A beautiful smile always begins with a healthy mouth. Through a program of regular cleanings and check-ups, we can help ensure your long-term dental health. At each check-up, we evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums, check for oral cancer and recommend appropriate treatment for the prevention and mitigation of diseases, disorders and conditions within your mouth. General dentistry services include general cleaning, fillings, crowns, and X-rays as well as advice and demonstrations to help you maintain your healthy, vibrant smile at home.

A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, literally bridging the gap where one or more teeth may have been. The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Missing teeth may cause difficulty in speaking or chewing. A bridge to replace missing teeth will help maintain the shape of your face and alleviate the stress in your bite.

A crown completely covers a tooth, restoring its natural shape and size, making the tooth stronger and improving its appearance. Crowns are used to cover and support a tooth that has a large filling, attach a bridge, prevent a weak or brittle tooth from breaking, or restore one that’s already broken. A crown may be also used to cover dental implants or teeth that are discolored, badly shaped, or out of position.

If you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, partial or complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Dentures also help support facial muscles which can sag and make you look older. Dentures may be full, replacing all teeth, or partial, replacing only a section of missing teeth.

Typically, a conventional full denture is made after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. An immediate temporary denture can be made for use during the healing period. Dentures today are designed to be comfortable and functional, and very similar in appearance to natural teeth.

Dental extraction refers to the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions may be performed for a variety of reasons, including severe tooth decay, infection or gum disease. Extractions of impacted or problematic wisdom teeth are routinely performed, as are extractions of some permanent teeth to make space for orthodontic treatment. Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anesthetic. Surgical extractions, where the tooth may have broken below the gum line or not emerged, are more complicated and may require referral to a surgical specialist.

When a tooth has been severely damaged by decay or fracture, our dentists may recommend that you get a root canal treatment.  Commonly called a root canal, it is a type of endodontic therapy treatment that is often recommended when the tooth pulp and nerves become infected or damaged. When left untreated, this type of infection and disease may cause the tooth to die and necessitate tooth extraction.

To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, our skilled dentists will remove the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, clean the tooth, and fill it with a medicated material. We will then cap the tooth with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in only one or two comfortable visits to our office.

Periodontics is the branch of dentistry which treats supporting structures of teeth, and the diseases and conditions that affect them. Periodontal diseases take on many different forms but are usually a result of a buildup of plaque between the gums and the teeth. This can lead to inflammation and other factors which can eventually lead to the destruction of supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, periodontal diseases can lead to bone and tooth loss, and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Techniques such as periodontal scaling and root planning can remove the plaque and calculus which are at the root of the infection.

Endodontics deals with the tooth pulp inside the tooth and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. If the pulp becomes diseased or injured, endodontic treatment — a root canal — is required to save the tooth. When the nerve inside the tooth is damaged it can be very painful and as the decay continues to spread, the nerve will die. With a root canal procedure, this damaged tissue is removed and replaced with dental filling. Although it may sound frightening, a root canal is generally a simple one- or two-visit procedure that allows you to retain a tooth that in previous decades the dentist would have removed.

Few things can boost your confidence to face the world better than an attractive smile. When teeth are misaligned and out of shape, yellow, or missing entirely, there’s a natural tendency to hide your smile. When your smile is beautiful, you can show the world how you truly feel. Using cosmetic techniques such as crowns, inlays, veneers and tooth bonding, we can fill in gaps between teeth and repair chips and cracks. White composite fillings can be used in place of the traditional silver amalgam. And if your teeth have become stained or darkened over time, we can help you return them to their original whiteness. Ask how our cosmetic procedures might help improve your smile.

Dr. Jessen performs dental implant surgery and bone grafts. Implants can replace a single tooth or help retain loose dentures.

The dental implant post, which is a screw made of titanium, is surgically placed in the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. It replaces the missing tooth root and ensures that your dental restoration is stable. A period of healing is often required to allow the bone to bond with the biocompatible post. Following the dental implant’s healing period, the dentist will check the healing is complete and then take an impression to fabricate the crown or bridge. The restoration takes a couple of weeks to be fabricated at which time the dentist will attach the restoration to the implant in your mouth.  Replacing a missing tooth with dental implants can restore your smile to optimal health, function, and appearance. A dental implant is a great option for restoring your smile because the implant is designed to look, function, and feel just like your natural teeth, and with proper care, it can last a lifetime.

Night guards can protect your smile from damage that occurs while grinding your teeth in your sleep. At Family Dentistry & Dental Hygiene we can make your night guards right here in O’Neill, Nebraska.  A night guard is a special type of mouth guard that is used to treat bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. If our dentist or team suspect that you suffer from bruxism, we may recommend a night guard to protect your teeth from damage and prevent teeth grinding while you sleep. Many people who suffer from bruxism are unaware of the condition because it occurs while they sleep.

Do you get anxious during your dental procedures?     If so, you may benefit from nitrous oxide (N2O) sedation at our office. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a nitrogen-oxygen mixture that you inhale through a nose mask during your treatment. As you breathe in the mixture, you will experience a relaxed or even euphoric sensation. Nitrous oxide can help you feel calm and at ease throughout your treatment and is very safe: the effects will wear off within minutes of removing your nose mask, and you can legally and safely drive yourself home after your appointment.

Nitrous oxide is a good option for any patient who suffers from dental anxiety or dental phobia. If you feel anxious because you are receiving a treatment not experienced before, or you simply dislike the sounds and sights of the dental office, we may recommend sedation to help you feel more relaxed.