Complete Family Dental Care Services

Essex Street Dental believes that routine preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal oral health at any age. Our preventive dentistry techniques – including teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, and a variety of other advanced procedures – are available to the entire family and can help you improve the aesthetics of your smile while restoring the health of your teeth and gums. Additionally, oral exams at our practice can help to detect potentially life-threatening issues before they progress beyond effective treatment possibilities.

Preventative Care

  • Gum disease can lead to serious oral issues and even pose a threat to your overall health. Periodontal care, or gum care, can help you effectively treat gum disease and work to prevent further periodontal issues. We offer both non-surgical and advanced periodontal procedures based on the extent of your needs.

  • Oral exams can help detect a variety of issues including cavities, plaque buildup, gingivitis, and alignment problems. At our practice, Dr. Hill and Dr. Helinski utilize advanced technology to give your mouth an extensive examination and provide you with the accurate diagnosis of your oral health.

  • Professional dental cleaning can effectively remove a buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria from your teeth and gums. Additionally, routine dental cleaning can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious oral issues including tooth loss and gum disease. By utilizing gentle and effective techniques, our staff can clean hard-to-reach crevices between your teeth and along your gum line to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

  • Good dental care is essential for patients of all ages. Our doctors and staff offer dental care for the entire family in order to ensure that you and your children achieve your oral health needs with the most effective results. Our family dental care procedures include teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, cavity prevention, and a number of other preventative and cosmetic dentistry procedures safe for any age.

  • Much like they were when you were growing up, fluoride rinses are still an essential part of maintaining optimal oral health. Fluoride treatments can help prevent tooth decay and decrease your risk for developing cavities. The medical-strength fluoride used at our practice can also help protect against harmful bacteria and plaque buildup along your teeth and gum line. This quick and easy cleaning technique can be completed in our office during a routine dental cleaning by one of our experienced hygienists.

Dental caries, also known as decay or cavities, are holes that damage the tooth structure. In the US, dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease. It is also the most common cause of tooth loss. Four key factors are involved in the formation of caries: the tooth, bacteria, sugars and time.
With better oral hygiene and prevention methods like fluoride and sealants, we can help prevent decay from happening.
As children, we tend to develop cavities on the biting surfaces of our teeth. As we age, the decay usually forms in between our teeth and on the root surfaces. A person may not even be aware that they have decay until it destroys so much tooth structure that they are in pain. Regular "check-ups" with the dentist and radiographs (x-rays) can help diagnose caries at an early stage.

Caries & Fillings

  • Fortunately, we can restore your teeth with fillings. The goal of treatment is to preserve the tooth structure and prevent further destruction of the tooth. The majority of times we use "white" composite fillings. They are similar in color and texture to natural teeth. More importantly, they bond to the tooth structure, not just "fill" in a hole like the "silver" fillings. When doing a silver filling, more tooth structure is taken away to retain the filling. With a bonded white filling, we can be very conservative and remove only the decayed area therefore preserving your tooth!

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold is common for a few days or weeks following a dental procedure. Usually, the larger the cavity, the more sensitive the tooth will be. If you feel the bite needs to be adjusted please call for a simple appointment.

    • Tooth colored fillings have their strength immediately. There is no need to wait to eat or drink. It is recommended to be careful of biting your lips or tongue if an anesthetic was used.

    • Silver fillings take 24 hours to completely harden, please take care when eating during this time.

    • The gum tissue around your tooth and the area of the injection may also be sore but this will only last a couple of days.

    • The restoration may have a different texture and contour than your original tooth but you will become accustomed to this in a few days.

    • As with natural teeth, avoid eating excessively hard foods such as ice and hard candies as they can create stress fractures to your teeth and restorations.

    When a tooth has a cavity Dr. Hodges removes the decay and any old filling if present. The hole is then filled in with a restorative material to support the tooth. The ideal filling should be no more than 50% of the tooth. If it is larger the tooth cannot support it and a crown or “cap” is indicated.

