Thomas Melvin Bell, DDS

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Dentists, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Clinics

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Today: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

39 Years

in Practice

ACCEPTING
NEW PATIENTS

Amenities:

Wheelchair accessible

(503) 399-7460Call Visit WebsiteVisit Website Map & DirectionsDirections438 Lancaster Dr NESalem, OR 97301 Write a ReviewWrite Review

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Hours

Regular Hours

Mon - Fri:	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Places Near Salem with Dentists

Keizer (7 miles)
Turner (10 miles)
Aumsville (14 miles)

More Types of Dental Services in Salem

Endodontists Pediatric Dentistry Periodontists Dental Labs Cosmetic Dentistry Implant Dentistry Orthodontists

Accepted Insurance

Delta Dental

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Specialties

Primary: Dentist

Sub-Specialty: Primary Dental Care

More Info

Extra Phones

Phone: (971) 600-2005

Fax: (503) 399-1428

Services/Products

Dentists.

Neighborhoods

Northeast Salem, Four Corners

AKA

Bell, Thomas M, DDS

Thomas M Bell DDS

Thomas Bell

Bell Thomas M, DDS PC

Other Links

http://www.salemfamilydentistry.com

http://salemdentistry.net

Categories

Dentists, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Clinics, Dental Hygienists, Dental Labs, Endodontists, Implant Dentistry, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontists, Physicians & Surgeons, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontists & Denture Centers, Teeth Whitening Products & Services

Other Information

Insurance: Delta Dental Premier

Services: Dentists

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Details

Phone: (503) 399-7460

Address: 438 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301

Website: http://www.salemfamilydentistry.com

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Thomas Melvin Bell, DDS

Dental Examination
If you have not scheduled your child’s dental examination and cleaning for this year, please take this time to write a reminder to yourself. Children’s oral health is as important as the rest of their overall health. Starting good oral habits can prevent a myriad of dental problems. Baby teeth should be examined, and cleaned, by dental professionals, twice a year starting at age two or earlier in some cases.
X-rays
Radiation is found in many natural things that we come across everyday. The sun, minerals in the soil, cell phones, even appliances found in our own homes. Though too much exposure of radiation can damage a persons tissue and their cells, our dental office gives a very small dose with our x-rays. At our office we now have digital x-rays which is half the radiation of the old x-rays. The x-ray cone on the x-ray head regulates where the radiation exposure directly goes, we also use a lead apron to protect our patients thyroids as well as their bodies.

Teeth Cleaning
We recommend that you see your dentist every six months for an exam and a teeth cleaning. Our office recommends having annual bitewing x-rays as well. Most major dental insurance recommend the same thing. It is best to visit your dentist at least every six months for routine care so they can see what areas are harder to maintain cleanliness. Annual bitewings are crucial for the dentist to see the start of decay.
Fluoride Treatment
Dental Sealants
Sealants are made of a plastic like material and are painted on to the chewing surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth. Sealants are put on to prevent tooth decay. The material bonds to the grooves and pits and protects the enamel of the tooth. We typically put sealants on children who have their premolars and molars; however, if an adult has a premolar or molar with deep pits and grooves without decay we like to protect their teeth as well.

Fillings
We offer two different types of filling material. A tooth-colored filling material that is made out of a plastic like material or silver fillings (also known as alloy or amalgam fillings) which consists of mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper. Both are durable and strong.
Veneers
There are many different options for re-shaping a tooth. The first option would be to have crowns done. Crowns fully encase the entire portion of the tooth above the gum line. The next option would be to have veneers bonded to the teeth. Veneers are very thin tooth colored custom made shells designed to cover the front of the teeth. The last option is dental bonding. Bonding is when composite (tooth colored material) is applied to the tooth surface and bonded “hardened” to the tooth.
Crowns
Many dentists agree the closest option to a natural tooth is the dental implant. A dentist places a metal post (called an implant) beneath your gum which acts like the root of a tooth. After the bone around the post heals, a custom made crown is seated on the metal post. It is designed to blend in with the way your own teeth look and feel. Many patients state the whole process is relatively painless and some insurance companies are now covering dental implants.
Bridges
The next choice is a fixed bridge. The teeth adjacent to the gap are prepared for crowns. A custom made bridge connects the prepared teeth, and an artificial tooth (called a pontic) replaces the lost natural tooth in the middle.
Dental Bonding

Root Canal Treatment
What all they cover- It usually looks something like this: 100/80/50. What this means is that Preventative work such as exams, x-rays, and cleanings are covered at 100%. Basic such as fillings, sometimes root canals, deep cleanings, and extractions insurance pays 80% and Major such as crowns, bridges, dentures, partials, sometimes surgical oral surgery is covered at 50%. Leaving the patient to pay the remaining 20% and 50%.

Dentures
The third option is a removable partial denture. This appliance can be taken in and out of the mouth. It can be used to replace one or several teeth and is the least costly option of the three.

Dental Implants
Implants are used to replace missing teeth, but not all patients are good candidates. It takes a trained dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon to determine if implants are suitable for a patient. First, X-rays or a CT Scan are used to determine if the missing tooth area has enough remaining bone to hold an implant. If bone is inadequate, augmentation surgery can sometimes generate enough bone to place implants. In addition to bone quantity, the quality of bone is also important. Dense, hard bone is better than soft, porous bone. Bone quantity and quality vary between patients, and between areas of the jaws.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral Surgery
Tooth Extractions
If tooth extractions are needed, these areas will usually require some months of healing before implants can be placed. Sometimes implants can be placed at the time of extraction. Once implants are placed, three to six months of healing are needed for osseointegration. When the implants are ready to restore, "abutments" are attached to the implants. Abutments serve to connect the implants in the bone to the restoration in the mouth. Then the restoring dentist fabricates and attaches the restoration to the implants. Depending on the situation, the whole process can take from three months to over a year. In most cases, the dentist provides a temporary restoration for this period.

Braces
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an account you can set up through your employer. During open enrollment, you choose how much money to put into this account, and a portion of this amount is deducted from each paycheck pre-tax. FSAs generally cover services or products that help keep your mouth healthy, including cleanings, braces needed for dental health reasons, benefit plan co-pays, fillings, crowns, dentures and more.

Teeth Whitening
“Some DIY dental health fads, like oil pulling for example, are just not effective,” said ADA dentist Dr. Matthew Messina. Others, however, could cause damage. DIY whitening with charcoal – a popular trend on social media – can cause more harm than good, Messina warned. There is no evidence that shows dental products with charcoal are safe or effective for your teeth, according to the September 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Salem Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is a full service family dentistry in Salem, OR. Our dental office has served Salem, OR for over 30 years. We are a full-service family dental practice with a highly skilled staff to treat all of your needs.
General Dentistry
Dr. Debi M. Huyssoon (pronounced Hi-soon) is a general dentist that truly values the patient-doctor relationship. She attended the University of San Diego where she earned her B.A. in Chemistry. While at the University of San Diego, she served in the US Army Reserves and then the California National Guard. Dr. Huyssoon also attended Portland State University, earning a B.S. in Biology. After finishing her undergraduate degrees she received her dental degree (D.M.D.) from OHSU’s School of Dentistry in 2005. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the Alpha Omega Study Club, a branch of the Seattle Study Club.

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