Gentle Dentistry

At Its Best

         At Citadel Dental Group we understand the fear many people associate with going to the dentist. Our gentle techniques and calming environment will put your fears to rest where you can relax and enjoy the finest dental care using the latest technology.


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Practice Fact

"95% of the practice has been by word of mouth versus advertising. This is a pretty powerful statement about Citadel Dental Group."

Services

Preventative, Cosmetic and Restorative Services:



Whether you need a simple cosmetic procedure or a complete smile makeover, we pride ourselves in providing high-quality preventative, cosmetic and restorative dentistry all in one location. We want you to be proud of your smile so take the first step and schedule your appointment today!

  • Smile Makeovers
  • Snap-on Appliances
  • Teeth Whitening
  • White Fillings

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  • Tooth Colored Fillings

Our office prefers and recommends bonded fillings (tooth colored) in most cases where tooth structure and strength is not compromised. These resin fillings match teeth so patients look cavity free.


The procedure of restoring a tooth with a resin filling is similar to the traditional silver fillings. First the decay is removed and the tooth is prepared to receive the tooth colored composite. The composite material is layered into the cavity preparation and hardened with a curing light. The filling is then polished and the bite is checked. Tooth colored resin fillings blend well with the surrounding teeth and enhance a bright, youthful smile.


FAQ's About Tooth Colored Fillings:


What are tooth colored fillings made of?
Tooth colored/white fillings are made of a light cured resin. In other words the filling is initially a soft putty-like resin that gets hardened in the mouth with a blue (curing) light.


Do tooth colored fillings last as long as silver fillings?
Some tooth colored fillings if performed properly may last as long as silver fillings. The compression and bonding strength of resin materials has improved dramatically over the years thereby increasing their life span.


Should I change all my silver fillings to tooth colored fillings?
Unless there is a cavity or cracks in old silver amalgam fillings it is not usually recommended to change all the silver fillings to tooth colored fillings. The actual drilling process to remove silver fillings may be irritating to the tooth so unless it's necessary it is not advisable to undergo unnecessary dental treatment.

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  • Dental Crowns/Bridges

Crowns are single tooth restorations that are recommended in cases where there is insufficient tooth structure left due to fractures or decay or failing restorations. Bridges are restorations of more than one restoration connected to each other. Crowns and bridges cover the entire visible tooth surface and help restore broken down teeth to proper function and esthetics. Crowns and bridges are custom made and therefore involve the use of a laboratory.


Crowns and bridges are made in 2 to three visits. The first visit involves preparing the tooth by drilling any old filling and cleaning out any decay then shaping the tooth for fitting the crown. A custom shade is taken and a mold is then made of the tooth which is sent to the laboratory.


The patient is then fitted with a temporary crown, which will be worn until the second and final visit. At the final visit the crown is tried in and any adjustments necessary are made. The crown is then cemented onto the tooth.


FAQ's About Dental Crowns:


Will I need a root canal before a crown?
Many times crowns are performed in order to avoid root canals by preventing further fracture of a tooth or filling and preventing leakage of an existing filling.
Crowns are also used after having root canal procedures. In this case, the crown protects and seals the tooth after a root canal.


Is a crown permanent or does it come out?
A crown is permanent/non-removable. The crown is permanently cemented onto the tooth and therefore should not come out.


How long will crowns last?
Crowns may last anywhere from 5-10 years and many times longer if the patient maintains proper dental care.


What if I need a root canal after?
There may be times when a root canal may need to be performed on a tooth that had been crowned. If this is the case, the crown may be tapped off the tooth, the root canal procedure performed and the crown re-cemented on. If the crown cannot be removed, the root canal may still be performed by drilling a hole into the crown and still preserving the crown.


Is a crown harder to take care of?
Crowns are a little harder to maintain than natural teeth, but with proper flossing, brushing and maintenance visits, patients usually have no problem taking care of their crowns.


Do crowns look like real teeth?
Yes, crowns are custom made to match your existing teeth.

