Below are just some of the many services we can provide. However, we always refer to specialists when we believe it is in the patient's best interest.
Diagnostic & Preventative-
Consultations
- Diagnostics
- Professional Cleanings
- Care for Special Restorations
- Complete Oral Examinations
- Bleaching
- Orthodontics with Invisalign®
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dental Implants
- Composite Resin Restorations (White Fillings)
- Composite And Ceramic Inlays & Onlays
- Dentures
- Bonding
Consultations
We know that it is essential for patients
to feel absolutely comfortable when choosing a dentist as well as a “dental
home”. You are also invited to meet our staff, see the office, and ask us any general
questions you may have about dentistry. It would also be our pleasure to discuss
your individual needs and desires for a beautiful smile after we have collected
the necessary information about you through examination and diagnostics.
Diagnostics
In order to insure
success in our procedures, we take the necessary time to fully and thoroughly
evaluate your present dental condition. We use the appropriate diagnostic tools
such as digital X-rays, models, photographs, visual examination,
intra-oral video
camera, full periodontal exam, cancer screening, and esthetic evaluations. Our
goal is to give our patients the necessary information and education so that
they may enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for many years to come.
Professional Cleanings
At your professional cleaning appointment, the hygienist removes the
tartar or calculus build-up, which you are unable to do by yourself
through brushing and flossing alone. The hygienist also polishes the
teeth, making it more difficult for plaque to adhere to teeth. Your
hygienist can inform you about areas in your mouth where you tend to have
calculus build-up, so you can concentrate on these areas
during your daily maintenance. Our hygienists are happy to offer you
instruction on improving your brushing and flossing habits and
techniques. If you do show signs of periodontal disease, depending
on the severity, your treatment plan may include special cleanings or
procedures, with the goal of returning the gums back to good health.
Care for Special Restorations
We believe a good foundation is the key to optimal oral
health, therefore, our periodontal care is of utmost priority. We customize
cleanings to properly care for your specific periodontal (gums & bone) needs.
Whether a six month checkup or full periodontal therapy, our hygienists will
always strive to provide the very best treatment while maintaining your absolute
comfort. You can even watch a movie while you visit! Try it, we know you'll like
it!
When a patient goes to the dentist for a checkup, the last thing he wants to think about is serious illness. Many people think that worrying about decay and periodontal disease is quite enough.
Nevertheless, the mouth is a complicated place. While there are pathological processes unique to the mouth, many diseases not automatically thought of as "oral" may also occur or manifest themselves in this location. One such disease is cancer. There are nearly 30,000 new cases of oral cancer each year in the United States, and eight thousand people die each year (2-3% of cancer deaths).
The risk factors are well known, and have been for years. Tobacco use, alcohol, and chronic sun exposure are all associated with oral cancer. People who both use tobacco and drink are at much greater risk than those who have only one of these risk factors. It should be noted that smokeless tobacco appears to be no safer to the mouth than smoking. Smokeless tobacco has gotten increasing attention as it has become more popular.
Since early oral cancers are painless, they may be easily overlooked. This is why Dr. Harelick and his hygienists check your mouth for any suspicious lesions during your dental examination.
Procedures
Fillings
Modern
dentistry has allowed us the pleasure of combining beauty as well as strength
when filling teeth. We take pride in "restoring" teeth to as close to their
original strength and appearance with composite resins and ceramics. Since
patient comfort is top priority, Dr. Harelick and our clinical staff go the
extra mile to make coming to the dentist a whole new positive experience. We
offer movies and music for your enjoyment.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Now there's a natural-looking alternative to silver-colored amalgam fillings. This material has been tested for several years and has been proven superior. When used instead of the traditional silver-colored amalgam fillings, the material provides a more attractive way to treat tooth decay, while strengthening your tooth.Before After
Sealants
Dental sealants can play an important role in helping to prevent some forms
of
cavities. The procedure involves bonding a plastic coating
into the grooves of your tooth (the tooth's pits and fissures). The
net result is a smoother tooth surface, one
which is less likely to trap food and plaque, as well as one which is easier
to effectively clean with a toothbrush.
