SERVICES
FOR NAPA VALLEY FAMILIES SINCE 2010
GENERAL | PREVENTATIVE | COSMETIC
FULL SERVICE DENTAL CARE
With state-of-the-art equipment and years of training and expertise, Dr. Dennington and dental team have the experience necessary to meet all of your family’s dental needs.
We will examine your smile and provide a number of preventive and diagnostic treatments to ensure you and your family members receive the treatment you need. We encourage you to call and schedule your appointment today.
Our skilled dental team also provides helpful information on caring for your smile at home. We are eager to help you achieve a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.
PREVENTATIVE CARE SERVICES
Dental Exams & Cleanings
A teeth cleaning, or dental prophylaxis, along with a check up examination are the most basic and common procedures in our dental office. The examination will include the appropriate accompanying radiographs These preventative services are important to maintaining excellent oral health and identifying problems early, while they can be easily managed.
During a cleaning, plaque and tartar are removed using both hand instruments and sometimes ultrasonic handpieces if necessary. Typically teeth are polished with a rotary instrument and paste at the end of the appointment, which leaves the enamel surfaces smooth, shiny, and free of discoloration and staining.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a type of preventive dental treatment generally suggested for children. Typically used on your molars and premolars, sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of your teeth. These surfaces, full of grooves and pits, are hard to clean and prone to decay and wear. Sealants create a smooth, easy-to-clean surface to protect your smile and keep it healthy. Of all the dental treatments we offer at Dennington Dental, sealants are among the easiest to apply.
In fact, it only takes a couple of minutes for Dr. Dennington to apply each sealant. To apply dental sealants, our caring dental team will:
- Clean and dry the surfaces of the tooth
- Apply a gentle solution to create a rough texture for an easier bond
- Clean and dry the tooth a second time
- Paint the sealant onto the tooth, where it directly bonds and hardens
While sealants are usually used for children, adults may benefit from sealants if they do not have dental restorations on their molars and do not have decay or damage in that region of the mouth. For more information about what a sealant can do for your smile, we encourage you to contact our dental office and schedule a visit today. We look forward to seeing you.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a type of mineral found naturally in the body, and it plays an important role in the health of your teeth. Every day, minerals are lost from the enamel of your teeth due to attacks from plaque, sugars, and bacteria. Replacing lost minerals with applied fluoride is one of the premier methods used to prevent tooth decay and keep your smile healthy and happy. Fluoride is especially critical in children to help strong teeth grow in properly. At Dennington Dental, we offer two main types of fluoride treatment: topical fluoride and systemic fluoride.
Topical fluoride is the most typical type of fluoride treatment, and it involves incorporating dental products enriched with fluoride into your daily routine. This includes toothpaste, fluoride gels, and mouthwashes. During your routine dental check-ups, topical fluoride treatment is included.
Systemic fluoride is more suited to children and is generally prescribed by your dentist. Systemic fluoride aims at protecting the enamel of developing teeth in children. It is generally prescribed as tablets or in drop form. To learn more about fluoride treatment, we encourage you to contact our dental office today. Your smile is our top priority and we provide fluoride treatment to help your smile last a lifetime.
Periodontal Treatment
The health of the gums and soft tissues in your mouth is an important part of your smile. While everyone knows plaque and tartar can cause tooth decay, not everyone knows it can lead to an infection of the gums. Periodontitis, also known as periodontal disease or gum disease, is the most common condition that occurs because of this infection. The disease is aggravated by rapidly growing bacteria and causes the gums to become inflamed and red. Gums that bleed while brushing or flossing are also a symptom of periodontitis. If left untreated, periodontitis can cause tooth and bone loss. To ensure your entire smile is taken care of, we provide high-quality gum treatment.
