Tooth Carpenter

DENTAL SERVICES

Tooth Carpenter Dental Services

At the Tooth Carpenter, we are dedicated to providing a full range of dental services for the entire family, from routine cleanings and exams to advanced restorative and cosmetic procedures. Our offerings include Family Dentistry for all ages, Cosmetic Dentistry to enhance your smile with options like whitening and veneers, and Restorative Dentistry to address dental concerns with crowns, implants, dentures, and more. We’re also here for you during emergencies and provide specialized treatments, including Invisalign®, periodontal care, and solutions for TMJ and sleep apnea. Our goal is to offer compassionate, personalized care to help you achieve lasting oral health and confidence in your smile.

Tooth Carpenter Family Dentistry Image
FAMILY DENTISTRY SERVICES
CLEANINGS, EXAMS, AND ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a routine check-up up roughly twice a year. A routine appointment with Dr. Leo Christensen will typically include a professional cleaning and a detailed examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. We may also recommend an oral cancer screening for our older patients.

DENTISTRY FOR KIDS

Professional dental care is a crucial part of your child’s oral health. Be sure to schedule your child’s first appointment by the time their first teeth erupt, or before their first birthday. Scheduling regular appointments allows us to monitor the development of their oral health. Developmental problems are easier to treat in the beginning stages.

As your child grows older, we can establish a strong foundation for their oral health, one that will ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.

PERIODONTAL CARE

Your periodontal (gum) tissues are just as important as your teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease is the result of an infection in the gum tissues, connective ligaments, and eventually the alveolar bone.

The disease is characterized by gums that are swollen, red, and tend to bleed during brushing and flossing. Luckily, periodontal disease is easy to prevent and treat if it is caught early enough. If we notice signs of advanced periodontal disease, we may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure. The goal is to return your gums to a pink, healthy state.

MOUTHGUARDS (NIGHT) / MOUTHGUARDS (SPORT)

If you participate in physical activities that put you at risk for dental trauma or injury, we strongly recommend a sportguard. A mouthguard will protect your teeth and prevent dental emergencies. If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), we may also recommend a night guard. Many patients with bruxism tend to grind their teeth during sleep. A night guard acts as a barrier that prevents enamel wear.

SLEEP APNEA/ORAL APPLIANCES

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may benefit from an oral appliance. An oral appliance will keep your jaw in the proper position during sleep. This opens your airway and improves your breathing during sleep. With an oral appliance, you may find yourself feeling more well-rested, alert and happy, thanks to a full night’s sleep. We offer several resources to learn more about What Sleep Apnea Isand which Oral Appliances can help.

FAMILY DENTISTRY SERVICES
CLEANINGS, EXAMS, AND ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a routine check-up up roughly twice a year. A routine appointment with Dr. Leo Christensen will typically include a professional cleaning and a detailed examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. We may also recommend an oral cancer screening for our older patients.

DENTISTRY FOR KIDS

Professional dental care is a crucial part of your child’s oral health. Be sure to schedule your child’s first appointment by the time their first teeth erupt, or before their first birthday. Scheduling regular appointments allows us to monitor the development of their oral health. Developmental problems are easier to treat in the beginning stages.

As your child grows older, we can establish a strong foundation for their oral health, one that will ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.

PERIODONTAL CARE

Your periodontal (gum) tissues are just as important as your teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease is the result of an infection in the gum tissues, connective ligaments, and eventually the alveolar bone.

The disease is characterized by gums that are swollen, red, and tend to bleed during brushing and flossing. Luckily, periodontal disease is easy to prevent and treat if it is caught early enough. If we notice signs of advanced periodontal disease, we may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure. The goal is to return your gums to a pink, healthy state.

MOUTHGUARDS (NIGHT) / MOUTHGUARDS (SPORT)

If you participate in physical activities that put you at risk for dental trauma or injury, we strongly recommend a sportguard. A mouthguard will protect your teeth and prevent dental emergencies. If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), we may also recommend a night guard. Many patients with bruxism tend to grind their teeth during sleep. A night guard acts as a barrier that prevents enamel wear.

SLEEP APNEA/ORAL APPLIANCES

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may benefit from an oral appliance. An oral appliance will keep your jaw in the proper position during sleep. This opens your airway and improves your breathing during sleep. With an oral appliance, you may find yourself feeling more well-rested, alert and happy, thanks to a full night’s sleep. We offer several resources to learn more about What Sleep Apnea Isand which Oral Appliances can help.

