DENTAL SERVICES FROM A TEAM THAT CARES

NEW PATIENT AND ROUTINE EXAMS

It is suggested that patients should be seen for a dental cleaning and routine exam every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist. During the cleaning, plaque, and calculus will be removed from your teeth leaving behind a bright and polished smile. X-rays may need to be taken to help detect possible cavities in between teeth that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

PERIODONTAL EXAMS

Many people have this disease and don’t even know it! It is usually characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. It is the number one reason for tooth loss. Research has shown links between periodontal disease and medical problems such as strokes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy risks. Other studies have shown that periodontal disease can shorten life expectancy by 7 to 10 years. Treatment varies according to the severity of the disease. Early stages (gingivitis) can generally be corrected with regular six-month cleanings. More advanced stages usually require numbing and involves deep scaling and root planing, followed by more frequent follow-up cleanings. More advanced cases involve being referred to a Periodontist (a gum and bone specialist).

DIGITAL X-RAYS

Dental X-rays are a great preventative, diagnostic tool that provides important information not visible during a regular dental exam. Our dental team will utilize this important information to safely and accurately detect any dental abnormalities and then create an accurate treatment plan.

CONE BEAM TECHNOLOGY

The office is now equipped with cone beam computed tomography. This updated x-ray technology has the capability to take 2D and 3D scans of the upper and lower jaws. Thus allowing for more accurate diagnosis and therefore more predictable treatment.

FLUORIDE TREATMENT

Periodically we will suggest a fluoride treatment for your teeth. It’s a simple and quick process and can be done during your routine exam. No extra appointment is necessary. Fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay, is applied to your teeth. This strengthens the enamel so your smile will be as strong as ever.

SEALANTS

Placing a thin, tooth-colored coating on the chewing surfaces of adult molars and bicuspids in children around the ages of seven through fourteen is an easy and effective process. This proactive treatment “seals” these difficult-to-clean areas in back teeth making them more resistant to decay.

PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING

Soon after starting treatment at our office for teeth whitening, you will start to see a whiter and brighter smile With our whitening services the effects of coffee, smoking, tea, and other causes for tooth discoloration, will slowly disappear leaving a beautiful white smile. Schedule an appointment for a consultation with our dentists to see if you’re a candidate for teeth whitening.

BONDING

Bonding involves molding material directly onto your tooth, so it can be used either to rebuild part of your tooth or to attach other materials, such as porcelain veneers. Bonding is useful for many different types of corrections such as replacing old fillings, restoring damaged teeth, closing spaces, or whitening teeth.

CROWNS AND BRIDGES

Crowns are necessary when a tooth is severely damaged or has suffered from advanced decay and cannot be fixed with bonded filling material. Crowns cover the remaining tooth and restore its function, strength, and esthetics. Several crown material options are available, including porcelain, and your dentist will discuss these on an individual basis depending on the area of the mouth that needs to be restored.

Bridges can be utilized when tooth loss occurs due to gum disease, decay, or injury. The loss of the tooth can create greater problems for your dental health if it is not corrected. The teeth next to the missing tooth (or teeth) can begin to move and result in pain, and discomfort, and can look unsightly. With bridges, your dentist will close any gaps in your mouth. The bridge looks and acts just like natural teeth, is permanently cemented, and helps to maintain the position of the rest of your teeth.

PORCELAIN INLAY/ONLAYS

When you get a cavity, sometimes it’s necessary to either partially or fully restore the tooth. Inlays and onlays offer the option to get porcelain fitted right to your tooth. This looks and feels more natural than many other filling options.

DENTURES

Complete dentures are used to replace a person’s teeth when they are all missing. Removable dentures are designed to restore the health, function, and beauty of your smile. They are crafted to fit your individual mouth comfortably and snugly. When in place, dentures can:

• Help restore your ability to eat and speak
• Replace your missing teeth
• Prevent facial sagging
• Improve the appearance of your smile

For those patients looking to improve the stability of an existing denture, consider connecting your denture to dental implants.

