Seattle Family Dentistry

Oral Hygiene

At Love Your Smile, we not only improve your oral health, but maintain it to a high level. The first step toward this is providing you with a quality hygiene assessment, led by our team of expert hygienists.

During this visit, we carefully examine your teeth and gums, looking for plaque build-up and signs of gum disease.

Your dental hygienist then performs a gentle professional cleaning where any leftover plaque or buildup is removed. This helps prevent common dental issues such as cavities, root canals, or gum disease.

As a finishing touch, your teeth are polished for a brighter smile and your hygienist extends any appropriate feedback for your at-home routine. Remember, as your partners in dentistry, we will never judge or lecture you. Instead, we carefully guide you to improved oral health and a custom-made treatment plan for your individual needs.

We strongly believe in open, two-way communication, so we always welcome your questions during your hygiene appointment.

Oral Cancer Screenings

It is an unfortunate truth that millions have to endure the impact of oral cancer. However, through early diagnosis, your chances of treatment success can be greatly strengthened. Our knowledgeable team uses modern technology and advanced training to identify any early signs. By taking immediate action, we can help reduce the impact of oral cancer and educate you on lowing your risk factors. During your visit, Dr. Kiefer thoroughly examines your mouth, including:

• The inner lining of your cheeks
• The roof and floor of your mouth
• Your lips, gums, and tongue

This allows him to identify common symptoms such as:

• Swelling or thickening
• Lumps or bumps
• Rough spots, crusts, or eroded areas
• White or red patches
• Bleeding, pain, or numbness
• A persistent sore throat
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together

As a guide, we encourage you to have an oral cancer screening annually. If any sign of oral cancer is detected, we may propose performing additional medical tests to confirm the diagnosis. We promise to work with you side-by-side to ensure you get the care you need and deserve.

Sealants

Brushing and flossing are a vital part of your dental health routine. While caring for your teeth every day helps to maintain a healthy mouth, it can still be difficult to remove all the debris from your back molars. This is especially true for younger children. If this debris remains in your teeth, it may accumulate and cause plaque to build up and, in turn, lead to tooth decay. As your Seattle family dentist, we offer high-quality dental sealants to help you and your family prevent plaque build-up and cavities. Dental sealants consist of a thin gel coating that is painted onto your tooth’s surface. The gel helps fill the small grooves, preventing debris from becoming trapped in your teeth and causing dental issues. One of the best things about sealants is that they can be used on both adults and children, so you can protect your entire family’s smiles, long-term. Your caring dentist monitors sealants during your regular six-month check-ups.

Metal-Free Fillings

When you get tooth decay, cavities, or a tooth fracture, dental fillings may be needed to prevent any further damage. Dr. Kiefer uses metal-free, tooth-colored composite fillings. In addition to maintaining most of your natural tooth, these fillings are much more durable and resemble your tooth’s natural shade and structure! We use the highest quality materials to blend and mix shades in order to find the ideal color to match your smile. The procedure starts with Dr. Kiefer cleaning the affected tooth and numbing the area around it. Once your tooth is prepared, your skilled dentist places the white composite resin to fill the cavity and shapes it to fit your bite. Once the material is hardened, you’ll benefit from:

• Less sensitivity
• Prevention of further tooth loss
• Stronger teeth from the inside out

This simple procedure helps restore your smile into a beautiful, healthy state and can also boost your confidence. You can smile without any worry; only you and Dr. Kiefer will know about your fillings!

Root Canals

When a cavity deepens and reaches your tooth’s nerve, it can become infected with negative bacteria. This may cause you to experience severe toothaches, pain when chewing, prolonged sensitivity, and eventually the development of an abscess.

Root canals are highly recommended to solve these dental issues. Plus, they are a great solution for saving your natural tooth structure and avoiding more invasive treatments.

To perform a root canal, your skilled dentist first places anesthetic on your gum to prevent any discomfort. Then, Dr. Maurissa Kiefer removes any infection from the pulp (inside of your tooth). She ensures the area is clean and free of any negative bacteria. A high-quality resin is then used to replace the removed pulp, which restores your tooth back to its original strength and function. After your root canal, a dental crown may be recommended to protect your tooth from any potential damage.

Mouthguards

Protect your smile from trauma, bite problems, or common sleep issues, such as bruxism (teeth grinding) with our mouthguards. Our Love Your Smile mouthguards use the latest digital technologies to provide a custom-made, comfortable fit. The molds are designed around your natural teeth and your unique needs. Sportsguards are designed to protect your teeth from trauma due to contact sports, whereas nightguards help prevent damage from common issues while sleeping, such as teeth grinding. Dr. Kiefer assists you in obtaining your ideal mouthguard after an accurate examination and a one-on-one discussion.