Elizabeth A Nelson, DDS

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Patient Services

Have children?
Bring them along to play
with the fun array of toys
we have waiting for them
in the play area. Especially
for children, there are a
variety of movies they can
choose from to keep them
amused.

• Initial Exam
• Full Mouth X-Rays
• Prophylaxis
• Root Planing
• Root Canal
• Crown
• Post and Care

To make a visit to our office enjoyable, we
provide complimentary coffee and ice water.
While getting your dental needs taken care
of, enjoy watching your favorite program
on television or just relax and enjoy the
view of the Sierras.

Initial Exam
At your first appointment you will receive a
comprehensive exam. The exam consists of
x-rays,which provide the doctor with an internal
view of your tooth structure. These enable her
to check for decay, general health of the bone,
and help her detect any other abnormalities
that may not be visible with a visual exam.

The initial exam also includes a periodontal
probing. The periodontal probe measures the
pocket depths around the teeth, which is an
indicator of your overall bone and gum health.

Normal readings are with in the 1-3mm range.
Anything above 3mm could be an indicator that
periodontal disease is setting in, and the tooth's
stability may be at risk.

Full Mouth X-Rays
If you are over 18 and you have not had a full
mouth series (FMX) of films within the last
5 years with another dentist, your initial visit
will include an FMX. An FMX involves 18 separate
films, which allows the doctor to examine your
entire set of tooth roots,the bone structure, and
areas between your teeth.

X-Rays are vital in helping determine your
dental health. If you have an FMX from a
previous dentist, we will be happy to give them
a call and have them transferred to us. If an
FMX is not needed, then a check up series is
taken consisting of 6 films. The check up series
is used in conjunction with your FMX to determine
the current state of your dental health and what,
if any, changes have occurred since your last
check up.

Prophylaxis
This is the clinical term for a dental cleaning,
also known as a prophy. If your overall dental
health is within normal limits, a bi-annual check
up includes a general cleaning. During this
procedure the hygienist removes calculus and
plaque from your teeth, and polishes them with
a paste to help remove any external staining
caused by coffee, tea, soda, cigarettes, and
similar agents.

Root Planing
If during your initial exam the doctor determines
that your gum and bone levels are in the unhealthy
range you will be scheduled to return for root
planing. Root planing is a deep cleaning procedure
where 1-2 quarters of your mouth are cleaned at
a time (such as, the upper left or the lower right).

Because root planing is intensive, it is necessary
to numb the area so that the hygienist is able to
thoroughly clean out the pockets in an area. Once
the root planing procedure has been performed
on your entire mouth, you will return 3 months
later to take new measurements and re-evaluate
the overall condition of your gum and bone levels.

Conscientious home care is an absolute necessity
for maintaining healthy gums. Depending on the
diligence of your home care regimen and hysiology,
it may also be necessary to have you return every
3 or 4 months to help ensure a healthy mouth.
Once your teeth and gums are well maintained
for a year, you may able to move to 6-month
intervals for cleanings.

Root Canal Treatment
If your tooth has decay that penetrates the nerve,
it is necessary to perform a root canal treatment
(RCT). This procedure consists of 2 visits. During
the first visit the tooth is opened and allowed to
drain. You may be given a prescription for an
antibiotic to help clear up the infection. The second
visit, a week later, the doctor fills the tooth with a
material to help stabilize it, and then the tooth is
sealed. Usually upon completion of this procedure,
a post/core and crown are necessary as the tooth
is now susceptible to breakage.

Crown
A crown is an artificial tooth that is either made
with porcelain fused to metal or gold. The tooth is
prepared and a temporary crown is fabricated and
placed over the tooth until you return about 2 ½
weeks later for your permanent crown to be
cemented.

Post and Core
This is necessary for a root canal treated tooth
that requires a crown as the post and core build
up is used as the foundation for the crown, to help
prevent breakage.