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.

Orthodontics

Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we offer orthodontics in additional to our other dentistry services. Our patients range from adolescents and teens to adults, all of whom are hoping to straighten their teeth and fix their bite problems. We offer three main types of orthodontics which are:

• Invisalign
• Traditional Braces
• Clear Braces

Traditional and clear braces are somewhat similar, though clear braces use ceramic, tooth-colored brackets on the teeth that are less visible. Some clear braces include metal wires between the brackets, while others also have translucent wires. Invisalign is the most inconspicuous type of orthodontics offered by Dr. Alan Dilsaver as they utilize clear, plastic aligners.

These options help patients choose their orthodontics based on their own needs, budget, and preferences. Having orthodontics options is also beneficial to families who also come to our dental practice for general dentistry and can also receive their orthodontic work right here at Lehigh Valley Smiles as well.
Ask us about orthodontics and our new patient special by calling 610-252-7414.

Veneers

If you are looking to improve your smile, you are like many of our patients here at Lehigh Valley Smiles. They often visit our dental office in Easton, PA looking to restore and enhance their smile so they feel more confident.Veneers are one way to do that, as they cover a wide range of smile imperfections.

From staining and discoloration to the shape, alignment, and size of the teeth, veneers cover it all. Made from ceramic or porcelain, veneers are made to fit over the patient’s natural teeth and blend in beautifully with the rest of their teeth for a flawless smile.

Some patients need to have their teeth filed down in order to make room for the veneers. This is for their benefit as it prevents the teeth from looking abnormally large or obvious. After this is done by our dentist, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, impressions are made and in two weeks, patients return to our office for the veneers. They are bonded to their teeth with cement and polished as the final step.

Veneers function and look like natural teeth, providing a quick and effective fix for many dental issues. Contact Dr. Alan Dilsaver to learn more about how dental veneers can restore your smile.

Invisalign

Invisalign is one of many orthodontic services provided by Dr. Alan Dilsaver here at Lehigh Valley Smiles. Invisalign uses plastic aligners that are nearly translucent, are comfortable, and are removable. Patients here at our Easton office with mild to moderate spacing, overcrowding, and bite issues are great candidates for Invisalign.

Our patients start the process by getting impressions of their teeth and waiting for their first set of aligners. They are asked to wear them at all times, except during meals and while brushing or flossing their teeth. Every few months, they return to our office for a new set of aligners, which continue moving their teeth to the correct position. By the end of the process, they are left with straight teeth and their overbite or underbite corrected. It is a simple process, with a fabulous end result of a beautiful smile.

Patients that choose Invisalign often report they enjoy how easy they are to use and that they did not stain their teeth. Another benefit to Invisalign is that wearers tend to wear them for less time than other types of orthodontics.

If you think this may be a good option for you, call us at 610-252-7414. We’ll be happy to answer any and all questions you have about Invisalign braces.

Dental Implants

To replace missing teeth, many of our patients here at Lehigh Valley Smiles choose dental implants. This is the most permanent and effective solution as they are implanted in the jaw bone of the missing teeth. From start to finish, it takes 3-6 months to complete the implant process. Much of this is due to the waiting period between the post being placed and the healing process. Here is a closer look at the steps required for dental implants:

1. Our dentist, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, x-rays the jaw bone of the missing tooth to determine if enough bone exists to hold the implant. To create an abutment matching these other teeth, impressions are also made during this appointment of nearby tooth.
2. An incision is made in the gum and the titanium post is implanted into the jaw bone. This is done under anesthesia.
3. The incision is sutured and our patient returns home for 3-6 months.
4. Once the bone heals around the implant, the patient returns to our clinic where they get the final abutment over the titanium post.

Not only do patients benefit from replacing missing teeth with dental implants, but their jaw bone grows around the implant, holding it in place permanently.
To learn more about how dental implants are performed and if it is a right option for you, visit Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA.

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.

Pediatric Dentistry

Children who begin getting regular check-ups and professional cleanings at a young age have a reduced risk of cavities and more serious complications. Pediatric dentistry includes visits every six months, as well as digital x-rays, education and instruction for oral hygiene, fillings, and preventative care. Dr. Alan Dilsaver provides gentle dental care for children to improve their experience and keep them from having anxiety in the chair later in life.

