Services

There are times when your dentist will recommend crowns. A crown or cap is a cosmetic procedure that entails using a metal and/or porcelain covering that is placed over the tooth surface, restoring strength and appearance. Crowns are needed when a filling is not enough to give tooth proper structure, to fix fractures, or lend support for bridges. Crowns improve the appearance and structure of the tooth. Crowns typically consist of two appointments. Impressions are made and sent to a local laboratory in order to create the custom crowns. For placement, the tooth will be numbed in order to remove any existing decay and to shape the tooth for the new crown. A temporary crown will be placed on the tooth to protect it while the new one is being made. It is important that care be taken with the temporary crown to avoid loosening. When the new crown arrives, the patient will return to the office for placement and fitting.

Another way to replace lost teeth, this permanent fixture is typically made of porcelain on top of metal that fits over existing teeth. Bridges are the solution to many of the same issues that implants are used for, and another option for patients, depending on their particular needs and circumstances.

Previously, silver or gold fillings were used. Now Composite resins can be used. The fillings are used to fix teeth that have been damaged by decay and/or fractures. The affected portion of the tooth will be removed and replaced with composite filling. They are attractive since they match existing teeth and with proper care last for many years. Fillings can be done during one appointment. Anesthesia is necessary in order to allow the dentist to remove decay and apply medication to further protect nerve endings. The filling is shaped and smoothed to ensure an authentic look and feel.

Don’t wait any longer. Call us today for an appointment and get closer to a healthy, beautiful smile!

Dentures are a removable option to replace missing teeth. They can be full appliances or partial. Natural, existing teeth may need to be prepared for dentures to fit properly. Immediate dentures are prepared in advance and put in once the teeth are removed. Adjustments for comfort and fit may need to be made once healing has occurred. After proper fit has been achieved, a patient’s smile is enhanced with easy-to-care for dentures.

We would like to be your dental provider in Jenison. Please call us with any questions you may have.

We’re here for you! Our office is available for emergency dentist appointments in Jenison and surrounding communities during our normal office hours. Same-day appointments are available if we receive your call prior to 3 pm in the afternoon.

Call as soon as you know you have a dental emergency. The sooner you receive attention for your problem, the better the outcome is likely to be.

NOTE: IF YOUR EMERGENCY OCCURS  during our off-hours, please call the number above, listen to the recording for our emergency phone number, and call right away.

Regardless of your symptoms or situation, if you feel you have a dental emergency, call us! We will be happy to listen and provide assistance as needed. 

Common Dental Emergencies

Toothache

If you have a severe toothache that requires emergency treatment, take an over-the-counter pain medicine that you know you are not allergic to (for example, Tylenol®) and call your dentist as soon as possible.

Loosened or Chipped tooth

Be careful not to bite down or apply any hard pressure to the loosened tooth. Use very light pressure with your finger to keep the tooth from moving around, and see your dentist immediately.

If your tooth is chipped or cracked, rinse your mouth with warm water and keep it clean until you reach the dentist. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the damage to the tooth. If you find the missing piece of tooth, wrap it in cloth soaked with warm water or saliva, and bring the piece with you (it’s possible it can be placed back in the tooth).

Knocked out Tooth

If you have a tooth completely knocked out, call your dentist right away. Getting treatment within an hour of the incident is vital to re-implanting the tooth. Be sure to do the following, prior to your emergency appointment:

• Recover the lost tooth
• Use water and rinse the tooth free of any debris present – be gentle with the tooth
• Keep the tooth moist! When traveling to your appointment you can hold the tooth in your mouth, between your cheek and gums, or wrap the tooth in a cloth soaked in warm salt water

What You Need To Know About Having A Tooth Extracted

At the office of Jenison Family Dentistry, our patients' care and well-being are our top priorities. Every member of our skilled and experienced team strives to ensure patient comfort and a stress-free dental experience. Our dedication to the consistent provision of compassionate and personalized attention along with gentle, precise care has earned our office the respect and trust of our patients.

