Services We Provide
Welcome to our Services page
Excellence in dentistry begins with careful skill, knowledge and judgment in diagnosing and treatment planning; similar to the same skill, knowledge and judgment it takes to restore vintage cars.
As you may notice our logo is a depiction of a restored car and our motto is “On the road to good dental health”. Dr. Ferguson has the same passion of restoring teeth as he does for the appreciation of restoring vintage cars. In our office we will perform an extensive and comprehensive examination of the teeth, gums, bite and joints. If beneficial, we will use intra-oral photographs and study models of your teeth and jaws to identify areas of concern.
In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality, we are incorporating the Velscope® Plus exam as an integral part of our annual oral cancer screening program. We believe these in-depth examinations to be the cornerstone of quality dentistry.
Our staff members are well trained and dedicated to make a difference for each and every person we are privileged to serve. No question is too small or insignificant for us to answer.
Click on the Services Category on the left to find out more about our specific services.
X-rays
X-rays allow us to see in between the teeth and under existing fillings to help us detect tooth decay. X-rays can also help us check the health of the bone supporting the teeth.
Diagnostic Impressions
Diagnostic impressions are taken to ensure the fit of any crown, bridge, or denture. The exact shape of your teeth and gums is molded in a flexible vinyl mixture that sets quickly. The vinyl mold is then used to create a replica of your mouth with plaster or plastic.
Comprehensive Oral Exams
The first step in any dental care plan is to determine your existing health conditions. If you are a first-time patient, we will perform a comprehensive examination; including recording of your medical history, taking full x-rays, screening for oral cancer, examining periodontal (gum) condition, checking each tooth for cavities, and examining your jaw and bite.
Periodic Oral Exams
As an established patient with a preventive dental care plan, you will come to the office on a regular recall schedule for a cleaning and check-up. Periodic exams are important for maintaining your healthy smile.
Consultation and Treatment Planning
Oral health is a lifelong concern. We will help you understand any conditions that need treatment and devise a plan for correcting them. We will also discuss the options for any cosmetic treatments you may be interested in. Furthermore, we will outline a regular course of preventive care.
Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Cracked tooth syndrome, as the name suggests, is the development of cracks and fissures in teeth over time. These cracks may be invisible to the naked eye but extend deep into the tooth. We examine your teeth for cracks so that we can take preventive action before the tooth suffers severe damage.
Gum Disease Diagnosis
Gum disease is much more common than people think. We will examine your gums for disease and make recommendations based on your specific dental healthcare needs. Regular, careful brushing and flossing are essential to gum health.
Oral Cancer Screening
Currently oral cancer is on the rise in a much younger population; all individuals are at risk for developing oral cancer. What used to be related to smoking and chewing tobacco is now being linked to very common viruses, making oral cancer a much greater concern for a larger population. We pride ourselves that each and every patient seen in our practice is given a visual oral cancer screening and we have additional technology called the Velscope® which allows us to catch even the earliest of lesions.
Fluoride Treatments
You know your toothpaste contains fluoride (at least it should, unless you’re using a special polish), but we can provide a strong dose of fluoride to build the strength of your teeth. The treatment only takes a few minutes but provides important fluoride protection. We may also suggest a daily fluoride rinse for use at home in addition to your fluoride toothpaste.
Protective Sealants
Sealants help prevent decay, especially for your molars and other hard-to-reach areas where plaque may build up. We use a special plastic resin to coat the chewing surfaces of your molars. Sealants take only a short time and offer several years of protection.
Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis is our medical term for a good teeth cleaning and polishing. In Greek, the word means “advance guard,” so prophylaxis indicates the preventive cleaning of plaque to prevent disease.
Oral Hygiene Maintenance
We will explain and demonstrate how to properly brush and floss your teeth, care for your gums, and generally take care of your mouth. We might suggest you change your brush, toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash for better effectiveness. It’s easy to take care of your teeth and takes just a little time in the morning and evening.
Oral DNA Testing
It is an exciting time we live in! Information and technological breakthroughs have helped us, the dental community, to rethink how we treat patients who struggle with periodontal disease. With just a 30 second swish saliva sample that we then send off to laboratories for testing, we can now prescribe the exact antibiotics specific for the bacteria found in active periodontal pockets! Bacteria will always be present in the oral environment, but now we have some power over which ones aren’t invited! With the same saliva sample we can determine if our patients are predisposed to genetically having periodontal issues. This information takes the mystery out of why some individuals struggle with recurring episodes and allows us to choose the best hygiene protocols.
Laser
One of the most effective tools our hygiene team has incorporated is the use of soft tissue diode laser! During a 2-4 minute Laser Bacterial Reduction, the bacterial count can be reduced from “millions” of bacteria to “hundreds”. This allows for quick profound healing of inflammation! It also reduces the amount of bacteria that can enter the blood stream and travel to the brain, heart, liver, etc. The laser is also used during scaling and root planning treatment of periodontal disease. This is a noninvasive curettage that is beneficial in helping to heal the diseased tissue and promote healing.
Dental Caries
Cavities are a common dental problem, but this early form of tooth decay may be prevented if you brush your teeth and floss properly every day. And that’s not all. Certain factors can increase your risk for developing tooth decay. Not brushing and flossing your teeth to remove plaque is a top risk factor, but keep these other in mind:Specific foods and drinks. Foods that cling to your teeth are the most likely to promote teeth decay. All sugars and most cooked starchy foods are major plaque promoters, including milk, honey, raisins, hard candy, dry cereal and bread. Some diets suggest eating several small meals each day to help lose weight or maintain weight loss. But remember that if you snack frequently, no matter what type of food, the acid in the food has more time to damage your teeth. Here’s another tip: Brushing your teeth after eating not only removes plaque, it can also help you stick to your diet by making your mouth feel cleaner so you’ll be less likely to snack.
