A popping, locking jaw can cause pain and difficulty chewing, which is why Dr. Eric Asay provides TMJ treatment at our office. Our dentist will use different treatment solutions in order to improve jaw health and help it to move easily once again. Call Asay Dental today if you want to learn more about our treatments for the TMJ in Nampa, Idaho. The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, or the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the head. The term “TMJ” is often used to refer to TMJ disorder, also called TMD, which occurs when the jaw joint becomes stressed, injured, or misaligned. TMJ disorder may result due to several different factors, such as stress, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), arthritis in the TMJ, or trauma and injury to the head, neck, or jaw.You may suffer from TMD if you experience frequent jaw pain or facial pain. TMJ disorders may also cause:
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• Grinding, clicking, or popping sounds in the jaw when you open and close your mouth
• Inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn, or chew
• A locked or stuck jaw
• Pain when chewing and biting
• Pain in the neck, shoulders, or ears
• Frequent headaches
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Our dentist can help you determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment. Treatment for the TMJ will depend on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder. TMD treatment may include jaw and facial relaxation exercises, lifestyle changes, restorative dental treatments, a mouth guard or night guard, or jaw surgery. To learn more about TMJ treatment and to schedule your consultation with our dentist, we encourage you to contact us today.

If other treatment solutions cannot heal a severely decayed or damaged tooth, then Dr. Eric Asay may need to perform a tooth extraction. Our team at Asay Dental remove teeth with experienced care so you will be able to heal well afterwards. Contact our office if you would like to learn more about a tooth extraction in Nampa, Idaho.

Gum disease can cause severe harm to your oral health, which is why our dentist offers treatment solutions through our periodontal care. When Dr. Eric Asay and our team treat this infection, then we help you have better oral and overall health. Schedule a visit to Asay Dental if you need to receive treatment for gum disease in Nampa, Idaho. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a degenerative condition primarily caused by bacteria found in plaque. The bacteria inflame and infect the gum tissues, and when left untreated, can eventually cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. Untreated periodontal disease can result in bone loss, tooth loss, and gum tissue recession. If your gums are swollen, red, or tender, or if your gums bleed easily, you may have periodontal disease. Other common symptoms of gum disease include loose teeth, painful chewing, persistent bad breath, and receding gums that make your teeth appear longer than normal. Following an exam at our office, our dentist and team will be able to determine whether you suffer from periodontal disease.

Because a broken tooth is susceptible to infection, Dr. Eric Asay provides a dental crown to restore it. Our dentist encases a tooth with this restoration in order to replace lost structure, protect its inner tissues, and renew your smile’s appearance. Call our team at Asay Dental if you want to learn more about dental crowns in Nampa, Idaho.
A dental crown, or cap, is a restoration that can be used for a number of purposes. One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to restore a tooth that is significantly damaged or decayed. The crown is custom made to fit over the entire tooth, starting at the gum line, in order to restore the tooth to its original shape and size. Dental crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal; porcelain crowns are popular because they match the natural color and appearance of your teeth. Our dentist will help you determine which type of dental crown is right for your smile.Your smile may benefit from a crown if a tooth is damaged or decayed to the point that a dental filling will not provide a successful restoration. Crowns can also be used for a number of other restorative and aesthetic purposes, including:
‍• Protect a tooth following root canal treatment
• Anchor and attach a dental bridge
• Cover and complete a dental implant
• Enhance the beauty of your smile
• Improve a misshapen tooth
• Strengthen a tooth that is fractured or weakened
• Support a large filling when little natural tooth structure remains

If plaque bacteria have decayed parts of your teeth, then visit Asay Dental for a dental filling. After Dr. Eric Asay removes the decayed tissues, then he will restore them with our mercury-free fillings. Schedule a visit with our experienced dentist if you have tooth decay and need to receive dental fillings in Nampa, Idaho.A dental filling is a restoration used to repair minor to moderate tooth damage. We may recommend a filling if your tooth has been damaged by tooth decay (for example, if your tooth has a cavity), or if your tooth suffers from minor fracturing or chipping. The dental filling is used to restore the tooth to its original structure and function and to return your smile to good health. There are two main types of dental fillings available: amalgam fillings and composite fillings.The process for placing a filling requires just one comfortable visit to our office. Our dentist will first remove the decayed and damaged portion of your tooth, and then clean the tooth to remove all traces of decay. We then fill the tooth with the filling material and shape it to match your tooth’s shape. Finally, the filling is hardened for a lasting restoration.If your tooth is decayed or damaged, a dental filling may be a great choice for restoring your oral health and function.

