David A. Schwartz, D.D.S, P.C.

Your Dental Health

in the Hands of a Local Expert

Place your family and cosmetic dentistry needs in the hands of a local dentist that you can trust. With proven quality and a personalized experience for every guest, Dr. David A. Schwartz and his team are here to serve you.

The Services We Offer

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Dental Hygiene, Periodontics, Dentures, Root Canals, Pediatric Dentistry, Holistic Mercury-Free Treatments

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Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening, Bonding/White Fillings, Inlays/Onlays, Porcelain Crowns, Bridges, Dental Restorations, Full Mouth Reconstructions

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As a part of Cosmetic and Physiological Treatment.

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Identifying and treating symptoms of TMD/TMJ, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, Snoring, and Power Mouthguards

Welcome

Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to visit my website. I am Dr. David Schwartz, a dentist who has been serving Berks County for over 25 years. During that time, I have seen lots of changes in dentistry. The list of things that we can only dream about doing to help people is rapidly shrinking. In my office, though, the one thing that has stayed constant is our mission to give everyone that comes to us an exceptional experience.

Dedicated Time

It starts with being on time. I am not saying that we are perfect, but it is rare that someone has to wait more than a few minutes past their scheduled time before being seen. I was never good at running around from room to room like some doctors choose to do, so we schedule only one person in the office at a time. We also make sure to reserve a sufficient amount of time for your needs. This allows me time to really get to know you and your concerns. Modern, highly-educated dentists know that there is much more to the mouth than just the teeth – we are connected from head to toe. Having that extra time affords me the opportunity to truly assess and discuss the risk factors that I see and then review all the options. I will always support a person’s choice as long as they understand and accept the consequences of their decisions.

Driven by Passion

Since 2004, my passion has been to learn more about the interconnections between the mouth and the body. My Team and I have spent countless hours getting the advanced training necessary to be able to help those people that are in pain who the medical community has all but “thrown in the towel” on. Many are told that they just have to live with the pain or the side effects of the pills that they are given, while others are told that the pain is all in their head. Many times, that is a true statement – it is in their head, just not in the psychological sense. Some of those that I have helped have told their stories and allowed me to use them on the site.

Dentistry 101

I still do what many consider traditional dentistry, too. I call it Dentistry 101 – cleanings and treating cavities. One thing that makes my office different is that we do not use silver-mercury fillings. I have not placed one of these in my office, ever. I will also gladly remove these upon request. I follow the accepted safe mercury removal guidelines and take additional safety measures for those who are mercury sensitive. This is one of the many reasons that I have maintained my independence from insurance companies. They constantly request that more and more corners be cut in the types of services and quality of materials used in medicine, but I was never comfortable treating others differently than I would treat one of my own family members. I am not saying that you cannot use your insurance here. I fact, we will even file all the forms for you. We will work with any insurance company that is willing to work with us.

So, if you are looking for just a run of the mill dental office that rushes you in and out and is willing to cut the corners necessary to meet the demands of the typical underfunded insurance plans, then my office would not be a good fit for you. If you value your wellness and can appreciate how good oral health leads to good overall health, then call us for an appointment today. You will not be disappointed.

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David A. Schwartz, DDS,
FICD, FLVI, FIAPA

About Us

At our Family and Cosmetic Dentistry practice in West Lawn, Pennsylvania, Dr. Schwartz and the rest of the Team believe that personalized treatment for each and every guest who comes to us for help is our number one priority. When you are scheduled for an appointment, we allow extra time for you and the doctor to get to know one another.

 

One of the most basic, yet often overlooked practices in the dental office is personal time and care provided to each and every guest. Dr. Schwartz prides himself on drawing from his own experiences as a patient when treating his own guests. You will never suffer needlessly when under the care of our Team of professionals.

About Dr. David A. Schwartz

Dr. David A. Schwartz of West Lawn, Pennsylvania is a passionate and caring dentist whose main goal is quality oral health and reliable, friendly service for all of his guests. Dr. Schwartz believes that the combination of your good health and the ability to look and feel good make up the recipe for happiness and success.

