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Don’t let a dental problem get you down! The right dental treatment will have you smiling again in no time!

Dental Treatments

As a dental patient, you now have more dental treatment options than ever to keep your smile healthy and sparkling. Modern braces and retainers are virtually undetectable so you don't have to feel self-conscious. Dental implants and veneers offer dramatic cosmetic results if you're unhappy with the way your teeth look.

And while hearing the words "fillings" and "root canals" may set you on edge, today these dental procedures can be performed with little pain or inconvenience.


Home > Dental Encyclopedia > Dental Treatments

Abutment

Everything needs something to lean on. Abutment teeth are the natural teeth or teeth roots that provide support for dental bridges, dentures and dental implants.

Amalgam

Dentists have used amalgam, or silver, to fill dental cavities for over 100 years. But amalgam has gotten a bad rap in recent years. Find what's true and what's myth.

Apicoectomy

The goal of a root canal treatment is to save your tooth. But when that doesn't work, your dentist may recommend an apicoectomy to remove a diseased tooth root.

Arestin

Scaling and root planing procedures are effective in removing the bacteria that cause periodontal disease, but using ARESTIN offers added protection. Find out how ARESTIN works.

Bone Grafting

If your jaw isn't healthy enough to support dental implants, your dentist may recommend bone grafting. Bone grafting involves using bone from other areas of your body to rebuild your jaw.

Bone Regeneration

When left untreated, periodontal disease can wear away your jaw bone making non-surgical procedures ineffective. Bone regeneration can remedy this.

Brite Smile® Teeth Whitening

Some brands of one-hour teeth whitening systems are only available at a traditional dentist's office. But BriteSmile teeth whitening spas are changing that.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge is ideal if you're missing a tooth but don't have healthy abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. Cantilever bridges can also be used to replace missing teeth.

Composite Resin Fillings

The 60s ushered in a social revolution and also brought composite resin fillings to the fore. With composite resin fillings, you may never have to see silver in your mouth again!

Computer-Generated Anesthesia

The Wand is a device used to adminster needle-free, computer-generated anesthesia. While it's not magic, patients who have a fear of needles might think it is!

Conscious Sedation

Need help feeling relaxed during your dental visit? Ask your dentist about conscious sedation -- a mild form of sedation that doesn't put you under.

Crest Whitestrips®

With Crest Whitestrips, an hour a day will keep tooth stains away. Take Crest Whitestrips with you for on-the-go whitening and enjoy a brighter smile in just 10 days.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a type of oral surgery used to reshape a "gummy" smile or prepare a tooth to for a dental crown. Crown lengthening is performed by a periodontist.

da Vinci Veneers™

Dental veneers are all the rage, but which brand is right for you? daVinci veneers is a brand you may hear about because they look natural, resist staining and require little to no anesthesia.

Day White® Teeth Whitening

Perfect for the multi-tasker in all of us, Day White teeth whitening systems can be used while you work, take care of the kids or watch TV.

Dental Bonding

Are you embarrassed to smile because of chipped, broken or discolored teeth? Dental bonding could be the quick fix you want. Dental bonding takes just 30-60 minutes per tooth. 

Dental Braces

Dental braces have evolved so much that you may not recognize them -- or see them at all! Today's dental braces are designed to improve your comfort without sacrificing your style.

Dental Bridges

First impressions last, so if you don't want to remembered as having missing teeth consider getting a dental bridge. There are many types of dental bridges to replace one or more missing teeth.

Dental Caries

Everyone's heard of dental cavities, but you may not recognize dental cavities by their other name: dental caries. Although dental caries seem inevitable, there are many ways to keep them at bay.

Dental Cavities

Need another good reason to kick your sugar habit? Consuming too much sugar causes dental cavities; but changing your diet can help stop dental cavities altogether. 

Dental Cleanings

Dental plaque and dental taratr are tough to beat -- even if you brush and floss regularly. That's why your twice yearly dental cleaning is one of the most important parts of your oral health care regimen.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a tried-and-true method for repairing broken teeth, protecting decayed teeth and covering dental implants. Many dental crowns take just 1-2 visits to place.

Dental Fillings

When you think of dental fillings silver probably comes to mind. But there are many types of dental fillings available to fit a variety of cosmetic wants and budgetary needs.

Dental Implants

Want to replace missing teeth and never have to think about it again? With permanent dental implants, your smile can look great again -- or even better than before!

