lake of the pines gum disease treatment Dr. Matthew Harris. Lake of the Pines Dental. General, Cosmetic, Restorative, Preventative Family Dentistry. Dentist in Auburn California 95602

What is the Treatment for Gum Disease

Welcome to Lake of the Pines Dental, the perfect place for your smile. We offer comprehensive services in Lake of the Pines, including dental hygiene, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and gum disease treatment. We strive to provide excellent care with an emphasis on comfort and confidence. Our team is dedicated to ensuring our patients have pleasant visits while delivering outstanding results.

With advanced technology and a friendly approach, we can quickly give you the highest quality treatments with minimal discomfort for maximum convenience. You’ll delight in seeing how beautiful your smile looks after receiving treatment at Lake of the Pines Dental!

It’s gum disease awareness month! Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Matthew Harris and let Lake of the Pines Dental help you keep up your smile with healthy teeth and gums!

Gum Disease Treatment During Gum Disease Awareness Month

We are committed to giving our patients the best possible care at Lake of the Pines Dental. That’s why we’re proud to offer a variety of treatments for gum disease, depending on the severity of the condition. Whether you’re just starting to experience symptoms or your gum disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, we can help.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

The first step in treating gum disease is to identify the symptoms. Some common symptoms of gum disease include:

-Swollen or tender gums

-Gums that bleed easily when brushed or flossed

-Receding gums (gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth)

-Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth

-Changes in the fit of partial dentures or other dental appliances

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to see a dentist as soon as possible so that we can develop a treatment plan tailored specifically for you.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a nonsurgical procedure to treat early-stage gum disease. During this procedure, we remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from above and below the gum line. We then smooth out any rough spots on the tooth root where bacteria can hide. Scaling and root planing are usually done in two or more visits.

Antibiotics

In some cases, we may also prescribe antibiotics to help control infection and aid healing. Antibiotics come in various forms, including pills, gels, and mouth rinses. They may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.

Surgery

In more advanced cases of gum disease, surgery may be necessary. We can use several different surgical procedures to treat gum disease, depending on your individual needs. These procedures include flap surgery, bone grafts, tissue grafts, and guided tissue regeneration. Your dentist will discuss your surgical options with you so you can make an informed decision about which procedure is proper for you.

The Best Treatment Is Prevention

Your oral health is critical, and gum disease can have severe consequences if not treated properly. While brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are key elements of oral hygiene, the best way to treat gum disease is actually to avoid it altogether. We recommend preventative measures such as reducing your sugary drinks and snacks, plus regular dental cleanings to help keep your gums healthy. Eating a balanced diet and seeing your dentist as recommended can vastly improve your chances of avoiding gum disease, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today!

Gum Disease Treatment in Lake of the Pines, California

At Lake of the Pines Dental, we are proud to offer a variety of treatments for gum disease so that our patients can get back on the path to good oral health. Whether you’re just starting to experience symptoms or your gum disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, we can help. If you think you may have gum disease, don’t wait—schedule an appointment with us today!

dental implants crowns great smiles auburn ca Dr. Matthew Harris. Lake of the Pines Dental. General, Cosmetic, Restorative, Preventative Family Dentistry. Dentist in Auburn California 95602

Do Dental Implants and Dental Crowns Create Great Smiles?

Looking for Dental Implants and crowns in Auburn CA? Cosmetic dentists, like Dr. Harris, are dental specialists who have chosen to concentrate on making positive improvements to their patients’ teeth so they can have a great smile. Learning about the various aesthetic choices now accessible is a terrific idea. Since we can now complete many cosmetic procedures in just one or two dental appointments, thanks to developments in dentistry, more people are directly electing to undergo one or more cosmetic procedures. Popular cosmetic procedures include dental crowns and dental implants. So do dental implants, and dental crowns create great smiles?

First, it is important to understand what each one is.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to support dental prosthetics, such as dental crowns. The implant fuses with the bone over time to create a strong foundation for the dental prosthetic. Once the dental implant has healed, a dental crown is then placed on top of the implant.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns, also known as caps, are covers that help support a tooth that has been either damaged due to decay or injury. We also use dental crowns to support dental implants and dental bridges. Bridges span the space where one or more teeth are missing. Unlike dental implants, which fuse with the jawbone, dental bridges are supported by dental crowns that are cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the space. However, these teeth must be healthy enough to hold the dental crown in place to support a dental bridge.

Enhance Your Smile With Dental Implants and Dental Crowns

Dental implants and crowns are two dental procedures that can help to enhance your smile. Dental implants are artificial replacement teeth that we implant into the jawbone. Dental crowns are placed over existing teeth to improve their appearance. Both dental implants and dental crowns can be made to match the color of your natural teeth, and we can also use them to fill in gaps in your smile.

