General Dentistry
Your teeth are crucial for fueling your body, expressing your feelings, and communicating with your peers. This describes the mission of general dentistry and one we're committed to at Innovation Dental.
What Falls under General Dentistry in O'Fallon IL
Preventive care includes routine exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. General dental care supports prevention through:
- Repairing dental decay
- Filling tooth cavities
- Treating gum disease
Most of these needs are diagnosable during routine visits; the earlier, the better. That way, our general dental services become more straightforward and less invasive.
Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
Tooth decay is the number one threat to your oral health. It occurs when plaque-causing bacteria accumulate on your tooth enamel. If that buildup goes unchecked, those microscopic germs secrete a sticky, acidic layer that eats into your enamel. Given time, those bacteria create a hole, resulting in decay.
Tooth cavities come in many shapes, sizes, and locations on your tooth. Our goal is to find and fill them while they're still small.
At Innovation Dental, we use high-quality tooth-colored composite resins to repair dental decay and prevent it from worsening. Dr. Schillinger prepares this material by custom-tinting it to your unique tooth shade, so the restoration disappears into your smile. Then, for added strength, he builds up each filling in layers, using a special curing light to harden the material so that it lasts.
Composite fillings are a better choice than silver amalgam because they require less removal of your natural tooth structure and won't damage your teeth through expansion. And while amalgam fillings gradually darken teeth as they show through the enamel, tooth-colored fillings maintain their attractive appearance.
We Look to Treat Gum Disease Early
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, results from an infection in the soft tissues surrounding your teeth. Because your gums are part of your teeth's foundation, their infection can lead to jawbone damage and even complete tooth loss.
Early symptoms of minor gum disease, or gingivitis, include:
- Swollen, bright red, or purplish gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Gum tenderness
- Minor discomfort when chewing
In more advanced cases of gum disease, you may suffer from periodontitis, characterized by the following:
- Heavily bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Persistently bad breath
- Abscesses or fluid-filled pockets on your gums
- Loosening teeth
We aim to treat your gum disease at any stage and even reverse it if we catch it early enough through laser gum therapy.
What Is Gum Disease Laser Therapy?
Conventional gum disease treatment involves scraping off plaque and a smoothing procedure called planing. However, Dr. Schillinger uses a more modern procedure with a tiny laser that removes buildup from your tooth roots and any pockets of infection around the teeth. Laser therapy for gum disease is non-invasive and involves no incisions and little to no bleeding.
Depending on the severity of your gum condition, laser therapy is usually complete after two sessions. Dr. Schillinger ensures your comfort through a local anesthetic. Though your gums may be slightly sensitive after treatment, most patients report little pain. To avoid irritation, we may recommend a soft diet for the day following your laser therapy.
Laser therapy safety is our top priority, and we follow strict guidelines on its use. We carefully monitor the wavelengths and energy levels during the procedure, adjusting them to suit your individual needs.
Check Us Out as Your General Dentist in O'Fallon, Shiloh, and Swansea
Dr. Schillinger and the whole Innovation Dental Group team are eager to meet new patients at our modern dental office. We look forward to keeping your smile feeling healthy and looking like new.
