Advantages of Choosing Dental Implants in State College

December 21, 2015


dental implants state collegeFixed bridges, dentures, non-implant supported dentures, crowns… the options in tooth replacement are many. Knowing which one to choose can be difficult, but
Dr. Devlin is passionate about helping you make the best decisions for your oral health. With that in mind, we want to state, once and for all, that dental implants are by far the best option for replacing missing teeth. Keep reading to learn why you should choose dental implants in State College to complete your smile in 2016.

(more…)

Get a Dazzling Smile With Porcelain Veneers This Fall

October 19, 2015

couple smiling with porcelain veneers

Nothing does more for a person’s confidence than a beautiful, glowing smile. Unfortunately, as the years go by life starts to take its toll, and teeth can become stained, discolored and worn as a result. Don’t give up your morning coffee or that glass of wine in an attempt at whiter, more beautiful teeth — instead, find out how porcelain veneers with Dr. Chris J. Devlin can give your smile a permanent spruce-up this fall.
(more…)

TMJ Therapy and What Symptoms to Look Out For

September 10, 2015

Filed under: TMJ Therapy — Tags: , , , , , — drdevlin @ 3:35 pm

TMJ therapy is within you rreach.When your jaw is in pain, aching or experiencing any other type of discomfort, TMJ therapy may be needed. The jaw is one of the most important parts of your oral health. Without your jaw, you wouldn’t be able to move your mouth around or perform other movements that require the use of your jaw. Plus, any type of pain that’s associated with your jaw can be excruciating to deal with. There must be a very delicate balance in order for the temporomandibular joints to function as they should. When there are no issues, everything runs smoothly with unobstructed jaw movement.

At our office in State College, PA, we can provide TMJ therapy for all of our patients. We don’t want anyone to have endure the pain and discomfort that comes along with a dysfunctional jaw. Your oral health is too important to just let TMJ problems persist. When you come to our office, we’ll provide you with the care you need with the results you want. Dr. Devlin has advanced knowledge of the chewing system and can help bring your jaw back to its proper working order. If you’re looking for excellent TMJ therapy, State College has one of the best dental offices around under the guide of Dr. Devlin.
(more…)

The link between Periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease

July 27, 2015

Periodontal disease affects more Americans each year. Some estimates suggest as much as 80% of the population of US adults are afflicted. Most people don’t consider periodontal (gum) disease to be a cause for grave concern because it’s treatable and it isn’t deadly. However, research has indicated that there may be a significant link between periodontal disease and numerous systemic or chronic illnesses. Dr. Chris Devlin and his State College, PA dental team recommend twice annual dental checkups and teeth cleanings to help prevent gum disease and its potential medical complications. If you’re suffering from gum disease or haven’t had a teeth cleaning and exam recently, call to schedule a checkup with us today.

ThinkstockPhotos-177119677Periodontal Disease and Systemic Illness

Periodontal disease generally begins as a mild irritation of gum tissue caused by bacterial growth below the gum line. This is frequently referred to as gingivitis and is easily treated with a thorough teeth cleaning from your dental hygienist. Left untreated or not properly cared for, gingivitis can develop into the more severe periodontitis. This form of gum disease can be quite painful, and is the leading cause of tooth loss in US adults. Periodontitis results when bacteria beneath the gums buildup creating pockets of plaque and tartar that separate the tooth from the gums. Over time, the fibers that connect the tooth to the gums and jawbone breakdown entirely. Indicators of periodontitis include redness or irritation, bleeding gums, loose feeling teeth, severe bad breath, and painful sores along gums. If you have any of these symptoms, call Dr. Devlin to schedule an appointment right away.

Periodontal disease can be unpleasant on its own, but recent studies have shown clear links between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease like strokes and arrhythmia. Additionally, periodontal disease has been linked to blood clots, liver disease, and is believed to adversely affect the insulin production and usage in patients with diabetes.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a cognitive disorder that affects a patient’s short term memory, concentration, and spatial orientation. AD affects an increasing number of US adults each year. Reports indicate the possibility of AD affecting more than 10 million people in the US before 2050. AD is a chronic inflammatory disease. Inflammation and infection in the body causes neurological synapses to work differently, and can lead to AD or other cognitive disorders.ThinkstockPhotos-181156970

Possible Bi-Directional Links

A recent study showed that a high percentage of patients with AD also had periodontal disease when compared to a comparable group of patients who did not suffer from AD. While a direct correlation has not as of yet been established, the findings are significant enough to prompt further research. Results indicate that the connection between AD and periodontal disease may be bi-directional much like the correlation between diabetes and gum disease. Diabetes results when the body is unable to utilize insulin properly, gum disease interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin when sugary plaque deposits enter the blood stream. Thus, as periodontal disease worsens, so do diabetic symptoms

AD and periodontal disease appear to have a similar relationship. Though it’s difficult to create a distinction between whether periodontal disease leads to AD or vice versa, it is easy to observe the cyclical relationship between the two. Patients who suffer from AD loose cognitive function as inflammation increases and causes more damage to brain tissues. When bacteria from the mouth travel to the brain via the blood stream, they can damage brain tissue leading to late-onset or periodic AD, or lead to inflammation which damages brain tissue and worsens AD. Further research has shown that as the body attempts to repair the chronic inflammation from AD, it is unable to repair the inflammation from periodontal disease or vice versa meaning that both worsen over time.

