It's natural to fear the unknown. But, doing some minor research and fully preparing for your dental visit, oral surgery or orthodontics appointment will help to relieve any unnecessary anxieties that you may be feeling.
We are committed to creating a helpful dental experience that eases unnecessary fears by providing you with a full spectrum of information on dental specialty care from a regular check up to dental implants and periodontics. We are dedicated to serving the Pittsburgh area with a high level of patient care in a relaxed, professional and caring atmosphere. We are not a chain, and you are not just a number. We are a multi-office practice with local dentist ownership. Our success with both the dental work and peace of mind provided to our patients has allowed us to grow and open multiple offices, but we are still a local business that puts our patients first.
Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. Get the most out of your appointment by knowing and understanding the available options for dental specialty care. Your dentist will answer all of your questions and ease any anxieties.
Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available.
Endodonitics is the branch of dentistry dealing with the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp, usually by removal of the nerve and other tissue of the pulp cavity and its replacement with suitable filling material. Pulp canal therapy, root canal therapy is part of endodontics, and will help ease toothaches and dental pain.
Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root. All teeth have between one and four root canals.
Many toothaches stem from infections that spread to the pulp through these root canals. The pulp is the inner chamber of the tooth containing blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. When the infection becomes worse, it can begin affecting the roots. A traumatic injury to a tooth can also compromise the pulp, leading to similar problems.
Root canal therapy usually entails one to three visits. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled to the root canal through the crown or the root canal through the bridge into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with an elastic material and medication designed to prevent infection. If necessary, the drilled hole is temporarily filled until a permanent seal is made with a crown.
Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to tooth loss. With advances in modern dentistry and teeth replacement, dental implants can treat the tooth decay and tooth loss that are often a result of gingivitis and other oral conditions.
Dental implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth implant or permanent dental bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures.
Dental Implants are so well designed that they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Implants are usually made of a synthetic yet biocompatible material like metal or ceramic.
Surgery is necessary to prepare the area for an implant and place the implant in the mouth. Following the procedure, a period of time is required for the implant to take hold and for bone tissue to build up and anchor the device. In some cases, metal posts are inserted into the implant during a follow-up procedure to connect the tooth.
A Periodontist studies and treats diseases of the bone, connective tissue, and gum surrounding and supporting a tooth. Gum disease can be classified as anything from sore gums to gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is the swelling and soreness of the gums that, without treatment, can cause serious gum disease. Untreated, gingivitis can lead to chronic periodontal disease or periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.
Sore gums are not only painful, but can lead to dangerous oral conditions. If your gums are sore, tender or bleeding, it is important to seek the help of a qualified periodontist immediately.
An Orthodontist prevents and corrects irregular tooth alignment through dental braces. Patients that need to have their teeth straightened are often referred to an orthodontist.
Braces are applied to teeth for various reasons, including poorly aligned jaws, crooked, crowded and missing teeth, or a bad bite (also called malocclusion). Dental Braces today are made from extremely lightweight and natural-colored materials. The materials that braces attach to brackets are bonded to the surfaces of teeth but can be later removed. Modern orthodontics has also taken great strides in invisible braces that can straighten your teeth.
Invisalign braces are orthodontic braces that are virtually invisible. The thermoplastic aligners look similar to teeth-whitening trays. A series of Invisalign braces are custom-made for you, to move your teeth in the sequence determined by your orthodontist.
A wide variety of conditions benefit from oral surgery. Oral surgeries include extracting impacted teeth and wisdom tooth removal, the treatment of Temporomandibular joint disorders (or TMJ), correcting tooth loss with the use of dental implants, modifying alignments for denture fitting problems and addressing unequal jaw growth.
The most common kind of impacted teeth are the wisdom teeth, or third molars. Most often, the jaw is not large enough to accommodate these last teeth to emerge from the gums. Without enough room, these molars become trapped between the jawbone and the gum line. Impacted teeth can be painful and cause infection. Wisdom tooth extraction prevents and corrects the issue.
Oral surgery can also treat Temporomandibular joint disorders (or TMJ). The Temporomandibular joint is a small joint in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. Disorders of this joint can cause both jaw pain and headaches, and can normally be treated with a combination of medications and physical therapies. However, in cases of extreme Temporomandibular joint disorders, oral surgery can help correct the problem.
Dental Implants are an alternative to traditional dentures for treating tooth loss that are surgically implanted into the jawbone.
Often, patients experience denture fit problems that can be corrected with oral surgery. Surgery can improve jaw regularities that cause dentures to fit improperly.
When the upper and lower jaws do not grow at the proper rates, the unequal jaw growth can cause problems with eating, speaking and swallowing. Oral surgery can help to move all or part of the lower or upper jaws to achieve the correct balance in jaw growth.
