What Is a Cavity?

You hear the word all the time, and maybe you’ve had one or two depending on how much of a sugar lover you are. But how much do you really know about cavities? Dental cavities, also known as caries, are holes in the outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and dentin. Most often, Dr. Alan Dilsaver will remove your dental cavity with a filling; however, to prevent this from happening, cavities may be prevented easily by brushing and flossing properly.

Dental cavities are common, affecting a large portion of the population. Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient, while the larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet, causing toothache. The number of cavities can be reduced by proper nutrition, good oral hygiene, fewer snacks in between meals, the use of oral or topical fluorides and topical sealants. Professional treatment depends on how bad the cavity is.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

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.

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.

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.

Waterlase Technology

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.