General & Family Dentistry

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 Dr. Collier and Dr. Hammer Collier can improve the health of your family’s smiles when you visit us for dental care. Call our office today if you have questions about our procedures and treatments.

General and family dentistry encompasses a number of dental treatments that are aimed at helping you achieve and maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime. Whether you are bringing your child for a simple dental checkup or you are in need of a more complex restorative procedure like root canal treatment, we are here to care for your family’s smiles. Our experienced dentists are pleased to provide comprehensive general and family dentistry to meet all of your dental needs and goals for a healthy, beautiful smile.

We encourage all of our patients to visit us at least once every six months. During these routine appointments, we will provide a thorough dental cleaning and exam to make sure that your smile is in good health. Depending on your individual dental needs, you may need to come to our office more often. If you notice any type of dental pain or damage, or if you experience a dental emergency, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible to receive the high-quality dental care you need. To learn more about our dental services and to schedule your family’s next visit to our friendly office, we welcome you to contact us today. We are eager to care for you!

  During your child’s first visit to Collier Dental, we will review diet, home hygiene care, habits, and routines. You are always welcome to remain with your child throughout their entire visit. We encourage you to be an active member of their oral health care. Our hygienists are more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding brushing and flossing techniques, fluoride usage, teeth cleaning and diet. Please let us know what concerns you have for your child’s teeth.  We want to make your child’s first trip to the dentist one that is fun and comfortable.

We recommend that your child be seen for their first dental visit when they have a few fully erupted teeth or by their first birthday. Early prevention and education is critical during this point of a child’s life.

Services we offer to children:

Mild Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Dental Fillings
Crowns/Caps
Dental Sealants
Exam & Cleaning

  Our team knows that good oral hygiene habits are important for a healthy smile.  We give our patients’ teeth a professional cleaning in order to prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems.

During your time at our office, our team works hard to improve your oral health. It is essential, however, that you continue taking care of your smile at home through consistent oral hygiene. Good dental hygiene includes a number of daily habits and practices that help to keep your smile healthy and bright.

Our dentists recommend that you follow these basic steps to help your smile stay in optimal health:

· Brush your teeth after each meal or at least twice a day. We encourage you to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that includes fluoride.

· Floss at least once every day. The most important time to floss is just before you go to sleep at night.

· Eat a balanced diet. Limiting your intake of very sugary and acidic foods can help to prevent tooth decay.

· Maintain your regular visits to the dentist every six months. During these visits, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and a thorough dental exam to make certain we provide any needed preventive or restorative treatments.

When you visit our practice, we will review your dental hygiene habits with you and offer needed information on any additional steps you can take to further improve your oral health. To learn more about dental hygiene and to schedule your next appointment at our office, we welcome you to 

call us at (662) 236-1969 or 488-9905

  Fillings are what most people associate with going to the dentist. They are one of the most common procedures performed in a dental office. Fillings are indicated when a patient has decay in a tooth that needs to be removed, or they can also be used to fix defects in a tooth. Once the decay is removed, the space is then filled in, hence the term “filling.” A composite resin or glass ionomer is typically what is placed in our office. Both of these are “white fillings,” which allows our patients to have dental treatment without worrying about metal fillings being seen in their smile. Dental fillings are carved or molded to look like the natural tooth, and then light cured or allowed to harden on their own depending on the material used.

Call us today if you feel that you may need a filling. We will schedule a consultation and have the situation resolved before you experience any pain.

  If you have one or more missing teeth, our team can fill their empty spaces by giving you a fixed dental bridge. This secure restoration has two dental crowns that are placed on the teeth neighboring a gap, holding a tooth replacement in between.

A bridge is a fixed dental restoration, meaning it is non-removable. The dental bridge is anchored in place through the use of two dental crowns, which are custom made to fit your smile and are placed on the teeth or dental implants next to the space left by the missing tooth. These crowns hold the artificial tooth in place to restore your smile, ensuring that your restoration will not easily shift or come loose. It typically requires only two visits to our practice to complete the dental bridge. Dental bridges are designed to last for many years and to restore the function, beauty, and health of your smile.

