ABOUT DR. NATALIE
Dr. Anthony S. Natalie was raised in Danville, Indiana and attended Indiana University School of Dentistry. After graduating in 1994 from dental school, Anthony joined his father, August M. Natalie, practicing family dentistry together for 6 years before pursuing the practice solo. Dr. Natalie has three sons, Austin, Nathan, and Nolan, and resides in Avon, Indiana. His wife, Wendolyn Natalie, is a life-long educator in our community. Anthony enjoys outdoor activities including fishing and hunting, traveling, and golf.
Dr. Natalie specializes in beautifying smiles, maintaining your dental health, and helping you improve your appearance. Our experienced and friendly staff takes great pride in keeping your smile beautiful.
SERVICES
Comprehensive Oral Exam
A comprehensive oral exam is an important tool for diagnosis and treatment planning. This procedure includes:
1. Review of Medical & Dental history
2. Oral Cancer screening
3. Clinical evaluation of teeth and soft tissue
4. TMJ & muscle examination
5. Radiographic exam including Bitewing and Full Mouth Series (Panoramic)
Dental Hygiene
A prophylaxis or dental cleaning is a preventative procedure that is important to have done at least twice a year, or even more frequently for certain patients. Our hygienists will educate you and show you the best methods for brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth. Let our hygienist take great care of your teeth and gums!
Partial and Complete Dentures
There are different types of dentures, but they share a common function. Dentures replace teeth that have been extracted allowing the patient to smile, chew efficiently and speak clearly. Complete dentures are fabricated for a patient that is missing all of their teeth. Complete dentures can be fabricated for the upper arch, the lower arch or both arches. For patients that may only be missing just a few teeth and want to keep the ones that remain, a partial denture may be their best option. The overall oral condition including the remaining teeth are evaluated to determine if these teeth can be utilized as support abutments. Partial dentures are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some time getting used to.
Due to continual resorption of bone in areas of extracted teeth, denture appliances may become loose and move while speaking or eating. In some cases, dental implants can be utilized to further stabilize the dentures.
Dental Restorations (Fillings)
If tooth decay has been diagnosed during a routine dental exam, an appointment is scheduled for restoration of that affected area. In most situations a local anesthetic is used to allow for a more comfortable procedure. The decay is removed and the hole is replaced with a restorative material. Different restorative material options are available (i.e. composite, metal, ceramic) and can be discussed prior to the restorative appointment. Decay left untreated can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth may require further treatment.
Crowns
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is cracked, fractured or has too many fillings. Crowns are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when large oversized fillings wear out. The larger the hole in a tooth made by a cavity, the more likely a crown will be needed. A crown covers the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. Two appointments are required to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first appointment, all decay is removed and the tooth is shaped to accept the crown. An impression is taken of the prepared tooth and sent to a dental laboratory for final fabrication. The type of crown suitable for your tooth is determined by esthetics, position and the amount of stress this tooth will endure during normal chewing function. These options include high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or full gold alloy. In between the two appointments a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit this temporary is removed. Then the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.
Implant Dentistry
Implant technology is the latest innovation in restorative dentistry. Dental implants are the most natural solution for restoring lost teeth and ensuring overall long-term oral health.
Over the past two decades, dental implants have become a more desirable alternative to other conventional methods of replacing missing teeth. Excellent success rates and a wide array of options have allowed dentists to discover new ways to treat and replace lost teeth. As permanent fixtures (stabilized in bone), dental implants function like natural teeth and are cosmetically appealing. They can be used either for individual replacements or for complete full-mouth restoration.
When a single tooth is lost, the other teeth surrounding it shift towards that space, ultimately causing the entire mouth to adversely change. Normal every day activities such as communication, chewing and digestion of foods can become much more challenging. Adjacent and opposing teeth become stressed resulting in further tooth loss by the depletion of one tooth after another. Replacing this loss with an implant is the most functional solution. A dental implant has the look, feel and function of natural teeth as well as allowing for the stabilization of the teeth around them.
Aside from replacement of individual teeth, implants can be used to support full or partial dentures which can dramatically improve retention and stability. Many former conventional denture patients are choosing implants to support and stabilize their dentures. Implant supported dentures require less maintenance, improved retention and greater chewing efficiency. So many denture wearers are concerned about the unsupported (sunken) facial appearance to their profile. Once the dental implants have integrated in bone, the natural lip support can be preserved.
Benefits of Dental Implants
When compared to fixed bridges and removable dentures supported by other teeth or gum tissue, implants offer numerous advantages:
1. Better esthetics:
Since implants are placed in the bone/gingiva similar to the way a natural tooth is supported, they offer a more realistic and natural appearance.
2. Reduction of bone resorption:
When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone structure gradually recedes. Replacing a recently extracted tooth with an implant significantly reduces the amount of bone resorption that occurs following an extraction.
3. Retention:
Patients who have experienced removable full or partial dentures know that keeping these appliances in place can be a challenge. Dental implants offer a great improvement to denture retention which also improves chewing efficiency. In some cases the denture can be secured to multiple implants with special screws that stabilize the denture completely.
4. Preserving natural tooth structure:
Bridges, commonly used to fill spaces where teeth have been extracted, require additional reduction of the surrounding adjacent teeth. This negatively impacts your overall oral health by requiring the reduction of natural tooth structure to create room for the new bridge. An implant is designed to be a individual unit and does not negatively affect the adjacent teeth.
Getting Started with Dental Implants:
Implant dentistry is proceeded mostly as a team approach. Typically, a general dentist, an oral surgeon/periodontist and a dental laboratory work together in conjunction over the course of treatment to achieve the desired results. Initially, a consultation appointment (health history, oral examination, radiographs) is required by the general dentist and the oral surgeon/periodontist to determine if you are a candidate for implant procedures.
Once candidacy has been established, the oral surgeon/periodontist surgically places the implant in the bone. A simple healing cap is placed leaving it at or slightly above the level of the gingiva. Over the next several months, the bone integrates (locks in place) around the implant for the sole purpose of stabilization. Following the appropriate healing phase, the implant is reexamined for complete stabilization. Then an abutment is placed and secured to the implant by either the oral surgeon/periodontist or the general dentist. The abutment which stands above the gingiva acts as the substructure for the final restorations to be connected. Impressions of the abutment/implant are then taken for the fabrication of the final restoration. Total treatment time can range from six to nine months.
OUR DENTAL TEAM
Angie Richardson
Office Manager
Angie has been the office manager for Dr. Natalie since 2009. As office manager, Angie schedules appointments, works closely with insurance, and provides patients with essential information. Angie and her husband Brian have 3 children, and currently reside in Avon, Indiana.
Grace Thompson
Dental Assistant
Grace is an exceptional addition to our dental practice. A graduate of Indianapolis Dental Assisting School, she is currently attending Indiana University studying Public Health. Grace grew up in Plainfield and graduated from Plainfield High School in 2019. When not supporting patient care alongside Dr. Natalie, Grace enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and online retail therapy.
Susan Whitlow
Dental Hygienist
Susan Whitlow brings a wealth of experience to our practice with prior experience in dental assisting before choosing hygiene as her career path. Susan graduated from Dental Assisting school in 1978 before becoming a hygienist in 1999. When not practicing hygiene alongside Dr. Natalie, Susan enjoys gardening, traveling to Florida, and Indy Car Racing.
CONTACT US
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
8AM – 5PM
Our Address:
148 Vestal Road
Plainfield, IN 46168
Schedule an Appointment
or
Contact Us
Phone Number: 317-839-2381
Email: asnatalie@asndds.com