Posted on by Chad Russell

Saunders DDS, Your Asheville Dentist

Contact Saunders DDS for Premier Oral Care, Cosmetic Dentistry, and Oral Surgery

For most people, one of the hardest parts of selecting an Asheville dentist is finding a dental office that meets all of your needs. We’re confident, however, that Saunders DDS is the right Asheville dentist for you and your family. Below you’ll find a quick overview of many of the services available at Saunders DDS. They proudly offer a wide range of dental services so that you can have all of your family dental care taken care of in one place.

Family Dental Services in Asheville

Family Dental Examinations and Dental Care

Everybody knows that they should have a dental exam every six months. That being said, there are an alarming number of people who put off this type of care because they don’t understand its importance. Regular dental exams allow your Asheville dentist to do much more than make sure that your teeth look and feel “fine.” Some important parts of your dental exam include:

  • Oral Cancer Screenings
  • Gum Tissue Examinations
  • Checking for Bite Problems

Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays are an important part of making sure that your dental health continues beyond what can be seen by the naked eye. Bitewing x-rays, periapical x-rays, panoramic x-rays, and cone beam CT scans can all help your dentist have a deeper understanding of what is going on in your mouth.

Non-Mercury Fillings

At some point in your life, it’s likely that you will need a dental filling. Modern filling options include a range of materials that do not include mercury, which was commonly found in old metal fillings. Your Asheville dentist will discuss your filling options with you. Some of the non-mercury fillings Saunders DDS offers are:

  • Composite Resin Fillings
  • Glass Ionomer Fillings
  • Porcelain (Ceramic) Fillings

Sealants

Many children, teenagers, and adults are at high risk for developing cavities in the deep crevices of their pre-molars and molars. Dental sealants help prevent these cavities by creating a barrier between your teeth and decay-causing bacteria. The sealant fills the deep crevices that can collect bacteria and be difficult to keep clean.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment

An important part of your oral health is making sure that you have strong, healthy gums. Unfortunately, the same bacteria that can lead to cavities can also create infections in your periodontal tissue, commonly called your gums. Saunders DDS can treat both minor gum inflammation and various degrees of periodontal disease, but prevention is easier and less expensive for you, the patient. Healthy gums can be maintained by using proper brushing and flossing, eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and having regular dental checkups.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is centered around helping you have the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Saunders DDS is ready and able to help you look and feel your best through a range of cosmetic dentistry procedures. These procedures can help you smile your best smile every day.

Teeth Whitening

One of the key elements of a great looking smile is clean, white teeth. Teeth whitening services offered by your Asheville dentist can help you get that perfect smile you want for your wedding, vacation, or any other reason. (Not that you need a special reason to want a bright white smile!)

It’s important to note that professional teeth whitening is safer and more effective than the at-home kits you can buy in the store. At-home bleach kits can strip the enamel from your teeth and result in permanent damage — especially if they are overused.

Dental Implants

Sometimes a tooth can’t be saved and must be pulled. In these instances, it’s typically a good idea to have an artificial tooth implanted in place of the pulled tooth. A dental implant refers to the metal screw that is placed in your jaw bone. A crown is then affixed to the top of the dental implant. These crowns are often made of tooth-colored porcelain and are virtually indistinguishable from your real teeth.

Porcelain Crowns and Veneers

One great cosmetic dentistry option is porcelain crowns and veneers. These custom pieces are crafted of porcelain that is carefully color matched to your existing teeth to create a beautiful, seamless look in your smile.

Veneers are thin ceramic shells that are designed to be bonded to the outer layer of your teeth. They are used to mimic natural tooth enamel and can help create your perfect smile. Dr. Saunders may suggest veneers for patients who wish to improve the appearance of fractured, stained, or poorly shaped teeth. A thin layer of enamel is removed to make room for the shell placement, but you retain the integrity of your own teeth.

Crowns, on the other hand, are a custom made cap that is designed to cover your entire tooth and help protect it all the way down to the gum line. These crowns are often used when a tooth has been broken or after a root canal has been performed. These natural-looking tooth replacements are also used to cap dental implants.

CEREC — Single Visit Crowns and Veneers

Saunders DDS uses Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) so that you can receive dental restorations in a single visit. The technicians at Saunders DDS use digital impressions of your teeth and computer-aided design to design fillings, crowns, and veneers that are milled right in our office. These pieces are crafted from natural looking ceramic material that matches your natural teeth. Instead of waiting for a lab to create them, however, you can have your dental restoration work completed in a single visit.

Oral Surgery

As your Asheville dentist, Dr. Saunders is interested in saving your natural teeth whenever possible. While there have been many advancements in dental materials, none of them quite match up to your natural teeth in function and resilience. Nevertheless, there are times when oral surgery cannot be avoided.

Tooth extraction should be reserved for instances when it is deemed to be the best course of action for your overall oral health. At Saunders DDS, you will benefit from over forty years of combined experience in oral surgery, so you won’t need to see an outside specialist if oral surgery is right for you.

Root Canals

Another common oral surgery is a root canal. This procedure is performed when the roots of a tooth have been badly damaged by decay, trauma, or fracture. The tooth’s roots — also called pulpal tissue — are carefully removed. Once the root has been removed and the inside of the tooth carefully cleaned, the root is sealed and a filling or crown is placed to protect the rest of the tooth.

Asheville Emergency Dental Care

Despite your best efforts, you or someone you know may need emergency dental care. Saunders DDS provides same-day emergency dental services during regular office hours to anyone, even if they are not a current patient. Some dental emergencies we can help with include:

  • Broken Teeth
  • Knocked Out Teeth
  • Severe Lip or Tongue Bites
  • A severe Toothach