Services
General & Preventive Dentist Maintain a Beautiful & Healthy Smile
Preventive care includes routine cleanings designed to keep mouths healthy and identify at their earlier stages any signs of potential problems. It also includes maintenance of the more demanding cases with advanced periodontal care, oral hygiene instructions, radiographs, sealants and preventive resins. Problems are best treated in their earlier stages and treatment at this stage is both more conservative and cost effective. We firmly believe that our patients should be presented with every opportunity to avoid future and potentially more costly and invasive problems. To that end, we aim to educate patients on the status of their oral health and to implement early detection and treatment in all areas of dentistry.
Dental Cleanings & Checkups
Not all patients are the same. At St. Simons Island Dental Associates, we recognize that your needs are unique. Many patients should expect to be in need of cleaning every six months. Some patients can go longer between their cleanings. Still others need attention every three to four months.
Which group do you fall in? What are the signs that you are overdue for a cleaning?
All of these questions and their respective answers may help us to understand your
needs and educate you as to how you can help yourself avoid future problems.
We welcome you to come in for a dental check-up. Please contact us to schedule your preventive dental care appointment.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening includes a careful examination of the entire oral cavity for any kind of abnormal cell growth. This is done by a professional dentist who will check the lips, gum tissue, inside lining of the check, tongue, the palate, throat and the tonsils for any abnormality. Sometimes, a visual examination alone is not enough to identify the symptoms of oral cancer. Therefore, we may suggest a few tests to be sure that there is no danger of oral cancer. The common tests for oral cancer screening are blue dye test and dental examination with light.
Oral screening process: why it is important
Cancer of the mouth is a disease that can be treated successfully if detected early. Regular dental checkups are therefore very essential. Oral screening for cancer is reasonably priced and is a painless and simple examination
In case of a wound or a cyst of any kind in the mouth, a simple biopsy can detect the presence of abnormal cells in the wound. In 90% of cases, if followed by proper treatment, oral cancer is generally curable.
Don’t delay! You should get Oral Cancer screenings periodically and early detection is key. Call us today to schedule your exam.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are used to treat teeth that are damaged due to tooth decay. You could have tooth decay if you are experiencing symptoms such as extreme sensitivity to cold and hot food and drinks, constant toothache, jaw pain and/or bad breath. Dental fillings help eliminate sensitivity and pain in the tooth and prevent any further damage from taking place. A simple check-up can determine whether your teeth need repair and if you need dental fillings. If necessary, an x-ray is taken to find out the extent of the damage.
Tooth Colored Fillings
We are pleased to provide our patients with tooth colored fillings made from either porcelain or composite resins. They are the same color as your teeth! This makes them look much more natural in your mouth and also means that your mouth will remain “mercury-free”.
For more information regarding dental fillings or to schedule an appointment please contact us today.
Root Canal Treatments
What is a Root Canal?
Root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or has become infected. During a root canal, the inside of the root of the tooth is cleaned out and sealed. Without treatment the tissue surrounding the tooth becomes infected and abscesses can form.
These are some common symptoms that indicate you might need a root canal treatment:
- Tender gums which might also be swollen
- Extreme sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Severe toothache
If you have any questions regarding root canal treatments, call us today.
Cosmetic Dentist Improve Your Smile
Would you love to have a natural-looking, beautiful smile that will increase your confidence and enjoyment of life? The experienced and highly-trained dentists of St. Simons Island Dental Associates want you to have the smile that you’ve always wanted. Cosmetic dentistry involves procedures performed with one goal in mind: improve the appearance of the smile. While aesthetics are the driving force behind cosmetic dentistry, functionality cannot be overlooked. Some procedures, such as bleaching or whitening of a patient’s teeth, may not demand attention to functionality. Other procedures, such as crowns and veneers, will only bring lasting results if they are planned with the closest attention to detail.
Cosmetic Bonding is a common dental procedure often used for small changes such as improving the appearance of chipped or discolored teeth. A tooth-colored material (resin) is applied to the affected area and then quickly hardened with a special light which “bonds” the material to the natural tooth. The procedure does not take long and can often be accomplished in just one dental visit.
