General TreatmentOur practice can provide a wide range of dental services. We can typically provide every type of dental service without having to refer you to other specialties. This flexibility saves you time and keeps your total dental care within one practice. Our emphasis is on total preventive care for our patients. Total care begins with regular hygiene visits, regular check-ups and continued home oral health 
routines.
Our practice also provides the highest-quality services for restoring mouths that have been damaged by dental disease and injury and common problems that require cosmetic dentistry. Our primary goal for our patients is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health through advances in techniques, technologies and by maintaining their scheduled dental exams.
We offer a wide range of services, including:
http://www.knowyourteeth.com/
Preventive Services
Routine Teeth Cleanings
Twice a year, you should schedule a routine dental cleaning. During this visit, one of our dental hygienists will remove plaque from your teeth and will offer home care instructions. Our hygienists are expert at identifying periodontal issues and decay as well as performing cancer screenings. If you are due for your dental cleaning, please call our office to schedule an appointment.
Radiographs
We offer one of the latest technological advances in dentistry with digital radiography (X-rays). A wireless sensor is placed in the mouth, and a computer generates an image in 30 seconds as opposed to the general 4-6 minute wait time for images taken on dental film. These X-rays can also be enhanced on the computer and enlarged.
Not only are they friendly to the environment, they are much safer than traditional X-rays. Digital radiographs reduce radiation exposure by 90 percent!
Oral Hygiene Instructions
Dr. Swiderski is a strong believer in maintaining a “preventive dental practice” and he has invested in the latest technology to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of dental care to help preserve their smile for a lifetime.
We strongly believe in the importance of patient education. Our highly skilled team will teach you good oral hygiene tips to keep your smile beautiful and healthy. Visit our Oral Hygiene page for more detailed information.
Children’s Dental Care
Dr. Swiderski is highly skilled in providing compassionate, high-quality dental care to young patients from infancy through adolescence. Cleanings are recommended twice a year. Studies show that flouride treatments help strengthen and rebuild tooth structure as well as helping prevent tooth decay. We focus on prevention to keep patient's gums and teeth healthy, and also monitor the growth and development of their jaws. Early dental care allows us to recognize potential problems early so we can correct them before they become more serious.
Learn more about dental care for infants, children and teens on our Early Dental Care page.
Sealants
The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Recent studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in American school children are caused this way.
Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the back teeth because they are prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and brushing and flossing regularly ensures significantly lower cavities. Dentists can evaluate the level of fluoride in a primary drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.
Tooth Development Evaluation
Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth. At age 6-8 months, the primary teeth appear; all 20 are in place by age 3.
Permanent teeth will begin to erupt around age 6, and except for wisdom teeth, are all present between ages 12 and 14. Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through from age 17 and on. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have room for all 32 teeth. This is why wisdom teeth are usually removed.
Your front teeth are called incisors. The sharp “fang-like” teeth are canines. The next side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth are molars. Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life, so it is vital that they are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic check-ups by a dentist are followed.
We recommend children have their first dental visit by their first birthday. During this appointment we will evaluate the development of the teeth. As your child grows, we will continue this evaluation allowing us to recognize any potential problems early and correct them before they become more serious.
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Cosmetic Services
Bonding
Bonding is a common solution for:
- Fixing or repairing chipped or cracked teeth
- Reducing unsightly gaps or spaces between teeth
- Hiding discoloration or faded areas on the tooth’s surface
Often, composite boding is used to improve the appearance of your teeth and enhance your smile. As the name indicates, composite material, either a plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.
Composite bonding has many advantages:
- It is a quick process, which typically lasts less than one hour.
- It does not reduce the tooth’s original structure and is relatively inexpensive.
- Composite resins come in many different shades and provide better matching of shades to the natural color of your teeth.
- Composite bonds, however, are not as durable and long-lasting as veneers and crowns and may need to be re-touched or replaced in the future.
