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Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Protect Your Natural Smile

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Preserve more natural teeth with gentle modern techniques.

Preserve more natural teeth with gentle modern techniques.

Minimally invasive dentistry is, the concept is removing the least amount of natural tooth structure to get the overall benefit that we need to have a good healthy tooth. So that can look like a lot of different things. It could just be with if there's a small tiny little cavity we can just prepare that small little area and we have different instruments and machines to kind of help us with that and then we can just place like a little sealant over the tooth.

What we want to do is make sure that we allow you to keep as much natural tooth as possible and fix your tooth without having to cover the whole thing always with the crown or doing a large filling. Sometimes we can do it in a much smaller way which is a quicker procedure but it also keeps as much natural tooth structure as possible. We're always looking for a conservative approach on how we treat any tooth or any person all right and we try to do that in the most comfortable way as possible.

We're going to make sure that you're completely comfortable while we're doing the procedure. Sometimes we don't even need to numb you up for the procedure and a minimally invasive approach also means that we're removing less natural tooth structure which generally means a faster procedure but also for people that have a little bit more anxiety or they just want to get a lot of dentistry done quicker we're able to do that with sedation dentistry as well. So in our practice we're able to help people on all different levels of fear or anxiety or just from getting some dentistry done in a faster standpoint.

So sometimes when it comes to treatment planning less is more. There's a lot of different ways that we look at things and sometimes you can be more aggressive with it. Some doctors are more aggressive some people aren't.

So that's a conversation that we're going to have and we're going to give you multiple options on a conservative way to preserve as much natural tooth as we can and that'll be completely up to you how you want to do that.

Get Gentle Care for Your Smile With Minimally Invasive Dentistry in Wilmington

At Porters Neck Dentistry, we use minimally invasive dentistry in Wilmington to help protect and maintain your smile. Our approach preserves more of your healthy tooth structure with effective and comfortable treatments. This patient-focused care enhances your long-term oral health and reduces overall recovery time.

Our dental preservation techniques include silver diamine fluoride to arrest tooth decay painlessly, air abrasion for cavity removal without drills, and inlays and onlays as alternatives to fillings or crowns. These procedures maintain and improve the health and beauty of your natural teeth.

Call 910-202-6576 for an Appointment
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Benefit From Our Conservative Approach

Beyond the clinical outcomes, minimally invasive dentistry improves the comfort level of appointments. Treatments are less involved and recovery time is minimal. Plus, you leave with more of your smile intact. You'll experience:

  • Less Anxiety - Air abrasion and non-invasive treatments like silver diamine fluoride involve less noise, less pressure, and less discomfort than conventional solutions.
  • Simpler Appointments - Many minimally invasive treatments require little to no downtime. You can get back to your day sooner.
  • A Smile That Still Feels Like Yours - Because these treatments preserve your tooth structure, your smile continues to look and feel the way it should.
  • Confidence in Your Care - Knowing that we prioritize conservation gives you peace of mind. You can trust that every recommendation we make will promote your long-term health.

Experience Enhanced Comfort & Excellent Results

Your dentist will recommend the approach that fits your specific situation. We can offer:

  • Silver Diamine Fluoride - We apply this liquid treatment to early-stage cavities to stop decay and strengthen enamel.
  • Air Abrasion - Instead of a traditional drill, air abrasion uses a precise stream of fine particles to remove tooth decay. Often, no numbing is needed.
  • Inlays - An inlay repairs damage in the center of the chewing surface, fitting within the cusps of a tooth.
  • Onlays - An onlay covers a larger portion of the tooth while still preserving the underlying structure.

Benefit from our minimally invasive dentistry in Wilmington.

Call 910-202-6576 for an Appointment
5 out of 5 stars - 709 votes

5 Stars (709 Reviews)

Read Why Patients Love Us

Patients appreciate the special care they receive from our team. Check out what they have to say!

5

1st day here was great! Staff were all super nice. Really liked chatting with the dentists as well as the dental assistants. Did a really good job of cleaning and photographing my teeth. They were all super friendly! And then there is the fact that Dr Shumate was the only dentist around here...
1st day here was great! Staff were all super nice. Really liked chatting with the dentists as well as the dental assistants. Did a really good job of cleaning and photographing my teeth. They were all super friendly! And then there is the fact that Dr Shumate was the only dentist around here that was able to repair a difficult / complex issue with my wifes teeth (dealing with severe allergies to Novocaine) - so yeah, needless to say, have been hopeful and highly impressed. Highly recommended!!

