Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona's New Office is Now Open!

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona's New Office is Now Open!

Monday, October 6th, 2014      

First Day in Our New Office and we absolutely LOVE our new space! 

Come by and see our BEAUTIFUL new Office: 

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona

261 W. Duval Road

Green Valley, AZ 85614 

(520) 625-0131 

Our "Official" Open House will take place on:

Thursday, November 6th, 2014 

3:00-5:00 p.m.  

Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at 3:00 p.m.

Food, drinks, music, prizes, friends and fun!  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

- Dr. Kildoo, Dr. Chin and Team

Dr. Kildoo and Legacy Smiles Staff participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Cha...

Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Gum Disease by Green Valley Dentist, Dr. Dawnie L. Kildoo

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona/Dr. Dawnie Kildoo offers Laser Therapy.  Laser therapy is a conservative non-surgical treatment for your periodontal disease. With proper homecare and your participation, this procedure can often alleviate the problem.

Before using the laser we will go through the process of scaling and root planing.The laser is used after the tartar and calculus is removed and will remove diseased or infected tissues lining the pockets around your teeth. At the same time the laser will kill the bacteria that cause your gum disease and will help promote healthy healing of the gums around your teeth. Lasers are used because of the precise control they afford the dentist and the comfort they provide to patients.  For more information on Laser Therapy, contact our office at (520) 625-0131 or talk with Dr. Kildoo or your Dental Hygienist at your next visit to find out if you are a candidate for this treatment.

Thank You from Dr. Dawnie Kildoo and Team

Thank You from Dr. Dawnie Kildoo and Team

THANK YOU to all who attended the Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona Open House!   

What a FANTASTIC turnout!  It was so nice  getting to know everyone a little better!  

We TRULY appreciate our patients and our Green Valley Community!

Gum Disease = Bone Loss

Periodontal disease is not the only cause of tooth loss, but it's the primary reason people over age 35 lose their teeth. Less common sources of tooth loss include osteoporosis and injury to the face.

Osteoporosis is a culprit because a reduction in bone density can lead to deterioration of the bone that supports the teeth.

[source: American Academy of Periodontology]

What is a Dental Filling?

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When you are treated with a dental filling, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed, the tooth is cleaned/prepared and then filled with a filling material.  By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay.

Dr. Kildoo uses a composite resin filling material (tooth-colored filling).  Composite resins are matched to be the same color as your teeth and therefore used where a natural appearance is desired. The ingredients are mixed and placed directly into the prepared area, where they harden and replace the decayed tooth structure.

If you are planning on whitening your teeth in the near future, be sure to let Dr. Kildoo know.  Fillings do not whiten as natural tooth structure does so you should choose a lighter tooth shade in anticipation of whitening your teeth (Or simply whiten first!).

Please feel free to contact our office at (520) 625-0131 re: dental fillings or with any other questions you may have.

Before & After Photos of Dental Treatment Completed by Dr. Dawnie Kildoo

Before and After Photos of Dental Treatment Completed by Green Valley Dentist and Owner of Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona, Dr. Dawnie L. Kildoo.

February in National Children's Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.  Creating awareness and educating children (and their parents/care givers) on the importance of good oral hygiene and proper home care.  If your child has not yet had his/her first dental appointment or it has been over six months since their last dental visit, contact our office to schedule an appointment.  Staying on track with your child’s dental visits is critical in maintaining their oral health and creating good dental habits for a lifetime.

Wisdom Teeth: Why do we have them?

Ancient man had larger jaws and more teeth in order to grind foliage and raw food. Evolution of diet lead to smaller jaws but, the wisdom teeth weren't lost in the process. This is the reason why problems involving the wisdom teeth are so common in the population, because there simply isn't sufficient space for them to grow.

Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona - January Community Outreach

In January, Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona is raising awareness and collecting donations for Green Valley Assistance Services. Please come and visit our office during January to donate monetarily or to learn about this fine organization! Green Valley Assistance Services goal is to connect seniors and families with appropriate and essential social services, to reinforce independence, resilience, and create an improved quality of life.

http://www.legacysmilesaz.com/january-community-outreach/

Help Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona in Supporting Toys for Tots in December!

In December, Dr. Dawnie Kildoo and Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona will be supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots!  For every bin that is filled with toys, we will also be donating a toy for a girl or boy!  Toys for Tots helps less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas, playing an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children. Toys for Tots unites all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, helping to make possible a more joyful Christmas for all children in need.

Please help us by donating a new toy and dropping it by our office.

Thank you!

Dr. Dawnie Kildoo and Team

Cosmetic Inlays & Onlays

At Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona we want to help conserve your tooth structure. Inlays and onlays are a way to do just that. They are indirect restorations that can be used to help an otherwise healthy tooth with a large filling.

Inlays are placed within the grooves between the cusps (points) of a tooth, whereas onlays are placed within the grooves and over the cusp tips.

Here at Legacy Smiles of Southern Arizona, Dr. Dawnie Kildoo can help determine which restoration is better for you. Inlays and onlays can be used to replace old filings, and are more aesthetically pleasing because they can be made to match a tooth’s natural color. Aside from improving a tooth’s appearance, inlays and onlays can strengthen the structure of a tooth because of their durability and longevity.

If you are interested in learning more about inlays and onlays and would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at (520) 625-0131.

Dental Hygiene for Plaque and Tartar Control

Two important dental hygiene issues are plaque and tartar control. Patients often confuse plaque and tartar and how they’re related to each other. Read on to learn how to differentiate them and tailor your dental hygiene routine to help control them. Plaque Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food, and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect on teeth and where teeth and gums meet. The buildup of plaque can trap stains on the teeth, and it is also the primary factor in gum disease. Fighting plaque is a life-long part of good dental hygiene. Plaque can also lead to the development of cavities, which further weaken your teeth. Plaque can begin forming on teeth four to 12 hours after brushing, which is why it is so important to brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Brushing teeth, although necessary, is not enough. Make sure to floss every day in order to get those hard-to-reach places between teeth to help prevent the buildup of plaque. Tartar Tartar, also called calculus, is a crusty deposit that can trap stains on the teeth and cause discoloration. Calcium and phosphate bind to form crystals on the teeth. These calcium phosphate crystals eventually harden within plaque, forming calculus. Certain types of chemicals called pyrophosphates help to decrease calculus buildup by stopping the growth of crystals on the tooth surface and preventing new crystals from forming. Tartar creates a strong bond that can only be removed by a dental professional. Its formation may also make it more difficult to remove new plaque bacteria, thus potentially creating problems further down the road. Dental Hygiene for Prevention Plaque and tartar do not affect everyone in the same way; individuals vary greatly in their susceptibility and resistance. For many of us, these deposits build up faster as we age, meaning the older you get, the more closely you have to monitor your dental hygiene routine. There are, however, several ways in which you can alter your dental hygiene practices to help protect your teeth from the buildup of plaque and tartar. Having your teeth cleaned professionally every six months, or more frequently as recommended by your dentist or hygienist Brushing with a toothpaste that contains pyrophosphate which adheres to the tooth surface and inhibits the formation or growth of calculus crystals Brushing with a toothpaste which contain sodium hexametaphosphate, a pyrophosphate specially formulated to not only inhibit calculus, but also loosen and break the bonds of extrinsic stains for powerful whitening and a protective barrier to prevent future stains oralb.com