Preventative Dentistry

At Marc A. Minch, DMD, we believe preventative dentistry is crucial, especially when it comes to early detection. We focus on oral cancer screenings as part of your routine dental check-up. You don’t have to worry about it adding on to the length of your appointment, as it takes no more than five minutes, but we believe it is necessary for your health. Our dentists utilize a comprehensive approach of oral cancer screen methods such as visual exam, palpation and may take pictures of any abnormal areas. During the exam, they will look at gums, tongue, tonsils, lips, roof of the mouth and cheek. Inside your mouth, our team will check for common signs of cancer such as lesions, sores, white patches or red areas. We value honesty and feedback and will thoroughly review any findings with you. We are here to answer any questions you may have about your oral cancer screening and strive to bring you peace of mind.

We aim to treat, educate and provide all our patients with the right tools to make sure you do not experience periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. However, when it does occur, we offer non-invasive therapies to treat it. Periodontist affects nearly half of adults 30 years of age and older and about 70% of individuals older than 65. It’s a bacterial infection that causes severe inflammation to the gums around your teeth with symptoms including pain, swelling, bleeding and redness of the soft tissues. If left untreated, the bone may become eroded, and you may lose your tooth. At Marc A. Minch, DMD, we help treat the condition and stop its progression before it worsens. There are four stages of gum disease, and depending on your situation, we will determine what type of treatment will work best for you. Dr. Minch or Dr. Newton will evaluate your case and determine whether you will benefit from extensive cleaning, root planing and scaling or TwinLight Periodontal Laser Treatment.

Professional dental cleanings are extremely important for your oral health. In addition to your at-home oral hygiene routine of brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, it’s vital that you keep up with your routine dental cleanings. The American Dental Association recommends you get a dental cleaning every six months or twice a year. This professional service plays a key role in keeping cavities and gum disease at bay. It takes just about 30 minutes to an hour of your day, and our dental hygienist scales your teeth by removing plaque and tartar. Following, they will polish your teeth to remove any additional plaque or stains before flossing to canvas those hard to reach areas. Dr. Minch or Dr. Newton will also perform a full examination of your mouth and may take X-rays, if necessary. Our dental cleanings are designed to keep you comfortable while making sure your smile stays bright and healthy!

We get it—cavities happen. When they do, we are here to repair the affected tooth with composite fillings. These are a common form of preventative dentistry to restore damaged or decayed teeth. We use a composite material, custom made to match the shade of your tooth for a more natural looking appearance. When our team identifies a cavity, we will have you schedule an appointment to come back to receive your composite filling. During the procedure, our dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth, clean the area and then bond the filling into place. We may use a blue light to make sure the filling is set properly, and before you leave, we will check your bite to make sure it fits exactly as we intend it to. If you take excellent care of your teeth, your composite filling can last for several years. After your appointment, we will provide you with care instructions so you are confident in maintaining your oral health!