FROM COMMON CONCERNS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS
WHAT SETS US APART
St. Francis Dental Center offers the highest quality general dentistry services in the Milwaukee, WI region. For 50 years, we have provided superior service to our patients in the Bay View, St. Francis, Cudahy, and South Milwaukee areas of Wisconsin.
We are dedicated to building long-lasting dental relationships with our patients. We achieve this through mutual trust and open communication. Your participation in your dental care is encouraged. From common concerns to complex dentistry, we provide a wide array of dental services centering on meeting your needs. Using cutting edge technology, our experienced staff works as a team to give you exemplary treatment from the moment you walk in the door. We look forward to building this relationship with you as your family’s trusted dentist. Allow our proven legacy of experience to work for you.
There are essentially two types of cleaning. One is a preventive cleaning that needs to be done once every six (6) months. This is ideally done in those mouths that are free from inflammation. It is done to maintain good oral health. The second type of cleaning is known as scaling/root planning, therapeutic cleaning or deep cleaning. This is done in areas of chronic inflammation. Areas of inflammation are those areas that have a constant grade of infection caused by bacteria. This is also termed as Gingivitis with its more progressive form being Periodontitis. By measuring your gum “pocket depths”, we will determine the extent of your infection and the treatment required. Gum disease or Periodontitis if left unchecked, has been shown according to some studies to directly contribute to Heart Disease. It has also been linked to low birth weight in pregnant women and diabetic patients tend to be more susceptible to it. Gingivitis may be reversible by maintaining oral hygiene and by regular re-care appointments, whereas severe Periodontitis is a more chronic condition; its treatment protocol may involve not only scaling/root planning but antibiotic therapy and in severe cases surgery as well.
In general, both Gingivitis and Periodontitis can be prevented by:
- Brushing two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing once a day
- Regular dental check-ups
- Do not use tobacco or its products
- Eating a balanced diet
A cavity is a pit in your tooth where the tooth has begun to decay. Cavities gradually dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth and protects the softer, more sensitive interior of your teeth. Left unfilled, a cavity can work its way into your tooth’s interior and ultimately destroy it. A filling is a material that is placed into a prepared area in a tooth affected by a cavity and then adjusted to restore the tooth to its proper form and function. The two most commonly placed fillings are composite restorations and amalgam restorations. We will check for cavities at every preventive visit and can help you choose which type of restoration is right for you.
A root canal therapy is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerves that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the gums, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, we will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.
There are a number of reasons for individuals to require extractions. Oral Surgery can help with infected teeth, with one common type being wisdom teeth. Wisdom Teeth can become impacted when they emerge later in life, once the molars have already developed. Wisdom Teeth, more often than not, do not have the proper spacing to rise naturally and they impact with the molars in the rear of the mouth. Oral Surgery can also work hand-in-hand with dental implants of missing teeth. Dental implants are an option for tooth loss due to an accident or infection or as an alternative to dentures. The implants are tooth root substitutes that are surgically anchored in place in the jawbone and act to stabilize the artificial teeth to which they are attached. Suitable candidates for dental implants need to have an adequate bone level and density, must not be prone to infection and must be willing to maintain good oral hygiene practices.
A removable full denture is a prosthetic replacement for all of the missing teeth in an arch. Full dentures can replace just your upper teeth, just your lower teeth, or all your teeth. Dentures need to be removed at night to maintain tissue health.
Removable Partial Denture is a prosthetic replacement for all of the missing teeth in an arch. Full dentures can replace just your upper teeth, just your lower teeth, or all your teeth. Dentures need to be removed at night to maintain tissue health.
A crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth, to strengthen it when the tooth is fractured or there is too much decay for the tooth to be filled. Crowns can be made of ceramic porcelain, gold or a precious metal with a porcelain coating.