Root Canal
Root Canal therapy (endodontics) treats disorders of the nerve (pulp)
of the tooth. In the past, a tooth with a diseased or infected nerve had to be
removed. However in 95% of these cases today, this is no longer true. Dr. Harelick believes in saving teeth and he will make every effort to save yours.
An opening is made through the crown into the pulp. The diseased pulp is then
carefully removed. The Root Canal area inside your tooth is cleaned, enlarged
and shaped. Then depending on each case, the Root Canal and pulp chamber may be
permanently filled and sealed. Finally, the tooth is fully restored to chewing
functions -- often with a full crown
 |
 |
|
Before Root Canal
|
After Root Canal
|
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and
bridges are two restorative techniques that
repair damaged or missing teeth. They restore
tooth function and appearance. The use of crowns
and bridges also avoids shifting teeth that can
happen after a tooth is lost. By maintaining or
restoring the patient's bite and their smile the
effects of the tooth damage or loss are
reversed.
Dental Crowns
Crowns, or caps for teeth, look and function just like natural teeth. Dr. Harelick mayrecommend a crown if your tooth has enough decay that it cannot hold a filling, or if your tooth is cracked or broken and in danger of cracking down into the root if left unattended. A crown covers your tooth completely. It fits snugly at the gum and protects what remains of the natural tooth. Dr. Harelick may recommend a bridge be utilized to replace one or more teeth. These restorations are cemented onto the teeth and are referred to as "fixed" dentistry as opposed to a restoration of missing teeth with a removable appliance or partial denture.
You are eating dinner and suddenly you are holding half of one of your teeth in your hand. Weakened by a fracture or a large filling, the tooth is now in obvious need of repair. Dr. Harelick may suggest a crown, (an artificial replacement of the visible part of the tooth) to restore the function and look of the damaged one. Dr. Harelick recommends a crown when the size of a "filling" exceeds a certain proportion of the tooth. Crowns (also referred to as "caps") can be made from several different kinds of materials, and based on location, esthetics, and cost, the right one to repair your damaged tooth can be selected.
We provide our patients with several types of crowns:
- Conventional porcelain bonded to high-noble alloy (gold / platinum / palladium).
- Pure All-Ceram, CAD / CAM milled substrate (Procera)
- Ultra-High Gold PFM (Captek)
- High Gold Alloy (all metallic)
Dr. Harelick likes to use porcelain crowns that look very natural and don't have a dark metal line. Porcelain crowns reflect light with a natural healthy glow.
Photographs below illustrate porcelain crowns being used to replace to replace old restorations.
Photographs below illustrate the treatment of a patient with badly worn and discolored front teeth with all-ceramic crowns.
Bridges
You have one or more missing teeth due to decay or an accident. This loss changes the look of your smile, your bite, and puts stress on surrounding teeth to compensate for the lost tooth. One option Dr. Harelick may suggest for replacing the lost tooth is with a bridge. The missing tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth connected between two crowns (caps) which are permanently cemented or bonded on the adjacent teeth.
Gum Treatment
Periodontal checkups are extremely important to
prevent the loss of gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. In
our office all new patients are given a comprehensive periodontal
exam. Good gums are essential to overall oral health and important
to overall body health. Good gums are the foundation for the teeth.
There's no use in building a house on a faulty foundation.
Gum Disease
You may have Periodontal Disease (Gum
Disease) and not realize it. This disease
is the primary cause of the loss of teeth after 35. If
caught in its early stages, however, periodontal disease
can be reversed with proper care. This
inflammatory disease attacks the gums, bone and other
supporting structures of the teeth.
The type of treatment you require depends on how advanced your particular case is. Treatments include Scaling and Root Planning, this procedure removes the calculus deposits from your teeth. Root Planning is the smoothing of the root surfaces so that the gum tissue can reattach to the tooth.
Fact: 80% of tooth loss is due to periodontal disease.
Did you know that you can have periodontal disease without any symptoms?
The probe on the diagram on the right measures the healthiness of the space between your tooth and gums.|
|
|
|
You
should have 3mm or less: that is a healthy gum
If you have 5mm, you may have early stage gum disease and need to be
treated. Bleeding gums can be a sign that your pocket depth is
increasing.
