Advanced Dental Concepts

Products And Services

• 

  Dental Implants

  Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone (A), they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. Modern dental implants have been used successfully for over 30 years. They are the strongest devices available to support replacement teeth – and even better, they allow these new teeth to feel, look and function naturally. When performed by a trained and experienced dental implant dentist, dental implant surgery is one of the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry. They can be used to replace individual or multiple missing teeth with crowns and bridges, or can also be used to securely stabilize loose and failing dentures. Dr. Danny Hayes has successfully completed several courses on the placement and restoration of dental implants, as well as bone grafting and sinus augmentation surgical procedures. Over that past 10 years, Dr. Hayes has predictably placed and restored 100's of missing teeth with dental implants to restore natural function and aesthetics for his patients.

  Link: Dental Implants

• 

  Invisalign

  Invisalign® is a custom-made aligner that is interchanged roughly every two weeks for a period of six to eighteen months, or longer depending on the severity of misalignment. Similar to a mouth or dental retainer (which is designed to keep teeth from shifting out of place), an Invisalign® aligner is used for orthodontic treatment as a technique to move and properly align teeth for a beautiful smile. This clear aligner is usually computer generated from a mold (or impression) of the patient’s teeth—taken by either a dentist or an orthodontist—and the fitting is unique to each patient only. Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign® is one of the most convenient methods to straighten teeth, requiring patients to make minor life changes to accommodate the orthodontic treatment. For instance, patients can take out the aligners when brushing, flossing, eating, or drinking—a significant advantage over cumbersome braces that not only complicate oral care, but also are especially prone to damage when eating hard or chewy foods (i.e. corn on the cob, crunchy taco shells, beef jerky, etc.). Because the mouth trays are transparent (nearly invisible), patients using Invisalign® aligners can straighten their teeth without embarrassing metal brackets and wires taking away from the natural look of their smile. The plastic aligners are also gentle on cheeks and gums—unlike braces, which contain sharp edges that can scrape or cut the inside of the mouth.

  Video: Invisalign

  Link: Invisalign

• 

  Preventive Dentistry

  At Advanced Dental Concepts, we help our patients from Portage, IN and surrounding areas develop the ideal foundation for a healthy, happy smile. Our preventive services are designed to not only treat dental problems at their earliest stages, but also help patients avoid them in the first place. If it has been more than six months since you or your child’s checkup, don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment. Our doctors can’t wait to treat the whole family in our comfortable, state-of-the-art practice!

  Link: Preventive Dentistry

• 

  Restorative Dentistry

  Our dentists will always do what they can to help patients avoid dental injuries, but sometimes restorative work becomes necessary regardless of our efforts. In this situation, rest assured that we will preserve as much healthy dental structure as possible while also fully eliminating the decay and/or damage, bringing back much-needed form and function to your smile. If you are in need of assistance with a decayed or damaged tooth, please contact Advanced Dental Concepts for Portage for further assistance. We want to help! From simple tooth colored, cosmetic fillings to aesthetic crown and bridges, to natural and comfortable full and partial dentures, your Portage Dentists can do it all.

  Link: Restorative Dentistry

• 

  Periodontal Therapy

  Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a gradual infection that affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. What’s worse is that a significant portion of this percentage isn’t even aware of their condition. At Advanced Dental Concepts, our dentists are determined to identify the presence of gum disease in its earliest stages through dedicated screenings. We want to prevent the early form of the infection (gingivitis) from progressing to its advanced stage (periodontitis), which can result in tooth loss and other severe consequences. If you are experiencing bleeding gums or other concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact our Portage, IN office today for assistance. Gum disease begins when bacteria-filled plaque and tartar starts to build up at the gum line. Over time, this presence causes inflammation, irritation, and the eventual destruction of healthy soft and hard tissue. In the earliest stages, this infection can be combated with more diligent hygiene, both in our office and at-home with brushing and flossing. When more advanced treatment becomes necessary, scaling and root planing is an effective method for combating the damage. Scaling will involve the thorough elimination of plaque and tartar from below the patient’s natural gum line, while root planing is the dedicated smoothing of tooth root surfaces to prevent further build-ups over time. Traditionally, dentists used scalpels and sutures to treat infected gum tissue. We would have to cut away the damaged structure and then stitch what remained back into its rightful place, resulting in a lengthy recovery process. At Advanced Dental Concepts, we are happy to have transformed this service for the better with the help of our soft tissue laser. Now, damaged tissue can be treated precisely and with instant sterilization, which reduces post-operative symptoms and results in a much smoother recovery period.

