Tooth Colored Fillings

Those old Amalgam fillings can be replaced with tooth colored fills.  They are less intrusive and cause less stress on the tooth.  At Advantage Dental Center in Meridian we use tooth colored composite resins for most of our fillings.  Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture. Our fillings can withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing and look more natural than other filling materials.

Crowns

Crowns aren’t just for royalty!  We want to do everything we can to preserve our natural teeth. Dental Crowns are a tooth shaped cap designed to restore a damaged tooth. Crowns can provide structural strength, improved function, and improve visual appearance. We utilize crowns to protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth. Crowns can also restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down. Occasionally a crown could be used to cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left. Crowns are used in a wide variety of capacities to help our patients oral health.

Bridge

If you have a gap in your teeth a bridge could be the best solution.  There are many ways to support a bridge. A bridge is commonly made up of two or more anchoring teeth called abutment teeth, with a false tooth or teeth in the gap. The bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of materials. If you have gap we can place a bridge.  Give us a call!

Endodontics (Root Canal)

When the nerve of a tooth is exposed due to decay or part of a tooth chipping off the tooth will need to have a root canal.  The nerves need to be removed and the canals filled.  Many patients experience pain when the nerve is exposed.  If you are having severe tooth pain please contact our office.

Veneers

Veneers can improve the appearance of chips, misalignment, discolouration, and gaps in your teeth. Typically veneers are placed on the front of teeth and are thin shells of ceramic or composite. All-ceramic Veneers, designed properly, allow light to illuminate the tooth dentin below the surface giving them a natural look. A high quality lab is the difference between a brighter natural looking smile and bland, “false”appearance. We provide high quality lab produced porcelain veneers as well as artistic direct composite veneers at our dentist office.

Orthodontics

Dr Richins has had extensive training and using the Delta Force bracket is able to provide orthodontic treatment for his patients.

Dentures

Replacing missing teeth can have huge health benefits as well as improving your looks and improving your self esteem. At Advantage Dental Center in Meridian, we specialize in building dentures that fit as well as they function. Dentures make it easier to eat, speak, and gives your face a younger appearance all of which people often take for granted. If you have questions about dentures please contact the office.  

Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent long-term option for replacing missing teeth. Tooth form implants can replace one tooth, many teeth or all of your teeth to give you a beautiful smile and allow you to return to full function. The development of implants is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the past 40 years for dentistry. Our implants are designed to match your existing teeth and last for years. If you are missing teeth contact our office for a consultation to discuss your options.

Lasers in Dentistry

Lasers in dentistry have impacted our office greatly.  They can cut teeth, often painlessly, allowing patients to have a filling done without having to get numb.  But, the greatest benefit to our office has been in using them to reduce and treat periodontal disease and surgery.  In surgery, we can use lasers to remove lesions, do frenectomies and gingival reductions, sinus lifts, venous lake removals and much more. When used for surgery, the laser causes less damage which means less inflammation and pain and faster healing.  We can even treat cold sores, canker sores and with the low level laser therapy, reduce TMJ pain.

Nightguards

The night guards available through our dentist office are comfortable and are designed specifically for you and the problem or condition to be corrected. The night guards we provide are high quality with precision fit as they are made by a laboratory from an impression of your mouth carefully taken by a dental professional. They are a little more expensive than one purchased over-the-counter, but are unmatched in comfort, accuracy and the ability to bring relief and prevent further damage. A night guards main function is to prevent excessive wear of the surfaces of your teeth, but when designed correctly, they will also reduce jaw pain and associated headaches, and even open the airway for better sleep and reduced snoring.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

If you have flat or shortened teeth, fractured teeth, chipped teeth, worn tooth enamel, Increased tooth pain or sensitivity, tired or tight jaw muscles, facial soreness and/ or headaches, you might be experiencing the symptoms of Bruxism. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake or clench or grind them during sleep. At our office in Meridian, Idaho, we have treatments for Bruxism that include nightguards, laser relaxation, orthodontics, Botox injections and full mouth reconstruction.

TMJ Treatments

Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) pain can be very painful.  Have you ever thought about Botox?  I became interested in Botox when I learned that it was being used for TMJ and headache pain management.  A lot of jaw pain and headaches are from overuse, overexertion of the facial and jaw muscles. By injecting them with Botox, the strength of muscle is reduced and therefore the strain it puts on the jaw joint and the head and neck complex is lessened.  This equals less pain. Our first patient to receive Botox went almost four months without a headache or jaw pain after living with constant pain. She even stopped clenching despite her stressful work schedule.

Botox

After incorporating Botox with TMJ treatments we then continued our education and started injections to reduce wrinkles of the face, having great success.  Our patients love it, and who better to do injections than a dentist who gives more injections than any other.  We then started to include dermal fillers to lessen wrinkles and volumize the lips and face. Again patients were excited and we’ve seen great results.  Most of our patients want subtle but noticeable enhancements. Others want more. Whatever your desire, we can help you to a more beautiful you.

Dermal Threads

A newer cosmetic procedure we will be adding is called dermal threads.  These are basically resorbable sutures placed just under the skin. After they resorb they promote collagen formation. As we age, the collagen fibers that give our skin support and volume are lost.  The skin then sags and wrinkles and we lose our youthful look. The dermal threads restore the volume and the great thing is they can last up to two or three years. Look for the announcement that we are now placing dermal threads.

Many Ways to Put You At Ease

We have done many things to bring ease and comfort to our patients.  Many patients are amazed at Dr Richins’  injections.  Read in Our Reviews to see all their comments.  We also have Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), IV and Oral Sedation.  Ask us about our many methods we use to put you at ease.  Contact our office to find out about it.