University Dental Associates Services

Invisalign is a new way of straightening teeth without calling attention to them. The procedure involves wearing a series of nearly undetectable aligners instead of the traditional brackets and wires. They are made specifically to fit your lifestyle allowing you to eat, drink, brush, and floss easily. Our patients love their Invisalign aligners because they are clear and virtually undetectable on teeth. And since Invisalign is removable, you can easily take the clear aligners out for special events. For all these reasons, Invisalign treatment is also a great option for adult patients.

Your orthodontist will determine if Invisalign is appropriate for you during an examination, and if they are a match, he/she will prescribe a treatment plan and take an impression of your teeth. This impression is submitted to Invisalign, which uses 3-D computer technology to create a series of precisely customized aligners. Patients wear each set of aligners for about two weeks and, as a result, teeth move gradually week by week until you’ve achieved the intended results- straighter teeth.

Most Invisalign patients visit their orthodontists no more than those who wear braces. The length of treatment is approximately the same as well.

Regular preventive dental appointments are an important step in your oral health routine. These biannual checkups can also result in less extensive and less expensive treatment for dental conditions that may develop, and help you keep your natural teeth for a lifetime. During a regular preventive appointment at University Dental Associates, you will receive a thorough hygiene cleaning and a dental exam to check for cavities and other conditions. You may also receive x-rays.

Restorative services help restore a lost or damaged tooth due to dental disease or injury. These services include fillings, crowns and bridges, implants, gum disease treatments and root canals. At University Dental Associates, we will do everything we can to repair the functional structures of your mouth. Our highly-trained team of dental professionals offers a wide range of restorative dental services to help you feel more comfortable talking, eating and living your daily life.

We offer a range of dental services designed to meet the unique needs of children and teens, including oral exams, digital x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments, gum disease prevention, sealants and cavity repair. Whatever their dental needs, you can count on us to start them down the path and be there every step of the way toward a lifetime of good oral health.

A beautiful smile can make you feel more confident about yourself. A proper bite also contributes to improved dental health, which can affect your overall physical health and well-being. At University Dental Associates, our patients achieve amazing transformations, not only in their smiles, but also in their confidence and self-esteem. We offer complete orthodontic services, including braces, Invisalign and retainers.

Dental implants are changing the way people live and are often the best option for people who have experienced tooth loss. They are the closest thing to natural teeth that modern dental technology has to offer. They are a desirable alternative to dentures as these are “permanent teeth” that look, feel and function similar to natural teeth. Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The posts act as tooth root substitutes and, within three to six months, the bone bonds with the titanium to create a strong foundation for artificial teeth. If you are considering dental implants, give us a call and we will thoroughly examine your mouth and dental records to determine if they are a good option.

Cosmetic dentistry enhances the appearance of your teeth using a variety of techniques, including whitening, straightening, restoring or replacing your teeth. At University Dental Associates, we offer a variety of whitening techniques and different types of veneers, all designed to help give you confidence and make your smile beautiful.

Oral surgeons care for patients with more serious problems, such as wisdom teeth, facial pain and misaligned jaws. They specialize in procedures involving TMJ disorders, orthognathic surgery and wisdom teeth removal.

As we age, our dental care needs change. Seniors may need more restorative care to ensure a healthy smile. At University Dental Associates, we offer complete senior dental care, including dentures, dental implants, gum disease prevention and a discount program for our older patients.

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. Gum disease can affect patients of all ages, and even the healthiest of smiles can be at risk. Gingivitis is the initial stage of this disease, and, if treated at this stage, gum disease can often be prevented and reversed. However, if left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss and unsightly changes to the soft tissues around the teeth. The good news is that gum disease is relatively easy to prevent by maintaining proper dental hygiene (brushing and flossing) and making regular dental visits.

Root canals are typically needed when an untreated cavity progresses rapidly and spreads to the pulp of the tooth. The tooth pulp is made up of blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves. Once the bacteria of decay have reached the tooth pulp, it can be extremely painful. If your dentist determines that a root canal is the best solution for you, the procedure can typically be done with minimal discomfort and often keeps you from losing the tooth.

Prosthodontics deals with simple to complicated full-mouth restorations that may involve crowns, veneers, fixed bridges, dentures, dental implants, or mixed implant and natural tooth restorations. Your general dentist may refer you to a prosthodontist for more complex restoration or replacement cases.

TMJ disorders are a family of problems related to your complex jaw joint. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. If you have had symptoms like pain or a “clicking” sound, you’ll be glad to know these problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than they were in the past. Since some types of TMJ problems can lead to more serious conditions, early detection and treatment are important.

Sleep apnea refers to the loss of air movement during sleep. This results in a depletion of oxygen and a buildup of carbon dioxide in the lungs and blood. Snoring is the most obvious event associated with sleep apnea and results from turbulent air flow in a narrow airway. The more severe the restriction, the louder the snoring becomes and the more likely apnea is to occur. Sleep apnea is a progressive disease that has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, chest pains, and hypertension.

Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a patient avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-operatively as well. Your dentist will talk to you about the most appropriate sedation option to address your particular needs.

Dental emergencies can happen at all hours of the day and night. In order to keep every tooth we care for safe, we offer some guidelines on what to do in every situation. And if that isn’t enough, we always have a dentist on call seven days a week to handle any after-hour emergencies for our current patients.