Call (866) 658-5689
Contact our practice in Las Vegas, near Spring Valley, Nevada, to learn more about TMJ treatment and the dental technology we offer.
Blair R. Hale, D.M.D.
Jason L. Downey, D.D.S.
5660 W. Flamingo Rd. Suite B
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
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Technology
Las Vegas and Spring Valley, Nevada — TMJ Treatment and Other Dental Technology
Hale & Downey Family Dentistry combines artistry with the latest dental technology to provide care of the most exacting standard to our patients. At our Las Vegas practice, near Spring Valley, Nevada, TMJ disorder, preventive, and diagnostic treatments are all performed using the latest, most advanced technology to make your appointments as effective and comfortable as possible.
- Periodontal Disease Diagnosis and Treatment - Soft-tissue Program
- Florida Probe System - Gum Disease Diagnosis
- Arestin® - Gum Disease Treatment
- Laser-assisted Dentistry - DIAGNOdent® for Early Decay Detection
TMJ Disorder Treatment
Neglecting a jaw disorder can put undue pressure on other areas of the face, leading to facial and head pain. Headaches and facial pain are often caused by excess stress on the joints of the lower jaw, or temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The tooth grinding and jaw clenching which contribute to TMJ disorders can have serious long-term effects, such as difficulty opening and closing the mouth and painful headaches. At our Las Vegas practice, we treat TMJ disorder using either the NTI-tss device or traditional bite splints.
NTI-tss - The NTI-tss device is a small, clear mouthpiece you wear while sleeping. If you suffer from migraines, you may be able to reduce your headaches by 77 percent or more by simply snapping the NTI-tss over your front teeth before bed. It works by reducing muscle strain on the jaw joints and relaxing the entire facial area, in many cases reducing or eliminating migraine and tension headache problems.
Bite Splints - We offer traditional bite splints, which are also worn over the teeth at night, to help prevent some of the causes of TMJ disorder, such as clenching and grinding.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of TMJ disorder and would like to learn more about how the NTI-tss or traditional bite splints might be able to help you, please contact our practice today.
Preventive Care
At Hale & Downey Family Dentistry, we focus on the prevention of dental problems by offering technologies that aid in early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and cavities.
Periodontal Disease Diagnosis and Treatment — Soft-tissue Program
Eighty-five percent of the adults in the United States suffer from some degree of periodontal (gum) disease, an infectious condition involving the gums and bone. Warning signs for periodontal disease include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Swollen, red or tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth that won't go away
- Loose teeth or teeth that are separating
- Changes in the way the teeth fit together
- Changes in the way partial dentures fit
For example, if you see "pink in the sink" — that is, your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth — you may already have gingivitis, the early stage of periodontitis. However, it's possible to have periodontal disease without experiencing any warning signs whatsoever.
An exam by an experienced dental professional such as Dr. Hale or Dr. Downey can reveal whether you're experiencing or at risk for periodontitis.
Florida Probe System — Gum Disease Diagnosis
Periodontal exams used to be conducted with a manual probe to measure the extent of gum and bone problems, but today a gentler, more accurate alternative is available: the Florida Probe System.
The Florida Probe System consists of an electronic probe coupled with a computer that instantly records and charts the measurement of pockets of infection and bone loss. It's far more objective and useful than traditional methods. In addition, the Florida Probe provides readings that the patient can hear while in the chair — you can listen to your results as your exam is being conducted. Using the Florida Probe allows Drs. Downey and Hale to diagnose and treat the early stages of gum disease with extraordinary precision. And, as with any other dental problem, the sooner your gum disease is detected and treated, the better.
Schedule an appointment for a periodontal exam today by contacting our practice in Las Vegas, near Spring Valley, Nevada. We can also diagnose TMJ disorder, tooth decay, and other potential issues and treat them early before they develop into serious problems.
Arestin® — Gum Disease Treatment
Fighting periodontal disease is a serious matter. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss among American adults, and increasing evidence links periodontal disease to heart disease. At Hale & Downey Family Dentistry, we use Arestin® as an additional weapon against gum disease. Arestin® is an FDA-approved powder-like medication that contains microspheres of the antibiotic minocycline. It's placed inside the infected periodontal pockets and is then gradually released, fighting off the infection. With Arestin®, the antibiotic is placed only where it's needed — unlike an orally administered antibiotic that could affect your whole body. Using Arestin® also means that a second visit just for the antibiotic procedure isn't necessary.
Dr. Hale and Dr. Downey are experienced in the use of Arestin® to fight gum disease and both are Arestin® Certified Experts (ACE), having completed comprehensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. Arestin® is a safe and effective addition to the war against gum disease, and we are proud to offer it as another example of our concern for our patients' dental needs, their overall health, and their schedules.
Laser-assisted Dentistry — DIAGNOdent® for Early Decay Detection
It's best to detect cavities in their earliest stages — and now it's possible to do so even before the cavities can be seen with x-rays. We use a tool called the DIAGNOdent®, a pen-sized instrument that shines a harmless laser beam on the tooth. It measures the reflected fluorescence: a healthy tooth gives off little or no fluorescence, and a cavity gives off increased fluorescence. The sooner that your cavity is found, the less invasive treatment you'll need.
Digital Radiography (X-rays)
Drs. Hale and Downey are proud to offer digital x-rays to their patients. Digital x-rays produce 90 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays, And, unlike x-ray films that had to be developed in a darkroom, digital x-rays are made with a small electronic sensor that takes pictures of teeth. These pictures can be enlarged without distortion, helping to make the diagnosis of your dental problems easier and more certain. The pictures can also be transmitted instantly onto a video monitor next to your treatment chair, so that you can see exactly what the dentist is describing. In addition, using digital x-rays also makes implant procedures, root canal therapy, and TMJ disorder diagnosis much quicker and even safer than ever before.
Integrated Computers
At Hale & Downey Family Dentistry, we've been using computers to streamline all of our procedures and integrate our state-of-the-art dental technologies since 1983. Today, we’re using the KODAK PRACTICEWORKS integrated system at every chair. It enables us to have an electronic chart that tracks your history, diagnosis, and treatment, and it provides many other features that make your time with us the best that it can be. Our commitment to your dental health demands nothing less.
Schedule an Appointment at Hale & Downey Family Dentistry
Schedule an appointment at our family dentistry practice serving Southwest Las Vegas and Spring Valley, Nevada. Whether you suffer from TMJ disorder, gum disease, or it's time for your next check-up, we have the advanced technology to help make your visit comfortable and efficient.