- Dental ExaminationWhile most traumatic dental injuries occur in children and teenagers, people of all ages can be affected, usually as a result of sports mishaps, automobile accidents, or bad falls. If you've experienced a traumatic dental injury it is important to visit our office in order to determine any necessary treatment. Any dental injury, even if apparently mild, requires examination by our office immediately. Sometimes, neighboring teeth suffer an additional, unnoticed injury that will only be detected by a thorough dental exam.
- X-rays
- Teeth CleaningThe American Dental Association recommends a visit to your dentist every six months for regular checkups and routine teeth cleanings to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay and in preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A fluoride treatment in your dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or your doctor’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months.
- Dental SealantsAsk your dentist about dental sealants, protective plastic coatings that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
- Fillings
- Resin CompositeTraditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include gold, porcelain, or composite. Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are typically used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are fillings placed into a prepared cavity in a single visit. Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. These fillings include inlays, and veneers fabricated with ceramics or composites.
- VeneersYou no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth. With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth's imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a perfect option for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.
- CrownsChipped teeth account for the majority of dental injuries. Most chipped or fractured tooth crowns can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece or by placing a tooth-colored filling. If a significant portion of the tooth crown is broken off, an artificial crown or "cap" may be needed to restore the tooth.
- Bridges
- Dental BondingBonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your tooth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.
- Root Canal TreatmentHere at Southcenter Dental in Tukwila, we've had a lot of nervous patients come through our doors over the years! If you need to undergo an unfamiliar dental procedure, like a root canal or extraction, we want to make sure your visit is as comfortable as possible. That's why we're pleased to offer sedation dentistry options to our patients!
- DenturesDentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. Use a gentle cleanser to brush your dentures, always keep them moist when they’re not in use, and be sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well.
- Dental ImplantsBotox is also used to relieve symptoms of TMJ, as well as provide comfort to patients receiving dental implants. In each case, Botox is used to reduce the amount of stress placed on the teeth and jaw so that patients feel comfortable and confident.
- Oral SurgeryNitrous sedation, also known as laughing gas, can be used in any procedure from a simple cleaning to oral surgery. It works great to alleviate some anxiety and patients regularly ask for it to make their appointment more enjoyable.
- Gum SurgeryThere are two different types of laser dentistry: hard tissue and soft tissue. Hard tissue includes treatments such as cavity detection, dental fillings, and tooth sensitivity improvements. Soft tissue treatments include gum reshaping, gum surgery, and muscle attachment improvements.
- Tooth Extractions
- Bone GraftingWhen a tooth needs to be removed due to infection, it is not uncommon to have bone loss around the infected tooth. In these cases, various types of bone grafting can be done at the same time the tooth is removed to facilitate the placement of a dental implant at a later date.
- Orthodontics
- Invisalign OrthodonticsMore than 3,000,000 people are smiling brighter thanks to the Invisalign system. See how just a few of their lives have changed with Invisalign.
- BracesI'm so glad I made the investment to go with aligners rather than metal braces. I've heard stories of people having food stuck in their metal braces, and I didn't want to go through that. It's so easy - all I have to do is remove my aligners when I eat.
- Teeth WhiteningThere are many products and techniques available for patients who want to achieve a brighter smile, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the method that is right for you. The best way to begin any teeth-whitening regimen is to schedule an appointment and talk to your doctor about the differences between in-office professional whitening and at-home whitening.
- Cosmetic DentistryCosmetic dentistry works backward from the ideal result rather than attempting to fix individual problems. This big-picture perspective allows us to focus on making your smile beautiful. At Southcenter Dental in Tukwila, we offer an extensive variety of choices to help you achieve a brighter, more confident smile, like...
- General DentistryThe level of training our team has attained is truly rare; it far exceeds general dentistry standards and distinguishes Southcenter Dental as a premier Northwest dental practice.