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.

Cosmetic Bonding Solutions from Your State College Dentist PA

November 11, 2014

178478939Do you have teeth that are misshaped, chipped, or discolored? If you need a cosmetic or restorative solution for multiple imperfections, consider repairing these imperfections with cosmetic bonding. Cosmetic bonding is a simple and minimally invasive procedure. You can achieve naturally looking dental repairs and restorations through cosmetic bonding. Make an appointment with Dr. Devlin for your cosmetic bonding consultation today. Dr. Devlin proudly serves patients throughout State College, PA, Altoona, Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and the surrounding communities.

Ask Your State College Dentist PA: What is Cosmetic Bonding?

Cosmetic bonding consists of a tooth-colored composite solution that is applied to a tooth to mask aesthetic flaws such as discoloration, to fix broken and chipped teeth, or to fill small cavities. As a restorative solution, cosmetic bonding can address problems arising from receding gums, exposed roots, enamel loss, and tooth decay.

State College Dentist PA Advice: Is Cosmetic Bonding Right for You?

  • Natural Looking: Looks and functions just like your natural teeth.
  • Minimally Invasive: Little or no tooth reduction needed.
  • Durability: Long lasting with proper maintenance.
  • Versatile: Used for both cosmetic and restorative repairs.

State College Dentist PA Cosmetic Bonding Appointments

Cosmetic bonding can be a quick and easy solution for multiple dental concerns. Unlike porcelain veneers and dental bridges,bonding will not leave your surrounding teeth vulnerable to decay. The extensive preparations needed to complete these treatments can compromise your other teeth. Although you may be hesitant to repair cosmetic imperfections with procedures like porcelain veneers or dental crowns, you can rest assured that choosing to repair your teeth with cosmetic bonding will not harm your healthy teeth. You can explore the many possibilities of dental repair with cosmetic bonding. All you have to do is make a cosmetic bonding appointment with Dr. Devlin today. Dr. Devlin restores smiles daily throughout State College, PA, Altoona, Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and nearby areas.

How Can Implant-Retained Dentures Improve Your Life?

August 12, 2014

187007308For millions of men and women in America, full dentures and partials make it possible to eat, speak, and smile despite their missing teeth. While these prosthetic teeth do serve an important purpose, they can prove inconvenient and uncomfortable over time. At Chris J. Devlin, DMD, PC in State College, PA, Dr. Devlin offers a superior restorative solution that allows patients with dentures to enjoy life to the fullest once again: implant-retained dentures.

Advantages of Implant-Retained Dentures

Also called implant-supported dentures, implant-retained dental prosthetics closely resemble the dentures with which most of us are familiar. They may replace multiple teeth in a row, an entire arch, or various teeth situated throughout the arch. The replacement teeth look strikingly realistic and are customized to fit seamlessly with your natural smile. The problem with many dentures is that they do not fit precisely against the gums and the palate, resulting in a number of common issues like clicking, slipping, and rubbing. With implant-retained dentures, these worries are all things of the past.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the gum tissue and the bone of the jaw to serve as sturdy anchors for a dental prosthetic like a crown, a bridge, or a denture. After a brief period of healing following their placement, the implants become solidly fused with the bone. Then Dr. Devlin can attach a custom denture to the implants, effectively rebuilding your smile and bite in a way that looks and feels natural. You’ll never have to worry again about your dentures slipping while you speak or moving around when you eat.

Experience the Possibilities of Implant-Retained Dentures

Whether you currently wear dentures or you are planning to have teeth extracted to accommodate a dental prosthetic, we welcome you to contact our office and ask about implant-retained dentures. With the proven technology of dental implants and Dr. Devlin’s extensive experience, we can help restore and rejuvenate your smile. Our practice in State College, PA warmly welcomes patients from nearby areas as well, including Altoona, Centre Hall, Bellefonte, and more. Our team looks forward to seeing and serving your smile!

Cosmetic Care That Addresses Function

August 7, 2012

Often, when a doctor or patient talks about cosmetic dentistry, the focus is completely on appearance. Services like teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and cosmetic bonding all do a great job of creating whiter, healthier –looking smiles, but that’s where they stop. None of them addresses the issue of functionality.

Thankfully, though, there are other services that do. At Dr. Chris J. Devlin’s State College dental office, we offer multiple services designed to meet a combination of cosmetic and restorative needs. Those services include:

With each of these great services, providing cosmetic care is just the tip of the iceberg. Just as important is restoring a smile’s functionality. That means improving the patient’s ability to speak clearly and to enjoy healthy foods that might be hard to eat with missing teeth. By doing these, Dr. Devlin can help his patients from State College and beyond improve their overall wellbeing and enjoy a better quality of life.

But which of these services is most right for you?

If you’d like to know which cosmetic-restorative service will do the most to help your smile, Dr. Devlin and his team would be happy to help you. Call our State College office today to schedule your consultation appointment. Our team serves patients from Bellefonte, Centre Hall, Altoona, and surrounding areas with great general, cosmetic, and restorative care.