In addition to fixing chipped or discolored teeth, cosmetic dental bonding is also used to:
- Close gaps between teeth
- Change the shape of a tooth or make it appear longer
- Protect the exposed root of a tooth due to gum recession
- As an alternative to amalgam (silver) fillings
Dental veneers are a versatile and effective way to help your smile look its best. They are thin, durable and made of porcelain or resin, custom designed by our doctors here at St. Simons Island Dental Associates and milled in our office. Your smile can be transformed in just one visit! Our dentists then bond these to the front of your teeth to give your smile a beautiful, uniform appearance. Because dental veneers are made of tooth-colored materials like porcelain and resin they are stain resistant, unlike bonding. They blend in beautifully with the natural appearance of your smile so no one will even notice you have veneers! We will help you select a shade of porcelain or resin that is natural yet radiant. The expert dentists at St. Simons Island Dental Associates may suggest resin or porcelain veneers to enhance your smile by:
- Correcting slightly crooked teeth
- Improving the look of misshapen teeth
- Whitening severe staining and discoloration on teeth
- Closing unwanted spaces and gaps between teeth
- Repairing broken, chipped, cracked, or worn teeth
- Correcting teeth that are too small or too large
Do you feel unhappy with the color of your teeth? Have you noticed your tooth color becoming yellowed and dulled over the years? Maybe you have even tried an over-the-counter whitening kit, only to experience disappointing results. If you are interested in whitening the color of your teeth, our professional teeth whitening might be just what you need. With our teeth whitening system, you can achieve that stunning, bright smile you desire!
Your teeth may be discolored and stained because of a variety of factors. Some of these factors and habits include:
- Staining from certain drinks, like tea, soda, wine, or coffee, as well as highly or darkly pigmented foods like berries
- Tobacco use
- Deposits of plaque and tartar on your teeth
- Certain medications, including tetracycline
- Fluorosis, or excessive fluoride ingestion
- Trauma to the teeth, which can result in grey, white, or brown spots
- Aging
Our friendly dentists provide a take-home teeth whitening treatment so you can lighten the shade of your smile comfortably at home.
Dental Implants A Tooth Replacement Solution That Feels And Functions Naturally
Dental implants are modern, efficient and the most sensible alternative to natural teeth . A dental implant is a titanium post made to act as a tooth root that is placed in the jaw bone. Dental Implants serve a number of different purposes such as:
- Single tooth dental implant
- Implant supported bridges (for multiple missing teeth)
- Implant supported, removable dentures
- Restore your smile with a screw retained bridge or denture to replace a full set of teeth
Implant-supported bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but are supported by implants rather than the patient’s adjacent teeth. Implant-supported bridges are used when the patient is missing three or more teeth in a row.
Implant-supported bridges are stronger, more durable, and can withstand greater bite pressure than traditional bridges.
Implant-supported dentures are dentures that are attached securely to dental implants for added comfort and stability. We offer both removable implant-supported dentures that you can easily take out for cleaning, and fixed implant-supported dentures that are even more stable.
We can place as few as four implants (per arch) in strategic locations and angles. In some cases, we recommend six to eight implants per arch for additional stability.
We can extract irreversibly damaged teeth, surgically place dental implant posts and provide you with functioning and natural-looking teeth in one day. Although remarkably expeditious, the procedure provides an effective, efficient and long-lasting solution for missing teeth.
Benefits and Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are made of durable titanium, a non-corrosive, body-friendly, long-lasting metal. Implants are subject to the same periodontic issues as natural teeth, however, and require good oral care (daily brushing and flossing) and regular professional cleanings.
Once an implant is placed, most patients can’t tell the difference between their natural teeth and the implant tooth. Not only do the implants blend-in with their natural teeth, they can eat with full chewing power, and can brush and floss normally, as well.
Bone in the jaw deteriorates where there is no tooth. This is because the bone requires the pressure and stimulation of chewing to maintain its density. Implants act as natural teeth and provide that necessary stimulation.
The gap caused by a missing tooth can destabilize adjacent teeth, causing them to shift towards the gap. This pulls your teeth out of position and can affect your bite and your ability to chew. Dental implants fill in the gap left by a missing tooth and prevent this from occurring.
Children’s Dentistry Services
Our dental services are designed for the entire family and that is why we are proud to offer children’s dentistry services! We have significant experience as a children’s dentist and we strive to make all children feel comfortable in our office. And of course, we make sure that they have fun at the same time!
