- Dental ExaminationNaturally, we invite you and your child to come to our office for a tour before their initial dental examination so that anything they may not have ever seen will become familiar on the day of the actual appointment. Putting our younger patients at ease and showing them that the dental office can be a fun place to go to can be the defining moment in that child’s life. A good experience the first time can be the catalyst for continuing regular appointments and great oral health for many decades to come.
- X-raysNo further testing is usually necessary, although dental x-rays and dental bone measurements may be done to determine whether the inflammation has spread to the supporting structures of the teeth.
- Teeth CleaningThat’s why making a professional teeth cleaning appointment with Southport Dental Care is something you should be doing. A professional cleaning will help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums and will save you thousands of dollars down the road in dental treatments that could have been avoided. Teeth cleaning by one of your terrific hygienists is much more affordable than you might think. Call our office today and schedule a cleaning, you’ll be glad you did.
- Fluoride Treatment
- Space MaintainersSpace maintainers are nifty devices that can help teeth grow in normally following premature tooth loss, injury or other problems.
- FillingsTooth-colored fillings now are harder and thus more comparable to silver amalgam fillings. A small tooth-colored filling could last a lifetime, and larger such fillings can be expected to last many years. The factors that determine the life span of a particular tooth-colored filling include: the biting force on the filling, the size of the filling relative to the tooth (smaller fillings will usually be more durable than larger fillings), and how teeth are cleaned and maintained.
- Resin CompositeTooth-colored restorations replace unsightly silver dental amalgam. The composite resins used in today’s tooth-colored restorations were introduced in the 1960’s, and have undergone continual improvements in durability, color stability, material-handling qualities, and esthetic properties. tooth-colored restorations are actually bonded to remaining tooth structure, as compared to silver/amalgam restorations, which are “locked” into tooth structure. This property of resin restorations makes them a very conservative approach to tooth restoration because less drilling of the tooth is required for securing the filling.
- VeneersDental veneers, sometimes also known as “caps”, are custom-designed shells of tooth-like ceramic material that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, and chips or cracks.
- CrownsNatural, and more affordable way to keep your smile even after severe dental problems you may have experienced over the years. Our doctors at South Port Dental Care are experts at optimizing your smile so you can go about your life without having to worry about how others may see your smile, and so that you can always enjoy the foods you love to eat. If a crown or a bridge are in your future call us today for a consultation and get the ball running.
- BridgesIf you have a space from a missing tooth or teeth a bridge can be custom made to fill in the space with a false tooth or teeth. The false tooth is attached by the bridge to the two other teeth around the space – bridging them together. A good bridge offers the patient a completely natural looking, natural feeling, and attractive substitute for the missing tooth or teeth. Some of our happiest patients are those with porcelain bridges. Bridges are permanent, and best of all, an affordable way to maintain the integrity of your teeth and gums.
- Dental BondingOnce it is determined that a filling is needed, we will advise you of your options for filling and sealing the cavity to prevent further decay and damage to the tooth. Based on your medical history, location of the cavity, aesthetic needs, biting force, durability, cost, number of visits necessary and your preferences, we’ll decide which filling option is your best option. These options include direct composite bonding, amalgam (silver), gold or inlays/onlays created in a dental laboratory, or using in-office CAD/CAM equipment.
- Restorative DentistryA dental filling is a type of restorative Dentistry treatment used to repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth. Dental filling materials, which include composite, porcelain and silver amalgam, may be used to even out tooth surfaces for better biting or chewing.
- Root Canal TreatmentNobody ever wants to hear the news that they need a root canal. Chances are, at some point in your life a root canal will make the difference between losing a tooth (or teeth) or keeping for life. The doctors at Southport Dental Care peform certain root canals every day, while other procedures (most root canals on back molars) are referred out to endodontists, it is important that you understand what a root canal is, why they are sometimes the only choice, and how you can best avoid the need for one in the future.
