Gentle Dental Care Capabilities

Procelain Bonding | back to top

Bonding is the process of adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth. This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to close gaps between the teeth, to alter the alignment of the tooth, or for cosmetic purposes. First, the surface of the tooth is roughened so the bonding will hold. Next, a gel is applied to micro etch the tooth surface, and a bond/primer agent is applied so the material adheres to the surface. Composite resin material is then placed on the tooth and hardened with intense light. As a last step, the composite resin is shaped and polished to get a lustrous finish.

Natural-Looking Bridges | back to top

A bridge is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. A natural looking tooth is created to fill the space; the sides of the bridge are formed by using the two adjacent teeth for support. Bridges are both functional and cosmetically pleasing. Creating beautiful bridge work is both an art and an exact science. Gold alloys, all ceramic, or porcelain bonded to metal alloy are some of the materials used. The choice of material depends on requirements for wear, strength, and/or esthetics.

There are several reasons that the missing tooth should be replaced as soon as possible. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a chain reaction of bad things. When a tooth is missing the surrounding teeth start to “fall” since teeth use their neighbors for support. As this worsens, the bite changes in response to the pressure. Eventually, this can result in problems with the entire jaw, eg. TMJ. The surrounding teeth also have a tendency to deteriorate, and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost.

Cosmetic Dentistry & Complete Smile Makeover | back to top

Cosmetic dentistry consists of procedures to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. If you are unhappy with your smile you can have it fixed. Gentle Dental Care provides smile makeover consultations for one tooth clear up to a full mouth reconstruction. The upper teeth show when smiling, and the lower teeth show when talking. Color, alignment, spacing, and regularity of the teeth are characteristics that contribute to a beautiful smile. Any of these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.

Natural-Looking Crowns | back to top

Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is broken, cracked, or too deteriorated to be restored with a filling. They look and feel like your existing teeth and are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. When a large filling is placed, the natural tooth becomes compromised and is more likely to break. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest muscles in the human body, subjecting teeth to tremendous pressure. Crowns completely cover the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. Remember, it’s less expensive and restoration is easier if you place the crown before the tooth becomes cracked or broken (eg: root canaled teeth always break eventually).

Comfort-Fit Dentures & Partials | back to top

Comfort-Fit Dentures help you eat — and smile — with confidence. There are different types of dentures and partials, but they share their common function. They replace teeth that have become loose or have been lost due to bone loss. It’s time for dentures when bone loss around the roots of the teeth is extensive enough to loosen them or let them fall out. No one enjoys losing their natural teeth, but you can relax in knowing that you can still eat and talk normally.

First, the entire mouth is examined to determine which teeth need to be removed. The loose teeth are then extracted. Dentures or partials are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth, depending on the type. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and you can carry on as usual.

Tooth Colored Restorations (Fillings) | back to top

Tooth-Colored Restorations for an incredibly natural look that matches your teeth. In 1995, Gentle Dental Care became one of the first practices in Idaho to stop using mercury fillings.

Fillings replace tooth structure after decay is removed. It is called a filling because new material fills the hole that the decay left. When you smile, you want people to notice you – not your dental work. That’s why most teeth today are treated with bonded tooth colored composite resin fillings. Cavities can be treated easily and painlessly if caught early enough. Left untreated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth would need a root canal or extraction.

Gentle Care for children | back to top

We love children! Happy visits should start for children at 3 years of age. Special appointments can be made if parents see dental problems in children younger than 3. Depending on age, we offer comprehensive exams, polishing, scaling, fluoride treatments, digital x-ray, and sealants. Little ones can even sit in your lap. If treatment is necessary beyond a cleaning, Gentle Dental Care has Doctors on staff who have small children themselves, and have a special interest in pediatric dentistry, The goal of our qualified Hygienists and Doctors is to create an atmosphere that will help your child look forward to going to the Dentist.

Implant Restorations | back to top

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed in your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, and injury, or some other reason.

While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you ever lost a tooth.You know that your confidence about your teeth affects how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement by a periodontist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates for implants.

