General and Family Dentistry

Regardless of technique or how frequently you brush, dental plaque and calculus (tartar) buildup on your teeth, especially by your gums.

At Ski Hill Dental, Dr. Jake Tall can manage this hard to clean dental plaque and calculus using specialized curettes and ultrasonic instruments. During your dental cleaning appointment, a thorough exam will be completed to detect any needed treatment to maintain superior oral health.

Schedule your dental cleaning and exam today to maintain a healthy and esthetic smile. Call (208) 243-8861.

• Dental Cleaning and Exams
• Sealants
• Night Guards
• Sports Mouth Guards
• Pediatric Dentistry

Video: Dental Cleaning (prophy) vs a Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)

There are different types of dental cleanings. The type of cleaning you need will be determined after an evaluation of your gingiva (gums) and bone. The amount of plaque buildup, the color/condition of the gingiva (gums), and the depth of the pocket between your tooth and gums are three factors that help determine the type of cleaning you need.

• Routine dental cleaning (prophy): During a routine cleaning, the plaque buildup that can’t be removed with a toothbrush is removed with hand instruments called curettes; in some situations an ultrasonic instrument will be used for tenacious plaque and tartar (calculus) buildup. Additional plaque will be removed and the tooth surface will be polished with a rubber cone and abrasive paste. Tooth brushing and flossing techniques, as well as any additional educational information, will be presented to each patient to ensure optimal oral health. A routine dental cleaning is typically performed every six months, unless a more frequent cleaning schedule is recommended. This type of cleaning is done if there is minimal plaque buildup, a healthy or mildly diseased appearance of gums, and shallow depths between the tooth and gums.
• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): A deep cleaning is used when there are signs of periodontal disease. During a deep cleaning, the plaque buildup above and below the gum surface that can't be removed with a toothbrush is removed with an ultrasonic instrument and metal curettes. Additional plaque is removed and the tooth surface is polished with a rubber cone and abrasive paste. Tooth brushing and flossing techniques, as well as any additional educational information, is presented to each patient to ensure optimal oral health. A two-week follow-up appointment will be needed to evaluate the health of your gums. After a deep cleaning is performed, you will either be on a three- or four-month follow-up schedule for periodontal maintenance appointments until signs of periodontal disease diminish.

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Molars and pre-molars have deep anatomy commonly referred to as pits and fissures. These deep pits and fissures are susceptible to harmful, decaying bacteria that lead to cavities. Dr. Jake Tall can fill in these deep pits and fissures with a dental sealant. Schedule your appointment today to learn if you're are a candidate for dental sealants.

Video: Dental Sealants

The dental sealant procedure is non-invasive and requires no anesthetic. The tooth or teeth are isolated from saliva to ensure a dry tooth surface. The tooth is prepared for the sealant material, and then the sealant material is light cured onto the tooth with a specialized ultraviolet light.

The biting surface is adjusted if a high spot forms. Ideally, sealants are placed as soon as molars and premolars fully erupt, however, they are highly recommended for every molar and premolar with deep pits and fissures, regardless of your age.

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Primary teeth (“baby teeth”) play an important role in the development and growth of your child’s adult teeth and jaw bones, as well as the overall development and growth of their body. It is important for your child to regularly visit the dentist to ensure their teeth are healthy and aligned. Schedule an appointment today to ensure your child’s teeth are healthy to ensure proper growth and development.

Unfortunately, primary teeth don’t have the same amount of protection as adult teeth. The outer protective layers are thin, and the nerve tissue is large, which means that your child’s tooth is much more susceptible to cavities and infection that may lead to procedures like a pulpotomy (kids root canal) or extraction. Early detection of decay and infection is important to avoid these issues.

Primary teeth play an important role in your child’s nutrition. This is likely the obvious reason to keep your child’s teeth healthy. Proper health and function of the teeth allows your child to get the nutrients needed for proper development and growth. Decay and infection causing pain and sensitivity can lead to indigestion and lack of appetite; a lost tooth can also make it difficult for your young one to eat.

Primary teeth play a crucial role in how the adult teeth grow into position. Primary teeth do fall out, but they fall out when your adult tooth essentially pushes them out and takes their place; timing is everything. A tooth lost prematurely can close off the spaces that would have been replaced by an adult tooth; this can lead to missing or crooked teeth.

Do you feel that your child may need early-stage orthodontics (kids braces)? Ideally, every child should be evaluated for the need or orthodontic intervention between the ages of 7 and 9 years old. Crooked teeth are only one factor in a need for kids braces. If the jaws do not fully develop, there may not be enough space for the teeth, or your child’s teeth may not bite together properly and make is difficult for them to function. Oral function through breast feeding, chewing hard foods or teething toys play a major role in jaw growth and development. If your child’s jaws aren’t developing properly, there are a number of treatment options most easily managed when caught early. These treatment options include fixed and removeable appliances to encourage jaw development, proper function, and an esthetic smile.

Call (208) 243-8861 to schedule an appointment today.

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