- Dental ExaminationDental radiographs (x-rays) are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.
- X-raysDigital radiography (digital x-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental x-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays.
- Oral Cancer ScreeningYour dental hygiene is of utmost importance to our team here at McLoughlin Dental Care in Milwaukie, OR. We strive to offer the best dental hygiene services available to our patients in the Milwaukie area. Some of our advanced hygiene services include Periodontal Laser Treatment and Oral Cancer Screenings. Our registered dental hygienists are highly trained and experienced and will help you understand the treatment you are receiving. Find more information about our dental hygiene services in the links below.
- Teeth CleaningAfter a thorough cleaning at our office, you know that your teeth look brighter and feel fresher. But tooth cleaning isn’t just about appearances. It’s the primary means of preventing and treating periodontal (gum) disease. Many studies have demonstrated a possible link between periodontal health and overall (systemic) health — which means regular tooth cleaning may benefit not just your mouth, but your whole body.
- Fluoride TreatmentAlthough most people receive fluoride from food and water, sometimes it is not enough to help prevent decay. Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend the use of home and/or professional fluoride treatments for the following reasons...
- Dental SealantsWhat’s more, a child’s newly erupted permanent teeth are not as resistant to decay as adult teeth are. The hard enamel coating that protects the teeth changes as it ages to become stronger. Fluoride, which is found in toothpaste and some drinking water — and in treatments we use here at the dental office — can strengthen enamel, but, again, it’s hard to get fluoride into those pits and fissures on a regular basis. Fortunately, there is a good solution to this problem: dental sealants.
- Space MaintainersTransitional Partial Dentures: These relatively inexpensive removable plastic dentures serve as a temporary tooth replacement and space maintainer as you wait for your mouth to heal from tooth extraction, for example. Once the healing process is complete, dental implants can be placed.
- FillingsComposite — A popular choice for those who don’t want their fillings to show, composite is a mixture of plastic and glass, which actually bonds to the rest of the tooth. Composites are more expensive than amalgam fillings, and the newer materials can hold up almost as long. Less drilling of the tooth is necessary when placing composite as compared to amalgam.
- Resin CompositeToday’s dentists have superb ways of repairing decayed teeth. Besides traditional silver amalgam or gold alloy fillings, composite resins and dental ceramics have come on the scene that are as durable as they are beautiful. These materials can be used to create tooth restorations that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
- VeneersWhat makes a smile beautiful? That’s a complex question, but some qualities of a lovely smile are immediately identifiable: good tooth color, shape and alignment are a few of the most important ones. If your teeth could use improvement in any of these categories, porcelain veneers could be just what you’re looking for.
- CrownsChances are you may already be familiar with ultrasonic scalers — or at least, your teeth are. They are the tools of choice for many dentists and dental hygienists. Why? Because they’re so good at removing the buildup of stains, dental plaque and calculus (also called tartar) from the crown (above the gum) and root (below the gum) surfaces of the teeth. Since the removal of plaque and calculus helps eliminate harmful bacteria beneath the gum line, cleaning with an ultrasonic scaler (sometimes called “root debridement”) is a primary means for preventing gum disease.
- BridgesMissing teeth can cause a whole host of problems, from difficulty eating and speaking, to poor nutrition and self-confidence. Fortunately, we have several excellent ways of replacing lost teeth. One of the most time-tested techniques is the dental bridge.
- Dental BondingHave you ever wondered about having cosmetic dentistry but don’t want to spend too much time or money on procedures? Dental bonding could be a solution you’d like to consider. It is quicker to complete and less invasive than many other dental treatments and can create subtle yet noticeable improvements to the appearance of your smile.
- Restorative DentistryThe goal of restorative dentistry is to return destroyed or lost tooth structure to full form and function. If you have a filling, crown, or dental implant, you have already benefited from restorative dentistry.
- Root Canal TreatmentRoot canal treatment — also called endodontics (“endo” – inside, “dont” – tooth) — is a set of specialized procedures designed to treat problems of the soft pulp (nerve) tissue inside the tooth. While some mistakenly think of it as an unusually painful treatment, in most cases the procedure is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. It’s actually one of the most effective ways of
- Periodontal SurgeryAll periodontal therapy starts with the evaluation of your oral hygiene techniques and instruction for improving them, followed by the mechanical removal of plaque and any calcified deposits (tartar or calculus) that are present on the root surfaces. This is accomplished with a cleaning technique known as scaling, root planing or debridement using hand instruments and/or ultrasonic (high frequency vibrational) instruments. Locally applied antimicrobial products or antibiotics might also be recommended during various parts of periodontal treatment to assist in healing and pocket-depth reduction, hopefully eliminating the need for periodontal surgery. Sometimes surgical procedures may be necessary to remove the deep pockets that form between inflamed gum tissue and teeth. There are many different types of surgery to handle a variety of problems. And many times, combinations of procedures are used to attempt to reduce the number of surgeries as well as the cost of treatment.
