Seeing your general dentist regularly improves not only your oral health but also your overall well-being.
Your Entire Family Can Enjoy Excellent Oral Health
General Dentist in Topeka KS
General dentistry is the foundational care that keeps you and your family’s smiles healthy and looking great throughout your lifetimes. No matter what your age is or what condition your smile is in, we warmly welcome you! At Topeka Dentistry, our friendly dental team invites patients of all ages to become regular patients in our practice.
Our general dentistry services include:
- Dental cleanings and exams
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Dental sealants
- Oral cancer screenings
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Dental implants
- Tooth extractions
- Invisible braces
- Root canal therapy
Preventive Dentistry
Your regular preventative dental checkups are a minimal investment that saves you significant time and money in the long run—along with going a long way to preventing many dental emergencies.
At our Topeka dental office, catching issues early before they develop into expensive (and painful) problems is part of our dedication to our patients. We make these dental visits stress-free and entertaining with friendly conversation. One of our goals is to build long-term patient relationships. We want to grow with you and your family in order to get to know you and your oral health needs.
Dr. Carrie Peterson and Dr. Ben Rutherford provide much more than a basic checkup—your oral health and well-being are too important to be determined in a quick two-minute dental exam. We are happy to take the time to help you understand your needs, to answer your questions, and to offer all the options that are available to you.
Part of the benefit of developing a trusting relationship is that you are more likely to bring up concerns, pains, and issues when you feel like you’re talking to an old friend—which you are!
During your dental checkups we will:
- Conduct an oral cancer screening
- Measure your gum line and determine periodontal health
- Take digital x-rays
- Check dental crowns and bridges
- Check to determine if dental fillings are loose or breaking down
- Check jaw joint health and bite
- Check for bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding)
Do you have debilitating migraines that you suffer quietly from? Does your jaw click when you open it to chew or yawn? You might be surprised to learn that your dentists can provide a diagnosis and fast relief. Our dentistry goes beyond the teeth and gums to also care for your jaw and sleep health too!
Why Are Dental Cleanings So Important?
If you do a great job of brushing and flossing every day, you may wonder why you should have regular teeth cleanings. After all, your smile looks healthy and feels good, so why take the time out to visit your dentist? At Topeka Dentistry, we know many dental problems are not visible to the naked eye, and only your dentist or hygienist can remove plaque that has hardened into tartar or calculus.
Gentle dental cleanings help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and other oral health issues. Regular dental care can also reduce the risk of several other serious health conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
Call to Schedule Your Next Appointment
Has it been over six months since your last dental visit? We’re here to help you get back on track!
We love getting to know all our patients and hope you enjoy our family-friendly and a laid-back dental office. Keeping your smile healthy should never be a chore, so we make each dental visit enjoyable and easy. Call us at (785) 266-9100 today to book an appointment.
Super friendly staff and reasonable rates
Super friendly staff and reasonable rates. Dr. Rutherford is great about telling me only what I need to fix and no pressure on fixing other issues. He takes the time to explain things thoroughly also.
– Karen W.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Topeka Dentistry, x-rays are a useful diagnostic tool that is extremely safe. Digital x-rays emit low doses of radiation and are considered reliable and safe when used correctly with safety precautions in place.
If you’re worried that digital x-rays are not safe, or if you should avoid them, let us know. Patient education is part of our philosophy, and we’re more than happy to explain how they work and why you can relax.
Who Should Get an X-Ray
There is little cause for concern regarding digital x-rays, provided that safety precautions are followed. A regular dental examination with x-rays can emit the same level of radiation you would experience during two hours on a flight.
Your Topeka dentists use x-rays as diagnostic tools to observe dental issues that are invisible to the naked eye. By using x-rays, we can observe the following:
- Tooth decay, especially between teeth or under a filling
- Abscesses
- Bone loss
- Tumors
- Root canal infection
An x-ray allows us to diagnose many oral health problems that could go undiagnosed. At Topeka Dentistry, we can also use digital x-rays in dental procedures like dental implants, braces, dentures, and more.
Is Your Child Safe Using X-Rays?
It’s normal for parents to feel concerned about their children’s safety; however, the amount of radiation is considered low and safe for a child. We use digital x-rays to observe your child’s teeth and gums as they continually change so that we can keep track of their development.
X-rays can help us make sure that your child’s mouth can accommodate emerging teeth, observe the development of gum disease or tooth decay, and more.
Are you experiencing dental pain or need emergency dentistry services? If so, give us a call immediately so we can find the next available appointment with your emergency dentist in Topeka.
At the dental office of Dr. Carrie Peterson and Dr. Ben Rutherford, we know how stressful an emergency can be. We make time to see our patients as soon as we can, whether you’re a new patient or a current one.
We work hard to see you the same day.
