Namrata Upadhyay, DDS
Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Making dream smile a reality
Dental cleaning and exam
Dental cleanings and exams are 2 most important treatments. Regular thorough dental cleaning and exams are important to maintain a healthy smile over your lifetime.
We use dental X-rays during your visit to analyze the health of your teeth and to help ensure that we catch any developing issues or conditions at an early stage and treat promptly that could damage your teeth.
During your appointment, we will:
● Provide a deep cleaning of your teeth by removing plaque and tartar, which can lead to periodontal disease and decay
● Floss your teeth for a healthy smile
● Examine your smile for any signs of dental disease or other oral health issues
● Oral cancer screening
●Place fluoride on teeth
Dental sealant
Dental sealants are thin, protective coating made of a clear or tooth colored resin material that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) to help prevent tooth decay. These teeth have deep grooves and fissures, making them more susceptible to cavities because they are difficult to clean thoroughly with a toothbrush alone, which can cause bacteria and debris to build up and cause decay.
Dental sealants are usually recommended for children, as their developing smiles can be sensitive to decay and damage. They are often recommended for permanent molars as soon as they grow in, which usually occurs between the ages of 6 and 12. We may also recommend dental sealants for adults with teeth that are vulnerable and are prone to decay, or for patients who have struggled with tooth decay.
Dental sealants are simple to apply, and they can be placed in just one short visit to our office! Sealants are an easy solution for preventing decay and keeping your smile healthy.
Dental fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in water and many different foods. We offer fluoride treatment in the form of a gel, varnish or foam. Fluoride treatment is simple, quick and painless. It helps to restore tooth enamel and treat tooth decay. In our office, we apply topical fluoride during your treatment to strengthen the health of your teeth and protect against cavities.
How does fluoride work? Every day, our teeth suffer damage from sugar, acids and bacteria that wear down enamel and the overall health of your smile. Fluoride strengthens your teeth by restoring lost calcium and phosphate that rebuilds enamel.
This treatment is especially recommended for children, since their smiles can be vulnerable as they develop. Further fluoride treatment may be recommended to patients who constantly struggle with tooth decay or are not receiving adequate amounts of fluoride from other sources.
Gum disease treatment
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an inflammation of the supporting structure of teeth that is caused by a buildup of bacteria present in plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden over time and turn into tartar, which cannot be removed by normal brushing or flossing. If this condition is left untreated, periodontal disease can result in the loss of teeth, gum tissue and bone.
Signs and symptoms of gum disease include gums that easily bleed during brushing or flossing; swollen, tender or red gums; pain while chewing; constant bad breath or bad taste in your mouth; loose teeth; or teeth that are highly sensitive to cold and hot temperatures.
The treatment for gum disease varies depending on the level of infection and the condition of your smile. We may recommend treatments such as more frequent dental cleanings, scaling and root planing(deep cleaning), antibiotic treatment, improved oral hygiene, or gum surgery to prevent and treat gum disease.
Night Guard
A night guard is a removable oral device that is worn during sleep to protect the teeth and jaw from the effects of teeth grinding or clenching, a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can occur during sleep or even during waking hours, and it can lead to various dental problems and discomfort.
● Chronic jaw, ear or facial pain
● Waking up with a tired or tight feeling in your jaw
● Tension headaches and migraines
● Severe tooth wear that leads to chipped, cracked or flattened teeth
● Worn down tooth enamel, revealing the inner layers of the tooth
● Indentations on the side of the tongue
● Tooth sensitivity
There are many types of night guards available, but we recommend a custom-made mouth guard, as they are highly effective in protecting your teeth. Your custom-made night guard will be fitted and designed to fit comfortably specifically to your smile to effectively protect your teeth from damage, ensuring the lasting health of your teeth.
Scaling and root planning
Scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, is a non-surgical dental procedure used to treat gum disease, specifically periodontitis. It involves thorough cleaning of the teeth below the gum line to remove plaque, tartar (calculus), and bacteria that have accumulated in the pockets formed between the gums and teeth. Before starting the procedure, a local anesthetic may be administered to numb the gums and ensure comfort throughout the treatment.
This procedure is a two-step treatment:
● Scaling: In scaling, we remove the plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth with a hand scaler and ultrasonic instruments.
● Root Planing: Root planing involves smoothing rough spots on the roots of the teeth and removing any toxins to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue.
The treated areas may be irrigated with an antimicrobial rinse to further reduce bacterial levels. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to control infection or promote healing. After scaling and root planing, it is crucial to maintain proper oral hygiene at home. This includes regular brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash.
You may receive other periodontal treatments in addition to scaling and root planing, depending on the severity of the infection. However, scaling and root planing is usually enough to treat most patients who are suffering from gum disease.
Periodontal maintenance
After completion of treatment for gum disease, we recommend a schedule of regular visits and treatments to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. These periodontal maintenance appointments allow us to monitor your oral health so that we can help prevent the return of gum disease to your mouth.
Periodontal disease, which is also known as gum disease, is a degenerative condition caused by bacteria in plaque, which accumulate on the teeth. When not treated, periodontal disease can result in the loss of teeth, gum tissue and bone. While gum disease is not curable, we can treat the condition and keep it under control to protect your oral health. Our dentist can provide periodontal maintenance to help treat periodontal disease and prevent the serious effects of the condition.
Periodontal maintenance involves visiting our office on a regular basis, typically once every three months, for a professional cleaning. These treatments include thorough cleanings both above and below the gumline, removing plaque, tartar ( called dental calculus), and bacteria to prevent the condition from worsening. Periodontal maintenance is recommended every three months because when biofilm is not removed, the periodontal bacteria begin to flourish within three to 12 weeks. By providing a cleaning at 12 weeks (three months), we are able to remove these bacteria and keep the condition under control.
Sports mouth guards
Sports mouth guards help protect the teeth and mouth while participating in athletics activity. This is a custom-made oral appliance designed to help prevent injury to mouth so you can play with complete confidence.
Sports guards are designed to fit comfortably over your teeth while you play and protect your smile from injury, such as knocked-out or chipped teeth. They can also protect from damage to the soft tissues in the mouth, including the tongue, lips, cheeks and gums. These guards are especially important for patients who play high-contact, aggressive sports such as football, soccer, hockey, wrestling; however, we still recommend the use of sports guards in all sports. A sports guard is an easy way to protect the health of your smile!
There are many types of athletic guards available, but we recommend a custom-made mouth guard from our office, as they are highly effective in protecting your teeth from injury and can more comfortably fit your smile.
Tooth extraction and site preservation
Tooth extraction, also known as dental extraction, is a dental procedure in which a tooth is removed from its socket in the jawbone. It's important to note that tooth extraction is typically a last resort when other dental treatments are not viable options. Before the extraction, we will also discuss your tooth replacement options to restore the appearance and function of your smile.
A tooth extraction may be needed if you have
● Severe infection that has destroyed a significant amount or most of the tooth or its supporting bone structure.
● Severe tooth decay that that has damaged a tooth beyond repair and cannot support a restoration
● Crowding of teeth
Before the extraction, a local anesthetic is usually administered to numb the area around the tooth to make the process painless as possible for patients. Following a tooth extraction, a bone graft may be placed in the socket to prevent bone loss and maintain the shape and volume of the underlying bone, improving the aesthetics and facilitating future dental procedures. Pain medication, antibiotics, and specific post-operative instructions will be provided as the site heals.