Individualized Comprehensive Care

Dr. Mike has taken many continuing education courses in all areas of dentistry in order to provide a wide range of comprehensive services to his patients. Because of Dr. Mike’s extensive knowledge, he is able to perform many procedures at the office where his patients are comfortable and familiar.

PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

When dealing with your health, the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is so true. That is why routine dental care through check-ups and cleanings is incredibly important to not only your oral health but your overall health, as well. At Damrow Dental, we will work hard to keep your smile healthy and functional, and this starts with regular care. Dr. Mike and his hard-working staff will recognize problems early, so that they can be treated before they become larger concerns. This includes preventing and treating gum disease.

EMERGENCY CARE

If you have an urgent need, such as a toothache, please contact us immediately. We try to keep space in our daily schedule to allow us time to assist our patients who need attention quickly. Give us a call, and we will get you scheduled for an exam to diagnose your problem. X-rays are usually, but not always, needed for emergency exams, even if we already have x-rays on file for you.

RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Whether you have a cavity or have unexpectedly fractured a tooth, Dr. Mike will be able to help you fix the problem with either a filling or a crown (some people refer to them as “caps”). The level of damage or decay to your tooth will determine if it requires a filling or a crown. There are many different types of crowns and different types of materials used to fill a tooth after a cavity is removed. The most common types of filling materials are composite resin (tooth colored) or amalgam (silver fillings). Both types have advantages and disadvantages, and Dr. Mike would be happy to explain the benefits and the limitations of both so that you can make an informed decision about your care.

ENDODONTICS (Root Canals)

Generally speaking, root canals have an unfair, bad reputation! Think about how many times you’ve heard someone say, “I had to get a root canal!” in a negative way. However, if you have a significant problem, a root canal is a good thing as it allows you to not only keep your tooth that may otherwise need to be removed, but root canals also relieve you of pain you might be experiencing. A root canal is a procedure that is needed when the nerve of a tooth is either dead or dying – that’s what typically causes pain. Most often, this happens when a cavity gets too big and the decay seeps into the root of the tooth. However, sometimes nerves of teeth die from other causes, such as trauma to the tooth. By removing the nerve from the inside of the tooth, the tooth can be retained and used to smile and chew naturally.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY/CHILDREN

We do not shy away from treating children at Damrow Dental. Dr. Mike has worked with children of all ages for years, and he is able to recognize any dental problems that your child might have when the problems are still small and more easily treatable. We understand that children might find a trip to the dental office to be scary, so your child’s comfort and well-being are of our utmost concern. We will do all we can to make them feel at ease.

SEDATION DENTISTRY

If the thought of going to the dentist gives you anxiety, or you are very busy and would like to get a lot of dental work performed in one appointment, then sedation dentistry may be an option for you. After receiving the proper certifications, Dr. Mike has performed hundreds of sedations on many of his patients, which allowed them to get the dental treatment they needed by making them feel comfortable and less anxious. Dr. Mike performs oral sedation dentistry, which means that patients take a medication which sedates them during their treatment. The medication does not knock you out completely, like general anesthesia, but it does help you relax significantly during the procedures. The beauty of this deeply relaxed state is that typically most patients do not recall the experience.

ORTHODONTICS/BRACES/INVISALIGN

If you think your child needs braces and would like to have a consult, Dr. Mike has taken hundreds of hours of training in orthodontics. Or, if you wish your teeth were a bit straighter, orthodontics is for adults, too! For adults, depending on circumstances, we provide traditional braces or Invisalign clear aligners.  Each case is highly individualized, and treatment can last from as short as a few months to as long as several years.

EXTRACTIONS/TOOTH REMOVAL

Unfortunately, if a tooth has a very large cavity or a bad infection, sometimes it is in a patient’s best interest to remove the tooth. If this is the case, your comfort is our main concern. You will be numb for the procedure, and the only thing you will feel is pressure – never any pain or sharp sensations. We promise this procedure will be a piece of cake, regardless of what you might have experienced in the past!

REPLACEMENT OF MISSING TEETH

Typically, missing teeth are replaced in one of three ways, and there are advantages and disadvantages to all three types. After consulting with Dr. Mike, you can decide which option is best for you.

Option #1 – Removable Partial Denture or Complete Denture:

Partial and complete dentures are typically used to replace multiple teeth or all of the teeth.

Option #2 – Fixed Bridge:

If you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, often a bridge can be fabricated to replace them using the adjacent teeth for support. This option is cemented in the mouth, and therefore, cannot be removed. They look and feel very much like your natural teeth.

Option #3 – Dental Implants:

Using dental implants to replace missing teeth results in the most realistic appearance, and it’s typically the longest-lasting option. Dental implants are placed by a surgical procedure, and they essentially mimic the root of the missing tooth. Then, a crown is placed over the top of the dental implant to replace the missing tooth. Dr. Mike has had extensive training in this area in order to allow him to place the dental implants in his office and restore them, as well. This allows the procedure to be done in the least amount of time and also reduces expenses for his patients.