  Link: Periodontal Therapy

• 

  Cosmetic Dentistry

  Do you feel frustrated or unhappy with any aspect of your teeth? While the Advanced Dental Concepts team prioritizes oral health, we also understand the valuable benefits of a more self-confident smile. That’s why we offer several cosmetic services that are specifically focused on improving dental aesthetics while preserving the maximum amount of healthy tooth structure. Whether you’re interested in straightening the teeth, brightening the enamel, or overcoming an overly “gummy” look, we’re ready to help you and deliver truly “picture-perfect” results. Please contact us in Portage, IN if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to visit our dentists for a cosmetic consultation. Porcelain veneers are one of our most popular cosmetic services, and for good reason. This type of dental restoration is an effective and beautiful way to comprehensively transform smiles! The veneer itself comes in the form of a very thin sheath of dental porcelain, which attaches to the visible surfaces of requested teeth. All at once, years of gaps, stains, chips, cracks, misalignments, and other issues are safely hidden away. In order to durably rebuild teeth without sacrificing our patients’ confident appearance, Dr. Hayes and Dr. Mousa offer all-ceramic dental crowns, inlays, onlays, and more. This type of custom-made restoration is specifically designed to match the natural color of your smile, allowing it to blend in successfully once in position. Because they’re free of unnatural metals, they’re also 100% safe for patients who’ve struggled with excessive sensitivity and allergies to these types of restorations in the past. Do you have a big event coming up that you’d like to look your very best for, like a wedding or a graduation ceremony? For lightning-fast teeth whitening, an in-practice session is the best choice. Additionally, patients who prefer their dentist to oversee the entire treatment process instead of simply using the products at-home may decide to choose this method as well. The process is simple – our team will start by capturing photos of your current smile so that we can determine the exact shade. Then, the whitening gel is applied in short intervals (only around fifteen minutes at a time). After each application period, we will compare the improvements with the photograph and then determine if further treatment is needed to achieve the desired results. Most patients can improve their smile’s color by up to ten shades with two to three applications. Many patients struggle with a smile that seems overly short or “gummy” in nature. In these situations, our team often needs to focus on the gum tissue surrounding the teeth instead of the teeth themselves. Aesthetic gum recontouring will involve the conservative sculpting of your soft tissue into a more pleasing shape that reveals more of the healthy, beautiful dental structure underneath. This type of procedure may also be recommended for certain restorative services, such as the placement of a new dental bridge or crown. We want to ensure that this addition has enough support to thrive within the mouth. Direct bonding is a fast and simple way to correct relatively minor cosmetic flaws, such as thin gaps between teeth, chips in the enamel, stubborn stains, and even shallow cracks. This procedure will only take one appointment, during which our team will apply tooth-colored composite resin (the same material we use for fillings) to the area and sculpt it artistically into a pleasing addition. The use of a curing light will harden it securely into place as the finishing touch

