Quality Care at Every Stage of Life
Patients of all ages deserve quality dental care paired with service that leaves them with a positive overall experience. As a family dentist, Norwalk Dental Center provides professional dental services in Norwalk, OH, and beyond to babies, kids, teens, and adults. Everyone is welcome at the Norwalk Dental Center as Dr. Kim and his staff, combine their knowledge, experience, and skills with a personable approach to provide patients with the best quality care in a comfortable atmosphere.
Routine Dental Cleaning
Pediatric Dentistry
It is so important to build healthy oral care habits at an early age — that’s why we welcome children of all ages at our practice! Our team is committed to delivering positive experiences to every patient, but kids especially benefit from positive experiences from the start because it helps them create these healthy habits. If a pediatric dental patient has a cavity-free checkup, they can proudly become a part of our Kids Club! A child’s first dental visit should be between the ages of 6 to 12 months old. As soon as that first tooth erupts would be a good time to bring them in. Parents and guardians also receive valuable advice in helping care for their children’s teeth.
Fillings
Sealants
Crowns
Veneers
Info coming soon
Bridges
Periodontal Disease
Treatment varies according to the severity of the disease, with early stages (gingivitis) generally being corrected with regular routine dental cleanings. More advanced stages usually require numbing and involve scaling and root-planing, during which bacteria beneath the gumline is cleaned out. This helps the gums to adhere properly to the tooth roots, preventing further damage.
Endodontic Therapy (Root Canals)
Root canal therapy is needed when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth, causing an infection of the nerve or when severe trauma has affected the tooth. It can be prevented with regular checkups and healthy oral care, but if the pulp does become infected, it must be treated to avoid further complications since it cannot heal by itself. For some patients, there may be signs that pulp is infected, but for others, no symptoms are obvious, and they are unaware that a problem even exists until they stop in for a dental exam. Some signs or symptoms may include sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquids, pain, swelling, or even a bad taste in the mouth.
When endodontic therapy is performed, your dentist will clean out the infected pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth to remove any remaining bacteria. The tooth is then filled with a special, biocompatible material to prevent further infections and help heal the tooth. Occasionally, a core build-up, bonded post, and crown are necessary for restoring a tooth to function.
Dentures
- Help restore your ability to eat and speak
- Prevent facial sagging
- Replace your missing teeth
- Improve the appearance of your smile
If you would like something more permanent and stable than an existing denture, consider connecting your denture to dental implants.
Dental Implants (Restorations)
Replacing missing teeth is important because your teeth can shift and cause a variety of other dental problems if left with spaces. Dr. Kim has extensive experience in treatment planning and designing implant solutions that are custom tailored for each patient. After it is placed, the implant will bond and attach to your jaw. Once covered with a crown, it will look and function like a natural tooth.
Teeth Whitening
Dental Emergencies
Hopefully you never have a dental emergency, but if you do, we have you covered. Prompt treatment is often required to alleviate pain and ensure the patient’s oral and overall health. If you are dealing with an emergency, call us immediately at 419-663-4466, and we will schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
Red, swollen gums: Gingivitis is evaluated on several different criteria. Red, inflamed (possibly bleeding) gums are a tell-tale sign of gum problems. Noticeable tartar build up is a common cause of gum disease. If your gums bleed easily when brushing or flossing, this too can indicate Gingivitis. Ultimately, if you suspect gum problems, schedule an appointment with a dentist (you trust) and tackle the issue.
What to do if I am getting my wisdom teeth removed and I'm terrified about the IV?
Most dentists have dealt with all forms of dental fears. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about your concerns ahead of time. There are many combinations of anxiety reducing methods to ease your hesitation. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and diazepam (valium)- just to name a few. Trust that all dentists have dealt with patients’ fears and that we will always try our best to help.
Are there any complications of TMJ dysfunction, if left untreated?
Too many to count. Ultimately, left untreated, you will run the risk of severely advanced symptoms. These can include problems such as: inability to chew or speak without pain, decreased mobility, headaches, migraines and quite a few more. Simply put, if you suspect TMJ dysfunction- seek treatment!
I’m scared of the dentist because I might have lots of cavities, what is your advice?
Overcoming fear. Most of my patients who fear the dentist can often point to at least one bad experience from the past (usually during childhood) that may be the case for you as well. The most important thing to remember is that you cannot let your fear dictate the health of your remaining teeth. Don’t let a negative experience from a past toothache affect the ones you would like to keep in the future.
Can you get braces if your teeth are straight but you have an overbite?
Yes, absolutely. An overbite (or underbite) can throw your bite off just enough to still do some damage to the teeth. The way your upper jaw and lower jaw come together may be off, regardless if your teeth are straight or crooked. Braces will help with the alignment of your bite. Get an orthodontic consultation to be sure. And remember age is not an issue!
WHAT INSURANCE PROVIDERS ARE "IN-NETWORK" AT YOUR OFFICE?
Insurance companies that we are an “in-network” provider for are Delta Dental (Premier provider), Superior, and United Concordia (including Tricare). Insurance companies that we can submit claims to but are considered “out-of-network” are Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Guardian, and MetLife. We always ask that patients refer to their insurance provider for out-of-network benefits.
How often should my child brush her teeth?
As often as she wants. The main thing with children is to use each tooth brushing (usually 2x/day) as a teaching session. When the child states that she is finished, help instruct her on how to reach difficult areas.
How painful is dental extraction?
Toothaches are worse! If a badly damaged tooth is considered non-restorable (by the dentist) then, by all means, remove the tooth via extraction before the pain becomes unbearable. If you’re waiting for that to happen before you decide- give it time- because it will! All board certified dentists are highly trained to anesthetize your mouth prior to a surgical procedure. Trust their skill over your luck, any day!
What do I do if I have gums bleeding from dentist cleaning?
Better home care. When your gums bleed easily, it’s your body’s way of telling you that your mouth is not at optimum health. Many people may think they should brush and floss- less due to this fact. But, you should actually do the opposite. You need to beef up your brushing (2x/day) and flossing (once a day) to compensate for poor oral health. And definitely increase your visits to the dentist (at least 2x/yr).
Would a tooth be sore after a filling has fallen out and been refilled?
It happens often. The most common underlying reason for a filling to ‘fall out’ is due to a cavity. When decay threatens the normal health of a tooth, it can affect the pulp of the tooth or the nerve center. Keep in mind that decay doesn’t have to touch the nerve — it only needs to penetrate deeply enough to hurt the nerve. A deep filling often exposes this exact problem. It’s time to schedule your appointment!
I have extra teeth growing in and my gum is badly swollen where the tooth is growing, what is going on?
Impaction. The wisdom teeth can often pose problems with swelling and pain even though they may not be visible in the mouth. The 3rd molars are located in the back of the mouth in all four corners and can be ‘trapped’ under the gums even if they are through the bone. Sometimes, they are sideways and will never come in, yet still cause pain to the back of the 2nd molars. Have an exam and x-ray taken to see – you can contact us to schedule your appointment to do so.
WHAT INSURANCE PROVIDERS DO YOU NOT ACCEPT?
Companies that will not provide coverage to our office are Humana, Caresource, Buckeye, Paramount Advantage, Devoted, Medicare, and Medicaid.
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the services we offer, don’t hesitate to call our office at 419-663-4466. We would be happy to assist you in any way possible!
Hours:
Mon -Tues: 8:00 AM -5:00 PM
Wed: Closed
Thurs: 8:00 AM -5:00 PM
Fri: 8:00 AM -4:00 PM
Sat - Sun: Closed