Composite bonds stain more easily and therefore require proper care and regular cleaning. In order to ensure the longest possible duration of the bonding, composites should be brushed and flossed daily. Common staining elements include coffee, tea, tobacco, foods and candy.
Zoom! Whitening
Your teeth will darken over time. Changes in the color of your teeth can be caused by such factors as the food and beverages consumed (like coffee, tea and soda). Other known factors for discoloration may include childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use or improper oral hygiene.
If you're looking for a fast way to dramatically whiten your teeth, Zoom! In-Office Whitening System may be the answer for you.
In a little over an hour, this safe and effective system can give you the instant results you've been wanting. A specially designed light activates the Zoom! Whitening Gel to gently break down stains on your teeth to put the sparkle back in your smile!
Zoom! Whitening is very safe while under the supervision of a trained dentist. It is one of the safest procedures in cosmetic dentistry. However, we do not recommend this procedure for pregnant women or children under age 13.
You will be given some post-whitening care instructions after your procedure. It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene regimen post-whitening to preserve your bright, white smile. We also recommend occasional touch-ups with the Zoom! Take-Home Gel. Your smile will always be brighter than it was before the procedure, but by following these simple instructions, you can retain your results for a long time!
Although the Zoom! System can help almost anyone, it may not be as effective in every case. We can determine if tooth whitening is a possible option for your case.
Ask a member about our Whitening for Life program to keep your smile dazzling white for years to come!
Veneers
Veneers are thin, semi-translucent “shells” typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material that is bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.
Common problems that veneers are used for:
- Spaces between the teeth
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Unsightly, stained or discolored teeth
- Permanently stained or discolored teeth
- Crooked or misshapen teeth
Veneers are a great aesthetic solution to your smile that may even help you avoid orthodontic treatment. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.
Please contact our office if you have any further questions on veneers.
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Lumineers®
We now have LUMINEERS® by Cerinate® available in our office! LUMINEERS can make everyone’s smile more beautiful without the painful removal of tooth structure. LUMINEERS are customized for the individual needs of each patient to correct gaps, chips or discolored teeth. LUMINEERS are porcelain veneers that can be made as thin as a contact lens and are placed over existing teeth without drilling or requiring removal of painful tooth structure, in most cases (unlike traditional veneers). And in most cases, no anesthesia shots are needed!
Many patients with minor orthodontic problems happily correct their smile with LUMINEERS. These special porcelain veneers are also notorious for their longevity. They are clinically proven to last up to 20 years and even include a 5-year warranty! They are also quite different from traditional veneers as the procedure can be reversed since the tooth structure is still intact after placement.
LUMINEERS are almost as natural as your real teeth. You should continue visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups and also continue a good oral hygiene regimen. You can continue eating and drinking everything you normally did before the procedure!
Each patient’s case is different. Therefore, fees often vary. Your dentist will determine the cost for your treatment plan after a thorough examination. Contact us for more information on LUMINEERS and how they can improve your smile!
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Restorative Procedures
Tooth Colored Restorations
Silver amalgam used to be the norm when it came to materials for restorations, such as fillings. However, silver fillings do not have much aesthetic appeal to the patient and can even cause damage to your tooth years down the road. The amalgam can break down the tooth, causing a fracture and the need for a crown to salvage the tooth.
After much research, some new tooth-colored materials have been developed that are stronger, longer lasting and more aesthetically pleasing to our patients. Composed of porcelain and composite resin, these new tooth-colored restorations bond directly to the tooth, strengthening it by restoring most of its original shape. The restorations can even be custom-colored to match your teeth to help give you the most natural-looking smile possible.
These new restorations require less removal of your healthy tooth structure to place than those with amalgams and especially with new cavities. Dramatically smaller holes are needed with a tooth-colored restoration. They are also healthier because no traces of mercury are used, unlike silver amalgams.
Ask us about our new tooth-colored materials and how we can restore your smile!
Root Canal
A root canal is a procedure that extracts decayed pulp from the central part of the tooth, reshapes the canal and replaces it with strengthening filler.
