John R. Erbaugh Family Dentistry

Providing excellence in family dentistry in the Kettering, Ohio and surrounding areas


About Us

Show Us Your Smile!

Striving for 100% patient happiness - one bright, shiny smile at a time!


About Us

We're Not Just Routine...

Crowns, Bridges, Fillings, Orthodontics


About Us

Imperfect Smile? We Can Help!

Dentures, Partials, Cosmetic Dentistry


About Us

Our goal is to make sure you leave with a smile on your face!

At our office you'll always find friendly, professional staff that will go out of their way to ensure your visit to the dentist is a happy one!

- John R. Erbaugh, Dentist

About Our Practice

Here at John R. Erbaugh Family Dentistry, our patients come first.
We have friendly staff, a clean facility and excellent customer service.

Experienced

Providing all levels of care with experienced professional hygienists.

Dependable

We have been in business a long time - you can count on us!

Conscientious

Your comfort is our passion. Our staff is courteous and kind.

We Welcome All Ages

Servicing pediatric to geriatric patients, and all ages in between

Conveniently Located

Providing excellent dental service to the Kettering, Ohio and surrounding areas

E-MAIL US:

smile@johnerbaughdds.com

Our Team

A company is only as strong as the team behind it.
Meet our team and find out why we're passionate about what we do!




Dr. John R. Erbaugh

Dentist

Graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Seeing patients of all ages, it is important to me to try to nurture growing teeth, and save as many aging teeth as I can.    When I see you smile, I know we are doing our job!     Give us a call... I look forward to meeting you, my newest patient!

Scope of Work

We provide many exciting services that will leave you with a bright, white smile on your face!

Regular Dental Cleanings

It is important to visit a dentist on a regular basis so potential problems can be identified early and appropriate action may be taken. Tooth decay can, if left untreated, cause the total loss of a tooth within a year. For this reason, it is recommended to see your dentist every six months, but at a minimum, once a year.

X-rays

Dental x-rays help dentists visualize diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue that cannot be seen with a simple oral exam. In addition, x-rays help the dentist find and treat dental problems early in their development, which can potentially save you money, unnecessary discomfort, and maybe even your life.

Teeth Whitening

We love to see you smile! So when you start covering your mouth because your teeth have discolored due to aging, drinking coffee, tea, colas or red wine, accumulation of plaque and tartar deposits, taking medicines, or having had a trauma that led to discolored teeth... see Dr. Erbaugh for what can be done to make you smile again!

Dental Mouth Guards & Splints

Different types of mouth guards can be made to provide protection for your teeth or to maintain correct alignment of your jaw. Below are some guards and why they are used:

  • Sports Mouth Guard - to protect teeth during contact sports where the teeth can be in danger of injury. An accurate impression of the mouth is made in order to fit the mouthguard to your own teeth.
  • Splint - used for correcting TMJ or other bite misalignments. The splint is made to fit the lower teeth and is worn primarily during sleep to help realign the jaw into its natural position.
  • Night Guard - a mouth guard is custom made for your teeth and worn at night to stop damage to the teeth due to bruxism, or grinding of the teeth.
  • Pediatric Work

    Proper oral hygiene and a well-balanced diet are just as good for children as they are for adults. It's good for their teeth and it's good for their overall well being. Good habits start young, so gently cleaning baby gums after feeding and giving your baby healthy foods are a great start! As children grow, it is important to teach proper teeth brushing and flossing techniques in order to keep their whole mouth in the best health, and build healthy habits for life!

    Dr. Erbaugh sees patients of all ages and welcomes your newest arrival as soon as their first tooth arrives!

    Your Teeth

    The generally accepted numbering system shown on the left is called the Universal Method. Referencing right and left always pertains to the PATIENT'S right and left.

    Teeth are numbered 1-16 from the upper right to upper left, and 17-32 from lower left to lower right. Teeth #1, 16, 17, and 32 are the Wisdom Teeth.

    The teeth are the hardest substances in the human body. Besides being essential for chewing, the teeth play an important role in speech.

    Parts of the teeth include:

  • Enamel: The hardest, white outer part of the tooth. Enamel is mostly made of calcium phosphate, a rock-hard mineral.
  • Dentin: A layer underlying the enamel. Dentin is made of living cells, which secrete a hard mineral substance.
  • Pulp: The softer, living inner structure of teeth. Blood vessels and nerves run through the pulp of the teeth.
  • Cementum: A layer of connective tissue that binds the roots of the teeth firmly to the gums and jawbone.
  • Periodontal ligament: Tissue that helps hold the teeth tightly against the jaw.
  • A normal adult mouth has 32 teeth, which (except for wisdom teeth) have erupted by about age 13:

  • Incisors (8 total): The middlemost four teeth on the upper and lower jaws.
  • Canines (4 total): The pointed teeth just outside the incisors.
  • Premolars (8 total): Teeth between the canines and molars(also called bicuspids).
  • Molars (8 total): Flat teeth in the rear of the mouth, best at grinding food.
  • Wisdom teeth or third molars (4 total): These teeth erupt at around age 18, but are often surgically removed to prevent displacement of other teeth.
  • The crown of each tooth projects into the mouth. The root of each tooth descends below the gum line, into the jaw.

