Ridge Augmentation

When you are considering dental implants, your dentist is going to test to see if you are a legitimate candidate. At Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver uses dental implants for patients who have gum disease or problem teeth, currently wear dentures or have bone loss. One issue that comes up quite often is patients not have enough bone in their jaw to support an implant.  A certain amount of bone is required to support the implant and if you do not have the required amount, we will expose the bony defect and fill the area with bone or bone substitute through a procedure called ridge augmentation.

Deformities in the jaw can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place a dental implant. The bone defect can be caused by injury, trauma or periodontal disease. Ridge augmentation procedures can improve appearance and increase your chances for successful implant placement.  In this procedure, the bony ridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant. We have many options for bone grafting materials including bone from your own body, a cadaver, cow bone or synthetic material.

Ridge Augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. If you are missing teeth and do not have the bone to support a dental implant, please consider this procedure. You can set up an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver by visiting our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net or by calling (610) 252-7414.

Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque. There are different stages of this disease and it is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Treatment for this disease varies. Dr. Alan Dilsaver of Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA gives his patients options when it comes to the treatment of periodontal disease.

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 starts when a build-up 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 called gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontitis. Periodontitis can destroy your gum and bone tissue, leads to tooth loss and even can 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 a more serious periodontal disease. The procedure allows the periodontist 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 and plaque that is causing your inflammation.

This procedure is an 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 with Dr. Alan Dilsaver by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information about the dentist or his services, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.  

Mini Implants

Dental implants offer patients the ability to replace their missing teeth with a permanent solution. There are two main types of dental implants, and patients interested in dental implants should know the differences between mini implants vs. regular implants.

While many patients visiting Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA opt for regular implants and the many benefits they serve, Dr. Dilsaver also offers FDA-approved mini implants as an alternative. Patients seeking a less time consuming and less invasive procedure, and a more affordable dental implant option can choose mini implants vs. regular implants. Mini implants are similar to traditional, though they use a metal post that is half the size, therefore not requiring as much dental work. Mini implants take less time and have a faster recovery time than regular implants. In addition, mini implants are ideal for patients with a small jaw bone.

Mini dental implants in Easton, PA use a small metal post, typically made of titanium. Dr. Alan Dilsaver applies local anesthesia first, so the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. Then, a small hole is drilled in the portion of the bone where the implant will go, and the post is secured into the hole. Because they are half the size, less bone is required for securing mini implants. This allows them to be completed in one visit to Lehigh Valley Smiles. After the post is in place, a tooth that resembles a natural tooth is secured over the post.

To learn more about mini implants vs. regular implants offered at Lehigh Valley Smiles with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. You can also schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA by calling (610) 252-7414.

Dental Bridges

If you’ve had one tooth or multiple teeth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position and become more susceptible to decay. One way to replace your missing tooth or teeth and prevent this shifting is with a dental bridge, and in Easton, PA, Dr. Alan Dilsaver can provide you with a bridge in order to keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

Called a bridge because a prosthetic tooth is suspended between two crowns to fill in the space left by a missing tooth, this natural-looking tooth restoration is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain. These materials help to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last years.

The process of creating a bridge usually takes two visits to the dentists’ offices. During the first, Dr. Dilsaver will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your gap. Once the abutments have been created, a mold will be taken of your mouth for fabricating the bridge. At other dental practices, the process of creating the bridge may take weeks but thanks to our CEREC machine, your dental bridges is completed in just minutes. Dr. Dilsaver will start by preparing the tooth and he will then take an optical impression of the teeth using a special 3D camera. The image is transferred to the computer, where the restoration is fashioned using computer aided design (CAD). This technology takes every clinical detail of the patient’s case into consideration, creating the most precise restoration. Next, these exact specifications are sent to Dr. Buntyn’s in-office milling machine. In less than an hour, this state-of-the-art device fabricates the custom, color-matched restoration.

If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, a dental bridge can restore both your smile’s beauty and health. To see which option is best for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver of Easton, PA by calling (610) 252-7414. To learn more about the dentist and his services, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.               

Night Guards from Dr. Alan Dilsaver

At our practice in Easton, PA, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. While many people who grind their teeth do so consciously throughout the day, even more grind their teeth at night while sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to your enamel, as well as cause jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation, so it is important to treat it. Night guards are usually the best way to prevent grinding’s negative effects.

Similar to mouth guards worn by athletes during sports, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. Dr. Alan Dilsaver provides night guards that are custom made in our lab to provide a fit that is as comfortable as possible. All we require is an impression of your teeth. These guards are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, which can lead to a change in the appearance of your face. To diagnose and treat your night grinding at Lehigh Valley Smiles, call (610) 252-7414 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

CEREC Crowns at Lehigh Valley Smiles

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. By covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At our office in Easton, PA, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure is compromised. At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we use CEREC restorations, which are made of compressed porcelain and stronger than the layered porcelain crowns created in a laboratory. In addition to being stronger and longer-wearing, CEREC restorations can also be created and installed in only one visit, unlike laboratory restorations, which can take weeks to complete and require a temporary crown or restoration to be placed in the meantime.

The placement procedure for a CEREC restoration is easy and doesn’t require you to bite on any goopy and uncomfortable impression material. First all the decay is removed from your teeth, and then the dentist shapes the tooth in preparation for the digital 3D video impression that is taken with a digital camera. The camera is attached to a computer screen, which displays the 3D image, allowing the dentist to design the restoration in front of you. Then the CEREC machine creates the crown in about 15 minutes, and the dentist adheres it to the abutment. The entire process, from design to installation, takes around an hour for each tooth.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, call (610) 252-7414. For more information, please visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.   

Waterlase Technology in Easton, PA

In order to provide our patients with a comfortable and stress-free dental experience, our practice uses top-of-the-line dental instruments during procedures. One such instrument that has allowed us to ease patient anxiety and deliver more comfort during corrective dentistry is the Waterlase®. By utilizing YSGG laser energy and a water spray, this technology allows the dentist to use fewer shots and less anesthesia, making it a preferred instrument for both patient and doctor. 

Waterlase® technology can be used to remove gum tissue, bone and decay in the tooth enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. It can do so without affecting surrounding areas, which means that patients will be able to keep more of their 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. 

Waterlase® technology is able to bypass the pain caused by other dental tools because it forgoes the use of heat, pressure or vibration, allowing Dr. Alan Dilsaver 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, the dentist can perform the procedures instead of referring you to an outside specialist. 

For comfortable dental experience, schedule an appointment Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information about our dentists, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.