Tooth Carpenter Family Dentistry Image
Tooth Carpenter Emergency Dentistry Image
EMERGENCY DENTISTRY SERVICES
BROKEN FILLINGS

A broken filling is a minor and fairly common emergency. If you notice a broken or dislodged filling, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. A broken filling will put your tooth at risk of developing further decay. During your appointment, Dr. Leo Christensen will replace the filling to improve the structure and seal off the area from harmful bacteria.

KNOCKING OUT A TOOTH

If you or a family member knocks out a permanent tooth, there are a few steps you should take to save the tooth. The most important thing you can do is keep the tooth moist at all times. If possible, put the tooth back in the socket. You can also place the tooth in a small container of water or milk. Milk is preferred. When handling the tooth always hold it from the crown, never the root. Do not remove or scrub off any attached tissue fragments. You have the best chance of saving the tooth if you receive treatment within the hour.

As your child grows older, we can establish a strong foundation for their oral health, one that will ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.

CHIPPED AND BROKEN TEETH

If you chip or break a tooth, the first thing you should do is collect all the pieces. Next, you should immediately rinse out your mouth with warm water to clean the area. While a chipped tooth may not immediately constitute a dental emergency, it may worsen over time. We may suggest dental bonding or a dental crown improve the aesthetics and function of the tooth.

DENTAL PAIN AND TRAUMA

Significant pain is one of the biggest indicators that you may be in the midst of a dental emergency. Trauma and injuries as the result of sporting and other physical activities are easily preventable with a mouthguard. If you do experience trauma, you can reduce the swelling with a cold compress. Pain that seems to appear out of nowhere may be the result of tooth decay or infection. Severe toothaches may require a restorative treatment, such as a root canal.

DENTAL ABSCESSES

An abscess is typically the result of a bacterial infection near the root of a tooth. This is a serious condition that can damage your surrounding teeth or soft tissues when left untreated. If you are diagnosed with an abscess, it must be drained as soon as possible to remove the infection. In many cases, the infection is the result of decay within a tooth that spreads outside of the root. Once we remove the abscess, you may need a root canal to fully restore your oral health.

EXCESSIVE BLEEDING

Excessive bleeding is often the result of soft-tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries include those to the tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums. To control the bleeding, you can rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution and place a moist gauze pad to the bleeding area. You can control the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Ibuprofen. If the bleeding does not stop, be sure to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

Tooth Carpenter Emergency Dentistry Image
EMERGENCY DENTISTRY SERVICES
BROKEN FILLINGS

A broken filling is a minor and fairly common emergency. If you notice a broken or dislodged filling, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. A broken filling will put your tooth at risk of developing further decay. During your appointment, Dr. Leo Christensen will replace the filling to improve the structure and seal off the area from harmful bacteria.

KNOCKING OUT A TOOTH

If you or a family member knocks out a permanent tooth, there are a few steps you should take to save the tooth. The most important thing you can do is keep the tooth moist at all times. If possible, put the tooth back in the socket. You can also place the tooth in a small container of water or milk. Milk is preferred. When handling the tooth always hold it from the crown, never the root. Do not remove or scrub off any attached tissue fragments. You have the best chance of saving the tooth if you receive treatment within the hour.

As your child grows older, we can establish a strong foundation for their oral health, one that will ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.

CHIPPED AND BROKEN TEETH

If you chip or break a tooth, the first thing you should do is collect all the pieces. Next, you should immediately rinse out your mouth with warm water to clean the area. While a chipped tooth may not immediately constitute a dental emergency, it may worsen over time. We may suggest dental bonding or a dental crown improve the aesthetics and function of the tooth.

DENTAL PAIN AND TRAUMA

Significant pain is one of the biggest indicators that you may be in the midst of a dental emergency. Trauma and injuries as the result of sporting and other physical activities are easily preventable with a mouthguard. If you do experience trauma, you can reduce the swelling with a cold compress. Pain that seems to appear out of nowhere may be the result of tooth decay or infection. Severe toothaches may require a restorative treatment, such as a root canal.

DENTAL ABSCESSES

An abscess is typically the result of a bacterial infection near the root of a tooth. This is a serious condition that can damage your surrounding teeth or soft tissues when left untreated. If you are diagnosed with an abscess, it must be drained as soon as possible to remove the infection. In many cases, the infection is the result of decay within a tooth that spreads outside of the root. Once we remove the abscess, you may need a root canal to fully restore your oral health.

EXCESSIVE BLEEDING

Excessive bleeding is often the result of soft-tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries include those to the tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums. To control the bleeding, you can rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution and place a moist gauze pad to the bleeding area. You can control the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Ibuprofen. If the bleeding does not stop, be sure to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

Tooth Carpenter Cosmetic Dentistry Image
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
TEETH WHITENING

One of the most common complaints we receive involves the brightness of our patients’ smiles. For this reason, we offer professional teeth whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is one of the most basic and cost-effective ways to improve your smile.

