A general and cosmetic dentist based in Jamestown, North Carolina, J. Michael Puckett received his DDS from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. In addition to working with adult patients in his practice, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, often helps new parents practice good oral hygiene with their babies and toddlers. As with patients of all ages, the primary goal of oral hygiene in babies and toddlers is the removal of plaques and prevention of tooth decay. Tooth decay often occurs as a result of the sugars in formula, milk, and juice, particularly when they pool in the baby’s mouth at bedtime. Instead, parents can use a bottle filled with water at bedtime, which carries much less risk of damaging developing teeth. After age three, parents should also gently discourage babies from sucking habits, which can cause structural dental issues.Parents should brush their baby’s teeth gently, using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Before baby teeth begin poking through the gums, parents can use a moist gauze pad to clean the area around the teeth and gums. Finally, parents should bring their children in for their first dental visit before the age of one.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, has maintained a private practice in Jamestown, North Carolina, for more than 20 years. Patients see J. Michael Puckett, DDS, for a wide range of services, including fillings. Today, many people want fillings that match the color of their teeth so that repairs are less obvious. Several options are available for tooth-colored fillings.The most popular material is composite resin, a mixture of resin and strong ceramic nano particles. While this material often costs more than metal options, it lasts almost as long and does not require as much drilling of the tooth. Which in most cases makes them a more conserative choice.Another treatment option is cerec all ceramic restorations. Cerec is a maximum strength restoration for teeth that makes them last longer. In both cases of treatment choices the restorations are bonded to the tooth making them inherently stronger and they also function or wear like natural tooth structure.
As owner of an independent dental office in Jamestown, North Carolina, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, invests in advanced technology to provide the highest level of care for his patients. Through his practice, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, offers his patients the convenience of same-day crowns.A dental crown is a protective covering designed to fit over a natural tooth that has suffered damage due to trauma or decay. Traditionally, dental laboratories manufacture these coverings with the aid of impressions taken in the dental office.Now, however, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technologies, colloquially known as CAD/CAM, enable dentists to create laboratory-quality crowns in-office. The preparatory process is the same as that for a traditional crown, in that the dentist must remove any decay in the natural tooth and shape its exterior so that it will fit inside the crown.However, instead of submitting to an impression using dental putty, the CAD/CAM patient must simply receive a dusting of reflective powder on the teeth. The dentist then uses a specialized scanning tool, which creates a custom 3-D image on a screen. These images and related software enable the dentist to design a restoration, often in just a few minutes.The customized design informs the crafting of the crown, a process that takes place inside a specialized milling chamber using a solid block of ceramic material. Once it is ready, the dentist can fit and bond it to the tooth.The resultant crown is not only more convenient, in that the patient does not need to return to the office for fitting, but also is stronger and less prone to fracture than crowns made from more traditional materials.
J. Michael Puckett, DDS, is a well established dentist in Jamestown, North Carolina, who emphasizes a preventive approach to oral health care. Taking pride in personalized treatment, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, provides knowledgeable endodontic care that includes root canals that help save infected teeth. Found within each tooth, the pulp is the soft tissue situated underneath the dentin and enamel layers. A living part of the tooth, it encompasses nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, and is essential in the tooth’s development. However, without the pulp, a fully developed tooth is able to maintain its current state, as surrounding tissues also provide nourishment. Root canals address issues below the gum line that, when left untreated, can lead to abscesses and lost teeth. The procedure involves the placement of biocompatible material within the pulp chamber (after the pulp is removed), in such a way that the tooth and crown are supported and infection eliminated. If it is possible to save a decayed tooth, the root canal is preferred over a dental implant, as it still preserves the natural structure and appearance of the tooth.
J. Michael Puckett, DDS, has been a dentist in Jamestown, North Carolina, for more than 30 years. J. Michael Puckett, DDS, belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Established in 1984, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) aims to promote the art and science of cosmetic dentistry while providing practitioners with advanced training and knowledge. The organization comprises more than 6,000 professionals practicing dentistry, along with researchers, educators, and laboratory technicians. Through the AACD Virtual Campus, AACD members have access to a variety of resources pertaining to the development of professional skills. The website includes lectures by leaders in the field of dentistry, along with training videos on the latest technology and educational content. It also provides access to the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry (JCD), the flagship publication of the AACD, which publishes peer-reviewed articles as well as clinical imagery.
Currently operating his own private practice as J Michael Puckett, DDS, PA, in Jamestown, North Carolina, J Michael Puckett, DDS, is responsible for the operation of the practice as well as patient care. As a professional in the field of dentistry, J Michael Puckett, DDS, is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).Created to promote the advancement of excellence in the field of cosmetic dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry provides superior educational opportunities to its members by providing training for continuing educational credits as well as being a forum for the exchange of new advancements and technology in the industry. The AACD features a number of programs and resources to help advance the training of members, including the Virtual Campus website. Created to provide members with advanced training that fits their schedules, the Virtual Campus provides access to accreditation resources, along with continuing education programs, whitepapers, videos, and leadership training seminars.
At his oral health clinic in Jamestown, North Carolina, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, offers laser treatments to address problems like gum disease. Before establishing his practice, J. Michael Puckett, DDS, achieved his doctor of dental surgery from the UNC School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill.
Gum disease or “periodontitis” occurs when an infection infiltrates the bone and gum tissues responsible for securing teeth. Risk factors for the condition include a lack of oral hygiene, tobacco use, and certain underlying illnesses like diabetes. Deep cleaning, the traditional procedure to address gum disease, sometimes requires surgery to pull gum tissues away from teeth to facilitate the removal of bacterial buildup. In recent years, lasers have proved effective in facilitating procedures to address gum disease. During laser therapy for gum disease, dentists rely on laser technology to remove inflamed tissues surrounding a tooth’s root. Following that, dentists strip off harmful plaque buildup that has accumulated on the root as well as beneath the gums.
Laser therapy brings with it a variety of benefits in that it can very accurately target infected tissues and does not require the general anesthesia that some dental surgeries necessitate. Moreover, laser therapy often involves less pain, bleeding, and recovery time when compared to traditional approaches.