- Apicoectomy
- Deep CleaningWhen the teeth are coated in plaque or tartar buildup, the gums will often pull away and detach. This will lead to receding gums associated with gingivitis. Root planning smoothes the top area of the tooth with the use of a scaler. This allows the gums to reattach to the resulting smoother plane. Root planing is also performed for patients suffering from periodontal disease who have receding gums.
- DenturesA denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
- Dental ImplantsDr. Hart believes in lifelong learning and if you ask to see his instagram you can see his life is consumed by dentistry. Dr.Hart spends many of his weekends improving his skills having attended Dr. Todd Engel’s Implant Institute, Dr. Rick Ferguson’s Implant Continuum and most recently, Adhesive Rehabilitation with Dr. Miguel Ortiz and Dr. Carlos De Carvalho. When not attending courses, his weekends frequently consist of traveling to see friends and family, hanging out at the beach and gaming. Dr. Hart attends the Treasure Coast Study Club, is a member of the American Dental Association and is a fellow of the International Congress of lmplantologists.
- Oral SurgeryThis fear often will prevent us from going to the dentist for our regular check ups and cleanings necessary for good oral hygiene. The truth is that dental extractions are just another part of good oral hygiene and are quite uncommon compared to the number of simple examinations that we should be exposed to. Let’s look at some of the reasons and procedures involved in dental extractions and oral surgery.
- Gum SurgeryThe importance of the regular checkup ranges from preventing fatal conditions to maintaining healthy gum and teeth so they are working at their optimal level. On one end of the scale, regular dental visits will clear the patient of any potential oral cancers which are highly curable if caught early on. On a lesser scale but perhaps far more prevalent is gum disease, which is an infection of the gum tissue and the bone. This is also true of cavities and broken fillings which, if left untreated can result in root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth.
- Tooth ExtractionsThere are basically two reasons why your dentist might decide that you have a tooth, or several teeth, pulled. A tooth extraction might be necessary when a tooth is damaged beyond practical repair. Teeth that are not well positioned or nonfunctional may also need to be extracted.
- Bone GraftingYour treatment plan could involve the immediate placement of an implant and restoration at the same appointment, or require separate procedures to place the implant, allow healing and then place the restoration. In some instances, a series of procedures may be required to place tissue and bone grafting materials, allow time for healing, place the implant and allow it to integrate with your bone, and then place the restoration. Depending on your situation, wel will advise you of how long the entire treatment process will take, how many appointments will be necessary and what you can expect after each procedure.
- OrthodonticsInvisible Braces are clearly different and an effective science / technology that has revolutionized orthodontics. Say good-bye to metal brackets and wires, and hello to invisible, removable appliances called aligners. The aligners are virtually undetectable and they go unnoticed when speaking in social situations.Clear Braces can give you that beautiful smile by straightening your teeth without anyone knowing.
- Invisalign OrthodonticsInvisalign straightens your teeth with a series of clear, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. They have never been more popular, and with good reason.
- BracesDental braces are used the straighten teeth and fix bite problems. From ceramic to metal braces, your smile can drastically improve with just 2 years of treatment from your local orthodontist.
- Teeth WhiteningPatients love our tooth-whitening program, Sapphire Chairside. Your teeth can truly shine by having a professional remove surface stains and apply a brilliant polish to your teeth. You’ll have that white smile you always wanted to have. South Port Dental Care offers even offers a take-home whitening program to help patients uncover a clean, bright smile!
- Cosmetic DentistryDental implants are artificial tooth replacements used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Implants help stop or prevent jaw bone loss. The dental implant procedure is categorized as a form of prosthetic (artificial replacement) Dentistry, though it also is a form of cosmetic Dentistry.
- General DentistryYou and your entire family deserve the most modern dental care available on the Treasure Coast. Our commitment to quality means we are constantly working to bring you the best care possible.The whole family can be treated at South Port Dental Care in our Port Saint Lucie office. Our services include consultation and solutions for bad breath, bleeding gums, toothaches, gum disease and tooth decay. From general Dentistry and hygiene to advanced corrective procedures, we are ready to help you keep your smile. Drs. Cook, Fox & Grady stay on top of the latest research and independent studies, bringing the best treatments to our ever-growing list of happy patients.