Acid Reflux

People are taught as children that prolonged exposure to sugar puts them at risk of tooth decay, and that’s true. But we want patients at Lehigh Vally Smiles to know adults have another major source of enamel erosion to watch out for: acid reflux. Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, acid reflux causes a number of health problems, but dentists will often be the first of the patient’s doctors to identify it.

Acid reflux describes when hydrochloric acid from the stomach escapes into the esophagus. If it gets as far as the mouth, it can damage the gums and mouth lining, as well as the teeth. The tooth erosion associated with acid reflux is painful and leaves the teeth discolored, and the damage to the gums leaves the teeth weak.

Enamel cannot be regrown once lost, but it can be replaced with methods such as fillings, bonding, and partial crowns. It can also be strengthened through fluoride treatments. Some strategies for reducing acid reflux include reducing intake of fatty foods, alcohol, tomatoes, and citrus juice, keeping a straighter posture, and not eating large meals before bed.

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.

 

Obesity and Sleep Apnea

If your partner kicks you in the middle of the night because you’re snoring too loud it might be time to rule out sleep apnea. Those who experience loud snoring and breathing difficulties while sleeping are generally suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder, that Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD can treat, but this condition is worsened when a patient is obese. Let us explain why.

Obesity, especially the morbid kind (BMI>40), can lead to sleep apnea, which itself then causes hormones to become out of control. In addition to sleep deprivation, this condition can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even more weight gain because sleep apnea can cause a patient to eat more. If you are concerned about sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor. As a treatment option, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS FAGD may suggest an oral appliance depending on the severity.

If you have questions or concerns about sleep apnea, 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.

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.

Sedation Dentistry

Dr. Alan Dilsaver and Lehigh Valley Smiles know far too many patients put off dental work because of an anxiety or fear about the procedure. These are not reasons to put yourself at risk for more complications by leaving an issue untreated! Lehigh Valley Smiles is equipped to offer sedation to anxious patients needing dental work.

Some patients have had painful or traumatic dental appointments in the past that give them fear and anxiety about further procedures. Others may have sensitive teeth or a sensitive gag reflex that makes dental work dreadful. We aim to make the process as comfortable as possible for each patient, so in addition to using local anesthetic in the area of a procedure we have the following options available for sedation:

• ·        Nitrous Oxide, also called laughing gas, is inhaled by the patient and causes a sleepy euphoria before the patient drifts off
• ·        Oral sedation, or taking a sedative orally before the procedure, keeps the patient awake but achieves a heightened state of relaxation
• ·        Anxiolysis, also administered by taking a pill orally, is recommended for very anxious patients
• ·        IV Sedation delivers medicine straight into your blood stream to work quickly, and the level of sedation can be adjusted during the procedure

To learn more about sedation dentistry 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.

Nutrition and Teeth

Proper nutrition means eating a well-balanced diet so that your body can get the nutrients needed for good health and wellness. In fact, adequate nutrition is important in disease prevention and is becoming an extremely important characteristic of preventive dentistry. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods and tips that will help you keep your teeth.

A diet that promotes good oral health is not just about the foods you eat or avoid – when and how you eat them is equally important. Instead of snacking on sugary, carbohydrate-rich or acidic foods throughout the day, munch on some crisp fruits, veggies and dairy products. Calcium-fortified juices, milk, and other dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D and help promote healthy teeth and bones, reducing the risk of tooth loss. Crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. Making these small changes to your dietary habits can help protect your teeth and gums.

If you have questions regarding oral health, please 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.

Is Gum Pain Causing Your Teeth to Be Sensitive?

At the dental practice of Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, we want you to understand that taking care of your mouth is very important, not only for your teeth and gums but for your overall health. Neglecting your teeth and gums can make them susceptible to problems such as cavities, gum disease as well as bacterial infections. These problems can also compromise your oral well-being and cause your teeth and gums to hurt.

If your teeth hurt, a cavity could be the culprit. Cavities occur when plaque buildup on your teeth creates tooth decay. Plaque contains harmful acids that eat away at your tooth enamel and create tiny holes. Therefore, if you do not regularly remove plaque deposits from your teeth, your cavities will grow and begin to hurt. If left untreated, lingering plaque deposits can also affect your gums. If not removed daily, plaque hardens into a substance called tartar that can irritate your gums and lead to gum disease.

If you are experiencing pain with your mouth or gums don’t delay, 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.

Laser Surgery

Lehigh Valley Smiles is a high-tech office with equipment for providing a large number of oral and maxillofacial surgeries. Among the most flexible tools in Dr. Alan Dilsaver’s possession is the Waterlase. This water guided laser eliminates many of the problems associated with older models of surgical lasers while maximizing the benefits.

The advantage lasers have over mechanical drills is that the lack of vibration and pressure results in less pain, and the lack of noise avoids the psychological stress many patients experience when undergoing drilling. However, lasers produced in the early 1990s still sometimes produced a large amount of heat, which was also a source of pain with mechanical drills. The Waterlase, introduced in 1998, produces far less heat. The gentle stream of water it bathes the surgical site in causes the water molecules in cells to vibrate, making them easier to cut through.

The Waterlase can be used for surgeries on both hard and soft tissues, making it as useful for blasting decay as it is for making surgical incisions. Its precision reduces the amount of collateral damage and bleeding compared with other tools, allowing patients to recover faster and with less pain.

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.

