Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dentistry or the continuous maintenance of your teeth is the most effective way to eliminate the need for inconvenient dental procedures.
Restorative Dentistry
Glennallen Family Dentistry offers a variety of restorative procedures such as dental implants, crowns, and bridges necessary to restore the basic functions of the mouth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
If you are unsatisfied with your teeth in any way, Dr. Shedlock offers many cosmetic procedures to give you a confident bright smile.
Sedation Dentistry
Fearful patients can relax knowing we have available methods of relaxing our patients so they are comfortable during the entire process of treatment and create a healthy, strong, dazzling smile.
Common Dental Procedures
Dental Implants
Implants are one of the remarkable achievements in dental science which is used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth. Whether it is filling a single or multiple tooth gap, the procedure is performed by anchoring a implant directly into the jaw bone in the place of the missing tooth while leaving part of the implant exposed above the gum line. Then a porcelain cap, which is colored to match your natural tooth, is bonded over the exposed anchor. The result is a strong, natural looking tooth which is durable enough for a lifetime of use.
Implant Dentures
Another application for dental implants is for use in combination with dentures. Many patients with traditional dentures complain about unwanted movement and shifting while eating or talking. Such embarrassing occurrences can be avoided with the use of implants. The procedure is usually performed by anchoring two implants into the top jaw, then connecting the exposed titanium with a small bar. The same thing is performed for a bottom denture if desired. The bars lock with corresponding pieces on the actual denture plates, making for a tight fitting, comfortable seal which will never slip out of place unintentionally.
Dental Crowns
Porcelain dental crowns are used to cap a tooth for several reasons. It can be used when completing a root canal, or to seal a cracked or temperature sensitive tooth, or even to fill gaps between teeth. We are equipped with the latest technology needed to make a natural looking crown, which is fine tuned to perfectly blend with the surrounding teeth. The newly created crown is then bonded over the affected tooth to form a strong permanent restoration.
Endodontic Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is one of the restorative procedures used to save a tooth. When a tooth is damaged or becomes infected the root can sometimes die. This is cause for concern because the decaying tissue can create a painful throbbing and will rot the tooth from the inside. With advancements in dental techniques, the affected tooth can be saved and repaired for a lifetime of use. The procedure is performed byby drilling down through the crown of the tooth to expose the root. Then the infection is suctioned out, the canal is filled, and the procedure is completed by capping the tooth with a porcelain crown. After it has fully healed the patient will be free of pain and can confidently chew on the restored tooth.
Dental Bridges
A Dental Bridge is a restorative procedure used to fill a gap left by a missing tooth. While the option exists to use a dental implant, you may choose to use a bridge instead. The use of a bridge avoids the need for surgery while still providing a very strong restoration. The procedure is performed by first taking measurements and molding a porcelain tooth to snugly fit in the gap. Then two dental crowns are bonded on either side of the replacement tooth and the entire three tooth piece is slipped over the adjacent teeth. In this way the two crowns and one replacement tooth make a bridge to fill in the gap.