Treatment

Regular dental exams are an important part of preventive health care.

During the dental exam, Dr. Veronica Yoshiura will check for cavities and gum disease. She will also evaluate your risk of developing other oral health problems, as well as check your face, neck and mouth for abnormalities. A dental exam might also include dental radiographs or other diagnostic procedures.

During the dental exam, Dr. Yoshiura or the hygienist will likely discuss your diet and oral hygiene habits and might demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Other topics for discussion might include lifestyle factors that can affect oral health and possible cosmetic improvements to your teeth.

One of the most important and helpful treatments in general dentistry is professional tooth cleanings. Before any other treatments are suggested, a thorough dental cleaning will likely be the first administered by one of our dental hygienists. As carefully and regularly as you may brush your teeth, you can't always do as thorough a job as a dental professional. Even flossing can't always remove hardened tartar buildup below the gumline. Some patients have very clean, strong teeth, but their gums are inflamed due to gingivitis. Get in touch and schedule a cleaning at your earliest convenience.

A dental filling is a type of restorative dentistry treatment used to repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth. Filling materials, which include composite, porcelain and silver amalgam, may be used by Dr. Yoshiura to restore tooth surfaces for better biting or chewing and eliminate sensitivity.

If a simple filling is no longer possible to be done due to extensive damage of the tooth, Dr. Yoshiura will most likely advise a crown.

Crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants. Crowns usually cover or "cap" a damaged tooth or an implant.  Bridges are commonly used to cover a space if you’re missing one or more teeth. They are cemented to natural teeth or implants surrounding the space where the tooth once stood.

In certain cases you are going to need a removable appliance or a denture. That is the case when you do not have enough teeth to support a fixed bridge, or when you do not have enough bone to have dental implants.

When the caries reaches the pulp of the tooth, it will most likely need root canal treatment.  Dr. Yoshiura will recommend this treatment to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and blood vessels are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form, leading to extraction and tooth loss.

Dr. Yoshiura not only checks your teeth, but also pays attention to your gums. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums and tissues that support your teeth. It is caused most often by the build-up of plaque and tartar when teeth are not routinely brushed and flossed. Gum disease is a major cause of teeth loss.

Gum disease usually progresses slowly and painlessly, meaning it can take years for sufferers to realise there is a problem – but it is easier to treat when it’s caught early.

At St. Clair Family Dental Dr. Yoshiura sees patients of all ages including the little ones.

A typical age to start bringing your child to the dentist for regular dental check-ups is around 2.5 and 3 years old. However parents should start cleaning the baby's mouth as soon as the first tooth erupts and consult their dentist on how to care for their baby's teeth. 

During the first visit, Dr. Yoshiura will typically educate parents on proper gum and tooth care for babies. You may also discuss pacifier use and how proper nutrition helps to maintain healthy teeth. Dr. Yoshiura or one of her hygienists will also demonstrate brushing techniques for parents so that they are able to knowledgeably assist young children with oral care. At the end of the appointment, Dr. Yoshiura will also provide you with the opportunity to ask questions.

Dr. Yoshiura also performs dental extractions when it is necessary. Sometimes a tooth can no longer be saved, it is improperly positioned or needs to be removed for orthodontic purpose .

In case the patient wishes to replace a lost tooth, Dr. Yoshiura can explain the different options available such as implant or fixed bridge.

Teeth whitening can be done in different ways, either at the dental office or at home. The end result  is the same, just the way to achieve it varies. 

At St. Clair Family Dental we offer Pola Day at-home bleaching system. Gives us a call and schedule an appointment to learn how it works.