|
Cleanings, Examinations & X-Rays
Regular cleanings and examinations and
diagnostic x-rays are perhaps the most
important building block of dental health.
They allow us to consistently monitor and
evaluate changing conditions in your mouth
and to provide "in time" recommendations to
avoid dental decay and periodontal disease.
At each of these visits, we clean the teeth,
measure and chart gum pocketing and any
recession, conduct a thorough oral cancer
screening, and examine the teeth and
restorations. This is also a great time to
pick our brains with any questions you have
in a focused one-on-one setting. We
pride ourselves in creating a preventive
environment, and that starts with your
regular cleaning and examination.
|
 |
|
|
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Metal-free Composite Resin Restorations
A composite resin restoration is more
popularly referred to as a "white" or
"tooth-colored" filling. The material is
composed of differently sized and shaped
pieces of what is essentially glass inside
of a very strong glue. When a special curing
light is shone on the material, it hardens
and bonds to the tooth.
|
|
These materials can be used as fillings on
posterior or anterior teeth, and also can be
used esthetically to enhance the
shaping of the teeth
for cosmetic rehabilitation.
A
composite resin is much more technique
sensitive and difficult to place compared to
the silver amalgam fillings. Many
preparatory steps are required, the material
must be handled very carefully, and
attention must be paid to the overall shape
and size of the restoration. We feel there
are distinct benefits in using this
material. First, the composite resin is
bonded to the tooth and can provide
additional structural rigidity and a better
seal compared to amalgam. We cannot
underscore the high esthetic value of a
tooth-colored restoration as well, one that
will blend not only in function but also in
appearance to your natural teeth. And
finally, although there is no clear-cut
evidence of the danger of mercury in the
older amalgam restorations, the use of
composite resin provides an excellent
alternative without the potential risks. The
use of these restorations can be discussed
at a consultation appointment in our office. |
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Crown
and Bridge Restorations
When significant tooth structure has been
lost or the overall strength of a tooth is
compromised by a large filling, a crown may
be necessary. A crown, sometimes also
called a “cap”, covers the entire tooth and
is made of either porcelain or gold and is
permanently cemented in place. The tooth is
specifically shaped to allow for the crown
to replicate the natural contour of your
tooth. There are times when a tooth is
missing and crowns are placed on the teeth
next to that open space to support a “fake”
replacement tooth. This type of restoration
is called a bridge and can be a beneficial
way to support the bite and restore the
natural function of your mouth. Both crowns
and bridges are important to carefully plan
in terms of function and appearance, and we
can use them to reverse the ill effects of
missing or structurally damaged teeth. |
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
|
|
|
Implant Crowns or Denture Attachments
The versatility of dental implants is
nothing short of miraculous. Whether used as
a single tooth restoration, anchoring a
bridge, or used to stabilize a denture, the
predictability of implants is impressive. If
using a dental implant to restore a dental
problem is the right treatment option for
you, our experience will provide you with a
confident foundation to re-establish dental
health. Both doctors are well versed in the
many uses of implants. We have the tools and
hardware to restore any of the dental
implant systems on the market today and have
built trusting relationships with top-notch
surgeons to ensure your treatment is carried
out optimally. When using a dental implant
to replace a tooth or anchor a removeable
appliance, be sure to ask a lot of
questions. Not only do you need to know what
it will look like, how it will feel when
it's in your mouth, or how much does it
cost; you also need to know what options
exist, is a stock or custom
abutment needed, should we utilize computer
milled components, and also whether ceramic
components would look or function better.
Drs. Lavigna and Leon know implants are an
investment in time, patience, and money. We
know our performance is not just dependant
on delivering a quality restoration, we need
to educate and help you feel comfortable
with the entire process. |
 |
|
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Periodontal Maintenance Procedures
Your periodontal health should never be
ignored. The gums and bone support the teeth
and without them, rapid and widespread tooth
loss occurs. Additionally, the bacteria
which cause periodontal disease have been
directly linked to increased incidence of
heart and circulatory problems. Many people
do not know or underestimate this, and that
is a very dangerous gamble. The development
of and continued fight against periodontal
disease has three primary components. First
is the presence of the periodontal
pathogens, the bacteria which contribute to
the destruction associated with periodontal
disease. Next is the host response, the
genetic component of how your body fights
the bacteria. And third is time. The longer
the peridontal condition goes untreated, the
more aggressive it becomes and the quicker
the damage occurs. Peridontal disease is
very difficult to deal with because it
usually does not hurt in its earliest
stages. So people do not seek treatment.
That is where a regular cleaning and
examination comes in to provide early
diagnosis. If periodontal disease is
detected, more detailed cleanings on a more
frequent interval may be used to control it.
