Your first visit at our office is important in establishing your oral health baseline. We will perform a complete oral examination which includes an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation, an analysis of your occlusion (bite) and a thorough examination of your teeth, their supporting structures and of the oral anatomy.

Using the most advanced dental technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced digital X-ray technology in our office. Digital X-rays provide several advanced imaging options designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos, and expose patients to 90% less radiation than with traditional X-ray technology.

Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and healthy. We recommend that each patient be seen at least twice a year for a dental prophylaxis. Our dental hygiene program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. During this visit, our dental hygienists will remove plaque from your teeth, especially from places where your brush can’t reach. We will apply fluoride to help protect your teeth once you leave the office.

Fluoride is a relatively recent but important advancement in dental and oral health. Studies consistently show that a moderate but consistent exposure of teeth to fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent future decay.

Sometimes a “regular” cleaning isn’t enough to restore your oral health. Some people develop periodontal disease and need to be treated with a “deep” cleaning. We will evaluate the extent of your periodontal disease and come up with a specific periodontal treatment plan. Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth. If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings. If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended. If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean.

Fillings
Traditional dental fillings include gold, porcelain, and resin (composite). The strength and durability of traditional dental materials make them useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing. Newer dental fillings may either be ceramic or composite resin which mimic the appearance of natural teeth. Resins are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important, but they can also be used on the back teeth depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.

Cosmetic Dentistry
Aesthetic bonding or buffing/shaping teeth can give you the perfect smile that you’ve always wanted. Bonding is a tooth-colored composite resin that is applied to the tooth in order to fix a chip, crack, or gap. Dr. Shieh can buff and shape different teeth to smooth the edges of your tooth, creating a straight tooth line or correcting sharp chips.

Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are an excellent way to help solve a problem caused by moderate decay. An inlay covers only one to three surfaces of the tooth and is used to restore a small amount of tooth. An onlay, on the other hand, actually covers one or more cusps (the chewing surface of the tooth). Inlays and onlays require the removal of only decayed areas of the tooth, leaving more natural tooth structure intact.

Crowns/Caps
The terms dental crowns and caps are synonymous. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth. Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance. Crowns are fabricated in a laboratory and are made either of porcelain baked onto a metal substrate, all-porcelain, or many of the new ceramic materials that have been developed.

Bridges
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. A fixed bridge is a cemented bridge which remains in your mouth at all times and is supported by your natural teeth.

Root Canals
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. Symptoms of the infection are generally acute dental pain or sensitivity to hot, cold or percussion. If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend root canal therapy to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases.

Mouth Guards
Whether you are an athlete or casual sports participant, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, a bite guard will reduce symptoms of TMJ problems. We custom make mouth guards in both soft and hard materials.

Extractions
An extraction is the complete removal of a tooth. Extractions are sometimes necessary if a primary tooth is preventing the normal eruption of a permanent tooth, if the tooth has suffered extensive tooth decay or trauma that cannot be repaired, if the patient has gum disease, or if the tooth is impacted (usually the wisdom teeth). Depending on the complexity of the case, an extraction can be performed surgically or non-surgically.

Wisdom Teeth
Your third molars are more commonly called “wisdom teeth.” Usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties, third molars often lack the proper space in the jaw to erupt fully or even at all. This common condition is called impaction. When any tooth lacks the space to come through or simply develops in the wrong place of your jaw and becomes impacted, problems can arise. Primarily, damage to adjacent teeth and crowding occur.

In certain cases, the wisdom tooth that cannot come through becomes inflamed under the gums and in the jawbone, causing a sac to develop around the root of the tooth that then fills with liquid. This can cause a cyst or an abscess if it becomes infected. If either of these situations goes untreated, serious damage to the underlying bone and surrounding teeth and tissues can result. In order to prevent this from potentially happening, an extraction of one, several or all of the wisdom teeth may be advised. If that is the case, we have the equipment and training needed to perform such extractions, with an absolute minimum of discomfort. Ask our staff for more information regarding tooth extractions if you feel you may need one.

Bone/Socket Grafting
Socket bone grafting is done at the time a tooth is removed. The hole where tooth roots once occupied are filled in with the bone grafting to promote healing, minimize the risk of dry socket, maintain the structure of the bone, and provide a foundation for the future tooth replacement. Dr. Shieh obtains bone grafting material from a bone bank and it is packed tightly into the socket and held in place with dissolvable stiches.

Dental Implants
If a tooth is extracted or missing for some other reason, it is now possible to replace it using dental implants. An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: One part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so that you have a more natural-looking smile.

Dr. Shieh has gone through extensive training to learn how to place implants. He completed a one-year residency through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and is a credentialed Associate Fellow. He can evaluate your mouth to see which options work best for you.

Surgical Dentures
Surgical dentures are economical dentures that are fabricated prior to surgery so that patients have a beautiful smile the day of surgery. The healing of the gums and bone can typically take 3-6 months. Dr. Shieh will evaluate the healing process on a weekly basis and make any necessary adjustments for the surgical denture while your mouth is healing. When the healing is complete, Dr. Shieh will take impressions in order to transition over to a traditional denture.

