Most people want a white, gorgeous smile. In order to obtain one, many people in the Treasure Valley choose to have a professional Boise teeth whitening treatment. In-office teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry treatment that provides a wide variety of benefits. At Summit Dental Group, we are proud to help our patients achieve a white, bright smile. That’s why we’d like to provide you with the following benefits of an in-office teeth whitening treatment.
Individualized Care
When it comes to optimal dental care, the needs of our patients are quite diverse. At Summit Dental Group, we utilize our education and knowledge to examine your teeth to establish the cause of any discoloration. We will also take the time to review any previous or future dentistry treatments or restorations that might impact your whitening outcome. This will allow us to create any dental crowns or veneers that need to blend with the coloration of your recently whitened teeth.
Based on your individual evaluation, the dentists at Summit Dental will design a personalized whitening treatment that is appropriate for you. We will also let you know how many treatments you may need to achieve your outcome goals.
No Tooth Sensitivity
Those that choose to whiten their teeth using over-the-counter products might suffer from tooth pain or sensitivity. This is due to a high exposure of hydrogen peroxide that can permeate the exterior enamel of teeth while aggravating surrounding gum tissue. The dentists at Summit Dental Group will take careful steps to prevent these issues during a Boise teeth whitening treatment by ensuring the lips and gums are covered to prevent any pain, sensitivity, or irritation.
Long-Lasting Results
The results of a Boise teeth whitening treatment last much longer than compared to over-the-counter products. Depending on your individual treatment, you can expect to maintain optimal results for 2-3 years with regular dental care. Furthermore, those who avoid the common causes of tooth discoloration like smoking or drinking coffee will experience longer-lasting results.
Higher Self-Esteem
Whiter teeth not only provide you with an appealing smile, but it can also boost your self-esteem as well. In fact, most people experience increased self-confidence after a Boise teeth whitening treatment, which helps them to open up and function more confidently. The best part? Whiter teeth can take years off your appearance, making you look younger.
Summit Dental Group
The awesome results generated by a Boise teeth whitening treatment will help you look and feel your very best. At Summit Dental, our dentists are ready and more than happy to help you develop a truly stunning smile. Contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 for an appointment today.
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Thousands of Treasure Valley residents have one or missing teeth. While common, missing teeth can seriously impact an individual’s overall health aside from the visual appeal of their smile. That’s why the Boise dentists at Summit Dental Group are proud to offer the best tooth restoration treatments to help patients address their tooth loss and enjoy optimal wellness.
The Consequences Of Missing Teeth
Losing a tooth can impact a wide variety of factors regarding your mouth, overall health, and day-to-day functions. In fact, many patients deal with life-altering issues after losing a tooth. These include:
General Function
Missing teeth can affect your ability to speak and eat comfortably. A missing tooth can significantly interfere with the ability to eat your favorite foods and how you communicate with others.
Visual Appearance
Aside from an unwanted gap between teeth, a missing tooth can result in a deflated look in your facial features near your mouth and mandible. Teeth help to support your face, making it look fuller and normal in shape.
Tooth Position
Many people aren’t aware that their teeth actually depend on one another to retain their proper position in your mouth. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent and opposing teeth around it can shift into the empty space.
Jawbone Loss
Your jawbone requires stimulation from the roots of teeth to maintain optimal health. Missing teeth removes this stimulus, causing the jawbone to break down. Even worse, bone deterioration has its own range of consequences, which can make it more challenging to replace missing teeth with implants.
Quality Of Life
Missing teeth can affect the overall quality of your life. These factors range from decreased function to low self-esteem as teeth have a huge influence on your smile, lifestyle, and health.
Tooth Replacement Solutions
At Summit Dental, our Boise dentists often recommend dental implants as a better, less invasive, and long-lasting solution to missing teeth. We use the best materials and practices to restore the natural function and visual appeal of your smile.
Dental implants work as a total tooth replacement that is made up of three components: a post, abutment, and crown restoration. The dental implant post resembles a screw made of titanium that is anchored into the jawbone like the natural root of a tooth. An abutment is then attached to the post, and the crown restoration is attached to the abutment.
Dental implants not only restore the beauty of your smile, but they also prevent your teeth from shifting, while conserving your jawbone, and help you to eat and speak without any issues.
Summit Dental Group
If you have missing teeth, you owe it to yourself to learn more about dental implants. Contact the Boise dentists at Summit Dental Group today by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 to schedule an appointment. We would be more than happy to provide you with further information and answer any questions you may have.
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We’ve all been there. At the most inopportune time, someone tells us we have bad breath. While embarrassing, bad breath doesn’t need to haunt your memories. In fact, it’s completely treatable in almost all cases.
