New Patient Comprehensive Exam
We take the time to learn about you and your individual health goals as it relates to your mouth and teeth so that we can create an individual plan that addresses your concerns.
We use low dose radiation digital x-rays, a thyroid collar, and lead apron on all of our patients, as your safety is our priority.
We use the most modern up to date 3-D imaging technology that now has less radiation exposure than previous x-ray systems. This information is invaluable in detecting dental infection, failed root canals, wisdom teeth placement, pathology and cancers.
We will take a plaque sample and evaluate it for bacteria that are higher risk for decay and periodontal disease. We will help put together a treatment plan based on our findings and your risks. This plan will change once we get your mouth and microbiome in balance.
We will take photos and 3-D intraoral images to help educate you about our findings while looking at your teeth on a larger screen. This will also help you see the before and after work to help build appreciation for treatment that is provided and the transformation of your mouth.
Oral cancer is on the rise and a yearly evaluation is important to help catch it early, for best treatment outcomes.
How your teeth and jaw fit together can influence the breakdown of your teeth and supporting structures. If your bite is off it can cause bone destruction, tooth wear and abfraction. We also want to access the health of your TMJ which is a complex joint and if out of alignment can be painful and place your body out of alignment. Tooth positioning is also important in the health of your mouth. We will evaluate for narrow arches and malocclusion and make recommendations as needed.
Many people are unaware that they have tissues connecting their lips and tongue in a way that is causing harm. Some lips are strongly connected to the gums causing recession of the gums exposing root surface or preventing a gap between teeth to close. Some patients have a tongue that is tethered to the floor of the mouth and can cause difficulty in breastfeeding, speech challenges, upper palate expansion causing crowded teeth, and neck shoulder tension. We have been trained at a high level to release these tissues and help you get back on a pathway to health.
Once we learn about you and your concerns and gather all the information needed, we spend time putting all the parts together to see the bigger picture. Next we will present to you our findings and discuss the processes that have taken place leading to current conditions, and discuss what needs to happen to stop any destructive pathways. We will make recommendations presenting options that create a pathway to health. We do this in phases addressing the most urgent needs first. This helps us create a journey to balance budget and time. The goal is that once you are on track with keeping everything in balance you will simply be maintaining your dental care.
Ceramic Implants
Ceramic implants are biocompatible and do not cause the metal sensitivities or corrosion that are found with titanium metal implants. The gums attach to ceramic implants unlike titanium implants that always have a pocket around the implant where bacterial can live. Ceramic implants look and feel more like natural teeth and mimic the shape of a natural root form. They are aesthetic and do not show through the gums with a gray hue. Ceramic implants are strong and durable and have been used in Europe for decades with great success before they were brought to the USA in 2007. Many surgeons from other specialties like hip replacement procedures are also moving to ceramic instead of titanium for the durability and biocompatibility we also see with dental implants.
We use all the latest technological advancements in the placement of your ceramic dental implant. We use 3-D imaging to treatment plan. We then transfer this plan to the latest in real time 3-D guided implant surgery using the X-Guide. This allows us to place the implant with precision and accuracy in position, angle and depth. The X-guide also allows us to perform same day guided surgery which can provide bone, money and time saving advantages.
Hygiene Services
A prophy is recommended to help maintain health by removing all plaque and tartar that can lead to inflammation and decay. This is achieved through ultrasonic scaling using ozonated water that helps to disinfect around the gums. We also use non-fluoridated and gluten free polishing that is less aggressive, preserving tooth enamel. We may recommend a remineralizing treatment of nanohydroxyapatite which is more effective than fluoride and non-toxic. Prophy cleanings are recommended for patients who do not have periodontal disease. Traditionally in a healthy mouth a prophy is recommended every 6 months, but may be recommended at different frequencies depending on the amount of plaque and tartar one builds up.
A Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) is recommended for patients who have been diagnosed with Periodontal disease, which is a disease that destroys the bone and supporting tissues of teeth. The aggressive bacteria found in deeper periodontal pockets also causes destruction throughout the body and needs to be treated for overall health. Periodontal disease is like diabetes in that once you have it you always have it and it needs to be managed. The SRP focuses on removing infection, bacteria, plaque and tartar below the gums. We will use the highly effective Fotona Laser for treatment that removes calculus and bacteria below the gums and helps with reattachment of the gums to the teeth. We may recommend other treatments such as ozone oil, essential oils and antibiotics along with the PerioProtect program to manage your long term care so we maintain the bone you have as well as prevent harmful bacteria from causing damage to the rest of your body. We have options of local anesthetic to make sure you are comfortable throughout treatment, however the laser treatment is more comfortable than conventional treatment and anesthetic may not be needed.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease we need to be proactive in treating the factors related to bone loss and destruction of the supporting tissues of your teeth. We will use the highly effective Fotona Laser for treatment that non-invasively removes calculus and bacteria from below the gums and effectively helps with reattachment of the gums to the teeth. We may also need to perform additional periodontal treatments that could include bone or gum grafting. Once treated we need to carefully manage your periodontal health to prevent any future imbalances to keep you healthy. We may recommend specific home care routines like the PerioProtect program (personalized dental trays that hold an effective solution to help fight the bad bacteria). Initially, we will recommend more frequent periodontal maintenance appointments to continue to monitor your health until we get you to a stable condition and can monitor less frequently.