Call Your State College Dentist to Find Out More

Whether periodontal disease can be said to cause Alzheimer’s is still a matter for further discussion, but it is clear that inflammation and infection from periodontal disease makes it more difficult for our bodies to defend against the chronic inflammation caused by AD. A consistent, effective at-home dental care routine and twice annual dental examinations and cleanings are your first steps in preventing periodontal disease and avoiding its adverse effects on your body. Call Dr. Devlin to find out more about periodontal disease or schedule an appointment today. Our State College, PA office welcomes patients from surrounding areas including Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and Altoona.

Repair an Abscessed Tooth or Other Dental Emergency

June 22, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-494373419You’re having a relaxing morning, but you take the first drink of coffee and your tooth feels like you took a bite of a Popsicle. You brush it off and continue about your day. Then, you take a bite of toast, and realize chewing hurts too. Time for some aspirin. A few hours later, you notice your face is swollen, and you’re feeling feverish and sick. Maybe you’re coming down with the flu, but chances are that sensitive tooth is causing your sudden illness. An abscess tooth can feel like a minor irritation or tooth sensitivity to cold or heat, but they quickly lead to more severe symptoms as infection spreads. What now? You need a dentist. In State College, PA Dr. Chris Devlin is always here to help. Whether you have an abscess or loose a tooth, dental emergencies don’t need to ruin your day. Call Dr. Devlin to make your dental emergency a memory.

Do I Have an Abscessed Tooth?

An abscess is an infection in the root or the gums near the root of your tooth. Generally, caused by tooth decay or gum disease, these infections can progress quickly. An abscessed tooth can be extremely painful. Patients often say they feel a stabbing pain each time they bite something, take a drink, and even swallowing or breathing air over the tooth can cause severe pain. As the root of the tooth is worn away by infection, the infection reaches the pulp (middle) of the tooth. This is usually what causes the pain. The abscess can kill the pulp. When this happens, the pain associated with the abscess often subsides. However, the infection will continue to spread. If you think you may have an abscess, have it examined immediately.

Treatment Methods

Because an abscess affects the root of the tooth, root canal therapy is often necessary to remove the infection. Additionally, infection to the gum tissue may have to be drained, and antibiotics are usually prescribed to fight the infection. Once the tooth is free from infection, Dr. Devlin will work to restore your tooth to its natural look and feel. Because an abscess is an infection, the longer it is left untreated you are at risk for serious health effects related to infection, and the further the infection spreads the more difficult it is to treat. Don’t hesitate to call us as if you fear you may have an abscess. We will try to see you right away, and begin treatment to remove the infection before it can spread.

Other Emergencies

Dental emergencies are often not life threatening, but that doesn’t make it any easier to keep calm. However, Dr. Devlin is here to help you no matter what your emergency, his years of experience in restorative dentistry means he is capable of returning your teeth to their natural strength and beauty after almost any accident, and his numerous relationships with local dental surgeons will ensure that any serious trauma will be repaired by a skilled professional you can trust.

If you experience any trauma related dental emergencies, a few tips can help you stay calm, and keep you healthy and safe until we can get your smile back in place. For a lost tooth or soft tissue damage, you want to make sure that your wound is cleaned and that the blood flow is reduced or stopped. Don’t use any toothpaste, mouthwash or other dental hygiene product to clean your cut. Start with just warm water. Once you have cleaned the affected area, you’ll need a cool, sterile compress to stop the bleeding and reduce swelling. Wrapping a small ice cube in a cool, damp cloth and holding it to the wound is extremely affective in slowing blood flow.

Once you have cleaned the area and stopped blood flow, assess the damage. Injuries to the mouth and face are frequently much less serious than they initially appear because any injury to the head will bleed heavily. If you have lost or chipped a tooth or you believe you need stitches or other repair, you will need to come in to see us as soon as possible. Even if you determine that the injury was not severe, it is still a good idea to come in for an examination to make sure there is no unseen damage.

Don’t Panic – Call Dr. Devlin

If you think you have an abscess tooth or have any other dental emergency, we are here to help. Don’t panic. Call Dr. Devlin for an emergency examination. As your family dentist, we’re here to help your whole family in State College, PA and surrounding communities including Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and Altoona.

