Periodontitis

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink while brushing your teeth you are either brushing too vigorously or have one of the first signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease and is reversible at an early stage. However, if gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis – a more aggressive form of gum disease. Though Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD can treat the problem as it arises, he would much rather you prevent the problem before it starts.

Periodontitis begins with plaque – a sticky, invisible film that forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with normal bacteria in the mouth. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontitis can cause teeth to become loose or worse, it can lead to tooth loss. This condition can be prevented by simply brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting our office for dental checkups twice a year.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services and technology we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

What is an Infected Root Tip?

Infections at the tips of tooth roots, known scientifically as periapical abscesses, have been in the news recently after a study found a link between them and heart disease. We’ve long believed at Lehigh Valley Dental that oral health is crucial to overall health and we want our patients to be aware of how dangerous a tooth infection can be.

Pus is liquid comprised of bacteria and dead tissue. An abscess is what a pocket of pus at the site of an infection is called. When present at the tip of a tooth root, an abscess is the result of bacteria entering the tooth’s inner pulp. They may have gotten in through a carry caused by slowly progressing tooth decay or a traumatic injury. When limited to the tooth, an infection can cause pain, swelling, and a persistent bad taste. But when it spreads, it can cause a blood infection and deadly sepsis. The root tip infections linked to heart disease had not presented any symptoms.

The best way to prevent a periapical abscess is by maintaining regular oral hygiene. However, because one can occur without symptoms, it is important to regularly get x-rays done at a dental office. If an abscess does develop, it may require draining or root canal treatment.

Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, operates Lehigh Valley Smiles at 2601 Nazareth Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18045. To schedule an appointment, call 610-252-7414 or visit LehighValleySmiles.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Benefits of Waterlase Technology

If you are avoiding the dentist because you fear the sound of the drilling needle, fear no more, at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we utilize Waterlase Technology. The Waterlase is a revolutionary device that uses hydrokinetic technology to cut teeth, bone and gum tissue with fewer traumas while providing benefits such as fewer shots and less anesthesia as well as overall improved patient comfort.

The Waterlase is extremely versatile and can be used for a wide range of hard and soft tissue procedures. The Waterlase produces a laser beam that energizes an exact stream of water that, when directed at a tooth, is able to remove tooth enamel decay (the hardest substance in the body), bone and gum tissue precisely while leaving surrounding areas unaffected. Since cutting both hard and soft tissues with the Waterlase does not generate heat, vibration or pressure, many dental procedures can be performed nearly pain-free with fewer shots, less need for anesthesia, less use of the drill, and fewer numb lips.

If you wish to learn more about Waterlase technology, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Dental Trauma

Accidents happen, but when facial trauma occurs, this can lead to physical and emotional trauma for the patient. Dental trauma is common and damage to the mouth can occur during sports injuries and even from a motor vehicle accident. Whatever the cause, Dr. Allan Dilsaver of Lehigh Valley Smiles is here to development a plan to give you your confidence back.

Examples of dental trauma include but are not limited to facial lacerations, knocked out teeth, broken teeth, or fractures to your jaw. Depending on the severity of the damage, the patient may require oral and maxillofacial surgery to correct the problem. Precautions that can be taken to avoid dental trauma include wearing a mouth guard while participating in sports or recreational activities and avoid chewing hard foods that may crack a tooth or a wire if you have orthodontics.

If you experience dental trauma, give us a call immediately. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Guided Canine Eruption

We provide orthodontic solutions for several kinds of misaligned teeth at Lehigh Valley Smiles. Our wide range of devices suit clients of many ages and preferences. However, there is one kind of malocclusion which can only be corrected in kids and which requires bracket-and-wire braces: guided canine eruption.

After wisdom teeth, canines are the teeth which most often get stuck before they can fully erupt. This is unfortunate not only because we rely on canines for piercing food, but also because their misalignment is much more noticeable and because the position of the canines is vital to maintaining arch stability. Because unerupted canines are at a different level from the rest of the teeth, linking their brackets with the others will require a chain or for a loop-shape called a ballista spring to be bent into the orthodontic wire. Guiding them into place will often take a year of orthodontic work.

Sometimes, not enough of the canine will have erupted for an orthodontic bracket to be attached. In these cases, the canine must be exposed by the removal of some gum tissue. Because of the bone shifts required to move canines out of the jaws, the procedure can only be done on children and teenagers whose facial bones have not yet fully solidified.  Though ballista springs may look intimidating, guided canine eruption is often necessary for a lifetime of good oral health.

Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, operates Lehigh Valley Smiles at 2601 Nazareth Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18045. To schedule an appointment, call 610-252-7414 or visit LehighValleySmiles.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Dry Socket Causes and Treatments

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver provides tooth extraction services for patient’s orthodontic and restorative needs. Successful recovery from extractions requires patient compliance, and we strive to ensure patients understand how to care for themselves. However, complications such as dry sockets do occur, and when they do, we want our patients to return for help right away.

Following a successful surgery, a blood clot seals off the socket from which the tooth was extracted. But if the clot failed to form or dissolved or was dislodged prematurely, the socket will soon dry out. A dry socket can usually be identified by severe pain two days after surgery, although if the bone is visible at the base of the socket, the socket is certainly going to dry out soon if it hasn’t already.

We’ll treat a dry socket by placing medicated wound dressing over it and changing the dressing every few days. Patients will usually also be given antibiotics and painkillers. Smoking, using birth control, and sipping through straws are all actions which are known to increase a patient’s risk of developing a dry socket and should be avoided. However, complicated extractions are also known to result in dry sockets more frequently despite patients’ efforts, which is why we encourage patients to call us at the first sign of trouble.

Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, operates Lehigh Valley Smiles at 2601 Nazareth Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18045. To schedule an appointment, call 610-252-7414 or visit LehighValleySmiles.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Invisalign

Dr. Alan Dilsaver and Lehigh Valley Smiles make an Invisalign smile possible for everyone. Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adults and teens. Invisalign is recommended to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth. An Invisalign treatment plan consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth, and a typical treatment plan can be completed in less than a year.

To straighten your teeth with Invisalign, we begin with an examination. A dentist can determine if Invisalign will be effective in achieving the smile you want. Impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, depending on your individual treatment plan. For the best results, a set of aligners should be worn at least 20 hours a day. You should remove the aligners to eat and to brush and floss.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.