Implants
Where teeth are missing, an implant can be used to provide both cosmetic and functional replacement. Titanium implants are surgically placed in the bone beneath the gums to mimic a normal tooth’s roots. A temporary crown or healing cap is connected to the implant until the gums heal and grow around the replacement tooth. Just like a crown or bridge, the temporary crown is later replaced with the permanent crown.
Teeth Whitening
We provide in-home whitening systems. The over-the-counter “white strips” aren’t nearly as effective as our bleaching systems, and the overall cost is comparable. Bottom line–we can upgrade your smile in a fraction of the time with better results. We offer the Glo In office treatment and also the take home whitening trays.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are very popular now because they create a dramatic change without the complexity of caps (crowns). Porcelain veneers appear very natural because they are extremely thin and slightly translucent, just like tooth enamel. The veneer is applied to the front of the teeth using dental cement. If you have discoloration, cracking, or minor crooked teeth, veneers are a great option for a quick and easy smile makeover.
Full Porcelain Crowns
Crowns are the solution when you have major decay or damage that can’t simply be filled or restored. A crown is a custom-fit porcelain fixture that “caps” your tooth. We first take a digital impression with the state of the art technology called Itero® which replaces the old “impressions” that we all dislike. Then we prepare the tooth for the crown; we affix a temporary crown while the permanent crown is made. During a second visit we place the permanent crown.
Crowns and Bridges
A crown is a porcelain “cap” for a weak or damaged tooth. A bridge is a tooth-shaped fixture between a pair of caps that replaces a missing tooth. Both procedures require at least two visits, the first to get digital “impressions” of the area with our state of the art technology Itero® and the second to permanently cement your new bridge.
Tooth-Colored Restoration
Advances in dental materials, including porcelain and resins have allowed us to repair and reconstruct teeth with natural-looking results. Dentistry today can give you the result of having fillings that look just like your natural teeth.
Partial and Full Dentures
Dentures are replacements for your teeth that are fitted to your gums. Partial dentures are used to fill the space of several teeth, and full dentures cover the entire upper or lower gum. You may get conventional dentures, which require time for healing after we have extracted the remaining teeth, or immediate dentures, which can be used right away. Dentures are important for your appearance – not just your smile, but also for filling out your facial structure. Dentures can also be supported by implants for better retention.
Conservative periodontal treatment
Conservative periodontal treatment is an approach to managing periodontal disease, treating periodontal disease in the beginning stages is the best approach to getting the best long term results. The goal is to keep your teeth for a lifetime; therefore we pride ourselves on keeping up with the latest and best treatment options for our patients that are dealing with periodontal disease.
Did you know that we offer the latest in periodontal (gum disease) technology?
As we continue to learn more about the severity of periodontal (gum) infections and how it’s linked to your overall health, having detailed information about your genetic predisposition regarding the type of bacteria in the mouth, will be critical in determining your oral and overall general health. This allows us to customize your health needs that may include additional treatment options.
Our practice offers a test that identifies and measures specific bacteria in your mouth that cause gingivitis(early stage gum disease) and periodontal disease (moderate to aggressive gum disease). This test is called Oral-DNA – Perio Path and determines if you are more likely to develop more serious gum infections, such as inflammatory periodontal disease. Emerging evidence shows a relationship between periodontal disease and other chronic diseases – The common link is INFLAMMATION. These new, quick, and non-invasive tests deliver information that will allow us to better determine the appropriate treatment and tailor the plan to your specific needs.
We use the most updated technology including the Laser. The laser reduces bacteria levels which in turn improves the body’s ability to heal the diseased tissue. This is used with patients that have active gingivitis, active periodontal (gum) disease in conjunction with Periodontal Maintenance (more frequent re-care visits) and Scaling and Root Planing (significant scaling below the gum line and smoothing of the root surfaces) to insure the most beneficial and effective healing.
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide helps alleviate anxiety. Nitrous oxide is not an anesthetic, however, so a local anesthetic will also be used. The effects of the gas only last for the duration of your dental appointment, once your appointment is completed you will be feeling refreshed and ready for your day. We have the option for an oral anti-anxiety medication that is available which would necessitate have a driver.
Sedation Options
Can you really relax in a dental Chair? If you have a high anxiety to not step in the dentist office to take care of your dental needs.. You are not alone. Dr. Ferguson offers I.V. Sedation to help patients relax during any dental procedure.
Tooth Extraction
Removing a tooth is nobody’s idea of a good time, but with appropriate sedatives, anesthetics, and analgesics (pain-killers), discomfort and recovery time will be minimized. Most extractions are a result of letting a situation linger far too long, we realize that there are many times that extractions are unavoidable. When an extraction is required, your experience with our office will be one that allows for comfort and prompt healing.
Sport Bite Guard
A sport bite guard is used for athletes in contact sports. With stress and exertion, jaw clenching is common. With a specially fitted sport bite guard, athletes with TMJ reduce the chance of making their condition worse.
Night Guard
We can fit you with a night guard that will prevent grinding your teeth (known as “bruxism”) during your sleep. This guard, a plastic or resin appliance that is held between your teeth helps minimize damage to your teeth and can reduce headache or jaw pain caused by bruxism. Store bought night guards are not custom designed to your mouth and could cause damage to your jaw joint (TMJ).