Panorex at Lehigh Valley Smiles

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we use panoramic digital radiography to provide high-quality care to our patients in Easton PA and the surrounding areas. Panorex is an X-ray machine that is capable of capturing more of the mouth structure than a traditional, dental X-ray and can, therefore, identify many issues.

To take the X-ray you will sit in a chair with your chin on a small ledge. Once positioned, the machine will rotate 360 degrees around your head, capturing X-rays of your teeth, head, sinuses and bone, which allows Dr. Alan Dilsaver to see any potential problems and ensure that everything is functioning properly. The Panorex can also view specific types of structural problems, including infections or asymmetry.

In addition to clearer and more comprehensive images, the Panorex and other digital X-rays also produce up to 90 percent less radiation that traditional dental X-rays. This is because the digital sensor is much more sensitive to radiation than film so less is needed to form an accurate image. While traditional X-rays are considered safe by professionals, those who receive X-rays frequently or who are concerned about radiation will feel more comfortable with digital radiography.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.com. 

Root Canals from Dr. Alan Dilsaver

If the root of your tooth becomes infected, it is important to first try and save the tooth rather than extracting it and replacing it with an artificial restoration. This is because restorations, such as implants or bridges, are both expensive and not as beneficial to your oral health as having your own root supporting your tooth.  To avoid extracting a tooth, Dr. Alan Dilsaver performs root canal procedures, which can effectively save your tooth and relieve your pain in Easton, PA.

Root canals can be performed with new 3D technology and rotary instruments that provide improved quality and efficiency and less pain. During the procedure, Dr. Dilsaver will remove the infection by first applying a local anesthetic to the area and then creating an opening in the canal. With his rotary instruments, he is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area before filling the canal with a sealant to protect from further infection. Teeth that have root canals performed on them also usually require a crown to protect it from fractures, as well as improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. Once the procedure is complete and any soreness subsides, you will be able to eat without pain and sensitivity.

If you’re in pain, you can stop you’re suffering by scheduling an appointment with Lehigh Valley Smiles. Call (610) 252-7414. For more information, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Dental Implants in Easton, PA

If you’ve lost one tooth or multiple teeth due to extensive decay, gum disease or facial trauma, we can provide you with the solution you need to restore your oral health in Easton, PA. Since teeth can shift out of place after a tooth has been removed, and since teeth that shift are more susceptible to disease and decay, Lehigh Valley Dental offers dental implants to both restore the beauty of your smile and improve your oral health. While bridges or dentures can also be used to replace missing teeth, these options either require work to healthy teeth or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. Dental implants, on the other hand, look and feel natural.

The first step of the implant process is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, your jaw is left to heal around the implant in a process called osseointegration—a process that can take three to six months to complete. During this healing, you will receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

When the implant has healed, Dr. Alan Dilsaver will install the abutment, which acts as the foundation upon which your permanent crown is placed. An impression is then taken of the area, and the permanent crown is custom made and adhered to the abutment to give you a new smile that looks and functions like your natural teeth.

With our help, you can achieve an attractive and complete smile with dental implants. Schedule a consultation by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Invisalign in Easton, PA

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we offer Invisalign aligners so that you can straighten your teeth without committing to a mouth full of metal. Using a series of thin, clear, plastic aligners, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can guide your teeth into a smile you will be proud to show off in Easton, PA.   

While regular braces are still best for the most serious cases of teeth straightening, Invisalign is great for cases of mild to moderate spacing or crowding. For these cases, Invisalign provides teeth correction that bypasses the discomfort, soreness and restrictive diet that those who have traditional braces must face.

With a computer program that generates a series of aligners with small changes in each, Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. Virtually invisible, the aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic and are completely removable. Therefore, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can normally occur with brackets and wire. In addition, you will be able to eat all the foods you like, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, nuts, apples, carrots and corn.

If you think Invisalign might be the best option for achieving the smile you’ve been dreaming of, schedule an appointment at with Dr. Dilsaver by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information about the orthodontic treatment or the dentist’s other services, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Extractions in Easton, PA

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will need a tooth extraction, and at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can perform one to help you restore your oral health in Easton, PA.  

