General Dentistry

General dentistry encompasses all services and treatment options designed to protect, prolong, and maintain your smile. When you visit DiMichaelangelo Family Dentistry for your family’s general oral health needs, you can rest assured that you will receive the best care from the best in the industry. Call our Westerville, OH office today to schedule your visit!

Cleanings & Exams

Cleanings and examinations are routine services offered at our practice to keep your teeth and gums in their best shape. We recommend you visit us at least every six months for these appointments; that way, we are keeping plaque and tartar buildup off your teeth and able to catch any early signs of decay, gum disease, or damage early. 

These preventative measures are an essential part of quality dental care, and we encourage you to schedule an appointment for yourself or your loved one today!

Crowns & Bridges

Crowns and bridges are two restorative options we offer in our practice to restore the appearance and function of a damaged smile.

  • Dental crowns are custom built to fit over a badly damaged or severely decayed tooth. Usually following a root canal treatment, we will place a dental crown over the tooth to protect it from future damage and save it from extraction. The crown is durable, making it capable of handling daily use of your teeth while remaining aesthetically appealing and complementary to your smile.
  • Dental bridges are custom-built prosthetic appliances that restore the appearance and function of one or more missing teeth in a sequence. When a tooth is missing, it leaves a space that other teeth may shift into and move out of alignment. To prevent this from happening, the bridge is placed to fill the gap and also restore your confidence.
  • Bridges are constructed from three or more dental crowns that have been fused together. Once the teeth on either side of your tooth gap have been reshaped and contoured, the device easily slips on and is cemented into place.

Root Canals

A root canal is a procedure performed to save a badly damaged or decayed tooth. When decay or damage compromises the internal structure of a tooth, this can lead to a painful infection. To alleviate this pain and preserve the tooth, we perform this minimally invasive procedure to remove the nerves and tissues from the inside structure of the tooth and cleanse it. The tooth is then filled with a biocompatible material, known as gutta-percha, and sealed with a dental crown.

Tooth Extractions

While we always strive to save your teeth, there are some cases where extraction is the best solution to resolve the pain or improve the overall health of your smile. These cases include teeth that are:

  • Irreparably damaged
  • Severely decayed
  • Overcrowded

Once your tooth is sufficiently numbed by anesthetic and you have been administered a sedative, we will begin extracting the tooth. This is done gradually as our dental professional will gently rock the tooth back and forth in its socket until it becomes loose. Once it has become loosened enough from its ligaments and supporting tissues, it is simply removed.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Removing a wisdom tooth is a bit more complex than a standard tooth extraction; the reason for this is that most wisdom teeth are extracted from below the gumline. After taking x-rays to determine the exact location of the tooth, we can decide how to remove it. Next, the surgery will be performed.

  • Once again, your mouth will be comfortably numbed using a local anesthetic, and we can administer a sedative as well.
  • We will create a small incision in the gum tissue above the location of the wisdom tooth.
  • After we have accessed the tooth, we will remove it in one piece or in fragments, whichever is deemed more accessible by the anatomy of your mouth.
  • The area will then be sutured closed for healing.

Mouthguard Fittings

If you are not pleased with your mouthguard, we can make adjustments to ensure that it fits properly. Mouthguards are incredible dental appliances that are built to provide protection for your teeth; this may be protection from grinding, TMJ inflammation, or sports injuries. Upon having these appliances made, we will perform fitting services to ensure the device fits comfortably and can adequately perform its desired function. 

TMJ Treatment

The TMJ is a joint that acts as a hinge between the skull and the jaw bone. This joint allows you to smoothly open and close your mouth so that you may chew food or speak properly. When this joint becomes inflamed, it can cause:

  • Headaches
  • Teeth grinding
  • Jaw tension
  • Lockjaw
  • Popping in the jaw joints

Our practice designs mouthguards to remove tension from the jaw and cushion the contact between your top and bottom teeth. This helps your jaw relax by reducing pressure on the joint and preventing clenching or teeth grinding from occurring. 

If you are experiencing pain in your jaw or notice any of the above symptoms, call our office today, and we can perform an evaluation to determine if TMJ treatment can help you.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, sleep apnea could be to blame! Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by prolonged periods of not breathing once you fall asleep. This is most commonly due to obstruction of the airway.

  • Once your muscles begin to relax, the soft tissues in your mouth and throat relax as well.
  • This may mean that your tongue or throat tissue moves into a position that blocks airflow.
  • When this happens, it causes you to wake up and readjust to get more air.

Over time, this can contribute to mood swings, irritability, headaches, or depression. If you’re suffering from this condition, you might notice waking with a dry mouth in the morning, or you may snore during the night. The only way to confirm this for sure is to visit a sleep specialist who can conduct a study to assess your quality of rest and oxygen intake while sleeping.

If it is determined that you have sleep apnea, we can construct an oral appliance that will slightly reposition your lower jaw and bring it forward. This helps open the airway and ensures you maintain a continuous airflow during your sleep.

Periodontal Disease Therapy

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a relatively common condition affecting nearly 65 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, it is also one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Periodontal disease occurs in three separate stages:

  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis
  • Advanced periodontitis

While gingivitis can be reversed with regular brushing and flossing, as it progresses to the second and third stages, it becomes incurable. However, it can still be well managed with the help of our dental professionals. Using our treatment methods, we can manage the condition and prevent it from getting worse, allowing you to maintain your smile for a lifetime!

Dentures

Dentures are an excellent restorative option for patients with missing teeth. Our office offers both complete dentures and partial dentures to meet the needs of different patients.

  • Complete dentures – The prosthetic appliances fill an entire arch of missing teeth. They are typically held in place by suction or dental adhesive.
  • Partial dentures – This appliance can restore one or more missing teeth along an arch. The device is typically held in place by clipping onto neighboring teeth for support.

Dentures allow you to smile in confidence again and enjoy many of your favorite foods, bringing life back to your smile and quality back to your life! If you are interested in dentures to replace your missing teeth, call our office today, and we will be happy to tell you more and set up an appointment!

Having Fun With Dental Care

At DiMichaelangelo Family Dentistry, we are on a mission to redefine dental care and make the process fun for our valued patients. Members of our community are invited to join us at our dental practice to enhance their oral health care and build a positive relationship with dentistry. 

Enjoy an environment filled with laughter, singing, and friendly chatter as you reach a more radiant smile with the support of our incredible team! Contact us today to arrange an appointment!

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