Good oral hygiene habits must start at an early age! Historically, parents have been advised to take their children to the dentist for their first visit around age 3. Unfortunately, tooth decay can occur in children under the age of 3. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that an initial oral evaluation visit occur within six months of the eruption of the first primary tooth and no later than twelve months of age. During this important first visit we will complete a thorough medical and dental history, complete a thorough oral examination, assess your child's risk of developing oral and dental disease, and develop an appropriate protocol to reduce your child's risk of developing dental disease. The early visits are established to get the kiddos comfortable with the dental office and to answer any questions the parents may have regarding nutrition, oral hygiene, and tooth development. We have many resources available in the office for new parents. We look forward to assisting your children in developing good oral hygiene.

Preventive care is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy smile. Removing plaque through daily brushing and flossing along with professional cleaning is the best way to minimize your risk for periodontal disease. Your oral health care team will assist you in formulating a personalized program of home care and professional care to meet your individualized needs. At each continuing care visit our hygienists review and assist each person with their own individual issues regarding their personal dental care habits as it relates to their total health. We are respectful of everyone's right to their health choices and encourage people to aspire to an optimal level of dental health that daily choices for self care can bring.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue, is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life. Bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth, is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. If plaque is not removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus, also known as tartar. Toxins produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets which fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets extend deeper and the bacteria moves down until the bone that holds the tooth in place is destroyed. The tooth will eventually fall out or require extraction.

Other factors that can lead to periodontal disease include genetics and lifestyle choices. A diet low in nutrients can diminish the body's ability to fight infection. Smokers and tobacco chewers have more irritation to gum tissues than non-tobacco users. Stress can also affect the ability to ward off disease. Diseases that interfere with the body's immune system, such as leukemia and AIDS, may worsen the condition of the gums. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, where the body is more prone to infection, gum disease is more severe and harder to control.

Warning signs of gum disease include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, puss between the gum and tooth, persistent bad breath, change in the way teeth fit together when the patient bites, and a change in the fit of partial dentures. While patients are advised to check for the warning signs, there might not be any discomfort until the disease has spread to a point where the tooth is unsalvageable.

In the early stages of periodontal disease, treatment involves scaling and root planing, which is removing plaque and calculus around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Antibiotics or antimicrobials may be used to supplement the effects of scaling and root planing. In most cases of early gum disease, called gingivitis, scaling and root planing and proper daily cleaning achieve a satisfactory result. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment.

Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten teeth using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. Whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart, or have shifted since wearing braces, you'll have a new reason to smile. Only a doctor who has been trained and certified can treat using Invisalign. DR. SCHULTZ HAS ADVANCED TRAINING AND EXPERTISE AND IS DISTINGUISHED AS A PREFERRED PROVIDER OF INVISALIGN. Upon an initial examination, Dr. Schultz will determine if Invisalign is right for you. She will write a treatment plan, make x-rays and photos, and take an impression of your teeth, which are submitted to the Invisalign laboratory. Using the latest advances in 3-D computer technology, Invisalign carefully translates Dr. Schultz's instructions into a series of precisely customized aligners. You then wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, moving your teeth, gradually, until you have achieved the intended result: straighter teeth. Traditionally, you will have visits to the office every 4 to 6 weeks to monitor treatment. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of your case, which determines the number of aligners you need. To visit the Invisalign website, click here.

Whitening, or lightening, your teeth is one of the easiest ways to achieve a beautiful and "younger" smile. There are many options available to help you whiten your smile. Whitening toothpastes will help remove surface stains on your teeth, but they will not eliminate internal discolorations. Therefore, they are somewhat helpful to assist you in maintaining white teeth, but not particularly helpful in creating a whiter smile.

Non-professional whitening products purchased in stores may work with minimal to moderate effectiveness, although they are not often as uniformly consistent as many people desire for an optimal result. If you are considering a non-professional whitening system, talk to us to determine if it is one appropriate for you.

We recommend professionally fabricated at-home whitening systems utilizing a gel solution for optimal whitening results. We will make impressions of your teeth and construct custom made bleaching trays to wear for a specified period of time each day. Most people see a significant change in how bright and light their teeth are within two to four weeks. Essentially all of the research in dentistry supports this approach as being the most effective, longest-lasting, and most economical approach to whitening.

In-office whitening is the other professional approach and uses a stronger chemical on your teeth in the dental office. This approach may use a light or heat source or even a laser to "activate" the solution. The majority of the research done says the solutions work with or without the light systems and that all of the solutions work, but most of the research also says you need multiple visits to achieve what could have been accomplished using custom trays at home, and the cost of this approach is far greater. Because of this, we strongly suggest the custom-made trays.

Dental bonding procedures use tooth-colored filling materials that adhere to your teeth and can change the shape, size, or color of your teeth. In some cases this technique can be comfortably done without anesthesia since no tooth structure is reduced. This process can often be done in one appointment, resulting in a beautiful new smile.

