Services

Kids: Sealants

It is vital to begin good oral health from a very early age. It is important that parents take their children to the dentist at the time they begin to develop their teeth. Early checkups and cleanings can prevent many issues in adulthood – such as orthodontic problems, cavities, infections and periodontal disease. Dr. Sunshine will work with parents to establish a proper dental hygiene routine that your kids can practice at home. We will recommend the best products for children at each stage of development.

Cleaning

When you visit our practice for your regular checkup, you will receive:

• First, we begin with a thorough cleaning. During your cleaning, any plaque that has built up on the enamel will be removed. This is especially important because not all areas of the mouth can be reached with brushing and flossing alone. If the plaque is not removed professionally by a dentist or hygienist, this can cause many problems and diseases.
• Next, an examination and evaluation will be conducted. This will allow Dr. Sunshine to spot potential problems and screen your entire mouth (teeth, gums and tongue).
• Next we will polish and scale your teeth. If you clean your teeth regularly and thoroughly, this will take less time. If your gums bleed when you brush, you may have early gum disease. Regular scaling can help stop the disease from getting worse.
• Lastly, you will receive personalized and detailed instructions on preventive at-home dental care.

Digital X-ray

Dental x-rays are a routine part of a check-up. They help Dr. Sunshine visualize and diagnose conditions such as: bone deterioration, tumors and decay issues below the gum line, cysts and even abscesses. In most cases, you cannot feel a cavity; so x-rays are the best way to identify issues before they develop into visible problems.

Dental x-rays produce a very low level of radiation – the same amount that you are exposed to in your daily environment. Patients are always shielded with lead-lined garments when the exposures are being taken. X-rays are usually taken annually, unless your Dr. Sunshine feels your symptoms require additional imaging.

Extractions

There are many reasons to perform tooth extractions on patients. First, the mouth may be overcrowded; and if the tooth remains, it will cause orthodontic complications. Secondly, the tooth may be damaged or decayed; and if it stays that way, it will cause and spread infection. In some cases, baby teeth are removed because they have not fallen out naturally.

Tooth extractions are performed on both pediatric and adult patients. The process begins with injecting a liquid anesthetic called lidocaine (which numbs the nerves in order to prevent pain or feeling to the patient). Sometimes a stronger anesthetic is used, or even a general anesthetic or sedation – depending on the severity of the extraction. If the tooth is impacted, Dr. Sunshine may have to surgically remove bone or gum tissue that is covering the tooth. Then the tooth is gradually rocked back and forth until it loosens and can easily be pulled.

Same Day Repair

Dr. Sunshine has the ability to offer same-day denture repair services (in most cases). We understand that people rely on their dentures to chew, speak, and give them a better smile. We do not want our clients to go for a length of time without having the ability to do any of these things – which is why we offer quick, efficient dental repair. If an individual bites down on a hard food, or accidentally drops their dentures, this may cause them to crack the base, chip a tooth, or break the device. Although over-the-counter denture repair kits are available, they may cause more harm than good.

Crowns

A dental crown becomes necessary when a tooth has been weakened by tooth decay or a fracture. It can also be used for cosmetic purposes. A dental crown is placed by first grinding away the damaged or diseased tooth so that it is smaller. A crown or cap is then placed over the tooth and secured. This keeps your tooth from becoming further damaged or diseased, and functions like a tooth – allowing you to continue with everyday activities naturally and comfortably.

Implant Restoration

With tooth implant restoration, a copy of the missing tooth is anchored in place. The copy is tooth colored so that it will match the rest of your smile. Tooth implant restoration can provide you with an artificial tooth that will look and feel like a real tooth. The implanted tooth is not vulnerable to decay, and your healthy teeth are not normally affected.

Sports Mouth Guard (in your school colors)

A sport mouth guard is an appliance prescribed to protect teeth from being damaged by a physical blow to the face or an accident. A sport mouth guard is usually made with a thicker material and, given its purpose, it is made to extend to cover the entire jaw (even the gum tissue) so that the entire mouth can be protected.

TMJ

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ, TMJD or TMD)
involves conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint, jaw muscles and nerves on one or both sides of the head that result in jaw, face, and head and neck pain. The pain and discomfort caused by TMJ disorders may be severe, can be either intermittent or constant, and may last for many years.

Fillings

Dental fillings are the most common way of restoring teeth. What can vary among fillings is the material used to fill that tooth. Most fillings are replaced in one office visit. Composite fillings are used for decayed, cracked, broken or stained teeth.

After it is determined that a filling is needed, Dr. Sunshine will apply anesthesia and begin removing the decay using a dental drill. Once the decay is removed from the area, the site is prepped and a composite material is used to fill the tooth. The composite filling is then shaped and polished to blend in with the rest of your teeth.

Dr. Sunshine will consult with you on the very best, most flattering option for your teeth. Dental fillings are very effective in stopping tooth decay from causing harmful effects on your overall health.

Consultation

Most people are familiar with the typical dental checkup visit. A dental hygienist will clean your teeth, do an evaluation and sometimes take X-rays. Then Dr. Sunshine will check the X-rays and your teeth for signs of decay, check your gums for changes, and check for signs of oral cancer or other diseases.

An important part of every visit is updating your medical history. Dr. Sunshine will want to know if you’ve had any changes in your health or your medicines since your last visit.

Bring a list of all medicines you take, with dosages. Some medicines cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk of cavities. Dr. Sunshine might also want to check that any drug prescribed doesn’t interact with drugs you are already taking.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are a popular option for patients who have several teeth missing in either the upper or lower jaw. The partial denture is supported by adjoining teeth or with the use of an implant. This will allow the ability to chew and speak more naturally. This also benefits your surrounding teeth, because they will be prevented from shifting or misaligning.

Whitening

Everyone wants a brighter smile. Dr. Sunshine can help you determine if your teeth and gums are healthy enough and good candidates for teeth whitening. You can also work together to determine which whitening process will give you even, natural-looking results. Depending on the health of your teeth and the reason for the discoloration, teeth whitening or bleaching may not be the best option for everyone. If the discoloration or stains on your teeth will not respond well to whitening, Dr. Sunshine will have other options that will work best for you.

Bridges

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap. These two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth, with a false tooth/teeth in between.

Night Guard (custom)

A night guard is meant to protect the teeth from clenching and grinding during sleep. It is worn every night or every time the person sleeps; so it is fabricated from a material that is not too thick, but strong enough to serve its function.

Periodontics

Periodontal Disease is commonly known as gum disease and starts within the gums. It is mainly caused by severe plaque buildup. Flossing and brushing are important; but your dentist is best able to remove plaque. If it is not removed at your regular dental cleanings, it will become tartar (a very tough substance which is also very tough to remove). Periodontic disease will cause painful, uncomfortable inflammation of the gums. When your gums separate from the base of your teeth, the pockets become infected and fill with puss.

Emergency Care

For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. We reserve time in our schedule for emergency patients; so be sure to call us immediately and provide as much detail as you can about your condition.

If this is a medical emergency and our office is not open, visit your local emergency room. Call us first, as treatment depends on the nature of your emergency; and do not take aspirin (or place aspirin directly on pain).