Shoreline Dentist - Common Procedures

Regular Exams and Cleanings

As the premier Shoreline dentist, A Northwest Dental is committed to helping you improve your oral health. Regular teeth cleaning is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene. At your regular exam, we will:

Check for any problems you may not see or feel
Look for cavities or other signs of tooth decay
Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
Perform a thorough teeth cleaning

The exam takes about 45 minutes. We advise patients to visit our office at least once every six months for a regular exam and cleaning. If you are due for an exam, call our office today! We would be happy to schedule your appointment.

Fillings

During the regular exam, we may find evidence of tooth decay. Fillings are used to restore the areas that have decayed. There are a few different types of fillings including gold, porcelain, or composite. The newer fillings, called composite resins, mimic the appearance of natural teeth and are more esthetically pleasing. If you would like to learn more about composite resins, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have at your appointment.

Root Canals

In some cases, a root canal treatment is the best option for repairing infected or damaged teeth. If the infected tissue is not removed, it can cause pain and swelling. In just one to three visits, we can complete your root canal treatment and get you back to a state of good oral health and hygiene.

Dr. Lee may suggest placing a crown on the affected tooth if there is extensive decay. The crown will help strengthen the tooth and protect it from breaking.

Crowns

A crown needs to be put in when a tooth has cracks, fractures, or large fillings. Crowns both strengthen and restore beauty to broken or poorly shaped teeth. Many people need to have a crown placed at some point to provide additional support. They can also improve a tooth's appearance and repair damage from decay. The crowns that we place can be made from porcelain, metal, or both. The porcelain crown is preferred by most because of the natural "tooth" look of it.

Extractions

A dental extraction is the removal of teeth from its socket in your jawbone. Teeth need to be extracted for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, there has been so much decay or damage to a tooth that extraction is the only option. Other times, an extraction needs to be done because of crowding to create space for the rest of the teeth. Extractions are also done on wisdom teeth when they present problems. The majority of extractions can be performed fairly quickly using a local anesthetic.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25. When they affect other teeth, they need to be extracted. Most adults will get 4 wisdom teeth but it is possible to have more or fewer. We are your answer for wisdom teeth removal in the greater Seattle area.

Wisdom teeth are generally extracted for two reasons: Either the teeth have become impacted, or there could be problems down the road if they are not taken out. When wisdom teeth are impacted, that means they have not been able to fully erupt into the mouth because other teeth are blocking them. If these impacted teeth aren't removed, it can cause severe pain, inflammation, infection, or damage to the teeth near them. Problems down the road for teeth not taken out include infections from food particles that get trapped in the jaw area where flossing and brushing can be difficult. If infections are frequent, they can cause pain and irritation.

Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that cover the front of your teeth to improve color and shape. Veneers can update the look of stained, crooked, uneven, worn, or even chipped teeth. Dr. Lee will discuss with you the new shape and look that you are trying to accomplish. Then, the veneers will be custom made for you out of porcelain. When the veneers have been placed, they will look and feel just like your natural teeth!

Digital X-rays

A digital X-ray allows Dr. Lee to capture an image of your teeth, and take a close look at them with amazing accuracy. Digital X-rays are quickly becoming the standard for a large percentage of the dental industry. Mostly due to the benefits it provides for you! Digital X-rays have far less radiation than standard X-rays, and they will provide us with faster results for a more comfortable experience.