A veneer is a thin, porcelain shell that is bonded directly to the outer surface of your tooth. Veneers offer a strong and durable way to change the color and shape of your teeth, without the unnecessary reduction of healthy tooth structure. They are also used to close spaces and correct alignment without the need for braces.

We are committed to providing you with the safest, most effective diagnostic tools available. This is why we have invested in digital x-rays.

Digital radiographs ("x-rays") are computer generated images. These images require 90% less radiation than conventional film type x-rays. Instead of using the traditional silver-oxide x-ray film that must be developed and then fixed in caustic and environmentally damaging solutions, the new system takes pictures via a small electronic sensor and it then instantaneously transmits a picture of the tooth onto the video monitor in the treatment room. Therefore, we can see your teeth and surrounding structures immediately. Not only does the new digital x-ray eliminate the usual wait for x-ray film to be processed, but it also is highly sensitive, so that patients are exposed to even less radiation than with conventional x-rays.

Many procedures and treatments can be made more comfortable, convenient, and effective through laser dentistry.

We use a soft tissue laser to aid in the treatment of periodontal disease. This allows us to achieve optimal results with a non-surgical, non-invasive method.

The laser also allows for precise gum re-contouring to balance uneven gums and remove excess gum tissue to reduce the appearance of an overly gummy smile.

We can also use the laser to decrease the length and severity of cold sores and canker sores. Just contact us upon initial symptoms, and without anesthesia or discomfort, we can greatly reduce the severity.

Other procedures including frenectomies, excisional biopsies, crown lengthening, and tooth exposure can be done efficiently, effectively and comfortably with the laser.

With the laser, there is little or no need for anesthesia or sutures, and discomfort is minimized.

There are many options available with today's dentistry to replace teeth that have been lost due to periodontal disease, decay, or congenital reasons.

IMPLANTS are an excellent option in most situations to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants function as artificial tooth roots that provide a permanent foundation for replacement teeth. Titanium implants can be used to support a single restoration, a bridge, or even a full set of dentures. Because they become a permanent, fully integrated part of the mouth, dental implants provide greater strength and security as well as a more natural feel than other methods of restoration. In addition, they allow patients to regain the beautiful smile they had with their natural teeth.

Fixed partial dentures, more commonly referred to as "bridges", are another effective option for tooth replacement. An artificial tooth, or multiple teeth, is supported by a crown on the adjacent teeth. Bridges allow you to replace missing teeth by using the teeth surrounding the space to support the replacement.

Removable partial denture becomes an acceptable option for tooth replacement when there are no longer enough remaining teeth available to support a fixed bridge. Removable partials are not cemented into place, and therefore are removed by the patient for effective cleaning. These are made out of acrylic or metal, or a combination of both, and attach to remaining teeth for stability. Removable partials serve to restore chewing function and reduce the burden of remaining teeth.

Complete dentures are available for patients missing all of their teeth. Plastic teeth are set in an acrylic framework that rests directly on your gums. There are different types of dentures available depending on patient needs. Today's dentures can be very esthetic and stable.

Fillings are available to restore teeth that have been affected by decay. Historically, amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, were our only option to fill decayed areas of teeth. With advances in dentistry, we now have tooth-colored fillings, called composites, available. Tooth-colored fillings look natural and bond to remaining tooth structure. Because they bond to the tooth, they are a more conservative and stronger option to restoring a healthy smile.

Crowns, or "caps", fit over your teeth and help protect them from breaking. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of both. Crowns are used to improve the appearance of teeth as well as to strengthen teeth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is broken down and fillings will not restore the tooth to its natural function and stability. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage does not get worse. Crowns are also used to support a large filling when there is not enough of the tooth remaining, attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, or cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.

An onlay is fabricated to fit your tooth precisely and is bonded tightly in place to strengthen and protect the damaged tooth. Like a crown, an onlay covers and protects the tooth’s biting surface. Where a crown covers the entire tooth, an onlay fits inside the tooth cusps and covers only the biting surface as well as one or more of the cusps. An onlay is a more conservative option than a crown, and is a great treatment option when appropriate.

Underneath your tooth's outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which carries the tooth's nerves, veins, and arteries. When the pulp becomes damaged or infected due to decay, fracture, or trauma, it can cause irreversible pain. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular activity, and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it or applying hot or cold foods and drinks. Pain can also occur without any stimulus. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, and the tooth may become non-restorable. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth. For patients who are experiencing tooth pain, a root canal may be necessary. Not only is root canal treatment effective in eliminating tooth pain, it also gives patients an opportunity to salvage much of the structure of their original tooth. During root canal treatment, the diseased pulp is removed and the canal space is filled with a plastic-like material to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed with a final restoration, usually a crown. This enables patients to keep the original tooth.

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause chronic facial, head, neck, and jaw pain. Many of these problems are directly correlated with the way your teeth fit together. Conscious and unconscious clenching or grinding can intensify these problems. There are many noninvasive treatment options available to reduce the discomfort associated with these parafunctional habits. A careful evaluation of your occlusion, the way your teeth fit together, will show which treatment option is best for your dental situation.