Dental Implants in Sonoma and More at Sonoma Whole Health Dental

At Sonoma Whole Health Dental we know that the most important aspect of oral health is to ensure the functionality of the mouth in its ability to eat and perform normally without pain, discomfort, or sensitivity. It is important to remember that no amount of pain is normal and should not have to be tolerated. Those who are in immediate pain should contact our office in Sonoma, CA and will be scheduled in as soon as possible. Depending on the nature of your condition Dr. Pierson will use one of a wide range of restorative dental procedures to permanently resolve the problem.

Dental Implants
Dr. Pierson and his staff use dental implants made of titanium and capped with a porcelain crown to fill gaps from missing teeth. Dental implants do not only improve appearance but will also allow eating and chewing as if it were a natural tooth. Dr. Pierson is one of the most experienced dentists for performing sedation procedures in the Sonoma, CA area. During the procedure the patient will be comfortably and safely anesthetized while a titanium implant is fixed beneath the gum directly to the jaw. Once the bone and surrounding tissue has had adequate time to heal a porcelain tooth is fixed to the protruding titanium. Colored and shaped to match your teeth, the procedure results in a strong, functional, and naturally appearing tooth.

Porcelain Dental Crowns
Porcelain crowns are an effective and reliable way to fix a damaged tooth. Most commonly it is used to both seal and provide structural support for a tooth following a root canal procedure. Once bonded in place over the affected tooth the crown is strong and durable enough to endure everyday eating habits just as if it were a natural tooth. Its color is matched to the natural tooth color of the patient so no noticeable difference can be seen. Porcelain crowns at Sonoma Whole Health Dental are used for much more than just root canals. Dr. Pierson often shows the versatility of crowns by using them to treat a variety of issues such as covering chips or cracks, closing gaps between teeth, and sealing a sensitive tooth.

Dentures
Dentures are the best solution for those who have lost all, or a significant quantity of, their teeth. At Sonoma Whole Health Dental we know that the most important aspect of dentures is to match the positioning, structure, and function of natural teeth. That is why Dr. Pierson carefully fits each patient for their dentures and has their plates specially molded to ensure a snug comfortable fit for chewing and talking. For some, the traditional style of dentures can prove bothersome and awkward when the denture plates inadvertently become dislodged. At Sonoma Whole Health Dental a more sturdy mounting procedure called denture implants is available. While under sedation several titanium implants are mounted into the jaw bones. These separate implants are connected by a bar which then locks into the denture, fastening it in place. Dr. Pierson has performed this procedure many times and his patients have had excellent results using implant dentures.

Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease is one of the most commonly experienced problems in oral hygiene. What starts out as a minor gum infection can be easily treated and prevented with brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings. However if untreated the infection can do serious damage to the gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. At our Sonoma, CA office Dr. Pierson has been specially trained to perform laser gum therapy. Using a specially focused laser beam, as opposed to painful deep gum surgery, allows us to kill the infection and restore your gums.

Bridges
A dental bridge is a method which our professionals at Sonoma Whole Health Dental use to fill a gap where a patient is missing a tooth. The procedure consists of literally bridging the gap using an artificial tooth. First Dr. Pierson matches the coloring of the bridge with the natural teeth, then shapes it to fit snugly in the space. Next it is securely attached to porcelain crowns which are slipped over and bonded to the two adjacent teeth. This reinforcement method provides the stability needed for the patient to resume normal tooth function.

Root Canal Therapy
The root canal is a drastic yet sometimes unavoidable procedure which dental professionals perform to treat an injured or infected root. The root of the tooth runs from inside the tooth down into the gum. When this root is injured by trauma or infected there is a possibility that the root will die and essentially begin rotting the tooth from the inside. If left untreated the dead root and the festering tissues that surround it can worsen and result in the deterioration and loss of the entire tooth. To prevent this from occurring Dr. Pierson and his skilled staff fully sedate the patient for maximum comfort before drilling down through the crown of the tooth. When the root is reached all the infected tissue is extracted, and the procedure is completed by bonding a crown over the repaired tooth. The porcelain tooth colored crown gives both support and acts as a sealant to prevent further infection. Once finished and healed the crowned tooth will be fully functional and pain free. Dr. Pierson is considered one of the premier dentists in the Sonoma, CA area for performing this procedure.

Extractions
Here at Sonoma Whole Health Dental the extraction or pulling of a tooth is always considered the last resort because it results in the loss of a tooth, which should be avoided at all costs. Only when all other options have been evaluated and ruled against will Dr. Pierson decide to use extraction. Though ideally it would be very rare there are several situations in which extraction is the best option. Impacted wisdom teeth, a severely decaying root, and preparation for dentures or dental implants could all be cause for an extraction. During the procedure the patient remains awake and a local anesthetic is used to numb the mouth. Procedures using partial sedation such as this can often be the most stressful for the patient due to awareness of the procedure and sensations of pressure and pulling in the mouth. Dr. Pierson's unique bedside manner has continually proven to overcome this as he has time and again relaxed patients with his calm and controlled demeanor.