We Provide What YOU Need
To the right you will see a list of our services. In addition to those services, we pride ourselves in making sure you have a wonderful experience when you come in.
CARING SUPPORT STAFF
From the moment you step through the doors into our dentist office, we hope you feel as comfortable as you can be with little waiting times, free wifi, and reading material.
FREE ASSESSMENT
We offer a free assessment and consulting meeting so if you just want to come in and get a second opinion or just feel it out, we are here to help.
ONLINE AND ON THE PHONE
Our dental office is meant to be a service of excellence center, meaning whether you are walking through the doors or giving us a call, we want to be here to answer all of your dental questions.
OUR SERVICES
Dr. Finlinson specializes in General, Cosmetic, and Restorative Dentistry for the entire family – using today’s most advanced techniques and state of the art technology.
With the many technological advances in the field of cosmetic dentistry, you no longer have to hide your smile. Whether you have suffered dental trauma, decay or just want to enhance the natural beauty of your smile, we offer exceptional clinical care to meet your needs.
We do all we can to make sure that your children, grandchildren, or even great grandchildren have an experience in our dentist office that will make a positive impression in not only returning but an added effort to care for their own dental health.
Experts in Pediatric Dentistry
Our office takes pride in our understanding of the special care needed by your child. Whether this is your child’s first visit to a dentist, or if they have been in care for some years, we do all we can to help them (and you!) feel at ease.
When Should My Child Start Seeing a Dentist?
As a general rule, you should schedule your child’s first dental appointment once the first tooth has erupted. This usually occurs by 2 years of age. As soon as a child has teeth, those teeth are subject to decay. The primary concern in very young children is “Early Childhood Caries” also known as “baby bottle tooth decay,” which can be avoided with early prevention and home care.
Following the first visit, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests follow up visits twice a year for preventative cleanings. Of course, at home care between visits is essential.
The Importance of Baby Teeth
Your child’s baby teeth serve several important functions for their development and health:
- Pronunciation of sounds
- Proper chewing to facilitate digestion
- Establish and preserve space for each adult tooth
- Form buds from which the adult teeth develop
Though the baby teeth will eventually be lost, they do serve important functions for your child.
Your Child’s First Visit
During the appointment, your dentist will review your child’s medical and dental history. He or she will gently examine your child’s teeth, gum tissue and jaw. The teeth will be cleaned and polished, followed by the application of a fluoride solution. At each step, he or she will let your child know what to expect, using pictures and easily understandable language.
We pride ourselves on a very friendly, inviting staff and we do all we can to help put your child at ease and make it a comfortable experience for him or her.
Despite our best efforts, this first visit to a dentist can sometimes be intimidating. We encourage you to talk to your child about what to expect before coming in, without using any language that might cause apprehension (e.g., needles or pain).
Part of a visit to our office includes motivating your child toward healthy diet and hygiene activities to get them off to a great start.
How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth
Even though your child does not yet have teeth, home care should start at birth by regularly cleaning your baby’s mouth with a soft infant toothbrush and water.
An important part of caring for your child’s teeth is diet. Reducing the amount of sugary snacks and drinks will greatly help prevent tooth decay, as will teaching your child to drink from a cup after his or her first birthday. Consumption of sugary drinks from a bottle has been linked to “bottle caries” and should be avoided.
For More Information
We welcome questions from our patients, and encourage you to speak to Dr. Finlinson or any of our staff about your child’s dental care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry also offers information on many topics on their website, located here:
We know that sometimes those cavities find unhealthy places to live in your teeth. Dental fillings are critical to your dental health to keep the cavity from spreading not only bigger, but it also can effect other areas of your mouth. These fillings will stop those cavities in their tracks.
Fillings have also come a long way from metal amalgams. Unlike metal, composite filling technology helps reduce your risk for tooth fracture. Composite techniques also allow us to prevent liberal cutting and reshaping of your teeth to repair cavities, which improves strength and durability for your teeth.
Following preparation, the composite resin is placed in layers, typically using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth and then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear. This creates a functional, natural looking restoration.
Not only is your dental health overall important, but also how you feel about the looks of your teeth. With precision we will make sure that you have confidence in your smile.
Whitening procedures are not a solution for all discoloration (e.g. darkening caused by cavities). Similarly, whitening does not work on all stains. Dr. Finlinson is committed to helping you choose the best option for your personal situation. Some cases that are not appropriate for whitening procedures can be effectively treated with other dental options.
A baby tooth can cause problems if it does not fall out as it should. Most often, this is because it was not shaped correctly or it has too long of a root. It will be important to remove the baby tooth to make room for the permanent tooth to erupt.
Misaligned or impacted teeth (such as the Wisdom Teeth) can cause pain or discomfort and affect the alignment of the rest of the jaw.
With most extractions, a local anesthetic will be all that is needed to make the procedure comfortable. While this procedure is generally very fast, please share any concerns or preferences for sedation with your dentist. For our “anxious” patients, we also offer Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) to help ease your procedure.
When a tooth has been removed, nearby teeth may move and cause problems with chewing or with your jaw joint. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth with a dental implant. Dental implants are said to be the most natural replacement for missing teeth because they mimic the natural tooth root as opposed to simply bridging the gap as with Bridges. Because they replace the tooth root, they prevent the neighboring teeth from shifting and interfering with proper jaw function.
Wisdom Teeth
Most people do not have enough room in their jaws for normal eruption and position of their wisdom teeth (third molars). Dr. Finlinson can help evaluate your wisdom teeth with the aid of our newest diagnostic tool, the Digital Panoramic X-ray.
