General Dentistry

Saratoga Springs’s dentist, Dr. Moreau and his team at Saratoga Smile Care offer cosmetic, orthodontic, and implant dentistry as well as a full range of general dentistry and preventative care services so as to help maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

At Saratoga Smile Care, Dr. Moreau and his hygienist take seriously your routine examinations and cleaning because these are two of the best steps you can take to maintain your oral health and your overall health. Our routine examinations and cleaning visits are comprehensive by including screening for tooth decay, periodontal disease, bite disease, oral cancer, and evaluating your overall health in relation to your oral health.

At our Saratoga Springs office, you will expect to be greeted graciously and warmly in our reception room. You will be escorted as promptly as possible because we realize that your time is equally important as the time we spend with other patients. Dr. Moreau will spend one-on-one time with you to listen to your concerns and goals. In addition, Dr. Moreau will take the extra time to explain his clinical findings and treatment options so that you will fully understand your options and be able to make the best decision for your long-term dental health and happiness.

Not Just Another Cleaning

“It's NOT just another teeth cleaning!” Our Saratoga Springs office strives to make our patients aware of their oral health and its interconnection with nutrition, stress management, and overall wellness. For Dr. Moreau and his team, your routine cleaning and examination is an important time to screen for any oral health issues, review any work that we performed, and help you to reassess your overall health.

Dental Insurance and Payment Options

Our commitment is to care for you and your family and make your visit as easy and pleasant as possible. We participate with a number of insurance carriers and rely on you to cover any portion of your dental treatment that your insurance company does not cover. We accept cash, check, and credit card, and offer an interest-free financing option through CareCredit.

Looking for a Saratoga Springs dentist that offers everything you need in dental care, from professional cleanings, whitening, orthodontics, implants, sleep appliances, and more?

Call Saratoga Smile Care and Dr. Moreau at 518-584-6768 or request an appointment online.

As one of Saratoga Springs' leading cosmetic dentists, Dr. Moreau uses only the finest in tooth-colored dental filling material and believes in being as minimally invasive as possible. Dr. Moreau believes in minimally invasive dentistry, which is preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. While typical amalgam filling preparation calls for the removal of healthy tooth structure, composite dental fillings allow Dr. Moreau to remove only the decayed area of the tooth. The composite (white) fillings bond directly to the existing tooth structure and are able to expand and contract like natural teeth, making them more resistant to fracture or crack.

If an existing large filling needs replacement, Dr. Moreau may use a white onlay restoration that is first fabricated out of the mouth in the laboratory and then bonded to the existing tooth to preserve natural tooth structure while restoring strength.

Frequently Asked Dental Filling Questions

Why do I need a dental filling?

Composite dental fillings are used to replace an area of dental decay; if the tooth has small chips or breaks; or, when it is used to restore teeth after a root canal procedure.

How do I know if I need a dental filling, onlay, or crown?

When Dr. Moreau completes his evaluation of the situation, he will determine what restoration is right for you. In most cases, a composite dental filling is used for minor areas of decay, but if the decay(or filling) involves more than 65% of the tooth's chewing surface, Dr. Moreau will recommend an onlay or crown for long-term care and support to the tooth.

When should I replace old fillings?

Old fillings should be replaced when they show signs of defectiveness, which most frequently means that the margin around the filling has lost its integrity and bacteria are allowed to invade the surrounding tooth structure. Around old amalgam fillings, crack lines frequently appear and, if left untreated, will lead to decay or tooth fracture.

If you suspect you need a dental filling or a replacement, call our Saratoga Springs office at 518-584-6768 or request an appointment online.

Occlusal Disease is a destructive process that affects the teeth, gums, muscles, and jaw joints as a consequence of occlusal (bite) disharmony or involuntary teeth grinding. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to severe damage to your teeth, supporting gums and bone, jaw muscles, and jaw joint (temporomandibular joint). It is as costly to the teeth and gums as decay and periodontal disease.