VENEERS

A porcelain veneer is a paper-thin, custom-made covering that conceals the front and side surfaces of your tooth, much like a mask or an artificial fingernail. But unlike a fingernail, veneers are made of a very durable ceramic material that actually strengthens your tooth. Veneers can correct stains, breaks, and odd shapes, and they can lengthen individual teeth.

CEREC®

Find the next level of productivity and patient care with the latest CEREC Primescan AC. Traditionally, if crowns, onlays, inlays, or dental veneers were required to restore damaged teeth, multiple procedures and a great deal of waiting time in between were expected. CEREC® creates quality ceramic restorations within minutes right at our dental office! This means that many treatments can be completed in just a single visit. CEREC® is comprised of several computer-assisted designs (CAD) tools and a milling machine that creates custom ceramic restorative devices. This is of great benefit to nervous patients and also reduces the cost of treatment.

ENDODONTIC THERAPY (ROOT CANALS)

Root canal therapy is needed when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth causing an infection of the nerve or when severe trauma has affected the tooth. Regular checkups with your dentist help to avoid and prevent the need for endodontic therapy. But once the pulp has become infected, it must be treated to avoid further issues since it cannot heal by itself. Some signs that a pulp is infected include sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquids, pain, swelling, or even a bad taste in the mouth. For some patients no symptoms are obvious and they are unaware a problem even exists until they are seen by their dentist for an exam. When endodontic therapy is performed, your dentist will clean out the infected pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Once the area has been disinfected, the canals of the tooth are filled with a special material to prevent further infections and help in the healing of the tooth. Sometimes a core build-up, bonded post, and crown are necessary for restoring a tooth to function.

EXTRACTIONS

When permanent teeth are significantly damaged, extracting the compromised teeth can, in some cases, help you return to optimal oral health. After discussing your various treatment options with you and deciding on an extraction, your dentist will perform your treatment in the comfort of our office. Your treatment will be:

• Gentle
• Comfortable
• Completed in one visit

Following the extraction, it is important to replace the tooth to prevent problems with the surrounding teeth. You can discuss your tooth replacement options with Dr. Minchik during your initial consultation.

ORAL CANCER SCREENING

As part of every patient’s routine dental check-up, they will receive a comprehensive head and neck exam to screen for any abnormalities. We use a tool called the VelScope. It’s the most advanced tool in the field to detect any problems early on.

CUSTOM FLUORIDE TRAYS

Having regular fluoride treatments is incredibly important for your dental health. But we realize not everyone can get into the office as much as they need fluoride treatment. For your convenience, we offer to fit you for a custom fluoride tray so you can do the treatment at home.

CUSTOM FITTED ATHLETIC MOUTH GUARDS

Let Dr. Minchik know if you play on a sports team. He will get you fitted for a custom athletic mouthguard. If you’re doing a lot of physical activity, a mouth guard is important to prevent damage. It’s easy to chip a tooth when running or playing a sport. Be safe and get a mouthguard that’s fitted just for you!

NIGHT GUARDS

In our high-stress world, teeth grinding is something many people have to cope with. It can be damaging to both the appearance and the health of your teeth. Over time the enamel can wear away, leaving you more susceptible to tooth decay. Luckily we offer the option to get you fitted for a night guard. The works to protect your teeth while also training your jaw not to grind at night.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

If you happen to be missing one or more teeth, dental implants could be the perfect solution for you! Dental implants are natural-looking and are permanently anchored into the patient’s jawbone and, unlike traditional bridges, no preparation of adjacent teeth is required.

It is important to replace missing teeth because if left with spaces, your teeth can shift and cause a variety of other dental problems. Dr. Minchik has extensive experience in treatment planning and designing implant solutions that are custom tailored for each individual patient. When your dental implants are placed, your jaw will bond and attach to the implant making them very strong and functional.

GEMINI® 810 + 980 DIODE LASER

The Gemini 810 + 980 diode laser is the first dual-wavelength soft tissue diode laser available in the United States. The unique dual-wavelength technology combines the optimal melanin absorption of an 810-nanometer wavelength laser with the optimal water absorption of a 980-nanometer wavelength laser.

DANIEL N. MINCHIK, D.D.S.

148 East Ave, Suite 2B
Norwalk, CT 06851

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 7:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 7:30am – 5:30pm