Depending on their position, wisdom teeth may be “Full” or “Partially” Impacted. Dr. Finlinson in Layton is experienced in removing most impactions.
Although there are several different procedures for replacing teeth, dental implants are the most natural replacement for missing teeth. They do not require alterations in adjacent teeth, and the dental implant post stimulates your jawbone in the same way as your natural teeth. This leads to less bone loss and preserves a younger facial appearance.
Replacing a Missing Tooth
A natural tooth is anchored into the jawbone by its tooth root. Tooth roots attach firmly to the jawbone and keep your teeth stable when chewing foods.
Traditionally, if you were missing a tooth or if one needed to be extracted, the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth would be cut down and a three-crown “bridge” would be placed.
Dental implants are the modern alternative. Instead of cutting down two perfectly healthy teeth, a trained practitioner inserts a dental post (dental implant) into the jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. This post becomes solidly fixed into your jaw as the bone heals (similar to a natural tooth root).
Your dentist in Layton, Dr. Finlinson then places a crown onto this artificial tooth root that feels and functions like your natural teeth.
Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite resins. Composite resins are applied directly to the teeth, and then shaped appropriately. Porcelain veneers are thin hard shells that must be constructed in a lab before being bonded over the teeth.
Composite veneers are typically less expensive than their porcelain counter-parts, but they have a significantly shorter life span and are prone to staining. Composite resin restorations last between five and seven years and are subject to staining, whereas porcelain veneers typically last well over 15 years and will not stain over time.
Unlike bonding procedures used for small problems, most veneers require a small amount of tooth reduction prior to placement. This means that the thickness of your teeth must be slightly reduced to provide enough room for the veneer.
Veneer Procedures
Porcelain Veneers
To begin fitting you with veneers, the enamel of the teeth may need to be slightly reduced. The teeth are very minimally prepared, usually between 0.5mm and 1.0mm. An impression of the area is taken, which will be sent to a dental laboratory to construct the veneers. You will be fitted with temporary veneers until your final restoration is completed. Often, no anesthetic is needed for this procedure.
Next, we will carefully check the completed veneers for proper color matching and fit.
During the final placement of the veneers, the teeth to be bonded will be cleaned and polished. A special bonding agent is applied and light cured. Then a final contouring and polishing of the veneer to the tooth completes the procedure.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers can be applied during a single office visit. After careful discussion of desired results and options for treatment, we will help you choose the correct color for your veneer.
Next, the resin will be directly applied to your teeth and carefully sculpted into the desired shape. The area is then treated to solidify the bond between the tooth and the veneer.
When decay or damage to the surface of a tooth becomes significant, the tooth can be reduced and a custom-made tooth bonded to its surface. This artificial tooth is called a “crown.” Crowns are also often used to anchor bridges — structures that replace missing teeth.
Crowns are most commonly made from all porcelain or of porcelain bonded to metal (usually gold). Crowns are fashioned in a dental laboratory by trained technicians to provide the same strength and appearance as a healthy tooth.
When damage to the tooth extends to the foundation (root) of the tooth and is too large to restore, a bridge or dental implant may be a better solution. We will discuss your options for restorations with you after an initial examination.
Procedure
First, your dentist will remove any decay and place a build-up filling which is designed to serve as a strong and stable foundation for your crown. Your tooth will then be shaped to receive a crown. The crown must be thick enough to withstand chewing, which means that the natural tooth below the crown must be reduced.
He or she will then take an impression of your tooth and note how your teeth fit together. You will then be fitted with a temporary crown while the permanent one is constructed in a dental lab. Certified dental technicians are able to make crowns that fit perfectly with your bite, and look like natural teeth. They will match the color of the crown to your own natural tooth color.
On a second visit, your temporary crown will be taken off and the fit of the new crown carefully checked. The final crown is then cemented in place, restoring the tooth to its natural strength, appearance and function.
Dr. Finlinson in Layton sees multiple families a month for dentures and implants and can make sure you make the right decision for your mouth.
Full Dentures
A full denture replaces a full arch of teeth. Conventional full dentures are removable, but new advancements have allowed practitioners to anchor your full denture using dental implant posts and attachments, clips or bars.
While nothing can perfectly replace your natural teeth, new advancements in denture technology have made dentures more comfortable and stable than ever before.
Removable Partial Dentures
We also offers removable partial dentures for areas of you mouth where several teeth have been lost or extracted. These are held in place by metal or plastic clasps that affix to surrounding teeth.
Removable partial dentures serve as an economical alternative to fixed partial dentures (bridges) or dental implants. They can help to restore aesthetics and function to areas with several missing teeth.
Both full and partial dentures will, to a degree, move in function. They may also, sometimes, effect the way that foods feel and taste. Dentures may also have food “stick” to them or get under them (between the denture and the gums) causing discomfort.
A bridge is a restorative structure that is used to replace missing teeth. Bridges consist of one or more false teeth that are held in place by crowns that are attached to the surrounding teeth. Bridges can be made with a gold alloy substructure or can be made metal free (all ceramic).
Bridges fall under two main categories, “fixed” and “removable.” Fixed bridges are cemented in place and cannot be taken out. Removable bridges are not permanently attached and can be removed at night or for cleaning purposes. (see “Dentures”)
Bridges can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile by replacing missing teeth. The materials used to create the bridge are made to match the color of your natural teeth, while providing strong structural support.
Procedure
The teeth on either side of the empty space will be reduced in order to retain the crown portion(s) of the bridge. An impression is then taken and sent to a dental lab, where a custom-designed bridge will be made.
As with a crown placement, a temporary bridge will be put in place to protect your teeth & gum while the permanent bridge is being constructed.
