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Services
Preventative Care
Endodontic Care
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The dental cleaning, known as prophylaxis in dental terms, provides our patients with preventative tooth and mouth care.  It includes the removal of plaque, bacteria, calculus, and extrinsic stains by a qualified dental hygienist.  Your regular cleanings (usually recommended every six months) will be accompanied by a complete oral examination by Dr. Vallese and updates on x-rays as needed.  Dr. Vallese will also check the health of your gums and surrounding tisses during your visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, the dreaded root canal.  Most of us associate the procedure with pain, however with today's technological advancement, root canal therapy (known as endodontic therapy) is often completely painless and highly successful at saving your natural tooth.  There's no need to fear!

 

Root canal therapy is the process of removing the "pulp" of the tooth (matter comprised of nerves, blood vessels, and other living tissue) when it has become so damaged and infected that leaving it would result in the loss of the tooth and possibly a more serious, systemic infection.  Local anesthesia is used; first the infected material is removed and completely cleaned out, and then the hollow is filled with inert material, most commonly gutta percha, a natural polymer made from latex from the Percha tree.  This helps to prevent future infections.

Periodontal Treatment
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For some patients, the nonsurgical procedure of scaling and root planing is all that is needed to treat gum diseases.  Dr. Vallese will determine if surgery is needed when the tissue around the teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with nonsurgical options.

 

If surgery is needed for advanced gum disease, there are several surgical options for treatment during which Dr. Vallese uses local anesthesia so that you are comfortable throughout the procedure.  In some cases, the gums are lifted back and the tarter is removed.  In other cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide, and thereby decreases the chance of serious potential health problems associated with periodontal disease.

 

Sometimes bone grafts are necessary in the treatment of advanced periodontal disease.  This procedure involves using fragments of your own bone or synthetic bone, to replace bone destroyed by gum disease.  The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which gradually restores stability to your teeth.  Often, soft tissue grafts are needed during treatment as well.  This procedure reinforces thin gums or fills in places where gums have receded.  Most often taken from the roof of your mouth; grafted tissue is stitched in place, and adds tissue to the affected area.

 

Dr. Vallese often performs guided tissue regeneration for the treatment of periodontal disease.  This procedure is necessary when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed.  Performed in combination with flap surgery, a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between your bone and gum tissue.  This keeps the gum tissue from growing into the area where the bone should be, thereby allowing the bone and connective tissue to regenerate and provide better support for your teeth.

Extractions
 

Extracting a tooth may become necessary when decay and/or trauma has done so much damage to the tooth that removal is your only option.  In cases of wisdom teeth, Dr. Vallese may recommend extraction as a proactive measure, before damage occurs.  Often, the way wisdom teeth develop and how they erupt from the gums make it impossible to keep them without increased risk of decay and damage to your other teeth.

 

Dr. Vallese numbs the area completely with local anesthetic so that you are comfortable during the procedure; the extraction is often quick and painless.  Afterwards, you'll be given post-operative instructions for care and prescriptions for any necessary medications.

Mouth Guards
 

Also referred to as a night guard, occlusal guard, bite guard, or mouth piece, a mouth guard is a device that covers the teeth to prevent and/or reduce injury.  Dr. Vallese may recommend one to help alleviate the symptoms of bruxism (grinding of the teeth), or TMD (disorders of the temporomandibular joint).  

 

Dr. Vallese offers two types of mouth guards: a soft occlusal guard for the lower teeth, or a hard upper guard, both of which he custom fabricates for you.  Either type is a simple two-step process: first, Dr. Vallese will make a set of impressions of your teeth.  After about one week, you'll return to the office to pick up your appliance; he'll make any adjustments necessary to ensure a comfortable fit, and then you'll be on your way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protective Care
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Sealants are a protective coating that seals the chewing (occlusal) surface of the tooth to prevent bacteria from causing decay.  Sealants are needed because pre-molars and molar teeth, located way in the back of the mouth, naturally have many pits and fissures on their occlusal surface. Their shape and location make them hard to keep clean, especially during pre-adolescent and adolescent years.  By sealing the teeth, Dr. Vallese helps protect them against decay by literally filling the cracks and providing a protective shield that bacteria and food cannot penetrate.

 

The process for applying a sealant is quite straightforward: the teeth are thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, and dried.  Composite acrylic sealant is then painted directly on the tooth and allowed to harden with the aid of a curing light.  The appointment is quick, and definitely worthwhile for the preventative benefits.

