We've missed you! Call us today at (618) 234-7100 to schedule your cleaning appointment.
As we transition to our new normal, we'd like to make you aware of our new safety protocols and procedures. Please be assured that with these changes, we are keeping your health and safety a top priority.
As we welcome you back, please know your wellness is our priority. As such, we've taken enhanced measures to protect our patients and staff, including the following:
- Our air has never been cleaner. We have added stand-alone air purifiers with HEPA-grade filters in each operatory.
- Whenever possible, we will activate high speed evacuation to minimize aerosol contamination and improve air quality.
Welcome back! We are looking forward to seeing you for your next cleaning. Call us today at (618) 234-7100 to schedule your appointment.
In wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, you may notice some changes during your next dental appointment.
- For your safety as well as ours, our staff will be wearing enhanced PPE including - gowns, head coverings, and eye protection or face shields.
- Patients are requested to wear a mask at all times in the office, unless instructed to do otherwise.
During this challenging time, we understand dental expenses can be a hardship for many families. Please know we offer financing options, including the CareCredit healthcare credit card. We also offer an in-house discount plan for patients without dental insurance. To learn more, please call us at (618) 234-7100.
Scaling and root planing, used to treat gum disease, is a deep cleaning below the gumline.
Gum disease is caused by plaque, which is always forming on your teeth. If they are not cleaned well, the bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become inflamed. When this happens, your gums will pull away from your teeth and form spaces called pockets, trapping plaque inside, which cannot be cleaned with normal brushing. If untreated, gum disease could lead to bone and tooth loss.
If caught early, a professional cleaning should be enough if the gum disease hasn’t damaged structures below the gum line. However, if the pockets between your gums and teeth are too deep, scaling and root planing may be needed.
The deep cleaning has two parts. Scaling is when a cleaning professional removes all the plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) above and below the gumline, making sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. Afterwards, the root planing treatment begins as the dental hygienist smooths out your teeth roots to help your gum reattach to your teeth. Scaling and root planing may take more than one visit to complete and may require a local anesthetic.
Afterwards, you may experience tooth sensitivity for up to a week as well as a few days of pain. Your gums may feel swollen, tender and bleed. A follow-up will be scheduled so that Dr. Hartfield can see how your gums have healed and measure the depth of your pockets. If they’ve gotten deeper, more treatment may be needed.
If you experience tenderness in your gums, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hartfield’s office by calling 618-509-5190 to schedule an appointment. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL. http://www.smiles4belleville.com/
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Scaling and Root Planing
Certain medications can influence dental treatment decisions, so it is imperative to let Dr. Rebecca Hartfield know about all the medications you are taking.
For example, antiresorptive agents – medications that help improve bone strength – have been associated with a rare but serious bone condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) that can cause severe damage to the jawbone.
Some antiresorptive agents – i.e. Fosamax, Actonel, Atelvia, Didronel, and Boniva – are taken orally to help prevent or treat osteoporosis (thinning of bone) and Paget’s disease, a disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth, resulting in deformity. Some antiresorptive agents, such as Boniva IV, Reclast or Prolia, are administered via injection. Higher and more frequent dosing of these agents is given as part of cancer therapy to reduce bone pain and hypercalcemia of malignancy (abnormally high calcium levels in the blood) associated with metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma.
But how do these medications affect dental treatment plans?
Osteonecrosis of the jaw can occur spontaneously; however, when it is related to medications, it more commonly occurs after dental procedures that affect the bone or associated tissues. Be sure to tell Dr. Hartfield if you are taking antiresorptive agents so that she can take that into account while developing your treatment plan.
Symptoms of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw include but are not limited to:
• Pain, swelling, or infection of gums or jaw
• Numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw
• Exposed bone
• Loose teeth
• Injured or recently treated gums that are not healing
Contact Dr. Hartfield’s office right away by calling 618-509-5190 if you notice any of these symptoms. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL. http://www.smiles4belleville.com/
To learn more about how different medications affect dental treatments, click below.
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/osteoporosis-and-oral-health
If any of your teeth are cracked or even chipped, it may be time to think about going forward with something to help your already amazing smile and turn up your confidence level tenfold. Scheduling an appointment for something such as teeth bonding can have lasting effects on not only your dental health but your confidence. Tooth bonding is a procedure where your dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to one or more of your teeth to repair damage. This is not only something that will show lasting effects, but it can be very cost effective as well.
If you have questions or concerns about teeth bonding, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hartfield’s office by calling 618-509-5190 to schedule an appointment. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL.
In some cases, fillings need to be replaced due to wear, chipping, or even cracking. A composite filling is a white colored filling used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, and fractures. If you feel as though you need a new filling, talk to your dentist. This may be the right time to do it. Doing so will give you a more confident smile, but also helps prevent worse damage to your teeth and can help reduce any pain or discomfort that you may have been experiencing from your worn or damaged filling.
If you have questions or concerns about fillings, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hartfield’s office by calling 618-509-5190 to schedule an appointment. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL.
A very common infection you may or already have experienced is a cold sore or fever blister. These little blister patches are on and around your lip once they are formed.
Overtime, the blisters will break which then leaves behind a scab that can last up to a few weeks. Along with a cold sore, they can also cause a fever, sore throat, or even headaches.
There is still no cure for cold sores, but you can be prescribed creams or pills that may reduce the length of the time you have one and possibly the severity of future outbreaks.
If you are experiencing pain from these areas of the mouth or lips, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hartfield’s office by calling 618-509-5190 to schedule an appointment. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL.
Too many sugary treats or not brushing your teeth the recommended number of times per day can really influence not just your smile but your health in general. Something very common but very painful to experience is the possibility of a cavity. Cavities occur quite often but can be prevented. Brushing your teeth at least two to three times a day and staying away from too much sugar can help this tremendously.
If you are experiencing pain from your teeth or different areas in your mouth, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hartfield’s office by calling 618-509-5190 to schedule an appointment. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL.
Are you experiencing bleeding gums? This is common and for many people can be from something not too severe. Some common causes of bleeding gums can be not brushing your teeth, flossing incorrectly, or even brushing your teeth too hard. Poor dental hygiene is a common cause of bleeding gums. Properly brushing or flossing your teeth on a regular basis can lead to better oral health and can reduce or eliminate gum bleeding.
If you are experiencing continuous or severe bleeding from your gums or mouth, please contact Dr. Rebecca Hartfield’s office by calling 618-509-5190 to schedule an appointment. Her practice is located at 2900 Frank Scott Parkway W. Ste 968A in Belleville, IL.
Happy New Year! We look forward to welcoming our patients back into the office in the upcoming year.