Preventive Dentistry

The oral health of our patients is extremely important to use. Good oral health is the best defense against tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease. It is much easier and less costly to prevent dental disease then to treat the consequences of poor oral health. With your input, we will design a prevention plan that fits your needs, life style and desires for your oral and over-all health.

We recommend routine exams and cleanings to compliment your home oral hygiene routine. Our hygienists provide thorough, gentle cleanings as well as education to assist you on your journey to optimum oral health.

Children’s Dentistry

We enjoy working with our young patients and understand that they have different needs when visiting the dentist. We try not to push children so they end up fearful of the dentist’s office. We want their visit to be as fun and comfortable as possible, and for them to build life-long relationships with the dentist’s office.

We suggest that your child’s first visit be between eighteen months and two years of age. At that age we can begin to monitor the growth and development of their teeth and mouth.

Proper oral hygiene at home is extremely important and needs to begin at a very young age. We take the time to instruct parents and children on proper brushing and flossing techniques and nutritional needs so they can enjoy good oral health for a lifetime.

Dr. Boehm and is staff are very sensitive to your children’s developing immune system and only use safe, healthy materials that will not compromise their over-all health.

Brushing Your Teeth

Flossing

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are an excellent tool to use in the prevention of tooth decay in children. Dental sealants are applied to teeth, especially molars with large crevices where bacteria can accumulate and cause cavities. The sealant fills in the crevices forming a barrier to protect the tooth surface.

When the use of sealants are accompanied by an oral health regimen that includes regular dental exams and cleanings, a healthy diet and good at-home dental care, we can greatly reduce and/or prevent the number of cavities experienced by children.

Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are often used to protect your child’s teeth from injury due to teeth grinding and during sports. We design a custom fitted guard that usually covers the upper teeth; however, if your child wears braces or another fixed dental appliance on their lower jaw, Dr. Boehm may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth, as well.

Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment

Gum disease, also known as Gingivitis or Periodontal disease is very common in adults and is the leading cause of tooth loss. Gum disease is caused when plaque and tarter build up along the gum line, irritating the gums. This build-up can also harbor bacteria that can infect the gums and possibly travel through the blood stream and affect other areas of the body. Common systems of gum disease are:

• bleeding gums when brushing
• bright red or red purple color to gums
• mouth sores
• swollen gums
• bad breath

With routine cleanings and a quality at-home oral hygiene routine it is possible to prevent gum disease. The effects of gum disease are also quite easy to reverse when caught early and proper treatment is received.

Our hygienists provide gentle, thorough cleanings that remove the plaque build-up that normal brushing misses. They also offer education and instruction on how to get the maximum benefit from brushing and flossing.

Recent studies have shown an association between gum disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, low birth weight and diabetes. Because gum disease can have an adverse effect to your over-all health we strongly suggest getting professional cleanings at least every six months.

We may suggest more frequent cleanings for some of our patients if indicated, and also may refer advanced gum disease cases to a specialist.

Gum (Periodontal) Disease

Prophy

Orthodontics

Like many other dental offices we offer orthodontic treatments for patients of all ages, but unlike most dental offices we do not look just at the teeth and how we can straighten them. We take an Orthopedic approach looking at not just the teeth but their relationship to the bones of the face and jaw, and how we can create symmetry and harmony.

Starting with our youngest patients we are able to detect any abnormal growth and begin to manipulate their oral structure with the use of such techniques as expanders. It is usually not an issue of a child having to many teeth in their mouth, rather that there is an oral structural issue that needs to be addressed. If structural issues are not corrected they may cause further issues later in life such as TMJ or malocclusion, even though the teeth have been straightened.

When using the Orthpedic approach with adults we not only look at the teeth and oral structures but also take into consideration current TMJ or malocclusion (bite) issues, and other health issues such as snoring and sleep apnea. Our goal at the end of orthodontic treatment is not just that our patients have a straight, beautiful smile, but also that they have a strong, stable, healthy smile.

We offer a variety of orthodontic treatments such as ClearCorrect Invisible braces and straight wire braces. After a through examination and review of your medical and dental history Dr. Boehm will sit down with you and discuss the results and then review the best orthodontic treatment options for you.

How Braces Work

Therapy

It is no fun to be in pain, especially when you are dealing with long-term chronic pain. Drugs can relieve pain temporarily but do not target the cause of the pain.

At our office we offer methods that treat the cause of the pain such as ETPS Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Lymphatic Therapy. These treatments are safe and effective for patients of all ages without introducing artificial drugs and their side effects, or invasive surgeries.

Conditions such as clenching or grinding of the teeth or malocclusion can cause muscle spasm which in turn can cause a whole list of symptoms such as tension headaches, migraines, neck, upper back and jaw pain, sinusitis, pain behind the eyes, dizziness, ear sensitivity, pain or ringing or numbness or tingling in the fingers.

Because of our whole body approach to dentistry we search for the cause of pain and offer treatments to alleviate the pain and more importantly the cause of the pain.

TMJ and Craniofacial Pain

Do you have headaches, neck aches, clicking jaws, limited opening range of the jaw or ringing in the ears? It may be TMJ Syndrome. Some 60 million Americans have TMJS. Simply put, TMJS is the syndrome that happens when the muscles in the jaw and the temporomandibular joint are out of alignment or misaligned, causing problems when chewing. In simpler terms, the ligaments, muscles, bones and joints do not line up, thereby causing pain.

