Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood

Dr. Liakos’ vision for Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood is to be your one-stop shop for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of virtually any oral health problem. Routine visits to our office can keep your smile in top-notch condition and reduce your risk of developing diseases that threaten your oral health. General Dentistry Services Offered Exams and Cleanings Exams and cleanings are the cornerstone of our general dentistry practice. It is our goal to make sure every exam and cleaning is a positive and productive experience. During your cleaning, our talented, friendly hygienists will use special instruments and techniques to thoroughly clean your teeth, the areas between your teeth and your gumline. Once your teeth are clean, our doctors will perform a comprehensive exam of your mouth. During an exam, they look for signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer and other problems that might threaten the health of your mouth. Our team may take X-rays to get a closer look at the areas of the mouth the naked eye cannot see. If we discover anything during an exam that suggests a problem, we can begin treatment intervention right away. Early detection and treatment save you from pain and other symptoms; it also reduces the chances of needing costly or invasive care. Fillings Cavities are an extremely common dental problem — nearly everyone gets a cavity at some point. Luckily, our dentists can quickly and easily remove decay and fill the leftover space in the tooth with a beautiful filling. Today’s fillings are made from tooth-colored materials and restore teeth to their original, natural appearance. Filling teeth also restores complete biting and chewing ability and eliminates the pain of a cavity. Fluoride Treatments Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral known to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. In some cases, fluoride can even reverse early tooth decay. We offer professional fluoride treatments to make sure you get the maximum benefit from the mineral. During a professional fluoride treatment, we apply topical fluoride to your teeth in the form of a varnish, gel or foam. We can also prescribe fluoridated mouth rinses or gels to use at home in between appointments. Sealants Sealants are another tool in our preventive dental care toolbox. A sealant is a resin coating that covers the tiny crevices in the chewing surface of the teeth. Sealants physically prevent food particles and bacteria from accumulating in these tiny spaces and causing cavities. They are frequently used on the molars. Emergency Dental Services Our team will always make ourselves available if you or a member of your family experiences an injury to your teeth or mouth. We frequently see patients who suffer fractured, cracked or knocked-out teeth due to sports injuries, motor vehicle collisions or other accidents. Simply call our office and we will make an appointment with you as soon as possible. Schedule a Dental Appointment Today If you have questions about any of our general dentistry services, or would like to request an appointment with us for an exam and cleaning, please contact us at your convenience.

Dental bonding is a quick and effective solution for an imperfect smile. Dental bonding involves the direct application of a resin material to the tooth to cover up a blemish such as a small chip, crack, stain or space. Thanks to dental bonding, you can solve minor aesthetic problems in just one appointment. Our team will work with you to understand your goals and personalize treatment to deliver the desired outcomes you are looking to achieve. We can also recommend other procedures to complement and enhance the results of your dental bonding. Dental Bonding Benefits Bonding can be used to cover up the following: Small chips or cracks in the teeth Worn tooth enamel Small spaces in between the front teeth Stubborn stains or discoloration that won’t respond to teeth whitening Short or small teeth Uneven tooth edges Exposed tooth roots Bonding is purely cosmetic in nature. It is not intended to correct significant damage, decay, orthodontic issues or other structural problems. Dental Bonding Treatment Details Prior to treatment, you will discuss your desired aesthetic outcomes and determine whether dental bonding is the right fit for your needs. We will help you understand what dental bonding can do for you and answer any questions you have about the process or results. How Many Teeth Can be Bonded? The number of teeth to be bonded depends on what you hope to achieve with treatment. Some patients opt to have a single tooth bonded and others have several teeth bonded. Aftercare for Dental Bonding Caring for bonded teeth is very simple: you can brush and floss them just like you would normal teeth, and they do not require any special cleaning products. We recommend you visit our office every six months for a professional cleaning and exam. Schedule a Bonding Consultation Today To learn more about dental bonding and whether it is right for your cosmetic goals, please contact our office today.