As an occlusion dentist for over 30 years, Dr.Moreau has seen the devastating effects that this often overlooked and ‘silent oral disease can have on a person’s mouth and life. Many patients dismiss this disease as a ‘natural wearing or aging’ of teeth or just the result of stress in their lives. Upon routine evaluations, Dr. Moreau will examine for any signs of occlusal disease and look for the ‘three golden rules of occlusion. He will advise you of the risks of foregoing treatment as well as treatment recommendations.

What are the causes of occlusal disease?

There are two key components in occlusal disease; the presence of an unbalanced bite and involuntary hyperfunction (parafunction) of the chewing muscles. An unbalanced bite combined with involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth damages the teeth, gums, and bone to eventual tooth loss or TMJ disease. In much the same way, a set of tires that are not properly aligned wears faster, and an unbalanced bite can lead to abnormal tooth wear. Abnormal teeth grinding can also create limited bite opening and movements, popping noises, or pain in the jaw joint. The human bite is capable of generating forces measuring almost 1000 pounds per square inch so a lot of destruction can be created in the mouth.

Signs and symptoms of occlusal disease?

• worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
• hypersensitive teeth to hot and cold
• loosening of teeth
• localized bone loss around teeth
• abfractions (wedge-shaped notches on the teeth at the gumline)
• gum recession
• chewing pain in the teeth or in the jaw joint
• popping noises in the jaw joint in front of the ear
• limited jaw opening or movement
• headaches and/or facial muscle pain
• dental work that breaks
• fremitus (slight movement of teeth upon tapping the teeth together)

Occlusal Disease Treatment

Before any treatment plan can be established, a thorough evaluation of your bite is conducted, and in some circumstances a more detailed analysis of your bite should be performed with the aid of diagnostic study models of your teeth. Occlusal disease treatment options may include:

• minor to full mouth tooth equilibration (selective reshaping of surfaces of the teeth that are out of alignment
• occlusal splints (night guards or daytime guards)
• orthodontic realignment of the teeth
• restorative procedures to realign and reestablish a proper bite relationship
• physical therapy to establish proper muscle function
• acupuncture

Can Occlusal Disease be cured?

Occlusal disease is often a chronic condition that cannot be permanently eliminated because it often has a stress management component associated with it. However, occlusal disease can be managed or controlled so that pain and long-term damage can be eliminated.

According to the American Dental Association, more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented annually by sports mouth guards. The National Youth Sports Foundation estimates that more than 5 million teeth will be knocked out in sports-related activities this year.

Saratoga Springs dentist, Dr. Moreau, believes that 90% of all mouth and tooth injuries could have been prevented with properly designed custom-made mouth guards. The rehabilitation costs for a single knocked-out tooth are more than 20 times the preventative cost for a custom-made dentist-prescribed sports mouth guard.

Are all mouth guards the same?

No! The boil-and-bite mouth guards do not fit as accurately as custom-made types; therefore, they slip and frequently impair the athlete’s ability to breathe and speak. They can provide a false sense of protection due to the dramatic decrease in thickness when bitten into place in a softened state. The custom mouth guards that Dr. Moreau prescribes for his athletic patients offer six levels of protection dependent upon the athlete’s sport. They are made of multiple layers of protective laminated material molded inside one mouth guard to provide the athlete with the ultimate protection.

What can mouth guards help to protect against?

• tooth loss
• tooth chipping or fracture
• decrease the possibility of a concussion
• tongue and lip laceration

Custom Performance Mouth Guard

Performance custom mouth guard (power mouth guard) or custom mouth guards that are fitted by Dr. Moreau allow the muscles of the face to be at their most efficient, that is restful state, so as to help the athlete compete at his/her highest level. An upper protective guard for contact sports and a lower guard for non-contact and training are available.

There is nothing like having discomfort or pain in your mouth. But don’t let fear keep you from getting treatment. You are in good hands with Saratoga Springs’s dentist, Dr. Moreau, who has a gentle touch to ensure that your dental treatments are pain-free. Yes, even when your tooth needs a root canal.