If you have over 7mm, not only do you have bad gum disease, you are
in danger of losing your teeth! With gum disease - you will need to
have the tartar and calcium deposits professionally removed.Do you know why you floss? There are small germs that attack your gums and your teeth at the roots. They are always there, and they always want to chew at your mouth. When you floss, you disturb them. They take 24 hours to reorganize, and to begin eating again. If you floss every day (once every 24 hours), you will never let them finish reorganizing, and they can never sit down to eat... your teeth!
Extractions
One of the main goals of modern dentistry is the
prevention of tooth loss. All possible measures should be taken to
preserve and maintain your teeth because the loss of a single tooth
can have a major impact upon your dental health and appearance.
However, it is still sometimes necessary to remove a tooth. Here are
some of the reasons a tooth may need to be extracted.
- Severe Decay
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Infection or abscess
- Orthodontic correction
- Malpositioned teeth
- Fractured teeth or roots
- Impacted teeth
Your smile is a reflection of your inner self. It can convey confidence, kindness, contentment and, yes, even youthfulness. we can create a more youthful smile by correcting discolored teeth, filling in spaces and gaps, and correcting chipped and crooked teeth.
- Bleaching
Often, people with stained or discolored teeth just need a whitening
procedure in order to restore their smile. Whitening is a
safe and effective way to brighten darkened or dull teeth. Today,
patients have several options available to whiten their teeth and improve
their smile. Our office offers two different professional methods to
whiten your teeth. The in-office treatment which provides results in
one visit and the at-home/take-home customized whitening kit which produces
whiter teeth gradually over a period of five to fifteen days. - At Home Whitening
The system uses a mild solution retained in a custom-fitted tray that is worn over your teeth.
In Office Whitening
The Zoom In-Office Whitening System is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It's safe effective and fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be dramatically whiter. Zoom Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results. The convenience of Zoom in comparison to days of wearing trays and gradual whitening makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual. You may have seen Zoom used on ABC's Extreme Makeover show.
How the Zoom! In-Office System Works! The Zoom! light activated gel was developed after years of research by Discus Dental, the leaders in professional take-home tooth whitening. The gel is a scientifically formulated, pH balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the Zoom! light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration. With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.
Get ready to Zoom! The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple and painless. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The Zoom! clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel, which is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.
Before After Aging Smoking Genetic Tetracycline What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes. The most common include aging, consumption of stained substances (coffee, tea, colas, tobacco), trauma, nerve degeneration, and old restorations. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
Almost anyone. However, there are some cases where the treatment may not be effective. A dentist may determine viable candidates for the process through a thorough oral examination and diagnosis. Our treatment is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth and would like to have a whiter, brighter smile, day or night.Is the process safe?
YES! Research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and under the supervision of a dentist is safe on the teeth and gums. In fact, many dentists consider this whitening process the safest cosmetic dental procedure available today.How does it work?
The whitening gel is placed in a thin bleaching tray that fits over your teeth. As the active ingredient in the gel, carbamide peroxide, is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin and bleaches the colored substances. The structure of the tooth is not changed; only the tooth color is made lighter.How long does at-home bleaching take?
Results are usually seen after the first application. Maximum results generally occur when the process is continued 10-14 nights. How long does the sensitivity last? Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity to cold during the treatment. These symptoms disappear within 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the treatment.
Invisalign is the invisible way to gradually straighten teeth without metal
wires or braces. 
Invisalign
can give you the beautiful teeth you've always wanted. So, whether your teeth
are crowded, too far apart or have shifted since wearing braces, you'll have a
new reason to smile. Invisalign works through a series of invisible, removable,
and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you are wearing--- you can smile
more during treatment and after!
