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Nakoma Dental | Dr. Don Tipple, D.D.S.

Services
Reasons to Smile

 
 

Preventative Dentistry

Offering the latest and best dental care for our patients, Nakoma Dental has provided personal, accurate care to thousands of families. Your comfort is our priority. We will provide positive memories of your dental experience for you and your children.

 
  • Dental Cleaning:[+]
    Your mouth constantly produces a sticky film called plaque that is loaded with bacteria. With time this film builds up then hardens into tartar (calculus). If not removed the buildup of plaque and tartar leads to unhealthy gums and tooth decay. Professional cleanings should be performed every 6 months by your hygienist. We combine both manual and electric-driven dental cleaning for the most modern dental cleaning possible.
  • Oral Cancer Screening:[+]
    Prevention is always better than treatment. Dr. Tipple has performed 1000's of exams in his 25+ year career both as a civilian and military dentist. You can be confident of a thorough dental exam.
  • Periodontal Therapy:[+]
    (Also known as nonsurgical gum treatment) The term "periodontal" refers to the bone and gums surrounding a tooth. When it is unhealthy the teeth may become loose, the gums puffy and red, and the breath persistently bad. It may be possible to restore it all to health, but the longer you wait the more difficult the task. Therapy usually includes a deep cleaning after receiving local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agent treatments. If you wait too long the tooth/teeth may need extraction.
  • Sealants:[+]
    Your posterior teeth have pits and grooves. Often they are so deep and narrow the bristles of the toothbrush are too wide to reach the bottom. Sealants are a safe protective "paint" which fill up these openings, preventing decay–causing germs from settling into them.
  • Snore/Sleep Apnea Prevention:[+]
    Snoring can be a real problem for some people, as well as those close to them. A snore guard is a simple device that places the jaw in a comfortable, forward position to promote an open airway and prevent snoring.
  • TMJ/TMD Headache Relief:[+]
    Headache pain can be a symptom of a misaligned bite (occlusion). A misaligned bite can place strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which in turn can result in temporomandibular joint dysfunction, better known as TMD. There are 10 muscles responsible for operating your jaw, and a misaligned bite can cause undue stress on any or all of them, resulting in pain. For years, physicians have been referring patients to Dr. Tipple for TMD therapy, a process that restores a healthy bite and relieves pain.
 

Cosmetic/Esthetic Dentistry

Your smile is the most beautiful thing in the world. It is what’s first noticed when you walk into a room. At Nakoma Dental, we bring out your best smile predictably, with precision.

 
  • Bonding:[+]
    Involves adhering tooth-colored plastic matched to the color of the remaining tooth. It can be to repair the tooth or simply to improve appearance. It is a fast, easy, painless and relatively inexpensive procedure having its origin in the 1950's.
  • Invisalign:[+]
    Dr. Tipple has been treating Invisalign patients for over 7 years. No metal is used to straighten the teeth.
  • Recontouring/Reshaping:[+]
    With time teeth become missahapen and irregular in appearance. Reshaping is an easy and inexpensive technique that often provides big results!
  • Root Canal Treatment:[+]
    When a dental nerve is diseased or dead it is usually painful and must be treated with a root canal. The nerve is removed and replaced with a dental filling material. The procedure is typically not painful, but some discomfort may be present during treatment and healing. Often the tooth requires a crown (cap) to protect the now greatly weakened tooth. The alternative to a root canal is extraction of the tooth.
  • "Smile Zone" Makeovers:[+]
    Be cautious when seeing a dentist who will be improving your entire smile. It can be very expensive but if correctly done should not require replacement in one's lifetime under normal circumstances.
  • Tooth Extractions:[+]
    Dentists always do their best to save a tooth, but there may be times when removal is recommended. Dr. Tipple has vast experience having done many extractions while serving Active Duty in the Air Force. The following are the most common reasons teeth need to be extracted:
    • Decay
    • Severe supporting bone loss (periodontal disease)
    • Trauma
    • Tooth impaction (almost always a wisdom tooth)
    • Abscess or infection
    • During orthodontic (braces) treatment
    • Severely out of position teeth
  • Veneers:[+]
    Essentially a tooth-colored partial cap bonded to the visible part of the tooth. The advantage is that less tooth enamel is removed compared to crowns and the procedure is more comfortable. They are less durable than crowns, however. Patients have to be more cautious when eating with veneers. They can be made with either porcelain or plastic.
  • Whitening:[+]
    A safe bleach chemical is applied in a controlled environment for one to several hours per day to change or brighten tooth color. It is a relatively inexpensive procedure with few side effects, such as occasional tooth sensitivity.
 

Dental Technologies

Dental services are treated with precision because we use the latest proven technologies. We'll help you bring out your best smile!

