Family Dentistry

A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

Whether you are interested in finding a family dentist for your child's next dental cleaning or are ready to consider rebuilding your smile with dental implants, we are dedicated to serving you with a compassionate, caring approach and an extraordinary commitment to providing you with the highest level of care possible.

Savannah dentist Dr. Richard Thomas has years of training and experience in managing the changing dental needs of patients of all ages. Our focus is on preventive care; with regular check-up and hygiene care visits we can help you and your family avoid costly (and untimely) dental emergencies.

Medical research also continues to acknowledge the links between oral health and overall physical health. Dental bacteria that cause dental infections and inflammation in the mouth have been shown to be a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and can have negative implications for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.

As your partner in dental health we take our job seriously and want to do everything we can to support the health and well-being of our patients. If you have been hiding from the dentist, don't be shy! It is our pleasure to assist you with any dental need; please Contact Our Dental Team for great information and plenty of helpful encouragement.

Young Smiles

Our Dental Designs of Savannah children's healthy smile visits begin with teaching you and your child about proper brushing and flossing, along with nutrition tips to help avoid tooth decay.

A positive early experience with the dentist will help your child stay interested in taking care of their teeth and gums as they grow up. We will always work with your child at their pace as we introduce them to the sights and sounds of the dental office.

Children's Dentistry

We recommend that children come to see us every six months for routine cleanings and dental exams. During these visits, Dr. Thomas will ‘count’ your child's teeth and our dental hygienist will use a special toothbrush to make their smile shiny clean. If this is your child's first trip to the dentist, we may ask you to hold them in your lap and just go for a fun ride in the dental chair together.

Dr. Thomas will review dental x-rays of your child's teeth at their check-up visits to look for cavities between the teeth and to monitor development of the teeth and jaw bone. Our practice is equipped with digital x-ray technology; this gives Dr. Thomas the tools to share his findings with you on a computer screen. He will also advise you regarding your child's tooth eruption progress and bite alignment to help you stay informed about their orthodontic health.

Dental sealants and fluoride treatments are comfortable, economical dental services that can help protect permanent teeth from tooth decay during the adolescent and teen years. Dr. Thomas and our dental hygienist will talk with you about these and other preventive measures that may be recommended to keep your child's smile healthy.

Dr. Thomas may refer your child to a pediatric dentist, or children's dental specialist, if they have complex needs or are very excited or anxious in the dental environment.

Grown Up Smiles

Savannah dentist Dr. Richard Thomas sees his adult patients for a thorough dental examination 2-4 times per year. During these appointments, Dr. Thomas will review dental x-rays and look closely at the teeth, gums and jaw bone to check for any signs of tooth decay, infection, abnormal soft tissue or bone loss.

Periodontal Disease

Adult preventive dentistry is not just about taking care of the teeth; as we mature, our gums and bone support around the teeth become more susceptible to periodontal disease, or gum infection.

Different types of bacteria are found normally in the mouth. Oral bacteria thrives on starches and sugars, leaving a soft, sticky film on the teeth called dental plaque. In as little as 48 hours, if it is not removed, dental plaque will harden into tartar, or calculus, which we can't remove with brushing and flossing alone.

Periodontal disease develops when destructive oral bacteria organize and spread above and below the gum line to cause an infection in the soft tissue. Hard tooth calculus deposits and dental plaque are made up of unhealthy substances that produce toxins, which contribute to gum infection.

The destructive path of periodontal disease leads to loss of gum tissue around the teeth, and perhaps worse, loss of bone support under the teeth. As the jaw bone levels are reduced by periodontal disease, teeth lose the attachment to the bone and become very loose, and will eventually require removal. Surprisingly, the #1 cause of adult tooth loss is periodontal disease (vs. tooth decay).

The good news about periodontal disease: With early diagnosis, periodontal disease can often be treated non-surgically with gum treatments to remove diseased tissue and hardened deposits from the teeth and tooth root surfaces, a procedure known as root planing. Dr. Thomas and our dental hygienist provide periodontal root planing services in the comfort of our Savannah dental office.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is on the rise, and dentists have joined the fight against this life-threatening disease.

During your routine dental examinations, Dr. Thomas will check the tongue, soft tissue and palate for signs of lesions, bumps or tissue changes that may be an early warning sign of oral cancer.

We encourage our patients to maintain a regular dental check-up schedule to allow us to support them with ongoing screenings and any necessary tests to rule out oral cancer.

Your Savannah Restorative and Cosmetic Dentist

Savannah restorative and cosmetic dentist Dr. Richard M. Thomas, Jr. is dedicated to helping his patients achieve healthy, radiant smiles. He is committed to education in all aspects of dental health and to advances in the field of dentistry. Dr. Thomas provides a comprehensive range of services to support our patients with their dental health needs.

Teeth provide an important function in chewing food properly to sustain healthy digestive processes. Tooth enamel is the hardest structure in the human body, however, it sometimes becomes damaged due to tooth decay or trauma. Restorative dentistry procedures such as CEREC® crowns, bridges, dental implants, fillings, or removable partial or complete dentures are designed to rebuild lost tooth function and bring health back to your smile.

Our smile is also central to our ability to communicate. Studies show that how we feel about the health and appearance of our smile can influence our self-confidence as we interact with others. Cosmetic dentistry offers possibilities to enhance smile appearance with services such as dental veneers, Invisalign® orthodontics, teeth whitening, implant restorations and cosmetic dental bonding.

Choosing a Family Dentist near You

We are honored by the referrals we receive from our patients and colleagues. It would be our privilege to support your family's dental health needs.

Each member of our Dental Designs of Savannah Team is highly trained to make sure that you and your family always enjoy a dental experience that exceeds your expectations! We invite you to Contact Us schedule your next dental appointment.