Santa Fe, NM General & Preventive Dentistry Services
At Smiles of Santa Fe, we are dedicated to helping patients keep their healthy, natural teeth looking and feeling great for a lifetime. We make preventive and general dentistry checkups and services the focus of our dental treatment plans. If you’re looking for a dental practice to call home, we invite you to contact our Santa Fe, NM dentist and team to schedule an appointment or find out more about our treatment options.
Checkups & Cleanings
Dental checkups and teeth cleanings are an integral part of ongoing oral health plans for all of our patients. Regular checkups will include diagnostic evaluation and screening for common oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and oral cancer. Next, Dr. Davis will carefully clean plaque and tartar buildup from even those surfaces of teeth that are difficult to access. Finally, Dr. Michael W. Davis will sit down one-on-one with patients to discuss their treatment options.
Periodontal Therapy
Caring for oral health following periodontal (gum) disease may be as easy as more frequent professional cleanings in the early stages known as gingivitis. However, if periodontal disease is not treated in the early stages, it may progress to the more severe form periodontitis. When this occurs, we’ll need to recommend more advanced treatments including scaling, the systematic removal of plaque and tartar around the gum lines, and root planing, the smoothing of tooth roots to prevent future buildup.
Nightguards for Bruxism
For those patients who grind or clench their teeth unconsciously, kicking the habit can present concerns because people typically experience these issues while they’re sleeping. Luckily, we offer a simple, comfortable, and effective treatment solution – nightguards. These custom-crafted oral appliances place a physical barrier between the rows of teeth that prevents unconscious grinding and clenching from damaging the teeth. Our personalized appliances are comfortable and allow patients to breathe deeply, speak, and even drink while the nightguard is in place.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer claims one life every hour on average in the US, and contrary to popular belief, it does not only affect those who use tobacco. That’s why visual and tactile screenings for the early warning signs of oral cancer are part of every six month checkup and teeth cleaning at Smiles of Santa Fe. Please don’t hesitate to contact us between visits, if you notice any of the early warning signs of oral cancer including sores that don’t heal, soft tissue discoloration, lumps, bumps, or rough textured areas, or a chronic cough or sore throat.