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Root Canal Therapy for Lehigh Valley and Beyond

November 30, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:44 am

Are you experiencing pain or sensitivity in one of your teeth because of decay, damage, or an injury? A root canal from Dr. S. John Salivonchik’s dental office could bring relief. Root canal therapy is designed to treat infection and the symptoms associated with it by removing the pulp at the center of a tooth, replacing it with a safe substance, and covering the tooth with a protective crown.

But despite the changes made to your tooth during a root canal procedure, you don’t have to worry about changes in functionality. In fact, root canals are intended to preserve functionality by saving the root underneath your tooth.

Your tooth roots serve an important purpose—one you may not have ever thought about. Besides anchoring your tooth to your jaw, roots also spur bone growth, keeping the jaw fresh and strong throughout your life. When you lose a root, the jaw underneath can weaken. Over time, nearby teeth may shift out of place or be lost entirely. A root canal gets rid of your painful symptoms and prevents these kinds of changes from happening.

Do you have a tooth that’s sensitive to hot or cold foods? Is there a pimple-like sore on your gum tissue? Are you experiencing swelling, pain when you chew, or other uncomfortable symptoms? These are all signs that you might need a root canal. Call Dr. Salivonchik’s office today to schedule a consultation.

We serve patients from Lehigh Valley, Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Take Advantage of Your Dental Benefits before the Year Ends

November 15, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 5:44 pm

There’s very little left of 2013. Before you know it, the holidays will be over and it’ll be time to put up a new calendar. Until then, you can still take advantage of your remaining dental benefits.

The way most dental plans work, the patient has a deductible he or she is responsible for paying, plus a yearly maximum. The yearly maximum is what an insurance company will pay over the course of the year to help a patient with important care.

If you end the year with some of your dental benefits left over, what you have left doesn’t rollover to the next year. It starts over again. That’s why our entire team at Dr. S. John Salivonchik’s Whitehall office wants to encourage you to use the dental benefits you still have before the year is over. Besides a new deductible and yearly maximum, 2014 could also bring changes to your premiums and co-pays.

Do you still need one more checkup for the year? Do you know you need help with one or more important general or restorative dental services? Call us today to reserve an appointment. During your visit, we would be happy to assess your oral health needs and recommend a personalized treatment plan that addresses those issues.

Our office is located in Lehigh Valley and serves patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

Substitute Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season

October 28, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 1:46 pm

The end of October is nearly here. Not only does that signal the arrival of Halloween, it means that the year’s other big holidays aren’t far behind, either. From now until the very end of 2013, patients will be indulging in treats of all kinds, whether it’s packaged candy or home-baked treats.

Obviously, we don’t want to discourage anyone from enjoying what the holiday season has to offer, but we also want our Whitehall-area patients to be aware of the threat sugar poses and the amazing alternative available.

First, how does sugar interact with your smile? By creating an acidic environment that, over time, can weaken the protective layer of enamel on the outside of teeth. When that happens, patients need a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown to prevent decay from spreading and genuinely endangering a tooth.

Thankfully, there’s an alternative to conventional sugar that patients can enjoy without harming their teeth or gaining substantial weight—it’s called xylitol. Made from plant fibers, xylitol has a comparable sweetness to sugar but doesn’t create acid when it comes into contact with your mouth. Instead, it creates a neutral environment, in which harmful bacteria have a more difficult time clinging to teeth. That’s why xylitol is also a common ingredient in some toothpaste brands. But xylitol can also be used to sweeten candy, and it can be used instead of sugar for baking.

Do you want to learn more about how xylitol can benefit your health? Call Dr. S. John Salivonchik’s Whitehall dental office if you live in Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem, Easton, or The Poconos. We’re always happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment. You can also learn more by visiting xylitol.org.

Enjoy your favorite holidays treats this year without having to worry about your smile!

Acid Reflux and Oral Health

October 4, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:19 am

In most cases, tooth decay—a common oral health issues—is caused by poor nutrition, but not always. Sometimes, the cause of decay is related to frequent indigestion.

Known as acid reflux disease, patients who experience heartburn several times a week may be vulnerable to decay as a result of stomach acid leaking from the stomach and to the esophagus. If this acid comes into contact with your smile’s protective enamel, it can become weakened, eventually exposing the sensitive layer of dentin underneath.

Besides heartburn, other symptoms of acid reflux disease include:

  • Regurgitation
  • Bloating or burping
  • Narrowing of the esophagus
  • Hiccups
  • Nausea
  • Black/bloody stools or bloody vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, or dry cough

If you recognize these symptoms, or you’ve already been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, make regular appointments with Dr. Salivonchik and his Whitehall dental team a priority. During every visit, we’ll look for signs of tooth decay, plus gum disease and many other common conditions.

Signs that acid may have damaged your teeth include:

  • Sensitivity, especially to foods that are hot, cold, or sweet
  • Teeth that have thinned or shortened
  • Pain or irritation
  • Teeth with sharp edges

Are you worried about decay caused by acid reflux? Call Dr. Salivonchik’s dental office today to reserve an appointment. We serve patients from all around Lehigh Valley, including Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Porcelain Veneers: What to Expect From Your First Appointment

September 20, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 3:19 pm

If you’ve ever considered porcelain veneers, you may already know that it takes two appointments to transform a smile with this unique cosmetic dentistry service. That being the case, we’d like to use this post to address what you can expect from your first appointment.

But first, what are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are made from very thin pieces of dental porcelain. They’re designed to cover imperfections the patient wants to hide, like stains, chips, slight misalignment, and more. Each set of porcelain veneers is specially designed and crafted to meet the unique needs of each patient.

During your first appointment, Dr. S. John Salivonchik will spend much of the time looking at your smile and talking to you about the results you’d like to see. If you have any examples of smiles you like, like a photo or magazine clipping, feel free to bring it in. Coming to understand your needs and wants is a big part of what this first appointment is all about.

Your first appointment will also involve a certain amount of tooth preparation. For your porcelain veneers to look like a natural part of your smile, they have to lie flat against your teeth. For that to be possible, a small amount of tooth enamel must be removed. As part of your first appointment, Dr. Salivonchik will gently buff your teeth until enough enamel has been removed.

An impression of your smile will also be taken during your first visit, and a temporary set of veneers will be applied to your teeth to protect them. These temporary veneers won’t be customized the way your final set will be.

Do you want to transform your smile with porcelain veneers? Schedule your first appointment today. Dr. Salivonchik’s Whitehall dental office is located in Lehigh Valley and serves patients from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

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