General and restorative dentistry at Sky Dental focuses on preventing tooth decay and restoring the function of teeth when needed. Dr. Wonnie Rhieu, Dr. Ross Newman, and the Sky Dental teamaccomplish this by helping patients establish an oral health routine that couples at-home care with consistent exams and dental cleanings. Regular care can prevent the accumulation of plaque and calculus around the teeth and under the gums, protecting you from an array of dental problems like tooth decay, gingivitis, bone damage, and even tooth loss.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
At Sky Dental, we begin your first visit with a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to create a treatment plan that suits your unique oral needs. Your exam will include digital X-rays to detect decay between the teeth. We use digital X-rays because they are even safer than traditional film X-rays.
Each exam includes a cleaning, during which our dental hygienist uses both hand instruments and a PiezoLED ultrasonic power scaler to gently break up plaque and tartar that build up below the gumline. Simultaneously, irrigation is applied to flush out harmful bacteria and biofilm in the gum pockets, which ultimately promotes healing. This technology allows our dental hygienist to safely treat patients in a shorter amount of time.
At your initial consultation, it is important that we assess every detail of your smile. This is why we perform a completely painless and complimentary SkySmileScan™. Using our state-of-the-art SkySmileScan™, we create a 3D digital smile simulation that allows our dentists to assess your bite and smile. This technology can be used to aid in restoring teeth with crowns or bridges, or to give you an idea of which cosmetic treatments could improve your smile. At the end of your consultation, our team will review your at-home care plan so that you can maintain the health of your teeth.
X-ray Fact vs. Fiction
Fiction: Digital X-rays contain dangerous radiation. Fact: Digital X-rays are modern and safe. One coast-to-coast flight from NY to LA exposes you to 50 times the amount of radiation that you receive from one digital X-ray!
Fiction: You only need dental X-rays every 2 years. Fact: At the minimum, the ADA suggests having dental X-rays taken every 2 years. However, at Sky Dental, our comprehensive patient care is focused on prevention and we suggest that all of our new patients have X-rays taken at their first visit. Often times, X-rays are also necessary to ensure a proper diagnosis when you have tooth trouble.
Fiction: You only need X-rays taken when there is a problem. Fact: X-rays are an excellent tool in the prevention of future oral health problems which can save you money down the road!
General and Restorative Dentistry Services:
ROUTINE DENTAL EXAM AND CLEANING
Regular exams and cleanings prevent the accumulation of plaque and calculus around the teeth and under the gums. Removal of these deposits, through scaling, along with digital x-ray exams can help prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, bone loss, halitosis (bad breath), and tooth loss.
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING (SRP)
We offer a range of treatments to stop or reverse gum disease. In the early stages, most treatment involves non-surgical procedures like scaling, root planing and specialized deep cleanings. In more advanced stages, surgical procedures like opening up the affected gum tissue to remove calculus build-up may be recommended.
HYGIENE AND PERIO MAINTENANCE
Rather than just addressing the visible part of your tooth, known as the crown, perio maintenance cares for your tooth roots, gums and bones. It is ongoing deep cleaning and maintenance for the tissues affected by periodontal disease. If your gums become inflamed or easily bleed during tooth brushing, perio maintenance may help improve your condition.
SKYSMILE SCAN™ 3D DIGITAL SMILE AND BITE ANALYSIS
Our patented SkySmile Scan™ uses advanced technology to generate a precise 3D image of your teeth in just minutes. The smile and bite analysis is used to simulate movement to map out the course of your entire dental treatment. Grinding, wear patterns, gum recession. Receive a complimentary Smile Simulation via email.
COMPOSITE FILLINGS AND BONDING
Composite resin (a tooth-colored plastic material) can be used to simultaneously fill a cavity and improve your smile. The resin is bonded to your teeth with the use of a special light and erases the appearance of decay repair.
CROWNS AND BRIDGES
Crowns and most bridges aid in restoring the health of your smile. A crown covers or “caps” the tooth to restore it to its normal shape, size and function. Crowns are often used to treat teeth that have broken or decayed so much that fillings cannot fix them. A dental bridge is composed of two crowns for teeth on either side of a gap.
ROOT CANALS
Root canal is a procedure used to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. With advances in dentistry, and the precision of our endodontic specialist, most patients have little if any pain with a root canal.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When they are placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone and become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.
FRENECTOMIES
A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure that eliminates the frenum in the mouth. The frenum is a muscular attachment between two tissues found inside the cheeks and lips, and inside the mouth and gums. Patients who have undergone a frenectomy find it reduces discomfort, enhances bite function and promotes self-confidence.
ORAL SURGERY
Our experienced dentists participate in ongoing education to provide the most advanced surgical treatments. From detecting oral cancer to tooth extraction, our team is well-trained to identify and recommend the best course of action.
DENTURES AND PARTIALS
As with all of our treatments, depending on your needs your dentist will design a denture that is right for you. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases. They are built with connectors or clasps that connect to your teeth.