If you need immediate professional help, give us a call at (785) 266-9100. We can go through your dental emergency and assess if you need to come to see us right away. If you are a new patient, we may need to complete a comprehensive dental exam.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
- Swollen jaw
- Bleeding gums
- Tooth pain
- Loose or lost dental crown
- Loose or lost fillings
- Cracked or chipped tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Broken dentures
- Abscess
- Infected tooth
Find a Family Dentist in Topeka, KS
Emergency dental situations never happen when you expect them, and most of them need immediate professional treatment. If you have knocked your tooth out, the sooner we can see you, the better our chances are of saving your tooth. Time is an essential issue.
The last thing you want to do during an emergency is to determine which dentist you can trust. We recommend finding a local dentist you can trust and who sees you regularly. Seeing a familiar face during a stressful moment can help alleviate a lot of anxiety.
Call Us If You Have a Dental Emergency
Call your emergency dentist in Topeka, KS at the first sign of dental pain.
While more than half of Americans have dental insurance, many may not fully realize what dental insurance is and what it does or doesn’t cover. At Topeka Dentistry, we are more than happy to help go over your type of coverage, benefits, and more.
Don’t Skip Dental Visits or Exams
Some people are put off from visiting the dentist due to fear of rising dental costs, but skipping the dentist can put your overall health at risk. When cavities continue to grow, for example, they are linked to severe health issues, like heart problems.
Visiting your dentist is just as crucial for your general health as it is for your oral well-being.
Dental insurance helps patients offset the cost of dental care so they can maintain good oral health. That’s why your Topeka dentists focus on preventive care so we can catch dental issues early on (saving patients the cost of complex dental treatment).
We Work With Your Insurance Provider
Not all medical plans include dental work, which is why dental insurance is often separate. What your dental insurance covers can depend on the type of plan you have.
At Topeka Dentistry, our friendly front desk staff is here to help go over your insurance benefits. We will help file claims to maximize your coverage.
We Work With Financing Options
We also allow patients access to dental procedures if it isn’t covered by their insurance. We accept Greensky and Care Credit, two financing options that give our patients the freedom to get the oral healthcare they need.
Topeka dentists Our doctors may recommend dental bonding as a quick and reliable treatment to repair chipped or cracked teeth or to enhance a smile flaw.
Dental bonding refers to a composite resin that your cosmetic dentist applies to your tooth’s surface. It is shaded to match your existing teeth and to blend in with your smile seamlessly.
Generally, this popular cosmetic dental treatment can be done in just one dental visit, and often without the need for anesthetic.
Dental Bonding Can Last Up to 10 Years
Topeka patients can greatly improve the lifespan of their tooth bonding with proper care and maintenance.
Variables that can impact your treatment’s longevity include harmful habits like biting your nails, chewing on ice, grinding your teeth, chewing pens, or eating too many hard foods or candies.
While dental bonding can be a durable method for treating damaged or stained teeth, it is not a permanent solution and may need a touch-up.
Coffee and wine drinkers should note that dental bonding material isn’t as stain-resistant as other restorations, and you may develop stains by smoking or drinking dark-colored beverages.
Keeping your cosmetic treatment maintained also involves daily brushing and flossing, along with routine visits to your dentist.
Are You Interested in Fixing a Chipped Tooth?
Tooth bonding remains a standard non-invasive cosmetic procedure that can completely transform and enhance your smile.
Call Topeka Dentistry today to go over your cosmetic options.
We couldn’t be more pleased if you’ve chosen Topeka Dentistry as your new dental home. When coming in for the first time to see the dentist, be sure to bring the following forms, which you can download here:
- Patient Registration Form
- Health History Form
- HIPAA Form
- Insurance Information Form
Also, bring:
- Identification
- Potential Copays or Payments
- Insurance Card
- Recent Films or Diagnoses (if relevant)
If you don’t download the forms online and prefer to fill them out in our dental office, you can arrive a little early to do so.
About Topeka Dentistry
We have a full staff of dentists to address your needs and ensure you don’t have to wait long to receive care. Our team comprises dental professionals who love what they do and enjoy welcoming new patients into our dental family.
Topeka Dentistry is a family dental practice, meaning we’re happy to care for patients of all ages, including young children.
Besides traditional dental care, we offer a wide range of treatments and services, including:
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Emergency Dentistry
- Tooth Replacement
- Tooth-Colored Restorations
- Clear Orthodontic Aligners
- And More
The Topeka Dental Team Can’t Wait to Meet You
To schedule a first visit with your dentist in Topeka, KS, or if you have questions, contact us at (785) 266-9100.
Ask a dental team member about our current specials and in-office membership plan.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Carrie B Peterson DDS Owner, Dentist
Although Carrie was born in Texas, she was raised in Southwest, KS. She has lived in Lawrence since 2000 and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors Degree …
Dr. Benjamin Rutherford DDS Owner, Dentist
Dr. Rutherford was born and raised right here in Topeka, so he’s always willing to give out recommendations if you ask. He earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree from …
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