A beautiful smile makes a great first impression

At North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, patients can rest assured their dental needs will be met and they will be treated with the utmost respect.

Advanced dental techniques used at the office provide excellent patient care for cosmetic and family dentistry, sedation dentistry and advanced reconstructive and implant procedures.

Craig Huenergardt, DDS, the founder of North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, has specialized in the industry for 24 years. Throughout his career, Huenergardt’s focus has been on providing gentle dentistry in a high-tech, progressive practice.

Originally, Huenergardt thought he would focus on orthodontics. However, that all changed with the birth of cosmetic dentistry. After discovering that cosmetic dentistry could change a smile in a matter of weeks, Huenergardt was hooked.

A great smile, he says, increases an individual’s confidence level and brightens his or her outlook on life.

Huenergardt knows this firsthand. A few years ago, he underwent cosmetic dentistry. Part of his smile transformation involved lengthening and whitening his teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry, Huenergardt explained, can take the form of teeth whitening, recontouring, cosmetic bonding and/or porcelain veneers. His approach is always a conservative one.

The office’s state-of-the art technology is remarkable. For example, old-fashioned “gooey” impressions are a thing of the past. Now, Huenergardt utilizes a CEREC machine that takes pictures for impressions. The CEREC is wonderful for those who need a crown.

“We take the pictures and then make a crown in one visit,” he said. “When you walk out our door, there will be no temporary crowns that fall off, cause gum problems or give you pain.”

Huenergardt has found this new method to significantly decrease the number of root canals.

For the last five years he has also used a dental laser, particularly for killing bacteria inside deep cavities. Again, this has reduced the need for root canals.

In children’s dentistry, rather than using sealants on pre-cavity grooves or early tooth decay, Huenergardt applies preventative resin restorations. “It’s stronger than a sealant and should last for 10 to 15 years,” he said.

Dental implants by Huenergardt offer a world of difference for those who have grown tired of their dentures.

For patients fearful of the dentist’s chair, Huenergardt offers a variety of options. The distraction of headphones and televisions offers a nice diversion.

However, if a patient needs more appeasement, Huenergardt can provide nitrous oxide or oral triazolam. In extreme cases, a board-certified general anesthesiologist can put a patient completely asleep.

Patients using nitrous oxide can keep their first low-cost mask for future visits. “The nitrous oxide that they get again will be of no extra charge,” he said. “I did this because I don’t want cost to be a barrier between comfort and getting dental work done.”

Huenergardt contributes his dental practice success to his caring staff members, Shelley Hardy, Katie Bacon, Jennifer Consolo, Nicole Hammes and Melissa Hoover.

Huenergardt earned his DDS degree at Loma Linda University. He is also an active member of the San Diego County Society, California Dental Association, American Dental Association and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Something new and close to Huenergardt’s heart is the establishment of the Punta Abreojos Dental Clinic in Mexico. Huenergardt, who has a vacation home there, was often asked by the townspeople about the cost of various dental procedures. These questions gave him the idea to open a clinic so oral care could be addressed.

“I turned 50 this year. I’ve had a great life and I wanted to start giving back to the world for the second part of my life,” he said.

Currently, Huenergardt is rallying volunteer pilots, dentists, dental hygienists and assistants for this special crusade. “It’s amazing how much the world wants to help other people.”

North County Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry offers payment plans. To learn more, call (760) 940-2273 or visit http://www.ultimatesmiles.net. The Oceanside office is located at 4161 Oceanside Blvd., Suite 102.

To learn more about Punta Abreojos Dental Clinic, log on to http://www.abreojosdental.com.