Parrish | Childs

• Restorative Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Preventive Dentistry
• Other Patient Services

Your teeth undergo a tremendous amount of stress during your lifetime. Teeth may show this wear in a variety of ways, including discoloration, chipping and cracking. Crowns restore your teeth and your smile to look brilliant once again. Porcelain crowns can be made out of porcelain fused to metal or all porcelain and can be shaded to match your teeth. Crowns made of precious metal (gold) are also an option. After some tooth preparation, crowns are specifically fitted to restore functionality and enhance the appearance of your smile. If you have pain when chewing or temperature sensitivity, ask Dr. Parrish or Dr. Childs if crowns are for you.

Sometimes gum disease, injury, decay or simply wear results in the loss of a tooth. A missing tooth or teeth can create significant problems for your dental health if not corrected. Over time your bite pressure may shift to other parts of your mouth to compensate for an inability to chew efficiently in the area of the missing tooth. Neighboring teeth may begin to move about, moving into the area and resulting in discomfort, pain and more problems down the road. Bridges made of porcelain “bridge the gap” in your smile. Drs. Parrish and Childs can create a lifelike, functional bridge to correct your smile, restore your bite and alleviate your discomfort. A bridge is created out of metal, alloys and / or porcelain and utilizes the teeth on both sides of the gap as its supportive structure. After some preparation of the two neighboring teeth, crowns are created for them. A prosthetic tooth, or pontic, is fused between the crowns to fill the area of missing tooth. A bridge is a semi-permanent dental restoration, meaning it can only be removed by your dentist, so you can rest assured that your porcelain bridge will be a lasting restoration for your oral health.

Full Dentures, also known as false teeth, are made especially for patients who are missing all of their teeth. Properly fitted dentures are important for preserving the bone. Drs. Parrish and Childs will design your denture to give you both the smile you want and the best function possible. Several adjustments may be necessary to ensure that you have the most comfortable fit.

Partial dentures are used if you have several teeth missing that cannot be corrected with a bridge. A partial denture is created to replace those teeth. The denture is removable and designed to fit comfortably and blend in with any remaining teeth. This type of denture is made from a synthetic material that is supported with a lightweight metal. It mimics your gum tissue and teeth to create a natural looking smile while still remaining functional. The partial is important once the teeth have been removed to preserve the bone and to keep existing teeth from tilting and growing in towards the gaps.

A dental implant is one of the most permanent forms of restorative dentistry and can be used to restore a single tooth or several teeth. Dental implants involve the placement of a surgical grade titanium post by one of the doctor’s trusted specialists. As the bone bonds to the post, it forms a secure foundation for the attachment of a crown or a prosthetic tooth that is custom created for you. Implants are sometimes used instead of bridges to maintain the integrity of the teeth on either side of the missing teeth.

While typical dentures shift and require the use of denture adhesives to keep them in place, implants fit solidly, reducing the problems associated with traditional dentures such as gum sores, difficulty speaking and difficulty chewing. Unlike traditional dentures, implant supported dentures distribute your biting pressure more like natural teeth stimulating the supportive structures of your teeth and preventing the bone and soft tissues from shrinking away. You can restore and entire smile with beautiful, natural-looking implants.

Most of the smile makeovers you have seen on television or in magazines are the result of porcelain veneers. These custom made, thin films of porcelain adhere to the fronts of existing teeth to create a natural, beautiful smile. Issues like crooked teeth, chipped teeth, spaces between teeth and discolored teeth are all easily correctable with porcelain veneers. Just a few appointments are all that separate you from the beauty and self-confidence that come from a brilliant smile.

If you have a "gummy" smile, you may be a candidate for cosmetic contouring of your gum tissue. Drs. Parrish and Childs can give you a more aesthetic appearance when you smile by directing the shaping and sculpting of your gums, using a laser to minimize recovery time. This procedure can make a dramatic difference in the look of your smile, especially when combined with other cosmetic dentistry.

When applied, bonding is a tooth-colored material that adheres to the surface of the tooth without reducing the structure of the tooth in most cases. Then, Dr. Parrish or Dr. Childs will sculpt the material to create a natural-looking tooth. Bonding corrects chipped and broken teeth, discolored teeth and in some cases can correct gaps. A benefit of bonding is that generally, the natural structure of the tooth can be maintained.