We will discuss your current routine and will guide you in making modifications to improve your oral health. We may recommend different hygiene products depending on your specific condition. We will recheck the condition of your mouth at follow-up appointments to make sure you are on a good path towards improvement.
Instead of fluoride varnish and fluoride trays, which are traditionally used, we use Nanohydroxyapatite which is more effective at tooth remineralization than fluoride and is non-toxic.
Restorative and Cosmetic Services
When a tooth has been damaged through the process of decay caused by bacteria in conditions that allow for their growth, we need to address and correct those conditions. Many factors go into the process of decay and we will work on changing the environment of your mouth to prevent future decay and preserve the remaining tooth structure. Teeth that have endured the damage of decay will need to have restorative care to fill in the areas where the tooth was broken down. If a significant amount of tooth loss is present a filling may not be indicated. We may recommend a crown or ceramic filling to protect the tooth from the additional risk of fracture. Crowns may also be the best option for teeth that have very little tooth structure remaining. It is our philosophy to place the restoration that is the least invasive and only recommend crowns when a filling is not an option. Please see section under Fontona Laser Dentistry.
These are restorations that are placed to help restore broken down or not aesthetic front teeth. It can make a significant difference in your smile by correcting shape, color, length and crowding of front teeth.
For patients who have experienced severe tooth wear, tooth loss or have trouble eating, looking at the entire system will be needed. In these cases focusing on one tooth at a time is like throwing money out the window. We want to put together a plan for your long term dental/oral health. We will go through all the options and put together a plan to build your mouth back to a healthy stable condition that will be best maintained over time and give you a smile you are proud of.
These appliances can be very helpful in preventing destruction to your teeth, supporting bone and jaw. For those who have signs of wear or deeper periodontal pockets, the splint will prevent further wear and will help stabilize teeth to help the gums attach to the tooth minimizing periodontal pockets. We may also recommend a splint to stabilize your jaw joint/TMJ and relax the muscles of your face, mouth and neck and to open your airway.
We use an effective in office whitening system to improve the shade of your teeth. We will help you achieve the smile you desire and help you maintain it over time.
Removable Prosthetics
This is a removable dentures for those individuals who are missing all their teeth. We use biocompatible materials that support proper fit and function as well as a beautiful natural looking smile. Please note: When there is minimal bone present overdentures that are secured in place by implants may be the best option.
This is a removable partial denture to replace some of your teeth and is secured in place by attaching on to neighboring teeth. We us non-metal and biocompatible materials for proper fit and function as well as a beautiful natural looking smile.
This is an ideal option for patients who have no teeth and very little bone and are not able to keep their denture secure in their mouth. These can be fixed or removable and allow for the best fit and function. They are made with a biocompatible material and provide the highest esthetics so you can smile with confidence.
Surgical Services
When a tooth is no longer restorable, has a failed root canal or has an infection it may be advisable to remove the tooth. We make sure you are comfortable through the process of removal. We use a technique during removal to ensure the best healing outcome. Through the process of infection removal and disinfection with the laser, use of ozone, platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and bone grafting when needed we will support your body and keep your mouth healthy for the remaining teeth or for a preparation of a future implant if desired.
If the wisdom teeth are causing damage to the bone, gums or teeth in the area it would be better to have them removed. We will make sure to keep you comfortable In the process of the removal of your wisdom teeth and offer sedation when needed. We make sure the area is disinfected with the laser and with ozone water, we then place Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) that is secured in the socket to help ensure you have the best recovery possible.
Please see homepage tab Ceramic Implants to learn more.
When the lip frenum is tightly attached far down towards the tooth, it can cause recession and exposure of the root. The frenum can also prevent spaces between front teeth from closing. In these cases it is best to release this tissue and it is a fairly easy procedure with quick recovery. When the tongue is held tightly or tethered to the floor of the mouth it can result in many challenges such as difficulty in nursing, poor maxillary development resulting in a narrow arch and crowed teeth, speech challenges, difficulty in using tongue to clean food out around teeth, muscle and connecting tissue tension of the mouth, face and neck. When a moderate to severe tongue tie is recognized, we will recommend you see a myofunctional therapist before and after your tongue tie release procedure. This will help you use your tongue properly, prevent reattachment and speed up healing and recovery.