Children’s Dentistry Services
We offer a wide array of children’s dentistry services. These include space maintainers, retainers, pit and fissure sealants, sports athletic guards, chrome crowns, fillings and bonding restorations.
We treat your children like our own!
Dentistry for Teenagers
Is your teenager fed up with going to a pediatric practice? Are they tired of trains, balloons and stuffed animals and looking for something more “grown-up”? We are the perfect practice for teenagers. While we can cater to young children, we can also cater to teenagers who are looking for a more adult dental experience.
Sleep Apnea Appliance Therapy
Sleep apnea is the most common and the most dangerous sleep disorder. People who suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing dozens of times during sleep. This can be particularly severe and life threatening when there are more than twenty or thirty stoppages per hour. Because the heart is sensitive to oxygen levels in the blood, apnea is most dangerous in people with some form of heart disease.
There are three types of sleep apnea
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea is a rare form that is caused by a problem in the central nervous system. The respiratory center in the brain that is responsible for breathing fails.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
As its name implies, obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway s obstructed. This is the most common type of sleep apnea and the most serious. Soft tissue in the palate, throat, or tongue may block the flow of air as a person struggles to breathe.
Mixed Sleep Apnea
Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central apnea. Researchers feel most sleep apnea is a mixed form, because a person with obstructive sleep apnea often has a tendency to breathe rapidly when recovering from an obstructive apnea event, thereby lowering the carbon dioxide level in the blood, which can trigger a central apneic event.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea symptoms include:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment
Our office offers a take-home sleep study that helps us screen for OSA. While it is a helpful tool for us, unless interpreted by a physician, it is of little use. We work with a sleep lab locally that can either take our tests and diagnose you or perform a study in a sleep lab that will truly diagnose your condition. Once a diagnosis is made, your physician can choose to work with us in the fabrication, delivery and titration of an oral device that may help your apnea.
Simple snorting differs from apnea in that it is a problem of convenience, not a medical condition per se. If you suffer from snoring or your partner suffers from snoring, an oral device is a simple, predictable and very proven way of eliminating the problem. Oral devices that are touted as being as good as conventional CPAP treatment are misleading at best and quite possibly dangerous if in fact you are not treating the underlying apnea effectively. CPAP therapy will continue to be the gold standard for treating apnea but in reality there are many patients who do not comply with CPAP therapy. For patients that have simple snoring or intolerance to CPAP therapy, an oral device may be an excellent choice.
Our office fabricates several different types of oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea. If you are interested in learning more about whether an oral appliance may be right for you and which one to choose, we would love to discuss this critically importance health issue with you one on one.
Contact us today to learn more about our Sleep Apnea Appliance Therapy.
Restore Your Smile St. Simons Island General Dentist
Restorative dentistry encompasses all procedures designed to repair damaged teeth as well as procedures to help replace missing teeth. Fillings, crowns, bridges, implant crowns and splinting are just a few examples of restorative dentistry. Our office offers many options for your restorative needs to satisfy the function of the dentition and the aesthetic demands of the discerning patient.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
Dental Implants
Dentures
Gum Treatment St. Simons Island General Dentist
Teeth are only as good as the bone that support them. It makes no sense to invest resources into the treatment of problems with your dentition if you neglect the very foundation upon which those teeth rest. You wouldn’t build an expensive house on a poor foundation, would you? Recognition of periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, and being proactive about treatment and prevention of this condition is a challenging and yet indispensable aspect of comprehensive dentistry.
Have you noticed that your gums are swollen, red, or tender? Do your gums bleed easily, such as when you floss and brush your teeth? If so, you may suffer from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, which is also known as gum disease, is a condition that affects the gum tissues and can cause serious problems for your entire smile. Gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque and tartar; when plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, the bacteria inflame and irritate the gum tissues. If this condition is not treated, it can lead to a receding gum line, bone loss, and tooth loss. In addition, research has shown that untreated periodontal disease is connected to several health complications, including:
If you suffer from gum disease our dentists and dental team will do all we can to restore the health of your smile. We offer a number of periodontal treatments, including scaling and root planing (deep cleaning treatments). If you believe that you may have gum disease, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to schedule your visit with our dentists. We are dedicated to helping you keep your smile healthy.