Our Services

Bite Guards & Sleep Aids

Bite Guards

We offer the creation of custom bite guards to address such common issues as nighttime clenching and teeth grinding.

Sleep Apnea Aids

Do you chronically snore and wake up choking or gasping for breath? Do you find that you are sleepy during the day even though you’re getting an adequate number of hours of sleep? Does your spouse complain of disrupted sleep? You may suffer from a serious, potentially life-threatening condition called sleep apnea that is far more common than is generally believed. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.

Sleep apnea sometimes occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially block the opening of the airway. When the muscles of the soft palate at the base of the tongue and the uvula (the small fleshy tissue hanging from the center of the back of the throat) relax and sag, the airway becomes blocked, making breathing labored and noisy and even stopping it altogether.

When the person is unable to breathe properly, the result is low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. This change alerts the brain to resume breathing and, in turn, causes the person to awaken. Upon awakening, a signal is sent from the brain to the upper airway muscles to open the airway and breathing is resumed. Often this resumption is accompanied with a loud snort or gasp. Such frequent awakenings prevent the patient from getting enough deep restorative sleep.

Besides suffering from decreased daytime performance, sleep-deprived people also may suffer from depression, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning and memory difficulties, and dangerous to life-threatening periods of falling asleep. Patients with untreated sleep apnea are three times more likely to have automobile accidents. Studies have shown that sleep apnea contributes to high blood pressure and the risk for heart attack and stroke may also increase.

We are able to fabricate a snoring/sleep apnea device so that you may be able to enjoy a full night’s sleep without experiencing those discomforts and awake assured, rested and ready to start the day.

Snoring Devices

Anyone can read the letters to Ann and Abby to understand the disruption that snoring can cause. Your snoring may be only a disruption of your partner’s good night’s rest and not a signal to the much more serious disorder of sleep apnea. But, before you get banned to the doghouse, a snoring device may give you both the peace and peace of mind you need.

Bleaching & Teeth Whitening

When we suggest lightening up—we’re not talking about your attitude. Many people take years off their smiles by a simple bleaching procedure. Bleaching can be done on any age, is non-invasive and may brighten a dull smile caused by staining, aging or chemical damage to teeth.

Bleaching should start with a prophylactic cleaning to take care of any easily removed staining. An impression of your teeth will then be taken and a clear custom-made bleaching tray will be fabricated. You will be given a special bleaching agent that will be dispensed into the tray before fitting the tray onto your teeth.

Bleaching is recommended to be done during waking hours. Many patients clench their teeth during sleep and may inadvertently cause the product to seep out of the tray. Also, most bleaching agents lose their effectiveness in 3-31/2 hours. With only a few hours a day over a week or two of wearing the splint filled with a special bleaching agent, your teeth will brighten significantly. The length of treatment is determined by the response of the enamel to the bleaching product and the level of brightness you desire. Upon reaching that level, only an occasional treatment is needed to maintain your bright smile.

In some cases, staining and discoloration is so severe that bleaching does not produce your desired results. And, different teeth may respond differently because the thinner the enamel the less successful the bleaching will be. In that case, bonding, crowns or veneers may be the best treatment choice to obtain the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Bonding

Creating a more pleasing smile is sometimes as simple as bonding. Bonding is the application of a solution to the tooth surface that hardens and improves the esthetic appearance of the enamel surface. Bonding is a possible solution to chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged teeth. Often times it is a more affordable alternative to porcelain veneers.

Crowns

To be able to smile with confidence is a gift you can give yourself. Crown placement can help you achieve that dream. Whether you choose all porcelain crowns or porcelain fused to metal crowns, we can help you turn back the hands of time with a beautiful smile. Crowns look and feel just like your natural teeth. A crown may be placed over an existing tooth after it has been prepared or it may be placed over an implant that has been placed where a tooth has been lost. Either way, in typically two visits, you will have a beautiful and long-lasting solution to a cosmetic problem.

Dentures & Bridges

Complete Dentures

With the introduction of implants, denture therapy is becoming less widely used but continues to be a real solution for many patients who have lost some or all of their teeth due to periodontal disease, decay or trauma.

Dentures may be implant-supported or tissue-supported. They may be removable or fixed (unable to be removed). We will determine the best choice for your unique situation after a thorough examination along with digital imaging to determine the extent of bone loss.

While an implant-supported denture will be the most stable appliance, conventional (tissue-supported) dentures, when fitted properly, will also improve the quality of your life by enabling you to once again feel confident to smile and enjoy eating.

Removable Partial Dentures

When several missing teeth need to be replaced, a removable partial denture can provide many years of trouble-free service.

Fixed Partial Dentures

Fixed partial dentures differ from removable partial dentures in that they may not be removed from the mouth. Whether permanently attached to an implant or to adjacent teeth, the appliance will afford the patient a stable chewing surface to solve the problem of the missing teeth.

