Our Services
Family Dentistry, Delivering Confident Smiles
Oshkosh, WI
Family Dentistry, Delivering Confident Smiles
Preventative Hygiene
At Wihlm Dental an Initial Oral Exam is the first appointment for each new patient. The initial exam includes a visual exam, oral cancer screening, TMJ evaluation, tooth charting, periodontal assessment, diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment recommendations.
Exams/Hygiene (Cleanings)
At Wihlm Dental an Initial Oral Exam is the first appointment for each new patient. The initial exam includes a visual exam, oral cancer screening, TMJ evaluation, tooth charting, periodontal assessment, diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment recommendations. We will also use an intra-oral camera to show you our findings and take necessary x-rays. Dr. Wihlm will then prepare and present a custom treatment plan for each patient. At each subsequent hygiene appointment, Dr. Wihlm will do a periodic oral exam. It is our belief that if we are able catch problems very early, they can either be reversed or restored before turning into a larger problem.
Hygiene
During your initial exam your gums are evaluated and a periodontal diagnosis is made. This information will determine if you are a candidate for a routine cleaning or if you need scaling and root planing or a “deep cleaning.” To check the health of your gum tissues we take several measurements of the space between your tooth and gums (pockets), the depth of those pockets along with the amount of bacteria (plaque and calculus) will determine treatment.
Routine Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
A routine cleaning or “prophy” is for you, if your gums are considered healthy and you have normal pocket readings. You may also be a candidate for a routine cleaning if you have small amounts of plaque on your teeth causing minor inflammation or gingivitis. When cleaning your teeth, an ultrasonic scaler will be used along with hand scaling and polishing any areas of stain. Your hygienist will work with you to develop a customized home-care regime as well. We recommend you return every 6 months for routine cleanings to maintain the health of your gums.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing)
A deep cleaning is for you if your pocket readings are deeper than normal and your gums are unhealthy, which means you have periodontal disease. This occurs when you have hardened bacteria (calculus) below your gumline, which is unable to be removed during a routine cleaning. To remove the bacteria a quadrant of your mouth will be numbed up (anesthetized) at a time; normally four appointments are needed to complete the deep cleaning. Once anesthetized, the hygienist is able to comfortably remove the bacteria from under the gums with an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. Future hygiene appointments are completed in one, hour-long appointment, with no anesthetic necessary. It is our goal to help you maintain the health of your gums and prevent the periodontal disease from regressing. Often, it is necessary for you to have more frequent hygiene visits to achieve this goal. Your hygienist will customize a home-care regime to help you effectively remove the bacteria on a daily basis and re-establish a healthy oral cavity.
Teeth Whitening
Good practices to keep your teeth clean and healthy include regular brushing and flossing, but sometimes this just isn’t enough. If teeth discoloration is an issue, you can visit your dentist and request a teeth whitening. In Oshkosh, teeth whitening is a very common procedure that is performed and patients are very pleased with the results. We offer a take-home bleaching system for our patients who desire a brighter smile. If you start to develop any sensitivity, stop using the bleaching for a couple days and brush with a sensitive toothpaste. We monitor your progress when bleaching so you can get your desired results.
Bridges/Crowns (caps)
A crown, often referred to as a “cap,” is placed on a tooth for many reasons including, a fractured tooth, a very large filling, or a very large area of decay. It is used to provide support and strengthen the tooth. Crowns are made from all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or all metal. The best options for your tooth are discussed at your appointment. A crown is recommended when:
A tooth has a large restoration (filling), which makes the tooth weak
There is a fracture in the tooth, which makes the tooth weak
A cusp of a tooth is missing
A partial denture or a tooth adjacent to it needs support
Bridge
A bridge is used to replace missing teeth by anchoring a fake tooth in between two crowns. When one or more teeth are missing the teeth adjacent to the space are likely to start drifting into the open space. A bridge will hold the teeth in place and replace the teeth missing.
White Composite Fillings
White composite fillings are used to replace broken down tooth structure providing the tooth with more stability and structure. Fillings can be either silver or white (composite). Our office only uses uses composite fillings to restore teeth. Advantages of composite fillings over silver amalgam fillings:
- They contain no mercury
- You are able to eat on them right away
- They are visibly appealing
- Composites require less removal of tooth structure
Dentures & Partial Dentures
Both partial and full dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth. A partial denture is used to replace a few or some of the teeth and a full arch (upper/lower jaw) denture is used to replace all the teeth on the arch.
Extractions
An extraction is a procedure used to remove the entire tooth (crown and root) from the mouth. A tooth may need to be extracted for the following reasons:
If the tooth is non-restorable
If there is a fracture that extends down the root of the tooth
If there is an infection and a root canal is not possible
We extract many teeth in our office and also work closely with local oral surgeons for the extractions we elect to refer out.
Dental Implant Restoration
A dental implant restoration is an option for replacing missing teeth. An implant is a titanium screw that is surgically placed into the bone by a surgeon. After healing (osseointegration) occurs, an impression is taken and an abutment and customized implant crown are fabricated and permanently cemented over the implant. Implants are considered the best long-term permanent replacement for missing teeth, in most cases. They function and look very similar to natural teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Good practices to keep your teeth clean and healthy include regular brushing and flossing, but sometimes this just isn’t enough. If teeth discoloration is an issue, you can visit your dentist and request a teeth whitening.
Pediatric Dentistry
Every child is different, some develop their teeth earlier or later than the average. This chart is a diagram of when to start expecting the eruptions of your child’s teeth and the order in which the teeth will erupt.