Invisalign | back to top

Invisalign straightens your teeth with clear, comfortable, and removable aligners. Straighter teeth can lead to healthier gums, easier cleanings, improved chewing and speech, and decreased risk of dental trauma and abnormal wear. Your smile will be beautiful, you'll feel less self-conscious and more confident. Ask your Gentle Dental Care doctor about Invisalign and START SMILING MORE! Financing Available.

Mouth Guards | back to top

Mouth guards are prescribed when the teeth need to be protected or repositioned for one reason or another. Different shapes, sizes, and materials are used depending on the usage. Reasons for mouth guards include:

Sports Activities
Clenching
Grinding
TMJ Treatment

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) | back to top

“Laughing gas” isn’t really a service in itself, but it is used to make other treatment more comfortable. This famous dental anesthetic is safe, has proven effective over a long period of time, and is pleasant. A mask is placed that allows you to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. In about 30 seconds to 4 minutes you will notice a sedate feeling, and your cheek and gums may go numb. Then any needed local anesthetic is given and treatment begins. Afterwards, you will be given pure oxygen to breathe for about 5 minutes to dissipate the effects of the nitrous and help you return to your normal state.

Non-surgical Gum Treatments | back to top

The foundation for your teeth consists of gums, ligaments and bone. The medical term for these structures is the periodontium. Just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house, unhealthy periodontium jeopardizes the health of your teeth. Signs of unhealthy gums may include the following: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the bite or position of the teeth. Even one of these signs can mean trouble. However, with proper care, it may be possible to return the gums to a healthy state. Don’t delay coming in for treatment, because things won’t get better on their own. Treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planning done under local anesthetic. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary. Severe gum disease may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. So don’t delay. It is important to get the proper treatment at the first sign of a problem.

Oral Conscious Sedation | back to top

Conscious sedation involves the use of an anti-anxiety medication administered orally. The patient is still awake and even able to answer questions and follow instructions, but is in an extremely relaxed state of mind.

Besides relaxation, the benefit of conscious sedation is that the medication induces temporary amnesia, so the patient will have no memory of some, or even all, of the dental treatment. The time passes very quickly under this sedation so the patient may leave feeling as if they were asleep during the treatment.

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Oral Surgery | back to top

Oral surgery, more commonly known as tooth extractions, becomes necessary for many reasons to include: wisdom teeth, teeth that cannot be restored, orthodontics, placement of partials and dentures. In most cases the Gentle Dental Care Doctor can administer local anesthetic allowing comfortable removal of the tooth right in our office. If the extraction is complicated (eg: hooked roots), a referral to the Oral Surgery specialist may be necessary.

Gentle Dental Care Root Canals | back to top

It's no secret that needing a root canal can cause you worry or concern. But it doesn't have to. Today's innovative root canal techniques are more efficient and patient-friendly than ever before, and they are available here at Gentle Dental Care. We can perform the vast majority of root canal therapies in a single office visit. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call and schedule your appointment with us today:

• Persistent aching or throbbing tooth pain
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquids
• Pain while chewing or pain in your head, neck or ear

When a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to the pulp, root canal treatment is necessary (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy). Other reasons for root canal therapy can include deep restorations or trauma to the tooth that damages the nerve. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abcess). Once the pulp is infected it can’t heal on its own and must be treated. Teeth in this condition are often painful and can even weaken the entire immune system. Untreated infections in the head area are dangerous since they can spread quickly. The following symptoms are indicators that the pulp has become infected: sensitivity to hot/cold/sweets, pain, swelling, pain when biting, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.

A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The alternative treatment is extraction. Once the infection is under control, the canals are filled in to prevent further infections. A core build-up and crown is usually recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

Sealants | back to top

This simple, noninvasive procedure is accomplished by placing a thin resin material on the occlusal (flat) surface of a molar, and then curing it with a special light. Sealant material fills in narrow grooves in the tooth’s anatomy that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has such fine grooves or pits that not one bristle of a toothbrush can get in. Over time, cavities develop, and you don’t want that. By sealing the grooves and pits, it is possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

TMJ Diagnosis & Treatments | back to top

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint; Temporal, as in temple area of the skull, mandibular as in the mandible, or lower jaw, and joint as in where the head and jaw meet. Misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension can cause problems in this joint. This is an area where two bones meet so cartilage buffers them. There are also five muscles that contribute to stability and function. When things go wrong in this complicated area, a good deal of trouble can result.

