strive to make every dental visit comfortable. If there is anything else we can do, let us know. In addition to topical and local anesthetic, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available for those patients who may need a little more. We offer stereo headsets so you can sit back, relax and listen to your favorite tunes.

Emergencies can occur at any time. If you have an emergency problem, contact our office so we can relieve your discomfort as quickly as possible - almost always the same day!

Hygiene

An integral part of maintaining your teeth for life is the removal of plaque and tarter on a regular basis. The frequency of your visits is based upon your individual needs and oral health. During your visit we will update your medical history, perform an oral cancer screening exam, check your teeth for cavities, review oral hygiene instructions, and monitor your periodontal (gum) condition. Fluoride treatments are provided for children under the age of thirteen and for those adults when appropriate.

Sealants

Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic "coating" is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively "seals" the deep grooves where decay is most likely to start.

Orthodontics

For patients, adults and children, who have crowded or crooked teeth, spaces between their teeth or misaligned teeth and jaws, orthodontic therapy can help reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma due to protruding teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an evaluation by 7 years of age. More than 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults. We now offer invisalign, the latest treatment that uses clear, nearly invisable aligners to straighten teeth. 

Implants

A remarkable procedure, implants can replace any or all of your teeth. The implant becomes integrated with the bone and acts like a "bolt" which will ultimately support a new tooth. The advantages of implants for patients with dentures are: denture stability, increased patient comfort and confidence.

Crowns

A "cap", "jacket" or "crown" will restore a broken, heavily filled or cracked tooth to its original size and shape. This may also be recommended after root canal therapy has been completed as the tooth tends to become brittle and is more apt to fracture. Crowns can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improve the appearance of your teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

For the smile you have always wanted, our intra-oral camera allows you to see your teeth on a computer monitor and "preview" what your smile could look like. Cosmetic dentistry encompasses reshaping your teeth, veneers or bonding, natural-looking tooth-colored fillings and bleaching.

ZOOM! 2® Teeth Whitening

ZOOM! 2® teeth whitening at our office begins with the Dr. applying a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide onto a patient's teeth. Then a special light is positioned over the patient's mouth and waits for one hour. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide, causing it to penetrate the enamel of the teeth to ensure a deep, thorough cleaning. Most patients experience no pain or discomfort during this portion of the ZOOM! 2® process. We then remove the light and perform a fluoride treatment to complete the teeth whitening procedure. To find out if ZOOM! 2® might be right for you, contact our office for a free consultation.  

Tooth Decay and Repair

Utilizing an intra-oral camera gives both you and us the opportunity to see potential problems occurring in your mouth, such as decay or fractured teeth. Often a tooth will not start bothering you until there is significant loss of tooth structure. With the help of the intra-oral camera, problems can be detected earlier, before you experience a toothache. 

Periodontal Disease

While seldom painful and frequently free of any obvious signs or symptoms, periodontal disease can progress, undetected, to the point where supporting bone is destroyed. With 80 to 90% of all teenagers having some form of gingivitis (inflamed gums) and 75% of adult tooth loss for people over the age of 35 due to periodontal disease, early treatment and prevention is essential. While periodontal disease is caused by plaque, a number of other factors including poorly fitting bridges, badly aligned teeth and defective fillings contribute to the development of this condition. We feel that with a proper diagnosis and patient education most people can maintain their teeth for a lifetime.

Oral Surgery

The goal of modern dentistry is to prevent tooth loss. When a tooth cannot be saved, extraction (removal) of the tooth may be the only course of treatment. A panorex x-ray allows us to see a complete picture of the alignment of your jaw, the positioning of your teeth and if there is sufficient space for your third molars (wisdom teeth) to fully erupt. In addition, it is an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating the supporting bone for possible cysts or tumors. Most minor surgeries are performed at our facility, however the doctor may choose to refer to a maxillofacial surgeon for more complicated cases.

Bridges

A non-removable bridge can restore your teeth to normal function by replacing missing teeth. It will improve the entire health of your mouth by keeping the surrounding teeth in position and can also help maintain the structure of your face and jaw.

Root Canal Therapy

If a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment may be the only way to save the tooth, short of removing it. Root canal treatment consists of removing the nerve that lies within the root of the tooth.

Athletic Mouthguards

We provide state of the art custom made athletic mouthguards for all patients requiring protection during athletic competition in "at risk" sports. Store bought over the counter mouthguards do not fit as well nor do they provide the anticipated and necessary protection to help prevent dental/facial injuries. The only mouthguard that should be worn is that made from a model of the mouth. Patients have individual requirements for fit, comfort, level of competition, and compliance. The professionally designed custom made mouthguard satisfies these requirements.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a way to straighten your teeth using a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift your teeth into place. And since your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist, you know you'll end up with a smile that truly fits.

If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other works as effortlessly as the Invisalign system.

Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.  These aligners are clear plastic trays used to straighten teeth in a more ideal position to look better and function better.  Unlike the tradition braces with metal brackets and wires, these aligners are clear and hardly noticable.

Useful Links

• American Dental Association: www.ada.org
• Invisalign: www.invisalign.com
• Lumineers: www.lumineers.com
• Arestin: www.arestin.com
• Zoom: www.zoomnow.com
• Care Credit: www.carecredit.com