    The most common reason for having teeth straightened is to improve the look of a smile - boosting self esteem & confidence at school or work. But here are a few additional reasons to correct crooked teeth or an uneven bite:

    - Crooked teeth can cause discomfort, pain, and money in the long run
    - Having an uneven bite can cause head, jaw and neck problems
    - Straight teeth are easier to keep clean than crooked teeth, allowing for better oral health by preventing tooth decay & gum disease

    Dr. Erbaugh can examine your teeth and bite and determine if you need braces, and can give you the options that are currently available.

    What is a Root Canal?
    - A treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. Causes can be due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.

    What are the symptoms a root canal is needed?
    Sometimes no symptoms are present, however some signs a root canal might be necessary are:
    - Severe toothache pain when chewing or applying pressure
    - Prolonged sensitivity/pain to heat/cold after heat/cold is removed
    - Discoloration (darkening) of the tooth
    - Swelling and tender gums around tooth
    - Persistent or recurring pimple on the gums

    What does it involve?
    - During the procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
    - If the pulp were not removed, bacteria and other decayed debris can cause infection or abcess (pus-filled pocket) leading to swelling that can spread to the face, neck or head; bone loss around the tip of the root; and drainage problems from the root into the gums or through the cheek into the skin.

    Silver or Tooth-Colored Fillings?
    The obvious benefit of tooth-colored fillings is aesthetics. A natural looking filled tooth looks better than a silver filled one. They can even be matched to any tooth color. Other benefits include:
    - Composite resin fillings are more durable than metal
    - They last longer and are less likely to wear down over time
    - Therefore they do a better job of protecting teeth providing more lasting protection
    - Composite resin material is less likely to crack as it won't expand over time once used as tooth filling.
    - Because they are less prone to crack & break, they will be less likely to allow entry to harmful bacteria which can cause additional decay even if a filling is already present.
    - Tooth colored fillings also reduce sensitivity opposed to metal found in typical fillings.
    - The composite material does not contain mercury as some amalgam fillings do, providing a safer and less harmful impact on your overall health.

    Pros of metal fillings include:
    - Time. Silver fillings take less time to place as the composite fillings are placed in layers with a specialized light used to harden the layers.
    - Cost. Silver fillings are generally less expensive

    As always, it is best to discuss the options with Dr. Erbaugh. He will provide you with the best alternative for your situation.

    When are full dentures recommended?
    - When old dentures are worn out and need to be replaced
    - When a patient's teeth are in such bad condition that there is no other affordable alternative.
    - Exhaust all other procedures available before deciding on dentures.
    - Full dentures should be a last resort!

    What are the alternatives?
    - Bridges. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration or prosthesis used to replace a missing tooth (or several teeth) by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants. There are different types of bridges depending how they are fabricated and how they anchor to the adjacent teeth.
    - Removable partial dentures consist of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base sometimes connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partials can be used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

    Consult with Dr. Erbaugh to find out what is best for you.

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    Contact Us Today!

    Our Services

    Take a look at some of the services we provide...

    Routine Cleanings

    Twice a year for the healthiest smile!

    Cosmetic Work

    Whitening, Veneers, Bonding, Contouring or Reshaping.

    Orthodontics

    When out of align, we get it straight.

    Pediatric

    Early prevention is the key to a healthy smile and healthy habits.

    Dentures

    Accidents, genes, poor dental hygiene - whatever the reason, we'll fix you up!

    X-rays

    Early prevention that can tell more about you than just your teeth!

    Oral Surgery

    Fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal, extraction - we can help.

    Whitening

    Unhappy with your discoloring teeth, we offer whitening for a brighter, whiter smile.

    What our Patients say

    Articles

    Here are a few interesting articles about dental health...

    The Science Behind Pediatric Care

    by Lisa Zamosky, WebMD Magazine

    When to begin bringing your child to the dentist and teaching them to brush will maintain good oral hygiene and build healthy habits.

    Read More

    How Often Are Regular Cleanings?

    by Dr. Tom, dentalwellness4u.com

    The American Dental Association recommends professional cleanings & examinations twice a year and preventative x-rays once a year.

    Read More

    Healthy Gums = Healthy Smiles!

    by Celestine Chua, personalexcellence.co

    The best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to brush and floss after meals. But the minimum is to brush and floss upon arising and then before going to bed.

    Read More

    When Should You Consider Braces?

    by Steven Dowshen, MD, posted on kidshealth.org

    What age should you start looking into braces for your child? Or at what point should you think about them for yourself? Click to read more!

    Read More

    Your Teeth LOVE Water!

    by WebMD.com

    Why is what you eat so important to the health of your teeth? Read on to see what current research says about sugar and your teeth.

    Read More

    Proper Brushing & Flossing Techniques

    by Colgate.com

    Read the detailed article, then watch the videos describing proper brushing and flossing techniques - brought to you by Colgate!

    Read More

    Contact Us!

    Call us, email us or stop by the office, we're always here for you!

    Visit our Office

    John R. Erbaugh
    Family Dentistry

    517 East Stroop Road
    Kettering, Ohio, United States
    45429

    Office Hours

    Mon, Tue, Thur: 8:30am to 5pm
    Fri: 8:30am to 12pm
    Wed, Sat, Sun: Closed




    Contact Us

    Tel: 937-299-8000
    Fax: 888-237-1450
    smile@johnerbaughdds.com