Our Services

Routine cleanings, comprehensive examinations, and imaging (when indicated) allow us to see our patients’ oral health over time and monitor areas of inflammation, demineralization, or wear that may or may not require active treatment at this time. When a rapid progression in these areas is noted, we can treat as necessary.

OralDNA salivary testing allows us to examine the microbiome of your mouth. Imbalances in the microbiome can make you more susceptible to gum disease or cavities. We don’t want to just treat the symptoms, but the cause.

Ask about Cone Beam Computed Tomography 3-Dimensional Imaging, now available at our office. Most dental offices will take 1 panoramic radiograph, 2-3 series of 4 bitewings, and 1 full-mouth series on the average healthy patient in a 5 year span.

For low-risk patients, when preferred, we can take a single 3-D image of the whole mouth every two years, with the occasional single x-ray for areas of concern. This not only provides us with more information than standard 2-dimensional imaging, but reduces your exposure as well.

While many amalgam fillings (also called silver or mercury fillings) have been used and in service for many years, the current generation of dentists is recognizing that there are more conservative, more biocompatible, and more esthetic materials available. When we remove older amalgam fillings, we utilize rubber dam isolation and high-volume evacuation to prevent inhalation or ingestion of the metal particles or mercury vapor.

When teeth become damaged by bacteria, acidity and diet, medication-induced dry mouth, or functional wear; restoring the teeth results in a bacteria-free, functional oral environment that does not compromise your esthetics, your chewing ability, or your systemic health. This is accomplished through metal and mercury-free, BPA-free composite fillings and porcelain fillings and crowns.

Obtaining a healthy, beautiful smile has an immediate impact on your appearance and self-esteem. We are happy to offer minimally invasive esthetic options such as whitening, implants, orthodontic alignment, and paper-thin veneers that do not require removing a significant amount of healthy tooth structure.

Besides the clicking, popping, and pain that is often associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), there are less obvious factors that could be associated with a problem in the joint-tooth relationship: bite feels “off”, abnormal wear, teeth and fillings continue to chip or break, migraines, tinnitus. These problems can be addressed and treated in a variety of ways.

A compromised airway can be attributed to more clenching, grinding, and tooth wear than TMJ problems alone. Our bodies are physiologically adapted for nasal breathing, which allows greater oxygen absorption than mouth breathing. Additionally, mouth breathing can cause dry mouth and cavities, gingivitis and inflammation, and accelerated tooth wear as a result of bruxism (grinding). By recognizing oral manifestations of airway problems, we can begin the process of treating them.

Dental implants allow us to provide the most life-like replacement for missing teeth. While we offer tooth replacement options such as permanent bridges, removable bridges, and dentures; we always strive to give patients the best and longest-lasting option when possible. Dr. Shank has received advanced training in dental implantology in order to provide the best care possible to his patients.

When the nerve inside of a tooth is injured by bacterial tooth decay, dental trauma, or previous dental work, it will become inflamed (and therefore sensitive to cold, hot, or biting pressure). Sometimes the inflammation resolves and the nerve returns to normal health, but sometimes the nerve dies and becomes necrotic, which can result in abscesses and systemic infections. While removing the tooth and placing an implant is an excellent option, we always try to save teeth when the outcome is predictable. Therefore, we will perform endodontic therapy, which involves removing the necrotic and infected tissue from inside the tooth, thoroughly cleansing it, and placing a biocompatible material inside the tooth to extend it's life in the mouth.