Services

General Dentistry encompasses a comprehensive array of services dedicated to maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. This spans from essential preventive dental care, such as routine examinations and cleanings, to vital restorative treatments like bridges, implants, and fillings. At Johnston Dental Care LLC, our paramount objective is to offer you access to a complete spectrum of dental services, empowering you to achieve and sustain optimal oral well-being.

Oral Cancer Screening Examination

An oral cancer screening examination protocol has been developed for use by both dental and medical professionals. The different environments of practice will dictate obvious differences in the equipment and manner in which the examination is conducted. However, all aspects of this thorough examination are applicable to both types of practitioners to ensure that a complete assessment of the patient has been accomplished. Clinicians use instruments and direct examination to perform a thorough examination. A complete head and neck exam can be done in 5 minutes. Our doctors and Hygienist’s do this on a regular basis and are more than happy to answer questions if you have any.

Same Day CAD/CAM Crowns

Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity that has to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed. Even after a filling is put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body. Teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as making for a nice smile.

It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating a crown. Between the two visits the crown is made, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold. During this time a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit this temporary is removed. Then the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.

Implant Placement and Restoration

Whether you are missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth, Dental implants offer a state-of-the-art, reliable solution to provide you a healthy, natural-looking smile.
Dental implants help prevent bone loss, avoid shifting teeth and changes in facial structure, and maintain the health of remaining natural teeth and your overall long-term oral health.

At Johnston Dental Care we place Straumann Implants based out of Massachusetts, United States. Straumann dental implants are one of the most well documented systems with more than 30 years of extensive scientific and clinical evidence.

Types of Implants Placed:

• Straumann SLActive® is an advanced implant surface designed to bond faster with bone, reduce healing time and increase the predictability of implant treatment.

• Straumann Roxolid® is the first Titanium Zirconium alloy designed for dental implants and provides improved strength² over Straumann’s Titanium implants, offering a new option for patients with limited bone or narrow spaces between teeth.

Restoring Implants:

Restoring implants can be done in several different ways depending on the patient’s needs.

• Replacement of single tooth with implant and crown
• Replacement of multiple teeth
• Replacement of all teeth

Please Call 541-479-6623 or Email reception@johnstondentalcare.com for Complimentary Implant Consult

Bridges

This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. It is formed to look like the missing tooth, and it takes its place in the mouth. The sides of a bridge use the two surrounding teeth for support, hence the name. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.

It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a whole chain reaction of bad things. Teeth use their neighbors for support, and, with one missing, they start to “fall.” As this worsens the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The surrounding teeth deteriorate and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as the neglect continues.

Pediatric Dental Care

When it comes to children, Johnston Dental Care can help you determine when your children’s first dental appointments should be as well as help you introduce them to our family friendly dental environment. When it comes to dental care for kids, Dr. Johnston is know in the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon community as the dentist with a gentle touch, which by the way, many of our adult patients appreciate. If you just moved here or are considering changing dentists, please take a look at our convenient downloadable child dental history form.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dental care is all about keeping your teeth healthy and preventing problems before they start. It includes regular check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, and good oral hygiene at home. This helps catch issues early and stops them from getting worse. Preventative dentistry can also involve smart eating choices, protective treatments like sealants and fluoride, and taking steps to keep your smile strong and bright for the long run.

Dentures/Partials

There are different types of dentures, but they share their common function. They replace teeth that have become loose or been lost due to bone loss. When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them or let them fall out, it’s time for dentures. Relax. No one enjoys losing their natural teeth, but you can still eat and talk regularly. As a denture dentist, Dr. Johnston will examine the entire mouth until a determination is made as to which teeth will have to be removed, and which will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted. Dentures are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth, depending on the type. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and one just carries on as usual. Often implants can used to further stabilize the dentures.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through neglect, to reach all the way to this pulp. (Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early) Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy, also. Once this occurs the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. It can even weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup. A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

TMJ Treatments

TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it’s where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result. Problems in this area can cause: Headaches, Earaches, Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth, Clicking or popping of the jaw, Pain in the jaw muscles, Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face. Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.

Teeth Whitening

Many people are constantly searching for a good home teeth whitening product. Often what you will find is that home teeth whitening systems are not capable of whitening teeth with certain types of staining or discoloration. Don’t worry. . . that’s why we’re here. If you’re looking for professional tooth whitening services in the Grants Pass or Southern Oregon area, Johnston Dental Care uses the Opalescence Teeth Whitening System. Many factors, including dietary habits (drinking coffee, tea, soda, and red wine) and certain medications, affect the whiteness of your smile. Tooth whitening is an affordable and effective way to combat common causes of tooth discoloration, while boosting your self-confidence and improving your appearance. Opalescence offers a diverse menu of products to brighten your smile. With take home, on-the-go, and in-office options, Opalescence Tooth Whitening Systems accommodate all lifestyles and budgets. Prescription-strength Opalescence Tooth Whitening Systems are only available through your dentist, because it is a much stronger and more effective teeth whitening product than any over the counter tooth whitener.

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry enables us to provide a wide variety of dental treatment safely and comfortably for our patients. At Johnston Dental Care sedation dentistry is available for a broad spectrum of reasons, ranging from dental anxiety, difficulty sitting long periods of time or even difficulty getting or staying numb. With any procedure, necessary precautions are taken prior to sedation to meet the patients’ needs medically. The forms of sedation we offer include nitrous oxide, oral sedation and general sedation.

Nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas aids in patient relaxation while in the dental chair. For most patients, the nitrous takes the edge off for people who are nervous or children that need a little extra help relaxing in the chair. This is a form of minimal sedation that wears off quickly, usually with no side effects. While on nitrous, the patient remains awake but relaxed. Recovery from nitrous is quick and allows patients to drive themselves home after their dental visit.

Oral sedation commonly in the form of Halcion can range from minimal to moderate depending on the individual and the dosage given. Oral sedation pills are taken 1 hour before dental procedures. During oral sedation, most patients feel drowsy yet still awake. With oral sedation, a driver is needed to bring you to your appointment and to pick you up.

General sedation is also available for patients who are in need. Johnston Dental Care is available to do general sedation on site with the assistance of an anesthesiologist. During general sedation, the patient will be asleep for the dental procedure and be woken up once the procedure is complete. General sedation is normally administered intravenously or by inhalation by an anesthetist who also monitors the patient’s vital signs (breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature) during the procedure. While under general anesthesia, a patient is unable to feel pain and will likely wake with some short-term amnesia (memory loss). Each patient recovers in office while monitoring vital signs before being released. With general sedation, a driver will be needed to transport the patient home after the procedure.

If you have questions regarding sedation or would like more information, feel free to contact our office.

3D Cone Beam Technology

3D Imaging provides the best image quality at a low dose. These benefits provide greater certainty to help make difficult diagnoses easier, while providing the opportunity to explore new options for implantology, endodontics, orthodontics, and more. 3D imaging is the new standard in clinical diagnosis

ClearCorrect Braces

Looking for an alternative to metal braces? You deserve a smile you can be proud of, and ClearCorrect can make it happen. Our clear aligners are comfortable, removable, and, best of all, nearly invisible. Most people won’t even notice that you’re wearing them. And because you can easily remove the aligners to eat, you don’t have to change your diet like you might with braces. You can show off your smile with almost no impact on your daily life.

ClearCorrect treatment can help you:

• Improve the way you bite and chew food • Improve your smile • Improve the overall health of your teeth and mouth

https://www.clearcorrect.com/

Call Us Now At 541-479-6623