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Cosmetic
Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry can brighten dull teeth, whiten stained teeth, close
gaps between teeth, repair chipped teeth, replace metal fillings,
and straighten crooked teeth. We offer a wide array of cosmetic services
to obtain superior results. Dr. Morris, an expert cosmetic clinician,
uses state-of-the-art dental technology to design customized beautiful
smiles that fulfill the unique wants and needs of each patient.
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Comprehensive Examination:
The
comprehensive examination is a process in which Dr. Morris takes
necessary records to provide a thorough diagnosis, prognosis, and
a treatment plan. This examination will include:
- Oral
Cancer Screening - If you are a tobacco or smokeless
tobacco user, you are at greater risk of developing oral
cancer. More than 8,000 deaths were attributed to oral cancer
last
year.25% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol.
We feel that our duty is to diagnose this deadly disease
as early as possible.
We
provide
oral
cancer
screenings
during
all preventive care appointments and offer an enhanced oral
cancer exam with Vizilite.
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Occlusal Examination -
The forces of your bite can sometimes affect the positioning
of the jaw and teeth. Minor polishing of the enamel surfaces
or fillings in the teeth can help redistribute and redirect
the biting forces.
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Temporo Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
Examination - TMJ is a condition that afflicts thousands
of people. Frequent indicators of TMJ include popping and clicking
of the jaw, limited jaw function, pain in the neck, shoulder,
and upper back, and pain and pressure in the face and ears.
We provide conservative therapies that are proven to eradicate
this painful, frustrating problem.
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Periodontal Examination - Using a blunt
probe, the doctor examines your pocket depth between each tooth.
Pocket depth is the length between the top of the gum and where
the gum attaches to the tooth; if your pocket depth is too deep,
you may be a victim of periodontal disease.
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Caries Examination - This examination
is to find teeth that have decay and are in need of restorations.
We use X-rays and a cavity detecting laser to locate cavities.
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Blood Pressure Screening -
As part of your comprehensive examination, your blood pressure
is taken. This gives us basic information regarding your general
health while providing a beneficial service to you.
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Preventive Procedures
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Sealants -
These plastic coatings are applied to molars and premolars
to seal out decay-producing plaque. They are painlessly
applied and last many years before renewing. Sealants serve
in a preventive capacity to reduce the risk of cavities
and more costly fillings. They can be applied on baby or
adult
teeth.
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Preventive Care
Appointments - These important appointments allow
the doctor and hygienist to monitor your oral health
and to clean under your gum line where the toothbrush cannot
reach. Regular visits help promote healthy gums.
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Fluoride Treatment -
This treatment hardens the enamel on teeth to make it more
difficult for cavities to start.
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X-rays - These help the doctor detect
cavities that cannot be seen by the eye (i.e., between teeth).
Our use of digital X-rays reduces radiation up to 90%.
- Cavity Detecting Laser: It is much more accurate
than the sharp probe used in the past, and is totally painless.
It allows us to find cavities undetectable with the probe.
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Night Guard Therapy - Night guards
are used as a treatment option to prevent damage to the dentition
from grinding and clenching. It is a conservative, reversible
treatment modality that is usually well tolerated by patients
and is very successful.
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Restorative
Procedures
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White/Composite
Fillings: Made of tooth-colored material rather than
silver and mercury, composite fillings restore the teeth's
natural beauty. White silver fillings weaken teeth, tooth-colored
fillings strengthen and support tooth structure. Composite
fillings can be matched to your natural tooth color and
are virtually indistinguishable from non-restored teeth.
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Bonding: This
is a process in which tooth-colored composite resin is applied
to tooth surfaces, sculpted into shape, hardened, and polished
to match surrounding teeth. Bonding can close gaps, repair
chipped or fractured teeth and disguise discolored teeth.
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Teeth
Whitening: The tooth whitening process offers
those with stained, discolored, or dull teeth a whiter
and brighter smile. Bleaching significantly reduces external
surface stains caused by food, drink or to much fluoride.
It is a painless and affordable process.
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Veneers: Veneers,
usually customized from porcelain, are thin and semi-translucent
facings bonded to the fronts of teeth. Veneers are durable,
stain resistant and natural looking. They conceal broken,
chipped, discolored, crooked and misshapen teeth.
