FAMILY DENTISTRY
Exams, Check-ups and Cleanings
Prevention is of utmost importance at our dental office. We help to educate our patients on how to prevent problems before they begin. Cleanings, whether routine or more involved periodontal treatments are provided depending on each patient’s individual needs. Overall oral health evaluation, of both teeth and gums, as well as oral cancer screenings, are provided at each exam appointment. Healthy mouths help to provide clean and beautiful smiles!
Children’s Dentistry
Patients of all ages are seen in our office. Home care instructions, consultations with parents, and a priority on prevention are stressed for all children. Conservative restoration of primary teeth is performed, when needed. Recommendations for orthodontic treatment and wisdom teeth removal, if needed, and the timing of these treatments is carefully evaluated. For more severe and advanced problems with younger patients, our office has a great relationship with local specialty offices that see only children.
Bruxism
Bruxism, or tooth grinding, as well as clenching of the teeth, can lead to a number of oral health issues. Some of the signs and symptoms of this include wear on the teeth, fractured teeth, morning headaches, morning jaw pain/soreness, and teeth not aligning correctly. Most bruxism cases can be treated with a custom oral appliance, made from hard acrylic, which when properly adjusted, can provide support and stability to the TMJ and the muscles which open and close the jaw. This can relieve painful TMJ symptoms, and prevent further wear and break-down of teeth.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a very common breathing disorder. It involves an airway obstruction which makes it more difficult to breathe while sleeping and often is accompanied by snoring. Snoring is common with OSA because the airway is restricted and the air pressure is increased, causing the tissue in the throat to vibrate loudly. Sometimes, breathing can stop altogether, and then the brain causes the body to awaken to open the airway, and the process starts over again. Failure to correct this problem can cause a variety of health issues, including general fatigue, concentration issues, chronic headaches, as well as increased blood pressure, and many additional systemic health problems. A CPAP machine is the standard of care for severe OSA, but those diagnosed in the mild to moderate range can receive similar treatment benefits with a custom oral sleep apnea appliance. This appliance moves the lower jaw open and forward to create more airway space while sleeping, therefore allowing a more sound and consistent night’s rest.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Tooth Whitening
Teeth can stain or discolor from things consumed such as coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco, or can also have a genetic factor involved. The standard of care for whitening teeth is peroxide, generally carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. At a minimum, the peroxide should stay in contact with the teeth for at least 30 minutes. In-office whitening includes a stronger solution that is applied to the teeth, while a custom barrier is placed over the gums and soft tissue to prevent irritation, and is expedited by a specialized light that speeds the process. Take-home whitening is accomplished with custom-made whitening trays in which patients apply the whitening solution and use it for 60-90 minutes, or overnight, depending on the strength of the solution. Our team is very mindful of trying to determine the best process for each individual patient, depending on their level of overall tooth sensitivity and preference for their own involvement with the tooth whitening protocols.
Bonding
Bonding of anterior teeth can improve many cosmetic issues in a more conservative manner than other treatment options. Using a custom-shaded composite resin material, to match a tooth’s shade and appearance, teeth that are chipped, worn or decayed can be restored to look like the adjacent teeth. Gaps and spaces can often be filled with bonding material as well. Although not the best option for every situation, when appropriate, bonding is a great, conservative, and relatively inexpensive option for anterior teeth.
Smile Makeovers
A smile makeover can mean different things to different patients. Some patients feel they have had a smile makeover after simply whitening their teeth. Other patients have some bonding done to close a small space that has bothered them, and now feel they have a drastic change in their smile. Still, others end up with six or eight veneers or crown restorations, for a much more dramatic change in the appearance of their smile. Whichever level suits your needs, Dr. Cerone and his team can give you options on how to achieve the result you desire. By working with a local dental lab, a “preview” of your new smile can be done before any procedures are even begun in the mouth. Every patient is unique, and we can plan your smile makeover to fit your individual preferences and needs.