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress in your bite. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. The success of any bridge depends on its foundation – the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
For individuals who wish to replace missing teeth, dental implants may be an effective long-term solution. Implants provide greater structural support and last longer than either bridges or dentures. Implants serve as the artificial root to which new teeth are bonded. They are typically constructed of titanium, a strong and safe material that effectively attaches to bone. A recent survey has shown that Americans are opting for dental implants more often for replacing missing teeth. If a tooth is lost through accident, injury or decay, it must be replaced. In the past this was done with either removable partial dentures or a bridge that is attached to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Now, another option is the placing of implants. The dental implant process involves a few steps that take place over a time period that can vary from 4 to 12 months. The average treatment takes 6-8 months. The typical process will include:
- Implant placement: This procedure is performed in our office. Dr. Stiglitz places the dental implant(s). This replaces your missing tooth root(s). Temporary teeth are placed so you look normal throughout treatment. Over the next four months, bone will attach to the surface of the implants anchoring them into position.
- Tooth fabrication: During this phase, Dr. Stiglitz or Dr. Young attaches a small “post” or extension to the implant(s), to which your new teeth will be attached. A simple impression will be taken and at the next visit new teeth will be placed to give you a functional natural restoration.
Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your teeth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth. Tooth bonding can also be used for teeth fillings instead of amalgam fillings. Many patients prefer bonding fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than the silver amalgam fillings. Bonding fillings can be used on front and back teeth depending on the location and extent of tooth decay. Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and usually can be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, tell your doctor. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. The bonding can generally be easily patched or repaired in one visit.
Sports (athletic) mouth guards are plastic dental appliances which when worn can provide a degree of protection for both the mouth’s soft tissues (lips, cheeks, gums, tongue) and hard tissues (teeth and jawbones). They also protect against concussions from blows to the head by cushioning the jaws upon impact. While all guards are made of plastic, their specific design, composition, and method of fabrication vary. When worn they can help to protect the hard and soft tissues of the mouth from damage caused by traumatic blows and collisions. At St. Francis Dental Center, we will take impressions of your teeth and have a mouth guard custom made to fit your teeth. This will give you the very best protection.
At the offices of Drs. Stiglitz and Young you will find the science of dentistry is enhanced by design. Designing a natural smile that compliments your face is truly an art. Our smile makeovers are functional as well as fabulous. We strive to make a positive difference in the lives of the patients we serve. Our Cosmetic Dental Services Include:
- Crowns
- Bonding
- Bridges
- Porcelain and veneers
- Dentures and partials
- Teeth whitening
- Tooth colored fillings
Everyone can tell you a funny story about someone who snores. It may be about their father, and old roommate, or even your spouse. The truth is snoring and related sleep orders are no laughing matter. Many of our patients suffer from sleep disorders. We are committed to helping them treat these in order to improve their quality of life and reduce the risks of serious health issues. We screen for sleep disorders and work closely with physicians on treatment options. Oral appliance therapy may be the optimal starting point and we can provide this to our patients. Snoring is the name we give to the sound produced during sleep by vibrations in the back of the throat (mostly the uvula and soft palate). It is estimated that between 30 to 50 percent of adults snore during sleep. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person temporarily stops breathing during the night, and these episodes occur repeatedly during the night. Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram, or a “Sleep Study”.
DIAGNOSIS
Since Sleep Apnea is a disorder that can result in serious health problems, it is important that you consult with your physician to determine if further studies are necessary. “Snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to snorers and those around them, as well as daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus and decreased libido. It has also been suggested that it can cause significant psychological and social damage to sufferers. Multiple studies reveal a positive correlation between loud snoring and risk of heart attack (about +34% chance) and stroke (about +67% chance).”
TREATMENT
- There are three methods of treatment for both snoring and sleep apnea:
- Oral appliances
- Continuous positive airway pressure machines (CPAP) and
- Surgery
Your dentist can treat both sleep apnea and snoring with dental appliances with great success but may refer you to a medical doctor for diagnosis of sleep apnea. Mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea respond well to the oral appliances, but the severe cases usually need the CPAP machine.