While we do everything we can to preserve the integrity of your natural smile, it's sometimes necessary to extract a tooth to protect your oral health and overall well-being.

Some of the most common reasons our office may recommend having a tooth extracted include the following ones:

• A "baby" or deciduous tooth that is over retained (reluctant to fall out), severely decayed, or damaged
  In most cases, a baby tooth will fall out as scheduled as the underlying permanent one begins to erupt into place. However, occasionally a baby tooth continues to remain firmly attached to the bone. Either the roots of the baby tooth have failed to resorb and shrink as intended, or the baby tooth has become anklylosed and fused to the supporting bone. The problem is that over-retained baby teeth can disrupt the development and alignment of your child's smile. As we monitor your child's smile as they grow, we'll advise you if and when an extraction of a baby tooth is required to facilitate the eruption of its underlying permanent successor.
• A permanent tooth that has extensive decay and is deemed non-restorable
  Beginning as a simple pinpoint defect on the outermost enamel layer of your tooth, untreated dental decay will continue to compromise healthy tooth structure as it works its way to the inner layers of the tooth. Without proper care, a cavity can lead to significant damage to tooth structure, irreversible damage to the nerve of the tooth, a dental infection, and serious consequences to your oral health and overall well-being. When the tooth has sustained far too much structural damage and cannot be restored, a dental extraction may be required.
• A permanent tooth that has been severely fractured or cracked and can not be restored
  There are many different types of chips, cracks, and fractures that can affect your teeth. The extent of the damage that it causes will determine if there is enough intact tooth structure to save the tooth and the type of treatment required. In cases where too much tooth structure or the root of a tooth has also been compromised, an extraction may be necessary.
• Advanced gum disease that has significantly compromised the tooth's supporting tissues
  The most common cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease. When left untreated, periodontal disease, which affects the hard and soft tissues supporting your teeth, can lead to gingival pocket formation, gum recession, and diminishing alveolar bone. As advanced and untreated gum disease progresses, the teeth ultimately loosen, fall out, or require extractions.
• Poorly positioned, impacted, or decayed wisdom teeth
  Wisdom teeth, which are also known as the third molars, are the last permanent teeth to develop in the oral cavity and the final ones to come into place. However, as is often the case, many wisdom teeth do not have sufficient room to erupt, are not developing correctly, develop extensive decay, or cause issues for the adjacent teeth and the surrounding tissues. Although the extraction of wisdom teeth sometimes gets recommended for an older patient, the early removal of troublesome or potentially problematic third molars in young adults is more often the case.
• Overcrowded Teeth
  A tooth size to jaw size discrepancy often results in a crowded and misaligned smile. More simply put, the upper and lower jaws are not large enough to accommodate all the permanent teeth. As part of an orthodontic treatment plan to optimally align teeth and establish an attractive, healthy, and functional bite, the extraction of select permanent teeth may be required.

How is a tooth extraction performed?

Whatever the reasons for a dental extraction may be, you can rest assured that your care is in the best of hands at our office. As the first step in care, our dentist will review your medical and dental histories and discuss any special considerations in care.

It's essential to inform our office of any existing medical conditions or medications you are currently taking. In some situations, extra precautions, including premedication with antibiotics, a change in medication, and a medical clearance may be required. Follow all our pre-surgical directives and let us know if you are sick or have developed other symptoms on the day of surgery.

Our goal is to reduce any anxiety and help ensure patient comfort whenever a tooth extraction is necessary. In advance of the procedure, we'll discuss any medical considerations or precautions and go over our pre-surgical instructions. We'll also discuss post-surgical recommendations, including whether replacing the extracted tooth or teeth is needed and the best options in care.

To thoroughly assess the tooth and the type of extraction required, we perform a comprehensive examination and take digital radiographs as indicated. Extractions are typically categorized as either "simple" or "surgical extractions."

