General Dentistry

Maintain a Healthy Smile with Regular Dental Visits

The most important thing you can do for your teeth and gums is to keep them clean. Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent numerous oral conditions that can turn into serious problems – plus, good cleaning habits can keep your teeth looking bright and fresh! But, even with a healthy oral regimen, sometimes dental issues occur, and Mission Trails Dentistry is here to fix those issues with a variety of treatments designed to address present conditions and prevent future problems. With general and family dentistry options and annual visits for check-ups, we can give you healthy teeth and gums – and a winning smile!

Family care

We at Mission Trails Dentistry welcome patients of all ages to our practice in San Diego. With options such as routine oral exams, tooth-colored fillings, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and other procedures, we can help to make sure your child has healthy teeth and gums with maintenance and preventive treatments. We are friendly and compassionate professionals who understand the fear and anxiety many children have when they need dental work. We strive to make the experience as comfortable and quick as possible.

Oral examinations

An oral exam is part of the regular check-up procedure and is integral to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Oral exams should be given at least twice a year to detect any problems at an early stage and come up with a treatment plan to prevent them from getting worse. At Mission Trails Dentistry, we use advanced dental technology to give you a quicker, more comfortable oral exam. Regular check-ups are a standard part of keeping your oral health up to speed!

Oral cancer screening

Since oral cancer typically does not display symptoms in its early stages, an oral cancer screening can be a life-saving procedure. The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that a person dies from the disease every hour of every day in the U.S. However, if found early, there is an 80-90 percent chance of surviving a diagnosis of oral cancer. Mission Trails Dentistry utilizes powerful state-of-the-art technology and routinely performs an oral cancer exam to detect signs of oral cancer. Remember, early detection is key.

Contact Mission Trails Dentistry to schedule an appointment for an oral cancer screening, or to combine a screening with a regular check-up.

Cleanings

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, it is vital to have periodic teeth cleanings from a professional dental hygienist or dentist at least twice a year. Cleanings help prevent future dental issues give you a better education about your oral health. They also work to stave off decay and gum disease, and give you an opportunity to communicate with your dentist about improvements you can make with your at-home dental care to ensure a healthy set of teeth and gums for years to come. At Mission Trails Dentistry, we use the latest techniques to provide you with an effective teeth cleaning and a pleasant visit to the dentist.

Everyone is always very professional, and nice, it’s a wonderful experience to have my Dental Care entrusted to your team. I’ve referred my sister and a co-worker to you, thanks much for your care and kindness. – Ann F.

Sealants

Sealants are dental treatments that are designed to prevent decay and cavities from forming on your teeth. Composed of a bonded plastic material, dental sealants are placed over the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. They act as guards against bacteria that can creep into the crevices of the teeth, working to prevent bacterial invasion that can ultimately cause damage. Dental sealants are ideal for children as they can protect teeth from decay in the grooves of the teeth.

Fluoride treatments

We all probably remember regular fluoride rinses given to us when we were in elementary school. When it comes to fluoride, these treatments are just as important today as they were then. Treatments with fluoride help fight cavities and prevent tooth decay. A fluoride application after a regular teeth cleaning can go a long way in maintaining long-lasting dental health.

Please contact Mission Trails Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

Tooth-colored fillings

Years ago, the standard in general dentistry to correct teeth affected by cavities was a filling made of a metallic material. These amalgam fillings often held small doses of mercury, which held a certain degree of health risks, not to mention that they weren’t very aesthetically pleasing. Tooth-colored fillings are now more prevalent in cavity treatment and they also look like your natural teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite resin that’s very durable and designed to blend in with your tooth. These bonded fillings can also be used to replace original metal fillings and are a very popular treatment for patients of all ages.

Mouth guards

For the athlete in the family, mouth guards (sportguards) can offer significant protection against serious injury to the teeth. Mission Trails Dentistry offers custom made mouth guards that are specifically molded to your teeth for the best fit. These appliances can greatly reduce the impact on the teeth from a blow to the mouth, and are useful for those who play contact sports such as football, basketball, rugby, and hockey, as well as non-contact sports such as running, training, and baseball.

Night guards

Grinding and clenching of the teeth is a common problem for many people, and they often don’t even realize it because it typically happens during sleep. Night guards protect the teeth against the motions of the grinding and prevent further damage. Custom-molded to fit your teeth, night guards can be very comfortable and work wonders at reducing the dental wear and tear that occurs from nightly teeth-grinding.

Tooth extraction

Every now and then, a tooth becomes damaged beyond repair. Factors such as injury and decay may make it necessary for a tooth to be removed. Our practice offers tooth extraction and bone grafting in certain cases where other methods of saving the tooth will not be beneficial.

Contact Mission Trails Dentistry for more information on teeth extraction.

Dental Implants

One of the most innovative and effective dental procedures to come along in the last few decades is the dental implant. A single tooth replacement or alternative to removable dentures, dental implants are permanently affixed inside your gum, ultimately fusing to the jaw bone and acting like a natural tooth. They not only look and work like your surrounding teeth, they can also last a lifetime.

Non-Surgical Periodontal (Gum) Care

The use of topical anesthetic agents has made this type of care very comfortable for our patients. A surgical approach in care is only diagnosed once all other options have been explored.