Biocompatible Dentistry

We specialize in biocompatible dentistry - dental care that takes into consideration every aspect of your health, from the kind of materials and techniques that we use for restorations and/or cosmetic enhancements to health and nutritional concerns. Using the skills and knowledge acquired both as a dentist and a board certified naturopathic physician, Dr. Cole helps patients achieve better oral health. This helps enhance our patients’ overall health and well being.

We offer a complete range of preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services with special emphasis on the relationship of the body structure and metabolism to the teeth and jaws.

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TMJ

Our practice is a leader in diagnosing and treating disorders stemming from problems with the temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) joint.  These can include headaches, neck pain, and missing, debilitated or misaligned teeth.

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Occlusion

When your bite is not correct, you may have trouble chewing and even speaking properly.  We can correct your bite with biocompatible material, refining the fit of the teeth with one another, repositioning the jaw within the joint or using a combination of these adjustments.

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Pain Management

Sometimes pain is so longstanding and deep-seated that complete elimination of the pain is not immediately obtainable. In these cases, the pain is managed by decreasing it as much as reasonably possible while seeking to address the true source of the pain.  This may involve addressing structural, nutritional, neurologic or metabolic issues.  This process may include referrals for medical, osteopathic or chiropractic consultation or referral to a physical therapist, massage therapist, athletic trainer, acupuncturist, nutritionist or naturopath who would work together with us to improve your health and consequently your level of comfort.

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Laser Treatment for Gum Disease

We Use a Soft Tissue Laser for Deep Cleanings
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults. Reports indicate that about millions of people are unaware that they have gum disease, and about 30% of the population are genetically susceptible to contracting the condition. Other risk factors include smoking, pregnancy, puberty, stress, grinding teeth, poor nutrition, diabetes, and poor oral hygiene. When gum disease sets in, it destroys soft tissue, breaks the strong bond between teeth and supporting gums, and can cause jawbone deterioration, as well as tooth loss.

If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, or if they appear, red, swollen, or are tender to the touch, you may have gum disease. Depending upon the severity of your case, our hygienists may recommend deep cleaning to reverse the condition. Our office uses a gentle soft tissue laser to treat the pockets infected by bacteria and periodontal disease. The procedure is called “sulcular debridement,” and it involves removing diseased epithelial lining and coagulation utilizing a pulsed, free-running Nd:YAG laser. We perform this therapy in conjunction with subgingival scaling to improve the gingival index, gingival bleeding index, probe depth, attachment loss, and tooth mobility.

This all sounds very technical, so here's what you need to know in layman's terms…
During your appointment, mild anesthesia will ensure that you stay comfortable. We will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove hardened plaque, called tartar or calculus, from your teeth. Next, we will smooth rough tooth roots where plaque and bacteria tend to accumulate. We'll also irrigate the pockets between the teeth and gums to wash away debris and sterilize the area. The soft tissue laser will disinfect the pocket and seal blood vessels, nerve endings, and lymphatics so that there is no infection, bleeding, or swelling following laser treatment (sulcular debridement).

Soft tissue laser therapy for deep cleanings presents many advantages. The laser beam seals as it cuts away damaged tissue, so bleeding is minimal. Because of the reduced trauma, most patients feel better than they would after traditional deep cleanings.

If you're interested in laser treatment at your hygiene visit, call our office today. Our gentle dentists and hygiene team will examine your situation and determine the best, most effective and conservative therapy for your condition.

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Implants

We do several types of dental implants. The first is a mini dental implant that can be used if the bone is not very broad. Second is an immediate load implant that can be used in solid bone. Lastly we do traditional implants that take several months of healing and usually involve some type of bone augmentation.

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