- X-rays
- Oral Cancer ScreeningOral cancer affects tens of thousands of Americans every year, and one case in four is fatal. As with most cancers, the key to beating the disease is catching it before it progresses to a later stage. With early detection from a routine oral cancer screening, there is a 90% success rate after diagnosis. A trusted dentist like Dr. Rutledge is truly your only line of defense against oral cancer. She and her team of dental professionals are the only ones to regularly evaluate your oral health and to notice any potential abnormalities. Gain the peace of mind that comes with a regular oral cancer screening from Dr. Rutledge. With the help of the latest dental technology, even a diagnosis of oral cancer can be successfully treated through early detection.
- Teeth Cleaning
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in many things we eat or drink. It is nature’s way of helping to prevent cavities, and it plays an important role in helping you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Professional (in-office) fluoride treatments make teeth stronger and even reverse damage from decay in the outer layers of enamel on the smooth surfaces of the teeth. Additional home fluoride treatments assist in this process. In the lifelong fight against cavities, Dr. Rutledge believes that both adults and children benefit from both in-office treatment and home fluorides.
- Dental SealantsDental sealants are plastic coatings or barriers that protect the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. Usually, sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. Applying a sealant to your teeth can prevent cavities as well as the need for fillings, which must be replaced every six to eight years. Children especially benefit from sealants.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeIf you are embarrassed about your smile because of decayed, disfigured or discolored teeth, you may be a good candidate for composite resins. A composite resin is a silicon dioxide-filled tooth-colored material mixture that can restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state. Composite resins present several advantages to the patient compared with traditional silver fillings. First, Dr. Rutledge is able to blend composite shades and shapes so as to match your original teeth nearly perfectly. Second, the tooth-composite bond actually serves to support the remaining tooth structure, preventing breakage and providing insulation against temperature changes. Finally, small- to average-sized composites have demonstrated similar duration to silver fillings.
- VeneersA: Porcelain veneers improve your smile by correcting a multitude of cosmetic concerns including: gaps in teeth; chipped and broken teeth; dull or yellowing teeth that cannot be whitened with traditional means; “gummy smiles†(showing too much gum when one smiles); and crooked teeth. Porcelain veneers broaden, straighten, whiten and beautify most any smile. This procedure can be done in as little as two clinical visits. Ask at your next visit about how porcelain veneers can improve your smile or send us an email.
- CrownsA: If your doctor has recommended a crown to you, it is likely either to correct a broken tooth or to repair a tooth that has deteriorated due to cavities (decay). The decay in your tooth eats away at healthy tooth structure much like rust eats away at metal. If not removed, decay will deteriorate the tooth to the point where extraction is the only viable treatment option. Sometimes, decay is removed leaving healthy tooth structure, but not much of it. A crown can then be placed, restoring the look and function of your tooth, while allowing you to keep your natural, underlying tooth structure. Most crowns are precision-milled porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or full metal (gold or silver) and are individually customized for each application in each patient, giving you a natural, long-lasting smile.
- BridgesFace it – We are rough on our teeth. Sometimes we neglect them, take them for granted or simply abuse them. Between physical activities, such as sports, or chewing hard substances like ice, our teeth can get knocked out, broken, cracked and worn down. Forgetting routine dental appointments and ignoring proper cleaning tactics can result in periodontal disease, tooth decay and ultimately tooth loss. When teeth are missing, your mouth must compensate for the lack of chewing power in that area in order to function normally. So, the chewing force may shift to another part of the mouth, which can cause unwanted spaces and changes in your smile. Through restorative dental procedures smiles are repaired to look pristine again using a combination of crowns and bridges to support or to replace lost teeth. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface of your affected tooth to add strength, durability, and tooth stability, while also restoring your tooth to its natural shape and size. Crowns can be made of porcelain, precious metal and porcelain fused-to-metal. A bridge, (also known as a pontic), is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill the gaps left by the original missing tooth. The new tooth is then anchored to the two porcelain crowns, renewing your once-damaged smile.
- Dental Bonding
- Restorative DentistryYour smile today may not be as brilliant as it once was. Years of wear and tear, injury, or poor care can hurt the look and function of your teeth. Dr. Rutledge and her team change lives every day through restorative dentistry. Rejuvenate your smile today!
- DenturesA: Millions of people struggle with halitosis, (bad breath), despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and if the problem persists, we can offer several additional solutions.
- Dental ImplantsA dental implant can be used to restore a single tooth or an entire set of teeth. Dental implants involve the placement of a surgical grade titanium post directly into the jawbone by one of Dr. Rutledge’s trusted specialists. As the bone bonds to the post, it forms a secure foundation for the attachment of a dental prosthetic (denture) that is custom created for you. While typical dentures shift and require the use of denture adhesives to keep them in place, implants fit solidly, reducing the problems associated with traditional dentures such as gum sores, difficulty speaking and chewing. Implants are sometimes used instead of bridges to maintain the integrity of the teeth on either side of the gap.
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth ExtractionsIn some cases, injury or decay damages a tooth extensively and an extraction is the only proper treatment option to start you on the path toward complete dental health. We can remove your troublesome tooth and can give you the treatment options for replacing that tooth and to complete your beautiful smile once again.
- BracesA: Dr. Rutledge has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. We would be happy to talk with you further about the option that best suits your individual situation.
- Teeth WhiteningYou can have the confidence that comes from a bright, white smile. If you are happy with the alignment and spacing of your teeth, a tooth whitening procedure may be all that separates you from a dazzling smile. Tooth whitening is safe, effective, and long-lasting.
- Cosmetic DentistryYou can look good and have a healthy smile. Most people who are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth do not realize the numerous ways that cosmetic dentistry can heal a smile. Cosmetic dentistry can correct crooked teeth; spaces between your teeth; stained or discolored teeth; chipped, broken or missing teeth; and “gummy†smiles. Dr. Rutledge creates a customized treatment plan for you that is based on your age, your goals and your financial comfort level.