Dr. Asay can improve the health of your smile when he performs amalgam removal. Silver amalgam fillings contain harmful mercury, but our team at Asay Dental can substitute them with healthier composite restorations. Contact Dr. Eric Asay if you want to benefit from amalgam removal in Nampa, Idaho.Amalgam is composed of a mixture of metals, including silver, mercury, tin, copper, and other trace metals. Dental amalgam has been used in dental fillings for over 100 years, and some dentists still use it today. Mercury may be harmful to your overall health, and it is released in small amounts to your body through amalgam fillings. Composite fillings, on the other hand, are free of mercury. Furthermore, amalgam fillings often eventually lead to tooth fractures and cracks, while composite restorations can actually help to strengthen the tooth structure. In addition, composite dental fillings are a more aesthetic choice for your smile; while amalgam dental fillings are silver in color, composite fillings are tooth colored and can be matched to blend in with your smile’s natural appearance.

We invite you to make Asay Dental your dental office if you need to receive oral surgery. Our dentist and team are trusted professionals who have the experience needed to complete your procedure with skilled care. Please call Dr. Eric Asay today if you want to learn more about the treatments we offer for oral surgery in Nampa, Idaho.
Oral surgery includes a number of surgical dental treatments. The goal of oral surgery is to improve the function, health, and appearance of your smile and the surrounding structures, such as your jaw. In many cases, we strive to provide the most conservative treatment possible. Oral surgery may be necessary, however, to correct certain conditions and improve your oral and overall health.
‍Oral surgery may include:
‍• Tooth extraction (for teeth that are decayed, damaged, or infected to the point that an effective restoration is impossible)
• Wisdom teeth removal (for wisdom teeth that are impacted or have grown in at an incorrect angle)
• Jaw surgery (to treat a TMJ disorder, to correct uneven jaw growth, or to improve the fit of dentures)

If you want to protect your mouth from oral cancer, then we invite you to visit Asay Dental for regular oral cancer screenings. Dr. Eric Asay and our team will examine and scan your mouth in order to catch this harmful disease while it is still small and easy to treat. Schedule an appointment with our dentist if you want to receive a screening for oral cancer in Nampa, Idaho.Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, throat (pharynx), sinuses, and hard and soft palate. While oral cancer can usually be successfully treated when detected early, most cases of oral cancer are not detected until they have progressed into a more serious, advanced stage that is much more difficult to treat. In fact, oral cancer may be life threatening. At our office, we are dedicated to doing all we can to detect and treat oral cancers and other abnormalities at the earliest possible stage. During your routine dental cleanings and exams at our office, our dentist and team will perform an oral cancer screening to check for the signs of oral cancer.

Dull, stained teeth can look young and beautiful once again when you visit Asay Dental for a teeth whitening procedure. Dr. Eric Asay offers the quality materials and tools that can remove tooth stains and brighten your smile’s color. Schedule a visit with our dentist if you would like to benefit from teeth whitening in Nampa, Idaho.Teeth whitening is a simple, effective cosmetic dental treatment that we offer to noticeably enhance your smile in as little as one treatment. Our professional teeth whitening treatments utilize a powerful yet safe whitening gel that is applied to the surface of your teeth. This gel works to lighten the appearance of stains, discoloration, and yellowing on the tooth enamel. Teeth whitening is often available in both in-office and take-home systems. Professional teeth whitening can give you a noticeably whiter smile that will boost your self-esteem and help you smile with pride.If you have ever wished that your smile were whiter and brighter, teeth whitening might be right for you. Through professional teeth whitening, we can lighten staining and discoloration caused by various factors, such as:
• The natural aging process
• Poor dental hygiene habits
• Consumption of certain drinks and foods, including tea, wine, coffee, and soda
• Smoking and other forms of tobacco use
• Illness
• Certain medications
• Fluorosis

Our dental team can prevent infected teeth from needing extraction because we offer endodontics at Asay Dental. Your tooth can be healed and restored when our dentist performs these root canal treatments. Call Dr. Eric Asay today if you suffer from a severe toothache that needs healing with a root canal in Nampa, Idaho.
Commonly called a root canal, root canal treatment is a type of endodontic therapy that is often recommended if the tooth pulp and nerves become infected or damaged. This may occur if injury or decay reaches deep into the tooth, past the outer enamel layer. When left untreated, this type of infection and disease may cause the tooth to die and necessitate tooth extraction. To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, our skilled dentist will remove the infected and injured tissues from within the tooth, clean the tooth, and fill it with a medicated material. We will then cap the tooth with a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure. In most cases, a root canal can be completed in only one or two comfortable visits to our office.Root canal treatment has a reputation for being a painful treatment. In reality, however, root canal treatment can often be completed with minimal discomfort thanks to advanced techniques, tools, and anesthesia. Our dentist, along with our entire dental team, works hard to provide you with a pleasant, comfortable experience each time you visit our office. To learn more about root canal treatment, we welcome you to contact us today. We are committed to restoring your smile’s health.

