General Dentistry
Our dental team has a passion for cosmetic dentistry, but we believe general and preventative dentistry are equally important in helping our patients maintain a healthy mouth. With the latest dental technology and our Encinitas dentists’ extensive experience, our goal is to create a relaxing, professional office environment and a positive experience for every visit.
“It is always a pleasure to come to the office. It is the perfect combination of professionalism and comfort.”
At Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer individualized dental treatment tailored to each patient’s dental needs and goals. We provide care for the whole family so healthy oral hygiene habits can be established from the very first dental visit. Dr. Cathy Santone and Dr. Megan Dietz recommend routine oral exams to prevent dental emergencies, such as lost fillings, fractured teeth, and painful gums.
- Dental Cleanings
- Tooth-Colored Mercury-Free Fillings
- Dental Crowns
- Anesthetic Reversal (OraVerse™)
- Night Guards & Mouth Guards
- Dental Sealants
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- Laser-Assisted Periodontal Care
Tooth-Colored Composite Fillings
Our mercury-free fillings can be a safe, effective way to restore a tooth after a cavity and protect the enamel from further decay. In contrast with older metal amalgam fillings, our eco-friendly practice uses tooth-colored composite to not only preserve the aesthetics of your smile, but also reduce hazardous environmental waste disposal. Tooth-colored composite fillings cancel the risk of amalgam expanding and contracting with temperature changes, which can potentially result in cracked teeth. They also require less tooth preparation than metal restorations, allowing you to reinforce your tooth while preserving more of your natural enamel!
Gum and Periodontal Care
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that can pose a major risk to your oral and overall health. When left untreated, gum disease can cause painful symptoms such as bleeding, swelling, and loose teeth, as well as potentially serious systemic health consequences. Our dentists can treat periodontal disease with laser therapy, which offers a less invasive technique to restore your oral health than traditional gum disease procedures. With cutting-edge BIOLASE® dental lasers, Dr. Santone and Dr. Dietz can use laser periodontal treatment to rid your mouth of diseased tissue, cleanse the gums of infection, and sterilize the gum pockets of bacteria.
Dental Restorations and Crowns
Dental crowns, function like tooth “caps,” enabling them to conceal dental imperfections such as misshapen, misaligned, or discolored teeth. Since they completely envelop the tooth, crowns can also provide coverage and protection for damaged or structurally compromised teeth, in addition to enhanced comfort and aesthetics. In cases where existing crowns display black lines near the gums, our metal-free crowns present a remarkable opportunity to greatly enhance the cosmetic appeal of your smile.
Routine Cleanings and Check-Ups
Semi-annual cleanings and professional oral exams are the foundations of a clean mouth and a healthy smile. Dr. Santone and Dr. Dietz encourage you to maintain your oral wellness with regular check-ups at our Encinitas office. During these appointments, our friendly and highly skilled dental hygienists will work to rid your teeth of plaque and tartar while checking your gums for potential signs of periodontal disease. We will also examine your mouth to identify cavities, tooth fractures, indicators of oral cancer, and other dental issues so these concerns can be treated before they have a chance to exacerbate into larger problems. At Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry, we additionally perform oral cancer screenings at the same time as your dental check-up to detect possible abnormalities early on. These preventative measures are all critical to helping ensure your long-term oral health.
OraVerse™ Anesthetic Reversal
As a revolutionary remedy for lasting anesthesia, OraVerse™ anesthetic reversal allows our patients to recover sensation in their mouths after a procedure twice as fast as before! If you have undergone a treatment that requires numbing, OraVerse™ can allow you to return to work, speak, eat, and drink normally within a very short time after your appointment.
Night Guards & Mouth Guards
Night guards can have a significant positive impact on your overall well-being, particularly when addressing issues like teeth grinding or TMJ disorder. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in migraine symptoms. Whether you wish to protect your teeth while playing sports or prevent unconscious teeth grinding, our experienced dentists can create a custom oral appliance to address your unique needs. In general, night guards and mouth guards offer a range of potential benefits, including:
- Prevention of tooth damage caused by unconscious grinding during sleep, thereby reducing tooth sensitivity.
- Protection against tooth wear and tear, which can otherwise contribute to an aged appearance.
- Safeguarding dental restorations, thereby extending their lifespan.
- Shielding teeth during periods of heightened stress, when teeth grinding tends to occur more frequently.
- Alleviation of pain in the jaw joint and muscles, as well as the pain associated with migraines.
- Protecting teeth and other oral structures from trauma during high-contact activities, such as sports.
Our dental-grade mouth guards and night guards are custom-made to help you attain a more comfortable fit than the generic oral appliances found at drug stores and supermarkets.
Oral Cancer Screenings
An oral cancer screening is an essential part of your semi-annual dental check-up. This involves a visual and physical examination of your mouth to identify potentially harmful abnormalities or growths in your soft tissues. Oral cancer is often very treatable when detected in its early stages, which is why regular screenings are critical to maintaining your overall health. We use the advanced VELscope® screening system at Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry, which utilizes florescent light to detect possibly cancerous cells that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Dental Sealants
Due to grooves and crevices of a tooth, it’s not uncommon for individuals—especially younger patients—to develop cavities in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Dental sealants can be very useful in protecting the parts of a tooth that brushing and flossing cannot reach. A sealant is a thin coating placed over the chewing surfaces of teeth that are most vulnerable to bacteria buildup—often the molars or pre-molars. This protective agent is typically applied to the grooves of the teeth in order to “seal” out plaque and decay, thereby minimizing the risk of cavities. At our practice, we have certainly observed a reduction in the need for fillings among patients who have their teeth reinforced with dental sealant.
To learn more about our family dentistry services or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Santone or Dr. Dietz, please contact Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry today.