5

My husband and I wanted a Dentist closer to home. Wilmington traffic is unbearable! Dr. Shumate's office is only 15 min. away from home. We really lucked up. Dr. Shumate provides cosmetic dentistry, places dental implants, and offers family Dentistry. I visited Dr. Shumate, thinking I would...
My husband and I wanted a Dentist closer to home. Wilmington traffic is unbearable! Dr. Shumate's office is only 15 min. away from home. We really lucked up. Dr. Shumate provides cosmetic dentistry, places dental implants, and offers family Dentistry. I visited Dr. Shumate, thinking I would start there, but I also had to see an oral surgeon. Nope, Dr. Shumate placed my dental implants, and I love Dr. Dana. He is a perfectionist, kind, and a gentleman. Of course, my better half sees Dr. Lauren and is so happy with her work. He also enjoys going into their office. We both do, the staff is professional and well-trained. While the receptionists are respectful and professional. I couldn't ask for more! Paula and Alan Lanier

5

From the time you walk till the time you walk out you feel like family. As a nervous patient the entire staff made me feel at ease. Dr Shumate is very kind and takes the time to make sure you are well taken care of. And yes I took a fresh baked cookie from the lobby! Nice touch!

5

The entire team was incredibly kind, patient, and professional from start to finish. They went out of their way to provide extra care and make sure I felt comfortable as a nervous patient, which I really appreciated. You can tell they genuinely care about their patients. Highly recommend.

5

A wonderful experience. The waiting room is nice, updated and clean, the ladies at the desk are super professional and will help you with all your insurance and payment options. My dental hygienist was super nice, friendly and understanding of my needs being an anxious dental patient! She...
A wonderful experience. The waiting room is nice, updated and clean, the ladies at the desk are super professional and will help you with all your insurance and payment options. My dental hygienist was super nice, friendly and understanding of my needs being an anxious dental patient! She took extra time and care with my teeth which I really appreciated! She made sure I was comfortable. Dr. Dana Shumate is top notch and really friendly! He really knows his stuff but also is kind and genuine. If you want a new dental experience check out this practice, it’s a pleasure going there and especially if you are an anxious patient! 😁

5

I went in for my 6 month cleaning yesterday. The hygienist, Lindsey, was running behind, but worked very efficiently to perform my cleaning. She was thorough, and did a great job. The office personnel is always friendly and welcoming. Dr. Shumate is kind and understanding. I’ve been going to...
I went in for my 6 month cleaning yesterday. The hygienist, Lindsey, was running behind, but worked very efficiently to perform my cleaning. She was thorough, and did a great job. The office personnel is always friendly and welcoming. Dr. Shumate is kind and understanding. I’ve been going to their office for nearly 10 years. If there are ever any issues, they work well to resolve whatever needs attention,

5

I appreciate how clean & welcoming the office is, and they do a great job of staying on schedule so my kids and I aren't left waiting. The staff is always helpful, and friendly. Highly recommend!

5

Great staff! Very good and efficient work done! Satisfied tremendously! Thanks Smith Family. Dentistry @ Porters Neck, Wilmington NC

Patient Resources

Commonly Asked Questions About Minimally Invasive Dentistry

What is minimally invasive dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry lets us treat decay and damage using precise, targeted techniques. We use air abrasion, partial crowns, and silver diamine fluoride treatments to treat decay and damage with minimal discomfort. We'll protect your natural tooth structure for better results. You can expect less impact, less discomfort, and faster healing.

 What are the benefits of choosing minimally invasive dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry offers several benefits. It focuses on preserving more of your tooth structure, reducing treatment discomfort, and promoting faster recovery. We use advanced technology and conservative techniques to treat dental issues while maintaining your smile's health and appearance.

How does minimally invasive dentistry improve my overall visit?

Minimally invasive dentistry focuses on gentle treatments that preserve your smile and minimize your discomfort. With advanced, comfort-focused techniques, you'll experience less anxiety and faster healing. This approach, enhanced by our welcoming office environment, ensures you feel comfortable and confident during your visit.

Is minimally invasive dentistry a good option for patients with dental anxiety?

Minimally invasive dentistry works especially well if anxiety has kept you from seeking care. These treatments involve less noise, less pressure, and less discomfort than traditional procedures. You will likely find that air abrasion and silver diamine fluoride feel less intimidating, making it easier to stay consistent with your dental health.

How long do minimally invasive dental treatments take to heal?

Recovery is typically faster than with traditional dental procedures. Because minimally invasive treatments preserve more of your natural tooth structure and involve less disruption to surrounding tissue, you can often resume normal activity the same day. We will give you specific guidance based on your treatment, but there is typically little downtime.

Does minimally invasive dentistry cost more than traditional dental treatment?

Minimally invasive treatments are often comparable in cost to traditional options, and they can actually save you money over time. By addressing problems early and preserving more of your natural tooth, you reduce the likelihood of needing more complex and expensive procedures later on.