Complete Dental Services at Hickman Family Dental
Finding a dentist in Urbandale, IA, who provides comprehensive care for your entire family can transform your approach to oral health. At Hickman Family Dental, Dr. Erickson and the experienced team offer a full range of dental services, from preventive cleanings and exams to restorative treatments like root canals and fillings. Patients throughout Urbandale, West Des Moines, Clive, and Johnston trust Hickman Family Dental for comfortable, high-quality dental care in a welcoming environment.
Whether you need a routine checkup, have a dental emergency, or want to discuss treatment options, the practice combines modern technology with personalized attention to meet your unique needs. Ready to experience dental care that puts you first? Call (515) 276-4981 to schedule your appointment at Hickman Family Dental today.
Dental Exams
Regular dental examinations form the foundation of preventive oral health care at Hickman Family Dental. During a comprehensive exam, Dr. Erickson performs a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and supporting structures to identify potential problems before they develop into serious issues. The examination process includes visual inspection, diagnostic imaging when necessary, oral cancer screenings, and periodontal measurements.
Our dental practice in Urbandale uses digital radiography, which reduces radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to traditional film x-rays while revealing decay between teeth, problems below the gum line, and bone loss. Most patients benefit from dental exams every six months, though Dr. Erickson creates customized recall schedules based on individual needs.
Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing and flossing can’t eliminate. The dental hygienists at Hickman Family Dental use specialized instruments to remove deposits from tooth surfaces and below the gum line, followed by thorough polishing with a gritty paste that removes surface stains. The team takes care to work at a comfortable pace and can apply numbing gel to sensitive areas when needed.
Cleanings reduce your risk of cavities, prevent gum disease, freshen breath, and may even contribute to better overall health. While most people do well with cleanings every six months, Dr. Erickson provides guidance on the schedule that best supports your oral health goals.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy saves teeth that would otherwise require extraction due to infection or damage to the inner pulp tissue. Dr. Erickson performs the procedure by carefully accessing the pulp chamber, removing infected tissue, thoroughly cleaning the root canal system, and filling the canals with a biocompatible material that prevents reinfection. Most root canal procedures at Hickman Family Dental in Urbandale, IA, require one or two appointments, with local anesthesia keeping you comfortable throughout the process.
After treatment, your tooth will need a crown to protect it from fracture and restore full function. Saving your natural tooth through root canal therapy offers significant advantages over extraction, as your natural tooth root stimulates the jawbone while preserving proper spacing and alignment.
Dental Fillings
Cavities remain one of the most common dental problems, with prompt treatment preventing the problem from worsening and causing pain or infection. Dr. Erickson uses white composite resin dental fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, bonding directly to tooth structure and providing excellent strength without mercury. The filling process begins with numbing the area, removing the decayed portion, and placing the composite resin in layers, with each layer hardened using a special curing light.
Signs that you may need a filling include tooth sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold foods, visible holes or dark spots on teeth, and pain when biting down. Prevention through brushing twice daily, flossing, and maintaining regular dental visits remains the best approach, but when decay develops, prompt treatment preserves tooth structure.
Family Dentistry
Family dentistry brings convenience and continuity to dental care by serving patients of all ages in one location, with Dr. Erickson at Hickman Family Dental welcoming everyone from young children to grandparents. Pediatric patients need gentle introductions to dental care and preventive treatments, teenagers may require orthodontic evaluations, adults benefit from comprehensive restorative services, and seniors receive care that addresses unique challenges as natural changes affect oral health.
The family dentistry model offers practical advantages, as scheduling becomes simpler when everyone visits the same office and the practice maintains complete family records in one location. Hickman Family Dental in Urbandale, IA, creates a welcoming atmosphere where patients of all ages feel comfortable, with a team that communicates clearly and explains procedures in age-appropriate terms.