As we get older, our teeth pick up stains from certain foods, drinks, medications, and personal habits. These stains, also known as extrinsic stains, are easy to remove with a bleaching solution. However, many store-bought bleaching products leave people dissatisfied with the results. Because we are trained professionals, we use a bleaching agent with a much higher concentration than store-bought alternatives. Our whitening treatment could make your teeth up to eight shades brighter in just a single appointment!

PORCELAIN CROWNS

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. In previous years, a dental crown was fabricated using a gold or silver amalgam. These days, porcelain is usually the material of choice. Porcelain is a ceramic compound that mimics the light-reflective properties of natural enamel. It can also be textured and color-matched to your existing teeth. Thanks to porcelain and other ceramics, crowns can also be used to fix the aesthetics of an unsightly tooth.

CROWNS (CEREC)

With CEREC crowns, we can make your crown right in our office. We take pictures of your tooth, and create a 3D model that we can use to make a crown for you while you’re here. The crown is the same porcelain over metal you would expect from a traditional crown – but in less time than a traditional crown takes.

DENTAL VENEERS

A dental veneer is a razor-thin shell that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Like our dental crowns, our veneers are typically made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to fix teeth that are severely discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, or even gapped. During the procedure, we have to remove a small amount of enamel to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. For this reason, the veneer procedure is considered irreversible.

DENTAL BONDING

Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.

SNAP-ON SMILE

The Snap-On-Smile is made from a thin but very strong dental resin that looks just like your natural teeth. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile – even if you have stains, chips, gaps or missing teeth.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY
TEETH WHITENING

One of the most common complaints we receive involves the brightness of our patients’ smiles. For this reason, we offer professional teeth whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is one of the most basic and cost-effective ways to improve your smile.

As we get older, our teeth pick up stains from certain foods, drinks, medications, and personal habits. These stains, also known as extrinsic stains, are easy to remove with a bleaching solution. However, many store-bought bleaching products leave people dissatisfied with the results. Because we are trained professionals, we use a bleaching agent with a much higher concentration than store-bought alternatives. Our whitening treatment could make your teeth up to eight shades brighter in just a single appointment!

PORCELAIN CROWNS

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. In previous years, a dental crown was fabricated using a gold or silver amalgam. These days, porcelain is usually the material of choice. Porcelain is a ceramic compound that mimics the light-reflective properties of natural enamel. It can also be textured and color-matched to your existing teeth. Thanks to porcelain and other ceramics, crowns can also be used to fix the aesthetics of an unsightly tooth.

CROWNS (CEREC)

With CEREC crowns, we can make your crown right in our office. We take pictures of your tooth, and create a 3D model that we can use to make a crown for you while you’re here. The crown is the same porcelain over metal you would expect from a traditional crown – but in less time than a traditional crown takes.

DENTAL VENEERS

A dental veneer is a razor-thin shell that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Like our dental crowns, our veneers are typically made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to fix teeth that are severely discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, or even gapped. During the procedure, we have to remove a small amount of enamel to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. For this reason, the veneer procedure is considered irreversible.

DENTAL BONDING

Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.

SNAP-ON SMILE

The Snap-On-Smile is made from a thin but very strong dental resin that looks just like your natural teeth. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile – even if you have stains, chips, gaps or missing teeth.

Tooth Carpenter Cosmetic Dentistry Image
Tooth Carpenter Restorative Dentistry Image
RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
DENTAL FILLINGS

Dental fillings are the best way to restore minor to moderate instances of tooth decay. Most fillings these days consist of a material known as composite resin. Composite resin is an aesthetically-pleasing material that we color-match to the existing shade of your enamel. For this reason, a composite filling is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.

DENTAL CROWNS

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that improves the structure and cosmetics of a damaged or decayed tooth. During the procedure, your tooth must be completely reshaped to accommodate the shape of the crown. Once the tooth is reshaped, we will permanently bond the crown to the enamel using a special adhesive. Many crowns are fabricated these days with porcelain, due to its unmatched aesthetics.

DENTAL BRIDGES

A dental bridge is a tooth replacement that typically consists of two dental crowns linked together by a pontic, or false tooth. A traditional bridge is supported by the two surrounding teeth, known as abutment teeth, that we reshape to receive the crowns. A bridge can also be supported by a series of dental implants if multiple adjacent teeth are missing. If you are missing a tooth, a bridge will prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of their proper position.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

A dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically embed into the jawbone. The implant serves as the root component of a prosthetic tooth. Once the implant is in place, it will fuse to the bone during the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration allows the implant to support a restoration against the strongest forces of your bite. For this reason, dental implants are widely considered to be the next best thing to your natural teeth.