Causes of Bad Breath
In order to keep bad breath from happening, it’s important to understand what causes it and how to treat it with the help of your Boise dentist.
Poor Boise Dental Health
Brushing and flossing on a daily basis is an essential way to remove food particles leftover from eating. Leftover food particles not only cause bad breath but other issues like gingivitis and cavities as well. It’s also important to visit your downtown Boise dentist for regular cleanings to remove any plaque or tartar buildup for a minty fresh, clean mouth.
Food Choices
Delicious foods with strong odors like garlic and onions are often the cause of bad breath. By allowing leftover food particles such as these to remain in your mouth, they will start decompose, emitting an unpleasant odor. In order to indulge in your favorite foods while preventing bad breath from happening, it’s important to brush and floss your teeth immediately after eating. Another suggestion? Avoid certain foods with strong odors when you have a planned social engagement like a date, etc.
Dehydration
Another common cause of bad breath is dehydration. Without proper hydration, your mouth cannot produce enough saliva to neutralize acids and rinse the mouth. While there are some medications and diseases that can cause chronic dry mouth, it may be helpful to chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production and drink plenty of water.
Treating Bad Breath
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss after eating and before bed
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Use mouthwash
- Clean your tongue
- Drink plenty of water
Professional Help
If at-home treatments fail to eliminate your bad breath, an underlying issue like an infection or something more serious may be the cause. In that case, it’s important to visit your downtown Boise dentist. At Summit Dental Group, we can help you determine the cause of your bad breath and treat it if necessary. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us at (208) 345-8962.
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Summit Dental Group is known around the Treasure Valley area for our outstanding array of treatment options, state-of-the-art equipment, comfortable facility, and our skilled Boise dentists. While all four of our doctors may come from different dental backgrounds, they all share in common comprehensive training and education, extensive experience, and a passion for working with their patients to maintain optimal dental health.
In 1981, at the age of 8, Carson became a patient of Dr. Pierce. Skip played a big part in Carson’s early interest in the field of dentistry. As a high school student, Skip invited Carson to observe the practice, and Carson quickly knew what his path would be. In 1991, Carson graduated from Boise High School, then went to Pepperdine University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. In 2001, Carson earned his Doctorate of Dental Science from Creighton University and was privileged to return to Boise to practice with his longtime friend and mentor, Dr. Pierce. Carson practiced for 5 years as an associate for Skip and became a partner in Summit Dental Group in 2006. Dr. Mooney is a former President of the Southwest Idaho Dental Society and a current member of the American Dental Association and the Idaho State Dental Association. Married to his wife Cori for 10 years, they have a 3-year-old daughter, Maci, and two Weimeraner dogs. As an Idaho native, Carson enjoys much of the recreation this community offers. He has been competitive in both golf and skiing, and also enjoys mountain biking, road cycling, and hiking the foothills with his wife, daughter, and dogs.
Rob was born in Moscow, Idaho and his family moved to Twin Falls when he was young. He graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1993. After high school, he attended the College of Idaho and graduated in 1998 with honors and a degree in Biology. During college, Rob worked as a river guide on the Colorado River and has whitewater kayaked throughout the U.S., Central America, and Greenland.
Dr. Studebaker attended Creighton University for dental school and graduated Cum Laude in 2005. While in dental school he received his class award for pediatrics and endodontics. After dental school, Rob returned to Idaho and completed a one-year residency program in advanced general dentistry with Idaho State University. He has served as president of the Southwest Idaho Dental Society and is a member of the Idaho State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Rob has been with Summit Dental since 2006.
Rob is married to Barb (Brazier), a Boise native, and they have two sons, Alex (11) and Will (7). Their family has two dogs who love to bird hunt with Dr. Studebaker and his boys. Rob loves being outdoors hiking, fishing, snowboarding, rafting, and kayaking. He also spends time helping coach his boys in their various activities.
Dr. Ritchie has been a patient of Dr. Pierce since he was very young. He was raised in Boise and graduated from Centennial High School in 1998. Lance graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Linfield College in 2002, and a Doctorate of Dental Science from Creighton University in 2007. He also completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Idaho State University, where he received additional training in the placement of dental implants and complex case management. Dr. Ritchie is a member of the American Dental Association, the Idaho State Dental Association, and a participating member in the Boise Spear Study Club. Dr. Ritchie also has Spanish speaking ability. Lance has enjoyed a return to the Boise community to live, practice dentistry, and enjoy the abundance of outdoor recreation here in Idaho. Outside of the office, Dr. Ritchie enjoys whitewater rafting, mountain biking, skiing, and traveling.
