Sheppard Dental is a full-service dental office offering preventative, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in a warm, comfortable environment. Dr. Sara Sheppard and her staff are committed to helping you maintain the health and appearance of your smile. Dr. Sheppard and her staff spend extra time with each patient to explain treatment needs, procedures and to ensure patient comfort at all times. The office features a warm, comfortable environment, state-of-the art digital photography and x-rays, and massaging dental chairs and flat screen t.v.'s in each exam room! We want all patients to feel comfortable and at-home when visiting with us!. Digital x-rays: Sheppard Dental offers state-of-the-art digital x-rays to aid Dr. Sheppard in diagnosing cavities and other oral conditions. Digital x-rays are quicker,and are developed using much lower levels of exposure,than traditional x-rays. Additionally,Dr. Sheppard and her staff can show areas of concern as you view your x-ray on the flat-screen t.v. in your exam room! Intra-oral photography: The staff at Sheppard Dental will take pictures of your teeth using a small intra-oral camera. Then,you can see what we see as we project your pictures onto the flat screen t.v. in your exam room. This will allow you to better understand why you may need the dental work we are recommending. Cleanings: It is important for your oral health to have your teeth cleaned every six months. Studies now show that oral hygiene is linked to other health issues,including heart disease and diabetes! At Sheppard Dental,we pride ourselves on gentle,pain-free cleanings! Scaling and Root Planing: You may have heard this procedure referred to as “deep cleaning.” If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease (gum disease),you may need to have scaling and root planing performed in order to clean the surfaces of your teeth underneath the gum tissue so that the progression of periodontal disease can be slowed or stopped. Tooth whitening: Sheppard Dental offers several options for brightening your smile! We offer prescription strength whitening strips as well as fabrication of custom whitening trays for use with whitening gel. The staff will help you decide what is most appropriate for your needs! Sealants: On children,sealants “close off” deep grooves in teeth in order to PREVENT the formation of cavities. The staff will discuss with you whether or not this procedure is indicated. Fillings: If you are diagnosed with any cavities,you will need to have them “filled.” In this procedure,the cavity is removed from the tooth and the space left is filled. Sheppard Dental offers both tooth-colored and traditional silver fillings,and Dr. Sheppard and her staff will discuss with you what is most appropriate for your treatment. Crowns and Bridges: Sometimes a tooth may need more protection than a simple filling can offer. In this case,Dr. Sheppard will recommend a crown for the tooth. If you are missing a tooth or need to prevent shifting of teeth,a bridge may be recommended. Crowns and bridges are generally porcelain and are color-matched to your natural teeth. For this procedure,the tooth is prepared and a temporary crown or bridge is placed on the tooth. Once your permanent crown/bridge has been fabricated by the dental lab,you will return to have the temporary removed and your beautiful new crown or bridge cemented! Root Canals and Extractions: If a cavity gets too deep,it can't just be filled! In this case,Dr. Sheppard will recommend a root canal on the tooth,which will alleviate pain and infection. In some cases,the tooth may not be salvageable,in which case,Dr. Sheppard will recommend having the tooth extracted. Dr. Sheppard,in most cases,will perform these procedures,and,in the case of an extraction,recommend what options you have for replacing the missing tooth. Dentures: Sheppard Dental offers both complete dentures (in which you have no teeth remaining) and partial dentures (which rest on remaining healthy teeth). Additionally,we offer immediate dentures for those patients who want placement of a denture at the time teeth are removed. Dr. Sheppard and her staff will discuss with you the benefits of each type of denture and help you decide what is best for you! Clear Correct: ClearCorrect is the clear and simple alternative to braces. It's a series of clear,custom-made,removable aligne