- Dental ExaminationPeriodontal disease, or simply known as gum disease, is an inflammatory condition of the gums and the periodontal tissues that surround the teeth. At Dental Care South, Tuscaloosa’s trusted family dentistry, diagnosing periodontal disease is as simple as getting a periodontal examination during your regular dental check-up!
- X-raysThe improvements start from the very first stages of the treatment process: imaging. Normal digital dental x-rays are only capable of providing a relatively blurry, low-resolution image of the teeth and jaw that often warps and distorts at various points in the image. A skilled doctor can use these images to properly plan treatment, but it’s still less than ideal.
- Oral Cancer Screening
- Teeth CleaningGingivitis is easily treated and reversible through a solid combination of home care and professional dental cleanings. A combination of antibiotics and medicated mouthwashes may be used to kill any remaining bacteria and promote the healing of these pockets.
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride incorporates into the enamel of teeth, making the enamel harder and more resistant to decay. Although there is a small amount of fluoride in toothpastes and in some drinking water supplies, our dentist can apply a higher concentration to your child’s teeth for maximum protection.
- Dental SealantsDr. Skalnik recommends placement of sealants on permanent molars and occasionally premolars depending on anatomy. Sealants can be placed on children ages 4-14, ideally within 6 months of the permanent tooth coming in.
- Space MaintainersShould your child lose a baby teeth prematurely, space maintainers can be fixed to the inside of his or her mouth to retain your child’s bite and healthy tooth alignment until the missing permanent tooth grows in.
- FillingsThe simple answer is yes, dental fillings are safe! The Food and Drug Administration and other organizations of the U.S. Public Health Service continue to investigate the safety of the amalgams used in dental fillings, and while currently there is no valid scientific evidence that shows that amalgams cause harm to patients with dental fillings, we do not use amalgam fillings in our practice. Rather, we focus on tooth colored composite fillings.
- Resin CompositeStrength – Tooth-colored resin composite fillings actually bond to a patient’s teeth far better than silver or amalgam. The resin composite is actually able to restore the affected tooth’s strength up to 90 percent, which is stronger than traditional metal fillings.
- Gold RestorationsAlternatives to amalgam, such as cast gold restorations, porcelain, and composite resins are more expensive. Gold and porcelain restorations take longer to make and can require two appointments. Composite resins, or white fillings, are esthetically appealing, but require a longer time to place.
- VeneersVeneers are an ultra-thin, custom-made porcelain shell that is put on the front surface of teeth. They are cosmetic in nature, meaning that they will improve the appearance of your smile. Dental veneers are carefully made specifically for you, and are later bonded to the front of the teeth.
- CrownsA dental crown is a permanent covering that fits over a decayed, damaged, or cracked tooth. Because of its full coverage, dental crowns can be used even if your damaged tooth is missing a significant amount of structure above the gum line. Crowns are typically made from a porcelain or ceramic material and are matched to your tooth’s natural color to make sure that they blend in perfectly with your teeth.
- BridgesMissing teeth no longer have to plague your smile. At Dental Care South, our skilled cosmetic dentist utilizes dental bridges to fill gaps with new, permanent replacement teeth.
- Dental BondingIt’s only natural for a person to want to have a great-looking smile. After all, a smile is often one of the first things that others will notice about us. Unfortunately, not everyone has the smile that they desire. For some of these people, their teeth just aren’t as beautiful as they once were. Teeth can tend to chip, crack, discolor, or just plain wear down over time. Thankfully, as your trusted provider of dental care in Tuscaloosa, we at Dental Care South are capable of providing cosmetic bonding to bring the luster back to your smile!
- Restorative DentistryDental Care South is the trusted family dentistry practice for Tuscaloosa, AL. We provide dental expertise in many areas, including periodontal disease and restorative dentistry. Contact our team today to learn more.
- Root Canal TreatmentRoot canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root.
- Deep CleaningProfessional Hygiene Appointments: One of our dental hygienists will carefully clean your teeth using specialized instruments, providing a thorough, deep cleaning.
- DenturesDentures are removable dental appliances used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and enhance your smile.
- Dental ImplantsWhether you are looking for a family dentist for your bi-annual exams & professional hygiene appointments or need a skilled dentist to replace missing teeth with Tuscaloosa, AL dental implants, you can be assured that you will receive top-notch dental care provided by a friendly team of dental professionals who love what they do!
- Oral SurgerySome dental procedures, such as tooth extractions and oral surgery, may call for our office to prescribe medications before or after a procedure. These medications are used to prevent or fight an infection, or to relieve any post-operative discomfort and pain.
- Jaw SurgeryWith jaw surgery, rubber bands, tiny wires, metal braces, screws or plates are often used to keep a fractured jaw in place following surgery. This allows the bone to heal and stay in proper alignment. Dental splints or dentures may also be required to supplement the healing process following jaw surgery.
- Maxillofacial SurgeryIf a traumatic injury involves a broken facial bone such as the jaw, nose, chin or cheek, maxillofacial surgery may be required.
- Tooth ExtractionsPeriodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is an infection of the structures surrounding the teeth. It can begin with inflammation and possible bleeding of the gums, and if left untreated it can damage your gums and jawbone, possibly requiring tooth extraction to resolve the issue. Periodontal disease may also affect more than just your teeth and the structures surrounding them. Studies have shown periodontal disease has been linked to other health problems like atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Bone GraftingThere are many types of treatments associated with gum disease/periodontal disease. Some of these restorative treatments include dental implants, bone grafting, and gum grafting (as well as tooth crown lengthening and tooth extraction).
- OrthodonticsDental insurance is used to pay for dental procedures such as fillings, root canal therapy, crowns, dentures, and orthodontics. The amount your dental insurance covers varies depending on the coverage type and the provider you’ve picked. At Dental Care South, we understand that there are many different types of dental insurance that you can choose from, so we’ve made it easy for our patients to have a better idea of the providers we work with.
- BracesPeople with painful gum disease or highly sensitive gums may find water picks useful for supplementing their brushing regimen. People with orthodontia, including braces, have found water picks quite useful because toothbrush bristles often get stuck.
- Teeth WhiteningAt Dental Care South, it’s our goal to use our high-quality dental treatments to give all of our patients in and around Tuscaloosa, AL as healthy of a smile as possible. One of the first things that comes to mind when a person thinks about a healthy smile is a set of bright, white teeth. Unfortunately, our teeth will begin to fade and discolor over time as we age, usually because of the foods that we eat. However, as your trusted Tuscaloosa dentist, we’re able to use our Zoom Whitening procedure to reverse this process and help you get your smile back to being as bright and white as ever.
- Cosmetic DentistryAt Dental Care South, we are beyond proud of the smiles that we create. Dr. Skalnik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, which looks to improve the look and function of a person’s smile. See some amazing results below & schedule an appointment for a complimentary cosmetic consultation if you feel you could benefit from cosmetic dentistry!
- General DentistryBaby boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouth that should signal alarms about their overall health. According to a survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry, 63 percent of baby boomers (ages 45-64) with an oral symptom considered to be a key indicator of a more serious health condition, were unaware of the symptom`s link to the condition. Boomers` failure to recognize that oral health holds valuable clues could negatively impact their overall health.