Inlays/Onlays

Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we provide a variety of dental procedures for our patients, including inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are types of tooth restorations used for molars that have decay, but are not severe enough for crowns or other restorative procedures. They are made from composite resin and porcelain, so they match the color of the tooth. It helps restore the smile and provides cosmetic benefits as well.
The procedure for inlays and onlays unfolds as follows:

1. The tooth is first prepared for the inlay or onlay by removing as much decay from the tooth as possible. This leaves only health tooth structure behind.
2. An impression is made of the tooth.
3. After the inlay or onlay is ready, it is adhered to the tooth, where final adjustments are completed.

The primary difference between inlays and onlays is where on the tooth it needs restoration. Dental inlays are for decay in the intended surface, while the onlay is for the projections and cusps of the tooth. By getting inlays and onlays, patients prevent having crowns done which require more work.

If you are in need of restorations, contact Dr. Alan Dilsaver at 610-252-7414 about inlays and onlays.

Dentures

If you have missing teeth, one of the best ways to replace them is withdentures. While there are dental implants and bridges for one or a few missing teeth, when a larger number of teeth are missing, dentures are a great option.

Here in our Easton, PA dental practice, we provide both complete and partial dentures. The main difference between these types of dentures is in exactly how many teeth you are missing or need to be removed. With complete dentures, they are made for the entire mouth, including upper and lower teeth. If any teeth remain before getting the dentures, Dr. Alan Dilsaver makes impressions of their teeth before creating the dentures.

With partial dentures, only some of the teeth are replaced, whether they are among the top or bottom row of teeth. These are removable dentures, as opposed to bridges where they are fixed to the mouth. Either way, the dentures last longer when they are cleaned daily and well cared for. This is done with a soft bristled toothbrush and a special soaking agent.

Call Lehigh Valley Smiles at (610) 252-7414 to schedule an appointment for your new set of dentures.

Protective Mouth Guards

Protective mouth guards are given to patients here in Easton, PA that need to protect their teeth. There are many reasons that our patients need a mouth guard, including to play contact sports or to protect the teeth at night from grinding or clenching of the teeth. Mouth guards usually only cover the top teeth, but there are others for the bottom teeth as well.

There are three primary categories of mouth guards: custom fit, stock, and boil and bite. The custom fit protective mouth guards are the type Dr. Alan Dilsaver prefers creating for his patients because they are individually designed for the patient. They are made from impressions of the patient's teeth and fit over them perfectly. These are also ideal if the patient has an orthodontic appliance, such as braces, and needs the mouth guard to fit over them and protect them from damage.

Benefits of wearing a mouth guard include protecting oral appliances and protecting the teeth from damage. They are used most often with children and adults who play sports and don’t want to make any permanent damage.

Visit Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA today to get a protective mouth guard custom made for you.

White Fillings

If you have a cavity that you need to fill or are hoping to replace an old filling with a newer and higher quality restoration, we can do this with white fillings. White fillings are made from composite resin, mixed to match the color of your tooth. They help fill a cavity in order to prevent further decay and destruction of the original tooth’s structure.

Benefits to getting white fillings here at Lehigh Valley Smiles include:

• Preventing further damage of your tooth.
• They do not contain mercury.
• They match the color of your tooth.
• Less of your tooth structure needs to be removed.
• They don’t expand or contract in your tooth.

Most often, white fillings are used to protect a tooth that has a cavity of tooth decay inside the tooth. However, it can also be used here in Easton, PA for cracked or broken teeth, as well as for teeth being worn down due to clenching and grinding the teeth. For white fillings, the tooth is first prepared by removing any possible decay, then numbing the area. The filling is prepared to match the tooth and then bonded to the tooth.

If you are interested in learning more about white fillings, contact Dr. Alan Dilsaver.  When you call us at (610) 252-7414, be sure to ask us about our new patient specials.