Services

Dr. Lake and her team are committed to helping you create a beautiful, healthy smile. We care for both children and adults, providing exceptional care in a friendly, compassionate environment. From your child’s first dental visit to cosmetic full mouth restoration, we customize your treatment to meet your dental and financial needs.

  • Preventative Dentistry

    Prevention of dental disease is the foundation of our treatment philosophy.  We enjoy educating our patients so that they may help maintain their smiles throughout their lives.  We offer standard dental cleanings, periodontal treatment, fluoride treatments, sealants and more, to help you spend less time and money on dental treatment.
    We recommend that a child’s first visit to the dentist be within 6 months of his or her first tooth erupting, or by no later than 1 year of age. Surprised?  See why your child should have a dental exam by age 1

  • Diagnostics and Oral Cancer Screening:

    All patients are provided with a complimentary oral cancer screening with every single check-up.  We utilize digital x-rays so that we can find decay when it is small and simple to restore.   Also, all adults are monitored for gum disease (periodontal disease) on an annual basis.

  • Infection Control

    Infection controls and universal precautions protect patients and staff alike. Everyone benefits from meticulous infection control:  You, your dentist, and the dental team. The foundation of a good and safe dental practice is the element of trust. You should feel free to discuss this topic with Dr. Lake and her team, and receive straightforward answers.

    Dr. Lake and her entire team follow procedures recommended by several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:

    • Disinfectant hand soap
    • Gloves and face masks
    • Chemical disinfection of countertops and surfaces
    • Sterilization of all equipment before every use
    • Disposable materials

    We sterilize all reusable equipment, including dental hand pieces. We use an autoclave, a device that kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat and pressure.  Furthermore, our autoclave is tested weekly through the Indiana University School of Dentistry.

    The best defense against disease is information. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make wise decisions about your health care. The more you know about our daily procedures and policies, the more comfortable you will feel.

  • Veneers

    Veneers are a thin coating made of porcelain or resin applied to the front teeth.  We have found that veneers can be used to correct many dental issues: discolored teeth, chipped or worn front teeth, gaps between the teeth, or crooked teeth. Each veneer is carefully crafted in color, shape and size to match and enhance your smile.
    Prior to creating veneers for your teeth, diagnostic record including photos, x-rays, and models are often necessary. The changes that you want to achieve are carefully noted. In some s mock ups of the finished product are also created to assure that you will love your new smile.
    The process begins when the color selection is made for your new veneers. Preparations to the existing enamel are often needed to create the space required for the color or shape changes in the veneers. An impression is finally made with which the dental technician can sculpt the new veneers to create a new smile.
    The process is completed by bonding the veneers to the existing tooth enamel.

    Dental veneers can be an excellent solution for a number of cosmetic problems. Together, we can determine if veneers may be right for you!

  • Fillings

    Two main options existing for tooth fillings: amalgam (silver) fillings or resin/composite (tooth-colored) fillings.

    Dental Amalgam

    Dental amalgam is an alloy comprised of elemental mercury, silver, tin and copper. Amalgam is extremely durable, making for long lasting fillings in areas of the mouth requiring high resistance to fracture.

    Resin/Composite

    Tooth-colored fillings are made of a glass filler and acrylic resin. These fillings mimic the natural tooth color but are somewhat less resistant to fracture. Most often, resin fillings are used for areas of the mouth for which esthetics are important, such as front teeth, or for teeth with less chewing pressure, such as on the tooth root or between teeth.

  • Root Canals

    A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed.  Patients have this treatment well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.

    At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of nerves and blood vessels that help to build and nourish the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.

    To perform a root canal, Doctor will remove infected tissue and clean the canal.  After the infection has been removed, the space if filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful.

    “Root canal” has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less “scary”. Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but your dentist may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain, call us immediately.

  • Dentures

    Dentures can be a wonderful benefit for many people. In fact, there are millions of denture-wearers in the United States! The teeth are usually attached to a gum-colored plastic base, and the teeth are crafted to look like natural teeth.

    Most often, patients with some remaining teeth opt for an “immediate” denture. This denture is inserted directly following extractions of any remaining teeth. This is a great advantage so our patients do not ever have a time without teeth. Before the placement of these dentures, precise measurements have been taken of the jaw, and impressions have been made. The impressions serve to create the first new pair of teeth that will be placed.

    While the gum tissues heal after extractions, the gums will be swollen for a little while. We monitor your progress with regular visits starting with the day after the immediate dentures are placed. Gum swelling will reside over several months time. Once the gums have completely healed, a new set of dentures will be made to fit the exact size and shape of your mouth again. This final set will fit more securely and will serve years of delicious meals and beautiful smiles.
    Getting used to a denture may take a few weeks and may feel a little awkward or bulky at first. You may notice an increase in saliva flow, some difference in speech, or minor soreness. However, we will provide specific instructions to keep you as comfortable as possible. Sometimes, the denture puts too much pressure on areas of the mouth, causing soreness. This is generally fixable with a short visit for an adjustment.

    Be careful to avoid overly hard or sticky foods that could damage your denture. Although you will not need to clean your denture after every meal, it is important to remove and clean your denture daily. Use a toothbrush and cleaning solution made for dentures, and we will also recommend the best care products for your new teeth.

    Your dentures should be handled with care, as they can be broken or damaged. When brushing your partial, it is a good idea to do so over a sink full of water or over a folded towel. This will provide a soft cushion should you accidentally drop your denture.