Dr. Richardson has been a patient of Summit Dental Group since he was in grade school. Skip Pierce was a big influence in Zach’s life and his decision to choose dentistry as a career. Zach was born and raised in Boise and graduated from Capital High School in 2004. He went onto earn a Bachelor of Science at Carroll College in Helena, MT while competing on the collegiate football team. Zach then went onto graduate at the top of his class with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Currently, he is an active member in the American Dental Association and Idaho State Dental Association, and enjoys staying up-to-date in all the latest trends and dentistry techniques by attending various continuing dental education courses each year.
Zack has been married for six years to his high school sweetheart, Hannah, and together they have an 18-month old son named Maddox. Zach enjoys everything the Idaho outdoors has to offer, spending most of his free time golfing, camping, mountain biking, boating, and skiing. A fun fact about Zach is that, outside of dentistry, he has taken a couple of local improv comedy courses since he enjoys bringing a smile and lots of laughs to the people around him.
“I look forward to getting to know each and every one of my patients. I truly believe the best part of dentistry is getting to walk through each stage of life with all the families and patients I see.”
Visit Our Boise Dentists!
At Summit Dental Group, our mission is to provide you with the best family dentistry in the Treasure Valley – always tailored to your unique, individual needs. With us, your smile is incredibly important, and we want you to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Our talented Boise dentists are honored to work with so many different people in our caring community. To learn more about our dentists or to schedule an appointment, contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 today.
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A broken tooth, sore gums, tooth sensitivity, or other types of pain and discomfort are all things nobody likes to deal with. Even worse, many people put off visiting their Boise dentist because they think they can tough it out. Waiting, however, often makes these problems worse, costing you more time, money, and stress in the process.
That’s why Summit Dental Group would like to provide you with some common dental complaints and why it’s important to address them.
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Dental Complaint
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Common Treatments |
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Pain & Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
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Dental Filling
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Pain & Swelling
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Root Canal (or) Extraction
& Antibiotics
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Broken Tooth
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Veneer, Crown, Root Canal, Extraction, Dental Implant
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| Missing Tooth |
Crown & Bridges & Dental Implant
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When issues like these are left ignored and untreated, they can lead to worse problems, which can then lead to more painful, expensive procedures. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your Boise dentist evaluate your teeth and gums. Compared to chronic, long-lasting problems, a simple trip to your dentist can save you time, money, discomfort, cavities, gingivitis, and more.
A loose tooth is another issue that’s important to address. Loose teeth are often caused by gingivitis that has eaten away at the underlying bone. Furthermore, the surrounding gum tissue can easily trap additional bacteria, further encouraging infection. Without adequate treatment, this cycle will continue to repeat, further putting your teeth and gums at risk of deterioration and discomfort.
While it’s important to brush and floss your teeth at home and maintain regular checkups and cleanings, some problems are unavoidable. Only a dentist will be able to diagnose any serious issues and alleviate them while preventing future problems down the road. If you have any symptoms that are bothering you, seek an evaluation as soon as possible to get peace of mind, pain relief and a better quality of life knowing that you are doing what is best for your long-term dental health.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Boise dentist at Summit Dental, contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 today.
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It’s an unfortunate fact that many people don’t think baby teeth are as important as permanent teeth. However, baby teeth are vital when it comes to the overall health of your child. Not only are they necessary for speaking and eating, but they are also essential for speech development. Even more, they make room for your child’s permanent teeth to come in as they get older. Working with your dentist at Summit Dental Group to take care of your child’s teeth will form healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
Boise Dental Tips
There are a wide variety of Boise dental tips to make sure your child’s teeth are healthy. These include:
- Visit Your Boise Dentist Regularly: Once your child’s first tooth comes in, it’s important to make an appointment. At Summit Dental, we can provide you with guidance on how to care for your child’s teeth and educate you on what to expect while keeping an eye on any potential concerns you may have.
- Watch Your Child’s Diet: It’s important to be mindful of sugary foods and drinks that can harm your child’s teeth. Most juice and soda’s are high in sugar and acid, which can increase the risk of cavities. You should also monitor what your child eats as many foods contain high levels of sugar, which can further damage your child’s teeth. While you don’t have to limit these foods and drinks altogether, they should not be consumed in excess.
- Practice Good Brushing Habits: Practicing good brushing habits every morning and night will prevent cavities in their tracks. For children under three, you can use a grain of rice-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. After that, you can use a pea-sized amount as long as your child knows how to spit it out. For babies, you can wipe their gums with a wet washcloth to keep their mouth clean and healthy after eating and drinking. You also don’t want to put your baby to bed with a bottle as the contents can pool in their mouth, causing damage to their teeth and gums.