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  • Partials, Dentures and Bridges

Partials and Denture Information
Some patients have not been fortunate enough to save their teeth and thereby require dental appliances that will restore function and esthetics. We take special care in making these appliances to ensure proper fit and comfort.


There are several visits to allow the patient to try-in the appliance and also to get an idea of the end result prior to delivering the denture to ensure patient satisfaction. Follow up appointments are made during the adjustment phase to obtain the most comfortable fit.


Fixed Partials, Dentures and Bridges
In patients that are missing teeth, many options are available for replacing these teeth. Evaluation of the remaining dentition is very crucial for effective dental treatment. It is the supporting teeth that will dictate whether or not a fixed/cemented prosthesis can be fabricated. Bridges replace one or more missing teeth and are attached definitively to the remaining teeth. The teeth that support the bridge are called abutments/crowns and the missing teeth are known as pontics. The abutment teeth need to be of adequate periodontal health, proper angulations and healthy to withstand masticatory forces.


Root canal treated teeth need to have sufficient supragingival tooth structure to retain a crown and be free of any pathosis. It is the evaluation of these abutment teeth that will determine the success of a fixed bridge. The procedure for a fixed bridge is as follows. The initial dental visit consists of preparing the abutment teeth. The teeth determined to serve as abutments are shaped and reduced to make room for the abutment crowns. An impression of these teeth is then made and sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the underlying metal substructure of the bridge.


During this visit a temporary is made chair-side that will cover and protect these abutment teeth and the missing teeth are also added to this temporary, thereby creating a resin temporary bridge. The second visit entails taking a shade for color matching the existing teeth, trying in the metal substructure to ensure perfect fit and then making a secondary impression is made to register the patient's bite.


This impression is sent to the lab to fabricate the bridge through the addition of porcelain to the metal framework. The porcelain teeth are fabricated to match the existing teeth in both color and shape, or they may be fabricated in such a way as to correct any malformations or malpositioning of teeth. At the third visit the final bridge is tried in, final occlusal/bite adjustments made, then cemented into the patient's mouth. Fixed bridges do require extra maintenance, since flossing is more difficult between the abutment and the pontic teeth; therefore routine dental care is crucial in ensuring the lifespan of bridges.


FAQ's About Dentures, Partials and Bridges:


Are bridges harder to maintain than natural teeth or implant teeth?
Yes bridges are more difficult to maintain because flossing is more difficult for the patient. Special dental floss devices will be given to the patient for proper maintenance of bridges.


How soon after an extraction should a bridge be made?
Approximately 4-6 weeks following an extraction a bridge should be fabricated in order to prevent any shifting of the adjacent teeth. It also takes about that amount of time for an extraction socket to heal adequately; however, a temporary bridge can be started immediately after the extraction to replace the missing tooth. The final bridge should be cemented in about 4-6 weeks.


How long do bridges last?
If maintained properly bridges last about 5-10 years and sometimes longer.

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  • Root Canal Procedures

Root canal treatment treats the inside of the tooth whereby there is a need to remove the nerves of a tooth. This can be caused by diseases of the dental pulp and its supporting structures or by fractures of the tooth.


Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected.


You may need root canal treatment if you have prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes. Unfortunately, there are also times that there are no symptoms.


If you do need treatment, we will remove the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully clean and shape the inside of the canal and then fill and seal the space. After restoration, your tooth will continue to function like any other tooth.


For cases that are more involved, we may refer you to an Endodontist for treatment.

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  • Snap On Appliance

Snap-On appliance is an affordable cosmetic alternative to permanent dental work - priced at a fraction of the cost of a full set of porcelain veneers. Snap-On appliance will cover up teeth that are worn, crooked, cracked, chipped, discolored or missing.


Benefits

The benefits of the Snap On appliance is that they easily snap into place. There is typically no need for shots, drilling, or adhesives involved.


