General and Preventive Dental Care in Vista, CA

While Coleman Advanced Dentistry has a special focus on cosmetic dentistry, we believe a healthy smile is an essential foundation for a beautiful smile. Maintaining good oral hygiene, scheduling routine checkups, and screening for early signs of disease help protect your teeth, gums, and overall health. Regular visits to the dentist also provide an opportunity to identify dental problems that may not currently exhibit apparent symptoms and can prevent more complicated – and costly – procedures in the future. 

Once you have a healthy mouth as a solid foundation, our dentists can address various cosmetic concerns relating to the appearance of your teeth and gums. Our goal at Coleman Advanced Dentistry is to provide you with a smile you can be proud of – and results that can last a lifetime.

Routine Checkups

Scheduling a routine checkup with one of our dentists every six months can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing serious oral health complications. The American Dental Association recommends twice-yearly checkups to screen for oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, new cracks in the teeth, or damaged dental work. By identifying these concerns as they arise, our dentists can provide prompt treatments, including tooth-colored fillings, root canal therapy, dental crowns, inlays, or onlays.

When patients leave minor dental issues untreated, the risk for more serious dental problems can increase. For example, a small cavity is easy to detect and treat with our standard full-mouth examination. However, that same cavity, left untreated, can spread decay throughout the affected tooth and the surrounding teeth. 

Similarly, when gum disease is left untreated, it can advance and eventually cause tooth loss and even pose a risk to your overall health. Routine checkups are vital to the early detection, treatment, and management of these common dental health concerns.

Dental Cleanings

Routine dental cleanings are typically scheduled every six months. However, if you have gum disease or are at risk of dental problems, we may recommend more frequent cleanings to keep your oral health in the best possible shape. 

But why are professional cleanings necessary? Brushing and flossing help keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. However, it’s not always possible to effectively clean those hard-to-reach teeth at the back of the mouth, leaving them at risk. If not removed daily, plaque can harden to tartar, which only a dental professional can remove. 

During your cleaning appointment, our dental team will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and gum line using a dental instrument called a scaler. Next, we will floss between your teeth and polish them, removing most surface stains. If needed, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to strengthen your teeth and help prevent tooth decay.Keeping up with your routine dental cleanings is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Our dental team can also detect problems that require attention, preventing the need for more involved treatments down the road. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Endodontics / Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is not just the name of a procedure associated with severe tooth decay – it is also an integral part of a tooth’s anatomy. A healthy root canal is connected to the tooth root tip. It allows the tooth to receive vital nutrients and dispose of toxins through the bloodstream. 

The root canals are susceptible to bacterial infection if a tooth is compromised by a deep decay, fracture, or traumatic injury. Tooth pain occurs when too much blood is channeled to the tooth to fight the infection, causing swelling and inflammation that may lead to bone degeneration and tooth loss.

Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure used to treat root canal infections. Our dentists clean the infected area, eliminate harmful bacteria, and seal the canal to prevent future infections. Thanks to advanced analgesics and dental technologies, you should experience little to no pain during root canal therapy. 

Root canal treatments can typically be completed in a single office visit, followed by dental crown placement to strengthen and protect the treated tooth. Routine checkups every six months will help ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy after treatment.

Periodontal Treatment

Our experienced dental team offers a variety of treatments to prevent, treat, and manage periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Regular check-ups and routine teeth cleanings can help maintain good gum health, and deep cleanings with scaling and root planing can treat gum disease, often reversing gingivitis and preventing the progression of periodontitis. Our office utilizes some of the latest techniques to provide you with the most effective and comfortable gum treatment possible.

Gum disease affects approximately 80 percent of men and women living in America – and many are unaware they are living with this condition. Leaving gum disease untreated can lead to a host of oral health problems, including gum inflammation and bleeding, loss of gum tissue, bone loss, loose teeth, and tooth loss. Studies have also linked gum disease to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, pregnancy problems, and diabetes complications.

Plaque buildup, genetics, and lifestyle choices can all contribute to the development of periodontal disease. When plaque accumulates on the teeth, the bacteria irritate the gum tissues. The gums pull away, leaving spaces called pockets that provide an ideal environment for harmful oral bacteria to grow. In addition to damaging your gums, teeth, and jawbone, untreated gum disease can compromise your overall health. 

Since the symptoms of periodontal disease are mild in the initial stages (swollen gums or minor bleeding while brushing), it often remains undetected without routine checkups. Early detection by our dentists will allow for prompt treatment. That will help reverse the condition or stop its progression, preventing its devastating effects on your oral health. 

Maintaining regular daily oral hygiene practices is also essential for warding off periodontal disease. Our dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and using a mouth rinse to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is responsible for more than 7,500 deaths each year, so catching it in its earliest stages is critical and potentially life-saving. Oral cancer does not exhibit obvious symptoms early on. The best way to identify abnormalities as soon as possible is to conduct oral cancer screenings during your routine dental exams. Our screenings are quick and painless, using some of the latest diagnostic tools to detect areas of soft tissue that are potentially cancerous.

Our dentists recommend that patients not using tobacco products undergo oral cancer screenings at least once a year. Patients who smoke or use other tobacco products have an increased risk of oral cancer, so we recommend at least two screenings yearly to evaluate their oral tissues and identify any irregularities as early as possible. Early detection and treatment can significantly increase the likelihood of surviving the disease.

General and Preventive Dentistry Services Near Me in Vista, CA

At Coleman Advanced Dentistry, our goal is to maintain healthy smiles for life. If you haven’t seen a dentist in the past six months, we invite you to schedule an appointment today. Our accomplished dentists and dedicated team are here to support your oral health every step of the way! We invite you to contact us to schedule a consultation today.