When a tooth dies it can be very painful. "Root canal treatments" remove the painful tissue from the inside of a tooth so that the bone and gums that support the tooth can heal. In most cases, teeth that have root canal treatments must also have a crown done to prevent them from cracking or breaking in the future. (Because a dead tooth becomes brittle with time.) While there are always risks with everything, including root canal treatments keeping your tooth with this kind of work carries a better result for you than the alternatives and is hence your best choice when a tooth dies.

Wisdom teeth, also referred to as the "third molars", are as important as other teeth, but more prone to problems during their eruption (breaking through the gum tissue). Since wisdom teeth are the last to erupt — usually between the ages of 17 and 21 — there often is little room left in the mouth. As a result, wisdom teeth may erupt sideways, only partially, or become trapped (impacted), leading to pain, infection, and gum line and facial swelling. When any of these conditions arise, your dentist may determine that wisdom tooth extraction is necessary.

An implant is essentially a titanium stud that threads into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Then, on top of that implanted stud, a crown is constructed to replicate the missing tooth.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.

Crowns are used to restore and rebuild badly broken teeth, and/or protect teeth that have had root canals from cracking in the future. The team at Spackman Dental has many different materials to select from for making your crown, and we will help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth. They provide a permanent, fixed replacement that looks and feels great in your mouth.

Veneers are esthetic restorations that are placed on the outside surface of your front teeth to improve the shape and/or whiteness of your teeth.

A white (or composite) filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

Aesthetics are the main advantage of composites, since shades can be blended to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.

Your child’s first dental visit should be a relaxing, stress free experience. This is why it is important to bring your child as soon as he/she has erupted teeth. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little, if any, treatment. The main purpose of the first visit is to build a comfortable relationship with your child. You may want to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. During part of the visit you may be asked to wait in the reception area so that the dentist can form a bond with your child.

During this first visit, we will do a short examination of your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may also clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay if required. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that are custom-made specifically for your teeth. As you replace each aligner every two weeks, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week, gradually moving towards the projected final position.

Comfortable, clear and removable – Invisalign transforms your smile without disrupting your life. Call today to have your free consultation.

Sealants are plastic covers that are placed into the deep grooves of posterior adult teeth when they grow into the mouth. They prevent cavities from starting and are recommended for all children between the ages of 6 and 13. Because they do not require any freezing, all children tolerate the procedure very well.

Our Dental Hygienist will offer preventative scaling, polishing, fluoride applications and oral hygiene guidelines as determined by your specific needs. Her services are fundamental to promoting gum health and preventing unnecessary deterioration of your teeth and gums. There is a definite emphasis on patient comfort throughout the appointment.

Dr. Spackman and Dr. Polos offer a take home kit with whitening trays that are used during the night. Over the counter systems are also available which, while more inconvenient and slower, give a fine result and are often less costly.

If you suffer from bruxism (grinding or clenching your teeth at night) Dr. Spackman and Dr. Polos can fabricate a Splint or night guard which is a thin plastic bite plate you wear on your teeth at night to relax your jaw muscles and cushion your teeth from such “gnashing” and grinding.

Snorers are often bewildered to learn that the dentist is actually the medical professional that you need to visit in order to get a stop snoring mouthpiece. A basic lesson in human anatomy will teach you that the nose, throat, mouth, and ears are all very much interconnected bodily systems.

When you visit your dentist, he will take a mold of your mouth to ensure that the snoring dental appliance fits properly and works the way it’s supposed to in order to help eliminate your snoring problem.

If you play sports you are most likely required to wear a Sports Guard . These soft, rubberlike appliances protect your teeth by their cushion like consistency and by their function in distributing force more generally. While damage naturally can still occur, the extent is typically minimized. Dr. Spackman and Dr. Polos will fabricate your Sports Guards “in house” and have it ready for you in 24 hours.