Office: (770) 513-1312

A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by Dr. Norton at your initial dental visit. At regular check-up exams, Dr. Norton and his hygienist will include the following:

• Interpretation of Diagnostic X-Rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.  These x-rays are taken on an as-need basis.

• Oral Cancer Screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for any signs of oral cancer. Dr. Norton uses a special fluorescing device, which takes very little time and is totally painless, to highlight tissue that could be cancerous or pre-cancerous.

• Gum Disease Evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.

• Examination for Tooth Decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments such as the Diagnodent laser cavity detector. We want to detect decay long before conventional x-rays show it. Our laser detection unit finds decay up to two years sooner, so we can often remove it without the need for anesthesia. Finding it in its earliest stages is always less costly.

• Examination of Existing Restorations: Check current fillings and crowns for chipping or leakage and inspect other restorations including implants, removable partials and full dentures, along with orthodontic devices.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists and sometimes by Dr. Norton.
Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:

• Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with special dental instruments.

• Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease! These toxins are also responsible for tooth decay (cavities.)

• Teeth polishing: Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.

Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning

Did you know we can now clean your teeth faster and better than ever before? Our Ultrasonic instrument uses a gently vibrating tip to remove plaque, tarter, stains and bacteria from your teeth. This is true even in areas below the gum line, where ordinary hand instruments or “scrapers” might cause discomfort. The ultrasonic vibrations are strong enough to remove hard calculus and stain but gentle enough not to harm your gums or teeth. When the vibrating tip is placed on the tartar, it breaks down and removes the build-up without the need to scrape and pick. The ultrasonic instrument also uses distilled water to flush out the harmful bacteria and tartar present in the little crevices between your gums and teeth.

If you suffer from gum disease, ultrasonic periodontal therapy is the first step in the treatment and control of periodontal disease. While reaching below the gum line to remove bacteria, it also flushes the area with a medicated rinsing agent. When necessary, we are able to place antibiotic medication beneath the gum line to help eradicate stubborn areas of infection that are resistant to the regular therapeutic procedures. This locally-placed antibiotic attaches to the tooth/gum area and remains for several days. If this is not successful in lessening the periodontal pocket depth to a manageable level, we sometimes use the dental laser to melt away the diseased tissue.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning will improve the overall health and appearance of your teeth and gums. It will leave your teeth feeling cleaner than ever. You will find it to be a much more pleasant procedure than you are perhaps accustomed to with previous dental cleanings.