Many believe dental implants and crowns are solely for aesthetic purposes. However, these dental procedures can also help to improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Dental implants are titanium inserts placed directly into the jawbone, providing a sturdy foundation for replacement teeth. Dental crowns, on the other hand, are used to cover damaged or misshapen teeth. In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, dental implants and dental crowns can also help to prevent further damage to your teeth and gums. If you are considering either of these dental procedures, be sure to consult with a qualified dental professional to see if they are right for you.

Do Dental Implants and Dental Crowns Create Great Smiles?

Yes! Both dental implants and crowns are excellent cosmetic options we can use to create a great smile for you. You may lift your mood and stress levels, and a brilliant smile may also make you feel and look your best. We can restore broken teeth with crowns and implants. In particular, if they make you feel insecure, chipped, cracked, and damaged, teeth can reduce your quality of life and make it difficult for you to smile as much as you’d desire. 

We can also use them to replace missing teeth. Missing teeth might reveal gaps or misaligned teeth, and a missing tooth can push nearby teeth out of position. You can quickly replace a missing tooth with a dental crown and implant, giving you a complete, perfectly aligned smile.

Let’s enhance your smile. You’ll like the natural look that dental crowns and dental implants give your smile if you want to make it look better without going over the top. A naturally beautiful smile is what you may expect if you have dental crowns and healthy teeth.

Dental Implant and Crown in Auburn CA

Missing tooth restoration can significantly improve your appearance and self-confidence. No matter where you reside, Lake of the Pines Dental can help! Take the first step toward a stunning smile and get in touch to arrange a consultation with our staff or to have a free initial phone conversation.

dentist near me Lake of the Pines Dental dentist in Auburn California Dr. Matthew Harris

Dentist Near Me in Auburn, California

Looking for a gentle, comprehensive, and caring dentist in Auburn, California, look no further than Lake of the Pines Dental. Our dentist, Dr. Matthew Harris, is committed to providing comfortable, high-quality dental care for all of his patients. 

Family Dentist Near Me

Dr. Harris is a family dentist near you that offers a wide variety of dental services for you and your family. Dr. Harris and his team of experts are committed to providing a friendly environment for you and your family. Our professionals at Lake of the Pines Dental pride themselves on being a trustworthy team that patients can count on. Many patients choose Dr. Harris as their family dentist because they can schedule back-to-back appointments for their family members. Convenient scheduling means that you will not have to run back and forth to the dentist throughout the year for check-ups. 

Variety of Dental Services

From preventative dentistry to cosmetic dentistry to restorative dentistry, Dr. Harris offers various dental services for his patients. Whether you are worried about the appearance of your smile or you have a dental health concern, Dr. Harris can help you. 

Dr. Harris even offers procedures that many other general dentists do not provide, such as dental implants. In this procedure, Dr. Harris can replace one or more missing teeth with a prosthetic tooth. A titanium post is placed in the jawbone below the missing tooth with an implant. Then, your dentist can place a dental crown, bridge, or denture on top. This improves the functionality of the tooth along with the tooth’s appearance. 

At Lake of the Pines Dental, Dr. Harris also performs wisdom tooth extractions. We recommend that patients between 17 and 25 consider removing their wisdom teeth, mainly if they cause pain. Often wisdom teeth can erupt at a horizontal angle, causing them to collide with other teeth and nerves. This can be painful. The longer a patient waits to remove a wisdom tooth, the more likely the surgery to remove the tooth will be more complicated. If you are concerned about the position or health of your wisdom teeth, contact our office today. 

Sedation Dentistry 

Many patients avoid going to the dentist because they have dental anxiety. Dr. Harris is trained in working with patients with dental anxiety and works hard to make them comfortable in his office. One of Dr. Harris’s passions is to help people, and assisting patients to overcome dental fear is how he does this. Apart from making a comfortable, relaxing environment in his office, Dr. Harris also uses sedation dentistry to help patients relax. Sedation dentistry can help patients relax if they have dental anxiety or during complex procedures. 

For patients that have dental anxiety, Dr. Harris can use laughing gas to help them relax during a procedure. For example, regular teeth cleanings can be anxiety-provoking for many patients. Dr. Harris can give these patients laughing gas during the process to help them relax.  

Dr. Harris also uses sedation dentistry for more complex dental procedures. For example, for wisdom teeth removal, Dr. Harris may use intravenous (IV) sedation to help relax the patient. In addition to sedation, Dr. Harris will also use numbing medication to help the patient avoid pain during the procedure. Call our office if you have dental anxiety and want to know more about how Dr. Harris can help ease your stress during procedures. 