  Video: Cosmetic Dentistry

  Link: Cosmetic Dentistry

• 

  TMJ / TMD Therapy

  The temporomandibular joints (also known simply as the TMJ) may be a small part of the body, but their responsibility is extremely important. They connect your skull to your lower jaw (the mandible) and facilitate movement – without them, you couldn’t chew food, speak, or yawn. Unfortunately, when these joints and their related facial muscles experience any kind of stress or strain, the result can be chronic pain. This condition is known as TMJ dysfunction (TMD), and the Advanced Dental Concepts team will address it with focused therapy techniques in order to bring back your smile’s full function. Please contact us today if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule a visit here in Portage. During regular checkups, our dentists will always take the time to screen for troubling signs of TMD. If you experience any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, please don’t hesitate to inform us: Regularly hearing clicking or grinding noises in the jaw Struggling to fully open and close the jaw Constant pain that’s located in the jaw, neck, head, or ears and is typically more severe when first waking in the mornings Sharp pain when chewing food, speaking, or moving the jaw in any way We want to keep your treatment plan as conservative as possible, which is why our goal is to pinpoint the presence of this debilitating condition as soon as it arises. In advanced stages, TMJ disorder may require orthodontics or outright surgery to successfully overcome. Occlusal splints are custom-made appliances that will adjust the patient’s occlusion (the way their rows of teeth fit together) to a more proper and comfortable position. By wearing your splint while you sleep, you can limit any unnecessary movement and prevent excessive strain on the joints. This type of appliance is also often referred to a “nightguard,” and patients who regularly suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) can benefit from its use as well. When performing occlusal adjustment, our dentists will make minor changes to the surfaces of certain teeth in order to create a stronger sense of harmony throughout the patient’s overall bite. This should eliminate excessive pressure in any particular area of the mouth. Additional methods for recovering from TMJ disorder include facial movement exercises, daily stretching, and the use of braces/retainers.

  Link: TMJ / TMD Therapy

• 

  Sedation Dentistry

  Many patients struggle to receive dental care comfortably, whether because of severe anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, or past traumatic experiences. Whatever your particular circumstances are, our team at Advanced Dental Concepts is here to help with sedation dentistry. These techniques can go a long way towards helping you feel genuinely relaxed and at ease in the treatment chair. To learn more, keep reading below or contact us directly in Portage, IN to discuss these options further. Oral conscious sedation comes in the form of medication, which is consumed before you even leave the house to travel to our office. Make sure to arrange for a trusted friend or family to transport you here, and we will help you feel very comfortable when you arrive. While the effects of oral conscious sedation are strong, you will still remain awake and able to respond to requests from our dentists and team members. However, it is likely that you won’t remember hardly anything about the experience once you’ve fully recovered. Please plan to have an escort take you home as well following your treatment, and do not participate in any regular activities for at least 12 hours so that the sedative can completely wear off first. Nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”) has been around for many years, and this mild sedative is safe for patients of all ages. You will inhale a mixture of the nitrous and oxygen through a nasal mask as you sit back in the treatment chair; within minutes, you should feel calmer and more content. The dosage can always be adjusted at a moment’s notice, and the effects both begin and wear off within minutes. This means you can return to work, school, or even driving without a significant amount of downtime after your procedure.

  Link: Sedation Dentistry

• 

  Sleep Apnea / Snoring Oral Appliance Therapy - No More CPAP

  Do you always feel tired during the day despite how much you’ve slept? Have you recently experienced problems with your memory or been having issues staying focused? Have you almost fallen asleep behind the wheel? If so, then you may be struggling with sleep apnea, the second most common sleep disorder in the world. This condition affects more than 20 million Americans each night, but at Advanced Dental Concepts, Dr. Danny Hayes is able to offer a solution that can help patients sleep symptom-free and reclaim their quality of life. Below, you can learn more about sleep apnea and how our team can help you overcome it. When a person has sleep apnea, they frequently stop breathing for short periods of time throughout the night. For most, this occurs because the soft tissues in the mouth and throat have relaxed into and obstructed the airway. This can be brought on by a number of factors, including obesity, a deviated septum, medication, and even a narrow throat/large tongue. This causes the body to become extremely stressed due to the drop in oxygen, so it partially wakes up in order to restore proper breathing. This can happen up to a hundred times an hour! As a result, a person doesn’t get the deep, restful sleep they need to stay awake during the day, and their blood pressure skyrockets as their heart desperately tries to move limited oxygen throughout the body. This heightened pressure can last for hours afterward, making a person much more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. In the past, there were only two effective treatments for sleep apnea: CPAP therapy and corrective surgery. For CPAP therapy, a patient literally wears a mask that is connected to an air pump that forces oxygen into the throat during the night in order to keep the airway unobstructed. As you can imagine, many patients find that sleeping with a loud, bulky machine is extremely uncomfortable! And, most people would rather avoid invasive surgery as well. Fortunately, we’re able to offer a proven alternative: oral appliance therapy. For this treatment, all a patient has to do is wear a small, custom-made mouthpiece to bed. It will be designed to fit comfortably over the teeth and slightly shift the lower jaw forward to help the airway stay open. The device can also be designed to keep the tongue in a neutral position as well. This approach is convenient, quiet, and it has been shown to dramatically improve the sleep quality of 90% of the patients who use it consistently. If you believe that you may be struggling with sleep apnea, or if you already have a diagnosis, please don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Dental Concepts today. With one easy appointment, we can put you on the road to enjoy a full night’s rest again.