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Crown: A crown
is a restoration that covers a tooth in order to strengthen
the tooth and restore it to its normal shape and size. A crown
may be placed to support a large filling when there is little
remaining tooth structure or attach a bridge, protect weak
teeth from fracturing.
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Bridge: A
fixed bridge, usually made of porcelain and gold, is used
to replace missing teeth. A bridge helps to create a normal
bite,
prevent the drifting and tilt of adjacent teeth, inhibit
decay in abnormal areas, and slow the onset of periodontal
disease.
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Onlay: When
you are not in need of a full crown, an onlay may be a solution.
The onlay procedure is a conservative restoration in which
composite, porcelain, or gold is applied to a tooth that is
not strong enough to support a filling.
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Implant Prosthetics and
Maintenance: After
surgically placed in the bone, implant replacements can
range from a single tooth restoration, multiple-unit fixed
bridge,
or a whole jaw restoration. The implant prosthesis is the
tooth that fits on top of the implant. Dr. Morris’ implant
training allows him to use the best system for each patient.
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State-Of-The-Art
Technology
We
take pride in offering the highest quality dental care using
the latest state-of-the-art equipment, techniques and procedures.
Sophisticated equipment helps us diagnose potential problems,
communicate treatment needs, and plan effective therapy before
extensive treatment is needed. Here’s just a sample of
the technology we employ:
- Computers -
Our computer system is designed to manage the most efficient
and up-to-date practice within the dental industry. This
system files insurance claims and generates letters to patients,
other dentists, and insurance companies. It also handles
treatment and payment plans. We make sure our computer system
takes care of the technicalities so that we can provide you
with the utmost individualized care.
- Intra-Oral
Camera - A part of the new patient exam, this camera
allows the staff to easily and painlessly photograph the
inside of your mouth. The photographic image can be projected
onto a color monitor and enlarged for you and the doctor
to view together. Because this magnification allows us
to see your mouth more clearly, we are able to provide
better, more informed dental care.
- Digital
X-rays - By using Digital
X-rays we can reduce variation exposure by up to 90%.
- Laser - We
use a cavity finding laser to detect cavities early on the chewing
surfaces of your teeth.
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Therapeutic
Services
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Non-Surgical
Periodontal Therapy - When plaque extends below the
gum line, gingivitis can deteriorate into a condition known
as periodontitis. Periodontitis is an inflammation that
can erode the ligament and bone beneath your gums, creating
deep pockets that foster the growth of destructive bacteria.
Treatment may include the use of antibiotics and deep cleaning
of the bacteria-filled pockets.
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Clenching
and Grinding Suppression Systems: These
non intrusive mouth guards are made either in the office or in
a laboratory.
They are designed to alleviate Temporo Mandibular Joint Disorder,
migraine headaches, and neck and back pain. They also prevent
wear on your teeth and recession of the gums. The guard made
in our office is the only FDA - approved dental appliance for
preventing migraine headache pain.
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Patient
Protection
In
the last few years, patient protection and asepsis have become
an issue of public
concern. With the discovery
of the HIV virus and the continuing problem with HIV, Hepatitis-B and
C virus, it has become necessary for health care facilities to
constantly upgrade their techniques of sterilization and disinfect
products
to provide you with maximum protection.
In our office, your safety is our highest priority. Throughout the day,
we perform a number of sterilization procedures for your protection.
Examples of these procedures include:
- All
treatment surfaces (i.e. countertops, chair surfaces, lights,
X-ray machines and trays) are disinfected with the most effective
and safest products available before and after each patient
appointment.
- To
ensure your safety, we follow a number of standard sterilization
procedures with all instruments. First, all instruments are
brought back to our lab and placed in an ultrasonic cleaner.
The instruments are then rinsed thoroughly before being sterilized
in an autoclave, which runs for 40 minutes and reaches a temperature
of 425 degrees, thereby destroying any bacteria or viruses.
All hand pieces are sterilized in a state-of-the-art autoclave.
- Our
autoclave is monitored regularly to ensure its effectiveness
and safety.
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Staff members use masks,
safety glasses and new gloves for each patient.
We have a 0.2 micron Water
Filtration System on all water lines to
protect patients from dental water line bacterial contamination.
All staff members are trained in proper infection control and asepsis,
and have been vaccinated against the Hepatitis-B virus. We will be
happy to answer any questions you may have regarding infection control.
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