General Dental Procedures – Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
Dr. Timothy Messer believes that the key to an enduringly beautiful smile is to take care of it. Though brushing and flossing are essential, regular visits to the dentist help to ensure long-term good oral health. We do our best to catch problems early and treat them before they escalate through professional cleanings, dental X-rays, and oral exams. In addition, we go the extra mile for our patients and offer the other services highlighted below.
- Comfort in the Dentist's Chair
- Gum Disease Prevention & Treatment
- Endodontic/ Root Canals
- Tooth Extraction
- Dental Sealants
- Fluoride Treatments
Comfort in the Dentist's Chair
For those who wish to take the edge off their anxiety, Southwind Dental Care can provide nitrous oxide. Local anesthetic is used as well for pain relief, and patients tell us the combination makes for a downright relaxing trip to the dentist. Neither the nitrous oxide nor the anesthetic will leave you impaired for long, however, and you will be able to drive home without assistance afterward.
Gum Disease Prevention and Treatment
Whether you have gum disease or are trying to prevent it, our dentists and staff can help. Gum disease is caused mainly by a layer of bacterial plaque on the teeth, though it can be brought on by some types of medications, tobacco usage, stress, inadequate nutrition, and other factors. Gum disease has also been linked to genetic factors, and as with any disease, some people are more susceptible than others. Some of the warning signs of the most common gum disease, gingivitis, include red or inflamed gums, bleeding from the gum line, overly sensitive teeth, and bad breath. Through regular professional cleanings and proper oral hygiene regimens, gum disease is largely both preventable and reversible. Schedule an appointment at our Memphis office to learn more.
Endodontic/Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is often the best way to repair a damaged tooth while preserving as much of the original tooth structure as possible, allowing you to avoid the cost and hassle of tooth extraction and replacement. Though root canal therapy has a reputation for being a painful procedure, most patients experience nothing more than mild discomfort. At the beginning of the procedure, the dentist drills a small hole in the damaged tooth, and then removes or reshapes the affected nerve, or pulp tissue. A crown is placed on the tooth to seal it and finish the process. This can usually be done in a single visit, and our staff and dentists endeavor to make it as comfortable and pain-free as possible.
Tooth Extraction
Should a tooth become too badly damaged or shift out of its proper position in the mouth, the best option may be to take it out. A tooth that has been badly decayed, has extensive gum disease around it, or has been badly broken may be beyond repair. Additionally, a tooth that has come in poorly positioned, like a wisdom tooth, may need to be removed because of its impact on the other teeth. Our dentists will make sure that extraction is the best option before recommending it and, if it is, provide anesthetic to minimize any pain during the procedure. Also, we will inform you of your options for replacing the tooth, including dental bridges and implants.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are plastic coverings put on the teeth to protect them from bacteria that promote decay. Though typically put on during childhood and adolescence, they can be helpful to adults as well in maintaining tooth health. Back teeth are most commonly sealed, due to the difficulty in cleaning them and the natural tendency for food particles to become stuck there.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride, usually thought to be just for children, is helpful to mouths of all ages. This naturally occurring mineral not only strengthens teeth, but helps to prevent decay as well. In adults, fluoride can protect against the cervical decay that can come later in life and is easy to administer after a routine cleaning – fluoride gel is put on the teeth using a special tray, in a painless procedure that takes mere minutes.
Southwind Dental Care
7842 Players Club Pkwy, W.,
Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: 866-309-9007
Office Hours
M-F 8:30am-6:00pm
Sat. 8:30am-1:00pm
