The best way to protect your beautiful smile is by preventing problems before they start. Most of the conditions that negatively affect your smile can be avoided with regular care. Drs. Paul and Kevin Bruggeman and your Bruggeman Dentistry team are committed to answering your questions about proper hygiene and providing you with the most advanced preventive dentistry.
Perio Therapy
Periodontal disease (also called gum disease or gingivitis) refers to the infection of the supportive tissues of the mouth due to toxic bacteria found in plaque. Many individuals suffer from some degree of gum disease, and if left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss, break down of the soft tissue in the mouth and jaw and other significant health problems. We focus on preventive dentistry and assess your periodontal health. If needed, your dentist will conduct the appropriate therapy to restore your oral health.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Pus around teeth
- No pain associated with this disease until it is too late…
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Do you still have your wisdom teeth? Have you been putting off their removal? Bruggeman Dentistry can help. At some point in your life, most everyone requires that their wisdom teeth be extracted as a measure of preventative dentistry. A number of painful and lasting problems can occur due to the arrival of wisdom teeth. But with today’s dental technology, this procedure has been improved to maximize your comfort and speed along your recovery time.
Before extracting your wisdom teeth, your dentist will administer a local or general anesthetic, based on your own needs and patient history. Your dentist will remove the tooth and if necessary, stitch the incision area for faster healing. Your dental team will explain the procedure prior to your treatment and answer any questions you may have.
In most cases, your recovery from wisdom tooth extraction will only last a few days. Your Bruggeman Dentistry team will provide with you with detailed information on the do’s and don’ts of recovery, and you will be prescribed medication to manage any pain. Finally, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re no longer at risk for the many problems wisdom teeth can present.
Root Canal
Damage to the nerve tissue inside of a tooth sometimes requires a root canal procedure. Despite the tales you may have heard regarding the procedure, most root canals are minimally uncomfortable, especially compared to the pain and discomfort you may be feeling before the procedure. Your dentist at Bruggeman Dentistry takes advantage of advances in technology and dental techniques that make root canal procedures more effective while taking less time.
A root canal involves removing the soft tissue within the tooth – the pulp – when it has become infected and inflamed. Your dentist gently files the infected tissue out of the root canals of the tooth (this is where the procedure gets its name) and fills the void with an inert material. The procedure is completed with the placement of a filling or in some cases, a crown.
Fillings
Strengthen Your Smile Are you embarrassed about your smile because of decayed, disfigured or discolored teeth? You may be a good candidate for composite resins. Composite resins, also known as tooth colored fillings, offer a non-invasive way to improve your smile. A composite resin is a mixture of microscopic ceramic and glass particles dispersed in a plastic resin that can be bonded to teeth. The material comes in a wide range of shades and can be molded and sculpted to create almost any shape or contour. The fact that the resin is bonded means a seal is formed to reduce the chance of leakage, which is common with silver fillings. For years, silver-mercury was the primary material used by dentists to fill cavities. Today, tooth-colored restorations are superior, both in appearance and in durability. You deserve only the best, which is why Dr. Bruggeman offers tooth-colored restorations.
Tooth Extractions
Every effort is made to keep all your teeth, as it is always the best and preferred solution. In the instance where a tooth cannot be saved, it may be recommended to extract the tooth. Most extractions can be done here in our office instead of your being referred to a specialists in the area.
Oral Cancer Screening
As a comprehensive dental practitioner, Bruggeman Dentistry offers routine oral cancer screenings to you as a patient. As your dentists, Dr. Paul and Dr. Kevin Bruggeman are the only medical professionals in a position to evaluate routinely and detect abnormalities. Early detection is important. There will be 41,000 Americans diagnosed with oral cancer this year and 12,500 deaths. The death rate from oral cancer is especially high due to late discovery of the disease. Prognosis is more positive with early detection. A patient who does not seek regular continuous care from a dental professional is putting their health at risk by delaying a diagnosis in the early stage of oral cancer. We are dedicated to providing this potentially life-saving procedure for you.
Oral Cancer Statistics:
- Deaths due to oral cancer equal 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day
- Death rate is high not due to difficulty of diagnosis but due to late diagnosis
- 90% success rate if detected early
- Three times more common than cervical cancer
Night-guard
Many people who notice chipped or cracked teeth, but don’t remember when the injury occurred, damaged their teeth while they were sleeping. Grinding or clenching your teeth during the night will cause your teeth to chip, crack and even break. To keep you from seriously damaging your teeth, we recommend a dental appliance called a night-guard, which protects your teeth from grinding & clenching in your sleep. Your dentist takes great care in making sure you have a proper fit to prevent pain in your jaw joint. Do you suffer from headaches? You may find that a side benefit of your night-guard is headache prevention. Many headaches start during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask your dentist about having a night-guard custom created for you.
Do you suffer from headaches? A night guard helps prevent tension headaches. Many headaches start during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask your dentist about having a night guard custom created for you.