- Dental ExaminationThe best way to maintain a healthy mouth and to save money on dental care is to have routine comprehensive dental exams. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that adults and children have a dental exam approximately every six months.
- X-raysGenerally speaking, no. We do take a full set of x-rays the first time you see us as a patient, and after that we recommend a full set every 3-5 years. And although the levels of radiation used in dental x-rays are incredibly low (we use digital x-rays for the lowest exposure possible), we do need to take routine check-up x-rays when indicated.
- Oral Cancer ScreeningAt a routine exam (dental checkup) we examine the outside of your mouth (including the TMJ or jaw joint), and the inside of your mouth. We check to make sure that the tissues in your mouth are healthy, and we examine your gums to check for gum disease and/or periodontal disease. And of course, we check your teeth to make sure that all of your existing crowns and fillings are intact, and to make sure that you don’t have any new cavities present. And as part of our intraoral exam, we perform an oral cancer screening.
- Teeth CleaningWelcome to our practice! We are excited you have chosen to visit us for a new patient consultation that typical involves a comprehensive oral evaluation, digital radiographs and/or dental cleaning. On behalf of the entire team here at Augusta Dental, we look forward to meeting you and would like to share some information with you prior to your visit.
- Dental SealantsA dental sealant is process by which we place a very small layer of bonding material into the grooves of an adult tooth. While any tooth could technically be sealed, we primarily use sealants for upper and lower first molars.
- Fillings
- VeneersA dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that is used to change the shape, color, or size of a tooth or a group of teeth. Veneers are most often done on the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws, but can be used for premolars (the teeth behind the canines) if the patient has a wide smile and the color difference would show.
- CrownsThere are many different types of materials that we can use when a patient needs to have a dental crown placed. In clinical situations where esthetics are paramount, we can take advantage of newer ceramic improvements and fabricate what are known as all-ceramic crowns. Ceramic crowns are lifelike and have coloring and light reflecting properties that more resemble natural teeth. Plus, because the crowns are all-ceramic and have no metal, you will never see “black lines” around the edges.
- BridgesDental bridges are used to replace missing teeth and are often an option when a patient has strong teeth in front of and behind an empty space (or spaces). One advantage of a dental bridge is that you can use it to easily replace missing teeth, and that with proper home care, it can last for many, many years. Dental bridges are strong, esthetic, and can be made from a number of materials including highly esthetic ceramics.
- Dental Bonding
- Restorative DentistryDr. Ahern is a member of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. She is a strong believer in the value of continuing education and regularly attends seminars at the Kois Center in Seattle, a world renown evidence-based teaching center, that teaches the latest advances in esthetics, implants and restorative dentistry. Dr. Ahern’s dental interests include combining her passion for esthetics with dental medicine and hopes to help all of her patients fall in love with their smiles.
- Root Canal TreatmentA dental crown (also known as a “cap”) is a restoration that we use when a tooth is no longer a good candidate for a traditional filling and when we need to restore and protect teeth that have undergone endodontic treatment (root canal). There are many types of materials that we can use for crowns, and we will discuss some of these materials below.
- Periodontal SurgeryYes. While the first treatment is often a deep cleaning, it can be necessary to perform gum surgery (periodontal surgery) in order to fully correct the problems under the gumline. LANAP (laser periodontal treatment) can also be an option for some patients.
- Deep CleaningHowever, in some patients, especially those with poor oral hygiene, plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) can build up below the gumline, and in this situation, you need to have what’s called a “deep cleaning” in order to access and remove this buildup. The problem with not having a deep cleaning in this situation is that over time, the buildup can lead to inflammation, and this inflammation can lead to loss of bone and the structures that help hold the teeth firmly in place. This condition is known as periodontitis, and patients with chronic periodontitis ( periodontal disease ), may start to lose teeth as the gum disease progresses. Thus, deep cleanings are critical in order to help prevent tooth loss!
- DenturesA complete denture is a dental prosthesis that is for patients who no longer have their own teeth. You wear it during the day, and you take it out at night. You can contrast complete dentures with removable partial dentures (RPDs) – both are removable prosthesis, but RPDs are designed for patients who have some of their natural teeth remaining.
- Dental ImplantsAnd if you are someone who has missing teeth and you are not a candidate for dental implants, and you don’t have anchor teeth that are strong enough to hold on a bridge, a removable prosthesis is a good option because it can be used to restore your smile and your ability to chew.
- Oral Surgery
- Gum Surgery
- Tooth Extractions
- Orthodontics
- Invisalign OrthodonticsPatients who want to straighten their teeth or change the position of their teeth, often ask whether treatment with veneers can be used instead of orthodontic treatment. The answer is “it depends.” In dentistry we have a number of techniques and treatment modalities that we can use to achieve a goal — and each patient’s needs and goals are different. For example, if someone has extensive crowding of their teeth along with severe rotations of their teeth, then orthodontic treatment may be the best choice. However, if a patient has a single front tooth that is too far forward or back, Invisalign might be a better option because you would need to prepare (drill) multiple teeth to get the same effect with veneers. If a patient, however, has multiple discolored teeth with slight rotations or irregular heights, then treatment with veneers might be a good choice.
- Teeth WhiteningTooth bleaching (tooth whitening) is one of the most popular services we offer — and for good reason! Having a set of beautiful white teeth feels good, healthy, and inspires confidence. There are number of ways you can whiten your teeth, and we’re going to discuss some of them below.
- Cosmetic DentistryAn extension of cosmetic dentistry is the situation where we provide the traditional dental care that you are used to while at the same time taking into account the specific esthetic needs of the area of your mouth.
- General DentistryDr. Fongemie obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, with the hope of returning home to Maine upon completion. During dental school, she had the opportunity to help other students as a Teacher’s Assistant in both her clinical Group Practice and in the Dental Anatomy course. Dr. Fongemie is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Maine Dental Association.