For more information on Invisalign click here.
|
Porcelain Veneers Smiles can be altered by the use of cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers. We can repair chips, close spaces, remove discolorations, change colors and reshape teeth. These procedures are done with minimal or sometimes no tooth enamel removal. Porcelain veneers are some of the most beautiful and durable restorations that we have to offer. |
Before |
|
|
|
Dental Implants Before the availability of dental implants, we were limited in how we were able to replace missing teeth. Our options included fixed bridges, which frequently require the reduction of sound teeth to replace a missing tooth or removable appliances. Implants allow us to replace individual teeth, without altering other adjacent natural teeth. People who are wearing full or partial dentures can now replace these with non-removable appliances, or lock a denture into place to provide greatly enhanced chewing ability and comfort. Scientist agree that dental implants are the closest thing to growing new teeth! |
Before |
|
|
Composite Resin Restorations (White Fillings)
Modern adhesive dentistry offers many restorative materials other than silver
amalgam. Tooth colored materials now offer strong, esthetic, and wear
resistant restorations. These materials are bonded to existing tooth
structures which, in essence "glues the walls of the tooth together,"
strengthening the tooth. In contrast, silver amalgam expands and contracts
in the tooth which can cause leakage of the filling, recurrent decay, and actual
fracture of the tooth.
Composite Resin Inlays & Onlays
We now have the ability to replace large silver fillings and restore teeth
with large cavities with strong tooth colored restorations that are very
esthetic and natural looking. This is an option to treating a tooth with a
crown. Onlays are bonded to the teeth and blend so well that one can not
differentiate the tooth from the restoration.
Dentures
Dentures are removable
replacements for missing teeth typically made out of an acrylic
resin which may at times incorporate porcelain or metal for
additional structural support. There are two main types of
dentures, complete and partial. Both complete dentures and
partial dentures are finely crafted and custom-fitted to the
patient. If you properly maintain your dentures they will appear
natural and provide a perfect smile. Additionally, dentures help
strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the
support of your teeth, and rid you of pronunciation problems caused
by missing teeth and aid with chewing.
The unique impression of your teeth, bite, and the shape of your jaw shape will be used to create the dentures. Typically, conventional complete dentures require a one-to-two month wait after the extraction of your teeth, so that your mouth and gums will have time to heal, permitting a more accurate fitting. However, if you cannot be without the missing teeth even for a short time, "immediate" dentures can be inserted right after the extractions.
How are
dentures accomplished?
The teeth must be extracted
(before or after the construction of the denture). In some
cases, surgery is necessary to improve the bony ridges that stabilize
your dentures.
The procedure begins with an impression of your mouth that will give Dr. Harelick exact measurements. Next, a secondary impression may be needed. This will be followed with a "wax bite" to record the relationship of the upper and lower jaw positions so that the bite will function properly when completed Then the new teeth will be set up in wax to check the fit and function, as well as give the doctor and the patient the opportunity to evaluate an approve the look, the color, and the feel of the almost completed denture. It is then sent to be processed into a very hard acrylic.
After your final dentures are fabricated, they will be placed and you will be informed of their required care.
Complete dentures replace all of the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw. Complete dentures are made from prefabricated acrylic and sized to fit the shape of your jaw and mouth. They mimic the color and appearance of your natural teeth.
Bonding
Dental
bonding can
improve the
appearance
of teeth,
especially
teeth that
have stains
which can't
be removed
by
bleaching.
During the
procedure, a
composite
plastic
resin is
applied to
the front
surface of
the teeth.
Dental
bonding can
also be used
to change
the shape of
teeth
including
adding
length to
short teeth.
How is the
Procedure
Performed?
The dentist
first
"conditions"
the enamel
(removes the
shine of the
enamel) of
the tooth
by
using an
etching gel,
so that the
composite
resin will
adhere to
the tooth.
Then, he
applies
the resin to
the tooth
and exposes
it to a high
intensity
light which
hardens the
resin and
seals up the
enamel.
After
bonding the
resin to the
tooth, the
dentist
polishes and
contours
the tooth.
The
procedure
usually
doesn't
require the
use of an
anesthetic.
How Long
do the
Results From
Bonding
Last?
Results can last for 5-10 years. Bonding material does loose its shine over
time, and stains and plaque may stick to it. As the results begin to fade,
bonding can be repaired or redone.
Close Gaps Between Teeth
Build up teeth
|
|
|