- Deep CleaningGenerally speaking, anyone who needs a deep cleaning of the teeth, both above and below the gum line, can benefit from ultrasonic scaling. This treatment is especially important as a preventive measure for people who may be prone to periodontal (gum) disease. In many instances, ultrasonic scalers are used in combination with traditional hand scalers for a thorough cleaning.
- DenturesFull or partial tooth loss, if left untreated, doesn’t just affect a person’s self-image — it can also increase the risk of developing nutritional problems and other systemic health disorders. Fortunately, there’s a reliable and time-tested method for treating this condition: full or partial dentures.
- OverdenturesDentures are just one option for replacing missing teeth; some of the others include fixed bridgework and dental implants. Each method has its particular pluses and minuses, which should be carefully considered. There are also several varieties of dentures available to address specific issues, from partial dentures to implant-supported overdentures. During a consultation, we can explain the available options and help determine which is best in your individual situation.
- Dental ImplantsOf all the ways modern dentistry has to replace missing teeth, dental implants are by far the best. There is no tooth-replacement option that will give you a longer-lasting result. Implants also help preserve tooth-supporting bone that naturally deteriorates when a tooth is lost.
- Oral Surgery
- Gum SurgeryFor the treatment of soft tissue problems, lasers have many advantages. They are minimally invasive tools that generally involve taking away less tissue than conventional methods. Used in gum surgery, for example, lasers can treat gum disease by killing harmful bacteria deep in pockets below the gum line, and removing the diseased tissue without harming the healthy tissue. They can also remove the thin layer of cells that inhibits reattachment of the gum and bone tissues to the tooth while sealing off the adjacent blood vessels. This type of procedure generally results in less bleeding and pain. Lasers are also effective in treating ulcers and sores on the lips or gums.
- Tooth ExtractionsWhatever the reason, tooth extraction is more often than not a very routine procedure. How straightforward this minor surgery is will depend on where the tooth to be extracted is located in the mouth, and what its roots are like. For example, a front tooth with a single straight root is easier to remove than a molar with multiple roots. This is especially true when that molar is a wisdom tooth that is impacted, meaning it is below the surface surrounded by gum tissue and bone. Often, a wisdom tooth is blocked from fully erupting (growing in) by other teeth in its path.
- Bone GraftingAs we remove your tooth, we’ll be very careful not to damage the bone that surrounds it. Sometimes, in the process of removing a tooth, we might want to put a small amount of lab-processed bone-grafting material into the socket to help preserve the bone volume there. This is particularly important when the extraction is going to be followed at some point by the placement of a dental implant, which needs to fuse to existing bone, or orthodontics, which gently moves teeth through bone.
- OrthodonticsOrthodontics — It’s not a stretch to call orthodontics, or straightening teeth, the original smile makeover tool. After all, misaligned teeth impact a smile in a highly visible way. We have newer options that make orthodontic treatment less noticeable and less intrusive than ever — with equally spectacular results!
- Invisalign OrthodonticsDigital Impressions — Rather than gooey impressions that tickle your throat, we use a handheld wand that scans your tooth surfaces to create a 3D replica inside of the CEREC software system. You’ll see the digital model of your teeth right on the computer screen. (This is similar technology to what is used with planning clear aligner treatments such as Invisalign.)
- BracesLess visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.
- Teeth WhiteningWhile whitening toothpastes may be able to remove surface stains, we can lighten discoloration of both tooth enamel and the underlying dentin to produce significant results with teeth up to eight shades whiter in just one hour.
- Cosmetic DentistryMcLoughlin Dental Care’s comprehensive Smile Design cosmetic dentistry services in Milwaukie craft beautiful smiles that inspire self-confidence.
- General DentistryDr. Justice received her undergrad degree in Biology at the University of Portland. She then received her dental degree at West Virginia University. She commissioned as Lieutenant in the US Navy in San Diego, CA. She served three years in Okinawa, Japan with Marine Corps 3rd Battalion and four years of active duty service in the Navy and separated honorably back to Oregon. She also has advanced education in General Dentistry.