OUR DENTAL SERVICES
A Competent & Intelligent Dental Practice
Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we at Bruce Family Dental promise to provide you with exceptional care as we enhance the natural beauty of your smile. Below are just some of the many procedures and services we regularly provide to our patients – with a gentle touch, and stunning results. When you visit our Pendleton, S.C. Dental office your smile is our first priority, and we’ll give you something to smile about.
At Bruce Family Dental we serve the dental needs of the entire family, ages 3 and up. There is no need to go to a specialist when we offer most of the treatments our patients need. It is our desire that our patients learn, through our treatments and education, good oral health habits that will lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth, gums and beautiful smiles.
Most of the treatments our patients need are offered here in our office including:
Regular cleanings and exams
Periodontal care
Cosmetic dentistry
Restorative dentistry
Extractions
Dentures & Partials
Dental Emergencies
Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
Digital X-Rays - Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage may save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!
Fluoride Treatment - Fluoride is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay. The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.
Sealants - A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves
(called pits and fissures) of teeth. Teeth with these pits and fissures are not very easy to clean and could develop into decay. A sealant helps to protect by making the surface smooth and easier to clean.
Dental Exams - A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit and at regular check-up exams
Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). When plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone. Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
Treatment - Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Dr. Bruce and our dental hygienists will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.
If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) will be recommended.
Good oral hygiene practices and periodontal cleanings are essential in maintaining dental health and keeping periodontal disease under control!
We all realize that having a healthy, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence. Whether you need tooth whitening or a full-mouth restoration, let us help you improve your smile, and your life, by having cosmetic treatment done.
Cosmetic treatments can:
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Brighten the color of your teeth
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Replace old, worn dental treatments
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Fill in spaces between teeth
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Replace missing teeth
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Repair broken, decayed, or chipped teeth
Treatments offered include:
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Tooth-colored fillings
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Porcelain crowns
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Porcelain Fixed Bridges
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Porcelain Veneers
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CEREC-One visit porcelain crowns
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Bonding
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Dental Implant Restorations
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Tooth Whitening
Contact our office today to learn more.
Should your teeth ever require a restorative treatment, you can rest assured knowing we will always discuss with you the available options, and recommend what we believe to be the most comfortable and least invasive treatment. Providing you with excellent care is our number one priority when creating your beautiful smile.
We employ the following procedures in restoring your beautiful smile.
Dental Implant Restorations – Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.
Composite Fillings – A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.
Crowns (Caps) – A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Dentures & Partial Dentures – There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.
Fixed Bridges – A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace
missing teeth.
Root Canal Therapy - Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.
Most people don't love to come to the dentist. In fact, some people get fearful and anxious when thinking about sitting in the dental chair. Conscious Sedation Dentistry offers a way to have a relaxed, calm dental visit while receiving treatment. Dr. Art Bruce and Dr. Jay Bruce both have had extensive training in Oral Conscious Sedation through their affiliation with DOCS (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation).
With Oral Conscious Sedation the patient isn't necessarily asleep, but sleepy, relaxed, and calm. Dr. Bruce uses oral sedatives, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help the patient relax.
Candidates for Conscious Sedation may have the following:
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A fear of needles
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Dental phobias
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A bad past dental experience
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A bad gag reflex
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A need for a lot of dental treatment
Like regular dental implants, mini implants are made of metal alloys that are well tolerated by the body. Mini implants are more slender than those of regular dental implants and are used to stabilize a removable denture or temporary tooth replacement. The base of the denture rests gently on the slender implants and on the gums. In some cases, mini implants may be used to support a crown or a fixed bridge.
Mini dental implants cost significantly less than regular implants. Because mini implants are small, they may be suitable for patients without enough jaw bone density to support regular implants.
Dental emergencies happen at the most inconvenient times and can involve a lot of pain. The emergency could be a cracked tooth, lost filling, missing crown, or a toothache. It's important to get prompt treatment from the dentist to have the best chance for a good outcome for the tooth.
At Bruce Family Dental we make every effort to see dental emergencies in a timely manner during regular office hours. Our office is open Monday through Friday for our patients.