 

He strives to educate his guests on the importance of maintaining good oral health as a long-term investment in yourself and your family. Decisions and personal choices are a joint effort when working with Dr. Schwartz and his Team.

What You Deserve From Us

We strive every day to offer you the best possible care.

We provide painless dentistry procedures taking care to maintain your personal comfort levels. By teaching you preventive measures and offering the most advanced and best treatments available to you, we strive to ensure the highest level of comprehensive health.

 

We allow extra time for your appointments to be sure none of our guests are waiting for extended periods of time. We listen carefully to all of your needs and goals while planning the details of your treatments and procedures together. We offer the latest advances in dental technology and physiological dentistry to ensure we are providing you with the best and most advanced care possible.

 

This is the kind of service you deserve from us and will receive every time you come to our office. Your health, comfort and happiness is what we strive for every day. The combination of these brings ultimate success to both your life and our practice. 

Reach Out!

To learn more about our care and services, or to schedule an initial dental visit with Dr. Schwartz and the rest of our Team, please contact us at our West Lawn, Pennsylvania dental practice today.

Tooth Replacements

People need to replace their natural teeth for numerous reasons. The more common ones are that the tooth was too broken and/or decayed to fix, lost due to gum infection, or lost due to an accident. Another scenario is that the adult tooth just never developed – the worst days for me are when I have to tell a parent that one or more of their child’s adult teeth will never grow in.

 

Thankfully, there are options for replacing a missing adult tooth. You may have read about implants and bridges in the Cosmetic Dentistry section. These are wonderful ways to replace teeth and will give you the feeling that you have your own natural teeth again.

 

Some people need a quicker replacement or an alternative that better fits their budget. Dentures might be the answer. Dentures can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all of them. They come in many styles – too many to list and describe here – but I would be happy to help narrow down the many choices based upon your needs when you are in for your next exam.

Root Canals (Endodontics)

The term “root canal” actually refers to the natural cavity in the center of the tooth. Root canals are not as scary or as painful as they used to be. The practice of treating the nerve of a tooth is actually called endodontics, and this practice has advanced technologically along with the other areas of dentistry. Remember, your comfort and care are our prime concerns.

 

An endodontic procedure is performed when a tooth is infected or badly decayed. During the procedure, the nerve inside the tooth is removed and the inner tooth is cleaned and then sealed. This is the only method available to save a tooth that is in this condition. Pulling the tooth is an option, but in most cases, the dentist’s primary goal is to save as many natural teeth as possible. This is the optimal solution when treating infections and tooth decay. Otherwise, the surrounding tissues may become infected, causing abscesses.

Knowing When a Root Canal is Needed

Sometimes it is possible to have no symptoms at all when there is a problem with one of your teeth. Other times there will be definite signs, such as:

 

  • Severe pain in the tooth when pressure is applied or while chewing

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold continuing after the source has been removed

  • Swelling and tenderness of the surrounding gums

  • A pimple on the nearby gums that keeps coming back

  • Discoloration or darkening of the tooth compared to others around it

 

If you or someone you love is suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, please do not hesitate to contact my office to schedule an appointment. There is no need to continue suffering from this or any other dental issue.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is the area of dentistry that focuses on the dental needs of infants, children, and adolescents. It includes all preventive, therapeutic, and primary care of the child’s oral health. The American Pediatric Dental Association recommends that parents start bringing their children with them for dental visits at age 1 or sooner if the child gets their first tooth. There are several reasons for this:

 

  • To begin teaching the child that the dentist’s office can be a positive experience

  • To begin tracking the development and growth of the child’s teeth

  • For early detection of developmental problems that may interfere with speech and hearing

  • To identify possible problems leading to issues with posture

  • To identify possible problems that may lead to concerns with the development of the child’s facial structure

Tooth Development

Primary teeth usually begin coming in during the first year of life. The lower central incisors are generally the first to emerge, followed by the upper ones. Usually at one year of age, all of the incisors are present. Keep in mind that this timeline can vary from one child to the next by as much as six month window.

Bacterial Concerns

Once the infant’s teeth have begun to emerge, the risk of bacterial development becomes a factor. If members of the immediate family have bad teeth, chances are it is due to the existence of bacteria in their mouths, which can easily be passed on to the child’s mouth, as well. Good oral hygiene should be practiced in both the parents and the child in order for it to be optimally effective.

