Preventative Care

Comprehensive Exam/Consultation

Mountain Dental Doctors provide comprehensive patient exams that include evaluation of the following:

• Medical history
• Existing dental conditions and needed treatment
• Oral cancer screenings
• Smile evaluations
• Blood pressure screenings
• Patient concerns
• Radiographic (x-ray) needs
• Risk for dental decay
• Evaluation of the jaw and joint (TMJ)
• Periodontal screening to determine health of the gums and supporting structures

The Doctor will review all findings and discuss possible treatment options to help you achieve the smile that you want and deserve. Establishing a relationship and returning for scheduled dental appointments will ensure a lifetime of smiles for you and your family.

Sealants

A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth—premolars and molars. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids that contribute to dental decay. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach into the deep depressions and grooves of teeth and the sealant helps to protect these areas.

Sealants are easily applied and take only a few minutes for each tooth. The teeth are cleaned and prepared for the sealant and the material is “painted” on the chewing surface and usually hardened with a special light. Sealants will be checked at each appointment to make sure they are retained, and will generally last several years before reapplication is needed.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride therapies are available in both in-office and home care delivery, and can be an important part of a prevention plan for patients of all ages. When visiting a Mountain Dental office, we will determine your risk for dental decay by discussing your diet, home care, previous decay history, dry mouth and prescription medications. Recommendations for fluoride can include an in-office treatment with a tray and gel or foam fluoride, or fluoride varnish which is more highly concentrated and brushed onto the teeth.

In many instances a recommendation for a home therapy may also be made. This can be in the form of prescription toothpaste or a rinse to be used daily. In addition to fluoride, there are other home products that can be recommended to reduce your risk for dental decay. Many of these can be thought of as “vitamins” for your teeth to help protect them and make them stronger. It is important to follow all recommendations made by your dentist and to also be aware of the fluoride levels in your water, both community water supplies and private wells.

Space Maintainers

Proper growth and development is an important aspect of total body health. If a child loses a baby tooth early through decay or injury, the other teeth could shift and cause crowding or shifting to fill the vacant space. The eruption of the permanent tooth could be inhibited by this and cause further difficulties with chewing or speaking related to improper growth and development. To prevent this, a dentist would insert a space maintainer to hold the spot left by the missing tooth. This could be a band or temporary crown attached to one of the adjacent teeth. Later, as the permanent tooth grows into the spot, the space maintainer is removed. A future full of smiles is now possible!

Mouthguards (Sports & Occlusal)

All children and adults who participate in contact sports should wear a mouthguard for protection of the teeth against blows to the face or mouth. A properly fitted mouthguard can help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. The mouthguard will stay in place when custom fabricated, making it easy for you to talk and breathe.

While there are many types of mouthguards including those you can purchase and “boil and bite” for fit, the best is a custom fabricated appliance. Be sure to discuss this with your Mountain Dental Dentist so you can maintain a healthy smile for a lifetime.

NTI – Migraine Headache Relief

The NTI Tension Suppression System is a dental mouthpiece that fits securely on either the patient’s lower or upper front teeth and is worn during sleep.  The NTI device reduces the intense contraction of the head, neck, and jaw muscles during sleep which are known to cause chronic headaches, jaw pain, and trigger migraine headache attacks.  The NTI is a non-surgical, non-drug FDA approved device for the prevention of medically diagnosed migraine pain and associated tension type headaches.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Mountain Dental offices provide oral cancer screenings as part of your regular dental exam. In addition we provide enhanced screenings with Vizilite Plus with T-blue. Oral cancer often starts as a tiny unnoticed white or red spot or sore in the mouth that does not go away. It can affect the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and hard or soft palate. Oral cancer most often occurs in those with increased risk factors some of which include:

• Tobacco use, including smokeless
• Age 40 and over
• Frequent alcohol use
• Prolonged exposure to the sun increases risk for lip cancer
• HPV virus

However, more than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors. Regular check-ups are essential for early detection.