White Fillings

Getting dental fillings is a necessary treatment provided here at Radiance Dental when patients are found to have a cavity. By getting a filling right when the cavity is found, it allows us to treat it and prevent more involved treatments later on, such as root canals or crowns.

Traditional metal fillings are visible to others when the patient is laughing, talking or smiling, so we use white fillings made to match the color of the patient’s teeth when possible. This allows them to get the fillings they need without worrying about others seeing it.

White fillings, also called composite fillings, are not always white. Our dentist, Dr. Geetika Chawla, blends shades using composites to match the shade of the patient’s tooth. They are completed in layers using a light that warms and hardens each layer as it is placed in the cavity of the tooth. Polishing is done after this is complete to protects the filling and prevent staining of the tooth.

Aside from being the same shade as the tooth, composite white fillings also protect the tooth from breakage and insulate it from harsh hot and cold temperatures. Call Dr. Geetika Chawla at 360-369-6420 to schedule a consultation for your white fillings appointment.

Bonding

Bonding is a technique used here at Radiance Dental to provide patients with better appearance of their teeth. It is used for a variety of purposes, including filling a cavity, correcting gaps and cracks, and coloring stains. The bonding procedure is simple and straightforward, taking around 30 minutes per tooth. Here is an outline of how it is done:

1. A shade guide is used by our dentist, Dr. Geetika Chawla, to match the color of the patient’s tooth with the composite resin colors available.

2. He then roughens the edge of the tooth by gently abrading it and coating it with liquid to help the bonding material stick better.

3. The resin is applied to the mouth and molded to the proper shape. It is hardened with an ultraviolet light.

4. After being hardened, the material is then shaped and trimmed, followed by being polished.

Dr. Geetika Chawla recommends avoiding cigarettes, coffee, tea, and wine for at least a few days after the procedure to avoid staining of the white filling. Visit our dental clinic in Camas, WA to find out how bonding can help you with your dental issues.

Intraoral Camera

The intraoral camera used in our Radiance Dental practice is one of the most important diagnostic tools we have. As opposed to other X-rays that require large machinery, the intraoral camera is a handheld tool that lets us view various angles of the mouth. We can view every angle and area of the mouth by moving it around inside the patient’s mouth. Because it is small and handheld, it is an easy and comfortable experience for our patients.

Not only does the intraoral camera provide more images of the mouth, our dentist and patient can view the images from a computer screen right in the exam room. It works great for educational purposes, because our dentist, Dr. Geetika Chawla, can show the patient exactly what he is seeing, whether that is an infection spreading, wisdom tooth growing in, or other dental issue that needs treatment. Other issues we see with the intraoral camera include broken fillings, broken teeth, dental lesions, tartar and plaque, teeth arrangement, worn fillings and cavities.

To learn more about the intraoral camera and other state-of-the-art technology used here in Camas, WA, visit our office and speak to Dr. Geetika Chawla.

Extractions

Extractions are needed for multiple reasons: to avoid getting a root canal, to remove wisdom teeth that are pushing against other teeth, or to remove an impacted and infected tooth. Here at Radiance Dental, we provide extractions for patients that need to get a tooth removed. It is not a difficult process and is done under anesthesia, so no pain is experienced. We do ask that patients have a ride home following the anesthesia, as it is not safe for them to drive.

After the extractions are completed by Dr. Sanjev Sharma, it is important that patients follow these tips:

1. Only eat soft foods for the first few days following the surgery, such as yogurt, pudding and mashed potatoes.

2. Don’t use a straw when drinking liquids.

3. Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the tooth was extracted.

4. Avoid smoking cigarettes, as the sucking motion can pull the blood clot.

5. Call our office if excessive pain or bleeding is experienced.

You may notice some minor bleeding at the extraction site, which is temporary. An ice pack works wonders for any lingering pain.

If you want to find out more about getting extractions done in our Camas, WA office, visit our website or call us today at (360) 369-6420.

Dentures

Having multiple missing teeth can make it difficult to eat properly, not to mention cause someone to lack confidence in smiling. Dentures are available here at Radiance Dental for patients missing some or all of their teeth. Multiple missing teeth are often well-suited by full or partial dentures. Dentures performed in our office are custom made for the patient, either before or after having their teeth removed.

Conventional dentures are a type of denture that is fabricated following the removal of the natural teeth and when healing has taken place. The other option for dentures is the immediate full dentures, which are made before the teeth are removed and using impressions of the patient’s natural teeth. These are for patients that need to get their teeth removed for medical reasons, and have enough in their mouth for the impressions.

Dr. Sanjev Sharma also provides partial dentures, which are similar to a bridge in that they are replacing multiple teeth in a row, as opposed to an entire upper or lower set. All dentures should be cared for like regular teeth, with daily brushing and cleaning. Find out more about dentures and partials by calling our Camas, WA dental office.

