Our Dental Services
Legacy Smiles Dental is proud to offer a wide range of general and cosmetic dentistry services all under one roof.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. If you are missing one or more teeth, an implant may be an option for you. As with crowns and bridges, implants will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. Additionally, dental implants can also be used to support a dental prosthesis (denture) to allow for better function and quality of life. Dental implants have a 98% success rate and can last a lifetime. Contact us today to see if implants are right for you! .
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry refers to any dental work that improves the appearance of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite. For teeth that are chipped, permanently stained, or that have other minor cosmetic defects, cosmetic dental veneers can be a viable option. Dental veneers are thin, realistic-looking shells, made from porcelain or composite resin. Your dentist has them custom-made to fit onto the surface of your teeth, creating an attractive and natural-looking smile.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function. Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Pediatric Dentistry
Our office treats children of all ages and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children have their first dental appointment within 6 months after their first tooth appears, somewhere around their first birthday. We help to maintain a healthy smile by establishing a good oral hygiene regimen with regular visits, treatment and knowledge.
For patients who would like to avoid conventional braces all together, Dr. Hagerty provides alternative solutions with Invisalign clear aligners. This form of orthodontic treatment consists of a series of virtually invisible aligners that can be removed during eating and your at-home oral hygiene routine. For the best possible results, the trays should be 23 hours a day and are ideal for responsible teens and adults. Dr. Hagerty strategically tracks your alignment progress during appointments, making sure you are compliant with wearing your trays. Patients will graduate through treatment, switching trays weekly until desire results are achieved.
Invisalign
Botox as an Alternative Treatment for TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD or TMJ), are notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. TMJ symptoms often change in severity, depending on how much stress the sufferer is experiencing. During an intensely stressful period, grinding teeth, debilitating earaches, headaches and lockjaw may occur. Botox® injections are an effective and painless way to alleviate tension in the temporomandibular joint, reducing pain. Botox® is commonly associated with cosmetic practices, including eliminating glabellar lines and facial wrinkles. Recently however, Botox® has become an increasingly popular TMJ treatment and can offer fast and long-lasting relief.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Third molars, commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, are usually the last four of 32 teeth to erupt (surface) in the mouth, generally making their appearance between the ages of 17 to 25. They are located at the back of the mouth (top and bottom), near the entrance to the throat. In most cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow the wisdom teeth to erupt properly and become fully functional. When this happens, the tooth can become impacted (stuck) in an undesirable or potentially harmful position. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to infection, damage to other teeth, and possibly cysts or tumors.
Crowns
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a permanent appliance and is a way to replace missing teeth. Most bridges consist of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years if taken care of, but dental implants remain the gold standard for replacing missing teeth.
Dentures
A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile. There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.
A comprehensive dental exam will be performed by your dentist at your initial dental visit. At regular check-up exams, your dentist will perform the following: examination of diagnostic x-rays, oral cancern screening, gum disease evaluation, examination for tooth decay, and examinations of all existing restorations. Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are usually performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following: removal of calculus (tartar), removal of plaque, teeth polishing. We follow the American Dental Association recommendations when determining intervals for dental x-rays.
Dental Exams and Cleanings
Sealants
A sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves. Teeth with these conditions are hard to clean and are very susceptible to decay. A sealant protects the tooth by sealing deep grooves, creating a smooth, easy to clean surface. Sealants can protect teeth from decay for many years, but need to be checked for wear and chipping at regular dental visits.
Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing
The objective of scaling and root planing is to remove etiologic agents which cause inflammation to the gingival (gum) tissue and surrounding bone. Common etiologic agents removed by this conventional periodontal therapy include dental plaque and tartar (calculus). These non-surgical procedures which completely cleanse the periodontium, work very effectively for individuals suffering from gingivitis (mild gum inflammation) and moderate/severe periodontal disease.
Cosmetic Botox® and Dermal Fillers
Facial aesthetics is one of the fastest growing markets in todays world and Dr. Hagerty feels it goes hand in hand with dentistry. Botox is a neuromodulator formula that improves the appearance of frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet in just one treatment. It can even treat a gummy smile by relaxing the lip muscle to allow for less show. Botox is not only used to improve your appearance, but maintain beautiful, healthy skin for years to come. Dermal fillers are used to create or restore volume, balance facial symmetry, and improve your smile! Each dermal filler is unique and replenishes your appearance immediately after treatment without the need for invasive plastic surgery. Want to prevent or reverse signs of aging? Schedule your consultation today!
Whitening
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. The most popular method is using an at home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth. Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up may be needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.
Gingival Contouring
Gingival contouring is a painless procedure that allows for re-shaping, or reduction, of the gum tissue to create a more balanced smile. A laser is used to quickly remove gum tissue with little to no downtime. If you feel that you show too much gum tissue when you smile, or would like to adjust the appearance of your gums, call our office today for a consultation.