Rate Us
Our preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, Dr. Glenn McKay, and our dental staff to preserve you natural dentition and supporting bone structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases. Gum disease and tooth decay and trauma are the primary reasons why adult patients lose their teeth. Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and emergencies.
Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your family dentist, and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
Check-Ups and Cleanings
A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by Dr. Glenn McKay at your initial dental visit to evaluate the state of your oral health and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. We will:
1. Take any necessary x-rays
Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic aids that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam.
2. Complete a gum disease evaluation
Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
3. Examine for tooth decay
All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments. Early cavity detection is key to keeping your pearly whites in good health.
4. Examine for existing restorations
Check current fillings, crowns to make sure their stability function and aesthetics is not compromised by time and wear.
5. Complete a professional dental cleaning
At Rockwood Dental, Dr. Glenn McKay and your Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) will ensure you cleaning appointment will include:
Digital X-Rays
Gum Treatments
Gum disease is preventable and reversible in most cases! Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Dr. Glenn McKay and your dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
How is Periodontal Disease Treated?
In the early to moderate stages of periodontal disease, deep cleanings can be used to remove the hardened plaque and infected tissue. Combined with root planing to smooth the damaged root surfaces of the teeth, this is an effective treatment to restore the health of your gums.
Reasons why you may need gum treatment might be sore, bleeding or receding gums and loose teeth. Accumulation of plaque causes inflammation of the gums and an ensuing breakdown of the periodontal attachment (the fibrous connection of the teeth to the supporting structures). Pockets between the teeth and soft tissue become deeper, and the underlying bone recedes. Increased pocket depth encourages the formation of more calculus, plaque and further tissue breakdown.
In many cases Laser Periodontal Therapy may be used to enhance the results of traditional scaling and root planing treatments. Surgical gum treatment may be recommended if the tissue surrounding your teeth can’t be repaired with non-surgical scaling and root planing.
Root Canals
Tooth Extractions
Dr. Glenn McKay at Rockwood Dental performs simple tooth extractions on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anesthesia and require only the use of instruments to elevate and/or grasp the visible portion of the tooth.
Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, either because they have broken under the gum line or they have not erupted fully (such as impacted wisdom teeth). Our office would refer you to an oral surgeon in these cases for specialty dental care and would follow-up with you at a future appointment.