Our Services

Periodontal Treatment Three out of four people have warning signs of  Periodontal Disease: Gums that bleed when you brush Gums are red, swollen or tender Gums have pulled away (receded) from teeth Pus between teeth & gums when gums are pressed Permanent teeth are loose or separating Change in the way your teeth fit when biting Any changes in fit of partial dentures Persistent bad breath Periodontal disease may increase your risk for a variety of health conditions including, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung infection and respiratory disease. Signs & Symptoms Healthy: Gums have healthy pink color Gum line hugs teeth tightly No bleeding Gingivitis: Gums bleed easily when you brush or when probed gently during examination Gums are imflaned and sensitive to touch Possible bad breath and bad taste Gums between teeth may look bluish-red in color Early Periodonititis: Gums may begin to pull away from the teeth Bleeding, puffimess and imflammation more pronounced Bad breath and bad taste Slight loss of bone, horizontally on X-ray Pockets of 3-4mm between teeth and gums in one or more areas of the mouth Moderate Periodonititis: Gum boils or abscesses may develop Teeth look longer as gums betgin to recede Front teeth may begin to drift, showing spaces Bad breath, bad taste Both horizontal and angular bone loss on X-ray Pockets between teeth and gums range from 4-6mm deep Advanced Periodonititis: Teeth may become mobile or loose Bad breath and bad taste are constant Roots may be exposed and are sensitive to hot and cold Severe horizontal and angular bone loss on X-ray Pockets between teeth and gum now in excess of 6mm deep If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please call before you lose your natural teeth! Allow our highly trained staff to treat this disease before it progresses!   Tooth-Colored Fillings Nikodem Dental, P.C. offers Composite (tooth-colored) fillings to help with problems associated with silver fillings. Composite fillings make a beautiful difference to your smile. Nikodem Dental is an amalgam free practice! Oral Surgery Nikodem Dental, P.C.  also performs in-house oral surgery using comforting sedation - Local Anensthesia: During surgery the dentist will gently numb your mouth with a local anesthetic for your comfort. Although dental treatment is usually comfortable, if you feel jittery or anxious, tell the doctor the morning of your impressions and he may prescribe a relaxant to be taken an hour prior to surgery. General Anesthesia: Now you have the choice. If you require sedation, Dr John A Haden, Oral and Maxilofacial Surgeon, is available to provide general anesthesia for tooth removal and wisdom teeth removal. Because drugs may make you "sleepy", for your well being, we require a family member or friend remain on the premises to drive you home. Crowns and Bridges Crowns are used on teeth with advanced decay and on badly damaged, discolored, chipped, or misaligned teeth. After the tooth is shaped into a base for the crown, an impression is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is put in place. On your return visit, the new custom-made crown is cemented onto the tooth. Most crowns are made of metal (gold), porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. Crowns for severely damaged teeth may need a post and/or build-up. Bridges are a natural looking, permanent replacement option for missing teeth. Teeth on both sides of the space are shaped into a base (abutment). An impression of the abutments is taken, and a temporary bridge is put in place. At the lab, false teeth (pontics) are fabricated to the abutments in the form of a bridge. On your return visit, the bridge is permanently cemented to the abutments with the pontics replacing the missing teeth.   Root Canals Nerve tissue (Pulp) becomes damaged and infection spreads to the bone and tissues. An abscess forms at the root. After the affected tooth has been numbed, the pulp is removed and the chamber and roots are cleaned out, enlarged, and shaped. Once the tooth is clean and free of infection, the pulp chamber and root canals are filled with a rubberlike material and the tooth is filled. Your root canal treated tooth will need to be crowned. Some crowns may need a post and/or build-up.