General Dentistry

Keep Your Smile for Life!

Meet Landon and Lindsey

When your mother is a dental hygienist, receiving all that general dentistry has to offer is a lifestyle! From the eruption of their first tooth and continuing into adulthood, Landon and Lindsey were informed about the importance of taking good care of their teeth. Their general dental care included receiving regular cleanings at least twice a year, very thorough and regular dental exams, and fluoride treatments as kids. They routinely brush, floss, and maintain a healthy diet. Their back teeth received protective dental sealants whenever there was a pronounced groove to limit the opportunity for tooth decay to form. If any area of decay was noted, it was treated quickly and conservatively with bonded tooth-colored restorations.

Even though Landon and Lindsey’s teeth were healthy and their general dental care was optimum, they knew that even well cared for, healthy teeth can use some enhancing at times. The size, shape, and color of their teeth did not fit their expectations for their smiles.

Landon’s teeth were just too small for his smile and excessive fluoride ingested as the teeth were forming caused a condition known as enamel fluorosis. The teeth were mottled or blotchy in color with patches of white. Landon wanted better alignment of the teeth – with the size of the teeth slightly larger to eliminate the existing gaps between his teeth – and a more ideal, fuller smile.

Lindsey was unhappy with the color and shape of several of her front teeth. Her goals were for a brighter smile with more uniformly shaped teeth. Landon, Lindsey, and their parents were thrilled with the final result which included teeth whitening and conservative porcelain veneers.

Exams & Cleaning

It’s generally agreed upon that in order to maintain good dental hygiene you need a dentist who provides quality care while building your trust. The general dentistry office of Dr. Julie Gillis in Grand Junction, Colorado has the warm and welcoming environment you’re looking for. Our approach to relaxation will become obvious the moment you enter our front door and are enveloped in the warm, Greek Isles environment of the office.

The staff at Dr. Gillis’s office strongly believes in taking a preventive dentistry approach to your general dentist visits so teeth can last a lifetime. Our program of continuing care may be the most valuable service we offer our patients. More than just cleanings, these visits allow us to monitor your health and catch problems early, when they are easier to repair. Biannual cleanings are an important measure for a number of reasons. If you allow plaque and calculus to accumulate on teeth and gums, it can expose you to a number of dental problems. Bacteria along your gum line can create an acidic environment, which can lead to tooth decay, damage, and loss (not to mention gum disease). Seeing our office twice a year for your dental cleanings and exams can save your teeth for a lifetime.

Laser Cavitiy Detection

Cavities happen to everyone, so don’t feel awkward coming to us to get yours fixed. Even people that practice excellent oral hygiene can be susceptible to tooth decay, especially if they have a genetic predisposition. Sometimes cavities are hard to notice, which is why we check each of your teeth every time you arrive for an exam. Small cavities are hard to see on your own teeth and rarely cause any symptoms or pain. This is the best time to find and treat them!

We use a high-tech, painless option to spot cavities at their earliest stages. The laser cavity detection process is simple. We examine a healthy tooth recording the rate at which the light reflects. Then, we carefully record the rate of reflection on every tooth service to determine where patients are at greater risk for decay or already have cavities. In this way, we can help patients prevent cavities from forming and offer the most conservative treatments.

Our general dentistry office provides natural-colored fillings to save you from a mouth full of metal. Not only do natural-looking composite fillings save you from potential embarrassment stemming from a metallic grin, they’re also able to bond with your tooth more effectively. This means natural-colored fillings are less likely to leave spaces in which bacteria can form. Save your tooth from extensive damage today! Bonding using the same composite can also be performed on teeth that need cosmetic enhancement for chips, cracks, or permanent stains. Because these fillings bond to teeth, we can preserve more of your healthy tooth structure. There’s no need to make the cavity bigger, deeper, or undercut, as is usually required for silver amalgam fillings.

Taking care of your gums and the tissue surrounding your teeth helps maintain total oral wellness. Regular general dentistry visits and proper homecare ensure your gums remain strong and healthy. If you need periodontal treatment, our talented and dedicated team will help you restore and monitor the health of your gums and mouth.

We have Athletic Mouthguards, TMJ Appliances, and Snoring Equipment to Protect Your Bite!

The most common treatment for snoring and sleep apnea is a customized oral appliance similar to an athletic mouthguard or teeth whitening tray. This specially customized appliance moves the lower jaw into a forward position, which enlarges the airway and subsequently decreases vibration in soft tissue. The key to successful treatment with your sleep apnea equipment is custom fitting so it meets your unique needs and will maintain an open, unobstructed airway while you sleep.

TMJ Therapy

You may need to consider a night guard or other TMJ appliance if you have trouble with teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching, or suffer from symptoms of TMD – a chronic condition of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that causes mouth and jaw pain. Let your general dentistry team at Dr. Gillis’s office help you protect your teeth and alleviate discomfort with TMJ therapy.

Contact our office to schedule your appointment today. You’ll be treated kindly and with patience from our knowledgeable staff. Dr. Gillis and her staff provide dental care to patients from Grand Junction, Fruita, Clifton, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, and surrounding communities.