General Dentistry
Philosophically, our doctors are conservative, preventive in nature. Helping our patients maintain a healthy mouth and smile is the main goal of general dentistry. We prefer to provide more minor, preventive care than to see patients suffer with more intensive treatments from a problem that was not managed in time. We want to ensure that your oral health is in its optimal state and positively contributing to the health of your entire body. We are here to brighten your smile and pave the way for a brighter life.
Preventive Dentistry
It is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily to help remove plaque and food particles that get stuck to your teeth. It is recommended that you brush your teeth for two minutes (or longer), though most people rush through this time. You need to make sure that you reach every side of each tooth, including the inside and outside. To help keep your breath fresh, you should also brush your tongue. Then, you can begin flossing.
Cleanings And Exams
Having a dental practice perform a checkup and regular cleaning gives a preventive approach to dental care. These general dentistry treatments help prevent problems with your teeth, gums and jaw bones, or they catch and manage problems before they worsen. During your visit, our doctors will take a picture of the current standing of your dental health and what would be needed to keep your oral hygiene in its best state.
Teeth Whitening
A common request we receive is how to make a smile whiter and brighter. This is a relatively simple and quick treatment option that can be performed periodically. Certain foods and beverages, such as wine and coffee, stain the teeth and contribute to discoloration. The teeth whitening process provides a solution that lightens the shade of the teeth. Additionally, the process actually rids the teeth of plaque and tartar that tend to lead to dental problems.
Filling
We do not do amalgam (silver) restorations. Composite fillings act as a dentistry solution for problems such as tooth decay or cracks. A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. This procedure is also utilized for cosmetic improvements of the smile by fixing any discoloration or reshaping any disfigured teeth. We also utilize the latest restorative methods such as Bioclear to improve the outcome of our results.
Extractions
An extraction is performed to remove a tooth, whether because of disease or damage. When extractions are required, the area around the tooth will be numbed and your dentist will remove the tooth. Our injection is nearly painless, and utilizing advanced technology and techniques such as Piezosurgery, we can keep the surgical procedure as minimally invasive as possible. We also provide advanced oral surgical needs in our office. Your dentist can also talk to you about bone graft procedure and dental implants to replace your missing tooth.
Emergency Care
Our highly trained doctors and staff are ready to manage all of your concerns. We have methods to alleviate the pain and help you feel calm during your emergency dental visit.
If you are facing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact us immediately at (508) 850-0686!
Oral Cancer Screenings
Nobody wants to hear that they may have oral cancer. Although it can be fatal, it is easier to treat the earlier it is caught. For this reason, we are proud to assist our patients with an oral cancer screening. All of our dental hygienists and our dentists are trained to detect oral cancer early. We also perform surgical biopsy in our office, and we work with Tufts Oral Pathology lab for any pathology needs.
Oral cancer will typically show up as white or red patches or lesions inside of your mouth. You may even notice the lesions on your tongue or on the floor of your mouth. Many people experience a hard time swallowing, bleeding in the mouth, or even swelling in your face or neck.
Sealants
When we apply a dental sealant, we paint a plastic coating on top of your teeth. This makes your teeth smooth getting rid of the rough edges, depressions, and grooves that are commonly found on teeth. It is essentially a protective coating against tooth decay and cavities.
The most common place to paint sealants is on back teeth since they are often irregular. They can also be very hard to reach, even if you brush your teeth regularly. We use it more on children though we do perform sealants on adults too!
Night Guards
It can be beneficial to use a guard, or covering, to protect your teeth from grinding while sleeping. However, the latest study has also linked night time bruxism to possible sleeping and breathing disorders. With our advanced training, our doctors can help determine if a nightguard is sufficient, or further investigation is needed to rule out possible sleep disorders.
We are also trained to adjust the nightguard or oral splint to perfection to allow the muscles to relax. Nightguards or splint are often used to treat temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD).
General Dentistry FAQs
What types of general dentistry services does Dr. Alan Ko offer?