This is a procedure where an area of concern will have a portion removed and sent to the lab to be analyzed for any pathology. This can be very helpful in early cancer detection.
This is recommended for patients who have thin gum tissue and have recession and root exposure of teeth. The gum grafting helps to strengthen the tissue and prevent and cover root recession.
After a tooth is extracted the healing process results in loss of the bone where the area will look thin and collapsed. If an implant is desired this area will need to be grafted at time of extraction to prevent this process from occurring and to build and preserve bone so there is room for an implant to be placed. If teeth have been missing for many years a bone augmentation will be needed. This is a more involved bone graft that widens the bone in the area allowing for the space needed for an implant.
This is a bone graft needed for areas of the upper teeth that have been extracted and resulted in bone loss where the root tips were. In these cases we push the sinus up adding bone to the area so that we can achieve the height needed to place an implant.
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is collected from the patient’s own blood and spun down in a centrifuge where we collect the cells from the layer of blood with the highest concentration of cells that upregulate the immune system by bringing cells to the area to facilitate new blood vessel growth. This concentration of cells helps to speed up recovery. We also use the top fibrin layer that forms a thick plug to seal the extraction site or cover the surgical area to protect from food and bacteria and forms a biological band-aid that helps with healing.
Ozone is used in many forms in our office. It is used as a gas over deep decay to disinfect the area, it is used in water for all of our dental water units and in our ultrasonic units for dental cleanings. It is also used to disinfect sockets after teeth extraction as well as during all other surgical procedures.
Sedation Services
If you feel you would like to have help relaxing but want to keep it natural we offer the NuCalm System that uses topical or oral gaba a precursor to neurotransmitters and Neurosensory sounds to help relax the brain. This is a safe and natural option where you can drive home safely after treatment.
For those who need a little more support in getting through your procedures. This is a nice option as once the procedure is done and you are not inhaling the gas within a very short time it is all out of your system and you are back to normal and can safely drive home.
For those who are more nervous and nitrous oxide is not enough support we offer oral sedation. You will feel very relaxed yet alert enough to participate actively in your appointment. You will need to have a driver as you will not be allowed to drive for the day.
For our most nervous patients we are able to provide IV moderate conscious sedation. This would be recommended for patients who are very nervous or who are having a surgery and do not want to remember the events of treatment as this does also have an amnesia effect. You will need to schedule for a pre-sedation consult appointment and follow a strict no food or drink policy the day of and the day before treatment. You will need to have a driver and caretaker as you will not be allowed to drive for the remainder of the day and will need supervision.
Holistic Services (found in all aspects of our practice)
The International Academy or Oral Medicine and Toxicology offer a course in safe amalgam removal. Our office has taken this course and is certified in the SMART amalgam removal protocol to keep you and our team from breathing in mercury vapors when working on teeth with silver/amalgam fillings.
We use the training from Biomimetic courses that teach about preserving tooth structure minimizing use of crowns when biocompatible composite fillings may be the healthier option. We also use lasers and air abrasion that can remove decay and clean teeth allowing for a better bond and longer lasting restoration.
We try to minimize the risk of root canals as we know they always harbor bacteria that may be hard on the body’s immune system. We try to catch decay early and treat in our office to prevent such risk but for patients who come to us with deep decay we treat using a protocol to help support that tooth to recover and avoid nerve necrosis that would lead to the need for root canal or extraction.
When a tooth is removed there is often infection, affected bone and tissue in the area. If this is not removed it may impact the ability for proper healing. If this happens the area will not fill in with bone and there will not be good blood flow that also carries the immune cells to the area to keep infection away. We take additional steps to ensure the area is well debrided/cleaned out and disinfected with the laser and ozone that is sealed with a bone graft and/or Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) clot.
Ozone has been used historically to disinfect water for drinking and to clean air and disinfect all sorts of medical supplies just to name a few of its uses. It is a powerful disinfectant as it is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal and is very useful in the dental setting. We use it in our dental water lines insuring no biofilm build-up which is also beneficial as we use it in treatment. We also use it in our Ultrasonic Cleaning Units for your dental cleanings to disinfect deep below the gumline. Ozone gas is used to treat dental decay as it kills the bacteria and disinfects the area and brings oxygen to the area to help keep the nerve vital. We use ozone in all of our surgical procedures to help keep the sites clean and disinfected which ensures better healing outcomes.