Complete (Traditional) Dentures/Partial Dentures
Dentures and Partial Dentures are removable restorations that replace all or some missing teeth. Patients that are missing some or all of their teeth may have dentures or partials as either a temporary or final restoration. Dentures and partials are fabricated using all ADA accepted materials. We offer a variety of different shapes, sizes, and color that suits any smile on any budget.

When a patient has made a commitment to their treatment plan, impressions are taken. The selected teeth are first set in wax and the patient are able to see their new teeth before they are set in the hard acrylic. Following the appointment, our dentures are fabricated and then delivered to the patient at the next appointment.

Implant Snap On Dentures
Sometimes traditional dentures do not have the comfort and fit due to bone loss and other factors. Implant Snap-On Dentures provide confidence, security, and renewed self-esteem. Having an Implant Snap-On Denture means that you can eat and speak without worrying about your dentures moving or falling out. Patients that have Implant Snap On Dentures no longer need adhesive to secure their dentures.

Dr. Shieh has gone through extensive training to learn how to place implants. He completed a one-year residency through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and is a credentialed Associate Fellow. He can evaluate your mouth to see if you are a candidate for implants and which options work best for you.

Nitrous Oxide
Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety and improve communication. It is easily administered through a comfortable nose mask, and its effects are quickly reversible. Nitrous oxide helps to relax patients and reduce discomfort. Our doctors will only administer nitrous oxide with your consent, so please ask for details. A driver is not needed and you can drive after being given nitrous oxide.

Oral Sedation
If you are nervous about dental treatment, oral sedation may be used. It is taken by mouth. This type of medicine will make you a little drowsy, and will keep you relaxed and calm during the procedure. The medicine usually begins to work within 20 minutes. Your dentist will have you take the medicine once you arrive at the appointment. If you are having sedation, you should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the appointment. A driver is needed to escort you home before and after the procedure has been performed.

IV Sedation/General Anesthesia
Dr. Shieh works closely with a board-certified dentist anesthesiologist, Dr. Zak Messieha, if you are better suited to be placed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. He has specialized training using various medications to safely putting patient to sleep and avoiding a traumatizing event. A driver is needed to escort you home before and after the procedure has been performed.

A toothache can be caused by a cavity, lost filling, loose tooth, or injury. If you have a toothache without any noticeable swelling or fever, we recommend an over-the-counter pain medication (Tylenol or Advil) combined with a soft, room-temperature diet. It’s best to have any toothache evaluated by the dentist to determine the cause and treat if necessary. Please contact our office in St. John Indiana during business hours to schedule an appointment to schedule your emergency dental service.

A toothache can be caused by a cavity, lost filling, loose tooth, or injury. If you have a toothache without any noticeable swelling or fever, we recommend an over-the-counter pain medication (Tylenol or Advil) combined with a soft, room-temperature diet. It’s best to have any toothache evaluated by the dentist to determine the cause and treat if necessary. Please contact our office in St. John Indiana during business hours to schedule an appointment to schedule your emergency dental service.

The local drug store sells temporary cement for reattaching loose crowns. Clean the old temporary cement with a toothbrush out of the crown and make sure it fits back on the tooth. Load the temporary crown with a pea size amount of temporary cement, then seat it in the mouth and bite down with good pressure for 5 minutes. Clean off any excess cement and make sure to floss in between. Under no circumstance should you use superglue to put your crown back on. Superglue is a toxic material and can irreversible hurt your tooth and gums. Proceed to call our office and we will schedule a time to deliver the final crown or re cement the temporary

If a tooth is chipped, try to locate the chipped portion and place it in cold milk. A chipped piece can often be reattached in the office. If the chipped tooth is pink or bleeding, contact our office or after-hours number immediately. This type of injury is often very sensitive and requires evaluation and prompt treatment. If the chipped tooth is not pink or bleeding, we recommend soft, room-temperature foods combined with an over-the-counter pain medication. Contact our office during business hours to schedule an evaluation and treatment. Depending on the size of the chip, the tooth may be smoothed for comfort or “rebuilt” using white filling material.

A knocked out tooth can be scary but don’t panic. If the tooth can be located, gently rinse off any large debris (dirt, grass, etc.) using cool water. It’s important to hold the tooth by the crown (the portion of the tooth that is visible in the mouth) in order to protect the delicate tissue on the root surface. Reinsert the tooth into its socket using gentle finger or biting pressure OR place the tooth in a glass of cold milk. Contact our office or after-hours number immediately since treatment is time sensitive and requires prompt attention. If the tooth cannot be located, it’s still important to contact the dentist immediately for evaluation.

The local drug store sells temporary denture repair kits. Please follow the instructions carefully. Under no circumstance should you use superglue to repair your denture. Superglue is a toxic material and will melt the denture material as well as irritate your gums. Proceed to call our office and we will schedule a time to repair and fix your denture correctly.