Tucson Dental Services
First Dental Center offers modern dentistry for the entire family. We’re a bilingual office as well so you can feel comfortable that you can easily communicate with the staff. Below you can explore some of our specific services. If you have any questions at all or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
Cleanings and Prevention
Our focus is to get you healthier teeth so that you can be a happier you. At First Dental Center, we provide comprehensive general dentistry services to keep you healthy and smiling. Our dentists strongly encourage long-lasting dental health by regular dental checkups every six months.
During your checkup, we’ll examine your teeth and overall oral health. With regular dental visits, we can prevent common dental health problems such as tooth decay or periodontal disease by monitoring your teeth and gums.
Should you be dealing with serious dental problems, we can help you get your life back without draining your wallet. No matter what your issue is, we have an affordable solution just for you in an atmosphere that will make you feel comfortable and cared for.
Composite Fillings
For people who like to talk, laugh or smile, a silver tooth filling is very noticeable and sometimes embarrassing. Composite resin is a filling material designed for aesthetic dental restorations. A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and ceramic compounds used to restore decaying teeth.
Composites are also used for improvements of the smile.
Teeth Whitening
Everyone wants a white, healthy smile. Unfortunately, it is not easy to maintain. The simple act of aging can produce stains and various environmental and lifestyle factors can too. The good news is that most stains can be resolved though safe, effective teeth whitening procedures. As effective as teeth whitening can be, it’s not right for everyone. Always consult your dentist to find out if the option you are considering is safe. Certain types of teeth should not be exposed to even mild concentrations of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which are used in these procedures and products.
Explore your options:
Over-the-counter-teeth-whitening kits are easy to use, but aren’t usually the best option. The main problem is that they’re not as strong as the products your dentist can supply. You may have to expose your teeth to whitening chemicals over long periods of time to achieve noticeable results which can be detrimental to your teeth. Take-home kits provided by our office is a nice alternative. They are similar to what you’ll find in a drugstore but they contain stronger chemicals that produce results more quickly. The primary advantage is that the take-home kit is convenient.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth are lost. People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30s or 40s. Men are more likely to have gum disease than women. Although teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.
Symptoms include:
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender or bleeding gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gum or longer appearing teeth
Non-surgical treatments are available. The effects of gingivitis can be reversed with good brushing and flossing habits and a professional teeth cleaning performed at our office. In more advanced stages of periodontal disease, a scaling and root planing procedure if performed which consists of removing plaque and tartar below the gum-line. There are surgical options as well if non-surgical treatment does not successfully halt the progression.
Crowns (Caps)
Dental crowns, also called caps, fit over worn and damaged teeth. They can also serve a cosmetic purpose, restoring a discolored tooth to its former color. They provide support to weakened or broken teeth. Untreated dental problems can lead to headaches and jaw pain and can further damage healthy teeth. Dental crowns fall into three categories: full metal, porcelain fused to metal and porcelain.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal, also called endodontic therapy, treats teeth that have become severely damaged, allowing the nerves and soft inner pulp of the tooth to become infected. Root canals have a reputation for being painful, but modern techniques make the procedure no more uncomfortable than having a tooth filled. After completing the root canal, the tooth will also need a crown or filling to complete the restoration.
Bridges
A dental bridge covers the gap where a missing tooth once was, filling the space with a synthetic tooth. In most cases, bridges need support at either end. Fitting a bridge requires filling down adjacent teeth to support the bridge. Dental bridges are available as fixed or removable applies.
Extractions
Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why tooth extraction may be needed. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged from trauma or decay to be repaired.
What is a tooth extraction?
The removal of a tooth is called a tooth extraction. While we strive to provide the most conservative type of treatment possible, tooth extraction may be necessary in certain cases. Our dental team may recommend tooth extraction if it is the best solution for restoring your smile to good health.
Does my tooth need to be extracted?
Extraction may be necessary if:
- A tooth is so severely damaged or decayed that a dental crown, filling, or other type of restoration cannot effectively restore the tooth
- There is not enough room for all of the teeth to properly fit in the mouth, causing overcrowding
- Infection has destroyed a large portion of the tooth and/or supporting bone structure.
We work hard to make certain that your tooth extraction at First Dental is as painless and comfortable as possible. Following the extraction, we are happy to restore your smile with one of our high-quality tooth replacement options.