Dental Inlays

Dental inlays are used to restore teeth that are too damaged to support dental fillings. Patients love them because they're more durable than most dental fillings and less costly than dental crowns.

Dental Nerve Blocks

Administering anesthesia, or dental nerve blocks, requires training and skill. But some factors can block the effectiveness of dental nerve blocks -- find out which ones.

Dental Onlays

You may have heard of "partial dental crowns," which is another name for dental onlays. Dental onlays are used to restore large dental cavities found on or near a tooth's cusps.

Dental Sealants

Molars are some of our strongest teeth, but that doesn't mean they don't need protection. Dental sealants help defend the chewing surfaces of our molars from tooth decay.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers pack a lot of power into a thin ceramic shell. In just one visit you can transform chipped, discolored and crooked teeth with dental veneers!

DentiPatch®

DentiPatch is a revolutionary form of needle-free anesthesia. Unlike topical numbing gels, DentiPatch penetrates deep into the gums and lasts for about 45 minutes!

Denture Reline

A denture reline is necessary for the longevity of your dentures and the health of your jaw bone and mouth tissues. If your dentures no longer fit, you may need a denture reline.

Dentures

Today's dentures are designed to fit better, look better and feel better. Whether you need full or partial dentures, there are a host of reasons why you should replace missing teeth.

Diode Laser

Dentists who practice laser dentistry rely on the diode laser for both gum and teeth treatments. The diode laser can be used for root canals, teeth whitening and more!

Electronic Anesthesia

Afraid of injections? Electronic anesthesia involves using a low-voltage electrical current for pain relief. Find out what the TENS system is all about.

Enamel Shaping

You could probably think of a number of ways to reshape your body. But did you know that you can also reshape your teeth? Enamel shaping is perfect for improving minor flaws.

Endodontic Retreatment

Dentists have been treating inner-tooth disease with root canal therapy for years. But five percent are ineffective and require an endodontic retreatment. Find out why.

Flexible Partial Dentures

Made of a flexible base that easily adapts to the movement of your mouth, flexible partial dentures also offer improved comfort and aesthetics as well as health benefits.

General Anesthesia

When people talk about going under, they're talking about general anesthesia. General anesthesia is most often used during oral surgery or given to patients with dental anxiety.

Geneva 2000™ Dentures

Clinical studies have shown that eight out of ten patients chose Geneva 2000 Smile Design Dentures over standard dentures. Find out what makes Geneva 2000 Dentures so special.

Gingivitis

Many people have gingivitis but few realize that it's reversible. With deep dental cleanings and good oral hygiene, you can keep gingivitis from progressing into periodontitis.

GO SMILE® Teeth Whitening

If you could brush on a whiter smile, would you? The GO SMILE teeth whitening system is just about that easy. With GO SMILE you can have a smile that stops people in their tracks.

Gold Braces

Who says dental braces have to look unattractive? With gold braces, you can add a little somethin'-somethin' to your smile. Find out why gold braces are a solid option.

Gum Disease

If your gums are red and bleeding, don't ignore them. In its early stages, gum disease is fairly easy to remedy. When left untreated, it can wreak havoc on your mouth and body.

Gum Grafting

It's easy to see why periodontists stick to gum grafting: Gum grafting can eliminate tooth sensitivity, reshape unsightly gum lines and protect your teeth from disease!

Gum Treatments

It's easy to forget about your gums, but if you ignore them for too long you may need a gum treatment. Gum treatments are non-invasive or surgical depending on the damage.

Herbal Oral Sedation

Looking for an alternative to traditional oral sedation? Herbal oral sedation might be the perfect solution. But remember, herbal oral sedation is not a painkiller!

H-Wave

Does anesthesia make you think of a needle? This might shock you, but pain-free, needle-free anesthesia is here -- and it's called H-Wave electronic anesthesia.

Invisalign® Dental Aligners

Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic system for straightening teeth. Invisalign teeth aligners look radically different and are removable and comfortable to wear, too.

IV Sedation Dentistry

Do you balk at dental treatments? With IV sedation dentistry, you can have all the benefits of dental care without the memory of an uncomfortable experience.

Laser Cavity Detection

Detecting dental cavities through X-rays and manual probing may soon be a thing of the past. Laser cavity detection is 90 percent effective in finding dental cavities and suspicious areas.

Laser Dentistry

It's probably been a while since you've seen a dental drill. That's because laser dentistry tools and techniques are now being used to treat a wide variety of dental problems.

