Family & General Dentistry

Careful brushing, daily flossing, and regular dental visits are the building blocks of strong, healthy, vibrant smiles that will last a lifetime. Dr. Mary Beth Mihalakis understands that a good, solid foundation of preventive dentistry is the key to maintaining and improving the oral health of your entire family.

While in our office, the dentist will evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if there are any existing or potential problems, such as gum disease, tooth decay, or tooth fractures. When identified and addressed in their earliest stages, many dental issues can be treated conservatively, meaning minimal expense to you and less time at the dentist’s office.

Additionally, there is a strong connection between the health of your smile and the health of your body. Poor oral health can lead to digestion problems, oral and facial pain, and an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Research has also shown a potential link between cavities and gum disease with respiratory disease, diabetes, and stroke. By taking care of your teeth and gums, you’re ensuring a healthy, beautiful smile and contributing to your overall good health.

Dr. Mary Beth Mihalakis and her experienced, friendly staff not only believe in this whole-body connection, they practice this belief day-in and day-out by offering the best possible care to their patients in a warm, comfortable environment.

Exams and Cleaning

Maintaining optimal oral health is an important factor in your body’s overall good health. Yes, daily brushing and flossing are essential, but home-care is only the beginning. Regular in-office dental care is a necessary component to maintaining and improving the health of your teeth and gums. This is because brushing and flossing alone will not remove tartar, and when plaque and tartar are left untreated, the risk for developing more serious issues increases.

When you include periodic dental exams and cleanings into your dental regimen, you’re ensuring the long-term health and beauty of your smile. As an added incentive to your overall health, practicing good oral hygiene that includes daily in-home care along with regular dental exams will result in less money spent on more invasive dental treatments in the future.

We believe that regular dental exams and cleanings are the key to optimal health, and as we are focused on preventive care, will always attempt to set up your next appointment before you leave our office. Let us help you ensure a lifetime of good oral health.

Fillings

Dental fillings are used to restore teeth that are fractured or decayed and, depending on the type of filling used, can cosmetically alter the size and shape of teeth by closing gaps, repairing chips, and giving the appearance of straighter teeth.

Today, there are several choices available for repairing missing, worn, damaged, or decayed teeth. Some of these choices are more durable than others, while some offer advanced cosmetic appeal. In order to determine your needs and what type of dental filling will function best for you and your life, set up a consultation with Dr. Mary Beth Mihalakis. During your appointment, they’ll explain what options will give you the desired results.

Sealants

In some cases, fine grooves or pits will appear in the teeth. When this happens, daily brushing and flossing might not be enough to keep the teeth adequately cleaned, so over time, plaque will accumulate. By applying dental sealants—thin, plastic coatings—over these fine grooves and depressions, decay-causing bacteria is effectively sealed out.

The procedure is simple, painless, and safe. Painted on in liquid form, the dental sealant dries and hardens quickly, forming a thin and protective shield over the tooth that can last for up to 10 years. Dental sealants are a cost-effective, proactive measure in maintaining your oral health.

All Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

Crowns are dental restorations that cover a tooth that is either likely to break or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. Many people are familiar with the traditional silver dental crowns that have been used for years, and while these crowns are reliable, long-lasting, and function well, they are not cosmetically appealing.

Today, patients have a better choice in Procera® Crowns. These all-ceramic crowns contain no metal, have a secure and comfortable fit, and are just as strong and reliable as their metal counterparts. Since Procera® Crowns are custom made to match the color and translucency of your natural tooth, they are also cosmetically appealing. With a Procera® Crown, your smile will once again be secure, comfortable, and beautiful.

Dental Bridges are prosthetic replacements used to fill the gaps created by missing teeth. A bridge will provide cosmetic balance in order to restore your smile, but also serves to maintain the structure and integrity of your mouth. When a tooth is lost and the gap isn’t filled, strain is placed on the adjacent teeth, causing problems with a patient’s bite and jaw. Over time, the risk for additional tooth loss and gum disease increases.

To avoid these issues and to protect your oral health, replacing a missing tooth immediately is crucial. We understand that the comfort and beauty of your bridge is also essential. This is why our office uses all porcelain bridges. They look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. And, since all porcelain bridges contain no metal, there is zero discoloration at the gum line, making them a highly aesthetic option for replacing lost teeth.

Fixed Bridges are used when there is at least one serviceable tooth on both sides of the missing-tooth gap. The procedure, which isn’t overly invasive or uncomfortable, typically takes no more than two or three appointments to complete. In order to prepare for the fixed bridge and offer the necessary support, the tooth on either side of the gap will be crowned. Then, the bridge is joined to these teeth and the replacement tooth is attached to the crowns.

