Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Tooth Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into a patient’s tooth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, that patient will need a tooth extraction, and at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. James Cavalancia perform extractions to ensure that their patient’s oral health is restored.


Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the extraction site. If it is a simple extraction, the tooth will be loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Your dentist at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center may also choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone after the tooth is removed. Once finished, your dentist will suture the gums.


After the extraction, it is critical for patients to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. Patients must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, patients should not smoke, rinse their mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.


Patients suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction can turn to Dr. Shireen Malik or Dr. James Cavalancia to determine if a tooth extraction is required to save their smile.  Schedule an appointment in Philadelphia, PA by calling (215) 279-1193. For more information about Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center and its services, please visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.  

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Dentures

If you’re looking to restore your smile after losing multiple teeth, dentures offer a great solution for patients in Philadelphia, PA. Drs. Shireen Malik and James Cavalancia of Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center offer three different types of dentures: partial dentures, conventional full dentures and immediate full dentures, and they can help determine which choice is best for you.


Conventional full dentures are one type of dentures that are used once all of a patient’s teeth have been removed. However, they are not placed until after the patient’s gum tissue has healed from the teeth extraction, which usually takes a few months. During that healing time, the patient would not have any teeth at all. If the idea of living for a few months without teeth doesn’t appeal to you, you can receive immediate full dentures instead. For this type, you would have your mouth measured prior to tooth extraction. Then after your teeth are removed at the next appointment, the dentures could be placed immediately. This method, however, requires a follow-up visit for refitting and tightening your dentures because your jaw will naturally change shape as it heals with no teeth.


When a patient does not need all their teeth removed but still have a significant portion removed, partial dentures are a common solution. They are similar to bridges except bridges are permanent while partial dentures are removable. Whichever type of dentures you get, they do take time getting used to since the flesh-colored base is placed over your gums, which can feel bulky or make your mouth feel crowded. However, as you train yourself, eating and talking will begin to feel more natural.


Whether you’ve already lost a significant amount of teeth or are in need of extractions, dentures are a popular option, and Drs. Shireen Malik and James Cavalancia can help their patients find which choice is best for them in Philadelphia, PA. To schedule an appointment at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, call (215) 279-1193. For more information about the dentists and their services, please visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Take Home Tray Whitening

White teeth are an important part of a beautiful smile and can help you feel more confident about your appearance. However, even with diligent brushing and flossing, your teeth can become dull and darker due to constant exposure to the acid present in food and drinks. Teeth whitening procedures can help to restore the color and gleam to your teeth, which is why Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. James Cavalancia provide take-home whitening trays to help you achieve a smile you will love to show off in Philadelphia, PA. 


Teeth whitening services are becoming more and more popular, and as the demand for whiter teeth increases, patients are realizing that over-the-counter techniques just aren’t as effective as options offered by their dentist. The team here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center offers take-home trays to help patients achieve exceptional smiles in only a few sessions.


The tray system can be completed in two steps. First, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to craft custom whitening trays that you can use over and over. Second, you will apply the gentle, whitening gel to the trays and wear the trays for a short period of time. With this method, patients can whiten their smile four to eight shades in only a few days! For best results, use the whitening system after your regular dental cleaning.


Whitening your teeth is an easy and dramatic way to improve the look of your smile. If you are looking to make your pearly whites white again, schedule an appointment with Dr. Shireen Malik or Dr. James Cavalancia for teeth whitening services in Philadelphia, PA by calling (215) 279-1193. For more information about the dentists and their services, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Pediatric Sealants

Although brushing and flossing is effective at removing food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of our teeth, sometimes these methods are ineffective at thoroughly cleaning the nooks and crannies in our premolars and molars. Because molars are the hardest to clean and the teeth most used in the chewing process, they are the most susceptible to cavities and decay, which is why Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. James Cavalancia recommend sealants soon after molars emerge when children are between the ages of 6 and 14. At our practice, Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA we treat patients of all ages!


Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent cavities and tooth decay. The sealant is applied by the doctor, who first roughens the surface of the molar with acid and then paints on the sealant. The sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, hardening and forming a shield over the enamel to protect it for approximately 10 years.


Sealants are normally applied to children’s molars because their teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. However, sometimes they are applied on adult molars if they have hard-to-clean grooves that are causing cavities.


To schedule an appointment, call our office in Philadelphia, PA at (215) 279-1193. For more information, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Dental Bridges

If you have had a tooth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position. When this happens, your teeth become more susceptible to disease and decay. Our team here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center can help you keep your smile beautiful and functional with dental bridges.


This oral appliance is called a bridge because it literally creates a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. This prosthetic tooth replacement is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than a decade if properly cared for.


The process of creating a bridge takes two visits to our office. In the first, we will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your missing tooth. This is where the bridge will be attached. After the abutments are prepared, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge will consist of two crowns, which will be fixed to the abutments, and a pontic, which is the prosthetic that will replace your missing tooth. We provide you with a temporary bridge while your permanent one is crafted in the lab. On the second visit, the permanent bridge will be fixed to the abutments with an adhesive.


To schedule an appointment with either Dr. Shireen Malik or Dr. James Cavalancia call (215) 279-1193. For more information about their Philadelphia, PA practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com