ALL-ON-4® TREATMENT CONCEPT

All-on-4 is a complete bridge that only requires four implants. The two posteriors (back) implants are placed a precise angle to maximize the support of your jawbone. The two anterior (front) implants are placed at a vertical angle like conventional implant screws.

DENTURES: COMPLETE AND PARTIAL

A denture is a removable appliance that is usually used to replace one or more missing teeth. A partial denture usually attaches to the surrounding teeth with metal clasps. A complete denture consists of a flesh-colored acrylic base that supports a complete arch of prosthetic teeth. We offer custom-fit dentures as a more comfortable, functional, and durable solution.

SAME-DAY DENTURES

We would love to talk to you about the beauty of same-day dentures for your mouth. These dentures are simply amazing, especially when you can have them fitted the same day, and walk out of our offices with brand new, sparkly teeth!

INLAYS & ONLAYS

Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.

TOOTH EXTRACTION

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.

ROOT CANAL THERAPY

A root canal is a last-ditch effort to save a tooth from extraction. We may recommend a root canal if an infection has spread to the “pulpy” center of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other connective tissues. Once the infection has been removed, we fill the canals with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. A tooth that has received root canal treatment typically needs to be capped with a crown.

TMJ

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), allows us to move our joint forwards, backward, and side-to-side. Any problems that prevent us from using this joint properly are known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. We provide some treatments designed to alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with the TMJ.

PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE

Periodontal maintenance is for people with a history of periodontal disease. You may have undergone a procedure in the past to deep clean your mouth along the gum line. It is called dental scaling and root planing. Once you have undergone those procedures, you have to continue to make sure your gums are deep cleaned every three to four months.

Tooth Carpenter Restorative Dentistry Image
RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
DENTAL FILLINGS

Dental fillings are the best way to restore minor to moderate instances of tooth decay. Most fillings these days consist of a material known as composite resin. Composite resin is an aesthetically-pleasing material that we color-match to the existing shade of your enamel. For this reason, a composite filling is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.

DENTAL CROWNS

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that improves the structure and cosmetics of a damaged or decayed tooth. During the procedure, your tooth must be completely reshaped to accommodate the shape of the crown. Once the tooth is reshaped, we will permanently bond the crown to the enamel using a special adhesive. Many crowns are fabricated these days with porcelain, due to its unmatched aesthetics.

DENTAL BRIDGES

A dental bridge is a tooth replacement that typically consists of two dental crowns linked together by a pontic, or false tooth. A traditional bridge is supported by the two surrounding teeth, known as abutment teeth, that we reshape to receive the crowns. A bridge can also be supported by a series of dental implants if multiple adjacent teeth are missing. If you are missing a tooth, a bridge will prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of their proper position.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

A dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically embed into the jawbone. The implant serves as the root component of a prosthetic tooth. Once the implant is in place, it will fuse to the bone during the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration allows the implant to support a restoration against the strongest forces of your bite. For this reason, dental implants are widely considered to be the next best thing to your natural teeth.

ALL-ON-4® TREATMENT CONCEPT

All-on-4 is a complete bridge that only requires four implants. The two posteriors (back) implants are placed a precise angle to maximize the support of your jawbone. The two anterior (front) implants are placed at a vertical angle like conventional implant screws.

DENTURES: COMPLETE AND PARTIAL

A denture is a removable appliance that is usually used to replace one or more missing teeth. A partial denture usually attaches to the surrounding teeth with metal clasps. A complete denture consists of a flesh-colored acrylic base that supports a complete arch of prosthetic teeth. We offer custom-fit dentures as a more comfortable, functional, and durable solution.

SAME-DAY DENTURES

We would love to talk to you about the beauty of same-day dentures for your mouth. These dentures are simply amazing, especially when you can have them fitted the same day, and walk out of our offices with brand new, sparkly teeth!

INLAYS & ONLAYS

Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.

TOOTH EXTRACTION

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.

ROOT CANAL THERAPY

A root canal is a last-ditch effort to save a tooth from extraction. We may recommend a root canal if an infection has spread to the “pulpy” center of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other connective tissues. Once the infection has been removed, we fill the canals with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. A tooth that has received root canal treatment typically needs to be capped with a crown.

TMJ

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), allows us to move our joint forwards, backward, and side-to-side. Any problems that prevent us from using this joint properly are known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. We provide some treatments designed to alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with the TMJ.

PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE

Periodontal maintenance is for people with a history of periodontal disease. You may have undergone a procedure in the past to deep clean your mouth along the gum line. It is called dental scaling and root planing. Once you have undergone those procedures, you have to continue to make sure your gums are deep cleaned every three to four months.