 
  • Electronic Claims:[+]
    The primary processing method for patient dental insurance. It is more efficient and effective, but most importantly it is eco-friendly.
  • Digital Photography:[+]
    Is a picture really worth a 1000 words? Yes! Patients can make better decisions about their care by viewing smile photos, as well as close-up detailed images of their teeth!
  • Digital X-Rays:[+]
    These appear as a black and white image which we use to look for unhealthy boney conditions, as well as to diagnose disease/other unhealthy conditions. Nakoma Dental, LLC transitioned to digital radiography in 2003. Lower radiation doses and a complete lack of film (produced from environmentally harmful chemicals) distinguishes this modern technique from the dental x-rays of the past.
  • Intraoral Cameras:[+]
    We use a small camera about the size of a pen to better see your teeth and gum condition. We can better see small disease areas, cracks, chips, and worn fillings with extreme precision. Working with the computer these images can be displayed on a TV screen so you will be given the option to see the areas being worked on. It's a great way to gain a better understanding of dental procedures being done, though only if you desire to do so!
  • Secure Electronic Records:[+]
    Each day all dental information is recorded with the aid of a computer. Computer sharing methods are accurate and precise, making it easy to read your dental chart and use up-to-date information. Digital charting standardizes the charting process so it is clear and easy to understand. When needed, this method also allows us to quickly and securely share information with your other health care providers. Finally, we no longer use paper dental records. More trees are saved!
 

Restorative Dentistry

Bring back that wonderful smile! Dr. Tipple will work with you to determine the best techniques and materials for your situation.

 
  • Bridge:[+]
    A dental restoration that replaces missing teeth. It permanently attaches to teeth adjacent to the missing tooth spaces. It can be metal or porcelain, or a combination of the two.
  • Crown:[+]
    A crown (also known as a cap) is used when a large portion of the enamel covering of the tooth is missing or has been destroyed by decay. It fits onto the prepared (trimmed) tooth much like a hat fits your head.
  • Dentures:[+]
    Are removable appliances that replace natural teeth and surrounding gum tissue. They can resemble your teeth or even improve on them. They are cleaned outside the mouth. It is important to keep in mind that the constantly changing soft and hard oral tissues between the denture and the underlying mouth tissue should have continual observation. They should be refitted every few years by relining.
  • Implants:[+]
    Since the origins of dentistry, dentists have tried to place teeth into bone. Titanium metal screws were developed in the 1960's and are now an accepted safe alternative actually replacing a bridge as the standard-of-care! There is usually a waiting period of 3 months after placement before restoration can begin. Dr. Tipple has been restoring implants for 16 years.
  • Materials - Gold:[+]
    For over 100 years, cast gold fillings, custom-made in a dental laboratory, have been regarded by many dentists to be the best, longest–lasting method to repair teeth. In addition, they are well tolerated by the gums and the opposing natural tooth enamel. They generally command the highest fee.
  • Materials - Amalgam (Silver) Fillings:[+]
    The most well known and most commonly used dental restorative material. Although unsightly and indicted for alleged health hazards because of the mercury it contains it continues to be used by many dentists worldwide. All national and international dental societies and most health organizations accept silver amalgam as a safe tooth restoration.
  • Materials - Plastic (Resin/Composite) Fillings:[+]
    Plastic fillings have gained greater acceptance with the increased demand of cosmetic dentistry. They are custom made to match your natural tooth structure. They bond the remaining tooth structure back together. Their cost is comparable to silver amalgam, but must be placed nearly perfectly to provide adequate service. They should be used when appearance is a primary factor. They are not resistant to food stains caused by coffee or tea, for example.
  • Materials - Porcelain Fillings:[+]
    These fillings are made in a laboratory and are then fitted and glued into place using a plastic form of cement. They match tooth structure very well, resist staining and cost about the same as gold.
  • Onlays:[+]
    Like the top half of a crown. They fit like a puzzle piece into remaining tooth structure. They cannot be removed because they are glued into place.
  • Partials (Partial Dentures):[+]
    They attach to the remaining teeth to hold themselves in place. They must be taken out daily to keep them clean, and should be left out while sleeping to allow tissues to rest.
 
 
 

A Smile is the Most Beautiful Sight in the World!

At Nakoma Dental, we partner with you so you can keep your best smile for a lifetime. Did you know recent research has shown that strong teeth and healthy gums promote optimal overall health? Keep your smile healthy and beautiful for a lifetime with the help of Nakoma Dental.

Patient, Professional & Comfortable - Experience Nakoma Dental!

Located in Madison, Wisconsin and easily accessible, we invite you to experience patient, high quality dental care where your comfort is the top priority. We look forward to meeting you!

 
 
 

Copyright 2011 Nakoma Dental, LLC

Donald W. Tipple, D.D.S. | 4333 Nakoma Road, Madison WI | 608.271.0331