Services

Cosmetic Dentistry

At Horizon Ridge Dental we help patients achieve great oral health and design smiles everyone would be proud to show off. Dr. Joanna Schmitt has a particular passion for making dentistry beautiful and natural. She takes the time to understand your cosmetic goals and then appropriately lays out treatment plans to fit your lifestyle. Whether it's fixing older dental work, brightening your smile, or addressing perceived imperfections, Dr. Schmitt’s approach can help you achieve the smile you've always dreamed of. If you're in search for high quality, professional cosmetic dentistry, you've come to the right place.

Crowns

You may need a crown if your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked to the extent that a filling or bonding will not be sufficient. Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or all full gold. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain covered crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth.

The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth will be shaped by reducing the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. A mold will then be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. A dental lab will use this mold to fabricate a custom crown to fit the prepared tooth. Before leaving, you will be fit with a temporary crown to wear until your permanent crown is ready.

You will have another appointment in 2-3 weeks to fit and place the permanent crown. After delivery, you should care for the crown as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about how crowns can help restore your smile.

Dentures

Removable dentures are an option for the replacement of missing teeth. Depending on each individual patient’s case, they may receive full or partial dentures. Full dentures are used when all of the natural teeth are removed from the mouth and replaced with a full set of dentures. There are two types of full dentures.

●      Conventional Full Dentures - This is when all the teeth are removed and the tissue is given time to heal before the dentures are placed. It could take a few months for the gum tissue to heal completely, and during this time you will be without teeth.

●      Immediate Full Dentures - Prior to having your teeth removed, your dentist takes measurements and has dentures fitted for your mouth. After removing the teeth, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. The benefit is that you do not have to spend any time without teeth. You will, however, need to have a follow-up visit to refit your dentures because the jaw bone will slightly change shape as your mouth heels. The dentures will need to be relined after the jaw bone has healed.

Partial dentures, however, are another option when not all of your teeth need to be removed. This is similar to a bridge, but it is not a permanent fixture in your mouth.

Either way, your dentures may take some time to get used to. The flesh-colored base of the dentures is placed over your gums. Some people say that it feels bulky or that they don't have enough room for their tongue. Other times the dentures might feel loose. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for a little while. Over time, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they begin to feel more and more like your natural teeth. They may never feel perfectly comfortable, but it is much better than the alternative of not having teeth.

Even though dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them like they are. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles before removing your dentures. After they have been removed you should place them directly into room temperature water or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water because it could warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don't drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them, so you should always seek assistance from your dentist if they feel uncomfortable or loose.

Bridges

If you are missing teeth, dental bridges are a great solution. Your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to span the space where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.

Making a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are shaped to provide supports for the bridge. After the abutments are formed, a mold is taken of the area which is sent to a dental lab. The mold is used to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. Your new restoration consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.

While the lab creates your bridge, we will fit you with a temporary bridge that will protect the abutments, maintain their positions, and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. You will then have a follow-up visit to cement the bridge.

Your new bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days, it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.

Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, structural changes to your mouth and jaw can occur, thus making it difficult to eat or speak properly. If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced. Call and set up an appointment today to restore your smile.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are better than other alternatives like bridges because no additional teeth need to be altered to place the new tooth.

The entire implant process is performed over the course of a few months. The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a screw is placed into the jaw bone. An incision is made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary. After the implants are placed the gums are sutured.

The implant must be allowed about 3-6 months to heal, and during this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this healing time, you can have temporary crowns installed so that you can eat and speak normally and maintain a proper esthetic appearance for your smile.

After the implant has healed it is time to place an abutment on the implant. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. Once this is placed an impression of the abutment is taken and is used to create your permanent restoration at a lab. Once the restoration is completed you can return to the office to attach the restoration permanently. Your smile will look just like it used to, and after a short period of getting used to the implant, it will feel just like one of your own teeth.

Root Canal (Endodontics)

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.

The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space is filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful.

"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary". Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterward, but your dentist may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain consult your dentist today.

Extractions

Whether you have a tooth that is decayed beyond repair, is affected by severe gum disease, or is just in a crowded position, you may need to have an extraction. You can expect the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes saturated. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call your dentist. Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Your dentist will prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore take it as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Your dentist might also provide you with a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.

When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don't feel that the extraction site is healing properly call your dentist for a follow-up.

Veneers

Veneers beautify teeth that would otherwise compromise a nice smile. The veneer application process begins with an initial review where intraoral photos are taken. The dentist will also take dental x-rays and conduct a comprehensive examination to gauge if you are a solid candidate for veneers. If you are planning on whitening your teeth, do it prior to the addition of veneers to prevent color variations.

The teeth must be properly prepared for the addition of veneers. The dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth to accommodate the veneer. A local anesthetic will be provided to ensure you are comfortable throughout the removal process. A mold of the teeth is taken using an intraoral scanner or a putty impression. A shade guide is used to guarantee the veneer color matches that of the surrounding teeth. The shade and impression are transmitted to a dental lab where the customized porcelain veneer is made to fit your specific teeth. You will be provided with a temporary veneer until the point at which the final veneers are ready so there is no reason to be concerned about your personal esthetic during this period of time.

Bonded Tooth-Colored Fillings

Bonding is a versatile method to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth.

A tooth-colored composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied an ultraviolet light is used to harden the material, which is then polished to resemble a natural tooth both in terms of function and form.

Bonding is an obvious improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology and proper care, bonding can last for 10 years or more. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.