Zoom! Advanced Power Whitening We offer the latest Zoom whitening system, as seen on ABC’s hit series “Extreme Makeover”. Zoom can make your smile brighter and more dazzling in just one appointment, and includes a home whitening kit for long lasting results. During the procedure, you may enjoy watching a DVD movie of your choice from our list, or relax and take a nap. Top of page Partials and Dentures A patient missing one or all their teeth may also opt to replace them via a removable appliance. Parial and complete dentures in many cases can now be made metal-free, which is a more comfortable option for many who in the past couldn’t tolerate metal in their mouth. They also afford a temporary fix for patients waiting on implant placement, or after implant placement during the healing phase. Top of page |
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A root canal is the process of removing the nerve and blood supply that runs through the center of the tooth root. Sometimes a root canal is necessary to save a tooth and properly restore it. Dr Hickle has the latest equipment to perform your root canal painlessly, and in many cases in just one visit! Top of page
Dr. Hickle and her team take pride in educating their patients. We use state of the art technologies…intra-oral cameras help you see and better understand your condition, computer controlled anesthesia delivery numbs with little or no discomfort, and digital radiography produces better, faster x-ray images than traditional x-rays. We also have the Caesey DVD education system, an informative DVD system which explains a variety of dental procedures. Top of page
Composite bondings can be used to repair everything from a small chip in tooth enamel, to resurfacing, straightening, and closing gaps as in a complete smile makeover. Also, aggressive tooth brushing or a grinding habit can cause wear at the gumline of teeth and tooth sensitivity. Composite bondings are commonly placed at the gumline area for those reasons to protect the exposed root surface, fill in irregularities, and to minimize sensitivity. Top of page
A crown (also called a cap) is a tooth-shaped porcelain covering that is used to restore and reinforce teeth that are either root canal treated, or too weak to be only filled. Whenever possible, metal-free crowns and bridges are used to restore and replace teeth. They are more esthetic because we avoid a black margin at the gumline (often seen with the porcelain fused to metal style crowns and bridges) and the result is more natural and life-like. As well, metal can cause tissue irritation and allergic reactions. With bonding technology, placing all-porcelain crowns and bridges can actually increase the strength of a tooth. A bridge is used to replace one or more teeth, when there are existing teeth on either side of the space. A bridge is composed of at least two crowns which are attached to teeth on either side of the empty space in the mouth. The replacement teeth on the bridge are fused to those crowns which are permanently cemented or bonded in. Bridges can also be fabricated on implants, when multiple teeth are missing. For someone missing all of their teeth in an arch, transitioning from a removable denture to implant bridges can be life-changing. A patient in this situation would be able to chew and talk easier and with confidence. Top of page
Dr. Hickle has successfully used TENS (transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation) to relax the jaw muscles. Then, an orthotic (a clear acrylic device which snaps on the teeth) is fabricated to mimic the relaxed jaw position. With consistent wear of the orthotic, the symptoms mentioned have disappeared for many of her patients. For a permanent solution, some patients choose to restore their teeth to this new jaw position with porcelain or orthodontics. Top of page
Our office performs a thorough analysis of not just the teeth, but also the gums and bone. A periodontally healthy patient is one whose gums don’t bleed with brushing and flossing. If they do, chances are your gums aren’t healthy and you may have one of the stages of periodontal disease: GINGIVITIS Gingivitis is a milder and reversible
form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums (not the
bone). It develops as toxins in plaque irritate gums, making them
red, tender, swollen, and likely to bleed easily. It can usually
be eliminated by daily brushing, cleaning between your teeth, and
regular dental cleanings. PERIODONTITIS Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease, called periodontitis. There are several forms of periodontitis, with the most common being chronic adult periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when toxins, enzymes, and other plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor teeth into the bone. The gum line recedes, which can become susceptible to decay and sensitive to cold and touch. Also, the gum “pockets” deepen, which may indicate that a deeper cleaning is needed to thoroughly remove the tartar deposits and bacterial colonies that form on the tooth root surfaces. In most cases, we can comfortably anesthetize the patient for this procedure without a needle! We may also recommend local antibiotic therapy delivered painlessly into the gumline, again without a needle, and a prescription antibacterial mouthwash to aid in healing. Depending on your level of periodontal health, our office will make a recommendation as to how often your teeth should be professionally cleaned, and what type of cleaning is most appropriate for you. Because of recent accumulated research, a patient’s periodontal status is NOT to be ignored. Many studies have established a probable link between periodontal disease and incidence of heart attack, stoke, coronary artery disease, diabetes, pneumonia and bacterial endocarditis. www.perio.org. A chemical called “C-Reactive Protein” is a marker of inflammation found in the body of a person with untreated periodontal disease. High levels of C-Reactive Protein are also found in persons with the above mentioned life-threatening systemic conditions. Additionally, diabetic patients with active periodontal disease may have a more difficult time controlling their blood glucose levels. These are just a small sampling of reasons why routine visits to your dentist for cleaning and exams aren’t to be taken lightly! Top of page