The First Pediatric Examination

During your child’s first pediatric dental examination, we will begin recording a thorough medical and dental history. You should be prepared to review all developmental records concerning prenatal and postnatal stages.

 

Your child will be given an oral examination with you present in the office. With children under 2 years old, this will only be a visual exam. The possibility of developing oral and dental disease will be discussed at length so that you are fully aware of how important proper dental hygiene is even at this young age. Tooth decay can advance very rapidly in children.

 

Your child’s oral and dental development will also be evaluated and you will learn about how many teeth are appropriate at what age and have the opportunity to ask any questions and discuss any concerns that you may have. If therapy or fluoride treatments are necessary, they will be discussed, as well. We will also discuss other factors that may affect tooth development such as:

 

  • Sucking on a pacifier

  • Sucking on fingers

  • Oral hygiene

  • Diet

  • Injury prevention

 

To learn more about pediatric dentistry or any other dental questions you may have, please contact us today.

Health Risk Assessment

Even though this is listed last, it is always where my exams begin, and it carries through the exam to the end. It starts with a thorough review of your health history including diagnosed medical ailments, medications, supplements, and operations. It is part of the other assessments, as well – looking for clues of undiagnosed ailments or the risk factors for developing them. Some of the many health ailments that show up in the mouth are:

 

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Nutritional deficiencies

  • Sleep breathing disorders

  • Diabetes

  • Postural issues

  • Sinus disorders

 

Many medications and herbal supplements can have a negative effect on the saliva content and flow rate. Since saliva is the body’s defense against cavities and gum infections, even small changes can have a profound effect.

 

In my 30+ years of being a dentist, I have helped to save countless lives by learning beyond my dental school education. I have learned what to look for, to take the time to properly assess all aspects of a person, and then to be able to either treat things here at my office or to point the person in the proper direction for further help.

Occlusal Assessment

The occlusal assessment deals with how your teeth function as a unit. Just like a good auto mechanic can tell how your car is working by listening to the engine and looking at the wear on the tires, a good dentist can obtain a wealth of information about the body through the many clues the mouth holds. I look not only at the wear patterns of the teeth, but the motion and function of the jaw joint.

 

It is not hard to imagine that two things hitting or rubbing against each other will wear over time. The enamel on the teeth is the hardest substance in the human body, and it should take a long time to wear away. Years ago, some people were told that they just had “soft teeth” as a reason their teeth showed excessive wear. We now know that is not true. Other than the rare genetic disorder, amelogenesis imperfecta, everyone’s enamel is the same. What differs is our saliva, diet, ability to properly breathe through the nose, trauma, and environmental issues.

 

When the teeth wear, it can lead to sensitivities to temperatures or sweets and can even lead to cavities. It can also result in the destruction of the bone around the tooth, which can lead to tooth pain and, eventually, loss. As the teeth wear down, there is a change in pressures at the jaw joints that can cause a multitude of issues such as headaches and fatigue.

 

As with all wear and tear problems, early detection and intervention can prevent other more serious problems down the road. Like they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Oral Cancer Assessment

Cancer of the head and neck is number six on the list of the most common cancers in the US. Unfortunately, it has the lowest five-year survival rate of those six. As with all cancers, early detection is the key to better long-term outcomes. The oral cancer assessment only takes a few minutes. To minimize your oral cancer risk, it is best to avoid the behaviors that lead to cancer’s formation in the first place. Tobacco use, especially chewing tobacco, is the number one risk factor for developing oral and other cancers. Chewing tobacco’s long contact time with the tissues of the mouth is what makes it the greatest risk for oral cancer. Excessive alcohol use is another risk factor. If you are routinely consuming more than one serving of alcohol per day, you are increasing your risk.

Periodontal Assessment

Cavities are caused by a particular type of bacteria. But there is another group of bacteria that live your mouth that do not cause cavities – their favorite food is your jaw bone. They will first start to grow in the film of food that collects at the gum line during a meal. If the food is not cleaned away, they will work to get under the gums and separate them from your teeth, eventually working through them to get to your jaw bone. As they work under the gums, they help to promote the formation of tartar. Tartar, technically called “calculus”, is a hard substance that forms first at and then below the gum line. It acts as a seal so the bacteria can work without being disturbed. It takes a couple of months to form and harden, but once it does, a professional is needed to remove it.

