green and blue logo of today's dentistry
Dental Insurance
Patient Reviews
(541) 482-7771Make a PaymentRequest an Appointment

General Dentistry in Ashland, OR

For a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

It takes teamwork to help you achieve a gorgeous smile. When you visit Today’s Dentistry for regular checkups twice a year, Dr. James Burneson will give you a professional cleaning to make sure your smile is healthy and spotless. We can also advise you on how to develop an effective home-care routine to protect your smile between visits. Our general dentistry services are designed to help Oregon patients in Ashland and the surrounding areas of Talent, Phoenix, and Medford in pursuing optimal oral wellness. Pairing your at-home oral wellness routine with our comprehensive services can help keep your teeth healthy all year round. 

Dr. Burneson and the skilled dental team at Today’s Dentistry work hand-in-hand to provide the care you need to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Today’s Dentistry Helps You Fight Tooth Decay

The progression of tooth decay can be prevented with dental appointments and a consistent oral health routine. Your mouth has its own unique microbiome full of healthy bacteria that break down your food and deliver nutrients to the rest of your body. When you have an influx of sugar, or when food is left sitting in your mouth, it can lead to the growth of unhealthy bacteria. Thankfully, they can be removed with healthy, consistent oral hygiene habits. 

When bacteria is left to sit, it will transform into a sticky, film-like substance called plaque, which rests on the surfaces of your teeth and can harden into tartar (calculus) if not removed properly. Plaque is much harder to clean on your own, and tartar can’t be removed without the use of special dental tools. 

The bacteria within the plaque and tartar may penetrate the tooth’s enamel, which is the protective surface layer of the teeth. Once they break through, your teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay, which is damage to the structural integrity of the teeth. Hollow spaces called cavities will form as the bacteria work their way down through the teeth, spreading infection in its wake. 

The bacteria can also impact your gum line and result in various stages of periodontal disease if left alone. Uncontrolled periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and put you at a higher risk for other medical problems such as stroke, heart disease, and more.

woman smiling at the dentist with dental tools near her mouth

General Dental Care For Your Overall Wellness

General (family) dentistry focuses on maintaining the overall health and wellness of your smile. It includes a variety of procedures that can ensure the longevity of your natural smile from your teeth to your gums. These procedures include:

  • Preventative measures (preventive dentistry) such as exams, cleanings, screenings, and dental sealants which allow us to catch and prevent problems before they develop. 
  • Minimally invasive repairs like fillings and root canals, which repair your teeth from the effects of tooth decay.
  • Tooth extractions in order to protect the integrity of your smile.
  • Periodontal Care to ensure your gums are healthy. 

At Today’s Dentistry, we offer comprehensive care to ensure that your smile is protected from the effects of tooth decay so that your teeth can remain both healthy and beautiful.

Comprehensive Dental Appointments

Preventing tooth decay is a team effort, which is why Dr. Burneson provides thorough dental cleanings. During your regular checkups, he’ll examine your mouth to look for signs of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and any other issues that might affect your oral health. These check-ups are the perfect time to bring up any concerns or questions you may have so Dr. Burneson can answer them directly. 

He’ll use our advanced digital imaging equipment to detect potential issues before they have a chance to impact your oral health. We’ll also conduct a non-invasive screening for oral cancer, as early intervention is essential to recovery. 

During your appointment, our dental hygienist will thoroughly clean, rinse, and polish your teeth. They’ll use specialized dental tools to remove any plaque or tartar that may have developed on your teeth. If your teeth appear to be more susceptible to decay, Dr. Burneson may recommend a dental sealant to offer an additional layer of protection.

woman sitting back in a dental chair
man in a dental chair looking up at the dentist smiling
Dental Fillings
Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are an effective way to fill in the space left by cavities. They can be made of metal or composite material in order to strengthen the integrity of the affected tooth and ensure that bacteria can’t further degrade the tooth. Cavities aren’t always accompanied by pain, and can’t always be seen by the untrained eye. It’s important to schedule regular dental visits at our Ashland office to keep your smile cavity-free. 