Baby Teeth
Every child is different, some develop their teeth earlier or later than the average. This chart is a diagram of when to start expecting the eruptions of your child’s teeth and the order in which the teeth will erupt. babyteethBaby teeth matter. Many parents think baby teeth will “just fall out” and decay doesn’t matter. But, cavities in baby teeth can lead to pain, trouble eating, infection, speech problems and even damage to the permanent teeth. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Wihlm for a check-up by the age of 1.
Child Cleanings
We, along with the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Wisconsin Dental Association, recommend children have their first dental visit by the age of 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. At the first appointment, Dr. Wihlm will look in your child’s mouth, while he/she is sitting on your lap, to look for any signs dental problems such as bottle decay or gum problems. This visit is also used to educate the parents in establishing good oral hygiene and nutrition to prevent dental problems in the future. Dr. Wihlm will brush your child’s teeth and apply fluoride if it is recommended. Dr. Wihlm and her staff enjoy working with young children and believe in early preventive care. Learn more at aapd.org/dentalhome
Referrals to Oral Surgeons, Orthodontists
Dr. Wihlm evaluates each patient when they need a tooth extracted. Sometimes, she can do the extraction in our office. The more involved extraction cases and wisdom teeth extractions are referred out to our local oral surgeons, who we work closely with. All implant placements are also referred to local surgeons, before Dr. Wihlm places the implant crown. We have a great relationship with the specialists at Winnebago Oral Surgery, www.omswinnebago.com. For orthodontic work, we refer to our local orthodontists. We work closely with them before, during and after orthodontics are placed. Sawyer Creek Orthodontics, www.screekortho.com and Bright Orthodontics, www.brightortho.com are the two offices we work with most frequently.
Splints/NightGuards
Splints or Nightguards are used to protect your teeth from excessive forces of grinding or clenching. Splints are custom fabricated with a clear acrylic, for each patient by taking an impression. Once fabricated, the patient returns for a fitting appointment and Dr. Wihlm will make sure your teeth are fitting together properly. We recommend you bring your splint with you to each dental appointment so we can be sure it is fitting properly.
Wisdom Teeth-Referrals
Our office refers all wisdom teeth extractions to local oral surgeons who specialize in tooth removal. Winnebago Oral Surgery: >www.omswinnebago.com.
RootCanal Therapy
When a patient needs a root canal treatment, Dr. Wihlm will perform this service in our office some times. Other times, she will refer to a root canal specialist or endodontist. We work closely with the endodontists at Riverside Endodontics and Valley Endodontics in Oshkosh.
Sealants
Sealants help prevent decay on posterior teeth that have deep pits and grooves. A sealant is placed by first opening the grooves and then bonding in a resin filling material. Sealants can last many years but should be carefully examined at each exam.
Veneers/Cosmetic Dentistry
A veneer is used mostly for esthetics but also for function as well. It is porcelain facing that is custom fit to cover the front of a tooth, usually anterior teeth to make the tooth look more cosmetically pleasing. A veneer can be placed to cover up any imperfections in your teeth such as chip or discolorations. A veneer can also be used to reshape a tooth to improve overall function.
Referrals to Oral Surgeons, Orthodontists
Dr. Wihlm evaluates each patient when they need a tooth extracted. Sometimes, she can do the extraction in our office. The more involved extraction cases and wisdom teeth extractions are referred out to our local oral surgeons, who we work closely with. All implant placements are also referred to local surgeons, before Dr. Wihlm places the implant crown. We have a great relationship with the specialists at Winnebago Oral Surgery, www.omswinnebago.com. For orthodontic work, we refer to our local orthodontists. We work closely with them before, during and after orthodontics are placed. Sawyer Creek Orthodontics, www.screekortho.com and Bright Orthodontics, www.brightortho.com are the two offices we work with most frequently.
Splints/NightGuards
Splints or Nightguards are used to protect your teeth from excessive forces of grinding or clenching. Splints are custom fabricated with a clear acrylic, for each patient by taking an impression. Once fabricated, the patient returns for a fitting appointment and Dr. Wihlm will make sure your teeth are fitting together properly. We recommend you bring your splint with you to each dental appointment so we can be sure it is fitting properly.
Wisdom Teeth-Referrals
Our office refers all wisdom teeth extractions to local oral surgeons who specialize in tooth removal. Winnebago Oral Surgery: >www.omswinnebago.com.
RootCanal Therapy
When a patient needs a root canal treatment, Dr. Wihlm will perform this service in our office some times. Other times, she will refer to a root canal specialist or endodontist. We work closely with the endodontists at Riverside Endodontics and Valley Endodontics in Oshkosh.
Sealants
Sealants help prevent decay on posterior teeth that have deep pits and grooves. A sealant is placed by first opening the grooves and then bonding in a resin filling material. Sealants can last many years but should be carefully examined at each exam.
Veneers/Cosmetic Dentistry
A veneer is used mostly for esthetics but also for function as well. It is porcelain facing that is custom fit to cover the front of a tooth, usually anterior teeth to make the tooth look more cosmetically pleasing. A veneer can be placed to cover up any imperfections in your teeth such as chip or discolorations. A veneer can also be used to reshape a tooth to improve overall function.
What Our Patients Have to Say
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Payment Options:
Payment is expected at the time of services. A 5% discount is offered for immediate payment in full made with cash or a check. This offer does not apply for insurance payments or third party reimbursement made on your behalf. Wihlm Dental works with most dental insurance plans, we will gladly submit your claims to the insurance company.
Wihlm Dental is a preferred provider for Delta Dental.
Please inquire about your insurance before your first appointment.
We accept Visa, Mastercard & Discover
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Office Location
Hours:
Monday: 8am – 5pm
Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
Wednesday: 8am – 5pm
Thursday: 8am - 5 pm