General Dentistry

Oral cancer is serious. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing types of cancers and affects over 48,250 Americans. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer causes death at the rate of “1 person per hour, 24 hours per day.” We do not want that for any of our Fayetteville friends and neighbors. That’s why we encourage everyone to keep up with their regularly scheduled checkups. It is also why we have invested in ViziLite. This tool makes it quick and simple for us to spot abnormal or precancerous cells. If you have any abnormal cells, the ViziLite will spot them. And because ViziLite lets us discover any signs of mouth cancer so early, treatment is usually quick and efficient. Now that’s good news!

Dental x-rays are our foundational diagnostic tool allowing us to find issues that are hiding under your enamel. And because we care so much about your health, we have invested in digital x-ray technology to lower your exposure to radiation. It is also better for the planet with less waste and fewer chemicals. And to top it all off, your images are available instantly and are much clearer and easier to read than ever before. We also have the technology to take panoramic x-rays. These x-rays allow us to get a full picture of your head, jaw, and neck, which is useful in diagnosing malocclusion and other issues in both children and adults.

The famous cleaning! Who doesn’t love leaving the dental office with shiny, bright teeth, knowing that your gums are healthy and clear of infection and your breath is as clean as can be? Our hygienists are so thorough and yet so gentle, even sensitive or older patients often tell us they enjoy their cleanings. But your hygiene visits aren’t all for fun and freshness. When you keep up with these important visits, your gums stay free of the harmful bacteria that can enter your bloodstream and make you sick. It really does go beyond gum disease. If it has been some time since your last cleaning, why not call and schedule a hygiene appointment today? We never judge, and your smile will thank you for it!

We know we have mentioned it before, but we really want you to remember: Gum disease, sometimes referred to as periodontal disease, can affect more than your smile. It can affect your whole body. The bacterias that cause gum disease don’t just stay on and around your gums. They can quite easily enter your bloodstream before causing inflammation, affecting your heart, complicating diabetes, and sometimes lead to a stroke. Studies have even linked gum disease to cancer! If your gums are receding, swollen, or bleeding at all, please come see us here at Smiles by Design. We will gently clear away all the bacteria-laden tartar and clean below the gum line. We will also place Arestin – a long-lasting, time-release antibiotic – into the infected gum pockets and it will finish the job for us while you go about your daily life. No more gum infection!

Our patients used to think fluoride was only for kids, but we have news – adults need it too. Fluoride helps remineralize your teeth, strengthening them against acid and bacteria attacks. It keeps kids from developing tooth decay. Adults who are prone to decay benefit from it greatly. It can even help stop cavity “seeds” from growing into full-blown cavities. Tooth decay is not something to take lightly. Kids miss a tremendous amount of school because of toothaches. Adults suffer almost as much and may miss work because of cavities and abscesses. We recommend receiving fluoride treatments at every single visit. Of course, we are flexible and will only treat you as needed if you want. Protect your family’s precious smiles. Ask for a fluoride treatment today.

Another important way to protect your teeth is with mouthguards. And just like fluoride treatments, dental guards are for both children and adults. Nightguards are an effective way to protect your teeth – and your valuable restoration – from bruxism, otherwise known as clenching and grinding. Most people brux in their sleep, others tend to clench their teeth all the time and never realize they are doing it. Many things can contribute to a tendency to clench and grind such as stress, medications, and a misalignment in your bite. If we notice that your teeth are wearing down or cracked, we may recommend a nightguard or bruxism guard.

We also offer sports guards to save your teeth from injury that can occur during sports activities. Mouthguards help protect against impact that might otherwise cause broken teeth, and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. They also may reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. And because they are custom made and remarkably comfortable, they also stay in your child’s mouth and not in their pocket!

If you get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist, have trouble keeping your mouth open, and sitting for long periods, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Thousands of people avoid the dentist due to anxiety, but that’s why we offer Sedation Dentistry. Read our Sedation Dentistry page for more information on how we make you relaxed and comfortable at every visit.

No emergency is without its own kind of stress – but dental emergencies can be especially frightening. Knocked out or broken teeth, toothaches, and especially pediatric injuries, can leave you feeling helpless and in pain. Isn’t it nice to know that the dental practice you know and trust is here for your dental emergencies, seven days a week, 24 hours a day? Just call our office. We will support you, fit you in, or direct you on what to do after hours. We want our dental family to feel safe and secure in our care.

When we talk about family care, we certainly can’t forget to brag a little about our technology. You should know about it because, after all, we acquired it for you! Let’s start with our computerized treatment rooms. Computerization makes everything ultra convenient for all of us. Your records are always at our fingertips for comparison or planning. Plus, because we are reviewing most things while you are in the chair, we can share all of your information with you easily, discuss findings, and make important health decisions together.

Our intraoral camera helps us do that too, by transmitting live and close-up images of your mouth to the computer screen. You can watch in real time as we scan your mouth for damage or other problems. Kids love our intraoral camera – seeing those giant teeth is a real adventure!

And in case you want or need more in-depth information about a procedure or oral health in general, we have the Caesy Patient Education system. This interactive patient education system helps you stay engaged and in charge of your own care and allow you to truly understand your dentistry. Caesy offers full motion videos with 3D animations of treatments, narration, and colorful images. We promise, it is never boring.