Family Dentistry

Dental Services for Children

We practice family dentistry and advise that you bring in your child between 24 and 36 months of age for their first dental visit. The examination will make sure that their teeth are healthy and that, as parents, you have the best information about oral hygiene and diet to prevent tooth decay. For older children, we provide a dental examination, tooth cleaning, fluoride treatment, and x-rays when needed.

A child’s first experience in our office is designed to be an enjoyable one-children even receive a balloon animal made by Dr. Althoff! Please be assured that our dental staff is very experienced with young patients. We will always do our best to calm their fears, make them feel comfortable, and give them a pleasant dental experience.

Anxiety-free Dentistry

If going to the dentist is stressful for you, we can ease your anxiety with comfortable methods such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), headphones, and tvs in the treatment rooms. You can also relax knowing that our staff has a very gentle touch, something our patients really appreciate.

Periodontal Therapy

Over 75% of Americans age 35 and over have some form of gum disease, a result of poor dental hygiene and the subsequent build-up of plaque. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst, you might lose your teeth. So, if you want to keep your teeth, you must take care of your gums. The good news is that gum disease is preventable in most cases. Attention to everyday oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), coupled with professional cleanings twice a year, could be all that’s needed to prevent and actually reverse the early stage of gum disease. If you have gum disease, Dr. Althoff or one of our hygienists will identify it during your exam and recommend the best treatment for the level of severity.

Sealants

Thanks to fluoride, dental sealants and better dental habits, fifty percent of school-age children now have no cavities. Dr. Althoff provides quality, effective dental sealants for your children’s teeth that will protect them from the normal causes of cavities.

Endodontics

Endodontics deals with diseases of the tissue, blood vessels, and nerves inside the tooth. The most common endodontic treatment is called a “root canal,” a procedure used to remove infected tissue and refill the nerve canal inside the tooth. A root canal allows you to retain your natural tooth while eliminating the infection. Dr. Althoff may refer you to a specialist, depending on the complexity of your endodontic needs.

Trauma Dentistry

Accidental damage to teeth creates the need for reconstruction and restorative procedures to repair the health and beauty of your mouth. A damaged tooth, if treated quickly, can many times be “saved” with minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedures. If a tooth is lost and not replaced it can cause your other teeth to shift, throwing your bite off. This can lead to breakage of other teeth and restorations, headaches, jaw pain and TMJ Disorder. Our wide range of cosmetic dental procedures provides options for you that suit the scope of your dental problem and financial concerns.

Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are often used to protect your child’s teeth from injury due to teeth grinding and during sports. The guard usually covers the upper teeth; however, if your child wears braces or another fixed dental appliance on his lower jaw, Dr. Althoff may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth, too.

Oral Cancer Screening

In this year alone approximately 35,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with oral cancer. When found early, oral cancer is associated with a very high survival rate. Unfortunately, most oral cancer is found as late stage cancer.

Oral cancer screening is a routine part of a dental examination. Regular check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it. If we detect anything unusual, we may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.