- Dental ExaminationWhile dental exams are important, they can feel quite alienating when you can’t see what the dentist sees. Whether you want a better understanding of your oral health or you aren’t sure why we’re recommending a specific treatment, our intraoral camera makes the whole process easier. This handheld device can capture high-resolution images of your oral structures, then send these images to a nearby monitor so you can discuss them with our team directly.
- X-raysIn the past, dental X-rays not only took a long time to complete, but required unnecessary high levels of radiation and harmful film-developing chemicals to receive. Today, dental offices like Westlake Hills Dental Arts have gone fully digital, meaning X-ray systems can capture images in a matter of minutes and with up to 85% less radiation overall. With that said, we always perform necessary safety protocols to keep patients safe during their diagnostic exams.
- Oral Cancer ScreeningEven with the best at-home oral care routine possible, brushing and flossing are only one part of keeping your smile free of harmful decay, gum disease, and oral infections. Thankfully, getting these treatments done is not only easy, but affordable as well. Through dedicated exams, cleanings, and oral cancer screenings, you'll be doing both your oral and overall health a big favor with Dr. Long by your side. Give our dental office a call and we’ll help you get scheduled for preventive dentistry in West Lake Hills, TX.
- Teeth CleaningWe recommend visiting our dental office at least once every six months in order to complete a routine exam and cleaning. These appointments help confirm that your oral care at home is working as intended and make sure that there are no underlying causes for concern. Some patients may need to come in more often or less often, depending upon their oral health and risk factors for cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.
- Fluoride Treatment
- FillingsWe know today that mercury (amalgam) fillings have many drawbacks. Mercury-silver fillings, which contain 50 percent mercury, used to be our only choice to fill teeth. If you have mercury-silver fillings that are 15 years or older, they have likely undergone microleakage that has resulted in decay underneath the fillings. It's also possible for large amalgam fillings to expand over time and cause internal fractures in the tooth. They can even corrode, leak, and cause dark staining of your teeth and gums. Fortunately, these mercury-silver fillings can safely be replaced with tooth-colored restorations.
- Resin CompositeRather than use silver amalgam fillings to restore teeth, we make use of composite resin, a metal-free material that can be custom-shaded to match your existing enamel. After shading the material, Dr. Long places the filling inside the tooth, molds and shapes it accordingly, then hardens it using a special curing light. In most cases, it only takes a single appointment to restore your tooth using tooth-colored fillings!
- VeneersWhether you’re looking for a full smile makeover or you’d just like to take care of a few imperfections at a time, porcelain veneers can help you accomplish both. These ultra-thin sheaths of dental ceramic are customized to your exact specifications, including the shape, size, and color. Their translucent properties and smooth texture ensure your smile not only looks natural, but repels stains more effectively than enamel!
- CrownsWe advocate mercury-free fillings. Many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. Not only are mercury fillings unsightly, but they result in a weaker tooth. Tooth-colored fillings and porcelain onlays and crowns create restorations that are not only beautiful and natural looking, but also add strength to weakened teeth. These tooth-colored fillings from our West Lake Hills, TX dentist are aesthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding and materials technologies.
- BridgesDid you know that roughly 140 million Americans are missing at least one tooth? So, if you are missing one tooth or several teeth in a row, you’re certainly not alone. Since the consequences on your smile, bite, and speech can be staggering, it’s important to fill the gaps in your smile for good. Dental bridges in Westlake Hills can help you do just that! To learn more about this smile-rebuilding treatment, get in touch with our team or read on.
- Dental BondingDirect bonding. Also known as dental bonding or cosmetic bonding, this procedure can reshape teeth and hide a number of imperfections. It is not particularly durable, but it does have an attractively low price and takes just one appointment to complete.
- Restorative DentistryWhile enamel is incredibly tough, it's important to recognize that teeth endure daily chewing forces and acidic challenges. Unfortunately, even the best oral care can’t stop a physical injury that leaves a tooth chipped or guarantee that you will never encounter a dental issue. Whether you have a cavity that needs filling or a tooth that needs a dental crown, Dr. Long is here to provide you with fully customized options for restorative dentistry in West Lake Hills, TX!
- Root Canal TreatmentStep 3: Get the care you need. Once a treatment plan has been made, our experience team will get to work! Whether you need a filling, deep cleaning, dental crown, root canal, or something else entirely, your safety and comfort will always be our top priorities as we get your oral health back on track.
- Deep CleaningTo begin treating gum disease that has passed the early stage (known as gingivitis), we perform scaling and root planing, two key steps that make up “deep cleaning.” Scaling involves breaking down plaque and tartar, particularly below the gum line where toothbrushes and floss can’t reach. Root planing helps the gums reattach to the tooth roots, reducing further gum recession. In most cases, deep cleaning is performed over multiple appointments so the gums have time to heal.