Dental veneers are a popular way to achieve a desired smile. These porcelain shells or laminates are bonded to the surface of the teeth to hide discoloration or superficial damage and create an even smile. For results that look natural and beautiful, you need the expertise of an experienced dentist. We are passionate about providing quality results to every patient. We would be happy to discuss veneers with you during a one-on-one consultation. Porcelain Veneer Candidacy Veneers have many uses. They are used to address the following cosmetic problems: Tooth stains and discoloration. Veneers are a great option to cover up stubborn stains or discoloration that won’t respond to teeth whitening treatment. Misshapen teeth. Veneers can cover up teeth that look pointed or smaller than the adjacent teeth. Small spaces between teeth. Veneers can reshape and resize the upper or lower front teeth to hide small gaps. Minor chips or cracks. Veneers can cover up small chips, cracks or uneven tooth edges. Worn teeth. Veneers can revitalize teeth that are prematurely worn down. Veneers are usually crafted from porcelain materials, which reflect light in the same way natural enamel does. You will not be able to discern between your veneers and natural teeth. Porcelain is also quite durable, so veneers are strong and long-lasting. Dental Veneer Placement Process Getting veneers is a quick and easy process with the team at Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood. Once the teeth that need veneers have been selected, your teeth will be prepared. We will take impressions of the prepared teeth and send them to the dental laboratory that fabricates your veneers. While your custom veneers are created, you will have temporary veneers over the prepared teeth. Once the custom veneers are ready, the temporary veneers will be removed. If you are happy with the look and feel of your new custom veneers, they will be bonded into place. Schedule a Consult for Porcelain Veneers Pursue your dream smile with the placement of porcelain veneers. To learn more about how veneers work, please contact our office and request an appointment. Call or email us today.

Your orthodontic needs and preferences are unique, and you deserve choices in your treatment. If you wish to correct crooked, crowded or unevenly spaced teeth but hesitate to wear traditional metal or ceramic braces, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign. These systems use discreet, removable aligners to gently shift teeth into the desired position and alignment. Straighter, better-aligned teeth support a proper bite and are both aesthetically appealing and easier to keep clean. Benefits of Invisalign Our patients prefer Invisalign to traditional braces for the following reasons: Virtually Invisible Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, thin material. When worn, they are virtually invisible. No one has to know you are straightening your teeth unless you tell them. If you’re at work, school or in a social setting, you will appreciate the discretion of Invisalign. Invisalign is Custom-Fitted and Comfortable Your aligners will be custom-fitted to your exact specifications. They should fit your teeth and gums snugly, without irritating your gum tissue or the other soft tissues of your mouth. There are no sharp wires or rough brackets to scrape the inside of your cheeks or cause mouth sores. Invisalign is Removable You don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions or complex hygiene habits, as the Invisalign aligners are removable for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. Invisalign Treatment Details During an in-person consultation, we will examine your teeth and mouth and discuss what you hope to achieve from Invisalign treatment. Once you select a treatment protocol, we will take photographs and dental records and use a computer program to custom-design a treatment plan to your unique needs. The information is then sent to the Invisalign labs that will construct your custom aligners. Within a few weeks, you will receive your first set of upper and lower aligners. You should wear the aligners at least 22 hours per day, seven days a week, removing them to eat, drink, brush and floss your teeth. You can also remove your aligners if you play an instrument or give an important presentation at work or school. Maintenance & Care for Your Clear Braces Caring for your aligners is relatively simple: our team will go over care and cleaning instructions with you. Since the aligners are removable, you can (and should!) brush and floss normally. We will periodically monitor you throughout your treatment to evaluate your progress and answer any questions you have. You will receive a new set of aligners every few weeks. Treatment times vary, with most patients completing treatment after approximately one year. Once you have completed treatment, Dr. Liakos can discuss your options for wearing a retainer to maintain your results. Contact Us to Request a Consultation If you are interested in learning more about clear aligners to correct orthodontic problems, our team would be happy to discuss Invisalign in detail with you. Please call or email our practice to request a consultation.

