How can we help you?
Good oral health should certainly be a part of your life, but nobody expects you to be a dental expert. That’s why we’re here! No question is ever too small – if it’s important to you, it’s important to us!
At the office of Dan Barrett DMD, we want to answer your questions because the more information you have, the better equipped you will be to make confident decisions. We will always be honest and straightforward with you because you have the right to know what your options are.
Here are a few of the questions we hear most often. If you don’t see yours listed here, just give us a call or fill out our convenient online contact form.
Cosmetic Dentistry
If you have noticed that your smile is losing its youthful brightness, professional teeth whitening might be a good choice for you. Teeth whitening treatments at the office of Dan Barrett DMD, are affordable, convenient, and easy.
You may be tempted to choose an over-the-counter whitening product, hoping to save money since it costs less than a professional treatment. But in the long run, you are going to spend a lot of time and money on those drug store whiteners and still not come close to the results we can achieve with professional whitening.
We provide our patients with a completely customized take-home kit that produces amazing results in just a couple weeks. For one thing, our whitening trays are made using impressions of your teeth. The result is a tray that comes in close contact with all surfaces of your tooth.
This allows our prescription-strength whitening gel to whiten your teeth evenly and consistently. Store-bought whitening trays do not conform to the unique shape of your teeth, and therefore can’t produce the same level of whitening.
Professional teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most affordable methods for dramatically transforming your smile. We always recommend a professional cleaning prior to our whitening treatments, so please give us a call. We’ll be happy to set up your cleaning so you can talk to Dr. Barrett about our whitening options.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
We generally place dental crowns when a tooth is too severely damaged or weak to be supported by a filling. A crown is a restoration that fits over your tooth to restore function and protect it from damage. Dental crowns are also used to restore dental implants.
Dental crowns at our Reno, NV office are made using either porcelain or zirconia. Porcelain crowns are highly esthetic because they look very much like a natural tooth. We would usually place a porcelain crown on your front teeth or other teeth that are visible when you smile. Zirconia is an extremely durable material that is most appropriate for molars and teeth that take a lot of wear and tear.
If we determine that a crown is appropriate for you, Dr. Barrett will start by preparing your natural tooth. Then he will take impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create your new crown. We will prepare a temporary crown for you to wear while your new permanent crown is being made. After about two weeks, when your final crown is ready, we’ll have you return to our office to make any adjustments and then permanently place the crown.
The result is a beautiful “new” tooth and restored ability to chew normally. If you would like to learn more about dental crowns, please give us a call!
Full & Partial Dentures
It’s important to replace a tooth that’s been lost to disease, decay, or trauma. Leaving an empty space in your mouth doesn’t help your appearance, and it’s not good for your oral health either.
At the office of Dan Barrett DMD, we offer several options for tooth replacement. But dental implants are the number one choice of doctors and patients alike because they offer so many benefits.
Unlike other tooth replacements, such as bridges or dentures, implants are a truly permanent tooth replacement. The titanium implant is placed securely in your jaw, where it will integrate naturally with surrounding bone and tissue. This means that the implant actually becomes part of your dental anatomy.
Dental implants are versatile and can be restored with a dental crown or attached to bridges or dentures for extra support. The presence of a dental implant in your mouth is also helpful because it prevents bone in the area of the missing tooth from deteriorating. Once a crown or other restoration is attached to the implant, you can enjoy a fully functional permanent tooth. The restoration may need to be replaced over time, but the implant will never need to be replaced.
There’s a lot to learn about dental implants, and we will be happy to spend some time talking to you about the ways they can benefit you. Please call our Reno, NV dental office to arrange a convenient consultation.
Invisalign Clear Braces
Do you worry about the appearance of your crowded or crooked teeth?
A flawed smile can be embarrassing, but there are also alignment issues that trigger discomfort, pain, or other problems. Without treatment, misaligned teeth can worsen over time and eventually cause problems with speech, dental bite, and jaw alignment.
Invisalign clear braces are a comfortable, effective orthodontic treatment used to correct a wide variety of issues.
Your Invisalign treatment at the office of Dan Barrett DMD, starts with x-rays and impressions of your teeth that are used to create a 3-D image. This picture will be used to map out a customized treatment plan tailored for your specific needs. You will be able to see a virtual representation of what your teeth will look like after treatment so that you know exactly what to expect.
A set of clear, custom-made aligners will then be created specifically for you. You will wear the aligners every day, removing them when you eat, brush, and floss. Every two weeks, you will switch to the next set of aligners and watch as they gradually and gently move your teeth into their proper position.
We want you to be completely satisfied with the results of your Invisalign treatment. You probably have lots of questions about Invisalign, and we will spend all the time necessary to provide you with the information you need to make a decision about treatment. Please call us now to arrange a convenient Invisalign consultation.
Periodontal Treatment
Regular professional cleanings are essential for maintaining oral health. No matter how well you brush, you just can’t reach all the places where plaque and tartar hide. Routine cleanings involve the removal of this material and checking for signs of gum disease. In its earliest stages, gum disease is called gingivitis and can usually be treated with a series of follow-up cleanings.
However, if the hygienist finds signs of advanced periodontal disease, a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, may be necessary.
During a deep cleaning, our hygienist performs scaling, which removes plaque and tartar that attach to the surface of your teeth, especially the area below the gum line. Root planing smoothes out irregular areas of the root surface, making it more challenging for bacteria to attach and infect the treated area.
After your deep cleaning, the hygienist will review proper oral hygiene practices and may recommend frequent periodic cleanings to prevent infection from returning.
Good at-home oral hygiene, combined with regular checkups and cleanings at our Reno, NV dental office, significantly reduce the chance that you will develop gum disease. If you’re due for a cleaning, please call our office for an appointment. It’s easier to take steps to prevent oral disease than to have to deal with more serious problems in the future.
Root Canals
A root canal is needed when infection enters the innermost part of your tooth, leading to destruction of the nerve and tissues. Without treatment, you will experience worsening pain, and eventually the tooth will be lost.
Dr. Barrett understands that root canal treatment isn’t really a pleasurable idea. But it is a procedure that is necessary to prevent tooth loss and relieve pain.
Deep within the root of your tooth is the root canal, which contains dental pulp, tissue, and nerves. If severe decay or periodontal infection reaches this area, you are at great risk for losing the tooth. At this point, the only option we have for preventing tooth loss is root canal therapy.
If you’ve ever experienced the pain of an infected root canal, you know that it can be excruciating and virtually impossible to endure. Getting prompt treatment will eliminate this pain and preserve your tooth.
The purpose of a root canal is to clear away any infection by removing the affected pulp and tissue. Despite all the hype, a root canal is actually pretty straightforward – Dr. Barrett will remove the infection, fill the space with dental material, and seal the tooth. If the tooth has been severely weakened by decay, he may recommend a dental crown to protect and strengthen the tooth.
If you suspect you may need a root canal, please don’t hesitate to call our office. If you are in pain, we will get you in as quickly as possible, usually the same day.