L. Alan Ferguson, D.D.S., P.C.

services we provide

Excellence in dentistry begins with careful skill, knowledge and judgment in diagnosing and treatment planning; similar to the same skill, knowledge and judgment it takes to restore vintage cars.

As you may notice our logo is a depiction of a restored car and our motto is “On the road to good dental health”. Dr. Ferguson has the same passion of restoring teeth as he does for the appreciation of restoring vintage cars. In our office we will perform an extensive and comprehensive examination of the teeth, gums, bite and joints. If beneficial, we will use intra-oral photographs and study models of your teeth and jaws to identify areas of concern.

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality, we are incorporating the Vizilite Plus exam as an integral part of our annual oral cancer screening program. We believe these in-depth examinations to be the cornerstone of quality dentistry.

Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that takes into consideration all the needs, wants and values of you, the patient, and designs the best treatment plan that will fulfill your needs and goals. New and innovative procedures and techniques are enabling is to literally transform smiles, to enhance self-esteem and self-image.
In our office we offer:

Our staff members are well trained and dedicated to make a difference for each and every person we are privileged to serve. No question is too small or insignificant for us to answer.

following is a list and brief description of the services we offer.

Diagnostic (Examination and Diagnosis)

X-rays – X-rays allow us to see in between the teeth and under existing fillings to help us detect tooth decay. X-rays can also help us check the health of the bone supporting the teeth.

Diagnostic Impressions – Diagnostic impressions are taken to ensure the fit of any crown, bridge, or denture. The exact shape of your teeth and gums is molded in a flexible vinyl mixture that sets quickly. The vinyl mold is then used to create a replica of your mouth with plaster or plastic.

Comprehensive Oral Exams – The first step in any dental care plan is to determine your existing health conditions. If you are a first-time patient, we will give you a comprehensive examination, to include recording of your medical history, taking full x-rays, screening for oral cancer, examining periodontal (gum) condition, checking each tooth for cavities, and examining your jaw and bite.

Periodic Oral Exams – As an established patient with a preventive dental care plan, you will come to the office on a regular recall schedule for a cleaning and check-up. Periodic exams are important for maintaining your healthy smile.

Consultation and Treatment Planning – Oral health is a lifelong concern. We will help you understand any conditions that need treatment and devise a plan for correcting them. We will also discuss the options for any cosmetic treatments you may be interested in. Furthermore, we will outline a regular course of preventive care.

Vitality Tests – The health of the tooth depends on the pulp inside the hard enamel. We use vitality tests to examine your tooth pulp.

Cracked Tooth Syndrome – Cracked tooth syndrome, as the name suggests, is the development of cracks and fissures in teeth over time. These cracks may be invisible to the naked eye but extend deep into the tooth. We examine your teeth for cracks so that we can take preventive action before the tooth suffers severe damage.

Gum Disease Diagnosis – Gum disease is much more common than people think. We will examine your gums for disease and may refer you to a specialist for treatment of severe cases. Regular, careful brushing and flossing are essential to gum health.

Oral Cancer Screening – Smokers and chewing tobacco users are especially at risk for oral cancer, but everyone who comes to us for a comprehensive exam is checked. No one is immune to cancer and it only makes sense to catch it as early as possible.

back to top

Preventive (Oral Disease Prevention)

Fluoride Treatments – You know your toothpaste contains fluoride (at least it should, unless you’re using a special polish), but we can provide a strong dose of fluoride to build the strength of your teeth. The treatment only takes a few minutes but provides important fluoride protection. We may also suggest a daily fluoride rinse for use at home in addition to your fluoride toothpaste.

Protective Sealants – Sealants help prevent decay, especially for your molars and other hard-to-reach areas where plaque may build up. We use a special plastic resin to coat the chewing surfaces of your rear molars. Sealing takes only a short time, causes minimal if any discomfort, and offers several years of protection.

Prophylaxis – Prophy-what? Prophylaxis is our medical term for a good teeth cleaning and polishing. In Greek, the word means “advance guard,” so prophylaxis indicates the preventive cleaning of plaque to prevent disease.

Oral Hygiene Maintenance – We will explain and demonstrate how to properly brush and floss your teeth, care for your gums, and generally take care of your mouth. We might suggest you change your brush, toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash for better effectiveness. It’s easy to take care of your teeth and takes just a little time in the morning and evening.

back to top

Cosmetic (Aesthetic Treatments)

Teeth Whitening – We provide in-home whitening systems. The over-the-counter “white strips” aren’t nearly as effective as our bleaching systems, and the overall cost is comparable. Bottom line--we can upgrade your smile in a fraction of the time with better results.

Porcelain Veneers – Veneers (sometimes called “laminates”) are very popular now because they create a dramatic change without the cost and complexity of caps (crowns). Porcelain veneers appear very natural because they are extremely thin and slightly translucent, just like tooth enamel. The veneer is applied to the front of the teeth using dental cement. If you have discoloration, cracking, or minor crookedness, veneers are a great option for a quick and easy smile makeover.

