During an oral examination, Dr. Mayers will perform a visual inspection to detect normal and abnormal structures of the entire mouth, head and neck. Along with radiographs, an examination detects cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, gum or periodontal disease and any other abnormal findings within the mouth, head and neck. In addition an oral cancer screening examination is performed during all oral evaluations. 

Dental X-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool used to identify decay, extra teeth, bone defects, tumors, cysts and check the progress of previous procedures. Latest technology now allow for digital X-rays, which reduce radiation exposure more than 50 percent, and produce instant, high-quality images that can be viewed immediately by the dentist and the patient.

While we all feel we know a beautiful smile when we see one, there is no perfect smile. That’s because each person has a different perception of what is beautiful; you and Dr. Mayers may even have a difference of opinion. So it’s important that you discover what you really like and then communicate that during your visit.
A smile design meeting between you and Dr. Mayers will consist of a conventional evaluation and an esthetic evaluation. The conventional part of the consultation will be a physical examination of your teeth, gums, and bite, and the taking and evaluation of x-rays. The esthetic part of the consultation will be more subjective, and this is where communication between you and Dr. Mayers is important. Together, you and Dr. Mayers can plan the smile you always dreamed of. 

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. An ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished. 

During a regular check-up, oral hygiene instructions are given to reduce the risk of plaque and tartar build-up, as well as cavities. Instructions include, but are not limited to proper brushing techniques, flossing, and using mouth rinses. 

Whitening, also known as bleaching, is the procedure used to brighten teeth. There are multiple ways to achieve a desired whiter smile. We can discuss all of your options to achieve a brighter smile and pick the technique that is best suited for you. 

Bonding is a popular treatment option because it provides a successful attachment between the filling material and the tooth’s original enamel and dentin. It looks like the original tooth and functions like it as well.
Direct composite bonding is used to recreate a smile in an additive manner, where little or no tooth reduction is needed. Direct bonding, in the hands of a skilled operator, is less costly than porcelain veneers and crowns and can be long-lasting with proper maintenance. 

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. It is often the material of choice for those looking to make slight position alterations, or to change tooth shape, size, and/or color.

Invisalign® takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements Dr. Mayers plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two to three weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life. The best part about the whole process is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth. 

Tooth-colored fillings are the most lifelike material used to fill cavities. Composite fillings can be done in one visit. Once the decay is removed from the tooth, the filling is placed by bonding the composite material to the tooth. It is hardened with a special light and polished to a life-like luster.

A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a severely decayed or broken down tooth, restoring the function and aesthetics of the tooth. Dental crowns can be completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared and shaped and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is fitted and then cemented into place. 

Dental implants are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium, which are placed in the jawbone. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the attachment of the replacement teeth. 

A bridge replaces missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A false tooth is suspended in place by being attached to a neighboring tooth. In order to fabricate a bridge a crown(s) is made for the teeth on either side of the space and a false tooth is suspended between the crowns. 

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures, complete (full) and partial dentures.

Complete (Full) Dentures are made after all the teeth in the mouth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. The denture includes an acrylic base that is custom made in the dental laboratory and are made to look like natural gums, which sits over the gums or can be anchored to dental implants.

Partial Dentures are made only when a few teeth need to be replaced. The partial denture either attaches to crowns on either side of the denture or to a metal framework that is attached to the teeth on both sides of the partial denture. Partial dentures can be removable or they can be anchored in place by attaching them to dental implants.

Lasers in dentistry allow for many dental procedures to be performed in a less invasive manner. All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical and dental procedures, the laser replaces a scapel, cutting by vaporizing tissue that it comes in contact with. This means that there is virtually no bleeding during the procedure and no stitches required after the procedure. In addition, the discomfort sometimes experienced after surgery is significantly reduced.
Some of the dental treatments utilizing a laser are biopsy’s, reshaping of gum tissue or smile lift, elimination of pockets of infected gum tissue and tooth extractions. 

 Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth’s root after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.
The laser is also utilized during scaling and root planning to further enhance healing. 

Gum recontouring with a laser can improve the look of your smile with minimally invasive procedures. Commonly referred to as a “gummy smile,” an excessive amount of gum coverage can hide portions of your teeth. Gum reshaping and contouring can reduce the amount of gums that show and give you a bigger, brighter smile. Gum reshaping can also even out tooth size discrepancies between teeth.

Procedures performed with the laser have minimal bleeding, require no sutures and have minimal discomfort after the procedure.