Dental Implants

Patients in Camas, WA often come to Radiance Dental to replace their missing teeth with dental implants. Having a missing tooth can be embarrassing for many individuals, especially when it is near the front of their mouth and obvious every time they smile. It also makes it difficult to eat when it is a missing molar. Whatever the reason, Dr. Sanjev Sharma will provide a permanent solution to missing teeth with dental implants.

As a root replacement, the dental implant procedure takes a few months to complete, because the gum must be healed completely before placing the crown. It starts with having a titanium metal post implanted into the jaw bone of the missing tooth. This has a screw on the top where the crown will go. It takes about 3-6 months for the healing to be complete, after which the permanent crown is placed over the post. During this time, the jaw bone forms around the implant, making it a permanent option for our patients. The crown is also called an abutment, which looks and feels like a natural tooth.

Implants are favored by many patients because they are permanent and incredibly stable. If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, contact us today.

Bridges

Dental bridges are one of many procedures Dr. Sanjev Sharma offers his patients for missing teeth. A bridge is made with abutment teeth to replace the missing teeth, and tailored to natural teeth on either end. These natural teeth will be covered with crowns to make them more stable, and must be contoured and reshaped slightly to make room for the crowns. Here at Radiance Dental, patients choose this option as a quick and easy way to replace their missing teeth, allowing them to eat as normal.

The following are some facts patients should know about dental bridges:

• Bridges help prevent other teeth from shifting as a result of the missing tooth.


•  They require a natural tooth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth.


•  The bridge can be done for one or multiple missing teeth in a row.


• A bridge is like a partial denture, though it cannot be removed.

The bridge is not obvious to anyone other than the patient, so they have more confidence when smiling, talking and eating. They must be taken care of the same way as their other teeth, including regular brushing.

Call us at (360) 369-6420 or visit our website at www.radiancedentalnw.com to learn more about bridges.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Roughly 22 million people suffer from sleep apnea, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. Its symptoms include snoring, feeling tired during the day, waking up choking or gasping, and waking up with a sore throat. Untreated sleep apnea can up the risk of many health-related conditions, including diabetes, heart attacks, and stroke, to name just a few.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or think you might have the disorder, we here at Radiance Dental can help. For many people, particularly those with mild sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance is highly effective for snoring and sleep apnea. In some cases, it can be an alternative to using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine.

Oral sleep appliances, such as dental mouthpieces for sleep apnea and snoring, work by pushing the jaw and tongue forward and repositioning the tongue to keep your airway open during sleep. This can help to:

• ·         reduce or eliminate snoring


• ·         improve sleep quality


• ·         increase daytime energy

Contact us today for a FREE Consultation to see if you are a candidate for the sleep apnea & snoring CPAP alternative.

Teeth Whitening

If you drink coffee, tea, or wine, or smoke, you may notice that your teeth aren’t as white and bright as they once were.  Even with proper brushing habits, your teeth can still develop unaesthetic stains.  Fortunately, there are several teeth whitening solutions we offer at Radiance Dental to meet the needs of our existing and new patients.

Tray Whitening System - This teeth whitening option is performed in two steps: Step one involves making an impression of your teeth to create a custom-made whitening tray. Step two includes using a whitening gel in a tray to brighten your smile up to 8 shades. This is a take-home whitening options, which our patients love for the convenience it offers.

BriteSmile - A chairside procedure, BriteSmile uses a low intensity light that activates a safe whitening gel right in our Camas, WA office. In about one hour, your teeth can be brightened up to 10 shades. Our patients love how fast the whiteness of their teeth is improved.

ZOOM! - Another chairside teeth whitening procedure, the ZOOM! teeth whitening procedure uses a whitening gel and lamp to whiten your teeth up to 10 shades. Like BriteSmile, the procedure takes under one hour.

Take the first step to a whiter, brighter, more radiant smile, by calling us today at (360) 369-6420 to learn more about our quick and convenient teeth whitening options.

TMJ/TMD Disorders

Most people have never heard of the temporomandibular joint, but they have heard of TMJ.  This acronym is associated with the hinge joint that connects the temporal bone of the skull to the lower jaw.  Some people have a condition known as TMD, or temporamandibular disorder, which relates to problems of the jaw, jaw joint, and/or surrounding muscles of the face.

If you hear a clicking or popping sound upon opening your mouth, grind your teeth at night, have headaches, experience ear pain, have chewing difficulties, or have a jaw that gets stuck shut or open, there's a good chance that you may be experiencing TMD. Some of these symptoms, like teeth grinding, for example, can be especially problematic because they can lead to tooth enamel erosion and exposed dentin. This means that your teeth will be sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages.

Luckily, here at Radiance Dental, we have treatment options for TMD. For instance, we can customize a night guard for you to use to prevent or reduce the detrimental effects of your teeth grinding at night. TMD treatment solutions include:

• Night guards


• Physical therapy and jaw exercises


• Lifestyle and behavior counseling


• Corticosteroid injections


• Pain relievers and other medications


• Arthrocentesis


• Surgery to repair or replace a joint

If you think that you may be suffering from TMD, visit our Camas, WA office for an evaluation.