A fixed bridge delivers high on functionality, offers patients increased confidence and security in their daily lives, and creates a natural, aesthetically pleasing smile.

Root Canals

Sometimes, deep restorations, decay, or trauma can damage the nerve of a tooth to the point that the pulp becomes infected. If left untreated, the infection will worsen, spread, and begin to eat away at the tooth’s surrounding bone. When this happens, root canal therapy is the preferred treatment for cleaning the infection and saving the tooth from extraction.

The process is rather simple. A root canal consists of numbing the area around the affected tooth in order to thoroughly remove the infected pulp. When the infection is resolved, the resulting space is then filled with medication to prevent a reoccurrence. Most patients only experience mild discomfort after the procedure and are able to find relief with over-the-counter painkillers.

Root canal therapy is safe, effective, and routine. And, when bridges and dental implants are taken into consideration, are ultimately less expensive than a tooth extraction. If you’re experiencing oral pain, swelling, extra sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures, or continually have an “off” or “bad” taste in your mouth, call our office to set up an appointment. Root canal therapy might sound frightening, but we promise it isn’t.

Oral Surgery, Including Tooth Extractions

Oral surgery involves improving your oral health by the surgical removal or repair of disease and/or other dental problems. Not many people are comfortable with the idea of oral surgery, but for some dental issues, surgery is the only therapy that will deliver an optimum result.

Whether you’re in need of a dental implant, tissue graft, root canal, tooth extraction, or another type of oral surgery, our concern is for you and your health. We strive to deliver the majority of your dental care right here in our office, so that you can feel comfortable and confident in a familiar setting with experienced and compassionate professionals.

As scary as it might initially sound, oral surgery doesn’t have to be a fearful prospect. We’ll do everything we can to alleviate your concerns while treating you with the expert care you deserve.

Tooth Extractions

If a tooth is too damaged or decayed to be repaired with a filling, crown, or other dental treatment, the tooth will have to be removed so that further problems don’t develop. There are two different types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical.

A simple extraction is a routine procedure that is used when the tooth is easily visible. Under local anesthetic, the damaged tooth is loosened in stages until it can be pulled free from the bone socket. Typically, the extraction site will heal without the need of a suture. In some cases, however, a small suture is used to quicken the healing process.

Surgical extractions are more complex procedures and are used when a tooth is not easily visible. Depending on the patient and other variables, anesthesia might be used instead of or along with a local anesthetic. Once the patient is comfortable, the dentist will make a small incision into the gum at the site of the affected tooth. Sometimes, the tooth will be cut in half and/or bone around the tooth will be removed to make the extraction easier. After the tooth is successfully removed, the surgical site is closed with stitches, which are then removed seven to ten days later.

Before your extraction, Dr. Mary Beth Mihalakis will discuss the procedure with you, answer any of your questions, and do her best to make you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

Non-Surgical and Surgical Gum Treatments

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the most prevalent disease in the United States and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. With recent research showing a possible link between gum disease with strokes and cardiovascular disease, we are serious about our responsibility to diagnose and treat gum disease at its earliest occurrence.

Signs of periodontal disease include:

• Gums that are red and bleed easily
• Gums that are pulled away from the tooth
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Changes in the position of the teeth

Once gum disease sets in, there are several options available for treatment. Mild forms of gum disease (gingivitis) can typically be treated non-surgically, while more serious forms of the disease (periodontitis) might require surgery to restore supportive tissues.

Non-Surgical Gum Treatments

Non-surgical therapies for gum disease tend to be non-invasive and require minimal expense and time spent at the dentist’s office. Treatments for gum disease that don’t involve surgery include the following:

• Periodic Professional Dental Cleanings remove the normal build-up of plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line.
• Scaling is a deep-cleaning procedure that involves scraping off a larger-than-typical build-up of plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line.
• Root Planing is a deep-cleaning procedure that involves smoothing the rough spots on the tooth root in order to remove bacteria and allow the gums to reattach to the teeth.
• Antibiotic Therapy to reduce or temporarily eliminate bacteria.

Surgical Gum Treatments

Once periodontal disease reaches a certain level of severity, surgical treatments might prove necessary. While the idea of surgery is often scary, leaving your periodontal disease untreated can have long-term and dangerous outcomes to your oral and overall health.

