General & Preventive Dentistry

Comfortable Teeth Cleaning

Regular dental exams and cleanings are an important part of maintaining good oral health. These visits are important for patients in every stage of life. Our team and dentists work to make each appointment comfortable and stress-free for every patient. These visits are a chance to review how well your at-home dental hygiene is working, as well as remove tartar or plaque from your teeth. Additionally, we will examine your mouth for any signs of gum disease, oral cancer, and irregularities.

Oral Cancer Screenings

While it is one of the most curable diseases, oral cancer can be difficult to diagnose because many of its symptoms are associated with other medical conditions. Some symptoms of oral cancer are bleeding gums or cheeks, difficulty moving your jaw and swallowing, continuous pain in your mouth, and oral sores. Maintaining good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental visits are essential to oral cancer prevention. In addition, we recommend quitting smoking (or avoiding it altogether) and eating a balanced diet.

Emergency Dental Care

If you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency, Forest Trail Dental Care provides a full range of emergency dental services. Whether you need denture repairs, your child has knocked out a tooth, or you need a root canal or extraction, our team is here and ready to help. We work promptly and efficiently to ensure your dental health is restored. For emergency dental care or after-hour instructions, please contact our office immediately at 254-778-5070.

Root Canals

A root canal — or endodontic therapy — is necessary when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth. If you have experienced severe trauma to a tooth, this procedure may also be necessary. During a root canal, we will clean out and disinfect the interior of a tooth and remove the infected pulp. To prevent further bacterial infections, the canals of the tooth are sealed. At the close of the procedure, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling, which adds stability and strength to the tooth structure. This also restores the tooth to normal function.

Dental Sealants

To help prevent decay from forming in hard-to-reach places and tiny areas in your mouth, we can apply dental sealants. A sealant is a plastic resin that bonds and hardens to the grooves on your tooth’s surface. After a tooth is sealed, these tiny grooves become smooth and the likelihood of plaque build-up reduces. Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth, but adults may also be good candidates for this procedure.

Extractions

An extraction may be necessary if you have a tooth that is beyond repair or has so much decay it puts other teeth at risk. In addition, overcrowded or poorly positioned teeth may also be a cause for extraction. Together with you, our team will discuss the available treatments and the best replacement option for the tooth. We will work to make sure you are comfortable throughout the entire procedure, and ensure your dental health is protected for the future.

Composite Fillings

A filling is used to help restore teeth after cavities have been removed. It is made out of strong and durable materials that can withstand the forces of chewing. A composite or white filling is a more conservative option than silver/amalgam fillings. In addition to improving tooth stability, color, and strength, this type of filling saves natural tooth structure and protects against broken teeth. We will carefully match the composite material to your natural tooth structure and color to ensure it is virtually undetectable.

Digital X-Rays

Instead of using traditional film, digital x-rays use small sensors to identify irregularities or health problems not visible during a regular exam. There are many advantages to this type of x-ray. This includes enhanced imaging, less radiation, and it saves time, as the images are sent right to a computer. These types of images give our hygienists and dentists to clearest view of your mouth, while reducing the amount of radiation you are exposed to.

Sports Mouthguards

For patients active in sports or other physical activities that leave their teeth at risk for injury, we recommend wearing a mouthguard for protection. We will work with you to determine which type of mouthguard fits your needs and will protect your smile. Our goal is to help you find a mouthguard that is comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth. Sports mouthguards are FREE to all athletes. Please bring proof of team membership and a recent dental exam.

Periodontal Care/Soft Tissue Management

Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Because it is virtually pain free, the signs may go unnoticed while causing irreversible damage. We provide soft tissue management treatments help treat gum disease before it becomes a severe problem. Scaling and root planing provide effective, non-surgical ways to treat periodontal disease.

Scaling is the process of removing tartar from the surface of the teeth, while root planing is the process of smoothing out root surfaces and removing infected tooth structures. Our soft tissue management services are designed help reduce the need for periodontal surgery.

Perio Protect

We are proud to offer Perio Protect, a comprehensive treatment approach to gum disease. This system provides patients with a convenient, effective at-home periodontal treatment option. Using the Perio Tray — which is similar to a mouthguard — medication is delivered below the gums. The Perio Tray has a special sealing system to ensure the medication reaches deep into pockets which cannot be reached using dental floss, mouthwashes, or toothbrushes. Perio Protect was designed to provide patients with a minimally invasive, simple treatment option.