    The life span of a denture generally lasts between 10-20 years. If the denture becomes damaged or ill-fitting, it will most likely need to be replaced.
    Denture patients should have an annual check up with us. During this visit, we thoroughly clean the gums and make sure there are no areas of concern to address.

  • Removable Partial Dentures

  • Implant-Supported Bridges

  • Cosmetics

    We offer several different options for tooth whitening.  We also offer porcelain crowns and veneers as well as tooth-colored fillings.  Many options are available for replacing missing teeth, as well.  We would love to discuss all the options with you.

  • Crowns

    Dental Crowns & Bridges are used to help support a tooth weakened by decay or a previous, large restoration. Crowns are also a good way to cover discolored or poorly shaped teeth. A crown is made with gold, alloys, porcelai, gold, alloys of semi-precious metals or a combination to form a natural looking tooth structure that will withstand chewing forces.

    Usually, a crown will require two visits, as the construction is quite precise. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared to accept a crown, an impression is taken, and a temporary crown is made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is cemented to the prepared tooth.

  • Missing Teeth

    For patients who have lost permanent teeth, and wish to restore their smiles to full function and esthetics, a number of options are available.  Implants are an excellent option for replacing individual teeth, as well as anchoring dentures and implant-supported bridges.  Traditional bridges are also a great option when replacing one or several missing teeth.  Many patients who are missing many teeth elect to have a removable partial denture made, so they may chew effectively and smile with confidence.  Dr. Lake also makes many full dentures for patients who need to replace all of their teeth.  Combinations of these options are often possible as well.  Dr. Lake and her team will discuss the best options both for your smile and your finances.

  • Restorative Dentistry

    When our patients have teeth that are decayed, damaged or broken, our team does an excellent job restoring them so that they may smile and chew with comfort and confidence.  Fillings and crowns (or caps) are common ways to restore teeth.  There are many options available, and we can help you decide which ones will be best for you.

  • Toothaches and Infections

    If you are experiencing oral pain, you should contact a dentist as soon as possible for an Emergency Appointment.  Many toothaches are the result of acute bacterial infections, such as abscesses.  Antibiotics may help as a short-term solution, but dental treatment is usually necessary.  Depending on the cause of your pain or toothache, you may be best helped with a root canal, tooth extraction or even periodontal treatment.  Please call us immediately if you are in pain.
    Links under “Services”
    dental cleanings
    periodontal treatment
    fluoride treatments
    Sealants
    Dental Exam by age 1

    Historically, many families waited until a child was about 3 years old for that first visit to the dentist.  However, strong evidence shows a huge benefit to having your baby come to the dental office at a younger age.  Dental caries (the disease that causes tooth decay) is the most common chronic disease in children, and our community is no exception. Current research and knowledge indicates that oral health in early childhood can have a profound effect on not just lifelong dental health but also school attendance, ability to concentrate in class, self-esteem, and susceptibility to infection.  The large base of evidence has led to a unanimous decision by the American Dental Association,the American Association of Pediatric Dentists and the American Association of Pediatrics:  First dental exam by age 1 is ideal.  For more information, see this link from Colgate.

  • Implants

    Dental Implants are an excellent way to replace one or more missing teeth. The simplest way to think of a dental implant is as an artificial tooth root made from a titanium metal. This artificial root takes the place of a natural tooth root, and it can then be used as an attachment for missing teeth.

    Since the 1970’s dental implants have proven to be highly reliable, highly efficient, and long lasting. Overall success rates now exceed 90 percent.
    Dr. Lake works closely with several local oral surgeons to ensure the ideal outcome for your smile.  Typically, the surgeon will place the titanium implant into the jaw, and Dr. Lake will build upon it to create the most esthetic outcome.
    If it sounds like dental implants may be a solution for your dental problems, please contact us for an appointment.

  • Tooth Extraction

    You and Dr. Lake may determine that you need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), or in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

    The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, problems with your jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a major impact on your dental health.  To avoid these complications, in most cases, Dr. Lake will discuss alternatives to extractions as well replacement of the extracted tooth.

    The Extraction Process

    At the time of extraction the doctor will need to numb your tooth, jawbone and gums that surround the area with a local anesthetic.  During the extraction process you will feel a lot of pressure. This is from the process of firmly rocking the tooth in order to widen the socket for removal.  You feel the pressure without pain as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves stopping the transference of pain, yet the nerves that transmit pressure are not profoundly affected.  If you do feel pain at any time during the extraction please let us know right away.

    Sectioning a tooth

    Some teeth require sectioning. This is a very common procedure done when a tooth is so firmly anchored in its socket or the root is curved and the socket can’t expand enough to remove it. The doctor simply cuts the tooth into sections then removes each section one at a time.

    After Tooth Extraction

    After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.

    After the blood clot forms it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

    After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

    Use pain medication as directed. Call our office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

    It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

    After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.

  • Traditional Bridges

    When one or more teeth are lost, your teeth can drift from their proper positions. This can cause a multitude of problems: jaw pain, headaches, increased vulnerability to tooth decay and gum disease, and undesirable cosmetic effects.
    One option to replace missing teeth and prevent shifting of remaining teeth is to place a fixed bridge. A bridge connects replacement teeth next to the natural teeth. Teeth on either side of the space are prepared to accept the bridge, just as teeth would be prepared for dental crowns.  After the bridge has been made, it is cemented into place on the teeth on either side of the space.

    It is very important to brush and floss around and under your bridge. Special floss threaders can help ensure the area underneath your bridge remains clean.