What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

what to expect during a dental cleaning - Easton PA

Dental Cleaning in Easton, PA

At College Hill Dental Group, we believe preventative dentistry is key to good oral health. If it’s been a while, or you’re a new patient at our dental office, you may be wondering what to expect during a dental cleaning. You’re in good hands! Below, Dr. Dave Moghadam, your local dentist, breaks down your cleaning appointment.

How Long Does it Take to Clean Your Teeth?

Usually, a professional cleaning can take between 30 minutes to an hour. During this visit, you will rest comfortably in a dental chair while we inspect your teeth. We’ll also clean your teeth and remove dental plaque and tartar before polishing them with a soft abrasive paste.

If we need to take X-rays, your appointment may take longer. Similarly, if we identify a problem, we may need to consider treatment choices.

The Initial Oral Exam

First, the dental hygienist examines the inside of your mouth using a little mirror. If they notice any obvious problems, they will make a note of it. However, if they discover something significant, they may decide to have the doctor come in to talk to you. This oral exam is fairly quick, especially if you’ve been taking good care of your smile.

Removal of Plaque and Tartar

Brushing and flossing your teeth at home is an effective method of removing dental plaque. Plaque that is hidden between teeth and along the gum line, on the other hand, can be tough to reach. In fact, our friend Dr. Hoang, a dentist in Bethlehem, GA, says tartar can only be removed at your dentist’s office. Your hygienist will be able to remove all of the built-up tartar in your mouth. 

Teeth Polishing

Following that, your hygienist will polish your teeth with gritty tooth polish and a special high-powered brush. Before beginning, the hygienist will ask you to select your preferred flavor of tooth polish. Dental cleanings should never be painful. So don’t be frightened by the different dental tools. 

Interdental Flossing

Congratulations! You’re almost done with your dental cleaning if you’ve made it this far. The dental hygienist will clean your teeth as the final procedure. This will eliminate any plaque that may be hiding between your teeth. Flossing might help inform your dental hygienist about areas of gum bleeding.

Rinsing

At this stage, your dental hygienist will thoroughly rinse your teeth off with water using a fancy tool. When you’re ready, we’ll remove the water from your mouth with suction—the rinse stage aids in the removal of any remaining tooth polish.

Final Dentist Checkup

After you’ve completed your professional teeth cleaning, one of our dentists in Easton, PA, will do a final checkup. If they don’t find any difficulties with your dental health, you’re good to go.

In addition, the dentist will be able to address any questions or concerns you may have. Following that, we’ll ask you to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning in six months. Your teeth will feel nice and clean afterward. At College Hill Dental Group, we offer quality dental services to our Easton patients. Contact us today to schedule your next treatment!

Same-Day Crown Process

same-day crown process Easton PA

Same-Day Crown Process

In need of a dental crown? You’re not the only one! Dental crowns are one of the most popular restorative dentistry treatments we offer at our dental office in Easton, PA. Traditionally, a dental crown placement can take some time since they need to be custom made by a lab. However, College Hill Dental Group offers same-day crowns in Eaton, PA. Below, our dentists walk you through the same-day crown process.

Same-Day Crowns vs. Traditional Crowns

Same-day crowns are just as they seem – all done on the same day. Dr. Dave Moghadam will use an intraoral camera and a computer-aided design to create a 3D image of your damaged tooth. After making your custom 3D model, your Easton, PA dentist will use a CEREC system to create the crown. Next, he will prepare your tooth and bind it to the new crown. The entire process of same-day crowns takes about an hour. 

The method of traditional dental crown placement normally requires two visits. You should expect your dentist to take x-rays and do any additional work required, such as the root canal. As mentioned, the tooth impression will be sent to an outside lab.

At the end of your first appointment, your dentist will have placed a temporary crown to protect your tooth before your permanent tooth is finished by the laboratory within 2 to 3 weeks. Your second visit will include removing a temporary crown and placing the permanent crown.

Is There a Big Difference in Cost?

If you’re contemplating crowns from conventional crowns on the same day, you’re probably thinking which one is more costly. In certain cases, ceramic crowns have comparable prices, whether they are manufactured in your dental office or in a lab.

On the contrary, traditional crowns made of metal or porcelain, however, may be more expensive. Cost estimates indicate that porcelain crowns will cost between $800 and $3,000, while metal crowns range from $830 to $2,465.

Know that most dental insurance companies will cover the cost of dental crowns. If you don’t have dental insurance or your dental insurance does not fully cover the treatment, our dental office offers a dental savings plan for patients in Easton, PA.

Advantages of Same-Day Crowns

Same-day crowns are a quick and easy procedure that most patients prefer. After all, you won’t need a temporary dental crown, or you’ll have to wait for a permanent crown to come back from the lab weeks later. Also, you only have to visit our dental office once. 

You’re also going to benefit from better comfort. Going to the dentist causes anxiety for many patients, so getting it over within one visit is preferred for many. Dr. Kim, who offers dental crowns in Lexington, KY, says that you’re less likely to experience tooth decay with same-day crowns. This is because you want temporary crowns that fit poorly and can make it easier for bacteria to get into the tooth.