 

Infections such as this are totally painless, that is until it is too late. As they eat the bone, the tooth loses its foundation and starts to become loose. It eventually becomes so loose that it hurts to bite on it, and the only thing that can be done at that point is to remove the tooth. Throughout this process, the body has been desperately trying to keep the infection contained to just the area around the tooth. Research has shown that this kind of infection also increases a person’s risk for developing blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. There are many other health problems that can arise from these infections, too, such as diabetes, intestinal disorders, and low-weight, pre-term births. I am sure this list will grow over time.

 

By the way, the use of tobacco speeds up the process of the bacteria separating the gums from the teeth and the hardening of the tartar. That is why smokers rarely go to the grave with all their teeth, unless they die young.

Prevention

I have always maintained that, when it comes to prevention, the patient has the bigger hand in it than I could ever have. Bacteria multiply quickly. Unlike humans, where it takes years for a new generation to be born, bacteria generations are measured in hours. That means in one day’s time, they can more than double their numbers! The good news is that the bacteria that cause cavities or gum infection are easily killed. The even better news is that there are some things that kill both groups of bacteria – physically removing the bacteria from your teeth on a daily basis.

 

Yes, that means brushing and flossing. Both groups need a warm and moist environment in which to live. Getting them out of your mouth causes them to die. The minimum is brushing twice a day, after eating, for at least 2 minutes, and flossing once a day after your last meal. When brushing, feel the brush touch the gum line so that you know you covered the whole tooth. The same with the floss, it needs to go under the gums. Yes it may be sore and bleed, but that is due to the infection you are trying to clear. It will get better.

 

Some products, like certain mouthwashes, claim that if you use them, they will kill most of the bacteria that live in your mouth. While that claim is true, there are two other groups of bacteria that live in your mouth that you need to know about. The next is a group that causes you no real harm (other than maybe causing some odor), and they actually are helpful – since only so many bacteria can live in a specific area at any given time, by them just being there, they help to keep all the other bacteria’s populations down. The last group of bacteria is even nastier than the ones that cause cavities and gum infections. When you use a product that kills, it kills most of the bacteria, but the ones left behind will repopulate – hopefully it is not the nasty ones that get the upper hand.

 

Thankfully there are some other simple things that can be done. At your appointment, I will assess what is happening in your mouth, review your habits, and then offer suggestions specific to your needs.

Prevention in Children

Good dental hygiene should begin with the arrival of your child’s first tooth. The sooner you start teaching your child good dental hygiene practices and begin helping them adjust to having regular dental cleanings performed, the better you will be able to instill good dental habits in them that will last throughout their life. This will also help to avoid difficult dental problems down the road.

 

Preventive measures begin with wiping your baby’s gums and new teeth gently with a damp soft cloth after every feeding. This prevents the buildup of bacteria and gets your baby used to having the teeth and gums cleaned. Once teeth begin coming in, you should begin using a soft children’s toothbrush twice a day on them.

 

Once your child reaches preschool age, start using a fluoride toothpaste for brushing. Be sure to only use a small smear. Small children tend to swallow the toothpaste when they are first learning to brush and this can cause permanent staining of the teeth and belly aches. As children start to get their adult teeth, they will need a bit more toothpaste – about the size of a pea.

 

It is important to monitor your child’s dental hygiene from baby to teenager. The sooner you instill good oral cleaning habits in them, the more likely those good habits will be to carry over into adulthood. In the short amount of time that it takes to brush and floss twice a day, you can save your child from future dental and other health problems.

Hard Tissue Assessment

Cavities are holes in the teeth caused by a group of bacteria that initially feed on the sugars and starches in the foods that we eat and drink. They convert those foods to acid which eats away at the tooth’s enamel – the hard outer layer of the tooth. Once past the enamel and into the next layer, the dentin, it is a quicker journey to the center of the tooth where the nerve and blood vessels are. From there, they can get anywhere in the body.