If you are looking for a dentist near me in Auburn, California, consider Dr. Harris at Lake of the Pines Dental. Dr. Harris and his team want to help you and your family achieve the best oral health possible. We offer a wide variety of services at our office and cater to dental anxiety patients. For more information about Lake of the Pines Dental or to schedule an appointment, call our office.

Wisdom Teeth Removal and Recovery Lake of the pines dental dentist in Auburn California

Wisdom Teeth Removal and Recovery

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Dr. Matthew Harris, our dentist here at Lake of the Pines Dental, has made it his priority to provide many different services. Dr. Harris specializes in many forms of dentistry, including dental surgery. He performs surgeries such as wisdom teeth removal and recovery here in Auburn, California.

Dentists perform extractions at most general dental practices but refer to oral surgeons to perform wisdom teeth extractions. We perform all extractions in the office with the proper techniques and sedation methods. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal and Recovery

Our wisdom teeth are the third back molars hidden under the gums until they are ready to erupt. Generally, patients can expect their wisdom teeth to start to show between the ages of 17-25. Although this is the time they are expected to erupt, some wisdom teeth do not erupt in some cases. One reason that wisdom teeth may not erupt is that they are impacted. Impaction means that the tooth is grouting in the jawbone horizontally instead of vertically. If the wisdom tooth does erupt, it may be thwarted by surrounding teeth that crowd the wisdom tooth.

Why get Them Removed? 

Although it might seem great to have four new teeth to use, some severe issues can come when your wisdom teeth are ready to grow in. Below are some of the main reasons why it is recommended for you to get your wisdom teeth removed. 

  • There might not be enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to grow. This can affect the appearance of your smile, making it look more crowded and crooked.
  • If your wisdom teeth erupt vertically, they may break or become damaged by surrounding teeth already in position.
  • Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and damage to your sinuses once they start to grow in. Pain in the wisdom tooth area, congestion, and pressure are signs that your wisdom teeth are affecting your sinuses. 
  • Wisdom teeth, if grown fully, are located in a hard-to-reach area which means they accumulate decay and are hard to clean. This increases the likelihood that you will need a dental filling in the future.

There are some cases where wisdom teeth do not need to be removed. These include: 

  • If wisdom teeth have already grown in full and did not cause harm to surrounding teeth. If they are healthy and haven’t changed the anatomy of your smile, they don’t need to be removed. 
  • Before erupting, we can detect whether you have room in your mouth, gums, and jaw bone to hold another four teeth. If there is significant space and no harm will befall you, there is a chance the wisdom teeth can grow in. 

Sedation Dentistry

Choosing to remove your wisdom teeth is a serious and lengthy process. It is a dental surgery. At Lake of the Pines Dental, one of our top priorities is your comfort. To ensure that you are comfortable during the surgery, we administer IV sedation. This medication is given through an intravenous catheter, much like a straw that sits in your veins and delivers medication through the bloodstream. With this medication, you may fall asleep, yet, you can follow directions. With this sedation, you might not be able to remember the procedure.

We also use other standard sedation procedures during wisdom teeth removals. This may include location sedation, which is a shot of Novocain, Lidocaine, or Mepivacaine in the area being treated. Additionally, we may give you nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to relax you before the procedure.

If you are unsure whether you or your child requires a wisdom tooth extraction, contact us, Lake of Pines Dental, in Auburn, California, for a consultation. 

How Sedation Can Help with Dental Phobia and Anxiety Lake of the pines dental dentist in Auburn California

How Sedation Can Help with Dental Phobia and Anxiety

How Sedation Can Help with Dental Phobia and Anxiety. At Lake of the Pines Dental, we pride ourselves on being aware of how our patients feel while in our office and the dental chair. We understand that not every patient that comes to see us is excited about the treatment. Dr. Harris has made it his priority to spend time speaking with and getting to know our patients. This is especially true for patients who have anxiety surrounding the dentist and treatment. To help make our patients feel more comfortable and calm, we offer a couple of different types of methods for deep relaxation. 

Sedation Methods 

Each method that we offer is safe and effective. Below, we have listed three of our sedation methods and a little bit about each one to better understand how sedation works and how it can help you. 

Laughing Gas

Nitrous Oxide is the mildest form of sedation dentistry that is available to patients. Nitrous Oxide is a gas that is mixed with oxygen. It is breathed, by the patient, through a mask. The medication is given before and during dental procedures. Being a mild form, you, the patient, will be awake and aware of the entire treatment. Yet, you will be experiencing relaxation. As soon as we remove the mask, Dr. Harris and his team will give you oxygen to reverse the medication. You will be completely aware and able to drive. 

