General Dentistry

If we find an abnormality, your dentist may perform a biopsy (remove some cells for testing) or refer you to a mouth cancer specialist.

When a tooth is damaged or decayed, restorative dentistry fixes it.

All of the restorations we provide – fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns – are metal-free and biocompatible, with testing available to make sure any materials we use are a good match for your personal biochemistry and not apt to cause a reaction or trigger any sensitivities. We favor BPA-free composites and ceramic (zirconia) for restoring teeth.

Lasers allow Dr. Larry and Dr. Trevor to precisely remove decay while simultaneously disinfecting the area in preparation for restoration. This precision also means that more of your natural tooth structure can be preserved.

Ozone is also used to disinfect the prepared tooth, along with homeopathics to support healing.

The simplest type of restoration is a filling, in which a prepared tooth is filled with composite that is then cured with a special light, making it super hard. Modern composites are extremely strong and durable, and can last for many, many years before needing to be built-up or replaced (as all fillings eventually do).

When your tooth is too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough to require a crown, an inlay or onlay may be placed instead. Inlays fit within the outer edges of a tooth, while onlays cover at least one of the tooth cusps. Unlike fillings, inlays and onlays are made outside the mouth, in a dental lab, so they require two appointments to complete: one to prepare the tooth and take digital impressions for the lab, and one to cement the restoration.

A crown replaces the whole top of your decayed or damaged tooth. This type of restoration is also made in a dental lab, so it requires a couple of appointments, as well: one to prepare the tooth and take digital impressions for the lab, and one to cement the restoration.

While inlays, onlays, and crowns can be made of any number of materials, we prefer zirconia (ceramic), as it is broadly biocompatible and exceptionally strong, almost as durable as your natural tooth enamel.

Gingivitis – early stage gum disease – is reversible and can be treated with regular professional cleanings, good home hygiene, and nutritional improvements. Left untreated, though, it can develop into periodontitis, which can cause severe damage to both the gums and supporting bone, eventually resulting in tooth loss.

Desert Valley Dentistry provides both conventional and laser gum therapy that can help keep damage to a minimum.

Typical treatment includes scaling and root planing under local anesthetic, cleaning the hard-to-reach areas where harmful bacteria thrive, along the gum line and roots of the tooth. The cleaning is typically done with a combination of hand tools, an ultrasonic scaler, and/or dental laser.

The periodontal pockets may then be irrigated with ozone gas for further disinfection. Medications or homeopathic remedies may also be applied.

Patients who suffer from persistent jaw pain, tension headaches, or worn teeth may have dysfunction in their temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These are the joints where your upper jaw meets your lower jaw.

When these joints are misaligned and your bite is off, your ability to speak, chew, swallow and even breathe may be affected. Other TMD symptoms include clicking, popping and grating sounds from the jaw and muscle pain throughout the upper body.

Anywhere from 20 to 30% of adults experience TMD, and it’s more common in women and adults under age 40. Common causes of TMD include bruxing (habitual clenching and grinding, often during sleep), injury, arthritis, stress and anxiety, or jaw misalignment.

Once Dr. Larry or Dr. Trevor has diagnosed TMD, he will develop a personalized treatment plan that works in conjunction with your existing dental lifestyle. Therapies may include

• Managing pain with a special diet.
• Stretching exercises.
• Anti-inflammatory medications.
• Botox.

Another option is prolozone therapy, in which the doctor injects a blend of ozone, procaine, homeopathics, and other medicaments into the jaw joints or at pain sites or trigger points associated with your TMD pain. This supports the regeneration of damaged joints and other tissues and reduces inflammation. While a series of treatments is necessary for greatest success, pain relief with prolozone therapy is almost immediate.