What are?
    -Bleaching (strips)
    -Bleaching (trays)
    -Bridges
    -Cerec (one visit) crowns
    -Composite (white) fillings
    -Cosmetic veneers
    -Dentures
    -Digital X-rays
    -Implants
    -Invisalign
    -NTI (to stop teeth clenching)
    -Oral Cancer
    -Root Canals
    -Sealants

Bleaching (Take-Home Trays):   Take-home bleaching trays are custom made to fit your teeth assuring that all of your teeth get whitened. Bleaching trays can whiten your teeth about 6-7 shades, making the results outstanding.  To make the trays, 2 appointments are needed.  At the first appointment, we will take an impression of your teeth, then make a plaster model from the impression.  A few days later the bleaching trays will be ready and we will give you the needed instructions for their use.

Bridges: 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 help maintain the shape of your face, and lessen the stress in your bite by replacing missing teeth. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally “bridges the gap” where one or more teeth were.  It is permanently cemented in your mouth, and can only be removed by a dentist.

Cerec (one-visit) Crowns:  We are now able to prepare and place natural-looking ceramic restorations, including crowns, in a single office visit.  One does not have to be fitted for a temporary crown, no impressions are needed, and the best of all it can all be done in 1 visit!  This new dental process uses a CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design) instrument called CEREC.  It allows the repair of a damaged tooth using ceramic tooth-colored restorations that contain no metal.  A cerec is very pleasing to the eye.

Comfort Services:  There are many ways your visit to the dentist can be a more pleasant experience.  To ease anxiety, Dr. Finney can prescribe a medication to take before your appointment.  Nitrous gas, also known as laughing gas, is another good option that can be used during your appointment.  With these two options, you would be fully conscious, but much more relaxed.  If the sound of the drill bothers you, we have headsets available to listen to your favorite music, and chair massagers for our dental chairs so you can relax during your stay with us.  We advise that when making your appointment, choose a time when you will not be rushed or stressed.  Many people like early morning appointments before the hustle and bustle of the workday.  If you’re tense or anxious, please tell Dr. Finney or a staff member, so we can make any changes to adapt to your needs.

Composite (white) fillings: Composite fillings are a mixture of glass and other materials that produce a tooth-colored filling.  These fillings do not contain metal. They come in a wide variety of colors, which allows us to match the natural colors of teeth.  Composites can also be "bonded" right to the tooth, keeping as much of the natural tooth as possible.

Cosmetic Veneers:  Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to natural teeth.  They can improve appearance, thus providing greater self-esteem.  In fact, veneers may be the most cost-effective way to gain a brand new look!
Benefits of veneers include:
    -  strengthening teeth by covering brittle edges
    -  restoring the shape of worn teeth
    -  renewing color of teeth
    -  a more youthful appearance
If you are considering veneers, talk with Dr. Finney.

Dentures: Complete dentures can replace missing teeth, thus benefiting one’s appearance and health. Without support from dentures, facial muscles sag, making a person look older and making eating and speaking more difficult. With full dentures, one needs to still take good care of their mouth by brushing gums, tongue and roof every morning with a soft-bristled brush before inserting dentures.  This helps stimulate circulation in tissues and remove plaque.

Digital X-rays:  On September 27, 2004 our office changed to digital x-rays.  Instead of developing films, a sensor is used and the images are transmitted directly to the computer.  There are several advantages to using digital x-rays.  They are:
safer (use 80% less radiation), environmentally friendly (no more chemicals used in processing), faster (no waiting for development of x-ray film), more helpful to you and Dr. Finney (since the images can be enlarged to show problem areas).

Implants:  Implants are an excellent option to replace missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Implants are surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments.  They bond to the jawbone and serve as a stable, secure base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or dentures. Those interested in dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by Dr. Finney will help determine whether dental implants are for you.

Invisalign:  Our office is excited to announce that we now offer Invisalign. These are clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth over a period of time.  Invisalign is successful in treating crowded or widely spaced teeth, or even more complex cases such as overbites and underbites.  It is practically invisible and unlike metal braces, these aligners are comfortable to wear.  They can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing.  The course of treatment involves changing aligners approximately every two weeks, each time moving teeth into a straighter position.  Average treatment time is about one year.  The result is a beautiful smile!

NTI:  If you suffer from an aching jaw, sore teeth, stiff neck, tension, or morning headaches, an NTI appliance may be your answer.  NTI is a tiny, clear-plastic device that fits over the top two front teeth.  The device is worn only when sleeping.  It makes clenching virtually impossible, and in a few days or weeks, the problems associated with teeth clenching often disappear!

Oral Cancer: Oral cancer causes over 8,000 deaths each year and is a greater cause of death than skin cancer.  It is associated with tobacco use, regular alcohol consumption, and increased age, but studies show that 25% of those diagnosed with oral cancer have no risk factors.  However, there is an increased rate of oral cancers in those under 40 years of age, especially women.  Dr. Finney and his hygienists provide thorough checks of all the areas of the mouth, including the very back of the tongue and the corners, which are very difficult to see.  If they see anything abnormal, you will be referred to an oral surgeon for an evaluation

Root Canals: Despite the bad reputation, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort.  Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!  The following describes what a root canal does:  Inside each tooth is pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth - it runs like a thread through the root. When pulp is diseased or injured, it dies.  If the dead tissue is not removed, the tooth becomes infected and may need to be pulled.  Dr. Finney will remove the diseased pulp, clean the root canal, and seal the tooth to protect it.  A crown is then placed over the tooth to make it stronger.

Sealants: Dental sealants are a plastic resin applied to the deep grooves of pre-molars and molars where decay most often occurs.  They act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria.  Both children and adults can benefit from sealants.