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. If it is a simple extraction, the tooth will be loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Dr. Dilsaver may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone afterward, and once he is finished, he will suture the gums.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, the dentist can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Dr. Alan Dilsaver Restores Patients Smiles with Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are two procedures that use the tooth structure as a base for restoration. Often called partial crowns, both inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth while restoring its shape and working to prevent further damage or decay. At our office in Easton, PA, we use these procedures to repair teeth when decay is too extensive to support a filling but not extensive enough to use a crown.

When there is no damage to the cusps of a tooth, Dr. Alan Dilsaver uses an inlay for restoration, bonding it right on top of the tooth structure. Made of porcelain, inlays are both strong and natural-looking, providing an attractive solution for repairing your tooth. Dr. Dilsaver uses onlays when damage is a little more extensive and repairs to the cusp of the tooth are required.

Inlays and onlays can be created at a lab out of porcelain, gold or composite resin. Fabrication normally takes between two to three weeks, and during that time, you will be provided with temporary restorations while you wait. Once they are ready, they are cemented in place.

To ensure that your teeth get the best dental care available, schedule an appointment with Lehigh Valley Smiles by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Dentures at Lehigh Valley Smiles

Many of our patients in Easton, PA choose dentures to replace their missing teeth. Cost-effective and removable dentures are an attractive option for many patients at Lehigh Valley Smiles, and they are available as both full and partial devices. 

Full dentures can be placed in two ways: conventionally or immediately. Conventional full dentures are used after all of a patient’s teeth have been removed, but only once the gum tissue has healed for a few months. During that healing time, the patient would have no teeth in place. Immediate full dentures, however, are more popular since patients do not have to be toothless for any period of time. For this type, Dr. Alan Dilsaver takes measurements of your mouth prior to removing the teeth. The teeth are removed at the next appointment, and the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. With this method, a follow-up visit is required so that the dentures can be refitted and tightened since the jawbone changes shape slightly as it heals with no teeth.

Partial dentures are an option for those who do not need all their teeth removed. This type is very similar to bridges, except they are removable instead of permanent.

Whichever dentures our patients choose, the device takes some time getting used to, but as you practice, eating and speaking will get easier. Even though they are not real teeth, dentures should still be cared for as if they were. To ensure your dentures last, be sure to brush them before removal and place them in room temperature water or cleaning solution overnight.

To find out if dentures are the right choice for you, schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.  

Teeth Whitening in Easton, PA

Your teeth can become stained or discolored, even if you focus on keeping them clean. Things like drinking wine and coffee, or smoking cigarettes can stain your teeth over an extended period of time. If your teeth have lost their luster, it might be time to get teeth whitening performed. Our Lehigh Valley Smiles dental office offers the tray whitening system for brightening your teeth, which provides excellent results and is done as part of a two-step process.

The first step of tray whitening is taking impressions of your teeth to be used for creating custom trays. While it takes about 2-3 weeks for the trays to be fabricated, they are reusable in case you want to get teeth whitening repeated in the future. Once the trays are ready, patients return to our Easton, PA dental practice where we fill the trays with a whitening gel and place the trays on the teeth. The tray is worn for a specific period of time, and we ask patients to repeat the process over several days.

Once the tray whitening process is complete, the teeth are 4-8 shades whiter and patients are given the trays and extra whitening gel to use again when they choose to. If you are looking for whiter teeth, call dentist Dr. Alan Dilsaver at 610-252-7414 to schedule an appointment. Visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Waterlase Technology at Lehigh Valley Smiles

Patented Waterlase® technology utilizes YSGG laser energy and a water spray to create a more comfortable experience during certain dental procedures. This technology allows Dr. Alan Dilsaver to use fewer shots and less anesthesia, which provides more comfort and eases anxiety for the patient while he performs corrective dentistry. This is why we offer Waterlase® technology at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA.  

Waterlase® technology can be used to remove tooth enamel decay, which is the hardest substance in the human body, as well as bone and gum tissue. It can do so without affecting surrounding areas, which means that you will be able to keep more of your healthy tooth structure if decay does need to be removed. The technology can also be used for root canals, smile design and bone and gum surgery. When used in preparation for cavity fillings, it can actually result in longer-lasting fillings.

This technology bypasses the pain caused by other dental tools by cutting without the use of heat, pressure or vibration, allowing dentists to cut teeth, gums and bone with less trauma. The benefits of the technology include less post-operative pain, bleeding and swelling. There is also usually less of a need for pain medication, and because it requires less anesthesia, Dr. Dilsaver can perform the procedures instead of referring you to an outside specialist.