Nitrous oxide can be used on child and adult patients who have anxiety about a procedure or need a little relaxation to make it through their treatment. If you or a member of your family would enjoy this form of sedation, please speak to us about it at your next visit. 

Oral Sedation

Another form of light sedation is oral sedation. Patients will receive a pill one hour before the dental appointment. The medication that is often given is Halcion, which is a benzodiazepine. Halcion is in the same medication class as Valium. For more information about how oral sedation can help you, call our office.

We look forward to hearing from you.

IV Sedation

IV Sedation is a moderate to deep form of sedation that we offer in our office. Here at Lake of the Pines Dental, we perform more extensive procedures such as root canals and wisdom teeth extractions. These could require moderate to deep sedation for the patient. Right before your procedure, you will receive an IV in your arm, which will administer medicine. An intravenous catheter, or an IV, is inserted with a needle inside a catheter. Once the catheter, like a tiny straw, is placed in the vein, the needle is removed. The catheter will then allow the medication to flow into your bloodstream.

IV sedation is offered in both moderate and deep conscious options. With the moderate option, you will not be unconscious, but you might sleep through your entire procedure. You may be awake but unaware of what is happening in your mouth. With the deep conscious option, or general anesthesia, you will not be able to follow commands, and you will not remember the procedure. For patients who have severe fear and anxiety around dental procedures, you may benefit from IV sedation. Please express your wants and needs to one of our team members at your next appointment.

Give us a Call 

We care about your comfort in our office and will do anything we can to ensure that you have a positive experience while receiving care. If you believe you would benefit from sedation dentistry, please speak with us about how you feel, and we will help. We are located in Auburn, California, and we are ready to take your call.

dental implants Replace Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants Lake of the pines dental dentist in Auburn California

Replace Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

Replace Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants. After losing a tooth or getting a tooth pulled, there might be anxiety around having a hole in your smile. At Lake of the Pines Dental, our primary goal is to help our patients love their smiles. We help you restore each tooth to make your smile stronger. Dental implants are a very common form of both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. This is because dental implants restore your smile and enhance it all at the same time. 

Dental implants are generally made up of three parts. The dental implant includes the post, the abutment, and the crown.  

Am I A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

Many things make up a good candidate for dental implants:

  1. It is essential to have healthy bone density. This is because the dental implant post is placed in your jaw bone. It is important to have good jaw bone density for the post to stay in place.
  2. Patients who receive dental implants must commit to good oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash twice a day can protect your teeth from disease.
  3. The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants is to visit our Lake of the Pines Dental office.

The Post

The post is made to be the new root of the artificial tooth since it is the foundation of the entire treatment. The roots of our teeth provide stabilization and keep our teeth in the place where they need to be. Implants are a small titanium post that is placed into your jawbone underneath the gums. Think of this like a metal screw placed in your jaw.

The post allows for the entire restoration to be permanently placed into your mouth. When losing a tooth in that specific area, the gums and bone can start to deteriorate due to the lack of stimulation usually given to them through chewing. With the implant, while you’re using your new tooth to chew. Stimulation is being given through the implant to the bone. 

The Abutment

This is the middle part of the dental implant. Although it is not seen, it is essential. The abutment holds together the post and the crown. Although no one will see it, the abutment helps to improve the function of your dental implant.

The Crown, Bridge, or Denture

Many people talk about single tooth implants, but did you know you can replace many teeth with dental implants? The final step finishes the dental implant with either a crown, bridge, or denture. Dental implants that support a crown are for single-tooth replacement implants. Those that use dentures or bridges can replace many teeth.

Although the implant is an essential part of the dental implant, the crown, bridge, or denture gives you a completely new beautiful smile. Dental crowns and bridges are made in our office with either porcelain or composite material. Each one gives off a pearly white sheen making it look like a natural tooth. 

In preparation for your dental implant, you will work with Dr. Harris to determine the exact measurements and shade of your new tooth or teeth. Once you have healed from receiving the implant, we will then place the crown, bridge, or denture onto the implant giving you a completely new smile. 

Missing a Tooth? 

Not only do dental implants restore function and health to your teeth, but they also play a significant role in helping you feel confident about your smile again. When you love your smile, you are more likely to smile often, and at Lakes of the Pine Dental, we want to see your smile! 

At Lake of Pines Dental, we can answer any questions you may have about our dental implant procedure by calling our Auburn, California, office. Each one of our dental professionals is happy to speak with you!