Your Smile Is Our Passion
Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr. Jarvis offers a wide array of cosmetic services such as repairing teeth that are stained, discolored, worn, chipped, broken, misaligned, misshapen, missing, or have gaps between them.
Sometimes people experience uncomfortable tooth sensitivity with in-office power whitening systems such as Zoom! That’s why Dr. Jarvis recommends at-home whitening with custom trays. You will love the custom whitening trays that we can make for you! With your own custom trays, you control how long and how often you whiten. Also, your trays can last for years, giving you an inexpensive, lasting way to keep your smile white and bright.
We also offer a more affordable option. Sheer White Strips include 10 strips or five full-mouth applications. You’ll see noticeable results after just five applications!
Removable clear aligners are ideal for correcting crowding and rotation. Veneers can also address issues of spacing or minor crowding. Dr. J. can help you choose a solution that works for your smile and your budget.
Bleaching is effective on natural tooth structure, but it isn’t effective on fillings, crowns, or veneers. It’s important to make sure you are happy with the shade of your teeth before beginning any other cosmetic treatment in your smile zone.
Emergency Dentistry
At Great Northern Dental Care, we understand that dental emergencies often arise at inconvenient times. We offer emergency services to make sure you get prompt care even after office hours if necessary.
We understand you might feel anxious about visiting the dentist. Maybe dental anxiety kept you from calling a dentist earlier. You’re not alone. We have several comfort options to help you feel more relaxed. Please share your concerns and we’ll do everything we can to help you have a good experience.
Most emergency exams are problem focused. If you are concerned about more than one or two teeth, we recommend scheduling a comprehensive exam.
During your exam, Dr. Jarvis will discuss his findings, your concerns, and your treatment options. We believe the best decisions are informed decisions. It’s your mouth, so you get to choose.
Preventative Dentistry
Our dental checkups at Great Northern Dental Care are very comprehensive. Each checkup includes a dental and medical history review, x-rays, a gentle but thorough cleaning, an oral health examination and more.
Your first comprehensive visit with Great Northern Dental Care includes a review of your dental and medical history, concerns you may have, complete x-rays, a gentle, yet thorough cleaning, and an oral exam to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. During your exam we will also check your blood pressure, assess your temporal mandibular joint function (TMJ), and screen for oral cancers and airway issues.
Brushing at least twice per day and flossing daily keeps your gums healthy. Healthy gums should not bleed easily. We can help you with flossing and brushing technique. We also sell, at our cost, Sonicare toothbrushes and replacement heads.
Diet plays more of a role in healthy teeth than most people realize. Frequent consumption of drinks such as coffee, soda, sports drinks, vitamin water, energy drinks, and juice fuel the tooth decay process. Water is a great all-day companion.
Extensive tooth wear can be a sign of acid erosion, clenching, grinding, airway/sleep, and/or orthodontic issues. Dr. Jarvis can help determine the root causes and suggest ways to prevent further wear. He can also restore worn teeth to their natural or ideal shape and size.
Give your teeth a break. Your saliva works to protect your teeth and can’t do it’s job if it is constantly interrupted with food and drinks. Chew sugar-free gum or drink water after meals and snacks to help your saliva return to normal pH levels.
Periodontal and Gum Disease Therapy
Periodontal disease refers to a range of conditions ranging from gum inflammation to severe inflammation that damages the bone and tissue supporting your teeth. We can assess your cleaning needs and help you maintain a healthy smile!
Periodontal disease refers to a range of conditions ranging from gum inflammation to severe inflammation that damages the bone and tissue that support your teeth.
Periodontal disease can result in gum recession, tooth mobility, and even tooth loss. The inflammation is caused by your body’s immune response to the certain types of bacteria in the plaque film that accumulates on your teeth. Periodontal disease is classified by the seriousness of the disease; the two major categories are gingivitis and periodontitis.
Periodontitis often goes untreated because it may not cause pain. However, gum disease is linked to increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to: stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, and others.
Many conditions can affect the health of your gums. Some of the most common conditions affection gum disease are smoking, hormonal changes, diabetes, cancer, AIDS, saliva-reducing medications, and genetics.
Although periodontal disease is not curable, it can be maintained by regular periodontal cleanings. Most patients start with scaling and root planing followed with periodontal therapy every 3-4 months.
With active periodontal therapy, many patients notice improved health. Regular treatment helps reduce inflammation and the formation of bad bacteria below the gum line.
Bacteria in your mouth, forms a sticky film on your teeth called ‘plaque’. Brushing and flossing helps to remove much of the plaque. The plaque that is not removed can harden and form ‘calculus’ or ‘tartar’. Plaque and tartar can cause inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. With gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.
With periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. The body’s immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Bacterial toxins and the body’s natural inflammatory response to infection break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.
If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.
Restorative Dentistry
Dr. Jarvis is continually learning and receiving advanced training and education in order to offer a wide range of restorative services to our patients. His approach is conservative, detail-oriented, and artful.
