Good oral hygiene is the key to good oral health. Our preventative dentistry services help you keep your smile healthy.
obody wants to sit around feeling crummy because a dental condition is causing them pain or discomfort. The easiest way to keep dental problems from slowing you down is to prevent them from causing trouble in the first place.
Preventative dentistry provides a variety of ways for patients to stay ahead of their oral health. From oral cancer screenings to routine cleanings, we are here to help.
Elizabeth Wakim and her expert team strive to deliver high-quality dental care that is as convenient as it is thorough. New patients can expect to spend approximately 1 hour 30 min in the office for a routine dental checkup, and existing patients should anticipate spending approximately 1 hour in the office.
When we talk about dental cleaning, we are talking about a procedure called prophylaxis. Prophylaxis removes plaque and tartar buildup above the gum line, and healthy patients should receive prophylaxis every 6 months.
New patients should expect to have dental x-rays taken at their first appointment. This gives our team a radiographic starting point for properly caring for your teeth. Our practice uses the most advanced dental x-ray technology available, which allows us to take highly accurate x-rays while minimizing patient x-ray exposure.
After your new patient x-rays, the frequency with which you will need to retake x-rays depends our your personal oral health. Patients with pathology-free mouths can expect x-rays every 12 months, or every other visit Patients who have a condition that needs to be more closely monitored can expect x-rays every 6 months, or every visit.
Oral cancer screening is an important part of your routine dental checkup. The dentist will examine the soft tissues of the mount-- lips, gums, cheeks, palette, etc.-- for any indications of disease using an Oral ID device. Oral ID uses fluorescence technology to detect any abnormal areas. She will also complete a manual exam of the face and neck.
If your dentist identifies an area that seems to have an unusual texture, color, or exhibits another symptom of oral cancer, the dentist will take a small sample of cells for further examination. This is called a biopsy.
The most important thing you can do to reduce your oral cancer risk is to avoid smoking, chewing smokeless tobacco, and consuming excess amounts of alcohol. Regular oral cancer screenings are also important because early detection is essential to successful oral cancer treatment.
There are several different types of custom mouth guards available, and they all serve slightly different functions. Athletic mouth guards can prevent dental trauma that may occur while playing sports or engaging in other physical activities. Night guards are designed to prevent patients who grind or clench their teeth from damaging the enamel of their teeth while they sleep. Special mouth guards can even be used to assist in treating sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing while they sleep. This can interrupt a patient's sleep cycle, lead to headaches and depression, or even increase a patient's risk heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat.
Luckily once identified, there are a variety of strategies that can be used to treat sleep apnea. Your dentist can diagnose you with sleep apnea and walk you through your treatment options-- CPAP machines, sleep apnea mouth guards, surgery, medication, and more-- to find the best option for you.
"Literally the best dentist in the area! The staff is wonderful and Dr. Wakim's entire practice is state of the art with cutting edge technology. The experience is always 5 star and my teeth have never been cleaner or whiter! Thank you for such a positive dental experience."
Follow us on FacebookState of the art office with a highly educated professional team. Everyone is so understanding and takes the time to make you comfortable. This is the office for you if you're not a fan of the dentist, you'll quickly forget that you're at a doctors office! It's so fun and relaxing! Highly recommend!
As an older patient and have had other dentists for years. Dr. Wakim and her staff have exceeded any experience I've had previously. Very supportive of the care and treatment that I'm in need of, with no pressure. I also have several family members who are her patients. Todays experience surprised me, I was to have a crown replacement and was accommodated with 2 other procedures, wow.
For someone who anxiety about dental work, this has been an amazing place for me. I had considered sedation dentistry, but I’m glad I came here instead. Dr. Wakim and the whole staff are so great!
Dr. Liza is an exceptional dentist! She has repaired my front tooth and it is as good as the original! I love the comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff. Can't wait to go back to the dentist!
Dr. Wakim and her staff are fantastic!!! I had a tooth issue right before I was to leave on vacation and was beyond miserable. Dr. Wakim took care of me last minute on a holiday weekend and I was able to enjoy my vacation pain free. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful Dentist that cares about her patients. Thank you Dr. Wakim!!
Great dentist ! Very friendly and helpful staff ! All the latest equipment. Your choice of music. I've had extensive dental work done including, bridges, implants and crowns. They caught the beginnings of gingivitis today and treated it. I'm 100% satisfied !
Committed to exemplary and compassionate dentistry.