  Link: Sleep Apnea / Snoring Oral Appliance Therapy - No More CPAP

• 

  Emergency Dentistry

  Dental emergencies tend to happen suddenly by nature, leaving patients worried and in pain. Thankfully, it can make a world of difference to know that you already have Advanced Dental Concepts in your corner for same-day emergency assistance! Here are some of the most common emergency cases we treat, so please take a look if you’re unsure whether or not your symptoms fall under this umbrella: Severe toothache Broken tooth Knocked-out tooth Lost or damaged dental restoration (filling, crown, etc) Oral bleeding Gum injury Jaw injury If you have badly damaged one or more teeth, gather up any dislodged portions and plan to bring them with you to our location. This is especially crucial if you have knocked out an entire tooth. Either place the full tooth back into its original socket and hold it in in place or carry it in a container of milk. There is only a small window available for successful reimplantation, so don’t wait to contact us. If facial swelling occurs, the use of a cold compress can help reduce the effect. For toothaches, patients can also take painkillers, but do NOT place the medication directly on the tooth or the gum tissue, as this may cause additional discomfort. If you are experiencing extensive facial trauma or heavy oral bleeding that is continuing despite applied pressure, we urge you to proceed to an emergency room in your area. Our dentists can assist you with lost or broken teeth after your condition is more stable and there is no immediate danger. In high-pressure situations, our patients surely want to know that their smiles are in the hands of professionals. Dr. Hayes and Dr. Mousa have multiple decades of experience in dentistry between them, and Dr. Hayes’ advanced training covers various reconstructive techniques, including dental implants. They will address your dental emergency with steady hands, precise skill, and plenty of compassionate comfort. Our dedicated dental team will do everything in their power to see emergency patients on the same day as their initial call – no days or weeks of waiting! If you are unable to visit in person right away for whatever reason, we can also walk you through first-aid tips over the phone for how to best manage your condition until you can receive professional assistance. Root canals may have a “scary” reputation, but this type of treatment is actually ideal if you are suffering from a severe toothache. Excessive oral pain is likely caused by advanced infection within the tooth’s inner pulp. Our dentists will carefully access this area and remove the pulp and the infectious bacteria, thoroughly cleaning the tooth’s natural structure and filling it with a biocompatible substitute. After sealing the area shut to prevent further inflammation, the placement of a brand-new dental crown or filling is the finishing touch. With the help of today’s advanced tools and techniques, root canal therapy is no more uncomfortable than the placement of a typical filling. Better yet, its success rate is over 90%, and most patients can maintain their treated teeth for the rest of their lives with the help of regular maintenance. While our team will do everything we possible can to protect and preserve natural teeth, their loss can sometimes be an unfortunate necessity. When this situation is at hand, we will perform extraction safely and comfortably here in Portage, IN. Some of the most common reasons for extraction include: When one or more teeth must be removed to make way for orthodontic treatment or the placement of a new denture When advanced tooth decay or a traumatic injury has damaged too much of the natural structure to support restorative treatment. When the third molars (“wisdom teeth”) are impacted, overcrowded, or otherwise threatening the patient’s wellbeing.

  Video: Emergency Dentistry

  Link: Emergency Dentistry