 

Pain is a strange thing when it comes to teeth. I have had people who claimed they had pain in the tooth when there was only a small hole that was still just in the enamel. While others have had the nerve sticking out of the tooth and claimed that they never had any pain. For most, pain comes somewhere in between. People who choose to wait until there is pain before calling a dentist usually end up needing to have significantly more work done to fix the problem. It usually ends up costing quite a bit more, too.

 

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cavities due to the constant sipping of drinks. Almost every drink is acidic, even bottled water. While the drink is in the mouth, it is maintaining the mouth’s environment in an acidic state. Once it is swallowed, it takes the average person’s mouth 15 minutes to neutralize the acid. It starts all over again if another sip is taken. With some people’s habits, the mouth never gets the chance to recover. If a starchy food is eaten at the same time, it is an even harder battle for the mouth.

Laser Treatments

Perhaps your embarrassment over your smile does not stem from a problem with your teeth. Instead, you dread the need for flashing your pearly whites because you feel like your smile consists of all gums. There is help available for this dental imperfection, as well. We offer laser gum treatments to correct a gummy smile and help you find that beautiful grin underneath.

 

The line of a person’s smile, or the teeth that show when you smile, is formed by different factors. These include:

 

  • Facial muscles

  • Amount of gum tissue

  • Size and shape of your teeth

  • Size and shape of your lips

 

The optimal smile line reveals the least amount of gum tissue. The contours of your gums should balance well and be in harmony with your upper lip.

Bring up the Teeth

For some people, gummy smiles are the result of small or worn-down teeth. For them, the best solution may be to build up the teeth using porcelain veneers. Then laser gum recontouring can give your smile a very attractive balance of tooth and gum tissue.

The Big Gums

Some people just have very full and big gums due to heredity or disruptions in their facial growth. Others who have had periodontal issues with their teeth may suffer from infected and swollen gums. Some signs of gum disease include:

 

  • Bleeding

  • Dark red tissue

  • Swollen mouth

  • Pain

  • Pus

  • Persistent bad breath

  • Change in bite

  • Sore teeth

  • Receding gums

 

It is really very difficult to repair the effects of gum disease on the mouth and gums. But with the use of laser gum treatment, we can provide a way to reduce and reshape your gums and make them more attractive and shapely.

 

Many of the signs listed above can also have other causes. So it is best to let us evaluate your individual case and identify the cause.

Laser Gum Treatments

Laser gum treatments are performed to bring contour and shape to your gum line. They are used to straighten the line of your smile and bring symmetry to your overall facial features and expressions.

Before
After

There was 2 to 3 mm of gums covering her beautiful teeth.

 

In some cases, porcelain veneers may be combined with laser gum treatments in order to restore or repair a person’s smile, making it one that they can be proud of. First, the gums are contoured with the laser to make them more attractive and shapely. Then veneers are placed over the fronts of the teeth to provide you with a straight, well-contoured, bright, and enviable smile.

Cold Sores and Mouth Ulcer Treatments

Another fantastic use of our laser is to heal cold sores (herpes labialis) and mouth ulcers. Using the laser in a non-cutting mode, we can relieve the pain and burning sensation from these lesions, usually in less than one minute. When it comes to cold sores, if we can apply this treatment at the earliest stage when there is only a tingle, we can prevent the sore from breaking out at all. For most people, it will never come back at that spot again!

 

To learn more about fixing a gummy smile or any of our other cosmetic dentistry procedures, please contact us today.

Orthodontics (Braces)

Orthodontics is the treatment of malocclusion (improper bite) in children, teens, and adults. Treatment usually begins when a person is in their preteen or early teen years, as early intervention has been shown to give better results and require less total treatment time. If a problem is discovered before it causes further issues, it can be fixed while the teeth and jaw are growing into their permanent positions. I am able to treat anyone who suffers from malocclusion issues by employing the most efficient orthodontic procedures available to meet each individual’s needs.