A cavity is the result of superficial decay of the enamel of the tooth. Left long enough, this decay can burrow into the deeper reaches of the tooth, causing extensive damage to tooth structure. When the damage goes beyond what can be treated with a filling, dentists can perform a root canal (or endodontics), preserving the tooth and retaining its original integrity; thereby, saving a tooth that in the past would have to have been pulled.
Crowns
A crown is a custom-made covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a mix of these materials. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance, although it is often less durable.
The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:
- Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it.
- Re-sculpturing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.
- Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually takes one to two weeks).
- Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the custom-made crown is being created.
- Applying the custom-made crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the custom-made one onto the tooth.
- After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, the dentist cements it into place.
This process generally consists of a minimum of two to three visits over a three to four week period. Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns. This helps in the prevention of gum disease. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime.
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Gum Treatment
Dr. Swiderski is committed to treating the whole patient, with an understanding that the mouth is a primary indicator of overall health. Many diseases manifest themselves first as oral problems. Periodontal disease is a silent disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums, bone and periodontal ligaments. At least 80 percent of adults’ symptoms may include only bleeding gums and bad breath. Periodontal disease is linked to many other diseases like coronary artery disease, diabetes and a weakened immune system. Treatment includes traditional scaling and root planning, antibiotic therapy and proper home care, which are critical to the success of treatment.
Non-surgical Periodontal Treatment
Even when periodontal disease is in a fairly advanced stage, there is help. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, different approaches may be suggested by your dentist or dental hygienist.
Scaling
This process can be done above or below the gum line and involves the removal of plaque and calculus (tartar) from the tooth. Scaling done at regular teeth cleanings usually involves the crown of the tooth. However, in more extreme circumstances, it is necessary to go further below the gum line to thoroughly remove disease-causing bacteria and its by-products on the root surface. In very advanced cases, there are surgical available that allow access to the infected tooth root.
Planing
After the thorough cleaning of the tooth surface has been completed above and below the gum line, the root of the tooth undergoes a process called planing. This is a process of smoothing the root of the tooth so that any remaining tartar is removed. This also serves two other purposes: it clears away any rough areas that bacteria below the gum line thrive in, and it makes it much easier for the gingival (gum) tissue to re-attach itself to the tooth, effectively reducing the size of the pockets that the plaque and bacteria hide in. This re-growth of tissue is key in stopping a recurrence of gum disease and happens very quickly once the calculus has been removed.
With either of these procedures, you may be prescribed either local or systemic antibiotics and a special mouth rinse.
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Tooth Replacement
Complete/Partial Dentures
Replacing your missing or damaged teeth will benefit not only your appearance but your overall health. Using state-of-the-art technology and updated materials, dentures can now be custom designed to look more natural and feel more comfortable.
It may take some time to adjust to your dentures. Speaking and eating may feel different at first, but these regular activities will resume normally once you are accustomed to your dentures.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures are artificial, removable replacements for the natural teeth of the upper or lower jaw or both.
- Upper dentures
Upper dentures are held in place by a vacuum created between your appliance and the palate of your mouth.
- Lower dentures
Lower dentures are horseshoe-shaped to accommodate the tongue, and, due to lack of suction, are often held in place by implants placed in the jaw for support.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth by attaching via a metal framework to your natural teeth.
Caring for your removable appliances:
Proper denture care is essential to the durability of your dentures and the overall health of your mouth.
- Brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled tooth brush. (Don’t forget to brush your gums and tongue as well.)
- While not being worn, keep your dentures in denture solution and/or water (not hot) to prevent warping.
- Handle with care and keep out of the reach of children and pets
- If your dentures become loose, chip, break or crack, see your dentist.
Bridges
A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:
- Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
- Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
There are three main types of bridges, namely:
- A fixed bridge is the most popular and consists of a filler tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
- The “Maryland” bridge is commonly used to replace missing front teeth and consists of a filler that is attached to metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth. The metal bands consist of a white-colored composite resin that matches existing tooth color.
