John Polkinghorne, DDS

(405) 341-4400

Comprehensive, Detail-Oriented
Dental Services in Edmond, OK

Preventive Dentistry

Quality preventive care is the foundation of a lifelong healthy smile, as well as a cooperative effort by Dr. John, our team, and the patients themselves. Our goal is to provide regular dental exams, cleanings, X-rays, at-home oral hygiene instruction, and other services that protect and strengthen your teeth and gums at every stage of life, helping you avoid costly dental problems down the road.

Dr. John strongly recommends that each patient attends a comprehensive checkup and revitalizing hygiene appointment every six months. During these visits, our team will carefully review every aspect of your oral health, including the surface of each individual tooth, the gum tissue, the bite, the TMJ, any existing restorative work, and an oral cancer screening. Digital X-rays will provide invaluable assistance as well in revealing any potential damage that’s well-hidden beneath the surface of your smile. Our goal is to fully understand your unique oral health needs so that we can address concerns as early on in their development as possible.

Keeping tooth surfaces fully clean of food particles and damaging bacteria can be difficult for younger patients, especially regarding the hard-to-reach chewing surfaces on the premolars and molars. That’s why Dr. John is likely to recommend dental sealants as a simple and effective children’s dentistry service that can provide quality protection against cavities. These sealants are placed directly over the deep pits and grooves as a barrier that blocks out damaging accumulations, and they can last for multiple years with proper oral hygiene and professional maintenance.

Our dental team enjoys being able to treat your entire family when possible, including its youngest members. Dr. John and Courtney recommend starting your child as early as 2 years of age to be seen. We always take a gentle approach in these cases, helping your son or daughter feel at ease in the treatment chair as we provide checkups, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and other vital services that will support their growing smiles. Dr. John will also be on the lookout for any potential developmental concerns so they can be properly diagnosed and treated as early on in your child’s life as possible.

Do you regularly experience grating headaches and significant jaw pain? Do your teeth seem more and more damaged or worn-down over time with no understandable cause? These are likely signs of bruxism, a common condition among adults that’s more commonly referred to as “teeth grinding.” In most cases, bruxism tends to occur while patients sleep at night, which makes self-diagnosis more difficult. At our practice, Dr. John is very familiar with these symptoms, and he can provide a personalized nightguard if needed to cushion the rows of teeth and prevent aggravating contact as you rest.
There are tens of thousands of new cases of oral cancer every year, and on average, one person will die from the condition every hour. These staggering statistics exist in part because most patients aren’t properly diagnosed until their cancer has already progressed to an advanced stage, which makes recovery difficult. Here in Edmond, Dr. John prioritizes his patients’ safety by providing oral cancer screenings as an essential part of every checkup. Our team’s goal is to identify concerning symptoms as early as possible!

Fluoride is a valuable mineral that many communities add to their water supplies, and for good reason – research has shown that drinking fluoridated water on a regular basis can lead to stronger tooth enamel and fewer instances of cavities. Unfortunately, the rise in popularity of bottled water has led to many families missing out on these benefits. We recommend a fluoride varnish application at your regular check ups.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by your general physician or a specialist, you may not realize that a dentist like Dr. John can provide you with the effective therapy you need to enjoy quality, uninterrupted rest once more. With a customized oral appliance (also known as a “snoreguard”), the tongue and/or jaw can be comfortably repositioned in order to prevent airway blockage, allowing for easy breathing throughout the night.
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is one of the most common health problems on the planet, not to mention the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. The symptoms include:
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Constant bad taste
  • Bleeding gums
  • Red gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Pus in between teeth
Treatment for this is scaling and root planning. Courtney will evaluate you for this at your initial appointment.

Dr John and his team use the latest technology of digital imaging. They use this because it ensures the most accurate and best quality picture. In addition, less radiation exposure.

Restorative Dentistry

Over time, incidents of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other common dental problems have greatly diminished through the improved quality of professional dental care – but that doesn’t mean your smile isn’t still susceptible to these threats. Here in Edmond, Dr. John Polkinghorne utilizes sophisticated techniques and modern technology to bring back your smile’s natural appearance, function, and shape when needed.

If you’re experiencing one or more teeth that are badly damaged, decayed, or even lost, it may be time to pursue a top-tier restoration with Dr. John’s experienced assistance. Your new crown and/or bridge will be designed to greatly improve your oral function and stand the test of time. Better yet, we use all-ceramic E-Max material to ensure the highest aesthetic quality possible.

