Our Services
State-of-the-Art Technologies
Our new technologies enhance the care that we provide. Our CEREC 3 system means that we can provide ceramic restorations in just one visit. Our CEREC 3 page has more information on this exciting technology.
DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity Detection System greatly enhances our checkup procedure. This system makes your checkups more comfortable and allows us to find decay before it is visible. View our DIAGNOdent page for more information.
Preventive Dental Care
This is the basis of good dental health. Dr. Houska's goal is not only to restore your teeth to last a lifetime, but to also teach patients how to care for their teeth for a lifetime. Preventive care involves regular teeth cleanings, exams, oral cancer exams and appropriate x-rays. Fluoride treatments are applied when appropriate and children's' permanent molars are covered with sealants (plastic coating that fills the grooves where cavities start). Good preventative care usually involves teeth cleanings twice per year.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous Oxide Sedation (laughing gas) is a form of sedation that works very well in the dental field. It is inhaled during the dental procedures to provide a relaxing, calm feeling. The patient is awake, but relaxed. It works well for combating anxiety in both children and adults. Nitrous Oxide is not a drug, so there are no lasting effects past 5 minutes. No driver is needed, patients can function immediately.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Being in a small town does not prevent patients from having big city "extreme makeovers". Cosmetic dentistry could consist of a small tooth colored filling all the way to crowns or veneers (porcelain facings) on many teeth to completely change the appearance of a smile.
Restorative
Restorative consists of all fillings; both metal and tooth colored, and single crowns. Crowns can be made of porcelain, porcelain and gold, or just gold. Different materials work best in different areas of the mouth. Current trends are for tooth colored restorations, and Dr. Houska is very current in the modern materials available for tooth colored restorations.
Fixed Bridges and Implants
Fixed bridges replace missing teeth by anchoring to teeth adjacent to the missing teeth. This is usually done using crowns, but there are other methods also. Implants are also used to replace missing teeth. Implants are surgically placed in the bone by an oral surgeon and the missing tooth or teeth can then be attached to the implant by Dr. Houska.
Oral Surgery and Extractions
Dr. Houska performs most extractions in his office. He is also on staff at the local hospital, Sioux Valley Vermillion Campus, where patients can be treated under general sedation. He will occasionally refer to an oral surgeon for complicated extractions or other surgical procedures.
Root Canal Therapy
This is probably the most misunderstood procedure in dentistry! When you have a bad toothache, or an exposed pulp (nerve), extraction is no longer necessary. The source of the problem is the infected (or inflamed) pulp, not the tooth itself. Root canal therapy is the process of removing this pulp tissue from the tooth, and then placing a filling material in the canal passageways where the pulp used to be. This seals the canal system of the tooth and helps prevent reinfection from occurring. The secret to success is good anesthesia. If you're truly numb, you won't feel anything, no matter what the procedure is. Therefore, we make sure you're numb! The vast majority of my patients report a relatively painless experience.
Removable prosthetics
Both full and partial dentures are made at the Houska Dental Clinic. Dr. Houska does not make quickie "one size fits all" dentures in one day. He only makes quality, fully characterized dentures. We spend more time getting the master impression than many "clinics" spend making the entire denture.