Procedures

Mercury Removal
Dr. Helm uses The WAND for all anesthetic injections, making this a virtually painless procedure. The Wand is basically a computer-controlled dental injection. The flow rate of the local anesthetic is controlled by a computer. This means the injection is certain to be slow and steady; therefore more comfortable.
Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas” is offered to our patients. Laughing gas inhalation is highly effective in the management of mild to moderate levels of dental anxiety. It also is an excellent technique used for patients who are extreme gaggers; laughing gas generally eliminates or minimizes gagging in most patients.             

One way to enhance your smile is to remove the unsightly, unhealthy mercury fillings. Mercury fillings weaken teeth over time. We strongly recommend that all of our patients have their silver/mercury fillings removed and replaced with a composite resin filling. The natural, tooth colored resin filling, is much safer and stronger. Rubber dams and oxygen are available for this procedure. The mercury is removed and replaced with the resin material which is “cured” with a plasma arc light.

After Mercury Removal

Crown & Bridge
Crowns (caps) and bridges are “fixed” prosthetics that help restore damaged or missing teeth. Dr. Helm offers metal free crowns and bridges made entirely of porcelain to enhance the health and beauty of your smile. If is crown is needed, the tooth is “prepped” at the initial appointment. This involves cutting down and preparing the tooth for the crown. An impression of the prepared tooth is taken and a temporary crown is made. The impression is then sent to the dental lab to have the crown fabricated. A follow-up appointment, three weeks from the initial appointment, is needed to have the permanent crown delivered.             

A bridge replaces a missing tooth; therefore, the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth will be prepared in the same way a crown would be prepped. A “false” tooth is adhered between the adjacent crowns forming a bridge. An impression is taken and a temporary bridge is made to wear until the permanent bridge is received from the lab.

Extractions
It is our goal to exhaust every option and use several techniques in order to save a tooth. In the event that a tooth cannot be saved, a removal may be scheduled. Our office offers routine and surgical extraction procedures. In a routine extraction, no complications are expected before or after the procedure. A local anesthetic is administered and the tooth is removed with an oral surgery instrument. Surgical extractions are usually performed for 3rd molar (wisdom teeth) removal. This procedure is more complex and will involve making an incision into the gum and gently pulling it away from the tooth to be removed. Sutures, or stitches, will be placed until the gum tissue is healed.             

Chairside and lab made Veneers
Our office provides both lab-made and chairside veneers. Veneers can be made of composite resin or porcelain and are custom made to fit your teeth; covering unsightly gaps, staining, and cracked teeth. Before a veneer is placed, the tooth has to be prepped. This involves removing a slight portion of front surface of the tooth so the veneer will bond to the tooth.     

After Veneers  

Bruxism/teeth grinding appliances
Dr. Helm offers several options for the prevention of grinding/clenching teeth, which can lead to jaw problems. If a patient is waking up most mornings with a sore jaw, he or she is probably grinding or clenching their teeth during sleep. Dr. Helm can make an appliance that either covers all of the upper teeth or just the upper front teeth. These appliances keep the teeth from being able to close together; therefore protecting them from grinding against the lower teeth. These two appliances are made “in office” during the appointment and are custom fitted to your mouth.             

Root Canals
The most common factors contributing to the need for a root canal include: (1)trauma, such as a physical blow to the tooth, (2) physical irritation caused by deep decay or a very large filling and (3)severe gum disease.             

If it is determined through an x-ray that root canal therapy is needed, medication and antibiotics may be prescribed to aid in healing and reduce swelling. A series of appointments will be needed to complete treatment. During the procedure, the diseased pulp is removed from the tooth and the canal is cleaned. Depending on the individual case, the canal will be permanently filled and sealed. Some cases may require medication be placed in the tooth to control bacteria and reduce infection. A temporary filling will be placed in the tooth until the next appointment. After completing the root canal, the tooth will either need a permanent filling or crown.

Dentures & partial dentures
Our office offers full custom dentures and partial dentures to replace missing teeth. When several teeth are missing, the remaining ones can drift and change positions. A partial denture fills in those spaces and enhances your smile. It also helps with chewing and talking. A denture is needed if all of the teeth are missing due to disease, decay or trauma. A denture will aid in chewing, speaking and will also fill out the mouth and keep the jaw muscles from sagging. Both procedures require several appointments to take the needed impressions and to ensure a custom fit from the lab.             

Bleaching
We offer “take-home” custom made bleaching splints to restore your smile to its natural beauty. During the initial appointment, an impression is taken of your mouth. Custom trays are made in our office that will fit over your upper and lower teeth. At the follow-up appointment, the trays are fitted and the take home bleaching kit is dispensed. We use the Sapphire Professional Home Whitening System which contains either 22% or 32% carbamide peroxide.       

  Before / After  

Sapphire Chairside Whitening System
The chairside whitening system is performed by our dental hygienist. This procedure involves the use of the Sapphire Light in conjunction with the whitening gel. The hygienist places the gel on the teeth and then the teeth are exposed to the light. This only requires one appointment. The patient has the option of getting the custom trays made for an occasional at home “boost” to their chairside bleaching.