Oral hygiene instruction is an important part of pediatric dentistry because it teaches children the importance of hygiene and how to properly brush and floss their teeth. Children should visit the dentist every six months for a full exam and cleanings. As long as they visit our Lehigh Valley Smiles office every six months, the young patient will continue having good oral health care. Preventative care includes sealants and mouth guards. Mouth guards protect their teeth during contact sports, while sealants prevent tooth decay by covering their teeth with fluoride.

We also perform tooth-colored fillings on children, which are completely safe for children and go quickly. Lastly, we offer orthodontic care, including Invisalign, traditional, and clear braces. If you would like additional information on pediatric dentistry, contact our office.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breaks in the person’s breathing, as well as shallow breathing. These pauses typically last a few seconds, but can be minutes. Not only does it interrupt the patient’s sleep, but it can be dangerous when the patient does not breathe multiple times as night. Dr. Alan Dilsaver offers a variety of sleep apnea corrections through surgery.

Lehigh Valley Smiles offers procedures to help with sleep apnea, because of the dangerous side effects it can cause. When sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to an increased risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart attack and stroke, in addition to possible arrhythmias. It can also lead to an increase in the risk of work-related accidents and car accidents because of the poor sleep. That's why it is important to get treatment if you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

There are three procedures offered in our Lehigh Valley Smiles office: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), maxillomandibular advancement, and tracheostomy.

The UPPP procedure removes excess tissue from the throat and mouth, and is performed in a local hospital. The maxillomandibular advancement also helps with sleep apnea by moving the jaw forward from the facial bones, helping to create an open airway. Lastly, there is the tracheostomy, which puts a tube in the patient’s throat to be covered during the day and open while sleeping.

Visit us in Easton, PA to get more information about these sleep apnea procedures.

Night Guards

Teeth grinding is an unfortunate habit that many of our patients do without even realizing it. Unfortunately, they are damaging their teeth in the process. While it happens more frequently at night, some of our patients admit they find themselves clenching or grinding their teeth during the day.

Fortunately, we provide custom night guards here at Lehigh Valley Smiles to help patients protect the damage to their teeth and reduce jaw pain that is a common result of teeth grinding.

The night guards made by Dr. Alan Dilsaver are custom to the patient’s teeth and very durable, lasting about 10 years. Because they are made from impressions of the patient’s teeth, they are also very comfortable to wear. There are several benefits to getting night guards, including the following:

• ·         Protected teeth


• ·         Reducing jaw pain


• ·         Reduced snoring


• ·         More comfort while sleeping


• ·         Reduced headaches and neck pain


• ·         Improved breathing

In our dental office, we believe night guards are very important for patients who are grinding their teeth. By doing this continuously every night, the patient wears down their teeth, which can later result in extreme jaw pain and stress, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and even the loosening of their teeth. For more information about the benefits and procedure of night guards, contact our office at (610) 252-7414.

Bridges

Bridges

We offer a number of solutions to the problem of missing or extracted teeth.  Dental implants and mini implants are among the most popular options but they’re not for everyone.  Bridges are a tried and true solution that’s affordable, reliable and provides aesthetically pleasing results for many of our clients.  If you’re wondering if bridges are right for you, we can help you decide.  Just a few advantages you’ll gain from bridges as a prosthetic choice:

• Bridges are discreet and indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth. They can be used in highly visible portions of the mouth, including the front teeth.


• They are fixed and require no exterior framework or adhesive like partial dentures.  


• Bridges allowing you to enjoy a varied and healthy diet.


• With proper care, you can expect your bridge to last up to fifteen years.


• Bridges preventing many problems associated with tooth loss, including jaw deterioration and misalignment and damage to surrounding teeth.


• Bridges are affordable and are more likely to be covered by insurance than dental implants.

 

Crowns

If the structure of your tooth has been compromised due to a severe decay, a chip or fracture, it harms the esthetics of your smile and puts your mouth at risk for bacterial infection, further decay and even bit misalignment.  Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we help our patients avoid such complications and restore the beauty and function of their smiles with reliable dental crowns.  Crowns work to protect the structure of your tooth like a small suit of armor, while appearing as natural as normal, healthy tooth enamel.  The crowns we provide are custom crafted and securely bonded to your tooth’s structure, ensuring long lasting and reliable functionality. When you restore your smile with a crown, you will not need to make any long term dietary modifications or perform any additional oral health maintenance beyond daily hygiene measures, regular dental exams and cleanings, and crown replacement approximately every fifteen years.