Basic periodontal care includes medication to control infection and deep cleaning methods, such as scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing cleans between your gums, underneath the gumline, and down to the tooth root. The main goal of deep cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar deep below the gumline in an effort to disrupt the inflammatory process in the gums and bone, thus restoring healthy tissues. In more severe cases, surgical treatments may be suggested. We also provide maintenance information to prevent infection from occurring or reemerging. For more information about periodontal care, please contact our dental office today.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY SERVICES
There is no denying that a beautiful, healthy smile gives you a boost in confidence, creates more social opportunities, and improves overall quality of life.
Cosmetic dentistry has paved the way for long-term solutions to cosmetic oral problems for you to achieve long-lasting confidence. From brightening, reshaping, and resizing, to closing gaps between teeth, our cosmetic dental office will give you a reason to smile again.
Porcelain Crowns
A dental crown is a thin, custom-made cover fitted over moderately to severely decayed teeth. Dental crowns completely encase the tooth up to the gumline to protect it from further damage and to maintain its natural shape, size, and function.
At Dennington Dental, we only make crowns from high-quality porcelain material to keep your smile looking bright. Dr. Dennington is able to match the shade of porcelain exactly to your natural tooth color. We may suggest a dental crown to:
- Prevent a weakened tooth from breaking
- Repair a broken tooth
- Repair a significantly decayed tooth
- Anchor a porcelain fixed bridge
- Complete a dental implant
- Enhance the integrity and beauty of your smile
We utilize the latest dental technology in our dental office, including CEREC® same-day restoration technology. The CEREC allows us to make your custom dental restoration on the same day you receive treatment. Long gone are the days when molds had to be sent to a dental laboratory for a number of weeks. Dr. Dennington can produce and place your dental crown in just one visit to our office. For more information about how our porcelain dental crowns can improve your smile, please contact us today.
Invisalign
Unlike traditional orthodontic treatment which utlizes brackets and wires, Invisalign treatment uses clear, removable mouthpieces to create a beautiful smile. These mouthpieces or trays are called aligners and they move teeth slowly but surely through a series of gradual movements.
Typically the aligners are changed every 1 to 2 weeks and treatment can range from about 6-18 months. The aligners are thin and clear and are relatively invisible to the casual observer. While the aligners should be worn as much as possible, they can be removed to eat, drink, or for any other occasion necessary.
Throughout your treatment, progress will be monitored and any necessary adjustments will be made so that your smile goals will be met. Call our office today to schedule an evaluation.
Porcelain Bridges
Porcelain fixed bridges are permanent dental appliances used to replace missing teeth. They are called dental bridges because they literally bridge the gap created by a missing tooth. A dental bridge is most useful in replacing one or more missing teeth all in a row. There are many types of dental bridges available, depending on which teeth you are missing.
A typical dental bridge utilizes a replacement tooth called a pontic that is anchored by two dental crowns.
Our material of choice is porcelain due to its beauty and strength. To permanently attach your dental bridge, we will first prepare the teeth that will hold the crowns by gently reshaping the surface of the tooth to accommodate the size of the crown. The pontic is anchored in place by these dental crowns. Once Dr. Dennington has ensured the porcelain fixed bridge is exact in fit, he will cement it into place. We invite you to learn more about porcelain fixed bridges and how they can restore your smile by calling our office today.
Teeth Whitening
Over the course of your life, the enamel of your teeth can become discolored or stained. Age alone causes yellowing, and certain lifestyle habits only make things worse. Smoking, tobacco use, wine, coffee, sugary foods, and dark-colored drinks cause stains, while old metal dental restorations can darken your smile as well. To help reverse this process, our skilled dental team at Dennington Dental provides teeth whitening to restore your beautiful smile. While there are many types of teeth whitening methods, all are similar in their basic approach. Generally, through in-office or at-home systems, a gentle hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to the surface of your teeth. The gel absorbs into the discolored enamel of your tooth to bleach deep-rooted stains and discoloration.
