Dentists serving Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Hampstead and all of NH

Our General Dentistry Services

• Composite Fillings (Natural Tooth Colored Fillings)
  Composite fillings are a mixture of glass filler in a resin medium that produces a beautiful, natural tooth-colored filling. Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. Less tooth structure is removed when the dentist prepares the tooth, and this may result in a smaller filling than that of an amalgam. Composites can also be "bonded" or adhesively held in a cavity, often allowing the dentist to make a more conservative repair to the tooth.
• Teeth Cleanings
  After a thorough examination and diagnosis of your teeth, gum and bone tissue, a soft tissue management program will be specifically designed to achieve optimum health. We offer routine prophylaxis (cleanings) as well as deep root planning and scaling to treat periodontal disease. Your dental health team will explain what is necessary to get things healthy.
• OraVerse

  Our doctors treat with OraVerse in order to make our patients' treatment experience more comfortable. OraVerse (phentolamine mesylate) Injection is a local dental anesthesia reversal agent. Oraverse accelerates the return to normal sensation and function for patients who want to avoid the unwanted and unnecessary lingering soft tissue anesthesia after routine dental procedures.

  This will eliminate a patient experiencing numbness for an extended period of time after they leave our office. OraVerse is safe, and the active ingredient in OraVerse is a vasodilator that has been used in other medical indications since 1952. It is administered while the patient is still numb from the local anesthetic, therefore is painless upon injection. Feel free to ask our doctors any questions you may have regarding OraVerse.
  
  For more information on OraVerse, visit www.oraverse.com today!

• Root Canal Therapy
  Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost. We do many root canals in one visit with minimal to no discomfort!
  
  More information: http://www.aae.org/patients/patientinfo/faqs/rootcanals.htm
• Sealants
  A dental sealant is a resin, professionally-applied material that is put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants provide a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Sealants can be applied to both children and adults.
• Oral Surgery
  We provide basic oral surgical procedures such as tooth extractions and the removal of wisdom teeth. Should we assess the procedure to require a specialist we work closely with area Oral Surgeons that we can refer you to for more complex treatment needs.
• TMD/TMJ Therapy
  Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. The cause of TMD is not clear, but dentists believe that symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the parts of the joint itself. Injury to the jaw, temporomandibular joint, or muscles of the head and neck, such as from a heavy blow or whiplash can cause TMD. Other possible causes include: grinding or clenching the teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the TMJ. Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket, presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ, or stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth, can also contribute to TMD. We provide diagnosis and several treatment options to help relieve the symptoms of pain, discomfort and tooth or joint damage from TMD.
• Orthodontics/Invisalign
  Orthodontic treatment can improve your dental health and change your facial appearance for the better, and it can boost your self-esteem. It can provide you with the opportunity to participate in improving the way you look. Patients often feel more self-confident even before treatment is completed. We offer an array of orthodontic options from minor changes to full orthodontics. We offer options including Invisalign, the clear alternative to traditional braces.
  
  Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear, plastic trays called "aligners" that are custom fabricated to precisely fit the patient's teeth. They are worn full-time and are only removed when eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. Aligners move the teeth gradually as each new aligner is inserted every 2-3 weeks, depending on the patient's treatment plan.
  
  Invisalign aligners are virtually "invisible", very comfortable and allow the patient to eat without the restrictions that traditional metal braces can impose. Though every patient may not be a candidate for treatment with Invisalign, it is an option for many adults who wouldn't otherwise opt for orthodontic treatment with metal or ceramic braces. Invisalign allows people to straighten their teeth without anyone even knowing they're having orthodontic treatment!
  
  Many teenagers can now be treated with Invisalign's "Invisalign Teen" program. Compliance in wearing the aligners must be followed, however, in order to attain the best results and complete treatment within the estimated time. Invisalign teen is a wonderful option for teens who are opposed to treatment with traditional metal braces, but desire a beautiful smile.
  
  For more information on Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, visit www.invisalign.com today!
• Home Care
  Our dentists and hygienists will counsel you on the latest techniques, aids and products to help you maintain optimal dental health at home in between your professional dental appointments.
• Nutritional Counseling
  Our dental staff will be happy to discuss the effects of the foods you eat and the risk of cavities due to your diet. Analyzing your diet may be the key to breaking a history of constant cavities.
• Crowns
  Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth which have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. The crown fits right over the remaining part of the tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape and contour of a natural tooth. Crowns are sometimes also known as caps. Crowns can be made of all porcelain, gold, or a mixture of porcelain and gold.
  
  Using an advanced 3D Cad/Cam system called CEREC, we can make beautiful, natural looking, all porcelain crowns for our patients right here in our office in a single visit. With CEREC, we preserve tooth structure and save patients' valuable time in their busy schedules. Since the process is completed in only one visit, there is no need to wear a temporary crown for several weeks, then return to receive your permanent crown after a lab fabricates your crown! With CEREC, the crown preparation process is much more comfortable than the older method which involved taking impressions for the crown! There's nothing like Cerec for a pleasant crown process!
• Tooth Replacement Options
  If you're missing one or more teeth, you may notice a difference in chewing and speaking. There are options to help restore your smile:
  • Bridges
    Bridges help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviate the stress in your bite caused by missing teeth. Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, a fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist.
  • Dental Implants
    Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture. Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone. Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel more natural and some people also find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes. Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
  • Removable Complete and Partial Dentures
    If you've lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You'll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.

    There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

    Partial dentures can also be made to replace a portion of missing teeth if you still have some healthy natural teeth remaining. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Metal-free partial dentures can also be fabricated for those who do not wish to see or are allergic to metals.

• Mouth Guards (For Grinding & Sports) and Night Guards
  The Academy for Sports Dentistry recommends that male and female athletes playing sports such as football, basketball, softball and soccer wear a mouthguard. Our dentists can fabricate a custom-fitted mouthguard that is very comfortable and essential to the athlete's safety.
  
  Night guards re useful in patients that grind or clench their teeth while sleeping at night.
• Periodontal Therapy
  Non-surgical periodontal (gum) therapy removes plaque and calculus by controlling the growth of harmful bacteria and by treating conditions that encourage gum disease. This is also commonly known as deep root planning and scaling. Additional procedures may be required to aid in the effectiveness of the periodontal treatment including: replacing worn fillings or crowns with overhanging margins that can accumulate plaque, adjusting of your bite, use of antibiotics (by mouth and locally in the gums), antibacterial rinses and detailed home care regiments. In some cases we may elect to refer you to a periodontist to treat complex or refractory cases not responding to conservative treatment.
• Sedation Dentistry
  Sedation dentistry is a treatment option which we offer at Vanguard Dental Group. Sedation is very safe and is used for patients who find that they have a very difficult time tolerating dental procedures. We use sedation medications which are administered either orally or intravenously (by injection into a vein). With our in-office sedation treatment, patients are awake and breathing on their own, but they are not aware of what is happening. They will also have no memory of the procedure due to the amnesic effect of the medication. We offer sedation treatment for adults and children. Feel free to ask our staff any questions you may have regarding sedation dentistry.
• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
  Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, is a safe and well established way to deal with dental anxiety and discomfort. It is safe for children and adults. Nitrous oxide is a gas made up of nitrogen and oxygen that has a calming and comforting effect while allowing you to be in control and awake through the procedure. This allows you to be able to communicate with us during your treatment. It has the effect of raising the pain threshold and may even make time feel like it passes more quickly. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen so it takes effect quickly, in less than five minutes, and you will recover quickly, in about five to ten minutes. Nitrous oxide has few side effects, and is not only helpful for anxiety but also to help relax protective gag reflexes.