Fillings, Inlays, and Onlays

While filling cavities is not traditionally a part of a Prosthodontic practice, we are happy to take care of this, if needed, in conjunction with your other needs. Many times a simple filling is not enough to take care of the problem, in which case an inlay or onlay may be necessary.

When a large part of the surface of the tooth has been damaged, an inlay or onlay is the solution to maintaining the integrity of the tooth. Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a tooth by up to 50%. Inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special resins, can increase the strength of the tooth up to 75%.

An inlay refers to repair inside the cusp tips of the tooth. The damage an onlay repairs is more extensive extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. Two visits are required for the inlay and onlay procedure. During the first visit the tooth is prepared by removing the filling or decayed area and then making an impression. We will apply a temporary sealant to the area and schedule the lab for fabrication of the inlay or onlay.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice, but, increasingly in recent years, porcelain has been used for its strength and cosmetic advantages. At the final appointment, the sealant is removed, fit is verified, and then the inlay or onlay is permanently bonded to the tooth with a strong resin. The inlay or onlay is then polished to a smooth finish.

Implants

The next best thing to real teeth is a dental implant or multiple implants to bring back that healthy smile. Once again you’ll be able to enjoy secure eating comfort. Having that confidence translates to every aspect of your life. You needn’t settle for whatever nature has doled out to you—we can very nearly fool Mother Nature!

Whether it is a single tooth, several teeth, or all the upper or lower teeth that are missing, implants may be the best option for realizing a comfortably functioning smile again. When you come in for your initial consultation, we will make a complete set of records so that a custom treatment plan may be presented to you with different options available to meet your needs. At that time, we will discuss with you whether you are a candidate for implant placement.

Will I have to travel to different offices for each stage of my implant treatment?

You will only need to visit one office. Dr. McGarry performs implant surgery and then completes the implant treatment by placing final restorations. Dr. Brackett’s patients may consider an inside referral to Dr. McGarry for the surgical procedure and then final restoration by Dr. Brackett. However, if your procedure includes special circumstances which the doctors feel will be better served by an outside referral, they will advise at your consult.

Will I be sedated, and is the implant procedure actually considered a surgery?

Implants are considered a surgical procedure, however, the procedure may be performed painlessly without IV sedation. Should you require a sedative, the doctors can prescribe a medication beforehand that will relax you. In some cases you may become so relaxed you are in a “twilight sleep”. We refer to this as a “conscious sedation”. In this relaxed state, you will remain aware of your surroundings and be able to respond to conversation should someone ask a question. Of course, the normal novocaine or deadening medication will be administered to eliminate any discomfort.

How long will the surgery take, and can I drive myself before/after surgery?

The surgery time will vary depending on whether or not any extractions are needed and the number of implants placed. It is imperative that you have someone drive you to the office on the surgery day, and then make sure you have that same person stay or arrange for transportation home. It is important that you not drive while under the influence of the sedative medication. You may be given a prescription for an antibiotic and/or pain medication. Directions for usage will be printed on the bottle and outlined by the doctor. If you are taking pain medication, do not drive or operate any type of machinery. You will also be given an instruction sheet which outlines do’s and don’ts for the next few days. Should you experience any difficulties such as continuous or uncontrollable bleeding, or discomfort that cannot be controlled by the prescribed medications, call our office at once. You will be asked to return within a day or two for a check-up appointment. Your appointments thereafter will be scheduled according to the doctor’s directions.

How long does it take for the implants to heal?

Healing time for lower implants is approximately 12-13 weeks. Implants placed on the upper arch usually take approximately 24-26 weeks to heal. Note that healing time for all patients is not the same. As an implant patient, you may take a few weeks longer, or in some cases, a few weeks less, to heal. The doctor will determine how the healing is progressing for you on your return visits.

Will I have the restorations placed immediately?

Dentures and/or restorations may be placed immediately, or the doctor may determine a certain amount of time must lapse before final restorations may be placed. A temporary prosthesis or crown may be placed in lieu of the final restoration until the doctor feels the patient’s progress will allow final placement.

Laser Dentistry

Laser Dentistry, the Gentlest High Technology

One of the most remarkable new technologies for dental patients is the soft tissue laser. These new lasers work with extremely low power to microscopically explode the cells of the tissue rather than the traditional cutting wound of a scalpel. The laser allows us to address many simple problems of the gums and surrounding tissues quickly and with almost no discomfort. These new lasers are so gentle that only topical anesthetic creams are necessary – no shots!

Our practice uses the DEKA UltraSpeed CO2 Smart US20 D Laser in periodontal therapy (gum disease), implant dentistry, and even those pesky mouth sores. The incredibly rapid healing, due to the gentle nature of the laser, eliminates the normal postoperative discomfort of traditional dental procedures. Soft tissue lasers are setting a new standard in fast, pain-free dentistry.