What Is A Simple Extraction?

When the tooth is clearly visible in the mouth and the root anatomy is not extensively hooked, fused to the surrounding bone, or otherwise unusual, it usually falls into the category of a simple extraction. Once the tooth and the surrounding tissues get sufficiently numbed with a local anesthetic, our dentist will loosen any attached periodontal tissues and apply forceps to remove the tooth. As with all dental procedures, we do all we can to help ensure your comfort and relaxation throughout every step in care. For patients who are anxious about dental work or certain procedures, we can discuss additional options in dental sedation.

What Is A Surgical Extraction?

For teeth that are severely broken down, anklylosed, or impacted, a surgical extraction is often indicated. We may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to perform this procedure. During a surgical extraction, a small incision in the soft tissues and localized, precise removal of overlying bone provides greater access to remove the tooth. As with all tooth extractions, patients are given a local anesthetic to completely numb the involved tooth and the surrounding tissues. Once again, additional options in dental sedation, pre-surgical considerations, and directives are thoroughly discussed and explained.

What To Do After Getting A Tooth Taken Out

As skilled and experienced providers of care, we recognize that every case is different and provide treatment that addresses the unique requirements of each patient. Depending on a patient's specific needs, we provide post-operative instructions, including special instructions, limitations on activities, medications, and follow-up care that support optimal recovery and healing. In some cases, post-op care may also include the involvement of a patient's physician. In general, and unless modified otherwise by our office, the following post-operative guidelines apply to simple extractions.

Post-Op Care Following An Extraction

1. Maintaining gauze pressure
   Following your extraction, some gauze to bite down on will be placed over the extraction site. By biting down and maintaining pressure on the gauze as instructed, any active bleeding should stop. You may change the gauze pad after the first hour. Continue to bite down for another 45 minutes if heavy oozing continues. While it's normal for a little oozing to continue for 24 hours, contact our office if you are still experiencing profuse oozing or bleeding.
2. Until the local anesthesia wears off
   Until the local anesthetic has completely worn off, it's essential to protect yourself from unintentionally biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue.
3. Take medications as prescribed
   
   • Antibiotics:
     If you have been given a prescription for antibiotics, be sure to take the correct dosage and full course of medication as prescribed.
   • Pain management:
     It's helpful to take a pain reliever before the local anesthetic completely wears off. Over-the-counter (non-aspirin) pain medication may be taken to relieve discomfort. Any prescription pain medication should only be taken as directed.
4. To facilitate healing
   Do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, or suck on candies. It's essential to allow the extraction site to clot and not dislodge the new clot once it has formed.
5. Applying ice
   An ice-pack held in place in the facial area overlying the extraction site helps to control swelling. Apply the ice for 10-minute intervals during the first day following your procedure.
6. Avoid smoking
   Smoking not only prevents clot formation, but it also interferes with healing. Avoid smoking and tobacco products for the first week.
7. Watch what you eat and drink
   Stay away from hot or spicy foods and drinks for the first day or two. Also, refrain from drinking any carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Stick with a diet of soft foods and liquids for the first couple of days following surgery. Drink plenty of fluids.
8. Oral hygiene
   Brush gently; it's essential to take great care not to disturb or irritate the extraction site for a few days. A very mild lukewarm saltwater solution can be used to freshen your mouth. Remember not to rinse or spit that first day or two. Simply let any liquids gently fall from your mouth into the sink.
9. An appointment for a follow-up visit
   If sutures (stitches) were placed, or if a complex extraction, an infection, or other issues requires a visit to monitor your healing and progress, you will be given an appointment for follow-up care. It's essential that you keep this appointment as provided.

If you experience continued bleeding, ongoing pain, more swelling, have a bad taste in your mouth, or other unusual symptoms, contact our office.

Why choose the office of Jenison Family Dentistry?

