General Dentistry

Periodontal disease (also called gum disease or gingivitis) refers to the infection of the supportive tissues of the mouth due to the toxic bacteria found in plaque. Most Americans suffer from some degree of gum disease, which left untreated can cause significant health problems, including tooth loss and the breakdown of the soft tissue in the mouth and jaw.

You can improve the health of your gums and supportive structures by visiting Sheppard Family Dental Care. Your access to our advanced periodontal therapy program is your key to the restoration of your gums and to the prevention of future problems.

Damage to the nerve tissue inside of a tooth sometimes requires a root canal procedure. The Sheppard Family Dental Care team takes advantage of technological advancements that not only make root canals more effective and comfortable, but also take less time.

Dr. Sheppard will gently remove the infected tissue from the root canals of the tooth and will fill the void with an inert material. The procedure is completed with the placement of a filling or, in most cases, a crown.

In certain cases, injury or decay can extensively damage a tooth. Dr. Sheppard will do everything possible to maintain the natural tooth, though in some cases extraction is the proper treatment option to start you on the path toward complete dental health. Dr. Sheppard can gently remove your troublesome tooth and will provide you with treatment options for completing a beautiful smile again.

Many people who notice chipped or cracked teeth, but don’t remember when the injury occurred, damaged their teeth while they were sleeping. Grinding or clenching your teeth during the night will cause your teeth to chip, crack, and even break. To keep you from seriously damaging your teeth, we recommend a dental appliance called a nightguard. A custom-fitted nightguard protects your teeth from grinding and clenching in your sleep. At Sheppard Family Dental Care, we take time to ensure the proper fit of your nightguard, in order to prevent pain in your jaw joint. Do you suffer from headaches? You may find that a side benefit of your nightguard is headache prevention. Many headaches start during the night, caused by the extreme pressure generated as you grind and clench your teeth. Ask your Sheppard Family Dental Care team member about having a nightguard custom created especially for you.