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No matter what you might be looking for in dental care, Cottonwood Dental can provide you with high-quality care for all your dental needs in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. On this page, you’ll find an overview of the different services and procedures we offer our patients. Whether you need a cleaning and exam or a full-mouth restoration, at Cottonwood Dental, we can help. We’ll provide you with beautiful results, making sure that you’re relaxed and that you enjoy yourself during the treatment process.

 What is 3D Cone Beam?

After looking over our services, feel free to contact our office with any questions you might have or if you’d like to set up an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.

Regular Checkups

Regular dental checkups are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular checkup, your hygienist will:

  • Check for any problems that you may not see or feel
  • Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
  • Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
  • Provide a thorough teeth cleaning, rinse, and polish

Visiting the dentist every six months gives you the chance to talk with your doctor and receive answers for any questions you may have about your oral health. Checkups are also a great way for you to find out about new treatments that may benefit your smile.

Dental Cleaning & Protection

One of our Registered Dental Hygienists or Dr. Giaquinto will perform a professional dental cleaning (dental prophylaxis) during your exam. The cleaning will involve:

  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus comes from plaque buildup that has hardened around the tooth. It forms both above and below the gum line, making the use of special dental instruments necessary to remove it from around the teeth.
  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film, which is actually made up of living bacteria, food debris and saliva. When it forms on the teeth, the bacteria produces poisons that infect the gums, causing them to inflame. This inflammation is one of the first signs of periodontal disease.
  • Teeth polishing: Through teeth polishing, your hygienist can remove stains and plaque that did not come off during the rest of the cleaning.

Dental X-Rays

Used as a preventive, diagnostic tool, dental x-rays, or radiographs, provide Dr. Giaquinto with a look at what’s going on under the gum line. The information that these x-rays provide is used to detect any abnormalities that aren’t visible during the actual exam or cleaning. Without these x-rays, Dr. Giaquinto will not have a complete picture of your mouth, and many problems could go undetected for a long period of time. Dental x-rays often reveal abscesses or cysts, bone loss, cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.

During your initial visit, Dr. Giaquinto will give you a comprehensive exam. Dr. Giaquinto and his hygienist will make sure to:

  • Examine diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Necessary for finding decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. These x-rays are also used to diagnose developmental problems of teeth growing in.
  • Screen for oral cancer: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
  • Check for gum disease: Examination of the gums and bone around the teeth to find any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Check for tooth decay: Use of special dental instruments to test all tooth surfaces for decay.
  • Examine existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, and other restorations

ARE DENTAL X-RAYS SAFE?

Based on your medical and dental history, as well as your age, risk for disease, and current signs/symptoms, Dr. Giaquinto and a hygienist will be able to recommend the best time frame for dental x-rays. In the end, the frequency of these x-rays will depend largely on your individual needs. We recommend a full-mouth series of x-rays for all our new patients, so we have a better idea of their current dental health. The full-mouth series is typically good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays, on the other hand, should be taken once or twice a year during regular checkups.

Our practice is focused on making your dental experience as comfortable as possible. At your next appointment, we’ll be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD DENTAL X-RAYS BE TAKEN?

Our everyday environment exposes us to natural radiation all the time. Dental x-rays from a full-mouth series emits the same level of radiation that a person receives on a daily basis from natural sources. The low-level of radiation emitted by dental x-rays is considered safe, but we still take precautions to minimize how much exposure our patients receive. Using lead apron shields to cover the patients’ bodies enable us to keep our patients’ radiation exposure at the lowest level possible. Utilizing the most advanced dental technology possible is just as important as staying up-to-date on the latest treatment techniques. Because our practice is dedicated to providing you with the safest and most convenient treatment options available, we utilize advanced digital X-ray technology in our office. Digital X-rays offer several advanced imaging options designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos, and reduce exposure by up to 90 percent when compared to traditional film methods.