269.240.9688 | 530 Riverside Drive, Dowagiac, MI 49047

About

Welcome to Dowagiac Family Dentistry, your trusted family dentist.

Your premier family dentists at 530 Riverside Drive, Dowagiac, MI 49047.

We think you deserve exceptional care.

That’s why you can count on:

Family-Oriented Care

It’s our goal to make your visit with us pleasant and stress-free. We want you to feel like family and enjoy getting the same level of care we expect for our own families.

A Comfortable Environment

Our family dentists are all about creating a welcoming atmosphere. We love getting to know you individually and making sure everybody feels calm and relaxed.

Full-Service Dentistry

With a thorough range of general dentistry services, along with our cosmetic and orthodontic treatments, we’re ready to take care of anything you need, in-house.

Could going to the dentist be a bright spot in your day?

We’re up for the challenge.

family dentist dowagiac family dentistry dowagiac mi about Could going to the dentist be a bright spot in your day image

Meet Our Staff

Chelsey

Chelsey

Dental Assistant

Madeline

Madeline

Dental Assistant

Jordan

Jordan

Dental Assistant

Angela

Angela

Dental Hygienist

Sue

Sue

Substitute Hygienist

Lynn

Lynn

Front Desk

Debbie

Debbie

Front Desk

Megan

Megan

Front Desk

Leanne

Leanne

Dental Hygienist

Jennifer

Jennifer

Dental Hygienist

Technology

DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

Digital radiography utilizes computer technology and digital sensors for the acquisition, viewing, storage, and sharing of radiographic images. It offers several advantages over the older traditional film based methods of taking x-rays. The most significant of theses advantages is that digital radiography reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation. Other benefits are that images can be viewed instantly after being taken, can be seen simultaneously as needed by multiple practitioners, and can be easily shared with other offices. Digital x-rays are also safer for the environment as they do not require any chemicals or paper to develop.

An electronic pad, known as a sensor is used instead of film to acquire a digital image. After the image is taken, it goes directly into the patient’s file on the computer. Once it is stored on the computer, it can be easily viewed on a screen, shared, or printed out.

INTRAORAL CAMERA

An intraoral camera is a miniaturized camera that can take high-resolution images inside of the mouth and display them for viewing in real time on a computer screen. It is a pen-sized device that provides an up close, full-color and high-resolution view of the teeth and surrounding soft tissues.

An intraoral camera is a wonderful communication tool that allows the dentist to directly show a patient a close up view of every tooth and the nearby soft tissues. With this technology any areas of concern can be instantly displayed and discussed.

The intraoral camera can also capture individual images that can be saved as part of a patient’s permanent record. These saved images can be reproduced when needed for use by other dental specialists, a dental laboratory, insurance companies, and others.

SOLEA® DENTAL LASER

The Solea® Dental Laser enables your dentist to provide gentle care with the ultimate precision. Representing one of the most advanced dental laser systems available today, the Solea Dental Laser operates without direct contact to the tooth or tissues, and does not create the uncomfortable heat, vibration, or pressure like other methods of care. Combining light energy with water and air, it safely and accurately cuts and shapes the targeted tissues in the mouth.

Whether it’s the removal of tooth decay or the treatment of gum disease, dental care can be provided more quickly and comfortably, reducing the need for injections and dental anesthesia. And, while pain-free dental work is just one of the many benefits offered by the Solea Dental Laser, it also minimizes bleeding and speeds the recovery and healing times following surgical procedures.

With to the Solea Dental Laser both children and adults can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free dental experience!

For even more information about Solea, be sure to visit their official website here.

ORAL CANCER SCREENING

As part of a comprehensive exam, the dentist will perform a screening for oral cancer. To start, the dentist will review the patient’s medical and dental histories and ask if there have been any changes to his or her oral health or overall health. The dentist will then carefully check in and around the oral cavity as well as the head and neck area for any of the following signs or symptoms that may indicate the presence of a problem:

  • Mouth ulcers or sores that do not heal
  • Lumps
  • Red or white patches
  • Persistent swelling of unknown origin
  • Pain when swallowing, a painful tongue or a continuing ear or neck ache
  • A constant feeling that something is stuck in the throat
  • Tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips
  • Loose teeth
  • Jaw pain or stiffness

If a suspicious lesion, tissue abnormality or unusual symptoms are present, the dentist will refer the patient for a more comprehensive assessment. Early detection of oral cancer offers the most favorable outcomes of care.

PANOREX X-RAYS

In addition to taking small, individual diagnostic images of specific teeth or sections of teeth as needed, we also take a single digital x-ray to obtain a two-dimensional view of the all the teeth, the upper and lower jawbones, the nasal sinuses and the temporomandibular joints (the TMJ). This extra-oral image is known as a Panorex X-ray. As a simple, comfortable, and fast diagnostic procedure, it produces digital images with minimal x-ray exposure to the patient. Because this picture is taken from outside of the mouth, the only requirement for the patient is to hold still while resting the jaw on a platform in the center of the unit, while the x-ray tube rotates in a semicircle around the head. A panorex x-ray can be viewed on the computer by the dentist and patient as well as shared with others as needed. A highly valuable diagnostic tool, panorex x-rays are useful in checking for conditions such as periodontal disease, growths in the jaw, the dental development of the unerupted and erupted teeth, impacted teeth, TMJ disorders and sinusitis.

ROTARY ENDODONTICS

Rotary endodontics facilitates precise and efficient root canal procedures. Using flexible Nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments powered by an electric handpiece, the curved and nuanced anatomy of the involved tooth’s inner canals can be gently cleaned and shaped in preparation for sealing them with a specialized filling material. In addition to being a faster and more consistently reliable method of care, rotary endodontics ensures a more comfortable patient experience.

iTERO SCANNER

iTero Scanner can create a 3D image of your teeth in just minutes using an iTero scanner, a leading digital scanner from the makers of Invisalign® clear aligners.

  • Accuracy: Fewer redos and a better aligner fit than with goopy physical impressions.
  • Comfort: No goop. No gagging.
  • Invisalign Outcome Simulator: See new smile before you even start.
  • 3D: Get a high-resolution, interactive image of your teeth.
  • Precision: Takes 6,000 images per second.
  • Invisalign Progress Assessment: Track your progress at every appointment.

Some doctors still take physical impressions using a soft putty. These impressions are then scanned by Invisalign technicians to create the 3D image for use in the ClinCheck® software and manufacturing aligners.

Family dentists you can trust — dental care you can afford.