Aesthetic and Restorative Orthodontics

Orthodontics, depending upon the specific case, can be considered aesthetic or restorative. Malocclusion can prevent proper development of an aligned smile and facial jaw lines. This makes orthodontics a form of cosmetic dentistry. Malocclusion can also interfere with eating, speech, and hearing, which makes orthodontics restorative dentistry. Because of this, your dental insurance may cover a portion of your orthodontic treatment.

 

No matter how old you are, orthodontic treatments can help to protect your bite, provide maximum effectiveness in the function of your jaws and teeth, and help give you a beautiful smile. It can also help reduce a risk factor for developing sleep breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

 

There are many styles and types of orthodontic therapies available depending on your particular needs. Some are more effective than others, so it is important that we discuss everything first so I can give you the best recommendations to meet your needs.

Physiological Orthodontics

Physiological Orthodontics treats the source of the problem, not just the secondary problems that result. For example, if your bite is off and your teeth are wearing abnormally, it won’t help to just fix the wear and tear on your teeth if you do not repair the bite issue that caused the problem in the first place. The problems with the muscles and joints in your jaw that caused your malocclusion must be repaired, as well.

 

I place emphasis on Physiological Orthodontics when treating everyone – children through adults. Malocclusion and TMD can cause many problems that are often improperly treated. Through physiological orthodontics, the root problem is addressed, and other problems may disappear once the source is alleviated. I understand the pain and discomfort due to physiological issues, for I had suffered with facial strain, neck pain, and bite problems due to malocclusion for years. It was a great day when I heard of and began to study the principles of physiological dentistry. Ultimately, I treated myself so I, too, would be free from pain. I would love the opportunity to discuss your situation with you to see if I can help.

 

Click here to read more about physiological dentistry, or check out some of our cases in our Smile Gallery.

Cosmetic Bonding and Veneers

You see celebrities flash their bright smiles all the time. Do you find yourself wondering how they got them to look that way? You probably suspect they have had some form of cosmetic dental work performed, and they have. What you don’t realize is that many of them have had porcelain veneers placed and that you could do the same. I offer multiple types of veneers that will best suit the needs of each person. Some of the issues that veneers can help with are:

  • Alignment

  • Color

  • Gaps

  • Shape

  • Size

 

Bonding

Dental bonding is the process of using a composite resin to repair, restore, or change the shape of the teeth. Reshaping and filling are done in order to sculpt the tooth so that it matches your surrounding teeth. Bonding can be employed to help change many problems with one or more teeth, but its use and durability is limited. The cost is typically less than other option, which makes its limitations acceptable to some.

Before
After

Ceramic Veneers

Ceramic veneers offer a way for me to help make your smile look fabulous. The newest type of veneers are called E-Max, a Lucite-reinforced, pressed ceramic material that offers greater durability than earlier porcelain veneers. E-Max veneers are also very translucent. This means that they allow the light to pass through them much in the same way our own natural teeth do. In cases where an even higher level of natural beauty is wanted or required, the E-Max veneer can be layered with traditional porcelain to make it virtually indiscernible from the surrounding natural teeth.

Before
After

The Veneers Process

My process for veneers is very different from what is taught in most dental schools. With the advanced cosmetic training that I received at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), I now use a more predictable method to create the smile a person has always wanted. It begins with a discussion of your expectations and how we both expect the final results to look. Unlike most offices whose next step would be to make irreversible changes to your teeth, I take a model of your teeth and have a skilled lab create a mock-up of your new smile in wax on this model. You then can see what the result will look like, and any changes can be made at that step.

 

Once approved, your teeth will be prepared to receive the new veneers. A model of your own teeth will be made and this model will be used to create the precisely-fitted set of dental veneers for your teeth. To protect your teeth while the veneers are being created, a plastic trial smile made from the approved wax model is put on your teeth. This way, you leave with your teeth looking like the model and any necessary subtle changes can still be made before the real ones are completed. Once your veneers are created, their fit and quality will be assessed, and then they will be bonded to the fronts of your teeth.

Instant Orthodontics (Instant Braces)

Because bonding and veneers can correct some gaps and tooth alignment issues, they have been given the nickname of instant orthodontics or instant braces. Traditional braces are still needed in some cases to get the foundations in order. That process can take months or even years. If the foundations are pretty close to where they need to be, the rest can be handled by the veneers and a person can have their completed smile in a few weeks.