If you're interested in having your smile brightened, we recommend that you first talk with us regarding your specific goals so that we can evaluate how teeth whitening might impact your particular situation. Some people are simply better candidates than others for a successful whitening treatment.

For example, if your teeth are darkened to a yellow, brown or orange tinge due to age, coffee, tea or smoking, chances are very good that teeth whitening will bring satisfactory results. However, if your teeth are a dark gray tone from fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline use, whitening results may be a bit less dramatic; plus, whitening does not lighten artificial materials such as bonding and porcelains.

Finally, teeth with periodontal disease or worn enamel typically do not respond well to whitening. In any case, after whitening, your new, brighter smile will be preserved the longest if you're willing to forgo such habits as smoking, drinking coffee and drinking tea.  

We recommend both carbamide and hydrogen peroxide in custom made trays for home treatments, as well as Crest White Strips Professional Strength.

Teeth Whitening

Today, root canal treatment can save your tooth! A root canal is a procedure with little or no discomfort involving one or two visits. Root canal treatment is needed when the "nerve" in the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can be caused from deep decay, a fracture or injury and repeated dental procedures.
Signs and symptoms can be prolonged sensitivity to temperature, discoloration of the tooth and swelling or tenderness around the gumline. In some cases, there may be no pain.  

Root Canal Treatment

  • Root canal (endodontics) treatment allows you to keep your tooth. First we will numb your tooth and then place a rubber dam over your tooth. This prevents anything from getting into your mouth. Next, the infected nerve pulp is carefully removed and the inside of your tooth is cleared, shaped and filled to seal the space. Afterwards, a crown is placed to protect the tooth and allow proper function. Root canal therapy can save your tooth and your smile!

  • After the appointment it is possible to experience swelling and sensitivity to both temperature and pressure.

    • A temporary filling may be used to seal the tooth between visits

    • Be careful while eating until the final restoration is placed

    • The gum around the tooth and at the injection site may be tender

    • After endodontic treatment a full coverage crown is indicated to prevent your tooth from fracture.

  • A dental crown, also called a cap, covers the tooth to restore its shape, size, appearance and function. The dental crown protects a weak tooth that has broken, is cracked or has a large filling.

    Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires two dental visits. The first involves preparing and shaping the tooth, taking an impression and fabricating a temporary crown made of plastic. The second visit usually occurs 2 to 3 weeks later with the placement of the porcelain or metal crown.

    On average, a crown can last 5 to 15 years. The life span depends on the environment that you put it through. If you take care of your crown properly, it will last longer. Care involves meticulous oral hygiene and refraining from bad habits like biting your fingernails and eating hard candies and ice cubes. A crown strengthens and restores your weak teeth!

  • Veneers are a terrific cosmetic solution for stained, chipped, discolored and maligned teeth. Veneers are made of porcelain and can be made as thin as a fingernail. In most cases, a veneer is placed over the existing teeth with little or no removal of the tooth structure.

    Like crowns, veneers require 2 appointments: the first to prepare and shape your teeth and make temporaries and the second to give you a new smile!

    Veneers can improve your natural tooth appearance!

  • Porcelain(tooth colored) , porcelain fused to metal and gold crowns are all available. Depending on which tooth is being restored Dr. Hodges will make a recommendation and discuss it with you.

    After your first crown/veneer appointment, you will be in a Temporary. Please take the following into consideration.

    • Temporaries are not strong. They may break or come off. If it does, you may use some denture adhesive like Fixodent ™ and call us so that we may put it back on. Do not leave it out for a long period of time as your teeth can move and the final restoration may not fit

    • Sensitivity to hot, cold sweets and pressure is not uncommon. If you feel you need a bite adjustment please call for an appointment.

    • The size, shape and color of your temporary may be different from the final restoration.