Our dentists may recommend a dental bridge to improve your smile by:

· Restoring your ability to speak, eat, and chew as normal

· Alleviating excess stress on the bite

· Improving the shape and volume of your face

· Replacing an unwanted removable partial denture

· Preventing the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position

· Enhancing the appearance of your smile

  A dental sealant is a preventive dental treatment that our dentists may recommend to protect your teeth from decay. A sealant is made of a clear or tooth-colored resin material, which is painted onto the chewing surface of the tooth. By blocking out the bacteria and food debris that lead to tooth decay, the sealant prevents decay and cavities. The dental sealant forms a smooth surface over the natural pits and grooves of the tooth surface, which also makes it easier to effectively clean your teeth with normal brushing.

Our dentists apply this plastic coating to shield the chewing surface of the molars in the back of the mouth because they are more vulnerable to decay.

Dental sealants are most often recommended for children; our dentists frequently recommends sealants for the permanent molars as soon as they come in, which is usually between the ages of 6 and 12 years. We may also recommend dental sealants for adult patients whose teeth are prone to decay or for teeth that have not been restored or suffered from decay in the past.

Our dentists can apply dental sealants in just one short, comfortable visit to our practice. Sealants can be a powerful tool in preventing decay and keeping your smile healthy. 

Call us today to learn more!

  Our dentists understand that some patients who visit our dental practice may feel anxious, so we provide nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, you inhale this gas during dental procedures to help you feel relaxed and comfortable.

As you breathe in the nitrous oxide, which is mixed with oxygen, you will experience a relaxed, euphoric sensation. Nitrous oxide can help you feel calm and at ease throughout your treatment. Nitrous oxide sedation is very safe; the effects will wear off within just a few minutes after we remove your nose mask, and you can legally and safely drive yourself home after your appointment.

Nitrous oxide is a good option for any of our patients who suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia. If you feel anxious because you are receiving a treatment you have not experienced before, or if you simply dislike the sounds and sights of the dental office, we may recommend nitrous oxide to help you feel more relaxed. Be certain to discuss your concerns with our dentists and dental team before your visit so we can help you feel more comfortable during your treatment. 

We invite you to contact us today to learn more!

  Tooth extractions remove teeth from their socket under conditions in which they are irrecoverable. Dr. Collier and

 Dr. Hammer Collier want to protect the health of your teeth and will perform the extraction procedure with your comfort in mind. General restorations for damaged or decayed teeth are fillings or crowns. In some cases however, the teeth are too damaged to be repaired. An extraction remains the only course of treatment. Following the tooth extraction, we are happy to provide you with one of our excellent tooth replacement treatments, if needed, to restore your smile to optimal health, beauty, and function. An extraction can be performed with local anesthesia.

Other situations that require an extraction to be performed are:

· Removing teeth that prevent others from growing

· Removing teeth to create room for realignment

· Removing teeth affected by radiation

· Removing teeth infected by cancer, which can weaken the immune system

· Extract wisdom teeth to prevent them from being stuck in the jaw

· Extract teeth that can cause an infection after an organ transplant

Before an extraction occurs, a thorough examination of your teeth will be performed. This is done to allow the dentist to evaluate the position of the teeth and determine if future problems may occur. 

Radiographs ("x-rays") can  help the dentist see additional risk factors such as decay or deterioration. Early examinations are recommended to identify problems that can arise in the future.

  Our dentists can save your teeth when you visit us for a root canal. Dr. Collier and 

Dr. Hammer Collier can remove the infected tissues inside of a tooth, fill the area with medicated materials, and cap the tooth with a dental crown for protection.

Commonly called a root canal, root canal treatment is a type of endodontic therapy that is often recommended if the tooth pulp and nerves become infected or damaged. When left untreated, this type of infection and disease may cause the tooth to die and necessitate tooth extraction. To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, our skilled dentists will remove the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, clean the tooth, and fill it with a medicated material. We will then cap the tooth with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in only one or two comfortable visits to our office.

