Our Goal

Our goal is to provide you with the highest standard of care in a compassionate and safe environment. In order to do this, we use proven state-of-the-art techniques, procedures, instruments, medications and sterilization.

In this ever changing world one of the most important ingredients is trust. We go to great lengths to always be honest, dependable and professional. The following is a brief description of our procedures.

Sterilization

We know that preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, herpes, hepatitis and even the cold virus is critical and take sterilization very seriously. For this reason we use extensive sterilization procedures, going well beyond those recommended by the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control.

We use barrier techniques such as disposable masks and gloves and change them for every patient. Every piece of equipment is wiped-down with antibacterial solution prior to every dental procedure. Sterile water delivery systems are utilized. We use autoclave sterilization for all instruments prior to dental examination and treatment. You can be assured that our staff has been specifically trained on sterilization procedures and their importance.

Patient Comfort

While no dental procedure is 100% comfortable, we go to great lengths to minimize any discomfort you might feel. Many of our patients make statements like, "This wasn't even painful? How did you do that?"

Pre-medication

Patient comfort is one of the most important aspects of care. Different patients have different needs for pain and anxiety control medication. Depending upon the procedure and your wishes, there are many medications we can prescribe.

Injections of Anesthesia

Injections of dental anesthesia can become more painful if not precisely done or if the injection is done at too rapid a rate. We give topical pre-anesthesia before injections and take extra care to be slow and precise.

Conscious Sedation & Nitrous Oxide

For those patients that would feel more comfortable with conscious sedation, we offer conscious IV sedation and nitrous oxide analgesia. Conscious IV sedation is provided by a hospital trained licensed anesthesiologist . Either one of these techniques will make you feel relaxed and at ease. Although you will be awake, you will not be aware of your surroundings. Conscious sedation can allow you to remain calm during dental procedures, with very minimal recollection of your visit. We are happy to let you know that both Dr. Bierly and Dr. Peterson have extensive training and are licensed to provide either one of these options.

Special Equipment

We strive to stay on the leading edge of periodontal techniques and equipment. In order to do this, we take a great deal of continuing education. We also utilize advanced equipment in our office. This includes Panoramic Radiography to be able to more precisely diagnose and treat periodontal disease. It also allows us to more accurately place dental implants.

Basic Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that gets under the gums and into the bone around your teeth. This infection must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There are two generally accepted treatments for this depending upon the severity of your infection.

Other Procedures

Dental Implants

Dental implants have their own section which describes their benefits and procedures. Click here to view the page on dental implants.

Crown Lengthening

When getting a new crown, the general dentist must prepare your tooth to receive it. Sometimes there is not enough tooth structure above the gumline to accept a new crown. Crown lengthening provides more tooth for your crown. This ensures a more stable crown with less gum irritation afterwards.

Procedure: The periodontist gives you a local anesthetic and gently recontours excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of your natural teeth

Extraction & Ridge Preservation

Often, after a lost tooth or tooth extraction, a depression can develop in the site where the tooth was. This can look unsightly under a Bridge or around a dental implant.

Procedure: To prevent this from occurring, the periodontist can administer a local anesthetic and gently extract the tooth. At the time of extraction he can place just enough bone grafting material in the socket to prevent a jawbone depression from occurring.

Bone Grafting

Your jawbone is what supports your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, periodontal disease dissolves parts of your jawbone. This causes bone loss and eventual loss of teeth. The first step is to remove the periodontal disease and stop the bone loss. Then, in many cases, various bone grafting techniques can be used to grow back some of the jawbone that was lost.

Procedure: The periodontist gives you a local anesthetic and gently opens the area filling in the missing section with bone grafting material.

Antibiotic Treatment

Some localized, topical antibiotics can enhance your periodontal treatment. In certain isolated circumstances, placement of antibiotic medicine can also reduce infection. This antibiotic therapy is always done in conjunction with scaling and deep cleanings. This procedure is more often used for patients that have had previous periodontal repair therapy.

Procedure : Topical Antibiotics, in various forms, are precisely placed in isolated areas to improve healing after the localized area is scaled and deep cleaned. Afterwards the results are closely monitored during follow-up maintenance visits.

In Conclusion

Each procedure is done with your comfort and safety in mind. We work closely with your general dentist to ensure you get the best possible result in accordance with your general dentist's wishes. Please feel free to ask questions before, during, or after any of these procedures.