There are many different types of surgical treatment. Some examples with short explanations include:

• Bone Grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone.
• Bone Surgery will smooth craters in the bone due to moderate and advanced bone loss.
• Soft Tissue Grafts reinforce thin or receding gums.
• Flap Surgery lifts the gums in order to remove tartar.
• Pocket Reduction Surgery reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration stimulates bone and gum tissue growth.

Gum disease will not magically improve without professional intervention, and in fact, will continue to worsen. If you’re experiencing signs of periodontal disease, contact our office to set up an appointment. Our experienced staff will evaluate the current condition of your gums and fully explain your treatment options.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

We understand that many dental patients experience heightened anxiety and fear when visiting their dentist. Helping our patients feel secure, calm, and comfortable is extremely important to us, and this is one of the reasons why we provide nitrous oxide sedation.

Nitrous oxide is a non-irritating, non-allergenic gas that works quickly, effectively, with minimal—if any—side effects, and is one of the safest forms of sedation available. You’ll simply breathe in the gas, and within 3 to 5 minutes will begin to feel the calming effects. Once your treatment is complete, the gas will leave your system and you’ll return to your normal self in mere minutes. You’ll even be able to safely drive yourself home or to work.

Sports Mouth Guards

Sports mouth guards are an essential piece of athletic equipment for any person who participates in recreational and competitive sports. Why essential? Because a well-designed, properly fitted mouth guard serves to cushion the face from possible sports-related trauma, greatly minimizes the risk of broken teeth, and protects against a variety of other facial injuries.

Recent studies have shown that athletes who do not wear a sports mouth guard have a much higher risk of suffering harm to their teeth if a collision or blow occurs. Also, the American Dental Association (ADA) has estimated that mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and collegiate football alone.

Sports mouth guards aren’t all the same, though. Store-bought “boil and bite” models are not as effective as custom fabricated mouth guards, and are lacking in protection, design, comfort, and fit. Due to the poor fit, boil and bite mouth guards can also compromise speaking and breathing.

If you or someone in your family participates in sports at any level, a custom-made sports mouth guard is the best way to prevent athletic concussions and oral and facial injuries. We provide our patients with properly diagnosed, designed, and custom-fabricated sports mouth guards.

Contact us today with any questions or for additional information.

Night Guards

Many people clench their jaws and grind their teeth while they sleep due to stress and tension in their daily lives. This fairly common condition, which is called bruxism, can create a number of negative dental issues, including:

• TMJ disorder
• Teeth sensitivity
• Jaw and/or facial pain
• Loss of enamel on the natural teeth
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Cracked or broken dental restorations

An effective solution for combatting bruxism and its damaging side effects is the consistent use of a night guard. There are many different types of night guards on the market, but all night guards don’t hold the same benefits. In fact, some night guards—specifically the boil and bite types—aren’t considered all that effective as they are uncomfortable and bulky to wear, making them difficult to use on a consistent basis. Dr. Mary Beth Mihalakis is able to create thin, barely noticeable, comfortable night guards that are custom-made specifically for your mouth and bite. Formed from a clear acrylic, these night guards are small, easy to wear, and will be precisely designed to conform to your teeth for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

You don’t have to live with the negative consequences of bruxism. A well-fitted night guard will provide you with relief and better oral health today and tomorrow.

Snore Guards

Snoring occurs when a person’s airway becomes blocked and air is unable to move freely through the nose and mouth during sleep. There are several possible culprits to explain why this happens, but in most cases, abnormalities of the soft tissues in the throat cause the airway to narrow, which then restricts air flow. When this occurs, various muscles and tissues in the back of the mouth and throat will rub together, causing the sound a person makes when they snore.

In addition, factors such as diet, overall health, age, weight, lifestyle, environment, and even the position a person sleeps in can contribute to snoring. For many people, the realization that they snore is uncomfortable and, due to this discomfort, find it difficult to sleep soundly. For other people, snoring physically interrupts their sleep and wakes them up at frequent intervals throughout the night, leaving them exhausted and drained on a daily basis.

If snoring is interfering with your sleep, or the sleep of someone you love, a professionally designed, custom-fitted snore guard might offer the solution you’ve been searching for. Snore guards function by preventing the tongue and jaw from blocking the airway, allowing air to move much more freely through the nose and mouth, resulting in healthier, more restful sleep. This freer air flow also serves to minimize the vibrations from the various muscles and tissues in the back of the mouth and throat that a restricted airway can cause.

We can help you minimize your snoring and get a better night’s sleep with an affordable, comfortable, custom-made dental snore guard. Call us today for more information or to set up an appointment. A good night’s sleep is right around the corner!