Personalized Cosmetic Dentures

Dentures are rarely a person’s first choice when it comes to replacing missing teeth or improving their cosmetics, but for some, it is their only choice or the best choice for their situation. My goal is to make every set of dentures look as natural as possible while considering input from the person who will be receiving them. A typical set of dentures, made the way dentists are taught to make then in dental school, will have the teeth set over the already receded jaw bones, making a person look as old or even older than they really are. This worsens over time as the jaw bones continue to recede. I set the teeth where they would have been if the person never lost their teeth. This can take 10-15 years off their appearance, especially if the person has had dentures before.

Before Dentures
After Dentures

When it comes to the details of how the front teeth are positioned, I will make it whatever way you would like. I have had people, for example, who always had a space between their two from teeth and hated it and want it closed with the denture. While others have stated that the gap has always been there and it is a part of what makes them who they are and want it retained. I am perfectly comfortable with any cosmetic choice a person wants. This is also why I take the time to have teeth set in wax for a trial so a person can see what they will look like before we are finished.

Crowns and Bridges

A dental crown is a type of restoration that is created to cover your whole tooth. It is a tooth cap that is used to cover the tooth and restore strength, shape and size. Older crowns required a large portion of metal in them in order to maintain their strength. Thankfully, this no longer has to be the case. The type of crown that I use depends on the needs of the particular area is it to be used. Sometimes we can even conserve portions of sound healthy tooth structure with ceramic inlays or onlays. That is why I prefer the term custom ceramic restorations when I discuss dental crowns.

 

People choose to have, or need to have, custom ceramic restorations placed for many reasons. Some of these reasons may include:

 

  • Restoration of a broken or worn tooth

  • Protection of a weak, broken or cracked tooth

  • Covering and supporting a tooth that is mostly filling

  • Holding a dental bridge in place

  • Covering a dental implant

  • Covering badly discolored and misshapen teeth

Before
After

E-Max Crowns

E-Max restorations are a Lucite reinforced pressed ceramic material. They eliminate the need for the support of a metal understructure. The metal prevents the light from passing through the porcelain material in the same manner as it does through real tooth enamel. With E-Max restorations, you can have natural looking teeth that are made entirely out of durable porcelain. 

Zirconium Crowns

These are CNC milled from a block of Zirconium. They are very strong and hold up well to biting forces, but they lack the opalescence of a ceramic and are typically used just for back teeth. People mistake Zirconium as being a metal-free option. Zirconium is a metal that when processed one way it can be clear and as used as Cubit Zirconia, or fake diamonds, or processed another way and it becomes tooth colored.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Gold Crowns

Porcelain-fused-to-gold crowns have an almost completely natural appearance other than the gold framework. They are generally used when the crown is being placed on teeth other than the front ones. Ideal for teeth that primarily bite and chew, the strength added from the metal they contain allows them to stand up to much more wear and tear than all-porcelain crowns.

 

Although traditionally described as porcelain-fused-to-metal, the ones that I use only contain high noble metal and no mercury. Essentially a 20-carat gold, the high noble metal crowns contain the highest possible high noble metal content. Crowns cannot be 100% noble metal because, in order for porcelain to fuse properly to metal, oxidation must take place. Since many people can have undiscovered allergies to metals, I try to provide the safest and best treatment in order to avoid an allergic reaction from the patient.

 

With the current historically high price for gold, I now use it sparingly.

Bridges

A dental bridge is used to replace a missing tooth that has fallen out or has been removed due to extensive damage or even a tooth that the body never grew. The gap between the remaining teeth can cause problems for both the surrounding teeth and the gums because each tooth offers stability to the area it occupies.

 

In some cases, the surrounding teeth will begin shifting out of place. In others, the gum line in the area of the missing tooth will begin to fall, changing the shape of your gum line and even the appearance of your facial features in that area. These factors can change your overall bite and possibly begin to cause physiological pain issues.

 

A bridge is basically multiple crowns that are hooked together using the teeth on each side of the space to hold the false ones. They do not come out daily like a denture. In fact, they usually stay in place for many years. Only a dental implant will feel more like your natural teeth when chewing food.