We have a full explanation of the crown placement process and other details right on our website, but we are happy to answer all of your questions directly; simply schedule a full consultation.

Extractions

With the exception of routine wisdom tooth extractions, hopefully you will never need to have a tooth removed due to lack of care or a periodontal health issue.  Should the need for a tooth extraction arise, a simple surgical procedure completes the process and allows for easy placement of a dental prosthetic if needed.

In most cases, patients recover from tooth extractions without issue.  To ensure your recovery is comfortable and you minimize the risk of post op complications, be sure to follow all post procedure instructions, including:

• Take preemptive steps to stop discomfort before it starts.  Once your procedure is complete, take any recommended anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers.


• Avoid strenuous activity and take some time to relax and recuperate.


• Stick to a mild and soft food diet for a few days.


• Keep the extraction area clean and use any prescribed rinses or antiseptics as directed.

 

Snap On Smile

Snap On Smile is a unique cosmetic smile solution that allows you to makeover your smile in an instant.  Like a row of removable veneers or an opaque tooth tray, Snap On Smile fits over your existing tooth structure to cover up surface and structural flaws, including staining, minor alignment issues, chips and gaps created by teeth that are too short or narrow.  We create custom Snap On Smile solutions that are fabricated to suit your individual features and address specific flaws.  This ensures that while Snap On Smile is a dramatic cosmetic improvement, it also looks totally naturally.  It is also more affordable and flexible than other cosmetic dental modifications like veneers.

If you want to find out how Snap On Smile benefit you, please contact us directly and schedule a consultation.

Dental Hygiene

Your daily dental hygiene is one of the biggest factors in your periodontal health. This can be for better or worse based on your individual habits. Brushing, flossing, a sensible diet and diligent biannual checkups all contribute to healthy dental hygiene and reduced risk of developing gum disease.  It is also wise to abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and foods high in sugar.

Maintaining good dental hygiene is simple but it goes quite a long way. We invite you to Lehigh Valley Smiles to ensure that your efforts have been effective and provide any necessary periodontal health treatments, including scaling and root planning and professional cleanings. Call 610-252-7414 to arrange your appointment.        

CEREC

If you’re in need of a crown, inlay, onlay or veneers, we here at Lehigh Valley Smiles have good news for you.  As more and more of our patients are discovering, CEREC allows us to provide you with beautiful restoratives in significantly less time. This advanced 3D milling technology lets us plan, prep and place crowns, inlays and onlays and veneers in a single visit. The advanced process comes at no sacrifice to quality, as CEREC restoratives are made from strong, reliable compressed porcelain. The ease of the process and the success of the results have many of our patients thrilled with their newly improved smiles.

To learn more about our CEREC capabilities and what they can do for you, please view our website or call 610-252-7414.

Oral Cancer Screening

If you’re age fifty or over, you’ve used tobacco products and drink on a regular basis, an oral cancer screening is one of the most important preventative health procedures you can undergo. This simple, non-invasive screening is used to check for any abnormalities that could indicate the presence of cancerous cells. Like most cancers, oral cancer is much easier to treat and recover from when it’s caught early.  Even if you do not have many oral cancer risk factors in your life, all patients ages seventy or older should undergo regular oral cancer screenings. We provide oral cancer screenings right here at Lehigh Valley Smiles. To find out if you’re due for an oral cancer screening, please call us directly at 610-252-7414 or learn more on our website.

Digital X-Rays

We strive to make Lehigh Valley Smiles a modern dentistry that all of our patients can rely upon for both simple and involved procedures. One of the technologies we use to ensure our service capabilities is digital x-rays. Like conventional film x-rays, digital x-rays allow us to gain insight into the health and structure of your oral cavity. Unlike conventional film x-rays, digital x-rays produce a high quality, digital capture that makes it easier to display, examine, store and transfer the results.  Digital x-rays also emit 80% less radiation than conventional x-rays, providing you with added care assurance and peace of mind.

You can learn more about digital x-rays on our website, or call 610-252-7414 to experience the benefits of our capabilities firsthand.