Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a combination of dental procedures that focus on enhancing a patient’s smile, while also maintaining the patient’s dental health and function of the teeth.  Enhancing a smile often has a positive emotional and psychological impact on a patient’s life by improving the patient’s self-image. 
Dental procedures and techniques used in cosmetic dentistry can include:

• Laser dentistry to fix "gummy" smiles - where a disproportionate amount of the gums show when smiling.
• Teeth bleaching and whitening to remove stains from teeth.
• Porcelain veneers and inlays to fix broken/cracked, mismatched teeth, or correct gaps between teeth.
• Dental implants and crowns to replace missing teeth.
• Use of tooth colored fillings to replace unsightly silver amalgam fillings.
• Use of non-metal crowns to replace old crowns that show black lines.

Dr. Shawn Walls can create a customized cosmetic dental treatment plan that is perfect for your smile.  Make an appointment for a consultation today!

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Porcelain Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell that is bonded to a tooth to improve its color and shape. Veneers are a perfect solution for teeth that are chipped, discolored, or have an irregular appearance. The first step is to take impressions of each tooth, so the veneers can be made precisely. Next, the veneers are bonded to the teeth with a strong adhesive. Once in place, veneers are indistinguishable from a regular tooth in both appearance and function.

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Crowns & Bridges
If you have a tooth that is discolored, badly shaped, weak or broken, a crown can be used to cover and restore it to its normal shape and size. Dr. Shawn Walls can install a crown to cover a dental implant, a large filling or to attach a bridge.

Missing one or more teeth will have a negative effect on your appearance and your chewing and speaking abilities.  Dr. Shawn Walls can correct this problem through the use of a bridge, which will help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviate the stress in your bite.  Bridges can be fabricated from various materials including gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these.  Depending on the degree of support from the surrounding teeth, Dr. Shawn Walls can recommend the type of bridge that is right for you.  One type of bridge can be bonded onto other teeth; this bridge is called a fixed partial denture, which can only be removed by our dental office.  Or you could be an ideal candidate for a removable bridge, which can be removed by the patient.  Finally, if Dr. Shawn Walls recommends an implant bridge for you, artificial teeth will be attached directly to your jaw or under the gum tissue.

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Tooth Colored Fillings
Tooth colored fillings are the material of choice for more natural looking teeth. Composites are made of glass and resin, tooth colored fillings can be used to both fill and to repair tooth defects. They are often used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. They can be used on the back teeth as well, depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay. Ask Dr. Walls if tooth colored fillings match your needs.

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Zoom Teeth Whitening
The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System is a safe way to give you a confident whiter smile in just 45 minutes. The process begins when a whitening gel is placed on the teeth which is then activated by the Zoom! light aid. Once activated the gel gently penetrates your teeth and breaks up stains and discoloration.

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Dental Implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, which is surgically anchored into the jaw in order to secure a replacement tooth or bridge in place. Implants are stable and permanent and are not reliant on neighboring teeth for support. They are an ideal tooth replacement procedure because they look and feel like natural teeth.

Implants are great for patients who are unable to wear dentures.  Instead, the implant is placed directly into the jawbone to support permanently cemented bridges. Implants can be made from several different types of metallic and bone-like ceramic materials that are compatible with body tissue, and resemble real teeth.

Implant procedures can be done in the dental office with local anesthesia. The dentist performs surgery to anchor the artificial root into the patient’s jawbone. The healing process can take up to six months.  Once fully healed, the replacement teeth are fitted and secured to the artificial root.

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Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can be used for two purposes.  Dental bonding can be used for cosmetic and restoration purpose to restore chipped, broken or decaying teeth, reshape or whiten your smile or fill in gaps between teeth.  Dental bonding can also be used to affix or attach bridges, orthodontic appliances or fillings to teeth.

In cosmetic dentistry, the bonding procedure begins when a composite resin filling is first scooped onto the teeth.  Dr. Walls will sculpt, color and shape the composite filling.  A high intensity light is then used to harden the material. Finally, the surface is finely polished to achieve a natural appearance that blends with the rest of your teeth and improves your smile. 

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Root Canal Treatment
The root canal is the hollow space in the center of the tooth containing the pulpy nerve tissue that provides the tooth with a sensory function – which the ability to feel hot and cold.  There can be up to four root canals in a human tooth. When the root pulp is damaged from cavity decay or fractures, pain is usually the result due to the increase in blood flow and cellular activity of the tooth. Bacteria can enter and multiply in the tooth, causing the pulp to die.  If the tooth is not treated, the pain will get worse and infection can spread, possibly resulting in an abscess. 

Root canal therapy involves removing the decayed pulp and cleaning out the canal.  Dr. Walls will reshape the canal and insert medication to kill bacteria, if necessary.  Once the dentist has determined that all infection has been cleared, Dr. Walls will fill the root canal with gutta percha, which is a rubber-like material. The tooth is then permanently sealed with porcelain or a permanent crown. Complete root canal therapy can take between one to three sessions, depending upon the condition of the tooth.

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Family Dentistry
At the dental practice on Dr. Walls, we are dedicated to general and family dentistry.  As a primary dental care provider, Dr. Walls is responsible for the general diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to the oral health needs for patients of all ages.  He is highly educated and trained on all dental procedures and can consult with you to determine the best course of treatment for your dental needs.

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Non Surgical Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease is an infection of gums and bone around the teeth. This is caused by the build-up of plaque on the teeths surface. If not treated, periodontal disease can lead to teeth loss due to the recession of gums and bone which are necessary to support them. Periodontal disease is diagnosed by means of a probe and X-rays. A probe measures the pockets between your teeth and gums. X-rays are also helpful as they reveal the bone loss of the jawbone.

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TMJ Treatment
The temporomandibular joint (“TMJ”) is the joint that allows your jaw to open and close, and allows jaw movement forward, backward, and sideways. The TMJ will only work properly if the lower jaw and its movements are synchronized.

Temporomandibular Disorder (“TMD”) is a condition that can be caused various reasons, including: stressful situations, strenuous physical activities, overuse of the muscles, and grinding of the teeth. TMD affects jaw muscles, the temporomandibular joint, and nerves where jaw movements become out of synch.  These habits will wear out the jaw muscles and result in headache and neck pain. TMD can also result in sensitive teeth, injured soft tissues, muscle soreness, and jaw discomfort.  Other symptoms include difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and the jaw locking when you talking, yawning or eating.

TMD can be treated. A custom nighttime mouth guard will help stop grinding of teeth. More severe cases can treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, and posture training.
TMD is usually cyclical and may return when you experience stress.  Come in for an evaluation today - Dr. Walls can recommend the right therapy to alleviate your TMD symptoms.

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Nitrous Oxide
For patients who become overly anxious when going through a dental procedure, at the dental practice of Dr. Walls, we offer nitrous oxide, which is a sweet-smelling colorless gas made up of nitrogen and oxygen.  Nitrous oxide is administered through a mask that fits snugly over your nose, approximately five minutes before the dental procedure.

Also known as “laughing gas”, it is a safe and well established method to deal with dental anxiety and discomfort.  It has a calming and comforting effect, yet allows the patient remain awake, in control, and with the ability to communicate.  Nitrous oxide also tends to lessen anxiety, increase a patient’s pain threshold, and reduce an overactive gag reflex.  Because of all of these benefits, it is often used in pediatric dentistry.