Services
General dentistry for every age
Preventive, family and restorative dental care for children and adults at our Swansea office, welcoming patients from across the Metro East. Not sure what you need? Call and we'll help you find the right visit.
Preventive care
Checkups that keep healthy teeth healthy
Regular checkups help spot problems early, when care is usually simpler. They're for children and adults, whether you're new to our office or have been coming for years.
What a checkup generally includes
- Your health history
- Your dentist asks about your health and any medicines, because both can affect your teeth and gums.
- An exam
- A careful look at your teeth, gums and mouth for early signs of problems such as decay, gum disease and oral cancer.
- A cleaning
- Removing the plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing at home can miss.
- X-rays, only when needed
- Not every visit calls for X-rays. Current American Dental Association guidance is to take them only when they will help with a diagnosis, based on your age, health and risk.
How often you need a checkup depends on you. Some people visit once or twice a year; others benefit from more frequent visits. Dr. Hines will recommend a schedule that fits your needs.
Children & families
One office for the whole family
Dr. Hines is a general dentist who sees children and adults, so parents and kids can visit the same office in Swansea.
Questions parents often ask
- When should my child first see a dentist?
- The American Dental Association recommends a first visit within six months after the first tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday.
- What are sealants?
- Thin protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where most cavities in children begin. Permanent molars usually come in around ages 6 and 12, and sealing them soon after can help prevent decay.
- Does fluoride help?
- Yes. Fluoride helps repair the early damage that leads to cavities. Along with fluoride toothpaste, dentists sometimes apply a fluoride treatment during a visit.
- How can I make the visit easier?
- Talk about the visit beforehand and keep it positive, write down your questions, and choose a time when your child is rested.
Restorative care
Repairing teeth that are decayed or damaged
When a tooth is decayed, cracked, broken or worn, restorative care aims to repair it and keep it working. The right approach depends on the tooth, so we'll explain your options at your visit.
Common ways teeth are restored
- Fillings
- After the decay is removed, the space is filled with a tooth-colored or silver-colored material. A very early cavity can sometimes be helped with fluoride instead.
- Crowns
- A cap that covers a tooth to restore its shape and strength, often for a tooth that is broken, weakened or has a very large filling.
- Root canal treatment
- Treats an infected or badly inflamed nerve inside a tooth, so the tooth can be saved rather than removed. It usually takes one or two visits, and the tooth is then restored with a filling or crown.
- Replacing missing teeth
- A gap can affect chewing and speech and let nearby teeth shift. Options include bridges, partial or full dentures, and implants, each suited to different situations.
These descriptions explain each treatment in general. To ask about a specific treatment, call (618) 622-9533.
Tooth pain or a broken tooth?
Call us during office hours. Tell us what's happening and our team will help you find the right next step.
Until you're seen
- Toothache: rinse with warm water and gently floss to remove any trapped food. Don't put aspirin on the tooth or gums.
- Chipped or broken tooth: rinse with warm water and hold a cold compress to your face to keep swelling down.
- Knocked-out adult tooth: keep it moist, ideally in milk, and get to a dentist right away.
In a medical emergency, such as swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Insurance
Insurance questions
If you have questions about your dental plan, call our office at (618) 622-9533 and we'll be glad to help.
Worth asking your plan
- What's covered
- Which checkups and treatments your plan covers, and how often. Some plans limit, for example, how many cleanings they cover each year.
- What you'll pay
- Your deductible, copays or coinsurance, and the plan's yearly maximum.
- Waiting periods
- Whether any treatment has a waiting period before coverage begins.
- Estimates
- Whether you can get an estimate of your share before treatment begins.
Not sure what you need?
Call and tell us what's going on. We'll help you find the right visit at our Swansea office.