At the office of Dr. Jon Gotterer, our dental hygienists are qualified, experienced professionals who will take their time listening to your concerns as well as educating you on the importance of preventive care. Prevention begins with the control of plaque and calculus (mineralized plaque), which are the main causes of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is known as the silent killer of teeth, because most patients feel no symptoms until it’s too late. As part of our thorough dental examination we first review your medical history and review any conditions that may affect your oral health. We perform a soft tissue and oral cancer exam, perform a periodontal screening to detect periodontal disease, and examine the teeth for decay. We also take any necessary x-rays. For children’s preventive care we may recommend fluoride to help make the teeth more resistant to decay. We also use dental sealants, which act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. Dr. Gotterer uses the following tools to help perform your examination:

• DIAGNOdent Laser – Our office employs the DIAGNOdent Laser to help detect cavities at the earliest stage. The sooner Dr. Gotterer detects a cavity, the faster he can treat it before it destroys more of your tooth structure. Through his expertise, Dr. Gotterer strives to provide minimally invasive dentistry, and the DIAGNOdent laser aids him with preventive cavity care.

• Intra-Oral Photography – Education is one of the most effective tools we have against tooth decay. At our dental practice, Dr. Gotterer often uses the intra-oral camera to help educate patients. The camera takes a digital picture of your mouth, and then transmits the images to a TV monitor. You will be amazed to see your mouth magnified up to 25-times on a television screen. The intra-oral camera will help you understand what a tiny crack or cavity in a tooth can look like and how Dr. Gotterer can restore it.