Traditional, dark-colored amalgam fillings are no longer the treatment of choice for combating cavities. Instead, our team is proud to offer tooth-colored composite resin as an excellent and attractive alternative that virtually disappears within your naturally confident smile.

When several natural teeth have been lost, even the simplest, most essential of activities like eating or speaking can become embarrassingly difficult. That’s why we want to help you regain a complete smile you can count on with a customized full or partial denture. Both traditional dentures and implant-retained dentures are available!

Dr. John will do everything in his power to help you maintain your complete, healthy smile over the course of your life, but unfortunately, impending tooth loss is still a reality for many struggling patients because of advanced tooth decay, periodontal disease, or traumatic injuries. When the worst happens, trust in our Edmond dental team to see you through this deeply frustrating time. We’ll handle your extraction procedure as comfortably and smoothly as possible and start working together to determine the ideal reconstructive solution right away, if needed.

Your third molars (more commonly referred to as “wisdom teeth”) don’t emerge into your adult smile until somewhere between the ages of 16 and 22, and they’re likely to bring concerning problems along with them, such as impaction, overcrowding, and higher risks of infection. If Dr. John determines that the removal of your wisdom teeth will be beneficial for your overall oral health, he may recommend this service as a valuable preventive measure.

Today, there’s simply no better option for recreating strong, seamlessly lifelike teeth than dental implants, and Dr. John Polkinghorne looks forward to helping you regain the thriving smile you deserve with this state-of-the-art service.

Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re unhappy with any part of your smile, your Edmond, OK dentist, Dr. John Polkinghorne, can help. We offer a wide array of cosmetic dentistry services to transform even the most flawed teeth into picture perfect smiles. From teeth whitening to porcelain veneers, we have the treatments you need to get the smile of your dreams. Don’t hesitate to contact our team to find out more or schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation today.

If you have several dental imperfections that need to be addressed, porcelain veneers can provide a customized and comprehensive solution that transforms your smile’s appearance all at once. These ultra-thin restorations are designed to cover just the visible surfaces of certain teeth, and their high-quality structure is very resistant against staining – even more so than your natural enamel.

Coffee, wine, poor oral hygiene, old age, genetics – many factors can influence the shade of our tooth enamel over the years, some more avoidable than others. Here in Edmond, Dr. John wants to help you revitalize your smile’s natural glow with both in-office teeth whitening and custom at-home whitening kits that can provide truly dazzling improvements.

For those desiring straighter teeth without the inconvenience of metal wires and brackets, Dr. Polkinghorne offers Edmond dental patients Invisalign® clear braces. As opposed to traditional orthodontics, Invisalign® utilizes a series of clear aligner trays to gradually shift teeth into proper alignment. The trays are nearly invisible — and best of all — completely removable! Take them out during photos, at special events, when eating or brushing teeth… whenever you want. Treatment time depends on each individual patient’s teeth, but the average is about 12 months. Contact our office today to learn more and schedule your Invisalign® consultation with Dr. Polkinghorne.

Advanced Technology

Dentistry is a constantly evolving field, and Dr. John Polkinghorne enjoys bringing these newer techniques and tools to his valued patients whenever possible. Our team’s goal is to improve our accuracy and your comfort to exceptional levels at every stage of care, from the initial diagnosis all the way to the painstakingly crafted results. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you’re interested in learning more, or if you’re ready to schedule your first consultation here in Edmond, OK. Our practice is also open to new patients from Deer Creek, OK and other surrounding areas.

We offer digital impressions. It’s a highly detailed impression with no radiation exposure. It’s as easy as scanning each tooth in succession.

Dr. John Polkinghorne has been practicing dentistry for almost 40 years now, and he’s worked hard to cultivate a detail-oriented approach that delivers exceptional, lasting results to his patients. You won’t have to worry about your new crown or other restoration failing after just a year or two of use – our team will give you and your oral health all the time you need, focusing on lasting quality first during each and every appointment. We listen to the concerns and questions you have, and it’s our promise that you’ll never leave the office feeling rushed. Whether it’s time for a checkup or you’re in need of advanced restorative and cosmetic improvements, Dr. John looks forward to helping you smile with confidence once more.

Our practice is located here in Edmond, OK, and we’re happy to serve patients from the Greater Oklahoma City area.