You can have the confidence that comes from a bright, white smile. If you are happy with the alignment and spacing of your teeth, a tooth whitening procedure may be all that separates you from a dazzling smile. Tooth whitening is safe, effective and long lasting. There are two primary methods for excellent results: an in-the office procedure or a custom home tooth whitening kit.

When you desire immediate results, visit Drs. Parrish and Childs for an in-the-office whitening procedure. The treatment utilizes a customized tray specifically for your teeth. With your dentist’s supervision, a powerful whitening gel is used, giving you amazing results in just a few hours!

Your custom home whitening kit also requires a special tray that is customized to fit over your teeth. You also receive prescription whitening gel, which is applied to the tray before wearing it. Dr. Parrish or Dr. Childs give you detailed instructions about wearing this tray each day. You should expect the entire home whitening process to take between two and four weeks, leaving you with a dazzling smile.

Are you are thinking of other cosmetic improvements, such as crowns, porcelain veneers or replacing old discolored fillings? Consider whitening your teeth first and any future restorations we make for you will be matched to your whitened teeth, giving you fantastic results.

The removal of tooth decay effectively requires the removal of a portion of your tooth. The removed portion is replaced with a porcelain inlay or onlay. Porcelain and gold alloys are the only materials that can hold up to the wear created by the opposing teeth. The beauty of inlays and onlays is that they preserve valuable tooth structure and is a conservative approach to restoring tooth function. Traditionally, inlays and onlays were made out of gold alloy. Now, porcelain-milled inlays and onlays are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and provide relief from chewing pain, cavity pain and tooth degeneration.

When the decay has been removed from the tooth, it can be replaced with tooth-colored material. In the past, amalgam (silver) fillings were used to replace the decayed portion of the tooth. With advancements in dentistry, you can now have tooth-colored fillings instead of silver fillings resulting in a brighter, whiter smile.

Periodontal disease (also called gum disease or gingivitis) refers to an infection of the supportive tissues of the mouth due to toxic bacteria found in plaque. Many individuals suffer from some degree of gum disease, and if left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss, break down of the soft tissue in the mouth and other significant health problems. Drs. Parrish and Childs focus on preventive dentistry and assess your periodontal health. If needed, they will direct the appropriate therapy to restore your oral health.

Your regular tooth brushing and flossing removes the plaque that is above the gum line of your tooth. Scaling and root planing is a hygiene therapy provided by licensed dental hygienists for patients who have tartar, calculus and bacteria buried below the gum line around teeth. This is a non-surgical therapy for the treatment of gum disease. The average pocket depth is less than 3mm. The technique is most often used when the gum pockets on your tooth have a measurement that is greater than 3mm. When tartar and calculus attach to your tooth below the gum line, they pull the gum tissue away from the tooth creating a deep pocket. The tartar and calculus must be removed so that the gum can heal and pocket depth can be reduced. If not treated, the tartar and bacteria cause gum disease and deteriorate your bone, tissue and result in the loss of teeth.

This is dental terminology for your hygiene cleaning. During this time, the plaque and tartar on your teeth above the gum line will be removed and an oral examination on your teeth, gums, and soft tissue will be performed. Polishing the surfaces of your teeth smooth out areas where plaque can collect and remove stains, making it hard for plaque to build up in the future.

As a comprehensive dental practice, Drs. Parrish & Childs offer routine oral cancer screening to you as a patient. Because as dentists, they are the only medical professionals in a position to evaluate routinely and detect abnormalities early. The doctors are dedicated to providing this potentially life-saving procedure for you.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings or barriers that protect the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. Usually, sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. Applying a sealant to your teeth can prevent cavities and the need for fillings, which must be replaced every six to eight years. Children especially benefit from sealants.

Digital radiographs are a technological advancement that results in less exposure to radiation for our patients and an almost instantaneous picture for our dentists. You will appreciate a more comfortable visit with less waiting and quicker treatment.

You see what your dentist sees. By using an intraoral camera, you have a greater understanding of your oral health and of the treatments that the doctors are describing to you. The images taken by the intraoral camera show you what your teeth actually look like including portions of your teeth not visible to the eye.

This is an exciting new dental technology that allows Drs. Parrish and Childs to detect any cavities in your teeth. The use of this small portable laser unit allows the doctors to find these cavities in their infancy, well before the doctors could detect them on x-rays or visually. The addition of this technology to their practice helps you to keep your teeth healthy and minimizes your need for future, extensive dental treatment.