Although over-the-counter teeth whitening products are safe and inexpensive, they often fall short of providing the desired results. The quickest and most effective way to get a brighter, whiter smile is with professional teeth whitening. We offer treatments that produce the desired results using products that are safe and effective. By monitoring whitening treatment, we can deliver dramatic, even results and minimize the risk of uncomfortable side effects like tooth or gum sensitivity. What Types of Stains Does Teeth Whitening Treat? Professional teeth whitening works best on stains affecting the outer layer of tooth structure called enamel. These stains may occur over time due to consumption of certain foods and beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, cola and red wine), smoking or tartar build-up. Teeth whitening is less effective on intrinsic stains, or stains affecting the inner layer of tooth structure. Intrinsic stains develop from the use of certain medications, oral trauma and the natural wear of the tooth enamel that occurs with age. We offer different treatment options for intrinsic stains that can be discussed during your consultation. Teeth Whitening Treatment Options Teeth whitening options and recommendations are based on your individual tooth color, the nature of your discoloration and your specific goals. In-Office Teeth Whitening The fastest option, which also provides the most dramatic results, is in-office whitening. During an appointment lasting approximately one hour, a professional-strength bleaching product will be applied to your teeth and activated with a special light. After 15 to 20 minutes, the gel will be wiped off. This process will be repeated two or three more times, and at the conclusion of treatment, your teeth will appear noticeably brighter. At-Home Teeth Whitening If you wish to whiten at home, we will provide you with custom take-home trays and bleaching gel. The trays will be fitted to the unique contours of your teeth and mouth. You will utilize the personalized trays and gel treatment daily for a few weeks. Combining Both Options Your third option is to combine in-office whitening with the use of personalized whitening trays. You may choose to first undergo an in-office whitening treatment and then follow up the treatment with the daily use of take-home trays. Contact Us for More Teeth Whitening Information To request additional information about teeth whitening and to find the solution that is right for your needs, please contact our practice today. Dr. Liakos can evaluate your teeth during a consultation and suggest the approach most likely to give you the smile you want and deserve.

Restorative dentistry involves rehabilitating or replacing damaged or missing teeth. Restorative procedures are important to your dental health and function. They help you chew and speak confidently and maintain good oral care habits. Restorative dental materials and techniques have evolved to provide aesthetically appealing results. Even when treating dental disease or decay, we will leave your smile looking better than it did before. Restorative Dentistry Services Offered Dental Bridges Dental bridges are used to restore a gap from a missing or extracted tooth. The most popular types of bridges, traditional bridges, have two crowns that fit over natural teeth or implant posts adjacent to the gap. A dental bridge restores the appearance of a complete smile. It also helps support normal biting and chewing function, and prevents problems with the nearby teeth (e.g., shifting or tilting into the gap). Dental Implants Implants are used to replace missing or extracted teeth. Unlike bridges, which are attached to nearby teeth, implants are placed in the jawbone. The implant post becomes part of the bone’s natural anatomy. Several dental implant posts can be used to support a dental bridge or denture appliance to replace multiple teeth at once. Dentures Dentures are removable prosthetics that replicate the look of natural teeth and gums. There are two types of dentures. Each patient will have a choice between a partial or a complete denture depending on their specific needs and dentition. Partial dentures replace several missing teeth. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Dental Crowns Dental crowns rebuild and strengthen teeth that are decayed or fractured. These tooth-shaped restorations encapsulate the entire exterior of the weakened or failing tooth. The full coverage offered by a crown prevents the tooth from further damage or decay. We work with exceptional dental laboratories that customize crowns to the specifications of our patients. Tooth-colored Fillings Dental fillings restore teeth that have decayed. Once the decayed tooth material has been removed, the filling material restores the tooth to normal form and function. Tooth-colored fillings are very popular, as there is virtually no distinction between the natural tooth structure and the filling material. Inlays and Onlays Inlays and onlays repair teeth with extensive decay that do not require a crown. Like crowns, inlays and onlays are created as single pieces at a dental laboratory; they are fabricated to fit into the tooth after the decay has been removed. Don’t Ignore Decayed, Fractured and Missing Teeth If you are experiencing pain, difficulty biting or chewing or other symptoms linked to decayed, fractured or missing teeth, our team can help. During a consultation, we will evaluate the affected area of your mouth and provide treatment recommendations customized to your needs. To request a consultation, please call or email Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood today.