For a healthy smile, you need regular preventive dentistry treatment, including dental checkups from a dentist who understands modern techniques and up-to-date dental care. Dr. Jonathan Cantrell of Cantrell Family Dentistry focuses on general dentistry for adults, while his wife Dr. Sarah Cantrell focuses on children’s general dentistry, making ours a unique family dentistry practice in Wylie, Texas.
Dental cleanings and exams form the basis of your treatment at Cantrell Family Dentistry. Drs. Jonathan and Sarah Cantrell will look for signs of decay and gum disease at each of these visits to our Wylie dental office, making sure that you don’t require more stringent periodontal therapy or dental fillings to bring your smile back to health. When you visit our office every six months for your regular checkups and cleanings, the doctors will work with you to make sure that you’re following excellent dental hygiene habits when not in our office. Daily maintenance is essential for long-term oral health.
Preventive Dentistry for AdultsPreventive dental care is the cornerstone of any good oral health treatment plan and is our passion at Cantrell Family Dentistry. Our office offers preventive dental cleanings and exams that can help Wylie and surrounding communities maintain oral health and avoid disease or damage. Fluoride will be offered in combination with routine cleanings. For patients that present with a higher risk for cavities, prescription fluoride or other preventive therapy may be suggested. Dr. Jonathan may suggest a nightguard for further protection of your teeth and restorations for those patients who exhibit bruxism (grinding). We also offer active children and adults custom athletic mouthguards. Small steps can add up to excellent overall health, which is why we encourage you to visit Cantrell Family Dentistry regularly for preventive care in addition to treatment.
Gum Disease TreatmentGum disease is very serious, threatening the health of your entire smile and even having an effect on your overall wellbeing. We offer periodontal therapy as part of the general dentistry care available at our Wylie office. “Periodontal” means “surrounding or encasing the tooth,” and this term is used to describe the gum tissue. Your gums provide a base for your teeth, so when gum disease inflames and deteriorates the tissue, the eventual consequence is tooth loss. Preventing and treating gum disease is one of the most important things we can do at our general dentistry office.
Dental SealantsSealants are thin coats of clear, plastic that protect teeth from potential damage or decay caused by bacteria, plaque, and tartar that weaken tooth enamel. We typically recommend dental sealants for patients who:
Whatever reason we have for recommending dental sealants, the procedure itself is quick, painless, and affordable. We can easily place dental sealants as part of any six month checkup, and these protective coatings remain in place for one or more years protecting teeth. To apply sealants, we simply paint a thin coat of liquid sealant onto the surface of teeth. Then, we use a curing light to harden the sealant material into place. Once the material is in position, you will not be able to see it.
TMJ/Bruxism TherapyA majority of people will experience nighttime teeth grinding at some point or another during their lifetime. If your grinding (also known as bruxism) continues for an extended period of time, it can do a great deal of damage to your teeth and jaw. This is one cause of TMJ pain, and it can also lead to tooth loss. Our general dentistry services include the fabrication of nightguards for those who grind their teeth at night. You can wear a nightguard to alleviate the pressure that causes damage.
Mouthguards/SportsguardsIf you’re active in sports or exercise, you’ll want to take extra care to protect your teeth. Few people realize the risk of dental injury in activities such as rollerblading, weight lifting, basketball, and other sporting activities, but the risk is definitely there. Damage to your smile during physical activity will need to be repaired, but you can do something to prevent it instead. At our Wylie general dentistry office, we can create custom athletic mouthguards, which greatly reduce the risk of dental injury.
Oral Cancer ScreeningsIn the US, oral cancer claims one life an hour and most patients will not live more than five years beyond their oral cancer diagnosis. With startling statistics like these, the Oral Cancer Foundation has invested time and funding in researching the best ways to decrease these numbers, and the results indicate the simplest solution may be the best. Researchers at the OCF indicate early diagnosis and treatment planning as the best way to reduce annual oral cancer related deaths. That’s why we include screening for oral cancer as a component of every checkup in our office.
Fluoride TreatmentOne of the most important elements to developing a healthy smile is ensuring children absorb an adequate amount of fluoride from tap water, foods, and nutritional supplements. However, once teeth erupt from below the gum line, topical fluoride is necessary to fortify teeth. Most patients receive adequate amounts of topical fluoride from toothpastes and mouth rinses. For those patients who struggle with frequent tooth decay or dental sensitivity, professional grade topical fluoride treatments may be beneficial. If we determine you could benefit from professional fluoride treatment, we can apply fluoride as part of your regular checkup. We simply apply a coating of fluoride and ask that you refrain from eating or drinking for about half an hour after the fluoride application.
If you’re in need of a dental checkup, general dentistry exam, or any other dental treatments, contact Cantrell Family Dentistry for an appointment. We’re conveniently located for families from Wylie, Sachse, Murphy, and surrounding communities.