Laser Gum Surgery

Your dentist cares about your comfort. To prove this, dentists created a special laser to perform laser gum surgery, which is non-invasive and requires little to no anesthesia.

Laser Gum Treatment

A laser gum treatment is one of the most innovative procedures in modern dentistry. If you've shied away from gum treatments before, laser gum treatments may make you reconsider.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery does more with less: It uses a beam of light to clear away bacteria and infection so that patients experience less discomfort and fewer post-op complications.

Laser Teeth Whitening

It's fast, accurate and virtually pain-free -- what's not to like about laser teeth whitening? With laser teeth whitening you can brighten your smile 5-10 shades in about an hour.

Laughing Gas

If won't actually make you laugh, but inhaling nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas," can help make you feel calm and relaxed before dental procedures.

Local Anesthesia

At some point in your lifetime of dental care you'll probably need local anesthesia. Local anesthesia protects you from feeling pain and even dental anxiety!

LUMINEERS® by Cerinate®

What makes LUMINEERS® by Cerinate® different from other porcelain veneers? Unlike other veneers, LUMINEERS by Cerinate® require little to no dental preparation.

MAC Veneers™

MAC veneers™ are revered for their strength and durability. Made of pressable ceramics, many celebrities have chosen MAC veneers™ because of their resistance to staining.

MDI Dental Implants

Some things are meant to float; dentures aren't one of them. Find out how MDI dental implants, or mini dental implants, can keep your lower dentures in place.

Molar Endodontics

Think of molar endodontics as root canal therapy for your molar teeth -- the ones in the back of your mouth that are used for chewing. Find out what's involved in molar endodontics.

Mouthguards

If you play sports, you probably have plenty of protective gear for your body. But your mouth needs protection, too. Find out what type of mouthguard is right for you.

Night Guard

Waking up with a headache or jaw pain may be signs that you're grinding your teeth in your sleep. A night guard can ease your discomfort and may even save you money.

Nite White® Teeth Whitening

Not all take-home teeth whitening kits are available over the counter. Nite White teeth whitening is a unique take-home system that's administered by your dentist.

Nitrous Oxide

Anesthesia numbs; nitrous oxide relaxes. Often used in conjunction with local dental anesthesia, nitrous oxide is a gentle, but effective form of sedation.

Nobel Teeth-In-An-Hour™

Does teeth in an hour sound too good to be true? The only thing that's false about Nobel Teeth in an Hour is the teeth. Find out what makes Nobel Teeth in an Hour different.

Non-Surgical Bite Correction

A misaligned bite (malocclusion) might seem like it requires oral surgery, but it's not so. In fact, many dentists use different types of non-surgical bite correction to fix "bad bites."

Novocain®

Novocain is the most commonly used type of dental anesthesia, but that doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Find out what you need to know before receiving Novocain.

NTI Appliance

Prone to migraines? Teeth grinding or teeth clenching could be the cause, and an NTI appliance could be the cure. An NTI appliance works to suppress clenching!  

Nu Radiance® Teeth Whitening

Part do-it-yourself part dentist-administered, Nu Radiance teeth whitening kits are specially formulated for patients with sensitive teeth.

Opalescence® Teeth Whitening

Award-winning Opalescence teeth whitening systems are perfect whether you want a quick boost, intensive treatment or a take-home solution for daily maintenance.

Oral Cancer

Early detection of oral cancer can result in an 80-90 percent recovery rate. Even if you're not at risk, it's always good to have your dentist check for oral cancer during an exam.

Oral Cancer Exam

The earlier you find out you have oral cancer the better. An oral cancer exam from your dentist is fast, easy and pain-free -- and can be done during a regular dental exam.

Oral Sedation

While most forms of sedation require a shot, oral sedation ushers in relaxation through a pill. With oral sedation, you'll get dental anxiety relief without having to go under.

Oral Surgery

The term "oral surgery" sounds complicated but can be as simple as a tooth extraction. Oral surgery can also be used to treat sleep apnea and repair a cleft lip/palate.

Orthodontic Retainers

Orthodontic retainers prevent your teeth from shifting once your dental braces are removed. Find out what types of orthodontic retainers are available.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that brings killer smiles to life. Find out how orthodontics can be used to craft your ideal smile and improve your dental health.

Partial Dentures

If you need to replace several missing teeth, you may want to consider partial dentures. Available in fixed or removable form, partial dentures are a complete solution for missing teeth.

Periodontal Disease

It takes just 26 hours for dental plaque to build up on your teeth. That means if you skip brushing and flossing for just one day, then you could be setting the stage for periodontal disease.

