Maintaining the health of your natural dentition is always our top priority. Our team will consult with you on ways to improve your oral hygiene and maintain an oral environment that promotes overall health and well-being.

Dental Sealants: Sealants are thin, resin coatings applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. Deep grooves are inaccessible to the toothbrush or floss. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. We use BPA-free resin sealants to fortify these grooves, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Sealants are safe for all ages. They are most effective in patients with a “sweet tooth” and enjoy eating sticky foods or candy. Most insurances cover sealants in children and are a fraction of the cost of fillings in adults. The procedure is absolutely painless and generally done in 10 minutes or less per tooth.

Silver Diamine Fluoride: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a liquid that contains silver, diamine, and fluoride. It is used as a treatment for tooth sensitivity, cavities, and tooth decay. SDF can be applied to the surface of a tooth to prevent further decay and to help alleviate sensitivity. The fluoride in SDF helps to strengthen tooth enamel, while the silver component helps kill bacteria and inhibit the growth of new bacteria. It is a non-invasive treatment compared to traditional drill and fill cavities.

Laser Desensitization: Laser desensitization of teeth is a procedure that uses a laser to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is caused by exposed dentin, which is the layer of tooth material under the enamel. When the enamel is worn away or damaged, the sensitive nerves in the dentin can cause pain or discomfort when exposed to hot and cold temperatures, sweets, and/or acidic foods.

During laser desensitization, a dental professional will use a specialized laser to deliver energy to the affected tooth or teeth, sealing the exposed dentin and reducing the sensation of pain. The procedure can be quick, usually taking just a few minutes per tooth, and is typically pain-free or with minimal discomfort. The laser energy actually cauterizes the nerve tissue, which stops the transmission of the sensitive signals to the brain, making the tooth less sensitive.

Fluoride Treatments: There are two common types of professionally applied fluorides. Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) is acidic; neutral sodium fluoride is not. They can be delivered as rinses, gels, or varnishes. We believe that the benefits of fluoride should be the standard of care. The team at Dearfield Family Dentistry offers fluoride treatment after cleanings to all patients irrespective of insurance coverage.

Fluoride is applied as a varnish during a dental appointment. The teeth are dried so the fluoride doesn’t become diluted. Fluoride varnish can be painted directly on parts of the teeth that are most likely to get a cavity, to strengthen them. This is an advantage of varnish over gel or foam. Varnish also contains a very strong concentration of fluoride. Topical fluoride comes in a variety of flavors, but it should never be swallowed.

Enamel is the outer layer of the crown of a tooth (the visible part). It is made of closely packed mineral crystals. Every day, the enamel loses and gains minerals. The loss of minerals is called demineralization. Gaining new minerals is called remineralization. These two processes balance each other.

Demineralization begins with the type of bacteria that causes plaque on your teeth. These bacteria feed on sugar in your mouth and produce acids. The acids dissolve the crystals in your teeth. Remineralization builds the enamel back up. In this process, minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are deposited inside the enamel. Too much loss of minerals without enough repair of the enamel leads to tooth decay.