Preventive Dentistry

We believe there are three main areas that we need to control to prevent you from needing future dental work.

If you are breaking your teeth or they are getting worn then we need to control what is causing the break down. This could be done with a bite equilibration or even braces (orthodontics). Sometimes you may need a nightguard to help prevent you from wearing your teeth at night.  

Sometimes patients break their teeth because they have large cavities in the teeth.  We control these by fixing the cavities and preventing new cavities with fluoride treatments, fluoride trays and CariFree. CariFree is a rinse we use that actually controls the bacterial infection that causes cavities.  Most people don't realize that cavities are caused by an infection.  You can even pass this infection along to your kids!!!!!!  We have to ability to treat the infection like you would at your general doctor's office.

We can also place sealants in your teeth. These really conservative coverings can be done without any shots or anesthetic. They allow us to cover the little grooves in your teeth. This stops the bacteria from getting in the grooves and causing cavities.

Another method of preventative dentistry that we use at Kifer Family dentistry includes XDR digital radiography. We use digital x-rays to diagnose initial lesions in your teeth before they become too large. Digital x-rays allow us to do this much safer than we could with traditional x-rays.

We contol Periodontal (gum disease) risk factors by staying on the front edge of treament and dianosis.  We do a thorough periodontal evaluation that includes digital x-rays and a six-point probing of every tooth in your mouth.  Gum disease is important to treat early because it is actually more bone disease than it is gum disease.  If you are susceptible to gum disease then you can lose bone that is holding the teeth.  Since it is very difficult, if not impossible, to gain that bone back, we believe that early and thourough treatment is necessary.