Preventative Dentistry

A thorough dental exam performed by your treating dentist at your initial visit (and subsequent recall visits) that includes:
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- Evaluation and interpretation of diagnostic x-rays:  Essential for detection of decay, root pathologies and resorptions, tumors, cysts, and bone loss.  X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions, and show presence of unerupted teeth, including (but not limited to) the wisdom teeth.  
- Oral cancer screening:  Evaluate the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
- Periodontal evaluation:  Examine and measure the gums and bone level around the teeth, check for any signs of periodontal disease.
- Examination of tooth decay:  All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments. 
- Examination of existing restorations:  Check current fillings, crowns, etc. for recurrent decay, fractures, and failures.  
- Evaluation of occlusion (“bite”) and screening for TMJ issues  
- Discussion of oral health care routines: To help determine if any lifestyle factors, such as your diet, habits, and home hygiene may be having an effect on your oral health.  

This initial comprehensive examination will allow us to establish the baseline of your orofacial health, identify your risk factors for disease, as well as provide us with the information we need to develop your individualized treatment plan and preventative recommendations.  We hope that you are a patient at our office for years, and we do not take it lightly that you have chosen us for your care.

Anyone can get cancer. However, it occurs most often in people who smoke and drink regularly. That combination is estimated to cause the majority of mouth and throat cancers diagnosed in the United States. The American Cancer Society reports that about 7,000 deaths result from oral cancer out of 30,000 cases diagnosed annually, with one life claimed every day in the United States. The reason for the high mortality rate is that most people do not seek medical help until the cancer has advanced.  
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Oral cancer is a disease not frequently discussed and most people never have an oral cancer screening, hence why the cancer is not detected at an early stage. Early detection and treatment of oral cancer significantly increase the chance of a positive outcome. At The QPD, we perform oral cancer screenings as a part of each thorough exam. We will look for signs of abnormal tissue as typically, there may be visible symptoms like red and white bumps, hard lumps, rough patches, or changes in the position of your teeth. We will also feel your cheeks and the inside of your mouth for irregularities. This is to identify whether or not you have any strange or hard lumps within the tissue. If any suspicious lesions are discovered, we will refer you to a specialist to have a biopsy of the abnormalities. Oral cancer screenings are important life-saving measures and at The QPD, we want to do our part to keep you cancer-free.  

There are 2 types of cleanings and depending on the presence or absence of periodontal disease, your doctor and dental hygienist will recommend the type (and frequency) of the cleaning for you.

Patients who qualify for this type of dental cleaning are free of periodontal disease. They regularly see their dental hygienist every 4 to 6 months for a cleaning, have healthy gums that do not bleed, and practice good home care. If you fall in this category, kudos to you! We salute you and are proud of you!

99% of healthy kids should be in this category and the routine semiannual cleaning from a young age will ensure a lifetime of healthy choppers. We can evaluate your children (as early as the age of 1) and with a gentle and soothing experience for your little ones, we can set them up for future fearless dental visits.

This type of cleaning is for the patient who has periodontal disease. Most patients will present with unhealthy and bleeding gums, hardened bacteria (“tartar”) above and below the gums called calculus, and bone loss. Sometimes there is even some looseness and mobility of the teeth!

Scaling and root planing treatments typically consists of 2 visits, ideally 1 week apart, with numbing of the side being treated. Scaling and root planing treatments, along with quarterly maintenance visits thereafter, will be the most effective option in fighting periodontal disease, averting the need for surgery, and hopefully hanging on to all your teeth! You see, periodontal disease is not something that can be cured, but with the removal of bacteria, visiting your hygienist as recommended, and practicing good home care, it can be maintained and kept from worsening.  

Young teeth or old teeth, fluoride treatment is perhaps the most effective (and most affordable) treatment to prevent dental decay. Fluoride strengthens teeth, defends teeth against the acids in your diets, can help reverse early stages of tooth decay, and helps decrease tooth sensitivity. Conspiracy theorists would have you believing otherwise, but believe science (and your dentist) when it tells you to rely on recommended fluoride treatments as a powerful tool in keeping your teeth healthy.

This in-office application is a highly effective method of ensuring absorption of fluoride where it’s intended for: the teeth! Fluoride varnish is applied to the teeth’s surface and due to its adherent nature, it is able to stay in contact with the teeth and be successfully taken in, helping remineralize and strengthen the teeth. What does this mean in English? Teeth can actively fight the decay process (and prevent formation of cavities) and have more resilience against sensitivity. This is all good news. Even better news: this is a painless, quick, and very affordable treatment.

There are many steps you can take to help prevent future cavities. For most patients, it is enough to brush, floss, eat responsibly, and have their regular dental check-ups.  But for some (less lucky) patients, this is not enough and they often have new decay, even when doing all the right things! Take-home fluoride trays are an inexpensive and effective therapy for these patients who are prone to extensive and recurring decay. If you happen to be one of these decay-prone patients, this is what we will do for you: we will fabricate custom-made trays that will fit your mouth comfortably, and then prescribe a high strength fluoride gel. You will then be instructed to wear the fluoride-loaded trays for just 5 minutes before bedtime. This regimen not only will help fight tooth decay, but also has the benefit of reducing sensitive teeth!

Although thorough brushing and flossing remove most food particles and bacteria from easy to reach tooth surfaces, they do not reach the deep grooves on chewing surfaces of teeth. More than half of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. This is where sealants play an important role. Dental sealants are thin protective (BPA-free) plastic material, sealed on the grooves of teeth to protect against development of decay in those hard to reach pits and fissure areas, effectively keeping teeth cavity-free for many years to come. This procedure is quick, non-invasive, pain-free, and relatively inexpensive. Hands down a winning preventative choice for your children’s permanent teeth! However, decay does not discriminate! So, if you are an adult that has groovy teeth that are difficult to keep clean (or on the verge of becoming decayed), we may recommend sealants for you too. This will protect your teeth from future costly dental fillings... You’re welcome! :)