Disadvantages of Same-Day Dental Crowns

The biggest downside of the crowns of the same day vs. the traditional crowns is that there is a chance of more wear and tear. This is because the CEREC crown is made of ceramic, which is less durable than metal or porcelain. Same-day crowns are not suitable for all patients. If your tooth is missing under the gumline, your dentist can have trouble using an imaging camera to get a clear map of your tooth.

Benefits of Traditional Dental Crowns

Unlike CEREC crowns, which dentists easily produce on-site, traditional crowns appear to be stronger as they are manufactured in a lab. It’s also stronger due to the additional material choices available for conventional crowns. Although you can only get ceramic crowns on the same day, you can get traditional crowns of metal or porcelain.

Another advantage is that traditional crowns will look more natural than CEREC crowns. Not only can porcelain or ceramic options give you a more accurate tooth color, but an expert crafting your crown to fit your other teeth perfectly.

Disadvantages of Traditional Dental Crowns

One of the main drawbacks of conventional crowns is waiting time. Not only do you have to make several appointments, but you will even have to wait for weeks to obtain your permanent crown. In addition, you should expect a temporary crown while the lab makes the standard permanent crown. This temporary alternative at least offers you a tooth, but it appears to be less comfortable due to a poor fit.

Visit Your Easton, PA Dentist

In the end, you will choose the right crown for you based on your preferences for ease, comfort, consistency, and cost. Same-day crowns will appeal to you if you want a simple, convenient alternative and don’t mind the limitations of materials or durability. Traditional crowns are fine if you don’t mind two visits but want more choices for a personalized tooth that handles more wear and tear. Our team at College Hill Dental Group is happy to help you find a restorative solution for your smile. Contact our dental office in Easton, PA, to schedule your appointment today. 

Why Choose a Modern Dental Office?

Why Choose a Modern Dental Office in Easton - College Hill Dental Group

Why Choose a Modern Dental Office?

Since it was first practiced years and years ago, dentistry has grown and evolved tremendously. Dentists can do a lot more than they used to, which is why so many patients prefer a modern dental office. Though teeth are designed to last all your life, they are still susceptible to damage.

At College Hill Dental Group, we are committed to providing preventive and restorative dental care. Most Easton, PA dentists agree that prevention is better than cure. However, if your smile isn’t at 100%, we will do our best to restore its functional and aesthetic roles. Living in an age of advanced dental technology, a modern dental office can provide better treatments for more patients. 

Modern family dentistry in Easton, PA, makes preventive measures a lot more effective, increasing the chances of catching issues in their infancy and fixing them. Restorative and replacement treatments will also be as effective, with higher chances of long term success. So what exactly does modern family dentistry at College Hill Dental Group have to offer?

Digital X-Rays

X-rays are the go-to whenever a medical professional needs to examine what’s inside of your body. In this case, an emergency dentist in Easton, PA, will use low levels of radiation to capture images of the inside of your teeth and gums. This allows them to spot dental issues like cavities, impacted teeth, and tooth decay,

While traditional x-rays use very low levels of radiation and are relatively safe, Digital Doc says that portable digital x-rays devices use 90% less radiation than conventional x-rays. Digital x-rays also produce larger and sharper images, allowing the dentist to make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe a more effective treatment.

Intraoral Cameras

Another advanced tool cosmetic dentists in Easton, PA use to examine your mouth is the intraoral cameras. It is often difficult for the dentist to get a clear view of your mouth. It’s also even more difficult for the dentist to show you what they see. Without this technology, it makes it difficult for the dentist to make an accurate diagnosis of the state of your teeth, especially if the damage is still minimal.

An intraoral camera is essentially a tiny camera attached to the end of a small wand. It transmits images to a computer in real-time. Intraoral cameras allow the dentist to see every aspect of your teeth and gums in clear, precise detail, a feat standard mirror examinations cannot achieve. The intraoral camera also allows you to see the state of your teeth up close and personal. This may help increase your commitment to your oral care routines, and your dental appointments will be more effective overall.

Additionally, the camera allows Dr. David Moghadam to document the entire procedure. With almost unlimited storage, they can upload photos to the computer and print a hard copy for your insurance company’s records or procedure verification.

3D Printing

Thanks to 3D printing technology, dentists are able to provide patients with the best dental services available. At College Hill Dental Group, we use advanced dental technology that transforms simple scans of your teeth into stunning porcelain crowns and bridges. 

Patients are blown away by how fast they receive their restorations and appliances. That’s right, you no longer have to wait weeks on end to get your restorations back from the dental laboratory. The 3D printing technology creates three-dimensional versions of your teeth. This allows us to create custom crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays, and bridges. Learn all the benefits of 3D printing today by contacting College Hill Dental Group.

Same-Day CAD/CAM Crowns

Gone are the days we take gooey impressions of your teeth. Our CAD/CAM technology allows us to detailed digital images of your teeth. With this, we can provide patients with same-day crowns in Easton, PA. Whether you need a single tooth or multiple tooth repair, College Hill Dental Group can help.

The powerful software, coupled with our advanced training, leads to a crown milled from the finest porcelain available, just in minutes. Your new crown will then be firmly put into place all within one appointment. 

With the help of modern dental technology, College Hill Dental Group has been practicing accurate and effective preventive and restorative dental care for years. Are you looking for a modern dental office in Easton, PA? Contact us today for a consultation.