Preventive Dentistry – State College, PA

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Six month dental checkups and teeth cleanings are the foundation of every dental care plan at Dr. Labosky’s dental office. These regular appointments allow our team to help patients prevent many common oral health issues from ever occurring. For those health conditions we cannot prevent in partnership with our patients, six month checkups make it possible for us to diagnose and treat these concerns in their earliest stages. This means we’re able to preserve the maximum amount of natural dental structure and provide conservative, minimally invasive treatments to restore damaged smiles. Each dental checkup begins with a careful diagnostic screening for the most common oral health issues including tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, teeth grinding, or clenching (known as bruxism), and oral cancer. Next, our skilled hygienist carefully cleans plaque and tartar buildup from teeth. Then, we sit down one-on-one with patients to review our findings, discuss areas for concern, and develop a plan to achieve and maintain the optimal level of oral health for our patients.

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Nightguards for Bruxism

The unconscious nighttime grinding and clenching of teeth is referred to as bruxism, and this oral health condition can lead to a variety of issues like excessive dental wear, jaw joint strain, and chronic headaches. To prevent potential dental damage and other concerns associated with bruxism, our team can custom craft nightguards that place a physical barrier between teeth preventing wear. These nightguards are comfortable, and they allow patients to breathe unimpeded, speak, and even drink water while wearing their guard.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a nutrient essential in developing and maintaining strong, healthy bones. As teeth are formed, fluoride needs to be ingested to assist in their development. However, once teeth have erupted from the gum line, fluoride needs to be applied topically to maintain the density of tooth enamel. Many of our patients receive adequate levels of fluoride from the daily use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwashes. For those patients who are more prone to tooth decay, professional-grade fluoride treatments may need to be applied to protect teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer claims one life every hour in the US, and according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the best way to reduce this number is to intervene at earlier stages. That’s why we complete oral cancer screenings as part of every six month dental checkup at our State College, PA dental office. Quick and painless, these examinations help us diagnose oral cancers in their earliest stages. We encourage patients to let us know right away if they experience common warning signs, including throat pain or hoarse voice, lumps or bumps in soft tissue, and sores that won’t heal.

Sleep Apnea Therapy

Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing for ten or more seconds at a time during sleep. When patients are diagnosed with this common sleep disorder, they are often unaware that the dentist may be able to offer them a comfortable solution that allows them to sleep peacefully through the night. Traditionally, sleep apnea has been treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems. These systems use air to keep the throat open during sleep preventing apnea incidents. Unfortunately, many patients find themselves CPAP intolerant. That means they are unable to adjust to the sounds or sensations associated with using their CPAP machine, and their sleep remains interrupted. For some of these patients, oral appliance therapy may offer an alternative. Rather than using air to keep the throat clear, oral appliances shift the jaw forward, which causes the throat muscles to tense up and keep the airway open during sleep. Custom oral appliances from a dental office offer a comfortable, portable sleep apnea solution.

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