Family Dentistry
The first level of defense against dental problems
Considered to be the first level of defense against dental problems and abnormalities, family dentistry is viewed primarily as preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry refers to the practice of helping patients maintain good oral hygiene. It consists of routine check-ups, instructing patients on how to care for their teeth at home, and standard dental care procedures like cleanings and cavity fillings.
The American Dental Association recommends visiting your family dentist for a checkup at least twice a year. One visit every six months can greatly aid a patient in maintaining his or her oral health, as having a dentist evaluate the integrity and health of the patient’s mouth helps prevent small issues from becoming serious ones.
What Does Family Dentistry Include?
Smiles for All Ages: Exploring Family Dentistry
Dr. Miller provides services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health for a wide range of patients, from young children to the elderly. What services can you expect from family dentistry?
Routine Exams and Oral Cleanings
Elevate Oral Health with Routine Care
Routine examinations are essential when it comes to maintaining a patient’s oral health for children and adults alike.
During a standard care visit, a dental hygienist will perform a routine oral cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the patient’s teeth. From there, Dr. Miller will perform a full examination of the patient’s mouth to determine his or her current level of oral health.
Depending on the patient’s needs, Dr. Miller may recommend and perform additional care procedures, including fluoride treatments, dental X-rays, and oral cancer screenings.
Pediatric Dentistry
Building Healthy Habits
Pediatric dentistry caters to children from infancy to adolescence and it is one of the core focuses of family dentistry. As with other family dentistry focuses, pediatric dentistry includes a wide range of services aimed to enhance the oral health of young patients.
Pediatric dentistry involves preventive care services such as comprehensive dental examinations, routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, cavity detection and treatment, and parent education. Each step of the pediatric care process aims to encourage effective oral health practices that young people can take with them into adulthood.
Airway Evaluations
A Breath of Fresh Life
While Dr. Miller performs a variety of procedures geared toward maintaining a patient’s teeth, preventive and family practices don’t end there. She also performs thorough airway evaluations designed to assess the health and integrity of a patient’s airway and oral structures.
Structural issues associated with the mouth and airway can impede a patient’s ability to breathe properly, which can negatively affect his or her overall health throughout life. Malformations of the mouth or airway can lead to sleep-disordered breathing, for example, which can greatly interfere with a patient’s holistic health when left untreated. Sleep-disordered breathing can also exacerbate ADHD symptoms, as these breathing disorders hinder the brain and body’s ability to get proper rest.
Airway evaluations and examinations of a patient’s oral structures can help shed light on his or her current health condition, which enables Dr. Miller to recommend and perform the right treatment options for the patient’s unique needs.
Tooth Extractions
Seamless Smiles Begin Here
Keeping a patient’s teeth intact is ideal, but extractions are necessary in some cases. For example, if the tooth has experienced extreme decay, an infection, severe gum disease, or trauma, an extraction might be necessary. In other cases, it may be recommended to remove wisdom teeth, especially if they’re impacted, so that they do not cause the patient oral health concerns later in life.
Dental X-Rays
Cutting-Edge X-Rays for Informed Decisions
Dental X-rays offer a wealth of information beyond routine examinations. They are instrumental in uncovering sources of issues that may evade detection during a routine examination. This includes identifying hidden oral infections, locating impacted teeth, or revealing cavities around a tooth's root that might otherwise remain unnoticed during a visual inspection. These detailed images help Dr. Miller and her team make precise diagnoses and implement targeted treatment plans, ensuring the highest standard of oral care for their patients.
Invisalign
A Clear Path to Your Best Smile
Family dentistry also involves the process of realigning crooked teeth through corrective measures like Invisalign. This alignment option utilizes a series of clear aligner trays that patients wear in their mouths for a certain length of time before switching to the next tray in the series. Each tray moves the patient’s teeth a small amount, much like braces, but many patients prefer Invisalign due to the fact that this treatment option is largely invisible. This means patients can straighten their teeth without all of the hassles that come with traditional braces.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Prioritize Your Well-Being
Oral cancer screenings are crucial for early detection and treatment. They play a vital role in preventive care examinations, helping identify potential issues before they escalate, ultimately enhancing overall oral health for Dr. Miller’s patients.
Your Family's Dental Journey
Celebrating Your Family's Dental Wellness
Family dentistry is an essential part of maintaining the health and well-being of entire families. If you’re in the Fairbanks area, reach out to Golden Heart Dental to schedule a an appointment for each member of your household.
Request Appointment
At Golden Heart Dental, we make it convenient to plan your visit. Schedule online or call us at 907-328-0868 to request an appointment time that fits your busy schedule. We can't wait to see you.