How to Care for Dentures

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we’ve done full-mouth restorations on many patients over the years and have helped them to maintain their new teeth. Since dentures are not living tissue, they cannot withstand the same kinds of wear and pressure as normal teeth. To keep dentures working and looking great, patients need to know how to keep them clean.

Even implant-supported dentures are often removable and need to be taken out on a nightly basis. But dentures, unlike retainers, need to be kept moist. Though hot water will warp them, room-temperature water is fine. Cleaning solutions made specifically for dentures are also available. Regardless of what kind of liquid dentures are kept in, dentures should only be cleaned with toothpaste designed for them. Ordinary toothpaste scratches at teeth, which is fine for natural teeth which produce their own film, but not for artificial ones. Dentures should only be brushed with a toothbrush which has soft bristles, which is also true of natural teeth.

Patients should also continue to brush their gums, tongue, and implant abutments (if present) as normal. The denture’s underside also needs to be brushed and monitored for breakage or distortion. Any damage to a denture should be repaired immediately by a professional.

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.

Be Cautious of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness, and inflammation of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly since it is reversible. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene habits. If you are not maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD is here to help.

Gingivitis commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth (plaque). Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, which means that it can be prevented. Generally, gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene – longer and more frequent brushing, as well as flossing. If the condition is left untreated, gum disease can spread and affect tissue, teeth, and bones, leading to periodontitis which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

If you suspect you have gingivitis, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Denture Pain

Denture pain typically stems from poor fitting or poorly adjusted dentures. It may also be a result of new dentures, worn over soft tissues that have not developed thick, toughened layers of protective keratin. If you are experiencing gum and mouth irritation, problems eating and speaking, mouth infections and/or dentures that move around in your mouth, gives  Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, a call to discuss your treatment options.

If you wear dentures, it is very important you keep your mouth clean and healthy. In addition, you should never experience pain when wearing your dentures. If you do experience pain from your dentures and this discomfort is not treated by speaking slowly, eating soft foods or using an adhesive, your dentures may need to be replaced. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, has plenty of tooth-replacement options for you to choose from if dentures aren’t working out.

If you have dentures that are causing you pain, 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.

Inlays and Onlays

The Lehigh Valley Smiles clinic in Easton, Pennsylvania, contains the latest technology for all of our patients’ dental restoration needs. Among these is a CEREC machine which allows us to manufacture artificial crowns in-house. It also allows us to manufacture partial crowns, called inlays and onlays, which are useful for repairing less extensive damage.

The grinding surfaces of molars and premolars are comprised of indentations and raised bumps called cusps. An inlay is a small partial crown which fits in between the cusps. An onlay replaces cusps as well as the indentations between them. While some dentists use materials such as gold or glass and plastic resins for partial crowns, the ceramic pieces milled by the CEREC can allow a patient to have their restorations placed in just a single visit.

After removing the decay from the tooth surface, Dr. Dilsaver will make an impression of the patient’s mouth. The CEREC is programmed based on the impression, and the partial crowns will be ready in less than an hour. Patients who receive artificial crowns need to maintain their oral hygiene but should find that chewing will be much easier.

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.

Pocket Reduction Surgery

One of our most important services at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton is cleaning patients’ teeth below the gum line. While tooth roots ideally fit snuggly into their gum pockets, nothing can stop small amounts of bacteria and plaque accumulating in them over time. During a deep cleaning, our hygienists will remove harmful materials which patients can’t reach on their own. However, there are times when the gum pockets have been damaged and require a bit of minor surgery to fix.

As bone and soft material decays, gum pockets become larger. The increased space gives bacteria more room to grow, accelerating the decay process. After the bacteria has been removed, Dr. Dilsaver may need to cut an incision into a healthy gum, pull a flap of it over the enlarged pocket, and sew it shut. More severe cases may require a gum graft—when soft material is transferred from one part of the mouth to another. Closing off the gum pockets not only denies bacteria a home, it also protects exposed tooth roots. Patients should experience much less sensitivity after undergoing pocket reduction.

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.

What is Oral Pathology?

Pathology can be defined as the scientific study of the nature of a disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences. Oral pathology is the specialty that identifies and treats diseases of the mouth and maxillofacial region. Some of the diseases that Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles diagnoses include mouth and throat cancer, mumps, salivary gland disorders, ulcers, and more.

When an abnormality is discovered either by the patient, dentist, or health care provider, a referral is often made to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Diagnosis is completed through radiographic, microscopic, biochemical and other in-office examinations. Because the mouth is readily accessible, changes indicative of oral cancer or a pathological process can easily be detected in the early stages. Pain is not always necessary to define pathology and is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.

If you are concerned about oral cancer, give us a call to discuss your options. 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.

The Temporomandibular Joint: Explained

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the jaw joint. You have two of them which work together as a pair, one in front of each ear. Without this joint, you would not be able to chew your food, yawn, or even speak. The joints connect the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones of the skull on each side of the head. When this joint begins to cause facial pain, headaches, and/or jaw muscle stiffness, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, of Lehigh Valley Smiles can develop a treatment plan.

When you open your mouth, the rounded upper ends of the mandible on each side of the jaw glide along the joint socket at the base of the skull. They slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. This joint is unique in the sense that the articular surfaces of the bones never actually come in contact with one another – they are separated by an articular disk. This disk splits the joint into two synovial joint cavities, each lined by a synovial membrane. It is important to keep in mind that occasional clicking or discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles are common, but if you have a serious concern for TMD, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Dilsaver.

If you have questions about the temporomandibular joint or TMJ/TMD, 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.