Our teeth whitening method of choice is teeth whitening trays. Dr. Dennington will make custom plastic trays from molds of your teeth to hold the whitening gel. Through this method, you will be able to whiten your smile at your own convenience at home. Teeth whitening is safe, easy to do, and effective in boosting self-confidence. For more information about professional teeth whitening, we encourage you to call or visit our dental office to schedule a consultation today. We look forward to helping you achieve a more beautiful smile!
HIGH-TECH DENTISTRY
Digital X-Rays
When you first visit our office, it is important that we get a full vision of your smile to understand both what you want and what you need in terms of your dental treatment. At Dennington Dental, digital X-rays are an important diagnostic tool. A digital X-ray allows us to capture a full image of your entire mouth and jaw area that can be previewed immediately on a display screen. Digital radiography also reduces the amount of radiation used compared to traditional dental X-rays. Our caring dentist may suggest digital dental X-rays to reveal:
- Tooth decay or damage
- Conditions inside the tooth or under the gumline
- Developmental abnormalities
- Tumors or cysts
- Bone loss in the jawbone
You will have a full series of digital X-rays taken during your first appointment with Dr. Dennington. This will include bitewing X-rays to assess your natural bite. If necessary, subsequent digital X-rays may be taken in later appointments to ensure your smile is healthy and functioning properly. To schedule your first appointment at our dental office, please give us a call or stop by for a visit. Our dental team is caring and friendly, and we look forward to helping you get started on the road to better health.
3D Dentistry
We utilize 3D dental technology to ensure an optimal patient experience. This state-of-the-art equipment enables our dental team to have a superior view of the issues inside your mouth, as well as create ideal treatment solutions. This includes digital radiographs, photography, and cad-cam technology via our Cerec 3-D camera and milling equipment.
Same-day Porcelain Crowns
A dental crown is a thin, custom-made cover fitted over moderately to severely decayed teeth. Dental crowns completely encase the tooth up to the gumline to protect it from further damage and to maintain its natural shape, size, and function.
At Dennington Dental, we only make crowns from high-quality porcelain material to keep your smile looking bright. Our talented dentist, Dr. Dennington, is able to match the shade of porcelain exactly to your natural tooth color. We may suggest a dental crown in Napa, CA to:
- Prevent a weakened tooth from breaking
- Hold a broken tooth together
- Repair a significantly decayed tooth
- Anchor a porcelain fixed bridge
- Complete a dental implant
- Enhance the integrity and beauty of your smile
We utilize the latest dental technology in our dental office, including CEREC® same-day restoration technology. The CEREC allows us to make your custom dental restoration on the same day you receive treatment. Long gone are the days when molds had to be sent to a dental laboratory for a number of weeks. Dr. Dennington can produce and place your dental crown in just one visit to our office. For more information about how our porcelain dental crowns can improve your smile, please contact us today.
INTER-DISCIPLINARY DENTISTRY
Implants
Dental implants are a great option to replace missing or broken teeth. They function very similarly to your natural teeth and offer a better alternative to a bridge or denture. Not everyone is a candidate for an implant, so it is important to have a consultation to determine eligibility.
We refer our patients to an oral surgeon or periodontist for these procedures for optimal care of our patients. If an implant is placed, we will fabricate a crown for the implant once the healing process is complete.
Root Canals
Root canal treatment works to restore severely damaged teeth and prevent the need for extraction. We will determine if root canal treatment is necessaryand aim to save your natural tooth at all costs and maintain its function, normal biting pressure, and natural appearance. If such treatment is recommended we will refer you to a local endodontist that specializes in this procedure.
Why Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
To understand root canal treatment, it helps to learn about the tooth’s anatomy. The protective outer surface is called enamel, and underneath the enamel is a hard layer called dentin. Underneath it all, there is a soft issue called pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue aiding the growth of the tooth root during development.
In the case of severe decay, the damage extends beyond the dentin and into the pulp, leading to inflammation and infection. The symptoms include intense toothache, and swollen and tender gums around the tooth.
If the infection advances, the severely damaged tooth eventually dies. At that point, the tooth is beyond saving and will require extraction. If detected just in time, the dentist may stop the infection and restore the tooth with root canal, eliminating the need for removal and tooth loss.
