Dr. Lauren Francis and Dr. Rawley Fuller provide a wide variety of dental services to patients in Hampstead, NC. With years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Francis and Dr. Fuller can help you address dental health problems, repair tooth and gum damage, and improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Visiting the dentist regularly for preventative services can prevent complex and costly dental problems from developing. Our team of dental experts is also always happy to answer any questions you have about your oral health and our services.
Dental Services at Seaside Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Our cosmetic, general, and restorative dental services are tailored to each patient’s individual needs. At Seaside Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we treat patients using high-quality technology and modern techniques for the best results possible.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dental solutions address aesthetic concerns and can simultaneously address dental problems:
- Porcelain Veneers: Our dental veneers are made of porcelain ceramic, a material that reflects light for a natural look. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover the front of teeth to treat severely stained teeth or damage.
- Teeth Bonding: This alternative to dental veneers also treats tooth discoloration or damage. However, teeth bonding uses a malleable biocompatible material to build up the tooth enamel and address chips and cracks in teeth. We also color-match bonded teeth to blend in with adjacent teeth.
- Teeth Whitening: We offer professional teeth whitening treatment to brighten patients’ smiles in just one visit to our office. Whitening teeth can help keep patients motivated to clean their smiles and maintain their brilliant results.
- Botox: Patients who want to address crow’s feet, lipstick lines, and other types of facial wrinkles benefit from Botox. Botox also benefits patients with TMJ disorders because it relaxes the muscles to alleviate facial pain and headaches.
General Dentistry
General dental care helps prevent future complex oral health concerns:
- Endodontics: Dr. Francis and Dr. Fuller provide endodontic care for patients with infected dental pulp. They can address infections, tooth damage, and abscesses with endodontics.
- Root Canal: A root canal removes infected dental pulp. The pulp consists of nerves, cells, and blood vessels that keep teeth alive. Removing pulp can preserve teeth and prevent the spread of infection.
- Sports Mouthguards: If you or your child play contact sports, you need to get a protective sports mouthguard. Our custom sports mouthguards fit comfortably and make it easy for patients to focus on the game rather than trying to keep track of their mouthguards.
- Emergency Dentistry: Do you have sudden tooth pain? Have you knocked out a tooth? Our office provides emergency dental services to patients who require immediate restorative and cosmetic care.
- Family Dentistry: Dr. Francis and Dr. Fuller are family dentists who offer pediatric, geriatric, and adult care. Our team helps parents understand how to care for their child’s smile. Dr. Francis and Dr. Fuller also provide treatments for oral health problems that come with age.
- Tooth Extractions: A tooth extraction is a procedure that is needed when a patient has severely overcrowded, infected or impacted teeth. Although patients may think that tooth extractions are painful, they help alleviate tooth pain.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry addresses missing, infected, or damaged teeth:
- Dental Implants: Implants are high-quality restorations that provide a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, and dentures.
- Dental Bridge: Dental bridges are dental prosthetics often attached by adjacent teeth capped with dental crowns.
- Dental Crowns: Porcelain ceramic dental crowns provide protection and durability to weakened, broken, worn, or fractured teeth. They cover each individual tooth and are matched to the color of adjacent natural teeth.
- Full and Partial Dentures: Patients with multiple missing teeth or full arches of lost teeth can restore their smile with dentures. Some removable dentures can slip around the mouth and need messy adhesives to stay put. Whether you need partial or full dentures, we can help you find a stable restoration.
- Periodontal Disease: Also known as gum disease, periodontitis can cause gum inflammation, bleeding gums, receding gums, and eventually tooth loss. Antibacterial rinses, scaling/root planing, and deep gum cleanings are all forms of periodontal treatments that can help remove the bacteria that cause the disease.
- TMJ Treatment: If you have chronic migraines, jaw pain, or tooth pain, you may have an issue with your temporomandibular joint. TMJ disorders can be treated with TMJ treatments such as jaw exercises, custom night guards, and orthodontics.
Dental Services FAQs
Read answers to common questions about our Hampstead dental services.
Can Botox for TMJ also help reduce teeth grinding?
Yes, Botox injections can reduce teeth grinding by relaxing the muscles that control jaw movement. It helps ease tension in the jaw muscles and makes it harder to grind or clench excessively. Effects usually last about three to six months.
What are the signs that I may need a tooth extraction?
You might need a tooth extraction if you have:
- Severe pain
- Extensive decay
- Advanced gum disease
- Overcrowded teeth
- Cracked tooth below the gumline
Our team may also remove a tooth if you have an infection that can’t be fixed with fillings or root canals. We will evaluate the tooth to determine if extraction is your best option.
How can I tell if I have early signs of gum disease at home?
Early signs of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding gums when you brush and floss
- Persistent bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed or hurt, so seeing these symptoms means you should schedule a dental checkup.
Is emergency dental care covered by insurance or considered out-of-pocket?
Most dental insurance plans cover emergency care to some extent, depending on your policy details. Coverage can vary widely, and some procedures might only be partially covered and require out-of-pocket payments.
If possible, always confirm with your insurance company beforehand or ask our dentist’s office to help verify benefits during an emergency.
What’s the difference between a dental bridge and an implant when replacing missing teeth?
A bridge replaces missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth to the adjacent natural teeth. An implant replaces the tooth root itself with a titanium post placed directly into the jawbone, topped by a custom crown.
Implants generally last longer, maintain bone structure and don’t impact neighboring teeth. Bridges are initially faster and less invasive but can put extra stress on adjacent teeth.
How often should my child visit the dentist for routine care?
Children should visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. This frequency helps catch potential problems early and monitor tooth growth. It will also teach good oral hygiene habits. Regular visits make your child more comfortable at the dentist’s office and reduce future anxiety.
Can a dental crown be placed on a tooth that had bonding previously?
Yes, a dental crown can be placed on a tooth that has had bonding. We’ll remove the bonding material and reshape the tooth to properly fit the crown. Sometimes, residual bonding can be left in place if it provides good structural support for the crown. Before treatment, our dentist will evaluate the condition of your tooth to ensure it’s strong enough to support the new crown.
Schedule Your Dental Services Today
Call Seaside Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for complete dental services in Hampstead, NC, at 910-335-4392. You may also request an appointment with Dr. Francis or Dr. Fuller online.