You deserve quality care that's personalized to meet your individual needs, and at the office of Jenison Family Dentistry, you can rest assured your smile is in the best of hands. We deliver precise and gentle care, keeping you informed and relaxed throughout your procedure. If your tooth needs to be replaced, we'll discuss your best options, including dentures, fixed bridges, and dental implants. As the most advanced method of tooth replacement available, dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of a natural smile.

An intraoral camera is a miniaturized camera that can take high-resolution images inside of the mouth and display them for viewing in real time on a computer screen. It is a pen-sized device that provides an up close, full-color and high-resolution view of the teeth and surrounding soft tissues.

An intraoral camera is a wonderful communication tool that allows the dentist to directly show a patient a close up view of every tooth and the nearby soft tissues. With this technology any areas of concern can be instantly displayed and discussed.

The intraoral camera can also capture individual images that can be saved as part of a patient's permanent record. These saved images can be reproduced when needed for use by other dental specialists, a dental laboratory, insurance companies, and others.

Chronic jaw clenching and grinding one’s teeth is called bruxism. While it can happen any time of day, it often occurs at night causing an individual to wake up with any number of symptoms including jaw pain, headaches, and sore teeth that may feel loose. Although, stress and anxiety are the most common causes of bruxism there may be other contributing factors such as a sleep disorder, an abnormal bite, as well as teeth that are missing or poorly aligned.

To alleviate the symptoms of bruxism, wearing a night guard while sleeping is frequently recommended. This appliance is designed to fit over the teeth and to keep the jaws slightly apart. Wearing a night guard prevents a number of damaging events, including muscle strain, excessive pressure on the jaw joint (the TMJ), and such dental damage as chipped or cracked teeth resulting from the teeth grinding against each other.

In addition to preventing damage to the soft and hard tissues surrounding the orofacial cavity, a custom night guard fabricated at the dental office can help curb a bruxism habit and give the wearer a better night’s sleep.

At the office of Jenison Family Dentistry, the health and development of your child's smile are our top priorities. Our goals are to help children establish a strong foundation for a lifetime of good oral health and experience the benefits of healthy, beautiful smiles.

Excellent Oral Health Begins With Good Oral Care

All parents want what's best for their families. When good oral care, including routine dental checkups, start at an early age, our office can closely monitor the development and health of your child's smile as they grow. It's essential to keep in mind that preventive care and timely treatment for any emerging dental issues not only helps to ensure ongoing oral health but also supports overall well-being, and contributes to a positive self-image.

You can rest assured that your child's smile is in the best of hands at our office! We provide gentle and precise care in an environment that's comfortable, warm, and engaging. At the office of Jenison Family Dentistry, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services designed to address the dental needs of children of all ages. Whether it's your little one's first trip to the dentist, a routine visit, treatment for a dental emergency, or more, we're well equipped to provide the care that's needed.

We take a proactive approach and emphasize the importance of dental prevention as the key to good oral health. We provide you and your child with the resources as well as the tools to establish an effective brushing and flossing routine and offer nutritional guidance and advice on potentially harmful oral habits. Our entire team strives to make each visit with your child a positive, informative, and beneficial experience.

The Importance Of Regular Checkups And Routine Care

Studies show that children and teens lose an estimated 51 million school hours each year to dental problems. To help your child maintain optimal oral health and a smile that's healthy and bright, we recommend dental checkups and cleanings twice a year.

As skilled and compassionate providers of care, we understand all aspects of dental development and are sensitive to the unique needs of children. At each periodic exam, a member of our professional team will review your child's medical and dental history and then perform a thorough clinical assessment of the teeth, gums, jaws, and the surrounding oral tissues. We'll also check your child's bite, jaw alignment, and function.

Because it's vital to see what's going on below the surface, we'll take digital radiographs as needed, to check for the presence of any cavities, or infection and to evaluate the position of your child's developing teeth and the health of jaw bone. We'll also perform a professional dental cleaning to eliminate any plaque or debris that has accumulated between the teeth or in hard to reach places.

