General Dentistry

We recommend regular dental cleanings to help you maintain good oral health. During a routine cleaning, our trained dental hygienists will remove plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth. We will also check for early signs of decay, gum disease, or oral cancer, and take any necessary x-rays. We finish the cleaning by thoroughly polishing and flossing your teeth.

Digital radiography and x-rays are important diagnostic tools for identifying dental health issues not visible during a regular dental exam. Without this technology, problem areas may go undetected. At Smoky Mountain Dentistry, we have the latest digital x-ray equipment to safely and accurately detect hidden pathology. Digital radiography produces clearer images that make diagnosing easier.

While digital radiography produces low levels of radiation and is very safe, we still take necessary precautions to limit your exposure. These include only taking images that are necessary and using a thyroid and body shield for additional protection.

We are also excited to now have a dental cone beam computed tomography (CT). It is a special type of x-ray equipment used when regular dental or facial x-rays are not sufficient. We use this technology to produce three-dimensional (3-D) images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan. It is particularly helpful when treatment planning dental implants.

Orthodontic treatment is not just for children or teens, and it is never too late to straighten your smile! Our dentists are trained in adults orthodontics to help our older patients align teeth, close spaces, adjust crowded or overlapping teeth, and more. We can help you achieve a more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing smile with personalized orthodontic care.

Tooth fillings are used to repair teeth that have been affected by decay, cracks, or fractures. There are a variety of tooth filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Together, we will determine the best option for restoring your teeth. Filling options include: composite (tooth colored), amalgam (metal), glass ionomers, porcelain, and gold.

If you are suffering from a severely decayed tooth, periodontal disease, or a broken tooth that is beyond repair, a tooth extraction may be necessary. Teeth are also removed if they are poorly positioned in your mouth. Thanks to effective anesthetics, tooth extractions are much less painful today than ever before. In most cases, a patient will experience little to no discomfort, only minor bleeding. Our caring staff will work with you to ensure you feel at ease. Once the procedure is complete, we will advise you on the best practices for reducing swelling and faster healing. Depending on the type of extraction, patient need for sedation, and/or patient health history we do refer some cases to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for tooth extraction/surgery.

Dentures are for patients who have lost all of their teeth. Our office makes two types of dentures: conventional and immediate. A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been removed and the gums are healed, while an immediate denture is inserted right after teeth are removed, allowing the tissues to heal under the denture. Dentures wear over time and will need to be replaced to keep your jaw properly aligned.

Partial dentures, or partials, are used when some of your natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, but it prevents surrounding teeth from shifting. Both dentures and partials are a reliable option for replacing missing teeth and are made to look and function like natural teeth.

Dental crowns are used to strengthen and restore cracked, broken, or fractured teeth. They are an esthetic option that improves your smile while strengthening your teeth. While a crown typically requires at least two appointments, our practice is proud to offer same-day crowns. We have the technology and tools to create, fit, and cement a crown into place all on the same day. Visit our page on same-day crowns to learn more!

A dental bridge literally “bridges” the gap left behind my missing or lost teeth and attaches to adjacent artificial or natural teeth. They are typically held in place by crowns on each side of the space to be filled. Also known as a fixed partial denture, a bridge is custom-made and permanently placed in your mouth. Bridges prevent other teeth from shifting, help to correct bite problems and improve speech, and reduce the risk of gum disease.

Porcelain veneers are used to make slight corrections to a patient’s smile, whether it’s straightening their teeth or closing gaps and spaces. Veneers are ultra-thin porcelain shells made of tooth-colored materials. They’re place on the front side of teeth to cover imperfections. Extremely strong adhesives bond the veneer to your teeth, making them a permanent restoration.

Root canal therapy, or endodontic therapy, is performed to save a tooth affected by a large cavity. If the pulp (the living tissues inside a tooth) becomes severely infected or inflamed, it must be removed. After the diseased pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed for protection. Afterward, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling. Depending on the tooth affected or severity of infection, some root canals will be referred to an Endodontist, root canal specialist, for completion.

Our practice offers custom oral appliances to help patients manage mild to moderate sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the soft tissues in the throat continually collapses and blocks air from entering your lungs. These pauses in breathing can last anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute or more and can occur hundreds of times a night, leading to significantly lower levels of oxygen in the blood. This leads your brain to believe that your body is suffocating, causing you to wake up suddenly and resume normal breathing.

A custom oral appliance supports your jaw and helps you maintain an open airway. It is worn like a retainer or mouth guard. Together, we will determine if a custom-fit oral appliance is the right treatment option for you.

Some patients react to stress by grinding their teeth unconsciously throughout the day or while sleeping. Symptoms of constant clenching or teeth grinding include a sore jaw, headaches, and earaches. Teeth grinding may also contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. Wearing a night guard can help to relieve your symptoms and protect your teeth from damage. We can create the appropriate appliance for your needs and teeth.

At Smoky Mountain Dentistry, we strive to make your child’s first dental visit fun and easy, while getting them accustomed to our office. Dental visits are a source of fear for so many children and adults. Creating a positive first dentist experience for your child will do them a service that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Because every child is different, we tailor your child’s first appointment to their unique needs. This appointment gives the dentist an opportunity to evaluate your child’s dental health and if necessary, make a referral to a pediatric dentist.

Prior to bringing your child to the dentist, we encourage you to:

Speak positively about going to the dentist.

Read books about going to the dentist.

Any current x-rays available to you

Avoid using words that create a negative image like, “hurt”, “shot” or “drill”