Preventative
Checkups Every six months each person should have a checkup. Checkups help to find cavities and gum diseases in the early stages when they are easily and inexpensively treated. Checkups involve an examination, x-rays and cleaning as well as a fluoride treatment (for children).
Pit and fissure sealant Are you worried about your children getting cavities? Give them a pit and fissure sealant to fill in the nooks and crannies of their teeth with a solid solution to help prevent cavities. It doesn't replace brushing and flossing, but it definitely helps.
FillingsIf you do get a cavity, see Dr. Pulley as quickly as possible. He'll remove the decay and fill your tooth with composite (white filling). Amalgam (silver fillings) are available, however they conduct heat and cold more easily and do not look as good as composite.
Restorations and Treatment
Root Canal Therapy When a cavity is not filled, it can reach the pulp of the tooth and may cause pain. If not treated, infection can go down the canal in the root and cause an abscess at the bottom of the tooth. If that happens, a root canal or extraction must be performed. A root canal is when a dentist removes all of the decay and infected material in the canal from a tooth and then fills the canal with sealer and puts a crown (or cap) over the tooth to protect it.
Extractions If you do not have enough room for wisdom teeth to grow in, or if a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, you may need an extraction. Dr. Pulley can perform most extractions in the office with local anesthesia. After extracting a tooth, Dr. Pulley may use a suture to aid healing.
Fixed BridgesIf you've had an extraction, your teeth may begin to move. To prevent damage to your existing teeth, Dr. Pulley can provide you with a Fixed Bridge. A Bridge is a false tooth (a pontic) that is attached to crowned teeth on either side of the false tooth. If conditions are adequate, a fixed bridge is better than a partial denture. It is more solid and feels like a real tooth.
Dentures If you've lost more that one adjacent tooth, you may need a partial denture. If you've lost all of your teeth, you will need dentures. Dentures are false teeth that are held in by the gums and should be removed and cleaned every day. Partial Dentures replace missing teeth and attach to existing teeth to hold them in. Dentures should be considered as a last resort.
Denture Repair If you have dentures which need repair, Dr. Pulley is happy to repair them for you. Simple repairs may take only a day; more complex repairs may take longer. Repairs are less expensive than new dentures.
Denture Relines If your dentures don't feel quite right or they are loose, Dr. Pulley can reline them for you. Relining involves taking new impressions of your mouth and adding plastic inside your dentures so that they fit the gums better.
Perscriptions Dr. Pulley may need to prescribe medication for dental purposes.
Phone #: 314-752-0239
Office hours:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mon - Thur.
Sat 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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