Preventative Dentistry in Fayetteville, AR
At Scott J. Stephens DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we promote preventive treatments so that we can help our patients avoid common dental conditions such as decay, periodontal disease, cracked teeth, and tooth loss.
A small investment of time and effort before conditions arise can save you money, unnecessary pain, and dental emergencies in the future. At our Fayetteville, AR dental office, we provide high-quality, effective preventive treatments to keep our patients looking and feeling great.
Comprehensive Oral Exams
Your time with Dr. Stephens is an opportunity for you to share any concerns about the comfort, health, or appearance of your smile. Dr. Stephens will perform a thorough exam of your teeth and gums, and provide an oral cancer screening to look for any suspicious lesions. Your dentist is your first line of defense when it comes to surviving oral cancer.
After your exam, Dr. Stephens will share any conditions he finds so that you can discuss potential treatment options to protect your health and your smile.
Professional Dental Cleanings
Even if you brush and floss diligently, you can still benefit from a professional dental cleaning. Bacteria multiply quickly, and plaque begins to form as soon as you eat or drink. That combination can lead to build-up in places your toothbrush cannot reach, such as just below your gum line and between your teeth. Once plaque forms into tartar, your hygienist will need to remove it for you.
By having regular professional cleanings at least twice a year, you could avoid periodontal (gum) disease, a serious condition that can affect your overall health and cause bad breath, tooth loss, and inflammation.
Protective Dental Sealants
If your teeth have deep grooves or if you are particularly prone to dental decay, you might consider having dental sealants. Dr. Stephens will apply sealants on clean teeth to keep out bacteria and food particles. They are tooth-colored, inexpensive, and can last for up to five years. This is a great option for children and adults who struggle with cavities.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Do you clench or grind your teeth? If you wake up with a headache, neck ache, or sore teeth, or if you experience unexplained sensitivity, you might suffer from bruxism (excessive clenching and grinding). Bruxism can cause significant damage to your teeth and dentistry. Your jaws exert an enormous amount of force and can crack your teeth and destroy crowns, fillings, and dental bonding.
Fortunately, Dr. Scott Stephens provides a solution to protect your teeth and reduce your symptoms. The proper oral appliance, such as an occlusal (bite) splint, or nightguard, creates a barrier between your teeth, preventing them from coming together while you sleep.
We create custom nightguards that fit your teeth comfortably and snugly. Patients report reduced symptoms in just a week or two. Our occlusal splints are smooth and are never bulky so you can breathe and sleep easily.
Call to Schedule Your Next Preventive Dental Appointment
We look forward to providing you and your entire family with outstanding preventive treatments that will keep you feeling and looking your best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients sometimes express concern over the safety and necessity of dental x-rays. Obviously, radiation exposure is a concern. However, dental x-rays emit only very low levels of radiation. In fact, you can absorb more radiation from space simply by being outside for a short period of time.
In spite of their safety, we still take precautions to ensure that we protect your health. We will take the greatest number of x-rays on your first visit to our office. This information provides us with a baseline to measure your oral health. At your subsequent visits, we will take only the x-rays that are absolutely necessary to rule out any common conditions such as decay, bone loss, tumors, cysts, and infection.
Patients sometimes wonder if dental x-rays are truly necessary. At Scott J. Stephens DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we treat our patients the way we would want our own family members treated. Dental x-rays are the best way to catch dental conditions in their early stages when they are often less expensive, less invasive, and less painful to treat.
If you ever have questions about the safety or necessity of your dental x-rays, do not hesitate to ask. It is our goal to make sure you feel informed and confident in the recommendations and treatment you receive in our office.
Meet Our Dentist:
Scott J. Stephens DDS
Dr. Scott Stephens graduated as Valedictorian from Benton High School in Benton, AR in 1993. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hendrix College in Conway, AR in 1997, graduating Magna Cum Laude with distinction. He went on to earn his DDS from the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 2001, where he was on the dean's list.
When Dr. Stephens completed dental school, he was looking to do something different (and perhaps a little adventurous) with the early part of his career. An opportunity to practice dentistry with ...
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