Replacing Missing Teeth with Crowns & Bridges in State College, PA

April 13, 2015

151545340When a tooth is lost due to decay, gum disease, or injury, replacing it should be your top priority. A missing tooth leads to a variety of problems, including everything from difficulty eating and slurred speech to feelings of embarrassment when you smile. At the State College, PA dental office of Dr. Chris J. Devlin, we offer a comprehensive menu of restorative dentistry solutions, including crowns and bridges for tooth replacement.

Benefits of Crowns and Bridges

Following the loss of a tooth, remaining teeth in the area begin to shift and rotate in an attempt to take on some of the burden of daily use. Over time, this shifting can greatly affect your oral health as well as the appearance of your smile. A bridge is comprised of one or more false teeth (pontics) that are placed where a natural tooth or teeth once stood. Unlike removable prosthetics like dentures and partials, a bridge is fixed in place by a dental crown.

A crown is a custom restoration that is placed over an existing tooth to hold the bridge in place. Porcelain crowns can be shaded and sculpted to match your surrounding teeth for a seamlessly natural look. With a quality restoration from Dr. Devlin, no one will be able to tell that you have bridgework; they’ll only see your complete and healthy smile.

In addition to crown and bridgework, Dr. Devlin offers a more permanent tooth replacement option: dental implants. If you are looking for the most secure, natural-looking replacement tooth solution, ask us about dental implants and their benefits. We want to help you smile with comfort and confidence again.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth and you’d like to learn more about your tooth replacement options, we invite you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Devlin and our caring, experienced team. We’ll talk with you about our restorative options and develop a customized treatment plan that’s perfect for you. Conveniently located in State College, PA, our practice is privileged to serve patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Bellefonte, Centre Hall, Altoona, and beyond.

Your Top State College, PA Dental Implants Specialist

March 13, 2015

For many men and women, removable prosthetics like full and partial dentures are a sufficient tooth replacement option, but they aren’t right for everyone. If you are considering your tooth replacement options and want to restore your smile permanently, 177257483

The Stronger, More Beautiful Smile You Deserve

A dental implant is a small, biocompatible post that is securely anchored within the bone of your jaw in the socket where a natural tooth once stood. Following the placement of the implant, the bone tissue of the jaw begins to fuse around it, creating a sturdy foundation for a custom crown, bridge, or denture. This process is called osseointegration, and it takes approximately two to six months after the implant is placed.

When a natural tooth is lost or extracted, the jaw bone in the area begins to deteriorate. Fortunately, this bone loss can be mitigated with the placement of a dental implant. This reduces your risk of future tooth loss and preserves the contours of your face. With dental implants, you can finally feel free to eat your favorite foods again, even tough-to-chew foods like corn on the cob, steak, or a crisp apple. Patients who have lived with missing teeth or removable dentures for years love the feeling of enjoying a complete diet again, as well as the ability to smile openly and with confidence.

Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation

If you are missing teeth and interested in learning more about how dental implants may be able to help you reclaim your smile, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Devlin. Conveniently located in State College, PA, our state-of-the-art dental practice is privileged to serve the complete dental care needs of families in the surrounding areas of Altoona, Bellefonte, Centre Hall, and beyond. We look forward to helping you rediscover your quality of life with a full set of beautiful teeth and a more confident smile.

Restore Optimal Form & Function with Dentures & Partials in State College, PA

February 13, 2015

78769905Despite our best efforts to keep our teeth and gums as healthy as possible, the effects of time, decay, and disease affect millions of Americans every year. In fact, 35 million men and women in our country are completely edentulous, a term that means they have lost all of their teeth. Of these, 90 percent choose to wear dentures, a popular restorative dentistry solution that allows partially and fully edentulous patients to chew, speak, and smile again. Because we believe that each and every one of our patients deserves to benefit from a full set of teeth, we offer a wide range of restorative dentistry options, including dentures and partials.

Why Choose Dentures and Partials?

Replacing missing teeth is one of the most important things you’ll ever do as an adult. Without your teeth, your speech is slurred and your ability to eat a nutritious diet is dramatically diminished. The impact that missing teeth can have on your self-confidence is substantial as well; many patients with missing teeth become withdrawn, choosing to live a more secluded existence than to face the world without teeth. Fortunately, dentures and partials make it possible to affordably and quickly reclaim your smile and your life.

Complete dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth while partial dentures fit your jaw like a piece from a jigsaw puzzle, filling in the gaps between healthy teeth. The dentures we provide you with will be fully customized to look and feel as natural as possible so no one will be able to tell that they aren’t your original teeth.

