There are several benefits to orthodontic treatment for patients to consider:

• Orthodontics help align the smile and address gaps, misaligned teeth, and other imperfections that may affect the overall appearance of the smile.
• Orthodontic treatment can realign the teeth, making it easier for patients to brush and floss, ensuring better overall health and wellness.
• Orthodontics monitored by a dental professional eliminates the need for a referral to another specialist for routine treatment.
• Orthodontics can realign the bite and reduce overall wear and tear on the natural teeth at specific contact points.
• Orthodontics can restore a patient’s confidence in their smile, allowing them to feel proud to share their smile with others without hesitation!
• Orthodontics have been used for decades in improving smiles in a safe and effective manner.

Dr. Niki McDaniel and Dr. Rebecca Spencer are pleased to offer traditional dental braces for teeth straightening, for mild to moderate cases of misalignment. During a consultation and initial evaluation with our team, patients can find out what treatment options are most appropriate for their unique needs.

Periodontal disease, or “gum disease,” is an oral infection. It often results from poor oral health habits which allow bacteria to spread throughout the smile. First, it affects the gums and soft tissues, causing them to shrink and pull away from the teeth. Then, bacteria becomes trapped in these pockets and continues to thrive, resulting in the loss of gums, bone, and even teeth. If patients catch the condition at the earliest stage, known as gingivitis, they can significantly increase their chances of restoring their smile’s health. However, later stages of periodontal disease are uncurable, which makes avoidance and proper oral health habits vital to maintaining the smile.

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you may be advised to consider any of the following combination of treatments:

• Education on oral health habits, including proper brushing and flossing techniques
• The use of prescription-strength toothpastes or mouthwashes
• A deep cleaning of the teeth and gums, known as scaling and root planing
• Antibiotics to help control the infection and reduce spread and damage

Pain and discomfort in the smile can be a sign of various different conditions that might be impacting one’s smile. Patients must be seen by a dental professional as soon as possible when these problems arise. Many conditions that are caught in the earlier stages can be treated effectively and allow patients to maintain their natural teeth. However, if left untreated, problems can worsen and patients may need to have dental extractions or emergency root canals performed.

Teeth may hurt for a variety of reasons. They include:

• Large/deep cavity
• Infection inside of the tooth
• Abscess
• Periodontal disease
• Impacted wisdom tooth

At McDaniel Family Dental, we provide patients with tooth removal when needed. Tooth removal may include either simple extraction or surgical extraction. A simple extraction is performed when the tooth is above the gumline and accessible to the dentist. Surgical extraction is performed when the teeth are underneath the gumline, such as impacted wisdom teeth. This is a more invasive procedure but may be done in certain situations.

First, patients must understand wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt through the gumline. In many instances, there is not enough room in the mouth for them to come through, and they often become impacted, or stuck, underneath the gums. They can push into the adjacent teeth and cause pain. In other situations, they may come through the gumline, but because of how far back in the mouth they remain, it can be difficult for patients to effectively keep them clean with brushing and flossing. This can cause an infected wisdom tooth that also needs to be treated or removed.

Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but, a dentist may be proactive about having them extracted before they become a problem in many situations.

Extraction can be done in one of two ways: simple or surgical. A simple extraction is done by releasing the tooth from the bone using instruments readily available to the dentist. In contrast, surgical extraction requires cutting into the gums to access a tooth underneath the gumline. A surgical extraction is more invasive, though necessary in certain situations. Wisdom tooth removal is always done with proper sedation and anesthetic to ensure patient comfort from start to finish. When the procedure is completed, patients will leave the dental office with post-operative care instructions to follow closely to make sure the area heals properly.

The team at McDaniel Family Dental is proud to offer emergency dental services when needed. Some of the following situations may be considered for emergency visits:

• Significantly damaged or knocked out tooth
• Broken orthodontic appliances
• Lost or broken restorations including dental fillings and crowns
• Significant cuts or bleeding to the soft tissues of the mouth
• A severe toothache that can no longer be managed with pain medications
• Bleeding that does not subside after oral surgeries

Absolutely not! Our dentists at McDaniel Family Dental are here to help patients with their dental needs, even if they’ve never visited our team before. Oftentimes, patients who come to our practice for emergency treatments will often continue to visit our team for their routine six-month dental visits. Many patients are impressed by our chairside manner and our state-of-the-art dental facility and look forward to starting a positive relationship with our dental staff.

We understand that other dental practices don’t offer emergency dental services and that patients who have never been to our practice before may opt for emergency care with our team.

This a prescription medication that induces a state of deep relaxation. You remain conscious and responsive, so you are in full control at all times, though some people have little or memory of the appointment once it is over. However, it can remove feelings of anxiety and fear, and make a lengthy appointment feel like it passed quickly. It relaxes your mind and body, making the entire experience more comfortable physically and mentally.

Your safety and comfort are top priorities. We select the best type and dosage of sedative based on your needs, preferences, and medical history. The benefits include:

• Safety – Oral sedation is considered safe for most healthy adults. The entire McDaniel Family Dental team is trained by an ACLS certified facility. We use only medications that are widely prescribed and have a pristine record of safety.
• Reduce dental chair fatigue – Sedation can be a great choice for people with extensive dental needs who want to combine multiple procedures into one appointment. It is also helpful for those with muscle or joint problems who find the dental chair uncomfortable.
• Improved oral health – Anxiety is one of the most common reasons why people postpone or avoid dental treatment. Since oral health problems are progressive, waiting only makes them worse. With sedation, even high-anxiety patients can enjoy great oral health.
• Yes, you can relax – Fear is not the only cause of dental anxiety. You may have claustrophobia, causing an uneasy feeling when someone is “in your face.” Or you may suffer from a strong gag reflex, which makes dental treatment especially challenging. Perhaps you are restless or have ADHD, making it hard to sit still. Sedation can help with these and similar concerns.