For a comfortable dental experience, schedule an appointment with Lehigh Valley Smiles by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Dr. Alan Dilsaver and Mini Implants

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and are an option available for one or multiple missing teeth. There are two types of implants offered here at Lehigh Valley Smiles: traditional and mini implants.

Mini implants use the same basic procedure as regular implants, but are smaller and the process takes significantly less time. Our patients don’t need as much bone density for implanting them since the titanium metal post is about half the size of regular implants. They also don’t need to wait the three months for the bone to heal before completing the procedure.

Here are the steps our patients go through when getting mini dental implants at our dental office:

1. Patients first get x-rays to determine if there is enough jawbone for the implant.

2. A crown abutment is fabricated prior to beginning the process .

3. The patients is administered anesthesia and our dentist makes a small incision in the gum to reach the jawbone.

4. The small titanium post is installed directly into the jawbone.

5. Once the post is in place, the crown is screwed on top of the post.

Mini implants are done in about 2-3 weeks, as opposed to 3-6 months for regular implants. They cost less, are completed easier and have a simpler recovery process.

To learn more about mini dental implants, visit dentist Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Lumineers vs Veneers

You have probably heard a lot about veneers, but do you know about Lumineers? If not, you should know that they can transform your smile in less time and more comfort than you ever imagined. Similar to veneers, Lumineers are hard, porcelain shells that can be applied seamlessly over your teeth. They are digitally designed to be ultra-thin and give you a beautiful and natural-looking smile.

Because traditional veneers tend to be thicker, they require more aggressive removal of healthy tooth enamel. On the other hand, Lumineers are about as thin as a contact, so they require a less-invasive procedure than traditional veneers, and it only takes two visits to our office to get them. Since very little enamel has to be removed from the teeth to make room, the procedure does not typically require shots or temporary veneers as you wait for your custom-made Lumineers to be crafted.

While Lumineers offer many benefits, Dr. Alan Dilsaver recommends that they only be used for minor cosmetic adjustments and not for a major makeover. If you want to extend the size of small teeth, fix minor chips, make teeth appear straighter or change the color of your smile, Lumineers are an exceptional option. However, if your teeth are dark or require more extensive cover up, veneers are the better choice.

To get a smile that you will love showing off, schedule an appointment with our office in Easton, PA by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information about Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Galileos 3D Cone Beam Imaging

From diagnosis to treatment, recent advancements in technology have enhanced every aspect of dental care, and that includes the way that dentists view patients’ mouths. At our office in Easton, PA, we choose to use Galileos Cone Beam 3D imaging so that Dr. Alan Dilsaver can access 3D, high-resolution images that help him provide superior dental care to his patients.

Galileos Cone Beam technology provides 3D, high-resolution images that allow Dr. Dilsaver to accurately assess your mouth and customize your procedures for the highest quality of care. Offering a clear view of teeth, facial nerves, bone structures and even sinus issues in 3D, the technology captures parts of the anatomy that cannot be diagnosed externally or with only two-dimensional images. A typical scan only takes 20 seconds, and images are ready for viewing in less than three minutes.

Because we value the health and safety of our patients, we also choose to use this type of imaging for its low radiation emission. Able to capture a superior image while exposing patients to minimal radiation means that Galileos Cone Beam 3D imaging is one of the best diagnostic tools on the market. 

Galileos cone beam imaging is just one of the ways that we put our patients first. You can schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Crown Lengthening

A dentist’s first goal is always to save your teeth, which means that dental professionals have developed many dental procedures that help prevent tooth extraction. One such procedure is crown lengthening, which we use at Lehigh Valley Smiles in cases where decay has decimated a tooth to a point where there is not enough tooth structure left upon which to fix a crown.

If a tooth has broken below the gum line or if decay has developed underneath an existing crown or filling, crown lengthening allows a new crown to be placed rather than extracting the tooth.

While called crown lengthening, this common surgical procedure does not actually lengthen the crown. What it does is lower the gum line, and it does this by removing gum tissue, bone or both to expose more of the tooth and provide a foundation for the crown.

The procedure is performed with a local anesthesia to numb the area. When the area is fully numb, Alan Dilsaver will make cuts to pull the gums away from the teeth and expose the roots and surrounding bone. In some cases, removing a little of the gum tissue will expose enough of the tooth for placing a crown. However, it is more likely that some bone will also have to be removed from around the roots of the teeth. After removing the necessary amount of tissue and bone, the area will be washed and the gums stitched.

