Inlays/Onlays

We provide many restorative dental procedures here at Radiance Dental in Camas, WA, one of which includes inlays and onlays. These types of restorative procedures are completed using composite resin, and similar to a partial crown. It is the same basic procedure as fitting a crown, except they do not cover the tooth fully. Patients who want to cover decay or get fillings, have discoloration or staining, or have damage to their tooth from a crack or chip, benefit from inlays and onlays.

 

Inlays are placed inside the cusp of the tooth, while outlays are on the outside of the tooth. The basic procedure for inlays and onlays in our practice goes as follows:

 

1. Decayed parts of the tooth are first removed, as well as any infected areas.

2. The tooth is cleaned and sterilized thoroughly.

3. An impression is made of the tooth and sent to a dental lab. Temporary restorations are available.

4. In two weeks, patients return to have the inlay or onlay bonded to their tooth.

 

If you are in need of inlays or onlays, call us at (360) 369-6420to schedule an appointment with Dr. Geetika Chawla here at Radiance Dental in Camas, WA. 

Bad Breath

Bad breath is something our patients often experience, and is one of the common things they ask us about at our practice. Quite often, having bad breath, also called halitosis, is the result of decay and can be remedied with proper cleanings and periodontal health.

 

Radiance Dental offers a variety of dental services that help clean the patient’s mouth. Whether that means a regular cleaning, treating gum disease, or providing tips and suggestions for improving their halitosis, we help patients find better self-confidence.

In general, bad breath can be caused by a number of things, including the following:

• Failing to brush and floss regularly
• Smoking cigarettes
• Not drinking enough water
• Suffering from dry mouth, also called xerostomia
• Taking certain medications

During the first dental visit, we determine the root cause of the bad breath. This helps guide us in the right direction for the best treatment options. In some cases, it is simply a matter of a deep cleaning, while other patients need treatment for periodontal disease.

 

If you are struggling with bad breath in Vancouver, WA schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning and check-up at Radiance dental by calling (360) 369-6420 or visit www.radiancedentalnw.com. 

Bonding

Patients that are not happy with their smile have options when it comes to restoring it. One of the options we provide here at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA dental is dental bonding.

 

Bonding is one of the simpler procedures to improve the appearance of teeth, including covering up staining, filling a cavity with a tooth-colored material, and fixing gaps or spaces in the teeth. Bonding is done using composite resin, which can be mixed to any shade to match the natural teeth. It hardens with an LED light, so the process is quick and easy.

 

Here are the basic steps to getting bonding performed by Dr. Sanjeev Sharma:

 

1. The teeth to be treated are cleaned thoroughly to remove any plaque or decay.

2. The surface of the teeth are prepared by being scuffed and possibly filed down. This process helps the composite resin material adhere better.

3. The bonding resin is mixed by our dentist, matching the color to the patient’s natural tooth.

4. The composite resin material is painted on the tooth and left to dry using an LED light. It is then polished once dry.

 

To restore your smile using a simple and effective bonding procedure, visit us at Radiance Dental! Visit www.radiancedentalnw.com or call (360) 369-6420 to set up an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma! 

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are often provided to people who have missing teeth and are hoping to find a more permanent natural solution. However, implants must have a sufficient amount of jaw bone available for the implants to be placed securely. With some patients this isn’t always the case. If a patient has missing teeth, over a period of time they can experience atrophy of the jawbone.   This makes it difficult for the implant procedure to work properly without intervention.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone through a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting helps Dr. Sanjeev Sharma grow enough bone at the implant site for placing the titanium post and completing a successful dental implant procedure.

At Radiance Dental, we offer minor and major bone grafting depending on how much bone will need to be grafted. Some patients can get minor bone grafting that helps increase how much bone is present. Others require major bone grafting if they have more significant loss of the jawbone. 

Patients who are in need of implants but don’t have enough bone to install the implant post have a great option in bone grafting when they come to our clinic. If you are in the Vancouver, WA area, call us at 360-369-6420 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma to discuss your bone grafting and dental implant needs. We offer free dental implant consultations.

Dental Implants

If you’re considering dental implants for your smile restoration, you’re making a smart choice. As a tooth prosthetic, dental implants provide a unique set of benefits over other smile restorative options.  While bridges, partial and full dentures are all reliable options for smile restoration, dental implants deliver a real look, feel and longevity unlike no other.

 

When weighing the advantages of dental implants over other dental reconstructive options, consider the following:

• If you are an adult, your age alone won’t restrict you from dental implants.  From teens to seniors, dental implants have been successfully used to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
• They can be used in both your top and bottom jaw, at multiple sites and can even be used to restore your entire smile.
• Other healthy teeth do not need to be modified or disturbed for your implant placement.  There’s no need for wires, external framework, adhesives or support that affect neighboring tooth.
• Dental implants look and feel natural.  They will not affect your speech, eating and appearance.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime and do not require replacement or adjustment.
• Dental implants require no additional maintenance beyond brushing, flossing and regular periodontal care.
• Because of their placement that’s similar to the natural root of the tooth, dental implants reduce bone loss and prevent atrophy of the jawbone.

While these advantages sound ideal for just about anyone in need of a replacement tooth, the very best way to determine if dental implants will be the most successful option for your smile restoration is to arrange a free dental implant consultation with us at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA.

Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that are badly decayed or fractured. By covering your tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, crowns (or caps) reduce your pain, save your tooth from needing to be removed and keep your smile functional and attractive. At Radiance Dental, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

 

Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where your tooth structure is compromised. When a crown is installed, the decay is removed from your tooth and a core build-up is applied to insulate the nerve and create a surface for bonding the crown to. An impression is taken of the remaining tooth, and a crown is fabricated. Once the crown has been created, it is cemented to your tooth.

 

Made incredibly strong for protecting the remaining tooth, the crown is custom fitted to ensure that the seam between the tooth and crown is miniscule to protect it from further decay.

 

If you’re experiencing decay and pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Radiance Dental in Camas, WA by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.RadianceDentalNW.com. 

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.