- The cantilever bridge is often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical three-unit cantilever bridge consists of two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth space. The filler tooth is then connected to the two crowned teeth, which extend into the missing tooth space or end.
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Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that were first developed half a century ago by a Swedish scientist named Per-Ingvar Branemark. Implants arose from the patient’s need to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since the advent of the implant, engineering and enhancements to the implant have enabled dentists to expand the implant’s usefulness, including the replacement of missing or lost teeth. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including:
- Single Tooth Replacement
- Anterior Replacement
- Posterior Replacement
- Full Upper Replacement
Types of Implants
There are three main types of implants:
- The root implant
- The plate form implant
- The subperiosteal implant
The root implant—by far, the most popular—is the most effective because it mirrors the size and shape of a patient’s natural tooth. This implant is often as strong as the patient’s original tooth. The implant or artificial root is placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, then allowed to heal and integrate with the bone. Once the healing process is completed and the jawbone is attached to the implant, the patient returns to the dental office where the implant is fitted with the new tooth. This process generally takes anywhere from three to eight months.
The plate form implant is ideal in situations where the jawbone is not wide enough to properly support a root implant. The plate form implant is long and thin, unlike the root implant, and anchors into thin jawbones. It is inserted the same way as a root implant. In certain cases, the plate form implant is immediately fitted with the restoration without waiting for the healing process to run its course.
The subperiosteal implant is used when the jawbone has receded to the point where it can no longer support an implant.
Implant Denture (Overdenture)
Advanced gum disease can cause teeth to become loose and painful. If several of your teeth are loose or painful, they may not be able to be saved. In this instance, we can remove some of the teeth and place an overdenture. This may be the best option for preventing infection and restoring your dental health.
Before regular dentures are placed, all teeth have to be removed, which causes the jawbone to recede. An overdenture is placed over some of your natural teeth; making the denture more stable and significantly preventing bone loss.
To prepare for your overdenture, your dentist will remove portions of the teeth that extend beyond the gum line. A root canal may also be performed to remove any infection. In addition, the teeth may be covered with small metal caps for more protection. Next, we’ll take impressions of your mouth to ensure the overdenture fits precisely.
Following placement you may have difficulty speaking, an increase in saliva flow, or other problems, which are only temporary.
Once you get adjusted to your new dentures, you’ll be eating and speaking with confidence.
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Orthodontic Treatment
Occlus-o-Guide®
For children 8 to 12 years old, we offer Occlus-o-Guide, which is an orthodontic appliance used to straighten teeth. This soft, removable, plastic appliance contains sockets that allow patients to perform “exercises” that encourage tooth realignment. Your child may benefit from the Occlus-o-Guide if he/she has:
- Crowding
- Spacing between teeth
- An overbite
- An overjet
- Jaw discrepancies
- TMJ symptoms
Patients will be asked to practice active wear exercises with this appliance two to four hours a day. Active wear exercises require the patient to bite down on the appliance for about a minute and then release for 30 seconds. This will be repeated in 20 minute increments throughout the day totaling two to four hours of Active Wear. Patients will also be required to wear the Occlus-o-Guide at night. Total treatment time is between four to 10 months.
To see if your child is a good candidate for Occlus-o-Guide, please contact our office today for a consultation.
Braces
Today, orthodontic treatment is simple, convenient and affordable for patients of all ages. And an attractive smile is just one of the benefits. Orthodontic treatment results in correctly aligned teeth that provide ideal jaw function and a great smile! Additionally, your teeth are easier to clean and more resistant to gum disease. Perhaps most importantly, orthodontic treatment almost always provides improved self-confidence.
How Does Treatment Work?
Each patient’s orthodontic condition requires a treatment plan based on a specialized diagnosis of the case. The treatment process involves X-rays, dental impressions and photographs. Braces have one aim: to use gentle pressure to move teeth into proper alignment. Treatment time varies depending on age, patient compliance and the severity of the condition. Generally, treatment lasts for 24 months and is facilitated by ideal patient cooperation.
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