Steps
After your consultation an upper and lower impression are taken of your teeth.
You and the dentist will choose the preferred shape and shade.
Lastly, your case is sent to the lab for fabrication. The process to make the appliance usually takes about two weeks. After your appliance has arrived at the dental office, you will be notified to come in for your fitting.

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  • Veneers

Veneers are used to restore more favorable esthetic features of a tooth (or teeth). Veneers are used in patients with severe stains, to close open gaps or spaces between teeth and in patients with distorted or mal positioned teeth.


Two sessions are necessary for this procedure. The first session involves removing a thin layer of enamel after which an impression is made and sent to a laboratory to fabricate the "perfect tooth" veneer. A temporary restoration is made for the patient at this visit, which gives a glimpse into the end product.


On the second visit the veneer is cemented permanently onto the existing tooth surface using a bonding light to harden the resin adhesive cement. The excess cement is then removed and the veneer is polished.


FAQ's about Porcelain Veneers:


What is the difference between resin (bonding veneers) and porcelain veneers?
Bonding veneers are composed of a resin which is not as durable as the lab processed porcelain veneers and because they are a resin, they do tend to stain/ darken over time. Porcelain veneers are lab processed and are custom made to fit perfectly over the existing tooth. Both procedures require some reduction of the enamel to make room for the veneer or bonding. The porcelain veneers require two visits since lab work is involved; whereas the resin veneers may be performed in one visit.


Do porcelain veneers last longer than the resin veneers?
Yes, porcelain veneers are much stronger than the resin veneers and have a lifespan comparable to crowns, which is usually 5-10 years and in many cases longer.


Can I change the color or shape of my teeth with veneers?
Yes, veneers can be made to perfect the shape and color of teeth.

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  • Teeth Whitening

For patients wanting a whiter, younger looking smile, we offer teeth whitening. Various techniques are available. The doctor will do a consult to evaluate the best whitening system to fit your case.


FAQ's about Teeth Whitening:


Can I get the same results with the over the counter products?
Most of the whitening products (such as the strips) on the market will either take much longer (3 weeks) to obtain less/similar results and some products such as the whitening toothpastes or gels are just not effective. A lot of the whitening toothpastes are very abrasive and are meant to just get rid of surface stains and not to actually bleach the teeth. In addition due to their abrasiveness they may cause tooth sensitivity in the long run.

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  • Periodontal Treatment
    For slight to moderate chronic periodontitis

Treatments include:

  1. Supra and sub-gingival scaling and root planning (deep cleaning) will be performed to remove microbial plaque and calculus.
  2. Instruction, reinforcement, and evaluation of our plaque control will be performed.
  3. Evaluation of the initial therapy's outcome will be performed and periodontal maintenance will be scheduled at appropriate intervals.

 

For moderate or advanced chronic periodontitis a variety of surgical treatments may be appropriate for its management. Antibiotics and/or antibacterial rinses may also be prescribed. Treatment of residual risk factors should be considered; e.g., cessation of smoking, control of diabetes.


For the more advanced stages of periodontal disease, you may need to be referred to a Periodontist for surgical treatments of the gum.


FAQ's About Periodontal Procedures:


Will it Hurt?
During the procedure you will feel no discomfort. We will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. Following the procedure, the affected area may be tender or sore. Minor swelling may occur. We will prescribe medication after your procedure which may include antibiotics, antibacterial rinses and/or medication to ease soreness.


Will I be able to speak and eat normally?
You should be able to speak normally after the local anesthetic wears off. It is important to eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet after treatment. You may wish to chew on the side of the mouth that didn't have surgery for a few days. Many patients find that softer foods are best in the first few days following a periodontal procedure. You should avoid smoking and minimize drinking alcoholic beverages and caffeinated beverages during this time. Following some types of periodontal treatment, the teeth may be more sensitive to hot and cold. This sensitivity will diminish during the first few weeks.

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Additional appointments may be required to evaluate your healing and review proper oral hygiene procedures.