Implants

I work together with your oral surgeon to ensure that you get the best possible results from your dental implant. I let the surgeon perform the surgical phase of the implant process, and then I take over to place the visible portion of the restoration – crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Implant Before
Implant After
Implant After

How do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants are replacements for lost teeth. They are an alternative to dental bridges and dentures, although they are sometimes used in conjunction with dentures to help hold them in place better. They are titanium fixtures that are implanted directly into the bone of the jaw where they play the same role as roots for natural teeth. In order to be completed, they must be topped with a restoration, but once complete, they function as well as or better than your natural teeth.

Implant Before
Implant After

What Is the Dental Implant Process?

First, remnants of your lost tooth may have to be removed, and the jaw and gum may need time to heal. Then an operation is performed to place the implant into the jaw bone. The method by which this is performed varies from surgeon to surgeon, and it may involve a CAT scan, a computerized surgical die, or a screw-type implant. Depending on the quality of the bone, a restoration will be placed on the implant within a couple of days to a few months.

 

All dental crowns and bridges have their advantages and disadvantages. We will focus on using materials that will best suit the needs of each individual situation and educate you on all the available options so we can choose what is best for you together.

Tooth-colored Fillings

Some of the most basic dental needs that cosmetic dentistry guests often have are the restoration of problem teeth that have been damaged or the replacement of old, silver-mercury metal fillings with new, tooth-colored ones. This is where dental bonding and white fillings combined with the advanced skills of an experienced cosmetic dentist come into play. It is much quicker and easier to slap in a silver-mercury filling than a tooth colored one, especially in the back teeth. I have not placed a silver-mercury filling since 1990 and continue to refine my skills with advanced, hands-on courses to make sure my skills stay on the cutting edge. I am a member of the International Association of Mercury-Safe Dentists, and I am very aware of the possibility of metal allergies among my patients. That is why I use metal only when necessary, and even then I use only high noble metals.

Before
After
Before
After

White or Tooth-Colored Fillings

White fillings (tooth-colored fillings) are used to replace old, mercury fillings. They are also used when a tooth has decayed and needs restoration. A white filling is made of composite resin, which is an acrylic polymer (plastic). All of my materials that I use are certified BPA free.

 

The white filling is designed to be natural looking and can be colored to match the true coloration of the person’s own teeth. The filling is also extremely durable and can be placed anywhere in the mouth that needs dental work. The material is placed in layers and provides support and structure to the remaining parts of the tooth.

Teeth Whitening

There are probably just as many reasons for wanting to undergo some form of teeth whitening as there are ways to accomplish it. The methods available to you change and improve as dental technology continues to advance. We strive to offer treatments that will, above all, provide you with optimal results while protecting your teeth from harm.

 

For teeth whitening, we get the best results using the Kör Whitening System – a strong whitening solution approved only for use under a dentist’s supervision with a unique chemical activator that also contains ingredients that can reduce your sensitivity. There are basically three types of treatments: in-office, where we do the work for you in about an hour; take home kits, where you wear custom-made trays at home and get the same results in about one month; or a combination of the in-office and home treatments, used for cases of severe stains.

Before
After

Kör Whitening Take-Home Kits

There are several advantages to the take-home whitening kits that we can provide. You can enjoy long-term results because it will be convenient for you to give your teeth a periodic touch-up when you feel it is necessary. The cost is lower than our in-office treatments, so your investment is manageable. The product is portable and can be used anywhere you go, if necessary.

Teeth Whitening Risks

Teeth whitening treatments are very safe when they are recommended and monitored by a qualified dentist. There are potentially some minor risks, however, including teeth sensitivity and gum irritation. If you experience either of these problems, be sure to let us know immediately.

 

Another problem with teeth whitening procedures is that they have no effect on dental restorations. If you need dental work done, you may wish to whiten your teeth first. Then have your bonding, crowning, or filling material colored to match the new color of your teeth.

 

Once you have obtained that smile you want to show the world, it is important to continue practicing good oral hygiene which includes brushing after eating, drinking, or using any type of staining agents. To learn more about teeth whitening and which methods are the best and safest for you, please contact us today.