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is collected from the patient’s own blood and spun down in a centrifuge where we collect the cells from the layer of blood with a highest concentration of cells that upregulate the immune system by bringing cells to the area to facilitate new blood vessel growth. This concentration of cells helps to speed up recovery. We also use the top fibrin layer that forms a thick plug to seal the extraction site or cover the surgical area to protect from food and bacteria and forms a biological band-aid that helps with healing.
We offer a large range of testing options sent to a lab to evaluate for the following: Type of bacteria or pathogens present in periodontal pockets to help us determine which medicine or antibiotic will be most effective for treatment. Type of bacteria or pathogen found in extracted root canaled or infected teeth. Decay risk assessment based on bacterial analysis, HPV related oral cancer risks, herpes virus detection as well as ability to identify yeast, candida, chlamydia and gonorrheal in the oropharynx. These tests can be very helpful in getting to the root cause of health challenges and give us the needed information on how to most effectively treat once diagnosed.
Many dental materials contain toxic components. We have screened our materials to be the most biocompatible options available. However, each person is unique and for patients who have allergies or sensitivities it is recommended to have a blood test done to test your immune response to all the dental materials to help us find what will work best for you.
We have done the research and found that there are better options to the Fluoride treatments performed routinely at most dental offices. In our office we use a nanohydroxyapatite and trace mineral products that are effective and non-toxic at remineralizing your teeth.
We use an IQAir filtration system in our office that offers medical grade air filtration. This unit is also used during our SAFE mercury removal protocol specifically for the special mercury vapor filters. We are passionate about the environment and make earth friendly choices in products we use and the environment we live in. We minimize waste, recycle, and use mercury separators to keep toxic metals out of our water supply. We take the time to research where our products are sourced for the least environmental impact. We care for our patients, our team and ourselves and work hard to create an inclusive and supportive work environment that focuses on wellness.
Dr. Railand has been in the dental field for nearly 2 decades and has focused on biologic/holistic dentistry, working with many mentors, doctors, naturopathic doctors and health and wellness specialists. Dr. Railand has learned many methods over these years on how to best treat dental and medically complex patients. She has found that by evaluating the health of the mouth we can often get good indications regarding the health of the body. When the mouth is out of balance we need to address more than the dental problem. We will do a more extensive review of your dental and overall health and make recommendations that may be simple to resolve or more complex involving the help of other health providers with the ultimate goal of getting you to your optimal health and wellbeing.
Fotona Laser (Dental Treatment and Facial Esthetics)
The Fotona laser can numb a tooth while cleaning out decay which means many times we do not need to use a needle with anesthetic to get you numb! The Fotona during tooth decay removal can also help reduce nerve damage which can lessen the chances of nerve necrosis that can result in root canals or extractions. This laser is excellent with soft tissue management for lip and tongue tie or gingivectomy procedures with less pain and quicker healing times. We also use the laser at the time of extraction where after all of the diseased tissues and PDL is removed we use the laser to disinfect the socket site deep at the base and this helps to bring blood to the area which brings immune cells to help encourage the healing process.
We use the Fotona Laser in periodontal surgeries where the laser can remove calculus and bacteria deep under the gums and under different settings the laser can help activate the body to get better attachment of the gums to the teeth. This is a very effective treatment for periodontal disease that is less invasive and more comfortable than conventional treatments. It’s extremely effective, has a quick recovery and there is a less chance of disease returning in the future for the best long-term outcome.
This is a non-invasive, no anesthetic, comfortable procedure where there is no downtime, yet it is an effective way to reduce or eliminate snoring. We use Laser energy to gently heat tissues of the airway to tighten and open the airway so you can sleep better and feel better.
Smoothlase uses the laser both on the outside of the face and inside the mouth to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There is no pain and no downtime. The laser uses the body’s ability to naturally tighten and tone the skin with long lasting results that are easy to maintain. This is a healthy natural alternative to fillers and toxins. Liplase uses the Fotona laser for all natural lip plumping. It results in fuller, smoother and natural looking lips. This is accomplished as the laser stimulates collagen remodeling that has no downtime and no toxic injectables.
Biomodulation with a Fotona laser can treat TMJ and facial pain. The laser uses low-level light energy to stimulate tissue healing, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Fotona Laser
The Fotona laser is a dental laser system that uses light pulses to perform a variety of procedures such as; hard-tissue drilling, soft-tissue surgery, endodontic and periodontal treatments, tooth whitening and oral surgery. It is minimally invasive and can result in:
• Painless, fast, and precise cuts
• Coagulated blood instantly
• Disinfection and fast healing
• Fewer sutures and less chance of infection
• Reduced need for anesthesia
• No uncomfortable vibration or noise
• Minimal or no-pain after procedure
• Quick recovery time
Schedule your consultation with Sage Dental Wellness in Eugene, Oregon, today.
