Services

Preventive

Prevention is the best treatment! Our exams include digital x-rays (minimal radiation), an oral and head/neck cancer screening, a thorough exam of all teeth and/or old restorations, and an analysis of any crowding, bruxism or esthetic issues. We will customize a treatment plan for you geared towards fixing existing problems and preventing future ones!

Probably the most important part of prevention is hygiene. Strong gum and bone support are essential for a healthy mouth- think of them like you would a foundation to a house. In order to keep your gums and bone strong, you must keep them CLEAN. Whether you need a standard dental prophylaxis or a more in-depth scaling and root planing (due to bone loss), our hygienist will tailor your treatment to your exact needs to give you the best chance at holding on to your chompers for life!

Composite (Tooth-colored) Fillings

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent diseases of our time. Modern diets, full of refined sugars, have produced highly acidic oral environments that break down tooth structure and lead to tooth decay (cavities).  With composite fillings, we remove the decayed portion of the tooth (while you are numb) and replace it with a composite resin that is specially formulated to bond to and behave like natural tooth structure. If caught early, cavities usually don’t hurt and can very often only be seen with x-rays.

Crowns

Dental crowns, commonly referred to as “caps,” act like little helmets for teeth. They cover all surfaces of a tooth as opposed to fillings, which only replace a portion of a tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is cracked or too much tooth structure is missing or damaged (by decay/breakage) to be able to be replaced with a filling. Crowns are tooth colored and strengthen weakened teeth. In the case of restoring an implant, a crown is screwed onto an implant (after it has integrated with surrounding bone) to replace a missing tooth.

Implants

Implants are both placed and restored at this office. An implant is like a metal screw that replicates the root of a tooth, and the restoration (crown) replaces the part of the tooth that you see above the gums.

Veneers

Veneers are similar to crowns but cover fewer surfaces of a tooth. They are used mainly for esthetic purposes and can change the shape, size, and color of a tooth as desired. They are a great option for patients who have not achieved desired results from teeth whitening.

Bridges

 
Bridges, or “fixed partial dentures,” are best suited to replace one or two missing teeth. Crowns are placed on teeth on either side of a space. These crowns are cemented in and are connected to the replacement tooth/teeth, bridging the gap. Bridges are recommended when the anchor teeth need crowns anyway. If the anchor teeth are pristine, sacrificing their tooth structure for the sake of a bridge may not be ideal. In such cases, a dental implant may be more appropriate.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are a removable option for replacing teeth. They are the same cost whether you are replacing one or ten teeth. They clasp onto remaining teeth for retention. They are a good option for patients needing to replace multiple teeth, but they can sometimes put excessive forces on the anchor teeth.

Dentures

Full dentures are for patients with no remaining natural teeth. They use a patient’s remaining bony ridge for retention. Dentures can also be used in conjunction with implants for added retention. Learn more about our denture procedures.

Invisalign® 

W Dental is an Invisalign® provider. Invisalign® straightens teeth with successive clear aligners. They are barely visible with no wires or brackets! Learn more at about Invisalign®.

Whitening

Still aren’t happy with the color of your teeth after using over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses? Try professional strength and watch your teeth lighten at least two shades!

Root Canals

Root canals are needed when the nerve/blood supply of a tooth has been infected by bacteria. Bacteria is usually introduced via large tooth decay, which can cause a lot of pain once it hits the inner nerve of a tooth. Despite their reputations, root canals actually relieve this pain. The infection is cleaned out and the root filled with a special material. This procedure clears up the infection, but the tooth is often weakened in the process. Therefore, teeth that have had root canals done usually require crowns as well.

Extractions | Wisdom Tooth Removal

Sometimes teeth become so broken-down and/or decayed that they are no longer salvageable. When this is the case, the tooth must be removed. Wisdom teeth (third molars) often also need to come out when they start pushing on adjacent teeth.

Pediatrics

We love kids! They can sometimes require special procedures, such as sealants. Sealants are non-invasive and essentially “seal” deep grooves in molars, keeping food/bacteria from getting stuck in them. This helps prevent cavities, especially since kids aren’t always known for great dental hygiene.

Space maintainers are another procedure unique to children. Primary (baby) teeth hold the place for adult teeth. If a child loses a baby tooth prematurely, other teeth may move into the space meant for the following adult tooth. Once the adult tooth finally erupts, severe crowding can result unless a space maintainer is placed to allow adequate room for it.

There are other pediatric treatments that we do not offer at our office. Should your child need one of these, or is especially anxious, we will happily refer you to a pedodontist, a dentist who only treats children.

Night guards

Everyone is stressed out and grinding their teeth these days! A night guard is a piece of plastic fitted to an individual’s teeth that keeps from clenching/grinding their teeth. It also keeps one’s muscles in a more relaxed position. Dr. Klassen sleeps with one, so just ask her about it.

Sleep Apnea | Snoring Appliances

More and more medical professionals are becoming aware of the alarming prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea. With this condition, the airway is compressed during sleep, keeping the body from obtaining necessary oxygen during the night and often producing disruptive sounds. If snoring or waking unrested are problems for you, Dr. Klassen can refer you for a sleep study test. If diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, an oral appliance (as opposed to a bulky CPAP machine) may be an option for you!

Emergency Dental Services

Because our doctors and dental team understand that everyday life has some drama, we offer same day dental appointments for dental emergencies. So if Mom got aggressive with a garden tool and knocked a tooth out or a family member is experiencing tooth or gum pain, we are here to help! Call us at (817) 594-7427!