General Dentistry

At Cape Lookout Dental, we’re on a mission to redefine dentistry by creating an office where patients enjoy coming to the dentist. That way, the people of Morehead City, NC can enjoy healthier, happier smiles for years to come!

General dentistry encompasses a variety of services and procedures designed to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Through our treatment options, you and your family can prevent the onset or progression of conditions that threaten the integrity of your smile. We invite you to call and schedule an appointment today!

Cleanings & Exams

We recommend that you visit us for a cleaning and examination at least every six months. During this appointment, we will brush, floss, and polish all of your teeth. We will also use our special tools to remove plaque and tartar accumulation from hard-to-reach spaces, such as behind and between the teeth.

Once this is complete, we will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. If we recognize any problem areas, we will notify you and ensure you are scheduled for the proper treatment. On the basis of these observations, we will also provide feedback for improving oral hygiene in the future.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are performed as a part of every exam and cleaning in order to recognize early signs and symptoms of this dangerous condition. Our team will ask you about any unusual pain, discoloration, or lumps you have noticed, and look for the following indicators:

• Red or white patches on the gum tissue
• Ulcers on the lips or gums that don’t heal in three weeks
• Tender lumps on the neck or throat
• Swelling & pain in the facial region

CEREC Same-Day Crowns

Dental crowns are restorative options used to protect a natural tooth that’s been damaged by severe decay or injury. The crown is designed to be cemented into place, fully encapsulating the tooth and guarding it against further damage. 

Typically, the process would involve you being fitted with a temporary crown for several days or weeks until your final crown is made and delivered. Temporary crowns usually don’t fit properly and are uncomfortable, making the waiting period seem to drag on; wouldn’t you like to skip this step?

With our CEREC machine, a crown that perfectly fits your smile can be made in a one day office visit! Once we have your natural tooth treated and prepared, it’s as easy as:

• Taking a digital impression
• Designing the new crown on a computer
• Forwarding the design to the machine
• Waiting 20 minutes for the composite to be sculpted

Within one hour, all of these steps can be completed and your new crown will be secured in place!

Bridges

Dental bridges are prosthetic devices designed to span the gap of one or more missing teeth in a sequence. Bridges are made from three or more dental crowns that have been fused together to fill the designated empty space. The appliance is held in place by two of your natural teeth on either side of the gap.

• We will begin by reshaping the teeth on either side of the gap (this makes them small enough for the crowns to fit).
• We will develop your bridge by creating the number of crowns necessary for the procedure and fusing them together.
• Once we determine that the appliance fits properly, the bridge will be cemented into place, relying on the health of your natural teeth for stability and support.

Dentures

Dentures are another option for replacing missing teeth. Formulated from resin-based artificial teeth and a polymer, gum-colored foundation, this prosthetic is able to restore appearance and function to your smile. Unlike bridges, dentures are a removable option that is able to fill an entire tooth arch if needed.

• Complete dentures are built to fill an entire upper or lower arch with artificial teeth. This appliance is typically held in place by either dental-safe adhesive or suction.
• Partial dentures can replace one or more missing teeth and are usually clipped into position by snapping onto neighboring healthy teeth.

It’s important that both of these appliances are removed every night and cleaned with special toothpaste designed for dentures. You must also clean your gums and remaining teeth to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, or fungal formation due to wearing unhygienic, poorly maintained dentures.

Extractions

While removal of a natural tooth can feel like a scary process, we can assure you that it’s only performed for the benefit of your health. We will only choose to extract a tooth if we have exercised all other options or determined that tooth removal is the best course of action for your situation. We may choose to remove a tooth that is:

• Severely decayed
• Broken beyond repair
• Impacted
• A wisdom tooth

Your tooth may be removed by being rocked back and forth until becoming loose, or if it’s below the gum line, this will require surgery. Regardless of the method of extraction, our focus will be to make you feel comfortable throughout the procedure and ensure you don’t feel any pain.

Fillings

Fillings are used to restore the strength, health, and appearance of a mildly damaged or decayed tooth. Using tooth-colored composite material, we are able to resculpt the tooth and make sure the work is undetectable.

• If necessary, we will begin by removing decay from the tooth.
• The composite material will be applied to the area and smoothed out to remove any lumps or dips on the surface.
• An LED blue light will be used to cure the composite and set it in place.
• We will polish and sculpt the hardened material until it blends seamlessly with the rest of the tooth.  

Sealants

Sealants are applied to the surfaces of your molars to prevent food debris and acid from sugary beverages from causing decay. While this service is most often offered to children, we may also recommend it to adults with deep pits and fissures on the surfaces of their back teeth. 

• To begin, sealant material is painted onto the back surfaces of the molars, paying special attention to the tiny crevices.
• Once the material is positioned properly we will use an LED light to set the sealant.

Kept well maintained by strict oral hygiene, sealants can last up to 10 years and be reapplied if desired.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Sleep apnea could be the cause!

Sleep apnea is a condition that interferes with your ability to continue rhythmic breathing once you fall asleep. This is most often caused by soft tissues in the throat and mouth obstructing the airway.

Cape Lookout Dental utilizes a special oral appliance to prevent airway obstruction. The device is designed to reposition the lower jaw and bring it forward. This creates more space in the mouth, allowing more oxygen to reach the lungs.

Emergency Dentistry

Experiencing a dental emergency? Call our team as soon as possible! 

In the event of an emergency, we understand the pressure and panic that can accompany it, and we want to be your first choice when it comes to receiving treatment. When you call us, you will be connected to caring, compassionate team members that can provide further instruction and ensure you receive the care you need.