Restorative Dentistry
Dental Fillings
Fillings are among some of the most common restorative procedures performed in a dental office. It allows patients to save their teeth from progressive tooth decay, which untreated, could lead to more involved treatments or tooth loss. When a cavity is detected, either on clinical exam or through the use of dental radiographs (x-rays), removing the decay and placing a tooth-colored filling is the treatment of choice. With today’s dental materials and techniques, it is often hard to tell if a tooth even has a filling placed in it. The earlier decay is detected, the more conservative the treatment can be. While some cavities have symptoms, such as hot and cold sensitivity or pain, others have no symptoms whatsoever. And sometimes waiting until symptoms arise can cause more involved treatment than the placement of a routine, tooth-colored filling. So early detection, through routine dental visits, is very important.
Crowns and Bridges
A dental crown, or cap, is a replica of a tooth’s visible aspect in the mouth. It is used to restore teeth that have become compromised, either through extensive, large fillings, fractures, or after root canal treatment. They can also be used cosmetically with anterior teeth, to correct misalignment, close spaces, and achieve uniform color and more ideal proportions. Crowns can be used on either side of a missing tooth to create a bridge, which can then replace function and cosmetics at the site where a tooth was extracted. With today’s dental materials, crowns and bridges can be made very life-like, where it is difficult to perceive the difference between a crown and a natural tooth.
Partials and Dentures
Despite the advances in implant placement, sometimes due to bone loss and other factors, implants or even bridges are not viable options to replace missing teeth. Cost can also factor in when multiple teeth, possibly in both upper and lower arches are involved. In these instances, a partial or full denture can be made. Partial dentures are made when there are still some healthy and strong teeth remaining, which can be used to help support and stabilize the partial denture. In return, the partial denture provides additional teeth to chew with, thereby relieving some of the pressure and stress on the remaining teeth. A full denture is used when there are no solid and healthy teeth left and all the teeth must be removed. Most patients acclimate fairly quickly to removable dentures, but if additional stability is needed, sometimes a couple of dental implants can be placed to help stabilize and support a denture. Dentures made today often can be made to look as good or better than the teeth they are replacing, and can certainly be considered as an option of a comprehensive treatment plan if multiple teeth are missing.
Dental Implant Restorations
A dental implant is a surgically placed titanium post that replaces the root structure of a missing tooth. Dr. Cerone works with a surgeon to place the dental implant, and then he restores the implant to look and function just like the tooth which was lost. Dental implants are the best option to replace missing teeth and can be done as an individual tooth replacement, as a dental implant bridge, to replace multiple teeth, or used in conjunction with a partial or full denture to help support and stabilize, or even fixate the denture in place. In addition, the placement of implants helps to maintain the bone around the missing tooth, which can deteriorate over time if no tooth is in place, and may even have an adverse effect on the adjacent teeth. Restoring function and cosmetics to an area with a missing tooth through dental implants is one of the most rewarding services we offer in our office.
Orthodontics, Root Canals & Oral Surgery
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery referrals are given to patients that need 3rd molar/wisdom tooth removal, as well as implant placement or evaluation of oral lesions which might require biopsy. Some of the finest oral surgeons in the DFW area are located near Dr. Cerone, and he has worked closely with them for over 25 years.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics can straighten teeth, correct misalignment, close spaces, and eliminate crowding and overlap. They also can correct biting anomalies which may cause teeth to prematurely wear, crack or fracture, and even cause TMJ disorders. Dr. Cerone works with some of the best orthodontists in DFW, that provide both conventional orthodontic treatment or Invisalign treatment.
Root Canals
Dr. Cerone and his team work closely with a number of local specialty offices for patients that may require a team effort to address their dental needs. An endodontist is a dentist who only performs root canal treatments. Since this is their area of specialty, they are trained to meet all the complexities that a root canal may have, including a variety of roots, depending on the tooth, as well as additional auxiliary canals being present. Endodontists are also very perceptive of cracks, which if running into the root system, could jeopardize the outcome of a root canal and restoration of the tooth.