Services

Preventative
Fillings
Root Canals
Extractions
Dentures and Removable Partials
Other Replacement Options
Implants


Preventative
We hope that you never have any serious dental problems. One way to ensure healthy gums and teeth are regularly scheduled cleanings, daily flossing, brushing and good oral hygiene habits. Our team of Dental Hygienists are instrumental in our preventative practice. We recommend that you have 2 cleanings per year and those are scheduled with reminder calls to help keep you on track. X-rays and fluoride treatments may also be required. You can discuss this with your hygienist. back to top

Fillings
While we still do silver fillings in appropriate situations if requested, tooth colored bonded fillings are more conservative to the tooth and certainly better looking. These can often be done with the Waterlase (a state of the art dental laser) without the need for local anesthetic. For children, nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") can often be used very safely and without having to give a shot to fill a baby tooth. back to top

Root Canals
Root canals refer to the removal of the dead or diseased pulp tissue from the inside of the tooth. Once the canals have been thoroughly cleaned, shaped, and sterilized, they are filled to seal the inside of the tooth. This gets rid of pain and infection and allows the person to keep the tooth instead of having it removed. back to top

Extractions
There are times when a tooth is beyond salvage or must be removed due to lack of space in the dental arch for it to function properly. Dr. Cruser can perform most extractions. Some such as completely impacted wisdom teeth may be referred to an oral surgeon. back to top

Dentures and Removable Partials
When all or a majority of the teeth must be replaced, a complete or partial denture can be fabricated. Multiple appointments are necessary to make sure the right size and arrangement of the teeth are determined and the final prosthesis will fit comfortably. back to top

Other Replacement Options
Sometimes a single tooth has had all the fillings it can take, putting it at risk for fracture. A crown can often be placed over the tooth after it has been precisely prepared. This will look natural, restore the strength and proper shape to the tooth, and allow the patient to chew comfortably and without fear. In the case where a tooth is missing, the tooth on either side of the space can be prepared for crowns. In this case a fixed bridge that replaces the missing tooth is made by cementing the one-piece prosthesis over the two abutment teeth. It is a strong and natural looking replacement and in some cases can be used to replace several missing teeth as well. back to top

Implants
Implants are often a wonderful option for prosthetics and may be used in a variety of ways. In the case of a single missing tooth, a pure titanium cylinder is placed gently and precisely into the area formerly occupied by the tooth root. It is allowed to stabilize in the jawbone under the surface for a period of time. Dr. Cruser then attaches a special abutment to the implant, which will provide the support for a single crown. The placement of the implant is usually less traumatic than extracting a tooth and allows the patient to avoid the involvement of other teeth. Implants may also be used support fixed bridgework or to help anchor a removable partial or complete denture providing greater comfort and stability. back to top