In many cases, dentures and partials can be secured with dental implants. These small titanium posts are surgically placed within the bone of the jaw and serve as a strong foundation for your custom restorations. If you are interested in implant-retained dentures, simply ask Dr. Devlin about your options. We’ll help you find the tooth replacement solution that best suits your unique needs.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Whether you are a current denture wearer or you are planning to have teeth extracted and you are interested in exploring your tooth replacement options, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and exam, and find out if dentures or a partial is right for you. Dr. Devlin and our entire team genuinely look forward to helping you reclaim your smile as well as full functionality for easier speaking and eating. Our warm and welcoming dental practice in State College, PA is privileged to serve families from throughout nearby communities in Centre Hall, Bellefonte, Altoona, and the surrounding areas.

How to Choose the Right Family Dentist in State College, PA

January 11, 2015

chooserightdentistChoosing the perfect family dentist in State College, PA may seem like a daunting task. After all, it can be difficult to narrow down your list when you aren’t sure which dentist offers the services you and your children need. At the office of Chris J. Devlin, we understand that you have a multitude of choices when it comes to family dentistry in 16801 and the surrounding areas. That’s why we’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with a clear and concise description of precisely what we offer. Our goal is to make the process of choosing the right dentist for your family as easy and as convenient as possible.

A Family Dentist State College Patients Trust

For more than 25 years, Dr. Devlin has served as the premier dental provider for families in State College and its nearby communities. Families return to us year after year for a number of reasons, chief of which are our genuine commitment to exceptional service and our friendly, welcoming atmosphere. You should never feel as if you are rushed in and out of a dental office; our entire purpose is to treat you well from the moment you walk through our doors. From routine cleanings and cosmetic dentistry solutions to in-depth restorative care and full-mouth reconstruction, you’ll find everything the members of your family need to enjoy healthy, happy smiles for life. Our general family dentistry services include:

  • Comprehensive exams, including digital x-rays
  • Invigorating cleanings from our friendly hygienists
  • Tooth-colored fillings
  • Periodontal therapy
  • Nightguards for bruxism
  • TMJ disorder treatment
  • Customized oral appliances for sleep apnea
  • Children’s dentistry
  • Sedation dentistry

As your State College family dentist, Dr. Devlin offers everything you and your loved ones need to achieve and maintain beautiful smiles and optimal oral health now and in the years to come.

Reserve Your Family Dentistry Appointment Today

Whether you are looking to improve the appearance of your smile with cosmetic dentistry solutions or you simply need a trusted dentist to provide routine checkups and cleanings, we are always here to help. Contact us today to schedule your next visit, and experience for yourself the amazing difference our dedication and cutting-edge technology can make in your smile. Our state-of-the-art dental practice in State College, PA is privileged to serve the complete dental needs of families from throughout the surrounding areas, including Altoona, Bellefonte, Centre Hall, and beyond.

Dr. Devlin, Your State College PA Dentist Uses Laser Dentistry for Gentle Dental Care

December 18, 2014

What’s the deal with laser dentistry? Dental techniques and technology have advanced rapidly in a relatively short period of time. These new practices have increased patient comfort and satisfaction with dental treatment. Among these many advancements is the invention of laser dentistry.  Lasers have actually been used in dentistry for over twenty years. They are a safe and effective treatment method for a variety of dental problems. To discover the benefits of laser dentistry for yourself, make an appointment with Dr. Devlin today. Dr. Devlin is a highly qualified and trusted restorative and cosmetic State College PA dentist, proudly serving patients throughout State College, PA, Altoona, Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and the surrounding communities.

What Is Laser Dentistry?

185407105

A dental laser is a high-tech instrument which produces a narrow but powerful beam of light energy. When laser light comes in contact with your natural gum tissue, it causes a gentle reaction. The light from dental lasers can effectively remove and shape gum tissue, eliminating the need for cutting or drilling.

What Can Laser Dentistry Treat?

  • canker and cold sores
  • impacted wisdom teeth
  • overgrown muscle attachments
  • dental impressions for crowns and other procedures
  • remove overgrown tissue
  • perform biopsies
  • remove inflamed or infected gum tissues
  • remove or reshape gum and bone tissues for crown lengthening
  • root canals
  • tooth discoloration

What Are the Advantages of Laser Dentistry for Patients?

Dental lasers offer several benefits. They can eliminate the need for dental drills and anesthetic needles, providing a more relaxed dental treatment experience. Laser dentistry procedures are more precise, and often reduce healing times. Lasers also reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth and better control bleeding post-surgery.

State College PA Dentist Laser Dentistry Appointments

Make your laser dentistry appointment with Dr. Devlin for the modern laser dentistry experience you deserve. Dr. Devlin is an experienced State College PA Dentist, proudly renewing smiles daily throughout State College, PA, Altoona, Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and nearby areas.

Older Posts »