Family Dentistry

Our family dentistry services in Kinston, NC were designed to provide you and your entire family with the care needed to enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles! Taking care of your teeth and remaining consistent with oral hygiene is essential to achieving excellent dental health; it is important to begin at an early age and remain diligent with your routine throughout your life.

At Harvey Dental, our team is here to support you in this mission of attaining optimal oral health. We encourage you to bring your entire family; patients young and not so young can benefit from our family care services! To learn more about our treatments, read below or call our office! Schedule your appointment online or by phone call; we look forward to seeing you!

Cleanings & Exams

How often do you brush and floss your teeth? It is recommended that your teeth are brushed twice per day and flossed daily to maintain a great smile! This helps to reduce your possibility of suffering from gum disease or tooth decay. Although we are proud of your commitment to maintaining good hygiene at home, we also recommend that you visit our office every six months for professional cleanings and exams.

Our team members are equipped with special tools and skills that allow us to remove stubborn tartar and plaque and clean areas of your mouth that are hard to access. Additionally, a thorough examination and x-ray from our dentist can detect the early signs of cavity development, gum disease, and oral cancer. 

This allows us to conduct treatment early or even give you tips on how to reverse the progression of these issues at home. A routine cleaning and exam supports the foundation of your smile, leading to a brighter smile and a healthier future.

Crowns & Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges are prosthetic appliances utilized to restore function and aesthetics to a damaged or decayed smile.

Crowns are excellent restorations for severely decayed or damaged teeth. Once the health of your tooth has been addressed by either a root canal or decay removal, the tooth can be prepared and encapsulated by a durable, custom-made crown. This protects the vulnerable tooth, preventing any further damage from weakening its vitality; it also allows the tooth to function and appear normal.

Bridges are utilized to replace one or more missing teeth. This prosthetic is composed of multiple dental crowns that have been fused together. They can then span the gap from one natural tooth to the next, filling the area in between with artificial dental crowns. Bridges are a fixed appliance, and before they can be cemented into place, your natural teeth on either side of the gap must be prepared to ensure a comfortable fit.

Tooth Extractions

While our team will do everything we can to preserve your teeth, there are certain situations where a tooth will need to be extracted. This may be due to:

  • Impaction
  • Severe decay
  • Gum disease
  • Overcrowding
  • Severe injury

When you require extraction for a tooth that has emerged through the gum line, we will begin the process by sufficiently numbing the area. The tooth will then be carefully rocked back and forth until it becomes loosened from its supporting ligaments. At that point, the tooth will be removed with forceps.

To extract a tooth below the gum line, surgery will be required. Once the area is comfortably numb, we will create a small incision in the gum line. The tooth will then be extracted in fragments or in one piece before the area is sutured closed for healing.

Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic appliances composed of hardened resin and flexible polymer material that replace missing teeth. In our office, we offer both complete dentures and partial dentures.

  • Complete dentures are designed to replace an entire arch of missing teeth. This appliance is typically held in place by suction or dental-safe adhesive.
  • Partial dentures can replace one or more missing teeth. This style may be secured by suction but is most commonly designed to clip or snap into position by the support of neighboring teeth.

It’s important to note that dentures are not fixed appliances. These prosthetics must be removed and cleaned every night, and your gum tissue must be cleaned as well. Over time, you may need to have your dentures altered to accommodate changes in your oral anatomy.

Fillings

Tooth decay is a prevalent condition affecting smiles of all ages. Fortunately, fillings can restore the strength and structure of a damaged tooth and keep the tooth healthy and functional. 

Our office offers composite fillings that match the shade of your teeth. 

  • Once decay has been removed, and damage has been addressed, we apply composite material to the area and smooth it into the shape of the natural tooth. 
  • After the composite has been cured and hardened by an LED light, we will polish the filling and make sure it’s comfortable and blends seamlessly with the rest of your tooth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

The health and safety of our patients are always a top priority; that’s why we conduct an oral cancer screening as a part of every six-month visit. We will visually examine or palpate the oral tissues in your mouth and throat and feel for any unusual lumps in your neck, face, and lips during the screening. We may also ask if you have noticed:

  • Persistent red or white patches in the mouth
  • Ulcers that refuse to heal
  • Unusual lumps or swelling in the face or jaw
  • Pain when drinking and swallowing

Sealants

Sealants are a great way to preserve the health of your teeth by protecting them from decay. While anyone can wear sealants, we most recommend them to our young patients who are just learning the proper technique for brushing.

A sealant is a protective plastic painted onto the biting surfaces of your teeth, most often used to protect the pits and crevices on the molars. This builds a barrier between the enamel and the accumulation of food debris. The sealant will be dried by a curing light and will appear invisible on the teeth. They can last between two and four years and must be maintained by regular brushing and flossing.

Traditional Braces

Traditional metallic braces do a phenomenal job of resolving alignment issues in teeth ranging from minor to severe. Braces are great for all ages and orthodontic conditions; while we recommend getting kids started with them between the ages of 11 to 13 years old, adults can begin treatment at any time!

  • This method begins with the cemented application of metallic brackets onto each tooth. 
  • From there, the teeth are connected by a thin wire. 
  • Over a period of between 18 and 24 months, these wires are routinely tightened, guiding the teeth into the proper alignment.

Changing Lives One Smile At A Time

Harvey Dental is a practice dedicated to providing exceptional oral care to patients young and old, making us an excellent fit for serving your family! When you come to see us, you will be welcomed into a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere that encourages positive energy and happiness. You will be surrounded by team members and doctors that genuinely care about you and your health, making the visit comfortable, fun, and delightful. 

Our mission is to change the lives of our patients and give them more reasons to smile when they enter our office. Call today to schedule an appointment or book a visit online.

  • Scroll to Top

    Book an Appointment