- DenturesTraditional dentures have been around for centuries. While the materials have changed, making them more comfortable to wear and lifelike in appearance, they still leave patients frustrated and wanting more from their tooth replacement. Fortunately, at Westlake Hills Dental Arts, we are pleased to offer our patients an alternative that is known for its permanence, durability, functionality, and longer lifespan – implant dentures in West Lake Hills ! Not only do these prosthetics make it possible to eat and speak with ease and clarity, but they continuously stimulate the jawbone, creating a more youthful appearance and allowing for better oral health. Contact us today to find out more about implant dentures and learn how we can help you take back your smile.
- OverdenturesIf you prefer to have a removable denture, you can request an overdenture. Held into place with a bar-retained or ball-retained appliance, it is only necessary for an implant dentist to insert between 2 and 5 implants. This type of restoration can be easily removed at night for cleaning.
- Dental ImplantsFeels like a real tooth, there’s nothing quite like dental implants. Dr. Long is happy to meet with you directly, confirm your eligibility, and develop a treatment plan for the most advanced tooth replacement treatment in dentistry - dental implants from our West Lake Hills, TX dentist!
- Oral Surgery
- Tooth ExtractionsThere’s nothing more important to us than helping you protect and maintain your natural teeth. It’s precisely why we consider tooth removal to be a last resort, not a first option. With that said, there are some instances where teeth may need to be removed if the rest of your smile becomes at risk. At Westlake Hills Dental Arts, we remain fully dedicated to providing you with gentle and safe services for tooth extractions in our West Lake Hills, TX dental office that are safe and effective at protecting your oral health.
- Bone GraftingThe dental implant process starts with a consultation, where you’ll spend some time talking to Dr. Long about the expectations and goals you have for your new teeth. Then, she’ll closely examine your mouth and jaw to find out whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If you are, then she’ll outline what you can expect at every stage in the treatment, including preparatory work. It’s not uncommon for patients to need one or more preliminary procedures before dental implant surgery, such as bone grafting to strengthen a jawbone that has deteriorated after tooth loss.
- OrthodonticsVeneers are also sometimes called “instant orthodontics” since the crooked teeth can in many cases be made straight immediately at the initial prepping (tooth contouring) visit when the temporary veneers are placed. A ceramic specialty dental lab then creates the custom veneers specifically for you. The beautiful veneers are then bonded to the teeth a few weeks later. From start to finish the process can take as little as two to three weeks!
- Invisalign OrthodonticsInvisalign consists of a series of clear aligners that are specifically designed for your realignment needs. Each pair represents a specific stage of your treatment and is worn for about two weeks at a time. Once you’ve worn the pair for long enough, you’ll move on to the next pair until you’ve completed the series. Thanks to their transparency and removability, it’s easy to keep them clean, eat your favorite foods, speak with clarity, and perform oral care.
- BracesGrowing up, Dr. Long was lucky enough to have parents who supported her dreams wholeheartedly, as she went through stages of wanting to be a waitress on rollerskates, an astronaut, and an MD like her father. It wasn’t until college that she really started to home in on the dental field, which combined her interests in biology, healthcare, psychology, and community service. As a teenager, she’d spent several years in braces and undergoing gum surgeries. In college, she chipped her front tooth, which made her self-conscious and more introverted. She was finally able to visit her hometown dentist when her school was on break. Her dentist was able to restore the tooth so beautifully that it looked as if it had never been fractured and Dr. Long was once again comfortable smiling and laughing without reservation. After that experience, it became her calling to give other people that gift, and she’s never looked back.
- Teeth WhiteningStains can develop on tooth enamel in a number of different ways. While there are many products available in stores that claim to remove any and all stains on teeth, they can’t hold a candle to the professional-grade bleaching options available at Westlake Hills Dental Arts! Our dental office is happy to offer in-house and take-home teeth whitening options for added convenience, so don’t wait to give Dr. Long a call today to start your next cosmetic treatment - Philips Zoom! teeth whitening in our West Lake Hills, TX dental office. !
- Cosmetic DentistryDid you know that a smile is actually one of the first attributes that people tend to notice when meeting someone for the first time? When it comes to making a good initial impression, having a beautiful, radiant smile can make all the difference, and cosmetic dentistry can help remove a wide variety of imperfections. Whether you want a minor touch-up or a complete makeover, Dr. Long will go over all your options and help develop a Smile Makeover treatment plan that helps you achieve your smile goals with custom cosmetic dentistry in West Lake Hills, TX.
- General DentistryDr. Long has over a decade of experience working in the dental field and she is constantly expanding her knowledge. Dr. Long knows that dentistry today is not the same dentistry as it was 10 years ago and that’s why she seeks out the best speakers in her field. As a staunch advocate for continuing education, she strives to bring the latest dental techniques and technologies to improve the patient experience and ensure her patients get the personalized treatment they deserve. Additionally, Dr. Long is an active member of multiple professional institutions and proud to hold Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry, a title held by only 6% of dentists.