Common Procedures

At Woodland Dental Center, you can be assured that you are receiving the best dental treatment possible from a team that truly has your best interests in mind. We take a comprehensive look at your oral health, as there is rarely only one option for dental treatment. This allows you to take control of your oral health by choosing the dental treatments that are right for you, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Our Puyallup dentists, Dr. Ryan Hanks & Dr. Cameron Stroyan, perform a wide variety of dental procedures. In order to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and best possible outcomes, we utilize state-of-the-art equipment and materials, including digital X-rays, 3D X-rays, implants, digital charting, CEREC® same-day crowns/veneers, same-day root canals and crowns, and laser dentistry.

Regular Exams and Cleanings

Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:

Your regular exam will take about 45 minutes. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, in which we will clean, polish, and rinse your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth’s surface.

Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to talk to the dentist about any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.

Bonding

Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your tooth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.

Tooth bonding can also be used for tooth fillings instead of silver amalgam. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than silver. Bonding fillings can be used on front or back teeth, depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.

Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and can usually be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments, such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, tell your dentist. The bonding can generally be easily patched or repaired in one visit.

Bridges

A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite.

A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.

The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.

Crowns

Restore your smile with crowns from Woodland Dental Center!

Dental crowns are a good option for many teeth that are missing a significant portion of natural tooth structure due to fractures, decay, cracks, root canals, existing fillings, or other causes. During your visit, an exam and X-rays will be done to determine whether or not a tooth could benefit from a crown.

Dental crowns (or “caps”) are one of the strongest restorations used in dentistry. The porcelain they are made from is durable, and similar in strength and appearance to natural teeth.

Crowns from our Puyallup WA dentists can be completed in just one two-hour visit using our CEREC® technology and in-office porcelain milling machine. We research and utilize only the best, strongest materials available. It is our goal to make your visit as pleasant and painless as possible.

Pediatric Dentist Puyallup

Dentures

Dentures are necessary when it is no longer healthy to have the natural teeth in place. This can be due to periodontal disease, trauma, or decay. If you have a history of painful, loose, or broken teeth, dentures might be the right choice for you.

There are two types of dentures available at Woodland Dental Center: full and partial. Full dentures replace all of the natural teeth on one or both arches. Partial dentures are a combination of false teeth while maintaining as many natural teeth as possible.

Dentures can be completed in as little as two appointments at our Puyallup, WA dental office. The first appointment is for impressions and the second for the delivery of the denture. After you’ve received your dentures, it’s a good idea to be seen every six months to ensure that they still fit properly.

At your new-patient examination we will review past medical/dental history and take appropriate X-rays. If dentures are the right option for you, our financial coordinator will review all of the included costs so there are no surprises once treatment has started.

Whether you choose full or partial dentures, they will require diligent care. Clean your dentures with the brush provided by our office. They should be brushed each night and left out of the mouth while sleeping. To prevent your dentures from drying out, soak them overnight in denture soak.

Learn more about dentures from Woodland Dental Center by scheduling an appointment at our Puyallup office!

Extractions

There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth at risk of decay, so your dentist may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.

When it is determined that a tooth needs to be removed, your dentist may extract the tooth during a regular checkup or may request another visit for this procedure. The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a “tooth socket,” and your tooth is held in that socket by a ligament. In order to extract a tooth, your dentist must expand the socket and separate the tooth from the ligament holding it in place. While this procedure is typically very quick, it is important to share with your dentist any concerns or preferences for sedation.

Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth.

Fillings

Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include gold, porcelain, or composite. Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are typically used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are fillings placed into a prepared cavity in a single visit. Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. These fillings include inlays, and veneers fabricated with ceramics or composites.

Implant Restoration

If you are missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. When teeth are missing, your mouth can shift and even cause your face to look older. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime!

An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: one part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. With implant treatment, you can smile confidently knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.

In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so you have a more natural-looking smile.

Fluoride

Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay and in preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A fluoride treatment in your dental office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health or your dentist’s recommendation, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months.

Mouthguards

Whether you wear braces or not, protecting your smile while playing sports is essential. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of full-contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouthguard. Choosing the right mouthguard is essential. There are three basic types of mouthguards: the pre-made mouthguard, the “boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard, and a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist. When you choose a mouthguard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent you from breathing properly. Your dentist can show you how to wear a mouthguard properly and how to choose the right mouthguard to protect your smile.

Nightguards

If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism.” Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.

There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: nightguards. Nightguards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that teeth-grinding causes over time. Custom-made by your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, a nightguard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth.

Root Canals

In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you’d probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called “root canal treatment,” your tooth can be saved. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can not only injure your jawbones, but it is also detrimental to your overall health.

Root canal treatment involves one to three visits. During treatment, your general dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes in problems with the nerves of the teeth) removes the affected tissue. Next, the interior of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed. Finally, the tooth is filled with a dental composite. If your tooth has extensive decay, your dentist may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breaking. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.

Sealants

Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. It is difficult for your toothbrush to get in-between the small cracks and grooves on your teeth. If left alone, those tiny areas can develop tooth decay. Sealants give your teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.

Dental sealants are plastic resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on your tooth’s surface. When a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.

Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal “permanent” teeth rather than “baby” teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.

Sealants last from three to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealants come off, let your dentist know, and schedule an appointment for your teeth to be re-sealed.

Veneers

Veneers are a thin shell of porcelain bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are a good option for several types of dental issues:

Veneers are an excellent way to enhance your smile and help build confidence and self-esteem. They can also help to protect or repair teeth from cracks or sensitivity. Today’s porcelain materials are very aesthetic and make your smile look very natural.

Depending on the number of teeth being treated, veneers at Woodland Dental Center typically take between two to four hours. The final veneers can even be cemented the same day using our CEREC® technology, and no temporaries are needed.

Pediatric Dentist Puyallup

While veneers are stain-resistant, Dr. Stroyan may recommend that you avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain the beauty of your new smile. There is a wide range in longevity of veneers, but with proper home care, veneers can usually last between 15-20 years, or more!

When getting veneers at our Puyallup dental office, you can be assured that the treatment will be done gently, precisely, and with your best interests in mind. It is our goal to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible throughout the process, and help you end up with the best smile possible.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are types of molars found in the very back of your mouth. They usually appear in the late teens or early twenties, but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and even gum disease.

Wisdom teeth are typically removed in the late teens or early twenties because there is a greater chance that the teeth’s roots have not fully formed and the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense. These two factors can make extraction easier as well as shorten the recovery time.

In order to remove a wisdom tooth, your dentist first needs to numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. Since the impacted tooth may still be under the gums and imbedded in your jaw bone, your dentist will need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. In order to minimize the amount of bone that is removed with the tooth, your dentist will often “section” your wisdom tooth so that each piece can be removed through a small opening in the bone. Once your wisdom teeth have been extracted, the healing process begins. Depending on the degree of difficulty related to the extraction, healing time varies. Your dentist will share with you what to expect and provide instructions for a comfortable, efficient healing process.