Clear Braces for Discreet Teeth Straightening

Braces are wonderful devices to create healthy, straight teeth. The end result is worth it, however sometimes wearing braces is not the most attractive procedure to go through. This is the reason why Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA offers clear ceramic braces to his patients wanting a discreet straightening process.

Ceramic braces are made of translucent brackets and a tooth-colored wire that blends into your teeth so they are not nearly as noticeable as the traditional metal braces. With modern advancements, the ceramic braces are also stain resistant, so with good care, the brackets will remain good looking for the duration of your straightening process. Both teens and adults are able to take advantage of clear ceramic braces.

The process for applying ceramic braces is the same as traditional braces. The brackets are attached to the front of each tooth and a wire is placed that will be periodically changed out. The wire applies continuous pressure on the teeth causing them to gradually shift. The duration of time the braces are worn for depend on each patient’s condition, but the longest time is typically two years.

If you are looking for a more attractive way to straighten your teeth, clear ceramic braces may be the option for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Post-Op Care

Having oral surgery is usually a necessary step for keeping a healthy mouth. After the surgery, keeping the area clean and able to heal is just as important. As a reminder for his patients undergoing oral surgery soon, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA wants to point out the important aspects of post-op care.

Keeping a clean and safe mouth post-op will ensure a smooth healing and will help avoid infection. Prolonged healing can cause infection, and infection can cause prolonged healing, so it is important to keep the area clean and protected.

To minimize bleeding, do not lie flat or drink through a straw for the first day. After that, if you still notice bleeding, continue to avoid these activities. Strenuous activity, include vigorous rinsing should also be avoided.

When brushing and flossing, avoid the site of surgery and be careful. It is still important to clean your mouth of bacteria, but you do not want to irritate the area or cause more bleeding.

Soft foods are recommended until healing has progressed. Also be sure to drink plenty of water, but again, not through a straw. Tobacco use should be avoided. Smoking and other forms of tobacco could lead to infection and prolong healing.

For more information about how to care for your mouth post-op, call Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Options for Tooth Replacement in Easton, PA

When a tooth is lost, it can cause problems in the mouth. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA offers multiple options for tooth replacement, so our patients can find the right option for their situation and lifestyle.

When an empty space is left, the teeth in the area begin to shift towards that space. This can create problems with biting and chewing, can create an area where bacteria will build up, and can cause the jawbone to degenerate. It is important to the health of the jaw, gums, and other teeth to replace the missing tooth.

Bridges are an option here at Lehigh Valley Smiles. Dr. Dilsaver applies a bridge by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth to the open space, and attaching a replacement tooth in the middle. This is a popular and durable option. With good care, bridges can last over ten years.

Dental implants, available in both traditional and mini, are a permanent option for replacement. They are customized for your specific situation and with good care, they can last a lifetime.

Dentures are available in full and partial options. Partial dentures fill in the spaces where there are teeth missing, like a bridge, but removable. Full dentures are a complete set of teeth and are available immediately or conventionally.

To find out what the best option for replacement is for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA. Call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Periodontal Splinting

When a tooth is loose, it can cause difficulties and may eventually lead to the tooth falling out. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA performs periodontal splinting to help stabilize loose teeth and prevent the loss of them.

Loose teeth can cause issues when biting and chewing. They can cause pain and injure the gums. Eventually, not stabilizing them could cause them to fall out. There are a variety of reasons to why teeth may become loose. It could be caused from injury, gum disease, orthodontic treatment like braces, or from the pressure of other teeth, like when a new tooth is growing in or a tooth is shifting.

Periodontal splinting can be performed in two ways. Extra-coronal splinting uses a stabilizing wire or ribbon. The device is bonded onto the backs of the teeth. Intra-coronal splinting is applied by inserting a metal splint into a small channel within the teeth. The splint is bonded into place. This method is less noticeable. Both of these methods stabilize the loose tooth or teeth by connecting them to stable teeth.

If you are experiencing loose teeth, do not suffer anymore. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles. To schedule in our Easton, PA dental office, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Manual Toothbrush Vs. Powered Toothbrush

There has been a lot of debate over powered and manual toothbrushes. Our patients want to know which is better to use. This is why here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD provides information about both brushes to his patients of the Easton, PA area.

Since powered toothbrushes have come along, there has been debate about whether they offer a deeper clean than manual toothbrushes, since they cost more and add thousands more strokes. The truth is that getting a good tooth brushing is more about the technique than it is about the toothbrush.

Though powered toothbrushes rotate at a high speed, only the more expensive, sonic brushes have been shown to result in less plaque and less bouts of gingivitis. This is also a debated idea as some think this may be because those who invest more in healthcare products are usually the best at keeping good hygiene routines.

The certain advantage that regular and sonic toothbrushes have over manual toothbrushes is that they do all of the work. For those who have trouble using their hands, like those with arthritis, a powered toothbrush makes it easier to get a proper cleaning.

So in the end, the manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job of brushing teeth than a powered toothbrush, but depending on your comfort level, a powered toothbrush may make it easier to get a complete cleaning. To schedule your regular dental cleaning with Dr. Dilsaver, calls us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our Lehigh Valley Smiles website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

Most people have been brushing their teeth since they were very small. But do you know if you are brushing them effectively? Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA wants to offer tips and tricks for getting a healthy, clean brushing.

The first thing you need to know is the type of toothbrush that is best. A soft bristled brush is good for removing plaque and a small brush head makes it easier to access those hard-to-reach places. As for electric or manual, in most cases, the outcome is the same. But electric brushes make it a little easier for those who cannot use their hands well. A toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months or sooner if it starts to fray. It also should be replaced after recovering from sickness.

Brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended. Two minutes each time will be a good amount of time to really do a good job. A good way to break up the time is to space four sections of teeth at thirty seconds each. Make sure to brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use short strokes.

Regular visits to your dentist are part of good oral hygiene, as well! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dilsaver, call us at Lehigh Valley Smiles at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Apicoectomy for When Root Canals Do Not Work

Infected teeth are irritating and painful. Having a root canal often can solve the problem, but when it doesn’t, it can be even more frustrating. When root canals and retreatment fails, this is when Dr. Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD decides to perform an apicoectomy. This surgical procedure is successful in relieving the pain of an infected tooth, restoring health, and often save a tooth from being extracted.

An apicoectomy involves removing the tip of the tooth root, cleaning, and sealing the area. First, Dr. Dilsaver will make incisions to reveal the tooth root. The infected tissue is removed, along with a few millimeters of the tooth’s root. Dr. Dilsaver will clean the area and seal the end of the tooth root. The gums are stitched together. Within a few months, the bone will heal around the end of the root. This procedure has a high success rate.

If you have had one or more root canal therapy treatments, and still experience pain and sensitivity to a tooth, it may be time to think about an apicoectomy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in our Easton, PA location, call (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.