Symptoms of TMJ:

Headaches
Earaches
Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
Clicking or popping of the jaw
Pain in the jaw muscles
Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

Dental treatments for TMJ can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, and filling gaps between the teeth. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent grinding or clenching that is contributing to the problem. If left untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.

Brite*Smile | back to top

See whitening.

Ultra-Gentle Injections | back to top

Ultra-Gentle Injections with flavored topical anesthetic for maximum comfort.

Whitening | back to top

You don’t have to be embarrassed by dull or dingy-looking teeth anymore. Bleaching, or whitening makes teeth whiter and more attractive. There are many over the counter whitening products available, but keep in mind that we offer professional strength bleaching that is quicker and longer lasting. Gentle Dental Care offers two methods depending on your needs and your budget.

BRITESMILE is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It’s safe, effective, and very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter (up to 15 shades). The convenience of BRITESMILE in comparison to days of using strips or wearing trays makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. The BRITESMILE whitening procedure is simple. First, we carefully perform steps to isolate your lips and gums. The clinician then applies the proprietary BRITESMILE whitening gel that is activated by a specially designed light. A fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You’ll be delighted with the results.

TRAY METHOD bleaching involves having impressions taken from which laboratory fabricated custom vinyl trays are made. A peroxide gel is placed in the trays and the trays with gel are worn for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. The entire process takes three to four weeks of daily use. Different strengths of gel may be used, however, the higher the strength the greater the likelihood of reactions or tooth sensitivity. Fluoride gel can help correct the sensitivity problem. The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth, such as tetracycline staining. With severe staining, it may take a few months of use to see significant color improvement.

The end result with either method is the same. The main difference is cost, as the tray method is about 1/3 the cost of BRITESMILE.

X-rays | back to top

In both our Gentle Dental Care locations we offer state of the art digital x-ray, providing tremendous advantages for the Doctor and the patient:

Lowest Levels of Radiation – reduces radiation exposure by as much as 90% compared to traditional x-rays.

Easier Diagnosis - superior x-ray image quality, effective diagnosis and superior patient communication.

X-ray images show immediately on the computer monitors in each dental operatory, so you can be part of your own treatment planning.

Procelain Veneers | back to top

Veneers are a dental procedure in which a covering is placed over the outside, visible area of the tooth. The result is a very attractive smile since flaws such as uneven, damaged, or discolored teeth can be dramatically corrected. The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable.
The procedure can be direct or indirect.

The direct technique involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is also referred to as bonding.

The indirect technique requires two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. The teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering at the first appointment. In two to three weeks the veneers come back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed, and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very attractive.

Intra Oral Camera | back to top

This special camera allows you to be involved in your treatment like never before. Images of your teeth appear on the computer screen in your treatment operatory, so you and the Doctor see exactly the same thing during treatment planning. Having visual images assists you in deciding the appropriate treatment for your individual needs.

Laser Cavity Diagnosis | back to top

This non-invasive, high-tech laser wand, no bigger than a pen, can find cavities before they have a chance to become painful and costly to repair.

Digital X-rays | back to top

Congratulations on choosing an office with Dentrix Image Ray, the all-new digital x-ray system that seamlessly integrates with our computer system. Let’s take a brief look at what the Image Ray digital x-ray system has to offer:

Lowest Levels of Radiation – radiation exposure is reduced up to 90% compared to conventional x-rays.

Easier Diagnosis – superior x-ray image quality provides effective diagnosis and superior patient communication.

Faster Results – images appear immediately on the operatory computer monitor, saving valuable time.

Computers in Every Operatory | back to top

The powerful software in our treatment rooms enables you to see and be hands on in your own treatment planning. A chair side monitor providing clear visual images of your dentition allows you to see what we see. You should feel confident that the dental procedures chosen are right for you.

State-of-the-Art Sterilization | back to top

Our sterilization room if full of high performance equipment that exceeds the Federal requirements for instrument and equipment sterilization.