Dr. Jarvis can design and deliver tooth-colored crowns at one appointment, using CEREC technology. In some cases, a gold crown is recommended or more time is needed to design multiple anterior crowns. These crowns are usually ready within a couple weeks.
How long a crown will last? First of all, no filling or crown is better than your natural, healthy tooth structure. Keeping your cavity risk down and regular visits to your dentist is your best insurance. The most common reason for a crown or filling to fail is due to recurrent decay at the edges. Also, small fillings last longer than big fillings, so catching them sooner is always better than later.
With the right aftercare, crowns can last an average of 10 years before needing to be replaced. However, they often last much longer. The lifespan of the crown depends on the amount of wear and tear it’s exposed to, as well as your oral hygiene habits.
Replacing missing teeth is important for dental health, functionality, and appearance. If you have multiple teeth missing in an area of your mouth, a bridge might be a great option.
A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device that fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.
A filling is a way of replacing or restoring part of your tooth lost to injury or decay. The most common type of filling used in our office is a resin composite that provides a good match to your natural tooth color.
Many people ask if amalgam fillings are safe. It’s a great question! We believe in conservative treatment that helps you keep as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. We generally use tooth-colored composite filling material, because it allows us to preserve more of the natural tooth.
Amalgams have been the subject of many high-quality scientific research projects. Studies show that amalgams are still a safe and effective filling material. If your fillings are in good condition and there is no decay beneath the filling, Dr. Jarvis does not recommend that you have your amalgam fillings removed or replaced. Removing sound amalgam fillings results in unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure.
A root canal may be necessary to save a tooth that has become abscessed (infected) from decay, or has suffered trauma resulting in the nerve being exposed. In some cases the tooth is slowly dying due to age or a past trauma.
In most cases a root canal is an uncomplicated procedure with little or no discomfort. Dr. Jarvis can do this procedure in our office, but in some cases he may refer you to an endodontist who specializes in this treatment. Typically the treatment can be completed in one appointment. If you’re nervous, there are several options to put you at ease.
Has life taken a toll on your smile? Patients are often embarrassed about seeking professional help. We understand. Our office is a no-judgement zone and we welcome you!
We can’t do anything to change yesterday, but we can help you today and in the future to achieve a pain-free, healthy mouth, and a beautiful smile. We applaud you for taking a step toward reclaiming a strong and healthy smile!
We’re sometimes asked if Dr. Jarvis ‘pulls’ teeth. We are all about helping you keep your teeth, but sometimes removing an infected or broken tooth is the best choice. After a thorough exam, Dr. Jarvis will help you understand your options. If an extraction is recommended, he will gently extract your tooth and talk to you about your tooth-replacement options.
A complete smile is an essential element of long-term health. Missing teeth negatively impacts your smile’s appearance and can decrease quality of life. Dr. Jarvis can design and fit you with a natural-looking and secure denture!
We can design full-dentures, partial dentures, and implant-retained dentures.
If you’ve ever worried about awkward social situations with your dentures, implant-retained dentures are a great option! Implant dentures are secure and can easily be removed for daily cleaning.
There are several effective options for patients who are struggling with the loss of one or more natural teeth. Implants are a great option because they recreate both the root and crown of your natural tooth.
Implants are virtually seamless in feel, function, and appearance when compared to your natural teeth. They can also be used to anchor dentures and bridges in place for a healthier and more confident fit.
Family Dentistry
Great Northern Dental Care would love to be your family’s dental home. Our goal is to help your whole family feel confident in their smile. We’ll walk beside you and teach you the tips and tricks to getting and staying healthy.
Dr. Jarvis believes strongly in choice. Even young kids get to choose if they’re comfortable receiving dental treatment. By giving patients control of their personal space, Dr. Jarvis is able to build trust with both kids and adults.
Good habits make such a difference and will save a family thousands of dollars! Habits like brushing, flossing, and reducing sugar exposures seem so simple, but these habits make ALL the difference! Sugar is the trickiest habit to watch, because it’s in so much of what we eat and drink. It’s okay to have a sweet treat, but when that sweet treat is consumed over several hours, the teeth are constantly coated in sugar. This constant exposure is the main reason cavities begin to form. Sugar also “fuels the fire” on existing decay. Hydrating with water and drinking water after sugary treats can really help.
Even the best brushers and flossers still build a little plaque. That’s why Dr. Jarvis encourages patients of all ages to visit us at least once every six months. Depending on individual dental needs and health history, you may need to visit Great Northern Dental Care more often. We look forward to walking beside you and coming up with a doable plan for you and your family.
If you don't have dental insurance, Great Northern Dental Care has excellent news!
We have created our Great Northern Smile Club specifically to help our uninsured patients. For a low monthly subscription fee, Great Northern Dental Care will provide you and/or your family with preventative care and 10% off most restorative services.