Tooth Decay Is The Single Most Common Chronic Childhood Disease

At every stage of your child's development, we'll advise you on the most effective methods of keeping his or her teeth clean and discuss the foods, beverages, and harmful oral habits that can lead to problems. While it can be difficult sometimes to get children into a regular oral hygiene routine, we'll give you tips and advice on how to make brushing and flossing a fun part of their daily activities. As your trusted partner you can rely on the office of Jenison Family Dentistry to keep a close watch on your child's oral health and development.

By following these simple guidelines, you can help your child maintain optimal oral health and develop a positive attitude towards dental care:

• Establishing a dental partnership when your child is small
• Keeping your baby's and toddler's teeth clean
• Not allowing your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.
• Bringing your child to the dentist for routine checkups and care
• Leading by example and encouraging the recommended tooth brushing and flossing routine
• Promoting wise dietary choices and healthy snacking, including replacing sugary drinks with water and limiting sweets
• Providing supportive guidance to help your child put away their pacifier and stop thumb or finger sucking at the appropriate time
• Making sure your child wears a mouthguard when playing specific sports

Your Baby's Smile

Even before your child is born, your little one's first set of teeth is already forming. As a matter of fact, by the time your baby is a year old, some of the front teeth will have already emerged into place. For this reason, it's essential to establish an oral care routine at an early age. As per the recommendations of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents are encouraged to have their baby see the dentist around the time of their first birthday.

More On Dental Care For Children and Teens

Childhood is a time of incredible physical and emotional changes. As kids go through several stages of development, so do their teeth. Many things, including both genetic and environmental factors, contribute to the health and appearance of your child's smile. While some issues cannot be prevented, there's still a lot you can do to help ensure your child experiences optimal oral health and develops an attractive, functional smile. Our office will make sure your children are instructed in the best methods for caring for their teeth and will provide them with useful, age-appropriate information on following a healthy diet as well as make them aware of which oral habits and activities may be harmful to their teeth and overall well being.

Assessing Facial Growth And Dental Development

In addition to checking for the presence of dental disease, we also monitor your child's facial growth, jaw development, and alignment of their smile. If orthodontic treatment is indicated, we'll advise you of our recommendations for care. Since many children and teens wear braces, paying extra attention to what they eat and how they maintain their oral hygiene is of the utmost importance.

Good nutrition is essential for a healthy smile

Beyond good oral hygiene and routine dental care, a balanced, nutritious diet is essential for a healthy smile in a growing child. Sticky, sugary foods and drinks are not only harmful to children's oral health but also detrimental to their overall well-being. A diet rich in nutrients is critical for optimal growth and development and keeping the teeth and gums strong.

Periodontal disease is a dental issue that effects a large portion of the population. It is a disease that causes pockets or spaces in the gum tissue, allowing bacteria to enter. The build up of plaque causes the gums to become inflamed and form these pockets. Normal brushing cannot reach this build up and over time the pockets continue to get deeper. Symptoms may include bad breath, red and puffy gums, bleeding gums and loose or sensitive teeth.

Diagnosis

Gingivitis is the beginning stages of periodontal disease. Bleeding when brushing is a sign of this, as is inflammation and tenderness. Your dentist will measure between the tooth and gums to determine the depth of any pockets that may be present.

Treatment

Gingivitis and periodontal disease must be treated to prevent further destruction of teeth, gums, and bone, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Depending on the extent of the disease, a deep cleaning and scaling will be recommended and will typically be done with local numbing. When the build up has been removed from below the gum line, the tissue will heal in a short time.

Maintenance

Follow-up appointments with your dentist will be recommended to keep an eye on the healing progress. Medicated rinses, consistent flossing and using an electric toothbrush are some of the home treatments suggested. We will discuss a thorough in-home follow-up care program for you.

Please Call Us Today

We’ll be happy to discuss your situation and recommend the most effective treatment options in the Jenison area.

