Preventive Treatments
Preventive dentistry is intended to identify dental problems and related health conditions before they start. Oral health is vital to the health of your entire body.
Proper home hygiene of brushing at least two times a day and flossing your teeth with good technique, healthy eating and regular dental exams and treatments are proven preventive care.
Dr. Curtis and the hygienist together create a customized oral health and wellness plan with an emphasis on prevention.
Prophylaxis - Teeth Cleaning
A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease, protecting and maintaining health and wellness.
Routine visits can catch problems like cavities in their earliest stages. This allows for simpler treatment and reduces the chances of discomfort. Prophylaxis is recommended twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be performed every 3-4 months for patients with periodontal issues.
Oral Cancer Screening
A painless and non-invasive cancer screening is important for all patients, even more so for patients with an increased risk for oral cancer. Dr. Curtis includes this in his regular exams.
Digital X-Rays and CT Scans
State-of-the-art digital x-rays are highly detailed images that reduce a patient's exposure to radiation from standard dental x-rays by 90%.
Routine X-rays can be extremely revealing when it comes to prevention and periodontal disease. X-rays show the extent of bone and gum recession, aiding Dr. Curtis in identifying areas that may need future attention.
Dental computed tomography (CT) is a special type of three-dimensional x-ray equipment used when regular dental x-rays do not provide Dr. Curtis sufficient detail for more complicated issues. This technology produces three-dimensional images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan.
Diagnodent Cavity Scanner
Another therapy Dr. Curtis uses as part of dental care is the Diagnodent cavity scanner. This scanner is a fast, painless test on your teeth that identifies cavities that may not yet be visible. By catching cavities as early as possible, they can often be treated without the need for a filling.
Cavitron
The Cavitron is a state-of-the-art ultrasonic cleaning instrument for removing tartar from both above and below the gum line. It is so gentle and effective that it can even be used to administer deep cleaning and gum therapy, many times without the need for anesthetic.
Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing
People possess unique chemical sensitivities. Certain substances can be toxic and may result in serious health problems. Pre-screening of dental restoratives offers patients safety and peace of mind. This is especially important in patients who already have compromised immunity.
Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing provides Dr. Curtis with extensive information about his patient's individual sensitivities so that most compatible materials can be chosen and used in treatments for the best and safest outcome. The goal is to restore the teeth and mouth with predictable results, and minimize the chance of undesirable side effects.
Pathogen DNA Testing
Dr. Curtis uses highly specific, advanced DNA screening to identify 88 different pathogens, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in removed teeth, tissue, implants, or bone grafts.
Testing for high-risk pathogens assists with disease diagnosis, and ensures that dental treatment removes or reduces them to an acceptable level. Since genetics is a very important component to these infections, testing can identify a specific genetic marker that elevates risk when specific bacteria are present. This information is invaluable to both Dr. Curtis and the patient to promoting overall health and wellness.
Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) are highly successful, advanced therapies for tissue regeneration and wound healing in dental and oral surgery. PRP/PRF therapy allows patients to take advantage of the body's natural capacity for healing, but at a greatly accelerated rate, and usually eliminates the need for post-operative antibiotic therapy.
In PRP/PRF therapy, the patient's own blood is drawn and then spun rapidly, resulting in a concentration of platelets. When this heavily concentrated portion of the blood is isolated it contains three to five times the number of growth factors found in normal blood.