- Help Them Floss Between Teeth: Practicing good flossing habits at a young age, will remove leftover food debris from between teeth and protect your child’s gums. Helping your child learn to floss with also stop cavities from forming in less noticeable areas. Take the time to teach and assist your child until they are able to floss by themselves effectively.
If you have additional questions or concerns when it comes to your child’s teeth, contact the Boise dentists at Summit Dental Group today.
Schedule An Appointment Today
Summit Dental Group looks forward to taking care of your entire family’s teeth. Our Boise dentists are more than happy to help you care for your child’s teeth as they continue to grow into adults. Now is the time to schedule an appointment with us, so we can help your child form healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 today.
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If you’ve been suffering from tooth pain because you’re afraid of getting a root canal, it’s time you know a couple of things. Why? There is a common misconception of a root canal being extremely painful. However, nothing could be further than the truth. In fact, a root canal can not only relieve your pain, but it can save a badly damaged tooth from being removed.
Furthermore, when a root canal is performed by a Boise dentist at Summit Dental, the process is no more painful than having a cavity filled. That’s why we’d like to provide you with the following important dental facts about root canals and how they are used to save badly infected teeth.
Boise Dentist Facts
Pain Is Often Due To Infection
It’s important to realize that people associate pain to root canals due to an infection rather than the procedure itself. Simply put, when an infection spreads to the inner part of a tooth, this affects all the soft tissues and nerves below a tooth’s hard surface.
In turn, an infection then causes unpleasant symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal. These include tooth sensitivity and pain. When you come into Summit Dental for a root canal procedure, your Boise dentist will clear your tooth of any infection that is causing the pain.
A Root Canal Can Save A Tooth
Rather than just extracting a bad tooth, it’s always best to save it if possible. If you do end up losing a tooth, you will then have to replace it with a dental bridge or implant, which can actually end up costing you a lot more. If you don’t have a missing tooth replaced, this could further complicate your natural chewing and oral functions.
A root canal can not only save your tooth but money and hassle as well when it comes to replacing a missing tooth. Below are a few ways a root canal can save an infected tooth:
- When you choose Summit Dental for a root canal procedure, the first thing we’ll do is make you comfortable by thoroughly numbing the affected area.
- Next, we’ll carefully remove any infected tissues from inside your tooth.
- Last, we will fill the inside of your tooth with dental material that will help prevent future infection. We will also place a filling or dental crown over the tooth to restore its health, function, and appearance.
Comfortable Root Canal Technology
At Summit Dental Group, we are proud to offer the latest dental technology to make planning and performing your root canal as comfortable as possible. Treatment always starts with thorough planning using digital X-rays to create detailed images of your infected tooth. When it comes to the actual root canal procedure, we use specialized equipment that allows treatment to be gentle and precise.
Summit Dental Group
At Summit Dental Group, we hope you feel a little better about root canals after reading this. If you think you might need one, there’s absolutely nothing to be worried about. With us, you can feel good knowing you’ve chosen the highest-quality dentists in the Treasure Valley who have your best interest at heart.
Contact us today by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 to talk with our caring staff.
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Brushing your teeth at least twice a day goes a long way to protecting your teeth. The brushing process not only removes debris from the surface but works to keep your teeth white. Even more, the act of flossing goes the extra mile to remove unwanted plaque and leftover food particles from between your teeth. These healthy habits are vital to your smile, but they are only half of the puzzle. The other half involves visiting your dentist twice a year. From catching problems early to detecting oral cancer, below are a few reasons why a Boise teeth cleaning is absolutely necessary.
Catch Problems Early
Both your dentist and dental hygienist are extremely experienced when it comes to spotting all sorts of common oral health issues. For example, they can spot gingivitis – an early form of gum disease – that can be treated during a dental cleaning. However, if it’s not caught early, it can get worse over time and turn into periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss and require more invasive treatments. Regular Bosie teeth cleanings from your dentist can help prevent the need for surgery or extraction down the road.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Cancer is a scary thing to think about. However, oral cancer screening is an important part of a dental exam. At Summit Dental Group, our team will look for signs of oral cancer during your teeth cleaning checkup, because the survival rate is much higher if the disease is caught early. That’s why you should always schedule your biannual appointments to ensure you can seek treatment early if necessary.