Your first visit to our Jenison office will include a thorough dental exam by the dentist in order to make an initial assessment. A preventative plan will be recommended, where you will come in for regular check-ups to include

Cleaning and Polishing

The cleaning will consist of removal of tartar, which has hardened on the teeth over time, along with the sticky plaque that has formed over the teeth. Plaque is a formation of bacteria and build up that will eventually cause inflammation. The dental instruments and techniques we use will safely remove this build up, followed by a polishing that removes stains and enhances the cleaning.

Gum Evaluation and Treatment

Your gums and the bone supporting your teeth will be checked for disease.

Oral Cancer Screening

The lips, tongue, throat, neck and gums are examined for any possible signs of oral cancer.

Digital X-Rays

A full set of SAFE dental x-rays are performed and are crucial for giving the dentist information such as state of bone loss (if any), development deviations, abscesses, teeth coming in at the wrong position, tumors and other issues hiding within the teeth and gums. Early detection is important in treating many oral health issues

Investigation of Existing Work

Checking current crowns, bridges, fillings, etc. are done to check for any damage or need for replacement.

Restoring Your Beautiful Smile!

Preventative measures will always need to be part of a dental oral health plan. In circumstances where damage has already been done however, more intensive procedures may be needed to bring teeth back to their healthy appearance and operation. Our staff will keep you informed on the options that will relieve pain, repair damage, improve your bite and get you back to normal function and look.

A root canal may be needed to relieve severe pain or sensitivity caused by extensive decay. Many times an infection is present. The affected tissue needs to be removed, and the nerve canal reshaped and filled with a special material and finally sealed and crowned to help prevent future infection.

Every year millions of cases of dental and facial injuries occur as the result of sport-related trauma. While all sports have some risk of oral injury, it is especially prevalent in recreational activities that involve frequent body contact with other players or the ground, as well as the possibility of being struck by other objects such as, balls, bats, or sticks.

One way to significantly reduce the risk of damage to your teeth, cheeks, lips, tongue, face, or jaw as the result of a sports-related injury is to wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard is a removable appliance made of a sturdy plastic that sits comfortably over your teeth. Typically, mouthguards are designed to cover just the top teeth but may also be fabricated to include the lower teeth as well depending on your particular situation. Individuals who wear braces or have some types of dental work may require a specific type of mouthguard that provides more coverage.

There are three types of sports mouthguards on the market, including pre-formed and ready to wear stock mouthguards, boil and bite mouthguards, and custom mouthguards fabricated by your dentist. Our office will help you to select just the right sports mouthguard to protect your smile. While the first two choices offer some level of protection, the best and most comfortable mouthguards to safeguard your smile are the ones individually designed and customized by your dentist.

Over time many things can cause your teeth to lose their whiteness – smoking, consumption of coffee and other dark beverages and just normal wear and tear can cause teeth to appear yellowed or stained. Whitening is an inexpensive and safe option to bring back their brightness. Whitening has become a very popular cosmetic procedure for enhancing smiles, with the benefit of being a relatively inexpensive cosmetic dental treatment. Home whitening kits are typically the preferred way of whitening. With this option, the dental patient is responsible for using the solution consistently until they see the desired whiteness. Impressions are made of teeth so that the whitening trays used in-home are custom fit for the patient. The whitening solution will be put into these trays and worn for specific periods of time. Wearing the trays periodically will help in maintaining the results once the desired whitening is achieved.

Porcelain veneers may be a recommended treatment by your dentist, and are a beautiful option for creating the smile you’ve always wanted. Veneers consist of very thin sheets of porcelain that are attached to the front of the teeth, improving shape, size and color. With the first step of the process, the existing teeth are buffed and shaped and an impression is taken. The specific color that will be used is also chosen. With the second step, bonding adhesive will be used to attach the veneer to the teeth and a light beam will set the adhesive.