If you have lost a tooth to gum disease, decay, or injury, then we invite you to Asay Dental for a dental implant restoration. After an implant post is secured in your jaw bone, Dr. Eric Asay will create the restoration to top it and replace the missing tooth. Please contact our dentist to learn more about dental implants in Nampa, Idaho.Dental implants are permanent, stable tooth replacements that can be used to replace one missing tooth, several missing teeth, or all of the teeth. The dental implant post, which is a screw made of titanium, is surgically placed in the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. This replaces the missing tooth root and ensures that your dental restoration is stable. A period of healing is then often required to allow the bone to begin to bond with the biocompatible post. Following this healing period, our dentist will place the dental implant restoration, or replacement tooth, which fits on top of the implant post. Depending on which teeth are missing and your personal dental needs, your implant restoration might be a dental crown, dental bridge, complete denture, or partial denture. Each dental implant restoration is custom made to fit your smile comfortably and aesthetically.Replacing a missing tooth can restore your smile to optimal health, function, and appearance. A dental implant is a great option for restoring your smile because the implant is designed to look, function, and feel just like your natural teeth, and with proper care, it can last a lifetime. For more information about the benefits of implant dentistry, and to schedule your implant consultation, please call or visit us soon.

Our dentist and team can more easily detect and diagnose dental diseases when we use the advanced technology of digital X-rays. We have this equipment at Asay Dental because it helps us to provide better care for our patients. Please contact Dr. Eric Asay today if you are interested in learning more about our digital radiography in Nampa, Idaho.Digital X-rays are one of the advanced diagnostic tools we use to provide you with the best possible care. Digital radiography has changed the way we take dental X-rays by making the process faster, more comfortable, and more convenient than ever before. Digital X-rays use a digital sensor to take images of your teeth, unlike traditional X-rays that use film. Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than conventional film X-rays, and they require the use of no chemicals for developing the images. Our dentist can then instantly view the high-quality images on monitors right in the treatment room to provide you with efficient, accurate diagnoses and care. Our team is able to use digital radiography to identify and diagnose several types of dental problems.

A missing tooth can make chewing and speaking difficult, which is why our dentist provides dental bridges at Asay Dental. These restorations attach to the remaining teeth with crowns so they can stay securely in place and fit well in your mouth. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Asay if you want to receive a dental bridge in Nampa, Idaho.If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth in a row, we may recommend a dental bridge to restore your smile. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration, meaning it is non-removable. The dental bridge is anchored in place through the use of two dental crowns, which are custom made to fit your smile and are placed on the teeth or dental implants next to the space left by the missing tooth. These crowns hold the artificial tooth in place to restore your smile, ensuring that your restoration will not easily shift or come loose. It typically requires only two visits to our practice to complete the dental bridge. Dental bridges are designed to last for many years and to restore the function, beauty, and health of your smile.
‍Our dentist may recommend a dental bridge to improve your smile by:
• Restoring your ability to speak, eat, and chew as normal
• Alleviating excess stress on the bite
• Improving the shape and volume of your face
• Replacing an unwanted removable partial denture
• Preventing the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position
• Enhancing the appearance of your smile
We will help you determine whether a custom dental bridge is the right choice for restoring your smile after tooth loss.

Our dentist can alter the structure of worn, gapped, and misshapen teeth when he places dental veneers. We offer this service at Asay Dental because it can completely transform the appearance of your teeth in order to create a gorgeous smile. Contact Dr. Eric Asay if you want to receive dental veneers in Nampa, Idaho.Veneers are very thin shells, typically made of porcelain or resin, that are bonded to the front of your teeth to enhance the beauty of your smile. Our dentist may recommend dental veneers to correct several types of smile imperfections. Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for enhancing your smile because the color and translucence of porcelain is a great match for the natural appearance of tooth enamel. Porcelain is stain resistant as well, so your smile will stay bright for years to come. Resin veneers can also be matched to your natural tooth color. With dental veneers, you can achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile that you will love to show off.Our dentist may recommend dental veneers if you would like to improve the appearance of your smile. Custom-made veneers can be used for just one tooth or for your entire smile. We may suggest veneers to:Close large spaces and gaps between teethWhiten teeth that are severely stained or discoloredImprove the appearance of irregularly shaped teethCorrect slightly crooked teethRestore teeth that are broken, chipped, worn, or fractured.