Tartar Removal
Sugar and acid feed unwanted bacteria that cause plaque. While brushing and flossing can help to remove plaque, it can’t be removed this way if it’s hardened into tartar. At Summit Dental Group, we have tools that are specifically designed to remove tartar from the hardest-to-reach parts of your mouth. When you leave our office, you’ll feel the difference that a professional Boise teeth cleaning can make.
Individual Treatment Plans
At Summit Dental Group, our dentists see a lot of details that can foretell the health of your mouth. If you have any abnormalities, inflamed gums, or sensitive/painful teeth, we can help diagnose and successfully treat any of these issues. Furthermore, we will let you know the status of your oral health and provide you with the best treatment options needed.
Understand Your Options
Want more information and answers to your questions? A Boise teeth cleaning is an excellent time to talk to your dentist. Feel free to ask us anything about new treatments, cosmetic procedures, or health-related issues that may be bothering you.
Summit Dental Group
Oral health care at home is an essential part of a healthy smile. However, so is your biannual teeth cleaning and checkups at our office in Boise, Idaho. Don’t let things like cavities or gum disease get worse. Our experienced staff at Summit Dental Group can help you maintain excellent oral health and achieve the smile of your dreams.
Contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 today!
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As 2019 comes to a close, now is a great time to start setting goals for the new year to come. These can include a new job, losing weight, stopping smoking, and more. As we celebrate the coming of 2020, many of us take this opportunity to make a wide variety of resolutions. Some people even resolve to fix a smile they may be hiding. At Summit Dental Group, our Boise Dentists can help you fulfill this resolution to get the smile of your dreams so you can stop hiding your teeth.
Boise Cosmetic Dentistry
Time and every day habits can take a toll on your smile. However, this is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, we all face problems like genetics, accidents, and aging that can result in a less than ideal smile. Don’t worry. A lot of these oral health and cosmetic problems can be easily fixed with our Boise cosmetic dentistry options.
Our Best Smile Restorations:
- Teeth Cleaning
- Teeth Whitening
- Invisalign Aligners
- Dental Implants
- Porcelain Veneers
- Crowns & Bridges
At Summit Dental Group, we offer a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry options to restore your smile. Whether you need a simple teeth cleaning or veneers to enhance the aesthetics of your teeth, or a total best smile restoration, our Boise dentists are here to help.
Your Trusted Boise Dentists
With the new year upon us, there’s no better time to start it off right with a fresh, new smile. If you are ready to reveal a better you in 2020, give the Boise dentists at Summit Dental Group a call today. We will take the time to discuss your smile goals and work together to determine the best smile restoration options for you. Don’t wait any longer. A new smile and a new you are closer than you think.
Contact us by filling out our online form or give us a call at (208) 345-8962 to schedule an appointment.
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With Christmas just a few days away, this week is all about catching up with family members and celebrating all that is good in your life. Not to mention eating all those delicious foods! However, the holiday season is no time to slack when it comes to your oral health care. That’s why Summit Dental Group would like to provide you with the following Boise dentist tips to keep your mouth happy and healthy during the celebrations.
Shorten Your Meal Time
The length of a typical Christmas dinner can be one of the most damaging aspects of your oral health. While it’s important to enjoy the company of your family and friends throughout the day, it’s also important to keep in mind that exposing your teeth to continuing foods can make it easier for cavity-causing bacteria to accumulate inside your mouth. Instead of passing the time by constantly eating, focus on sharing stories, watching movies, or playing games.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking water while enjoying rich, sweet foods helps to wash away debris and prevent plaque formation. Lightly rinsing your mouth with water between bites helps to improve saliva flow that helps to fight off cavities. Water is also an excellent replacement for more damaging drink options like soda or juice.
Brush & Floss Your Teeth
Take about thirty minutes after you’ve finished eating to brush and floss your teeth. You can also chew sugar-free gum after a meal, which can help wipe away leftover food particles from your teeth, improve your saliva flow, and assist with digestion.
Avoid Sticky Sweets
Side dishes like cranberry sauce not only stick to your teeth for hours they are also acidic, creating the ideal environment for bacteria to eat at your teeth and gums. Other sticky sweets are things like pecan pie and Christmas candies. If you do indulge, it’s important to make sure you rinse your mouth with water to help wash away the sticky remains.
Schedule A Boise Dentist Appointment
While we all grieve the holiday weight gain, the desserts and long meals associated with Christmas are also tough on your teeth. A post-holiday teeth cleaning can help scrub your teeth and prevent any issues before they become problematic. Keep in mind that your Boise dentist can also perform a variety of best smile restoration options, including a teeth whitening treatment to provide you with a brighter smile for upcoming photos and celebrations.
To schedule an appointment, contact Summit Dental at (208) 345-8962. Happy Holidays!
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