    • It may take a few days to get used to your new crown or bridge. Hot and cold sensitivity is possible for a few weeks and occasionally can last for months.

    • Do not chew hard or sticky foods for the first 24 hours after cementation.

    • The gums may recede from the veneers/crowns displaying discolored tooth structure underneath. This may take years but can be fixed with replacement.

    • The area where the crown meets the tooth at the gumline can decay but small problems can be detected and prevented. Proper brushing, flossing and check-ups are required to retain your final restoration.

Crowns & Veneers

At times a tooth may need to be removed. Some teeth have to be extracted because they have broken unfavorably, are severely decayed, have periodontal disease or even because they are malpositioned in the mouth. Together, we can decide what your best course of treatment may be.

Extractions & Oral Surgery

  • 1. Bleeding: To prevent unnecessary bleeding, maintain gentle pressure over the extraction site by biting on gauze. you have been given a supply of gauze pads. If more is required, it can be purchased at a drug store or supermarket. A moistened tea bag wrapped in a piece of gauze is equally effective. Pressure should be applied for 1-2 hours or until most of the bleeding has stopped. Change gauze every 15 minutes or when saturated. It is not unusual to have some slight oozing for up to 24 hours. Rest for the remainder of today and keep your head slightly elevated. Do not engage in physical activity to avoid stimulating the bleeding.

    2. Medications: You may take up to 800 mg Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours as needed for pain and swelling.

    3. Eating: It is important to get adequate nutrition after dental surgery to help the healing process. Please eat only soft foods for the next 24 hours. Advance to harder foods as your healing progresses.

    4. Rinsing and Brushing: Do not rinse for 24 hours following extractions since this could dislodge the blood clot, and may cause a dry socket. Smoking a drinking through a straw can also lead to a dry socket. After the 24 hours are up, rinse with warm saltwater (1/2 tsp. salt for 8 oz. water) 3-4 times a day for 4-5 days.

    5. Ice Packs: To help prevent swelling, ice packs should be applied adjacent to the extraction site. To the extent possible, apply periods of 20 minutes on and 5 minutes off until bedtime the day of surgery. Ice is not particularly useful after the first day.

    With most oral surgery, swelling peaks at about 48 hours and then goes down. Significant swelling beyond this point could indicate infection. If this occurs, call us right away!

Dentures / Partials

A denture can replace all of your teeth or some of your teeth (partial denture). Dentures are removable tooth replacements that are made of plastics and metals. Replacing missing teeth will help you eat, speak and chew better. 

  • The denture process takes four to five appointments to allow for proper fit, form, color and function. For the first few weeks, your new denture may feel awkward and uncomfortable. However, your mouth will become accustomed to wearing it. Adjustments are a necessary part of the treatment. As your mouth naturally changes, minor adjustments and repairs may be indicated.

    It is important to have periodic dental visits even when you wear a denture. We can examine your tissues, clean your remaining teeth, and check the fit or your removable denture. Also, implants can now be used to support your denture, giving you a better feel and fit!

  • We feel confident that after a few weeks you will become adjusted to your new denture/partial. We have done our best to provide you with a well-fitted, functional and esthetic appliance. Over time, your gums and bone will shrink when there are no teeth present. When this occurs your dentures/partial may feel loose. An ill-fitting denture/partial can easily be relined.

    • Sore spots – it is common to develop “sore spots” after receiving a new appliance, a reline or repair. These areas can be relieved with a few follow up adjustment appointments.

    • Cleaning – your dentures/partials can be easily cleaned with a denture brush and toothpaste. They can also be cleaned using denture tablets and water. Denture wearers may brush their gums with a soft toothbrush on a daily basis. Partial wearers must reduce the risk of decay on their natural teeth with diligent brushing.

    • Chewing – the new bite may not feel completely comfortable for several weeks. We can adjust these areas as the denture/partial settles into place.

    It is highly recommended to leave your dentures/partials out overnight.