Service Descriptions

Preventative

Preventative Care

The American Dental Association recommends you see your dentist every six months. Preventative dental care can help you reduce or avoid future costs by preventing and finding potential issues sooner. Because many diseases and conditions first show signs in your mouth, good dental health and a strong relationship with your dental office are important steps in your overall health.

Polo Dental provides comprehensive patient exams that include:

Medical history review
Evaluation of Existing dental conditions and treatment recommendations
Oral cancer screening
Review of any concern you may have
X-rays (based on need)
Risk assessment of dental decay
Evaluation of jaw and join (TMJ)
Periodontal screening to determine the health of your gums and supporting structures
Fluoride treatment

Crowns & Bridges

A crown, also known as a cap, covers a tooth to restore it to a natural shape and size, thereby strengthening and improving its overall appearance and function. A crown can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking, or restore one that is already broken.

A bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one or more natural missing teeth, thereby "bridging" the space between two teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented onto teeth on either side of the space. Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth by the patient. If you are missing any teeth and are committed to maintaining good oral hygiene practices, you may be a good candidate for a bridge. If left unfilled, this space can cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position and can cause teeth and gums to become more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease that can cause further tooth loss. Fixed bridges not only correct an altered bite, improve your chewing ability and speech, but they also safeguard your appearance by preventing the collapse of your facial features.

Dental Implant Restorations

Once a dental implant is in place, it needs to be restored. We will take an impression of your mouth to create a beautifully fitting crown that helps restore function. Once the crown is secured to the implant, you will have a complete dental implant that will look very much like a natural tooth.

Dentures & Partials

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.

Candidates for complete dentures have lost most or all of their teeth. A partial denture is suitable for those who have some natural teeth remaining. A denture improves chewing ability and speech, and also provides support for facial features. It will greatly enhance the facial appearance and smile.

It is important to continue having regular dental checkups so that your dentist can examine oral tissues for signs of disease or cancer. As you age, your mouth will continue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes. To maintain a proper fit over time, it may be necessary to adjust your denture or possibly remake your denture.

Oral Surgery

The most recognized form of oral surgery is tooth extraction. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become unrestorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease or dental trauma, especially when they are associated with toothache.

Tooth extraction is usually relatively straightforward, and the vast majority can usually be performed quickly while the individual is awake by using local anesthetic injections to eliminate painful sensations. Some teeth are more difficult to remove for several reasons, especially related to the tooth's position, the shape of the tooth roots and the integrity of the tooth.

Root Canals

A root canal is a treatment used to save a tooth that is badly decayed and/or infected. Nerve and pulp, the soft area within the center of the tooth, can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a large tooth, large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. In reality, most patients report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filled placed. The discomfort experienced in the period leading up to dental care is truly the painful period of time, not the root canal procedure itself.

Fillings

To treat a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decay was. Fillings are also used to repair cracked, broken or injured teeth as well as teeth that have been worn down from nail-biting, tooth grinding or other misuse.

To maintain your fillings, you should follow good oral hygiene practices - visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, brush with toothpaste containing fluoride, and floss at least once daily. If your dentist suspects that a filling might be cracked, he will assess the situation. If your tooth is sensitive, you feel a sharp edge, you notice a crack in the filling, or a piece of the filling is missing, call your dentist for an appointment.

Cosmetics

Cosmetic dentistry services can give you the smile you've always wanted.

A bright, white smile can help you create a youthful appearance. Your dentist may need to perform an exam to determine if your teeth are healthy enough for whitening.

Veneers are ultra-thin shells made of porcelain or a composite resin material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia and may be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of your front teeth.

Veneers, like most dental restorations, are not permanent and may need replacement in the future.

Reasons for veneers:

Colored and stained teeth
Crooked teeth
Fix spaces between the teeth
Worn or chipped teeth
To create a uniform smile

Children's Dentistry

Establishing a relationship with a dentist for your child within 6 months of the first tooth eruptions, or by his/her first birthday is an important step to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Early childhood screenings include:

Evaluation of eruption and growth patterns to see how the teeth are growing into the mouth
Education for parents on proper care for the child's teeth and gums
Dietary counseling - including discussion on proper foods and beverages
Individualized preventative dental health program based on risk for decay and gum disease
Education on what to do in a dental emergency

Dental Emergencies

If you're experiencing extreme pain or other dental emergencies, call Polo Dental at (815) 946-3848 for an emergency appointment. We may be able to see you the same day. For emergencies that occur after regular business hours or on the weekend, office voicemails are periodically checked by Dr. Clayton, (815) 946-3848.