Dr. Ko’s office offers a very unique span of treatment services sometimes it is hard to find in a general dentistry office. Dr. Ko has unique training in both prosthetic and surgical dentistry. He also has a special interest in developing airway health in both adults and children. Many of the procedures that require referrals to specialists, are performed in our office by Dr. Ko personally. These services include gum surgery, dental implants, All-on-4 same day implant surgery, Invisalign, TMJ/TMJD treatment, and full mouth reconstructions. Aside from these complex procedures, we also provide routine checkups and cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, periodontal care, and more. Whether you need preventive care to maintain your smile or complex restorative or surgical treatments to address any dental issues, Dr. Ko provides comprehensive care tailored to your specific needs.
Why are regular dental checkups important, even if I’m not experiencing any pain?
Even if you’re not in pain, regular dental checkups with Dr. Ko are essential to maintaining good oral health. Many dental problems, such as cavities or gum disease, develop slowly and may not cause pain until they’re more advanced. By visiting Dr. Ko for routine exams, potential issues can be caught early, making treatment easier, faster, and more affordable. In addition, our doctors can bring the latest technology and information to share with our patients.
How can I prevent tooth decay and gum disease?
Prevention is key when it comes to tooth decay and gum disease, and Dr. Ko emphasizes the importance of daily oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Brushing at least twice daily, flossing daily, and using mouthwash are essential to keeping your teeth and gums clean. A healthy diet low in sugary foods and beverages can also help prevent plaque buildup. What mentioned above is just looking at the issues from a bacteria level. Our mouth is a part of our overall health, so issues such as mouth breathing, poor sleep, clenching and grinding all have an impact on the prevalence of caries and gum disease.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
Contact Dr. Ko’s office immediately if you experience a dental emergency, such as a knocked-out tooth, severe tooth pain, or a broken filling. Time is often of the essence when treating dental emergencies, and prompt care can significantly affect the outcome. Years ago when a 6 year old child fell and knocked out her tooth in the playground, Dr. Ko was able to help this young child save her tooth. Still to this day, she still has her tooth!
How can I make my dental visits more comfortable if I have dental anxiety?
Many patients hated going to the dentist because of painful injections! Dr. Ko understands that and has a perfect injection technique to minimize discomfort with injections! He also understands that many patients just feel anxious because it’s “the dentist.” He offers a variety of options to make your visit more comfortable, including sedation dentistry. Whether you’re nervous about a routine cleaning or a more extensive procedure, Dr. Ko and his team will ensure you feel relaxed and at ease throughout your appointment. Before your treatment, Dr. Ko will discuss all available options and help you choose the best solution to suit your needs and comfort level.
What are the benefits of fluoride treatments?
Fluoride treatments are a simple and effective way to protect teeth from cavities and decay. Dr. Ko often recommends them, especially for children or patients at higher risk of developing cavities. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and food. They are quick and painless and can provide long-lasting protection for teeth.
Enamel is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), a crystalline structure of calcium phosphate.
Fluoride ions (F⁻) can replace the hydroxide (OH⁻) groups in hydroxyapatite, forming fluoroapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂).
Fluoroapatite is more resistant to acid dissolution than hydroxyapatite, making the enamel less prone to demineralization. Essentially, it makes the tooth surface harder and more resistant to attacks from acids produced by bacteria in the mouth.
How can I tell if I need a filling or a crown?
If you have a cavity, Dr. Ko will evaluate its size and location to determine whether a filling or a crown is the best option. Fillings are used for smaller cavities and restore the tooth’s structure. A crown may be necessary to cover and protect the tooth from more extensive decay or damage. A crown is especially beneficial if the tooth is weak or has undergone root canal therapy. Dr. Ko will carefully assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment for restoring your tooth.
TMJ Treatment
We understand that Temporo-mandibular disorder (TMD or TMJ as it’s commonly called) is very complicated to the general public. One could have read different materials, visited different practitioners and received very different opinions. We hope to explain TMD in layman’s terms, and hopefully this page can be helpful to you.
With years of experience seeing TMD patients, the most common routes where patients come to visit us are:
- Headaches or facial pain referral by MD/ENT where they ruled out sinus or other facial or neurological issues
- Self-referral or professional referral when patients experience painful jaw joint clicks or TMJ clicks