How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?
Also known as root canal, root canal treatment removes the infected/dead pulp and thoroughly cleans the inside of the tooth. Once the tooth is completely free of debris, the dentist seals it with a filling or crown to protect from future damage and maintain function and appearance.
If you are experiencing intense toothache, it may be a sign of severe decay and a need for a root canal. A consultation with Dr. Dennington will assess the situation and tell you the necessary treatment. To set an appointment or know more about our services, feel free to contact us today.
MORE DENTAL SERVICES
Tooth-Color Composite Fillings
A white filling is a special type of dental restoration used to stop tooth decay from infecting your tooth. Fillings, in general, literally fill in the space left by tooth decay once it is removed to maintain tooth size and function. There are many types of materials that have been used for fillings; at Dennington Dental we use a special composite plastic material for an incredible bond and natural aesthetic. Because the composite material is tooth-colored, they are referred to as white fillings. Dr. Dennington provides high-quality white fillings to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.
To place a white filling, our talented dental team will first remove any decay or damage. The empty area is cleaned thoroughly and composite material is prepared. It is soft and malleable when first applied, allowing Dr. Dennington to shape and sculpt the white filling accordingly. Once the white filling is perfectly fitted to your natural smile and bite, it is hardened with a special light for a long-lasting bond. White fillings are easy to place, quick, and painless. In fact, it generally only takes one visit to our office to have a white filling put in. To schedule your appointment, call our dental office today.
Dentures and Partial Dentures
If you are missing some or all of your teeth, you may need a partial or full denture. These are removable restorations that can make your smile beautiful again. Call our office today for more information.
Snoring Treatment
Do you suffer from snoring? Are you embarrassed by keeping family members awake at night? Then consider our premier snoring treatment, a night guard called Silent Nite®. Prescribed by Dr. Dennington, Silent Nite is a comfortable, hassle-free dental appliance designed and created specifically as a solution for snoring. Snoring often occurs because your airway becomes blocked as your soft tissues collapse, disrupting your ability to breathe properly during sleep. A night guard gently repositions your lower jaw by shifting it forward. This ensures your airway is clear and unobstructed during sleep. Custom-made Silent Nite guards are made of strong plastic that resists breaking while remaining comfortable.
Silent Nite is also a powerful tool in preventing and treating sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes short pauses in breathing during sleep. It is characterized by loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and morning headaches. If left untreated it can increase risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. Silent Nite is perfect for maintaining healthy breathing patterns all night long to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. To learn more about snoring and sleep apnea treatment, contact Dennington Dental today. We are dedicated to meeting all of your oral health needs.
Oral Surgery - Extractions
There are certain circumstances that occur where a tooth, for the health of your smile, must be removed. This is called a tooth extraction. Infection is the most common cause of tooth extractions. To prevent the infection from spreading and damaging other teeth, the tooth is removed and the surrounding area is checked for signs of infection and treated accordingly. Another common type of tooth extraction, is wisdom teeth removal. Your third molar, also known as a wisdom tooth, often becomes impacted, meaning it can get stuck in the gums and jawbone, and may grow in sideways. This is dangerous to your smile and often causes multiple complications and pain. Wisdom tooth extraction is done to maintain a healthy smile.
Led by Dr. Dennington, our dental team is caring and compassionate. We work hard to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed during each tooth extraction. At Dennington Dental, we also understand how important your smile is and what losing a tooth can mean. That is why, during every tooth extraction, we offer multiple restorative and cosmetic services to replace the lost tooth. Our goal is to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that you will be proud to share. For more information about tooth extractions, we encourage you to contact our office today.
Why Choose Dennington Dental?
Our dental team is compassionate to your needs. We create a treatment plan based on what you want to achieve, and we work to ensure your satisfaction with the results. To get started on your personalized cosmetic treatment, call our office in Napa today.