General Dentistry
Helping our patients maintain a healthy mouth and smile is the main goal of general dentistry. We prefer to provide more minor, preventive care than to see patients suffer with more intensive treatments from a problem that was not managed in time. We want to ensure that your oral health is in its optimal state and positively contributing to the health of your entire body. We are here to brighten your smile and pave the way for a brighter life.
Preventative Dentistry
Your oral health and your overall health affect each other in ways than you might not expect. Healthy teeth and gums reduce your risk of heart disease, respiratory issues, and other complications. Dr. Timothy Messer of Southwind Dental Care uses advanced general dentistry techniques to help his Memphis patients achieve excellent oral health, which in turn benefits overall health. Dr. Messer is an expert in general dentistry, and can help you to achieve and maintain a healthy state-of-mouth. Contact us today to learn how our services can benefit you and your family.
Helping our Patients with Routine Care
Daily brushing and flossing are extremely important to your oral health. We believe our job is to help our patients maintain a healthy mouth and smile. It is equally important to undergo regular checkups by a dental professional to detect any possible complications in their very earliest stages.
Visiting our office twice a year will give Dr. Messer a chance to assess the condition of your oral health, and to provide a deep cleaning to remove the plaque and bacteria that can develop in hard-to-reach places. These appointments also allow us to take X-rays and perform a variety of tests to make sure your tooth roots, gums, and teeth are all as healthy as possible.
Athletic Mouth Guards
Many of Dr. Messer's younger patients are active in sports, and athletic mouth guards help keep their teeth and gums safe. Fast-paced and contact sports involve the risk of dental trauma, and a mouth guard can protect against such injuries.
Rehabilitation & Maintenance
Many of our patients come to us after years of neglecting their oral health. Once we have restored the structure and function of their smiles, it is important that we establish a maintenance plan to keep a rehabilitated smile clean, healthy, and beautiful for years to come. Our patients quickly become a part of our Southwind Dental Care family, and we strive to provide premium oral health care for a lifetime. Because of the direct connection between oral health and overall health, maintaining health of your teeth and gums after a restorative treatment such as dental crowns or dental implants is essential.
Cleanings And Exams
Having a dental practice perform a checkup and regular cleaning gives a preventive approach to dental care. These general dentistry treatments help prevent problems with your teeth, gums and jaw bones, or they catch and manage problems before they worsen. During your visit, our doctors will take a picture of the current standing of your dental health and what would be needed to keep your oral hygiene in its best state.
Teeth Whitening with Opalescence®
Opalescence teeth whitening is a professional teeth whitening treatment that is designed to remove stubborn stains and discoloration from the teeth. It uses a specially formulated gel that contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which helps to break down the stains and whiten the teeth. Opalescence teeth whitening is a safe and effective treatment that can be done in the office or at home with the guidance of a dental professional. The treatment is quick and painless, and patients can see noticeable results after just one treatment. Opalescence teeth whitening is a great option for anyone who wants to improve the appearance of their smile and boost their confidence.
Fillings
Composite fillings act as a dentistry solution for problems such as tooth decay or cracks. A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. This procedure is also utilized for cosmetic improvements of the smile by fixing any discoloration or reshaping any disfigured teeth.
Root Canals
Root canals are needed when decay and bacteria spread for too long without treatment. At a certain point, this decay makes it to the pulp inside the tooth. This pulp includes nerves, therefore infection generally causes a lot of pain. Since this is happening on the inside of the tooth, you won’t necessarily see the damage. Instead, you could feel it through pain and notice other signs that include bleeding, swelling and bad breath.
Emergency Care
Are you in pain? Have you broken a tooth? Dr. Messer and the Southwind Dental Care staff are here for you and have experience handling a variety of oral injuries and ailments, and we provide the care you need immediately. Don’t delay getting relief from the pain and fix the dental issue. Putting off emergency care could result in additional damage to your mouth and your health. Contact us as soon as possible, and we’ll get you in our office promptly.
There are many reasons that you may seek emergency care. You could have a sudden toothache, or break a tooth. Whether you've lost a crown or are needing treatment for pain, Dr. Timothy Messer provides prompt care with many dental services.
There are two common causes of infection: cavities and fractured/broken teeth. Both expose the pulp area to bacteria that live in saliva. These bacteria can cause an infection that can kill the pulp.
Do I really need treatment?
Without treatment, pus from the infected tooth can spread to the root tip and eventually pass to the jaw bone. This can cause an abscess (pus pocket) that can damage the bone that surrounds the tooth. The pressure this causes can cause excruciating pain and, left untreated, can be life-threatening. An infected tooth can not heal on its own and will only get worse.
Are you experiencing discomfort or have a severe toothache? Dr. Messer can help! Southwind Dental Care offers root canal therapy in Memphis, Tennessee, to help heal damaged or infected root tissue. Call our dental office today at 901-751-1260 and schedule a visit to find the relief you need.
Do I need an extraction?
It may be determined that you need an extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are severely decayed; others may have advanced periodontal disease, or may have broken in a way that cannot be repaired. Other teeth may need removal because that are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth).
The removal of single tooth can lead to problems related to your chewing ability, jaw joint, and shifting teeth, which can have a significant impact on your dental health.
To voice these issues, in most cases, Dr. Messer will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.
Mouth Guards
It can be beneficial to use a guard, or covering, to protect your teeth from grinding while sleeping. Similar to how a mouthguard protects teeth during sports, this layer prevents damage to the teeth that can occur naturally.
There are a wide variety of different types of mouthguards, ranging from pre-formed pieces to ones that are custom fitted to your teeth and jaws. Some of these can even be formed at home through a boil-and-bite process.