Family Dentistry
At Harrison Family Dentistry, we emphasize the "family" part of our name. Dr. Henderson's kind and personal demeanor makes patients of all ages feel at ease. Our waiting room has a living room feel because we want you to know you are at your family's dental home here. Come be part of our happy family of dental patients!
As a family dental office our team loves to help care for patients of all ages, from very young children to seniors. Likewise we refer very few treatments to specialists. Here at Harrison Family Dentistry we will work with you to find the most ideal treatment for your situation. We try to always have several options and let you choose the best one for you. Listed below are some of the common treatments we provide. Feel free to browse our clinical photos of previous dental treatment ➝
Pediatric Dentistry — We see many young kids and they do very well; often they love to watch big brother or big sister have their teeth cleaned. We call this a "happy visit" and very little ones can see all the sights and hear the sounds to discover they are not scary.
Nervous Patients — Most patients who are fearful of dentistry feel like they are the only one; however, many people of all ages are afraid of dentistry. For many, a negative experience as a child has shaped their view of going to the dentist. We treat nervous, fearful, even petrified patients all the time. We would love to you feel comfortable. Dr. Henderson uses anxiolysis, which is a safe way to make you feel calm, combined with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to keep you relaxed during your treatment. The time will zip by and you will remember the visit like a vague dream. Ask us how we can tailor your care to help you feel at ease.
Dental Cleanings ― The basis of sound dental care is routine cleaning and maintenance. We customize cleanings on the basis of your periodontal (gums and bone) health. We receive patient feedback all the time that our hygienists are both gentle and thorough. We have all had a dental cleaning that was only one or the other, but you will be amazed at how comfortable you can be while your teeth feel so clean. Contact us to reserve your cleaning appointment today ➝
Digital X-rays — Digital x-rays have radically changed the way we diagnose in dentistry. Not only are they faster than traditional film but they also require much less radiation. Here at Harrison Family Dentistry, we use digital x-rays that require no film or sensors to be placed in your mouth. This is wonderful news for those patients who either gag easily or have small mouths.
Sealants ― Sealants are a fantastic way to protect children’s adult teeth from getting decay. Applying sealants involves applying a resin coating to the biting surface of back molar teeth. This painless procedure only takes a few minutes per tooth and helps to keep cavities away for many years.
Periodontics — In dentistry, we deal with two main problem areas cavities and periodontitis. Periodontitis starts with gingivitis and can progress to more severe levels. The danger is that untreated disease often leads to increased bone loss, bad breath, loose teeth and painful swelling. Early detection combined with periodontal therapies, such as scaling and root planing, is key to combating this chronic disease.
Composite Tooth-Colored Fillings — The use in metal is almost 100% gone with today's technology. When it comes to fillings to treat small cavities, we always use tooth-colored fillings. They have been designed to be both strong and beautiful. Check out our Cosmetic Bonding photos to see our work.
Crowns & Bridges — When a tooth is fractured or has a cavity too large to treat with a composite tooth-colored filling, we choose to cover the entire tooth with a porcelain crown. These last much longer than fillings and help to strengthen a weakened tooth. We can even connect multiple crowns side-by-side to create a porcelain bridge that will cover the space caused by a missing tooth. We now offer same day permanent crowns and bridges with our advanced CEREC® technology.
Veneers — Veneers are similar to a contact lens in that they bond to and cover the just the front, visible surface of the tooth. Due to the advances in porcelain technology, we can make beautiful restorations that will last for many, many years.
Dental Implants — Dental implants have revolutionized dentistry. Today's dental implant treatment is very predictable and patients love the results. A dental implant artificially replaces a tooth root. Once an implant is ready, we can recreate a single tooth on top of it or even use it to help hold a denture in place. Call today to see and ask if we can use your existing denture to attach to dental implants underneath. The secure fit will amaze you!
Extractions — We always try to save teeth, but sometimes during a dental emergency the best treatment is to remove a problem tooth. Wisdom teeth commonly cause soreness and pressure if they become impacted. We extract many wisdom teeth but will be happy to refer to an excellent oral surgeon if you desire.
Root Canals — The innermost layer of a tooth houses the nerve and blood vessels. Whenever a cavity reaches this inside layer it initiates a dying process in the nerve. Although your immune system can hold back pain for a while, eventually the tissue becomes necrotic and can cause an abscess and painful swelling. Root canal therapy is a wonderful treatment to get a patient out of pain. The process involves removing the sick, necrotic tissue and replacing it with a customized filling. Usually, we cover the tooth with porcelain crown for strength. This treatment will make you feel better and get you sleeping and eating normally again.
Dentures, Overdentures — When we design denture, we want the look and feel of them to resemble natural teeth as much as possible. Often patients will bring in photos of the smile before they needed dentures to give us an idea of how to properly select the shape and shade of the denture teeth. For most patients, the upper denture needs no extra adhesive due to the natural suction created. However, lower dentures rarely have a suction due to the presence of tongue and increased bone loss. To aid this situation we can use dental implants (typically two implants) to provide a snap-in fit. We call these "overdenture" because the denture goes "over" the dental implants and keeps them hidden from view.
"Everyone here is wonderful and made for a great experience at the dentist." — Troy D.