Restorative Care
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Dental fillings are a direct restoration used to repair a decayed or damaged tooth, and is often a first line of defense in a tooth that has been compromised.  During this procedure, Dr. Vallese will use local anesthetic to numb the area, followed by removing the decayed and/or structurally unsound portions of the natural tooth.  Once the tooth has been prepared, the "filling" can begin.  To fill the cavity, Dr. Vallese uses composite resin, which is tooth colored synthetic material.

 

Dental bonding is commonly a cosmetic term, and is essentially the same process as a dental filling: material is used to fill in, build up, or otherwise repair a natural tooth.  Composite resin that exactly matches the tooth color is used, and often no anesthesia is required.  Bonding is often the most economical choice to improve the appearance of your teeth.  Dr. Vallese is extremely thorough in this cosmetic procedure, as it can make a tremendous improvement in your smile and confidence.

 

Dental crowns are part of an implant restoration that completely covers or "caps" a tooth.  Typically, crowns are necessary when decay has caused so much damage to the tooth, that not enough natural structure remains for it to survive on its own.  The crown then replaces the decayed area and provides protection for the remaining natural tooth.  As with any restoration, if you are interested in whitening, you'll want to achieve your desired shade before the crown is fabricated.  Once the crown is set in place, Dr. Vallese will check the fit, the shade match, and your bite; once he is convinced that everything is absolutely perfect, the crown will be cemeted into place and you'll be on your way.

 

 

 

 

 

Prosthetics
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A denture is an oral prosthetic designed to replace missing teeth. Conventional dentures are removable and may be full (replacing all teeth in the upper and lower jaw) or partial (used when some natural teeth remain in either jaw).  Dentures are shaped to mimic your natural teeth as closely as possible, and are traditionally held in place both by the suction created by the denture's shape, and the anatomy of your bone and tissue.

 

At your first appointment, a series of impressions and bite registrations will be taken.  The next several appointments will be fitting appointments, during which Dr. Vallese will make any necessary adjustments to the denture until you are completely happy with the way it looks and feels.

Implant Surgery
 

Most often, the implant prodecure is a two-step process.  First, the implant, which looks like a screw, is placed into your jaw.  Over the next three to six months, the implant and the bone bond together to form a strong foundation for your new artificial tooth.  During this time, a temporary tooth can be worn over the implant site so that you can eat comfortably.

 

During the bonding phase (three to six months), Dr. Vallese forms a new artificial replacement tooth (crown) for you.  After your implant has bonded to your jawbone, Dr. Vallese will place an abutment post on the implant, which protrudes through your gums.  Then, he will place the crown (the new artificial tooth) on the post.  Often, the crown is indistinguishable from your natural teeth!

 

Another advantage to implants, in addition to their aesthetic and functional benefits, is that they also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

 

 

Cosmetic Care
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If your teeth are:

 

  • Stained

  • Too short or wide

  • Crooked or uneven

  • Chipped or worn from grinding

  • Bonded with old, discolored filling material

 

They can be greatly improved by fabricating porcelain veneers and placing them on the surface of the affected teeth.  Veneers have an average life expectancy of about fifteen years; they are cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color and shape.  They are highly durable and resistant to staining.  Before veneers can be cemented into place,  a minimal amount of your existing tooth enamel has to be reduced.  Once the veneers are in place however, the aesthetic improvement is often a life-changing experience.  Veneers are typically a two-appointment process.  The first appointment consists of preparing the teeth, taking impressions, and fabricating temporary veneers.  Two weeks later, you will return to have your new veneers cemented and will be able to show off your new smile immediately!

 

We all want a bright white, healthy smile, and the are a multitude of products on the market to help us get there.  All whitening products use Hydrogen Peroxide, which oxides and removes the stains from under the tooth enamel.  Whitening works best on extrinsic stains, which result from drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and from smoking. Whitening is completely safe; the only risks associated with it are sensitivity and gingival irritation, which should cease upon discontinuation of use.  If you've experienced sensitivity in the past, it's a good idea to use an anti-sensitivity toothpaste (like Sensodyne) while using your whitening product.

 

There are a few options for whitening:

 

Custom Whitening Trays:  Dr. Vallese will take impressions of your teeth to fabricate trays that fit you perfectly.  The trays will come with syringes of bleaching gel upon delivery.  Initial whitening with these trays typically takes about two weeks, and can be continued to enhance and prolong your results.

 

In-Office Whitening: This one-hour appointment will give you the most immediate, noticeable whitening, however these results don't last quite as long as using the traditional whitening trays.  In-office whitening is perfect however, for last minute whitening needs.

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