Additionally, the use of special antibiotics
at the site of damage can dramatically
improve healing. If these conservative
techniques cannot improve the process, we
will coordinate appointments with
appropriate periodontal specialists to
oversee your treatment. Once the situation
is controlled, the regular cleanings and
examinations at our office will reinforce
the steps taken and keep you healthy. |
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment
Invisalign has been a wonderful treatment
option for patients who wish to correct
misaligned or improperly spaced teeth. After
a through consultation and evaluation, a
simple impression is all that is needed to
start the process. A careful review of a
computer animated three dimensional model of
the patient's mouth will outline treatment
time and expected results. During this
process, there is ample time for questions
to be answered, and we pride ourselves on
creating some of the most dentally
intellgent patients anywhere. After the
treatment plan is determined to be accurate,
a series of clear plastic trays called
"Aligners" are fabricated at the Invisalign
facility. Each of these trays is worn for a
two week period of time and, during this
period, a specific movement of the teeth is
accomplished. When
it is time for the next aligner, you simply
switch to the new one. The results are
fantastic, predictable, and invisible. The
trays are unnoticeable and are removed when
you eat or drink. We would love to discuss
this further with you and evaluate your
smile to see how you could be a candidate
for this amazing orthodontic system |
 |
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Root Canal Treatment
If a tooth undergoes changes which lead to
significant pain, a root canal may be
necessary. Those changes can be related to
deep decay, a very large filling, or a
fracture in the tooth. We are comfortable
working on any tooth to relieve your pain.
After anesthesia is achieved, we can
comfortably work on the tooth to remove the
pain-causing tissue and help you to return
to feeling well. Root canals have a
reputation as being painful, and that is
simply not the truth. The pain comes by
ignoring the early signs of trouble and not
seeking help. A root canal will restore your
comfort and save a tooth which may need to
be extracted if ignored. If you feel a
consistent or growing level of discomfort,
please contact our office immediately to
schedule an evaluation. Early detection will
prevent significant discomfort and help you
to feel better soon. |
 |
|
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Extractions
If a tooth undergoes changes which lead to
significant pain, a root canal may be
necessary. Those changes can be related to
deep decay, a very large filling, or a
fracture in the tooth. We are comfortable
working on any tooth to relieve your pain.
After anesthesia is achieved, we can
comfortably work on the tooth to remove the
pain-causing tissue and help you to return
to feeling well. Root canals have a
reputation as being painful, and that is
simply not the truth. The pain comes by
ignoring the early signs of trouble and not
seeking help. A root canal will restore your
comfort and save a tooth which may need to
be extracted if ignored. If you feel a
consistent or growing level of discomfort,
please contact our office immediately to
schedule an evaluation. Early detection will
prevent significant discomfort and help you
to feel better soon. |
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Pediatrics
It is very important to establish a
comfortable and healthy dental routine with
your child. This begins at home by
familiarizing your infant with a cleaning
routine of gently massaging his/her gums
with a soft wash cloth and progressing to
tooth brushing as the teeth erupt. Your
toddler will generally be accepting of
formal dental cleaning around the age of
three, and we encourage parents to bring
younger ones to an appointment to watch and
see how easy the procedure is. We make
specific effort to communicate on a level
with your child in words they can
understand, and to make the cleaning visit a
special experience. It is not frustrating to
us if the first visit or two does not result
in a full cleaning. We are focused on
establishing a positive correlation. As your
child ages, we focus on prevention with
coaching talks on cleaning routines and
avoiding foods and beverages which can cause
dental breakdown, all in words they can
understand. We also feel sealants perform an
integral role in decay prevention and place
these when the permanent molars erupt. We
want to be involved with the dental health
of your entire family. |
|
|
|
|
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
|
|
Complex Esthetic and Reconstructive
Consultation
The need for an esthetic or complex
reconstruction is not something to take
lightly. As is the case with a home
remodeling, the final outcome is determined
not only by how carefully the work is done,
but also by how meticulously the plans are
made. It is important for us to understand
what your goals are in terms of
re-establishing proper function, creating
the smile you have always wanted, and to
give you options to attain those goals. We
will sit and listen closely to your needs
and desires, and spend the time to gather
the necessary information to format a
detailed plan that will work for you. Dr.
Lavigna and Dr. Leon both have extensive
experience creating beautiful smiles and
take pride in the longevity of those complex
cases. |
|
Ç top |
|
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ |
|
|
|
In-office and Take Home Tooth Whitening
We are asked all the time about whitening
options to enhance the appearance of your
smile. We love providing this for people as
it is one of the simplest and most reliable
ways to accomplish a simple “boost”. After
an examination to assess the health of your
teeth, a recommendation can be made as to
which type of whitening procedure will work
best for you. An at-home whitening involves
making custom trays you can use to hold the
bleaching gel in your mouth at your own
convenience. The in-office procedure
involves the use of a special
light-activated gel in our office and can
provide similar whitening results over a
much shorter period of time for those people
who have limited time. Contact our office
to discuss which option would work best for
you. |
|
|