Our office works hard to always protect your teeth and to provide the best quality of dental care available. For more information about Dr. Dilsaver and his services, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. Call (610) 252-7414 to schedule an appointment at our office in Easton, PA.

Orthodontics

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. There are several options available for straightening your teeth, including traditional braces, clear braces and Invisalign, and at our office in Easton, PA, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics.

Traditional braces have been around for years and are considered the standard correction method among patients looking to straighten their smiles. Able to correct even serious cases of misalignment, today’s braces are made with incredibly strong metals that are durable enough to wear for a considerable time on your teeth. While metallic, contemporary braces offer some customization with different colored bands that can be added, if a mouth full of metal doesn’t appeal to you, Dr. Dilsaver also offers clear or ceramic braces. Specifically designed to not stain or wear over time, clear braces are as effective as metal braces but less eye-catching.

If you’re in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. Made of a thin, comfortable plastic, unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are removable, which allows for convenient cleaning and eating. Because the aligners are removable, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

Whether you’re an adult or teen, it’s not too late to straighten your teeth. At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Scaling and Root Planing

At our practice, we actively strive to help our patients maintain optimal oral health and retain their original teeth. By offering scaling and root planing to treat early gum disease, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can restore the health of your gums and save your smile.

Periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, making it critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and starts when a buildup of plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar and creates a suitable environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it become periodontis, which can destroy your gum tissue, lead to tooth loss and even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone. Heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into more serious periodontal disease. The procedure allows the dentist to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar that is causing your inflammation.

The procedure is incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

TMJ

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint TMJ, those disorders are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD is not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. TMD’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Dilsaver to relieve symptoms with mouthguards or nightguards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding in Easton, PA, schedule an appointment with our office by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.com.

Why Would You Need Bone Grafting?

In some cases, our patients do not have the proper amount of bone mass in their jaw to allow for the placement of dental implants. However, thanks to recent developments in bone grafting, people who would not have qualified a few years ago can now receive dental implants. In Easton, PA, Dr. Alan Dilsaver performs bone grafting to increase the amount of bone in his patients’ jaw to allow for future implants at Lehigh Valley Smiles.

There are several bone grafting techniques, but they can all be grouped into two types. The first type of bone grafting is the most extensive type and is performed only by an oral surgeon, which Dr. Dilsaver is. Always done as a surgery separate from dental implant placement, this first type makes large changes to the shape and size of the dental ridge for the sake of implants, which are usually not implanted until several months later.

The second type of bone grafting is usually performed if the jaw has enough bone for implant placement but not enough to completely cover the sides of the implant. These grafts are usually small and performed when dental implants are placed.

Whether you need bone grafting or not, if you are looking to receive dental implants, we can make it happen. To schedule an appointment, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Screening for Oral Cancer

Being screened for oral cancer is an important part of maintaining your oral health and should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. At our practice in Easton, PA, we take oral cancer seriously and are dedicated to keeping our patients safe with thorough screenings.

While everyone is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk in developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so it is especially important for you to receive regular screenings if you partake in these activities. If oral abnormalities are caught early, it will not only expand your treatment options, including less invasive and less radical treatments, but it will also increase your chances of beating oral cancer.

Screening for oral cancer can be done during routine checkups by Dr. Alan Dilsaver, who uses ultraviolet light to help him spot abnormal tissue in your mouth. Abnormal tissue can then be tested to see if it is cancerous or not.

Oral cancer is a serious issue, and at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we strive to protect all our patients. To schedule an appointment, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

How Can Bonding Improve Your Smile?

Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable cosmetic and restorative procedures. Called bonding because tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, this process is used to repair chipped, unevenly shaped or discolored teeth. It can even be used as an alternative to amalgam fillings in situations where only a small filling is required.

Bonding is achieved by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth that you would like restored. Then the resin is shaped and polished until it matches your surrounding teeth. Not only can this procedure be accomplished in only one visit, but this process also allows you to keep most of your tooth’s original enamel, making bonding preferable to veneers or crowns in many cases. Once the right color resin has been chosen for your smile, your teeth will be slightly abraded to roughen the surface. Then a conditioning liquid will be applied to help the bonding material adhere.