If your cavity is too large for a filling, Dr. Burneson may recommend another treatment such as a  dental crown to protect your teeth.

Learn More
man who's holding his jaw in pain with one hand and a tooth brush in another
Root Canals
Root Canals

When tooth decay has reached the roots of your teeth, a root canal serves as a cleaning procedure to remove the decay from the inside of your teeth. In this procedure, Dr. Burneson will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing the decayed part and filling the hollow natural tooth with a composite resin. This protects decay from reaching your gums and makes your tooth whole again.

man holding a compress to his jaw
Tooth Extraction
Tooth Extraction

While we always strive to preserve your natural tooth, sometimes tooth extraction may be necessary. This is when the entire tooth and its roots are removed. Patients may need teeth removed due to decay or impacted teeth. Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure that most patients in their late teens to early twenties go through. 

Depending on your unique situation, removing a tooth may be the best course of action for protecting your oral health. Keeping decaying teeth in your mouth only puts your other, healthy teeth at risk for infection.

woman showing her healthy gums

Advanced Periodontal Care

We’ll check for signs of periodontal disease during your regular dental exam. Also known as gum disease, this is a serious infection that leads to the following symptoms when left untreated:

  • Sore, red, and swollen gums
  • Bleeding when brushing or flossing
  • Bad breath
  • Teeth become loose
  • Gums pull away from teeth, making teeth appear larger
  • Teeth don’t fit together when you bite down
  • Teeth fall out

Fortunately, Dr. Burneson provides effective treatments for all stages of gum disease. If we discover your gum disease early, we can often treat it with easy measures such as improved oral hygiene.

For more advanced cases, Dr. Burneson may recommend a treatment known as scaling and root planing. This is a two-stage process where we remove plaque build-up beneath the gums, then smooth out the surfaces of the roots to make it easier for the gums to reattach to them.

We also offer gum surgery with LANAP laser therapy, which eliminates the need for cutting and stitching. With laser gum therapy, we’re able to preserve a greater portion of your healthy gum tissue, and your healing time will be much faster.

Maintaining Dental Hygiene At Home

Many oral health problems can be prevented with proper oral hygiene. To maintain a healthy smile, one of the most effective things you can do is to practice good oral hygiene habits. This includes:

  • Brushing twice a day
  • Flossing once a day (preferably before bed)
  • Rinsing in between meals

Having a consistent at-home routine should be done in addition to visiting your dentist in Ashland at least twice a year. These visits include professional teeth cleaning to keep your teeth fresh and healthy. 

Even with the most diligent at-home routine, there are some spots in your smile that can only be reached by a professional. During your regular checkups, we’ll provide free habit counseling to help you maximize the effectiveness of your home care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dental exams painful?
What’s the difference between general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry?
Are dental exams painful?

No—Dental exams are not painful, though some patients experience slight discomfort. For patients dealing with dental anxiety, we offer sedation options to ensure a comfortable experience.

What’s the difference between general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry?

General dentistry aims to protect the overall health and wellness of your smile. The treatments and procedures are designed to prolong the longevity of your natural smile. 

Cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the appearance and aesthetics of your smile. For patients who want to create their dream smile, a cosmetic treatment or procedure can help them achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. 

Restorative dentistry aims to restore the functionality of your smile. If you’re missing teeth for any reason, these procedures help restore your smile so simple tasks like eating and speaking are no longer difficult.

white iphone with smile graphic

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Dr. Burneson Today

We’re here to help every patient, no matter how long it’s been since they’ve last been to the dentist. If you’re an Oregon patient in Ashland and the surrounding areas of Talent, Phoenix, and Medford looking to improve your dental health, our general dentistry services are just what you need to get started. To learn more about our services, give us a call at (541) 482-7771 or fill out our convenient contact form at the bottom of the page to arrange a free consultation with Dr. Burneson. Put your trust in us to take care of your smile — you’ll be glad you did.

Menu