Symptoms of TMJ

• clicking, popping or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
• headaches and/or dizziness
• tenderness in jaw muscles
• earache
• jaws that sometimes lock open when yawning or if mouth is held open
• spasm or cramps in the jaw area

Talk to us if you want to stop jaw and headache pain before it starts. Our treatment includes no pills, no shots, no surgery, and no side effects.

Dr. Boehm has been involved in the treatment of TMJ and craniofacial pain for over 23 years. He is a member of several professional organizations that specialize in the field of pain management and head and neck pain. He has lectured on the subject throughout the United States and internationally. His approach to treatment is based on the individual. Every patient is unique and has different problems structurally that may be contributing to the problem. His outcomes have been highly successful throughout the years. The approach he takes initially is a very conservative approach. Please contact us for further information.

TMJ Disorder

Oral Cancer Screening

Finding any form of cancer in its earliest stages is important, but it is commonly more difficult to find oral cancer early. The VELscope system is designed to catch the earliest signs of oral cancer. This is important because oral cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer diagnosed in America today and the rate of curing oral cancer has not changed much in the past 50 years.

The VELscope allows Dr. Boehm to find oral cancer earlier and easier with advanced technology. The system uses a powerful blue light to increase the user’s ability to see lesions, cancerous, and precancerous cells typically invisible to the naked eye. The light allows the user to distinguish between normal and abnormal cells with a higher rate of accuracy. The results are documented using pictures and can be stored digitally. The system also allows for a more thorough removal of diseased tissue.

Mercury Free Fillings

Composite fillings are biocompatible, mercury free materials we use in place of amalgam fillings.

Our offices choose to be amalgam free due the rising research that shows the high levels of mercury found in amalgam fillings and the risk of mercury toxicity to our patients. Research has shown that the mercury in amalgam fillings leaches out into the oral cavity during clinching or grinding of the teeth and when exposed to hot foods or drink. This exposure to mercury can cause cell death or irreversible changes to the body chemistry.

Besides being mercury free, composite fillings also require that less natural tooth structure need be removed in preparation for a filling.

Besides being safer, because composite fillings are bonded to the tooth so only the diseased part of the tooth needs to be removed allowing the tooth to maintain much of its strength and integrity. Metal fillings are placed after removing large parts of the healthy tooth. Over time, a crown may be needed because the tooth is weaker and may subsequently crack. With natural tooth colored fillings you will have a beautiful, strong, healthy smile.

Composite Bonding To Repair Decay In Front Teeth

Composite Bonding To Repair Decay At The Gum Line

Crowns

If more than half of your tooth has been restored with a filling, a crown is necessary for any further restoration. Without adequate support, the tooth may break away around the filling. As a rule, when fillings get larger, teeth become weaker. That is why a crown is necessary. A crown covers the entire tooth and holds it together. Crowns are used when large fillings wear out, when a tooth is cracked, or when cosmetic improvements must be made on teeth.

Porcelain crowns are an excellent restoration to use on a tooth where a large filling has worn out, when a tooth is cracked, or to improve the appearance of a tooth.

We use durable, natural looking materials that blend in beautiful with your natural teeth.

Porcelain Crowns

Crowning a Failing Tooth

Bridges

When you are missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth can shift out of position and can change your bite (the way your teeth fit together). A regular bridge consists of two crowns fused to a supporting metal structure that is placed on the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth (or teeth) in between. The bridge will prevent your remaining teeth from shifting, preserving your bite and the shape of your face. Bridges also restore your ability to chew and speak normally.

Dental bridges can also be supported by a dental implant.

Bonding

Composite bonding is a technique of placing a composite material directly on teeth to correct any issues or to improve the appearance of teeth. Composite bonding can be used to repair broken, chipped or cracked teeth, close gaps, or to cover stained teeth.

Composite bonding is very durable and can be matched to your natural tooth color for a smile you will love to show off. Composite bonding does not require the removal of healthy structure so we are able to enhance the look of the tooth without compromising its natural strength and integrity.

Composite Bonding To Repair A Broken/Chipped Front Tooth

Composite Bonding To Repair Spaces Between Teeth

Dental Implants

If you have one or more missing teeth and would like a restoration option that looks and feels like a natural tooth, dental implants may be a perfect option for you. Dental implants can also be used to securely anchor dentures so you’ll have no more problems with loose dentures that interfere with speaking, eating and smiling.

A dental implant is a titanium tooth root that takes the place of a natural tooth root and is equally as strong. The titanium tooth root is surgically implanted in your jawbone; your body’s bone tissue naturally fuses with the titanium and creates a reliable prosthetic tooth root. When you are missing teeth, the bone can weaken and the jaw can recede. Implants keep your jaw strong and youthful looking.

Whitening

Tooth whitening removes stains from the teeth caused by coffee, teas, tobacco, food and tartar. As we age our teeth naturally darken, aging our smile. Whitening can take years off your smile. We offer BriteSmile whitening program at our office so you can have a smile you can’t wait to show off.