Cleanings And Exams
At Authentic Smiles your dental health is our top priority. To help maintain your healthiest and happiest smile, our dentists recommend that each of our patients visit us twice a year for regular dental exams and dental cleanings.
During your dental cleaning appointment, one of our registered dental hygienists or dentists will perform a professional dental prophylaxis (dental cleaning). This cleaning will remove calculus (tartar) and plaque from your teeth both above and below your gumline. Even the most stringent at-home brushing and flossing regimen cannot fully clean your teeth of all tartar and plaque, but the special dental instruments at Old Greenwich Dental Associates can get rid of anything that’s stubbornly clinging to your smile. Your dental cleaning will end with a thorough teeth polishing, which can remove stains and any residual plaque that did not come off during the rest of the cleaning.
Once your teeth have been cleaned and polished, your dentist will also perform a dental exam to ensure that you are going home free of any underlying dental concerns. This exam will address the following:
- Diagnostic x-rays. Dental x-rays are necessary for finding decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. For children, these x-rays are also used to diagnose developmental problems that can arise when new teeth are growing in.
- Screen for oral cancer. We will check your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
- Check for gum disease. The gums and bone around your teeth will be examined for any signs of periodontal (gum) disease.
- Check for tooth decay. We will test the surfaces of all your teeth to ensure that no decay or cavities are forming.
- Examine existing restorations. If you already have any fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations, your dentist will check each of these to confirm that they are still in strong shape.
Once your dentist has given you a clean bill of dental health, don’t forget to continue your valuable at-home brushing and flossing regimen!
Teeth Whitening
Safe, Effective Teeth Whitening To Restore Your Brightest Smile
Try as you might with your brushing regimen, eventually time and other factors can take its toll on the brightness of your smile. Here are just a few of the foods, drinks, and habits that can cause your teeth to stain:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Dark-colored sodas
- Wine
- Chocolate
- Citrus & Acidic Foods
- Pigmented Berries (blueberries, blackberries, etc.)
- Smoking
Even if you brush after every meal, residual particles will still remain on your teeth and gums. Over time, your smile can suffer. There is good news, however! You don’t have to give up your favorite foods and drinks to maintain your whitest smile. Instead, Authentic Smiles offers a teeth whitening solution to help restore and improve the effervescence and assurance of your smile.
Why Should You Use Dentist-Supervised Teeth Whitening Treatment?
Two major factors come into play when you choose to have your teeth whitened by Dr. Greg Busch: speed and safety.
Safety – The whitening treatment at Old Greenwich Dental Associates is significantly safe than the ones that you can buy over the counter. When you opt to have your teeth whitened under Authentic Smiles supervision, we will first make sure that you are indeed a candidate for teeth whitening and that the treatment won’t harm your teeth or gums. In addition, we can confirm that you are using the correct strength whitening solution – one that can provide maximum results while still keeping your health a priority.
Speed – Because we supervise your procedure closely at Old Greenwich Dental Associates, we are able to use a stronger bleaching solution than over-the-counter kits are allowed to have. This means that we’ll be able to get your teeth whiter much more quickly.
Fillings
What Are Composite Dental Fillings?
Composite fillings help to repair your tooth when it has experienced some type of damage, whether it be a cavity, a chip, or something else. Fillings can also be used to fill gaps between teeth or to replace older, unsightly fillings. Composite fillings can be very closely matched to your tooth’s existing color, and they are therefore a great option for front teeth or other visible teeth.
Composite fillings are only one of the many filling options that are available for restorations at Old Greenwich Dental Associates. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, and we will be happy to discuss the different options with you.
Composite fillings are very durable and can last for several years before needing a replacement.
How Are Composite Fillings Placed?
Composite fillings can typically be done or placed in just one appointment. After numbing your tooth, your dentist will remove decay and other damaged areas that may have resulted if you have a cavity or other injury. Before placing the new filling, your dentist will thoroughly clean the new space and apply special medication to any teeth with decay near the tooth root. After this, the composite resin will be placed into the space, shaped, and polished, and your filling will be complete! Your tooth will once again have its original shape and function, and your new filling will keep any food or bacteria from getting caught in your tooth and causing more problems..