The putty-like resin is then applied to the tooth and molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape. It is hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser. After the bonding material has hardened, Dr. Alan Dilsaver will trim and shape it even more and then polish until it shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.

If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. To schedule an appointment with our office in Easton, PA, call (610) 252-7414. For more information on our services at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are your last set of molars to come in and usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push on your other teeth. Dr. Alan Dilsaver commonly performs wisdom teeth extractions at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. Once this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can become infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Dilsaver will extract the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.

After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision every couple hours. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us in Easton, PA by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Bridges

If you have had a tooth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or else your remaining teeth can shift out of position. When this happens, your teeth become more susceptible to disease and decay. At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we can help keep your smile beautiful and functional with dental bridges.

Called a bridge because it literally creates a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing, this prosthetic tooth replacement is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than a decade if properly cared for.

The process of creating a bridge takes two visits to our office. In the first, Dr. Alan Dilsaver will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your missing tooth. This is where the bridge will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge will consist of two crowns, which will be fixed to the abutments, and a pontic, which is the prosthetic that will replace your missing tooth. We provide you with a temporary bridge while your permanent one is crafted in the lab. On the second visit, the permanent bridge will then be fixed to the abutments with an adhesive.

For more information, call our office in Easton, PA at (610) 252-7414. You can also visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

A Beautiful Smile is a Clean Smile

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at Lehigh Valley Smiles we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. A soft and sticky film of bacteria, plaque can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Tartar can only be removed with the help of a dentist. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment in Easton, PA, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects the way you breathe while sleeping, causing your breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time and jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night. As a result, your energy, mental acuity and productivity can suffer. Over time, sleep apnea can even lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain.

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we use oral surgery to treat sleep apnea and increase the quality of sleep and life for patients.  Oral surgery relieves sleep apnea symptoms by removing the blockage caused by excess tissue, which vibrates and blocking the upper air passages. Once way this is done is through UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which involves removing excess tissue from the upper mouth and throat while under general anesthesia. Maxillomandibular advancement is another procedure used to treat sleep apnea. This procedure moves the lower jaw forward, away from the rest of facial bones, which allows more room behind the soft palate and reduces any obstruction.

If these treatments fail to relieve your sleep apnea, a tracheostomy can be performed. A tracheostomy is when a tube is inserted into your throat to allow breathing. The tube is covered during the day while you are awake and then opened at night while you sleep.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, call (610) 252-7414 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Pediatric Dentistry: Sealants

Although brushing and flossing is effective at removing food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of our teeth, sometimes these methods are ineffective at thoroughly cleaning the nooks and crannies in our premolars and molars. Because molars are the hardest to clean and the teeth most used in the chewing process, they are the most susceptible to cavities and decay, which is why at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver recommends sealants soon after molars emerge when children are between the ages of 6 and 14.

Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent cavities and tooth decay. The sealant is applied by the dentist, who first roughens the surface of the molar with acid and then paints on the sealant, which bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, hardening and forming a shield over the enamel to protect it for approximately 10 years.

Sealants are normally applied to children’s molars because their teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. However, sometimes they are applied on adult molars if they have hard-to-clean grooves that are causing cavities.

To schedule an appointment, call our office in Easton, PA at (610) 252-7414. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

Using Electric Handpieces

While you might not think to ask what type of tools your dentist is using, the type and quality of tool matters. And you should know that at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we use electric handpieces for our procedures.

There are basically two types of handpieces: air-driven and electric. Electric, which is what we use, are much stronger than air-driven tools because a motor is used to spin the bur and not air. With a stronger force created, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can remove decay more quickly and cut down on the amount of time needed for a procedure. Often used to prepare teeth for restorative procedures, electric handpieces offer many benefits
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Whether you are getting a filling, crown, bridge or inlay/onlay, we are dedicated to providing the best dental care possible with state-of-the-art tools. By using the best equipment, in every aspect of the dental care we provide, we can ensure that all of our patients are comfortable and their oral health well cared for.

While you may not know the difference between dental tools, you will be able to see and feel the difference in dental care that the top-of-the-line tools afford us.

Call (610) 252-7414 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.LehighValleySmiles.net.

TMJ

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint TMJ, those disorders are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. TMD’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headachess or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to futher problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Dilsaver to relieve symptoms with mouthguards or nightguards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding in Easton, PA, schedule an appointment with our office by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information, visitwww.LehighValleySmiles.com.