“We are a one-stop dental practice. I can do most procedures right here without the need for referrals,” said Dr. William J. Ayotte, explaining a key advantage of the dental services he has been offering for 34 years, 23 of them in Marlborough.
The family dentistry practice provides routine dental care for patients of all ages, but Dr. Ayotte also performs cosmetic and reconstruction procedures, implants for single and multiple teeth, crowns and bridges, veneers, and basic root canals.
“People like the fact that they can deal with the same dentist they know and don’t have to make appointments elsewhere,” he said.
Dr. Ayotte, a graduate of Tufts Dental School, treats both children and adults.
“Children should have their first visit to a dentist when they are two-and-a-half to three years old, when they can sit still for a while. It’s typically a comfort visit, to see the chair and the surroundings. We count their teeth, maybe do a cleaning or polish.”
A key reason for those early visits, he noted, is to spot any problems early, such as decay because a child is holding a bottle on the front teeth or falling asleep with a bottle of juice or milk.
“We can intervene with parents early and encourage them to switch to a cup or to use water in a bottle,” to stop further tooth decay, he said.
At the other end of the age spectrum, elderly patients may find it more difficult to take care of their teeth and can suffer root decay when their dental hygiene slips.
“We often have older patients come in more frequently than every six months so we can clean their teeth and provide fluoride treatments. We can also give them a prescription for a fluoride toothpaste to help slow down decay.”
Adults generally should see a dentist every six months “if their diet is good and they are not drinking too many soft drinks,” he said.
One of the popular dental dental procedures today is tooth whitening.
“The whitening products sold in stores are not as effective because the chemicals have to be at a safe level for home use. In the office, we use a lot stronger, more concentrated formula under controlled conditions. We also provide trays of the whitener for patients to use once a month at home to touch up their teeth.”
The whitening process lasts for about six months. Dr. Ayotte urges patients not to overdo the whitening process, especially with over-the-counter products. And he recommends for both whitening and tooth veneers that patients opt for a natural-looking color rather than a white that looks artificial.
Dr. Ayotte emphasized that people should call at the first sign of a problem.
“A lot of problems are treatable and even preventable if they are treated early. It could mean the difference between a filling and a tooth having to come out. If you have a toothache or swollen jaw, don’t put it off. Techniques for dealing with problems are more improved today, and we can do more if we catch something carly.”
Dr. Ayotte’s office is located at 910 Boston Post Road East #240 Marlborough, MA 01752 (Route 20) in Marlborough. Hours are Monday. Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. He practices in Newton on Wednesdays. For an appointment, call (508) 786-9687.