General Dental Services

Periodontal therapy
Pediatric treatment and cleanings
Partials & Dentures

Root Canal Therapy
Professional Breath Control
Oral Cancer Screening

Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy and Endodontic therapy

Root Canal Therapy or Endodontic therapy is a sequence of treatment for the pulp of a tooth whose end result is the elimination of infection and protection of the decontaminated tooth from future microbial invasion. Although this set of procedures is commonly referred to as a root canal, this term is imprecise; root canals and their associated pulp chamber are the anatomical hollows within a tooth which are naturally inhabited by nerve tissue, blood vessels and a number of other cellular entities, whereas endodontic therapy includes the complete removal of these structures, the subsequent cleaning, shaping and decontamination of these hollows with the use of tiny files and irrigating solutions and the obturation, or filling, of the decontaminated root canals with an inert filling, such as gutta percha and a usually eugenol-based cement. After the surgery the tooth will be "dead", and if the infection is spread at apex - root end surgery is required.

Periodontal Therapy & Cleaning

Periodontal treatment is necessary when various conditions affect the health of your gums and the regions of your jawbone that hold your teeth in place. Retaining your teeth is directly dependent on proper periodontal care and maintenance. Healthy gums enhance the appearance of your teeth, like a frame around a beautiful painting. When your gums become unhealthy, they can either recede or become swollen and red. In later stages, the supporting bone is destroyed and your teeth will shift, loosen, and may require extraction. These changes not only affect your ability to chew and speak; they also spoil your smile.

The Progressive Stages of Gum Disease

	In a Perfectly Healthy Situation, your gums appear pink and firm. There is no bleeding. A bacterial sample shows a healthy balance of normal bacteria.
	In Early Gum Disease, your gums can appear nearly normal with some slight bleeding. Bacterial samples show an early presence of the "pathogenic" or abnormal bacteria.
	In Moderate Gum Disease, the first signs of the destructive process are evident. In addition to puffy, bleeding gums, pockets form around the teeth and bacterial counts elevate significantly.
	In Advanced Gum Disease, in addition to the previous symptoms, teeth may begin to loosen, pus may appear and the most destructive forms of bacteria are prevalent.

Adults past the age of 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases than cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal diseases is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily, and regular professional examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.

Dentures

What are dentures? Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic resin which at times incorporate porcelain or metal for additional structural support. There are two main types of dentures. Both Complete Dentures and Partial Dentures are finely crafted, custom-fitted. If you properly maintain your dentures they will appear natural and provide a perfect smile. Additionally, dentures help strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth, rid you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing.

Pediatric Treatment and Cleanings

We love kids! At North Valley Family Dentistry you can be rest assured that your child will have a relaxing, stress-free visit. Your child can pick their favorite movie or listen to their favorite music while having their dental treatment. Our team is devoted to establishing a relationship with you and your child toward optimum dental health that will last you and your family a lifetime. See Links section for valuable articles.

Oral Cancer Screening

ViziLite Plus as part of a comprehensive oral screening

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the ViziLite Plus exam has been developed. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. A ViziLite Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer.

The ViziLite Plus exam can help our dentist or hygienist identify abnormal tissue, that might develop into oral cancer.

An annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The ViziLite Plus exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life.

ViziLite Plus is performed immediately following a regular visual examination:

First, you will be instructed to rinse with a cleansing solution
Next, the overhead lighting will be dimmed.
Then, your dental professional will examine your mouth using ViziLite Plus, a specially designed light technology.

About Oral Cancer

Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%

Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.

Does My Insurance Cover Oral Cancer Screening?

Dental Insurance might not cover this advanced oral cancer screening as an addition to the standard visual examination. North Valley Family Dentistry prescribes the ViziLite® Plus exam for all patients at increased risk, high risk and highest risk for oral cancer (adult patients 18 and older and tobacco users at any age). We will perform the ViziLite® Plus exam following the standard oral cancer examination of the oral cavity for a reasonable fee.

The Deadly Statistics

Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer.
The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years.
The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary.
More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive.
27% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.

Professional Breath Control

Mouth rinses are a great adjunct to optimal oral health. Many provide excellent antimicrobial properties that no only help fight plaque, but also help kill bacteria that cause gum disease. When choosing a rinse, try one that is alcohol free like The Natural Dentist, Breath Rx, or ClosysII. Alcohol containing rinses will actually dry out the mouth and could increase your risk for oral cancer.

Questions? Please ask us, we would be happy to help you find a rinse that benefits you.

All mouth rinses are not created equal. When looking to cover up a bad breath (halitosis) or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, look closer at the cause and let us help with a solution. There are two types of bad breath: transitory bad breath is caused by foods like garlic and onions that doesn't last very long, or chronic bad breath which does not improve over time. The "odor" of chronic bad breath results when bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue cause the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) in the form of hydrogen sulfides. The back of the tongue is the prime breeding spot for anaerobic bacteria that creates odor-causing Volatile Sulfur Compounds. This may be an ongoing problem requiring professional breath management. In addition to your dental hygiene care, an adjunct system our office uses for combating VSC's, is Breath Rx. Regular dental care is paramount to controlling bad breath, as halitosis will never disappear in the presence of periodontitis. Once periodontal contributors are controlled or ruled out, an effective daily oral hygiene program is simply the only way to control most cases of bad breath.

Talk with our doctors and our hygienists about how we can help you. Read Articles