Dental Implants | Westlake Family Dentist | Cleveland OH | North Olmsted Cosmetic Dentistry

What is the DIAGNOdent?
DIAGNOdent Family Dentist

The DIAGNOdent is a small portable laser unit that detects cavities and provides us with a numerical readout to gauge the amount of decay.
The great benefit of using this tool is that it assists us in discovering cavities during their earliest stages. In the past, cavities would have to be significantly deeper before they could be identified and treated.

What is Toothprints®?
Pediatric Dentist Westlake Ohio Toothprints

Few children have fingerprints taken and many do not have dental records. Fillings and X-rays have historically been the primary basis for dental identification, but the successful fight against tooth decay has left many children without such information. Toothprints was developed by a children’s dentist as a simple, cost-effective way to provide a unique record of your child.

How does Toothprints work?
Your child simply bites into a softened plastic wafer and the resulting impression registers the shape of teeth and overall bite. The wafer is sealed in a plastic bag, which you then take home to keep in a safe place for easy access. Not only does the Toothprints system provide dental identification, it also supplies a DNA source from the saliva proteins that remain on the wafer. In addition the saliva can make the wafer an effective tool in scent-dog tracking.

Why should we participate in Toothprints?
Hopefully you will never need to provide the authorities with a means of identifying your child. However, Toothprints can give you peace of mind knowing that you have taken an important safety measure.

Restorative Services
Our philosophy is to restore both the function and beauty of your teeth. We repair decayed, weakened, broken, or missing teeth. We relieve pain and restore your smile in the most esthetic way possible.

Tooth–Colored Fillings ( composite resin )
White Fillings Composite Colored Fillings

At our office we prefer to provide our patients with the newest and best available filling materials, which are bond composite resins. They provide superior protection for your teeth, as they eliminate the shortcomings of old-fashioned silver fillings.

• They look natural
• They allow for more of your tooth structure to remain intact
• They bond and seal the tooth better
• They insulate against hot and cold better

• If they wear down, they can be repaired more easily

Many people who are undergoing a cosmetic improvement on their front teeth elect to have silver fillings in their back teeth replaced with the bonded composite resins in order to provide a more complete cosmetic result. Please call the office if you want to look into replacing any of your old unsightly silver fillings.

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth or teeth in between.

Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth
or implants and are used to:
• Enhance your smile
• Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are custom crafted to be bonded securely to your teeth. They are a fantastic way to fix front teeth or to significantly improve your smile. Dr. Dave can craft veneers to whiten your teeth, close spaces, and create a more appealing smile.

Veneers are a great cosmetic or restorative solution to:
• Spaces between teeth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Unsightly, stained, or pitted fillings
• Permanently stained or discolored teeth
• Misshapen or crooked teeth
• Whiten dark, yellowed, or stained teeth

Lumineers® are porcelain venners that can be made as thin as a contact lens. They are bonded over existing teeth without the typical process of shaving down sensitive tooth structure! Beautiful results can be achieved without shots and temporary veneers.

Lumineers® are safe, more conservative, and can create the
outstanding, long-lasting smile you've always wanted!

Call our office today and set up a no-cost Lumineers® consultation.

Whitening:
Westlake Dentist Zoom Teeth Whitening

Over time your teeth darken as minerals penetrate their outer enamel layer. Foods, beverages, tobacco products, or the natural aging process can cause this. Dr. Dave can prescribe home whitening trays or our in-office ZOOM treatment. Either option will safely brighten your teeth into a dazzling smile.

Implants:
Why replace a missing tooth?
When you lose a tooth, the biting forces change and cause a nearby tooth to shift. Opposing teeth may even begin to extrude out of the socket, which means they could eventually be lost. As your bite changes, it gets more difficult to chew your food and you may suffer damage to your jaw joints. It is also much harder to clean teeth that have shifted, and plaque that is missed can cause decay and gum disease. For all of these reasons it is crucial that a lost tooth is replaced. An excellent option is an artificial tooth secured by an implant.

What is an implant?
Westlake Dentist Implant Crown

Implants are titanium cylinders that serve as artificial roots. Attaching a crown to an implant allows us to avoid placing a bridge. An implant crown is practically indistinguishable for your natural teeth.It fits so securely that you won’t notice any difference when you chew and speak.

If you are interested in replacing a missing tooth with an implant, Dr. LaSalvia will perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether you are a good candidate for this kind of restoration.

GUM DISEASE (PERIODONTAL DISEASE)

Cleveland Westlake Ohio Dentist Periodontal Disease

Nearly three-quarters of the population has some form of gum disease. It is #1 cause of tooth loss among American adults today. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other medical conditions. We thoroughly check for gum disease, and if you exhibit any stages of infection, we can schedule a series of advanced cleanings and planned treatments to prevent further damage.

We offer the following periodontal therapy services:

• Computer Charting and Diagnostic Services
• Non-surgical Gum Therapy
• Arestin, Antibiotic Therapy
• Oral Health Instruction /Diet Counseling

Neuromuscular Dentistry

Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on the healthy relationship among the teeth, jaw joints, and the muscles of the head and neck.

In a balanced, comfortable bite, the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles work together without strain or tension.

A problem bite is one that often exists when teeth are missing, misaligned, or worn down. In this situation the muscles attempt to compensate, causing the jaw joints to shift position in order to bring the teeth together during chewing or swallowing.

Symptoms that can occur when teeth, jaw joints, and muscles are in conflict:
• Headaches
• Facial pain
• Pain or clicking and popping in joints
• Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth or fillings
• Clenching or grinding of teeth
• Pain and sensitivity in teeth
• Shoulder, neck, and back pain
• Numbness in arms and fingers
• Pain behind the eyes
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Ringing or congestion in the ears
• Crowded teeth
• Stress fracture lines on tooth roots
• Receding gums

Dr. Dave utilizes sophisticated computer instrumentation to find the position in which the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles operate in harmony. With the techniques and technologies of neuromuscular dentistry, he can help relieve pain, and achieve for you, a healthier, better functioning bite and a more beautiful smile.