Family Dentistry

Dr. Malcolm and the staff at Bright Smiles Family Dentistry understand that good oral health is vital to a beautiful smile. Dr. Malcolm will devise a treatment program that not only addresses the issue that brought you to our office, but also improves your total oral health, so that you can have a smile that you love to show off. For more information, contact Bright Smiles Family Dentistry.

We offer a variety of comprehensive treatments and preventive care to address common oral health problems, including:

Preventive Dental Care
Gum Disease Therapy
Fillings
Crowns & Bridges
Root Canal Treatments
Dentures
Oral Surgery
Children’s Dentistry
Implant Restorations
Emergency Dental Care

Nitrous sedation is available for all dental treatments.

Preventive Dental Care

Research continues to reinforce the link between oral health and overall health. Weak or diseased teeth and gums can lead to serious problems like diabetes and heart disease. The best way to avoid problems is to maintain a routine that keeps your teeth and gums clean and strong. This includes regular professional dental examinations, cleanings, and x-rays to detect any abnormalities. Dr. Malcolm will check for signs of tooth decay, oral cancer, and other abnormalities. If detected, these problems will be treated as quickly as possible.

Gum Disease Therapy

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a serious affliction in which bacteria causes harm to the gums and bones of the mouth. Symptoms can include

• Red, swollen or receding gums
• Gums that bleed whenever you brush or floss
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose or separating teeth

Gingivitis– an inflammation of the gums is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on the teeth and gums.

If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed with proper home care and regular visits to the dentist. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become periodontitis and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.

Periodontitis is divided into three stages—mild, moderate, and advanced—all of which progress if left untreated and ultimately lead to tooth loss. Treatment for this condition involves scaling and root planning, gum surgery, such as pocket reduction—regenerative surgery, or soft tissue graftsor dental implants.

Fillings

At Bright Smiles Family Dentistry, we are happy to offer white, tooth-colored fillings to our patients who have mild to moderate tooth decay. The fillings are made from composite resin, a substance that is safe and durable and requires less removal of the tooth to accommodate the filling.

 

Crowns & Bridges

Crowns are an excellent option to fix teeth that are chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged. A crown is a protective shell that is placed over the entire surface of the tooth. Dr. Malcolm carefully selects and prepares the crown to blend in with the surrounding teeth, so it is difficult to notice a difference between natural teeth and the crown.

Bridges are placed to fill the space where a tooth is missing. A bridge consists of a false tooth attached to two surrounding crowns. Dr. Malcolm prepares teeth for the bridge by placing crowns on the pre-existing teeth; she then fuses a false tooth in between the crowned teeth.

 

Root Canal Treatments

Inside your tooth, running like a thread through the root, is a nerve and blood supply. When this becomes diseased or injured, the tissue dies. If you do not remove this tissue, your tooth becomes infected, which can lead to a dental abscess. At this point a filling cannot be done; only root canal therapy can save the tooth. Once Dr. Malcolm removes the nerve tissue, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to prevent further infection. The tooth is then ready for a crown to cover and protect it.

Dentures

Dentures are an affordable option to bridges and implants. Recommended for patients missing most or all of their natural teeth dentures are crafted from high quality, durable materials. Dentures are custom fitted and placed on the upper and or lower gums to replace missing teeth.

In some instances, dental implants can be used in conjunction with dentures to ensure a better fit. If you have no teeth and have been wearing dentures for a very long time, and are tired of loose, slipping dentures, implants with your denture can be the answer for you!

Oral Surgery

Dr. Malcolm offers oral surgery procedures to remove a tooth that is irreparably damaged or diseased. Please contact our office for more information on the oral surgery options available at Bright Smiles Family Dentistry.

Children’s Dentistry

Dr. Malcolm recognizes and respects the different dental needs of adults and children. Our office provides a positive environment for our youngest patients, so they are relaxed and comfortable under our care. We offer many preventive services such as sealants, fluoride treatments, and other services designed to fight plaque and prevent decay. Our objective is to instill healthy dental habits at a young age, so children are more likely to maintain good oral hygiene for the rest of their lives. We recommend you bringing your child to see us as early as two years old.

Emergency Dental Care

We do evaluate and treat emergency patients as our schedule permits. Waking up in the middle of the night with a dental emergency is never fun. We strongly advise for regular check ups and routine dental cleaning to prevent this from ever happening to you.

Visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more about emergency dental care.

Implant Restorations

Are you insecure about your smile because of a missing tooth? Implants look and feel like natural teeth and can be used to replace both single and multiple teeth. Consisting of a titanium post covered by a replacement tooth, it is a good option for patients who want a durable, long-term replacement for missing teeth. Implants can also act as a support structure for dental bridges or dentures in patients who are missing multiple teeth. Implants prevent the jaw from falling into disuse, the gums from receding, the surrounding teeth from shifting, and any potential bone loss, all of which occur when a missing tooth or multiple teeth are not replaced.

Bright Smiles Family Dentistry focuses on implant restorations. The type of implant you’ll receive depends on how many teeth will be replaced. For a single missing tooth, a crown made of ceramic or porcelain will be placed on top of the dental implant. For multiple missing teeth, implant-supported bridges or dentures, with one or more false teeth, may be used. After the initial preparation has been performed and you have healed, Dr. Malcolm will place and secure the implant, designed to blend with the other teeth. When the procedure is finished, you’ll have a healthier mouth and a natural-looking smile to show the world.

Bright Smiles Family Dentistry offers general dentistry services to keep smiles healthy and functional. Please contact our office if you’d like to schedule a cleaning or discuss bridges, crowns, or dentures with our staff.