What is a Root Canal?

Each tooth is made of several layers. The outside part of the tooth is referred to as enamel; the more sensitive underlying layer is referred to as dentin; and the inner layer is soft tissue referred to as the pulp. This soft tissue can become infected due to decay, cracks in the tooth, or some other type of traumatic injury. Root canal treatment is simply a procedure that removes the infected soft tissue, thoroughly disinfects the inside of the tooth, and a biologically inert filling material replaces the soft tissue. The tooth is then sealed with a filling to prevent further infection and a subsequent crown if needed. As the infection grows throughout the soft tissue, pressure is built up inside the tooth, and pain occurs. Root canals are a conservative treatment, and with today’s anesthetics, are quite comfortable.

Why do I have pain in my tooth?

When the soft tissue inside the tooth becomes infected, there is an increased blood flow into the tooth, creating pressure within the tooth, causing subsequent discomfort. Sometimes the area around the tooth can become so infected that it causes swelling of the gums.

Is root canal treatment predictable?

Root canal treatment is a conservative and very predictable procedure that has a 95% success rate. Occasionally, root canal treatment may become reinfected for several reasons, but the most deleterious reason is a crack in the root structure. When this unfortunately occurs, extraction is the prescribed treatment followed by an implant placement.

Does the tooth need further treatment after a root canal?

After a root canal treatment, the tooth is more susceptible to fracture, and to prevent this possibility, Dr. Moreau recommends a dental crown to encapsulate the tooth and protect the tooth and root canal treatment.

If you are having tooth pain call Dr. Moreau at Saratoga Smile Care, where a gentle touch awaits you. With Dr. Moreau, you are in good hands. Call 518-584-6768.

Gum disease affects nearly 3 out of 4 adults, and it is a serious health condition affecting the longevity of teeth, the integrity of bone surrounding teeth, as well as being linked to heart disease and diabetes. Routine visits to the dental office are important in preventing and managing the progression of this disease and in preventing other health issues from occurring.

Types/stages of Gum Disease

A sticky biofilm or plaque is formed on the surfaces of teeth daily, and if not removed daily, it becomes a place where bacteria collect and release toxins, causing inflammation of the gums. This is called gingivitis and is reversible with proper brushing and daily flossing, along with routine professional cleanings. If this plaque is not removed daily and routine cleanings are ignored, the plaque becomes hard and is called calculus. This calculus causes more insult to the gums, and toxins begin to invade the supporting bone structure, causing the gums to become inflamed and the breakdown of bone around the teeth. This stage of disease is referred to as periodontal disease, and there are levels of severity.

Signs of Gum Disease

The most common sign of gum disease is bleeding gums, with gum pain or soreness also present. A persistent and chronic bad breath may also be a sign of gum disease.

Why Do Gums Bleed?

Besides the non-removal of plaque on your teeth by proper brushing and daily flossing, other reasons why your gums might bleed include:

• hormonal changes during pregnancy
• too aggressive brushing and flossing
• persistent dry mouth
• smoking
• prolonged systemic ingestion of drugs
• defective restorations

Gum Disease Treatment or Soft Tissue Management

Gum disease and bleeding gums should always be handled by your dentist and hygienist. The management of gum disease is referred to as Soft Tissue Management and has many components that are selected specifically for each patient’s situation. It may include plaque removal, proper hygiene instruction, nutritional counseling, stress management, antibiotics, deep cleaning procedures, and maybe surgery and bone grafting. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and seeking treatment for gum disease from your dentist is extremely important for your overall health.

Visit Saratoga Smile Care for Gum Disease Treatment

If you have sore, bleeding gums, loose teeth, gum pain, or persistent bad breath, you may have gum disease. Give Saratoga Springs’ dentist, Dr. Moreau, a call for a consultation at 518-584-6768 or request an appointment online.