Our Services

What is an extraction?

• An extraction is a last resort procedure for removing diseased material and restoring good dental health. 

Why might I need an extraction?

• Occasionally teeth will have to be removed due to extensive decay beyond repair, severe disease, or trauma to the tooth that deems the tooth non- restorable. We also remove teeth when patients undergo orthodontic procedures or other processes that require more space to be available within the mouth.

What is it like to have an extraction performed?

• At Smiling Faces Dentistry, we strive to make teeth extractions painless and quick so that there is overall less stress for the patient. Local anesthetics and oral sedatives are used to ensure the patient has a stress-free experience. 

Do you extract 3rd Molars (Wisdom Teeth)?

• Yes! Dr. Crear provides services for removal of wisdom teeth even if they are impacted. If the wisdom tooth extraction is very complicated, Dr. Crear may refer you to the Oral Surgeon on her staff. 

What are Veneers?

• Dental Veneers are the leading cosmetic procedure to help you achieve the look you desire. They are an immediate fix for chipped teeth, gaps between teeth, discarded teeth, and misaligned teeth. Veneers are thin tooth covers that are the thickness of contact lenses. They are placed in front of your teeth to give them an enhanced look that appears natural. 

What are Veneers made of?

• Dental veneers can be made of materials such as resin or porcelain. Resin veneers are a less expensive quick fix for undesirable teeth. Porcelain veneers are stronger, last longer, and have a more predictable outcome with less chance of staining.

What is a Root Canal?

• Root canals consist of opening teeth and using special tools to clean inside the root of the tooth in order to remove bacteria and eliminate infection. This procedure can fully restore your tooth and can last over 10 years to a lifetime. 

Why might I need a Root Canal?

• Root Canals are necessary to save badly decayed or infected teeth in order to prevent the need for extraction from the patient’s mouth.

Are Root Canals painful?

• There is a common misconception that root canals that Root Canals are a painful procedure. Today, Root Canals are essentially pain free due to advances in anesthesia, and they are performed routinely at Smiling Faces Dentistry. 

What are Dental Fillings?

• Dental Fillings are the most common procedure performed in a dental office. Most people have had at least one filling by the time they reach adult age. Fillings are used to treat diseased teeth (cavities), repair cracked or broken teeth, and rebuild worn teeth. 

What are Fillings made out of?

• The most common filling materials used today are composite/resin or tooth colored fillings. Sometimes, amalgam filling may be used in situations where a tooth colored filling may not be sufficient. At Smiling Faces Dentistry, we thoroughly consult with you, the patient, about what material is best needed to achieve your goal.

What is a Crown? 

• Crowns, or “caps” as many know them, are full coverings placed on the tooth due to a fracture or break, a large filling, or a very large cavity that requires a bigger filling resulting in a weakened tooth. A crown will prevent your teeth from further breakage. 

What is it like getting a Crown?

• When placed on your teeth, a crown will help your teeth appear normal in terms of color, size, shape, and bite.
• When you are missing a tooth, your dentist can attach two crowns to each side of the missing tooth and place a dummy tooth in the space of the missing tooth in order to connect all three crowns together. This fusion of three or more crowns together to fill in the space missing a tooth is called a bridge. The bridge is cemented onto each tooth on either side of the space missing the tooth. 
• The bridge is permanent and will not come off without the use of dental tools. 
• Crowns can also be used for aesthetic reasons by being placed on discolored or irregularly shaped teeth. 

What is Periodontal / Gum Disease? How does one get it?

• If you do not maintain regular 6 month visits, you will inevitably develop periodontal (or gum) disease. When you do not brush and floss as recommended by your dentist (twice daily), you build up hard deposits of bacteria (known as plaque) that will eat away at your bones and infect your gums. 

How is it treated? 

• You will have to undergo a deep cleaning beneath your gums to remove the hard deposits. This deep cleaning is called Periodontal Scaling and Root Planning. If severe, sometimes Periodontal Surgery is advised by the specialist. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy after treatment is greatly advised. 

What happens if I do not keep my gums clean after surgery?

• If your tissues are not kept clean after surgery, this may result in progression of the periodontal disease thus leading to the loss of additional teeth. Additional gum tissue may need to be removed in order to keep the remaining teeth clean. 
• Gum disease will not go away on its own. It will progress until there is loss of some or all of your teeth.

What are Dentures / Partials?

• A denture or partial denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that there is a minimally noticeable change in your smile. In many cases, they may even enhance your appearance. 

Why might I need dentures?

• Dentures are made as a last resort to restore smile function and a youthful appearance. 
• A complete denture is made when you lose all of your teeth due to accident / and or neglect of your teeth. 
• A partial denture is made when only some of your teeth are lost.

How are Dentures made? 

• Once your teeth are removed, your bone reabsorbs or shrinks and your facial structures change. Placement of a complete denture or partial denture can provide support for the tissue and give you back your natural facial structure and appearance. 
• A complete denture is made after extraction of all of your natural teeth. It can be created conventionally (made with a series of visits), or done immediately by having the denture ready in advance and then placing them in the mouth once teeth are removed. The immediate denture is considered temporary since shrinkage will occur after healing is complete. When the shrinkage occurs, the immediate denture will need to be realigned or a new conventional denture may need to be made at that time. 
• A partial denture can be made with metal or a plastic/resin material. It is made when some natural teeth remain so that they can be used to hold the partial denture in place. This partial denture prevents other teeth from shifting and causing malocclusion. 

What happens during a Teeth Whitening session?

• This is considered a cosmetic procedure only (not covered by insurance). Whitening your teeth can result in you looking younger and boosting your self esteem. This procedure is used widely when doing crowns and veneers to enhance a patient’s overall smile.