Causes of an infected pulp could include:

· A deep cavity

· Repeated dental procedures

· A cracked or broken tooth

· Injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being a painful treatment. In reality, however, root canal treatment can often be completed with minimal discomfort thanks to advanced techniques, tools, and anesthesia. Our dentists at Collier Dental, along with our entire dental team, work hard to provide you with a pleasant, comfortable experience each time you visit our office.

https://youtu.be/7B0zFnBgr7I

  Our dentists have the skill and training to provide you with comfortable, quality care during an oral surgery. There are several types of oral surgery procedures which can improve the appearance and function of your smile.

Oral surgery includes a number of surgical dental treatments. The goal of oral surgery is to improve the function, health, and appearance of your smile and the surrounding structures, such as your jaw. In many cases, we strive to provide the most conservative treatment possible.

Oral surgery may be necessary, however, to correct certain conditions and improve your oral and overall health.

Oral surgery may include:

· Tooth extraction (for teeth that are decayed, damaged, or infected to the point that an effective restoration is impossible)

· Wisdom teeth removal (for wisdom teeth that are impacted or have grown in at an incorrect angle)

· Jaw surgery (to treat a TMJ disorder, to correct uneven jaw growth, or to improve the fit of dentures)

· Bone grafts (to increase bone density and/or to improve the chances for a successful dental implant)

Wisdom Tooth Removal

While we provide some oral surgery treatments at our office, we are general dentists but also work closely with local third party oral surgeons and specialists to ensure that you receive the high-quality results you deserve. Our dentists will carefully evaluate your smile and your dental needs to determine whether we need to refer you for oral surgery and the best available treatment choice for you.

  Periodontal disease, commonly known as “gum disease”, can be responsible for the loss of teeth in some patients. Periodontal disease is an infection of bacteria in the mouth that results in damaged gums and the bone supporting the teeth and gums. If left untreated, it can cause deterioration of the teeth and gums. The bacteria that is associated with periodontal disease has even been linked to certain health conditions such as heart conditions and pregnancy complications.

Gum disease can start in some patients as another disease known as gingivitis. This is inflammation or redness of the gums. If caught early the effects of gum disease can be reversed by daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups to maintain good oral health. Routine oral cleanings and exams with our professional staff at Collier Dental can help ensure that plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth to stop the damage before it becomes irreversible.

Warning signs of periodontal disease:

· Gums symptoms (bleeding, red, swollen, etc.)

· Bleeding of your gums

· Bad breath that show no signs of improvement

· Teeth becoming loose

· Pus between your teeth

Do you suffer from jaw pain, headaches, or sore mouth??

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF TMJ DISORDERS:

· arthritis

· dislocation

· injury

· tooth and jaw alignment

· stress and teeth grinding

Our dentists can treat you with TMJ therapy by creating a custom mouthpiece.

Call our office today to learn more about TMJ or to schedule your consultation.

Dental patients with special needs include the following:

• Aging and elderly people. 
• Individuals with mobility issues. 
• Mentally disabled individuals. 
• Immunocompromised people and those with complex medical problems. 
• People with a mental illness. 
• Children with behavioral or emotional conditions.

 Providing dental care to patients with disabilities may require modifications to the traditional treatment plan. Our team of Dental health professionals are prepared to accommodate most patients with special needs, regardless of the type of disability. 

Your dentist may recommend IV sedation for dental procedures on patients with special needs. Dentists require special training to be licensed to administer IV sedation. Dr. John Collier has a current permit to administer IV Conscious Sedation (Parenteral Sedation).
 

Hospital dentistry (with a deeper level of sedation) is a is also a treatment option for very young or special needs patients. Dr. John Collier works alongside an anesthesiologist in the hospital setting to provide dental care.  The patient will not eat for a period of time before the procedure and recover from the anesthesia before going home. Further, the anesthesiologist and surgical team will monitor heart rate and blood pressure throughout the process to ensure safety.  

Dr. John Collier is on staff at Baptist Hospital - North Mississippi and provides dental services at the hospital while an anesthesiologist provides sedation. 

Often patients with special needs require the use of hospital sedation for their dental treatment.