Mill Valley General Dentistry

Helping our patients maintain a healthy mouth and smile is the main goal of general dentistry. We prefer to provide more minor, preventive care than to see patients suffer with more intensive treatments from a problem that was not managed in time. We want to ensure that your oral health is in its optimal state and positively contributing to the health of your entire body. We are here to brighten your smile and pave the way for a brighter life.

• Preventative Dentistry
• Cleanings And Exams
• Teeth Whitening
• Fillings
• Root Canals
• Extractions
• Bonding
• Traditional Braces
• Enamel shaping

Preventative Dentistry

It is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily to help remove plaque and food particles that get stuck to your teeth. It is recommended that you brush your teeth for two minutes (or longer), though most people rush through this time. You need to make sure that you reach every side of each tooth, including the inside and outside. To help keep your breath fresh, you should also brush your tongue. Then, you can begin flossing.

Cleanings And Exams

Having a dental practice perform a checkup and regular cleaning gives a preventive approach to dental care. These general dentistry treatments help prevent problems with your teeth, gums and jaw bones, or they catch and manage problems before they worsen. During your visit, our doctors will take a picture of the current standing of your dental health and what would be needed to keep your oral hygiene in its best state.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening (teeth bleaching) is one of the simplest cosmetic dentistry procedures that any dentist can perform efficiently. The teeth become white when tartar, plague and other dirt are removed from the surface of each tooth hence restoring their initial appearance before the discoloration set in. sometimes, teeth can be bleached to get a whiter look than the natural color. With time, teeth become discolored and worn out due to drinks, foods, medication or smoking. Actually, you can whiten your teeth at home by using certain toothpastes such as platinum and Colgate for between two weeks and four weeks. You can also use trays, strips, over the counter gels or rinses. However, not everyone can be a candidate for this procedure. It is best for people who have unrestored and healthy teeth and gums.

Fillings

These are usually used to cover cavities in a tooth. They have to be replaced regularly because they crack, wear or chip. Silver fillings are better than composite ones.

Root Canals

Root canals are needed when decay and bacteria spread for too long without treatment. At a certain point, this decay makes it to the pulp inside the tooth. This pulp includes nerves, therefore infection generally causes a lot of pain. Since this is happening on the inside of the tooth, you won’t necessarily see the damage. Instead, you could feel it through pain and notice other signs that include bleeding, swelling and bad breath.

Extractions

An extraction is performed to remove a tooth, whether because of disease, crowding, or damage. When extractions are required, the area around the tooth will be numbed and your dentist will remove the tooth. A small amount of bleeding is normal, as your mouth will replace the removed tooth root by forming a blood clot in the area.

Bonding

Dental bonding is the procedure where we apply a tooth colored plastic material to a patient’s tooth. Using a special light, the material hardens and bonds the material to the tooth.

Dental bonding is used to improve a patient’s smile. It can be used on cracked and decaying teeth. It also can be used for cavities. It can be used to change the shape and size of your teeth so you have a more uniform smile! It is also commonly used for receding gums by protecting the exposed teeth!

Traditional Braces

Braces are useful in aligning teeth that are out of place by applying pressure to the tooth and bony tooth socket until they are properly aligned. There are different types of braces; there are invisible, metallic and colored ones.

Enamel shaping

This procedure is used to rectify small imperfections like slightly overcrowded or uneven teeth. It involves contouring or shaping natural teeth in order to enhance their appearance. Results become apparent instantly. It can be combined with bonding, veneers and whitening.