Full Porcelain Crowns – Crowns are the solution when you have major decay or damage that can’t simply be filled or restored. A crown is a custom-fit porcelain fixture that “caps” your tooth. Crowns are used after root canals to avoid a future broken tooth. We first take molds and prepare the tooth for the fixture; we affix a temporary crown while the permanent fixture is made. During a second visit we place the permanent crown.

back to top

Restorative (Repairing Teeth)

Crowns and Bridges: A crown is a porcelain “cap” for a weak or damaged tooth. A bridge is a tooth-shaped fixture between a pair of caps that replaces a missing tooth. Both procedures require at least two visits, one to prepare the mouth and take a mold of the fixture, and a second to replace a temporary cap with the final fixture.

Tooth-Colored Restoration: Advances in dental materials, including porcelain and resins have allowed us to repair and reconstruct teeth with natural-looking results. We can match the color of surrounding teeth so nobody but you knows you’ve had work done.

Implant Restoration: Where teeth are missing, an implant can be used to provide both cosmetic and functional replacement. Anchors are surgically implanted in the bone beneath the gums to mimic a normal tooth’s roots. A temporary crown or healing cap is connected to the anchor until the gums heal and grow around the replacement tooth. Just like a crown or bridge, the temporary crown is later replaced with the permanent fixture.

Partial and Full Dentures: Dentures are replacements for your teeth that are fitted to your gums. Partial dentures are used to fill the space of several teeth, and full dentures cover the entire upper or lower gum. You may get conventional dentures, which require time for healing after we have extracted the remaining teeth, or immediate dentures, which can be used right away. Dentures are important for your appearance – not just your smile, but also for filling out your facial structure. Dentures can also be supported by implants for better retention.

back to top

Endodontics (Root Canal Treatments)

Root Canal Treatments: Most people don’t know what a root canal treatment is, but it’s quite simple. If the pulp (soft living tissue) in your tooth is damaged or dies, the tooth can become infected, causing great discomfort. To heal the tooth, we remove the pulp, leaving an empty space called the root canal. We close off the canal so nothing can get into it, and then crown your tooth to protect against brittleness that often occurs when the pulp is gone. The procedure may cause mild discomfort that most people can resolve with an over-the-counter painkiller like Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol.

Tooth Trauma: If you have suffered a major injury to your teeth, perhaps playing sports or just having an accident, we will do all we can to minimize your pain and anxiety while saving both the function and aesthetics of your mouth. If a tooth is knocked out, put it in a glass of milk (if possible) or water (in an emergency) and call our office right away. It is often possible to save the tooth if we act quickly.

back to top

Periodontics (Gum Treatments)

Deep Cleaning: Basic periodontal treatments for your gums are called “planing” and “scaling,” often referred to simply as deep cleaning. This procedure cleans the teeth so receding gums can begin regrowth. For minor gum disease, a deep cleaning may be enough to cure the problem, if followed with good home hygiene.

Advanced Gum Treatments: Thanks to modern dental techniques, we often are able to prevent tooth loss from gum disease. If your teeth, bones, and gum tissues are too diseased, you may need advanced treatments. Surgery may be needed to restore bones and teeth. Grafts might be needed to restore missing gum tissue.

Dental Implant: If a tooth is lost, an implant can be used to provide both cosmetic and functional replacement. Anchors are surgically implanted in the bone beneath the gums to mimic a normal tooth root. A temporary crown or healing cap is connected to the anchor until the gums heal and grow around the replacement tooth. Just like a crown or bridge, the temporary crown is later replaced with the permanent fixture.

back to top

Anesthesia

Nitrous Oxide: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide helps alleviate anxiety. Nitrous oxide is not an anesthetic, however, so a local anesthetic will also be used. The effects of the gas do not last long after the treatment.

Oral Sedation: Taken as a pill, oral sedation provides a deeper relaxation than nitrous oxide. You may take your sedative as far ahead as the night before your procedure or as soon as 30 minutes ahead of time. Oral sedation also has an amnesic effect, meaning you won’t remember what happened in the exam chair.

back to top

Oral Surgery (Mouth Surgery)

Tooth Extraction: Removing a tooth is nobody’s idea of a good time, but with appropriate sedatives, anesthetics, and analgesics (pain-killers), discomfort and recovery time will be minimized. We provide the most gentle care we can for this sensitive procedure.

Biopsy: Sores in your mouth may be simple, annoying, and unthreatening like canker sores, or they can be much more serious. If we find any cause for concern during an exam, we may refer you to a specialist who will biopsy cells in the affected area for cancerous growth. Early detection increases the chance of successfully curing any cancer.

Implant: Replacing a missing tooth with an implant is a multi-step procedure that often involves an oral surgeon or gum specialist. Titanium posts are implanted in the jaw bone to support a crown which replaces the tooth. Since the posts are implanted below the gums at first, an oral surgeon or periodontist may be asked to perform that operation and we will take you through completion with the permanent crown.

Night Guard: We can fit you with a night guard that will prevent grinding your teeth (known as “bruxism”) during your sleep. This guard, a plastic or resin appliance that is held between your teeth helps minimize damage to your teeth and can reduce headache or jaw pain caused by bruxism. Store bought night guards are not custom designed to your mouth and could cause damage to your jaw joint (TMJ).

Sport Bite Guard: A sport bite guard is used for athletes in contact sports. With stress and exertion, jaw clenching is common. With a specially fitted sport bite guard, athletes with TMJ reduce the chance of making their condition worse.

back to top