PerioLase®

You may never welcome gum treatments with open arms, but PerioLase laser periodontal therapy may help you embrace it. PerioLase LPT cuts time and discomfort -- not your gums.

Porcelain Dental Braces

Adults often prefer porcelain dental braces because of their natural-like appearance. But porcelain dental braces may not be right for everyone. Find out why.

Porcelain Dental Veneers

Unlike dental bonding or dental crowns, porcelain dental veneers can completely transform your smile into a picture-perfect, white-hot grin.

Prophylaxis

The next time you call your dental office to schedule a dental cleaning try asking for a prophylaxis, it's the same thing! Prophylaxis is simply the medical term for a dental cleaning.

Pulp Capping

When your tooth's pulp chamber becomes infected a root canal is often necessary, but not always inevitable. Pulp capping can also be used to prevent further damage.

Regular Dental Visits

Skipping out on regular dental visits may save time but it could cost you money in the long run. With regular dental visits, your dentist can catch problems before they escalate.

Removable Dental Appliances

If you have missing teeth, TMJ or snore, you could benefit from a removable dental appliance. Find out what types of removable dental appliances are available.

Retainer Therapy

Retainer therapy is used for more than just post-orthodontic dental care. If you have sleep apnea or TMJ, you could find relief with retainer therapy.

Root Canals

Root canals have some nerve; that's why it's important to protect them with root canal therapy. Fortunately, modern root canal treatments are now virtually pain-free!

Same-Day Denture Repair

It's never a good time to damage your dentures. But with same-day denture repair, you may be able to get chipped or broken teeth and other repairs done in a day!

Scaling and Root Planing

Gum disease is caused by a buildup of dental plaque and dental tartar below the gum line. With a scaling and root planing treatment, your gums can be restored to a healthy state.

Silent Nite®

A good night's rest may seem like a luxury if you sleep with someone who snores. But with the Silent Nite oral appliance you and your loved one can finally sleep in peace.

Sleep Apnea

Over 12 million Americans have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. Snoring is one sign of sleep apnea -- find out the others.

Sleep Dentistry

Using a mix of pain relievers and sedatives, sleep dentistry lulls you into a relaxed, but conscious state. Sleep dentistry is also known by its other moniker conscious sedation.

Smoking & Your Oral Health

There are so many great reasons to quit smoking. Quitting can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease as well as many oral health conditions.

Snoring

Who doesn't get a good laugh when you hear someone snoring? Unfortunately, when snoring becomes chronic it's no longer a laughing matter. Learn why.

Space Maintainers

A space maintainer might be necessary if your child loses a primary tooth prematurely. Space maintainers help prevent permanent teeth from growing in crooked.

Supersmile® Teeth Whitening

Unlike other teeth whitening systems, Supersmile can whiten crowns, veneers and dentures. Supersmile is easy to use and doesn't require a tray or a mouthguard.

Surgical Orthodontics

Traditional orthodontics, such as dental braces, straighten teeth. Surgical orthodontics straighten your jaws. Learn the basics of a typical surgical orthodontics treatment plan.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatments aren't just for the rich and famous. Today, there's a variety of teeth whitening systems to choose from that suit every budget and lifestyle.

Tooth Extractions

In most cases, your dentist works to save your teeth not extract them. But if your teeth are broken or you don't have room for wisdom teeth, a tooth extraction may be unavoidable.

 

Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings

Many people take pride in their silver jewelry, but silver teeth just don't have the same cache. Fortunately, tooth-colored dental fillings have come to the rescue.

Trèswhite® Teeth Whitening

Want a teeth whitening kit without a lot of fuss? Consider Trèswhite. Trèswhite teeth whitening systems come in pre-loaded trays for easy use in the comfort of your home.

Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning

Have you ever wished that a dental cleaning could take less time and feel more comfortable? An ultrasonic cleaning just might be the perfect solution.

Valplast® Flexible Partial Dentures

Not all dentures have unsightly metal clasps. Valplast partial dentures are made of a lightweight plastic base that not only looks great but is comfortable to wear, too!

Vibraject

Anyone who doesn't think that modern dental technologies aren't inventive doesn't know about Vibraject! Vibraject is a device used to minimize the pain of needles.

Zoom!® Teeth Whitening

Zoom! has become one of the most popular brands of one-hour teeth whitening systems. What makes Zoom! teeth whitening so special? Take a closer look.