Porcelain veneers are a more permanent, life-like approach to change your smile. They make teeth appear straight, close gaps, and whiten all at once. Porcelain veneers are natural looking, instantly improve your smile and boost confidence. Dr. Hickle uses a predictable technique taught at the Las Vegas Institute where the patient’s models are sent to a lab for a mock-up of the desired tooth shape. Then, the patient can view the results on a stone model of their mouth, before any tooth preparation. This technique is reassuring for the patient and the doctor that the desired result will be fabulous! Top of page
Dr. Hickle provides her patients with the most advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures and is equipped with the most innovative technologies. Soft tissue laser dentistry utilizes short, controlled bursts of light to carry out otherwise painful surgeries with no discomfort, precise results, no bleeding, and quick recovery! A healthy, beautiful smile not only consists of perfectly aligned, brilliantly white teeth, but also an aesthetic, symmetrical gumline. Using a state-of-the-art diode laser, Dr. Hickle can artistically trim and minimize uneven or overgrown gums with precision, creating a more even-looking smile. Sometimes, a patient may just have a single tooth with an uneven gumline, and when treated with the laser it makes a world of difference in their overall smile. In other instances, a patient may have an entire “gummy smile”; meaning when they smile, too much gum tissue shows relative to their teeth. In some of those cases, a simple cosmetic gumlift can result in a more esthetically balanced appearance. Laser soft tissue recontouring is also commonly used on patients with gum disease. Sometimes, the irregular shape of the gums can make them prone to trapping plaque and bacteria, causing redness and inflammation. With the diode laser, tissue can be trimmed and tightened, making the gums healthier and teeth more decay-resistant. Other applications for the laser include treatment of canker sores, herpetic and aphthous ulcers of the oral tissues; small biopsies, and as an adjunct to root canal therapy.
Patients that are anxious about their dental treatment may be sedated via oral conscious sedation. Oral sedation is a safe and effective means to relax a patient. Although the patient is conscious, many actually sleep through their procedure. There is no longer an excuse to avoid seeing the dentist! Top of page
If you are missing one or more teeth, you should know that dental implants offer a better way of life. Dental implants allow you to bite, chew, and smile with the comfort and confidence of natural teeth. They even help to conserve the bone level in the jaw…otherwise, the bone level may deteriorate over time. After a tooth is extracted, a titanium piece which mimics your natural tooth root is placed in the bone, underneath the gum, and is allowed to heal. Healing time varies depending on the area of the mouth and the quality of the bone found at surgery time. Sometimes, the implant can be placed the day the tooth is even removed. During healing, the patient may have a temporary tooth to restore confidence. Once healing is complete, impressions are taken and a laboratory fabricates the restoration to perfectly blend with the surrounding teeth. Implants can be used to replace either a single tooth, or multiple teeth, which are permanently cemented in. Also, for denture wearers, implants can be placed so that your denture no longer moves around during chewing. It’s like having your natural teeth all over again! Top of page
Dr. Hickle and her experienced team provide comprehensive restorative dentistry for patients of all ages. Restorative dentistry includes fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges. Whenever possible, Dr. Hickle uses only tooth-colored (and metal-free) restorations using the latest bonding technology. These restorations conserve healthy tooth structure, strengthen the tooth, and may prevent more extensive treatment in later years. Old black mercury fillings expand and corrode with age, which can weaken, crack, and break teeth. Our tooth colored restorations are beautiful, natural in appearance, and durable. Porcelain restorations restore teeth to virtually their natural state, and are made to blend seamlessly with the existing tooth. Top of page
If you are looking for a change in your life, you’ve come to the right office! Dr. Hickle is a graduate of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Only the top 5% of dentists attend this world-renown institute for advanced cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry to heighten their cosmetic dentistry skill level. With a smile makeover, porcelain veneers and crowns can close spaces, reshape, straighten, and permanently whiten teeth. A smile enhancement can also boost confidence and shave years off your appearance. In most cases, a complete smile makeover can be accomplished in only a few visits!
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