Town Hall
Dental Spa

Professional dental care is a crucial part of your child’s oral health. Be sure to schedule your child’s first appointment by the time their first teeth erupt, or before their first birthday. Scheduling regular appointments allows us to monitor the development of their oral health. Developmental problems are easier to treat in the beginning stages.

As your child grows older, we can establish a strong foundation for their oral health, one that will ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful teeth.

Your periodontal (gum) tissues are just as important as your teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease is the result of an infection in the gum tissues, connective ligaments, and eventually the alveolar bone.

The disease is characterized by gums that are swollen, red, and tend to bleed during brushing and flossing. Luckily, periodontal disease is easy to prevent and treat if it is caught early enough. If we notice signs of advanced periodontal disease, we may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure. The goal is to return your gums to a pink, healthy state.

A mouthguard will protect your teeth and prevent dental emergencies. If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), we may recommend a night guard. Many patients with bruxism tend to grind their teeth during sleep. A night guard acts as a barrier that prevents enamel wear. We also offer Botox injections to help alleviate grinding or clenching problems.

Contact sports or sports with moving objects can be a very dangerous environment for your teeth. One extreme tackle or a ball hit into the mouth can do serious, sometimes permanent, damage to the jaw and mouth. If you participate in physical activities that put you at risk for dental trauma or injury, we strongly recommend a custom made sports mouthguard.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that improves the structure and cosmetics of a damaged or decayed tooth. During the procedure, your tooth must be completely reshaped to accommodate the shape of the crown. Once the tooth is reshaped, we will permanently bond the crown to the enamel using a special adhesive. Many crowns are fabricated these days with porcelain, due to its unmatched aesthetics.

Missing teeth can lead to serious complications later down the road, such as a misaligned bite, crooked teeth, and bone deterioration. Luckily, patients have more tooth replacement options than ever before. At Town Hall Dental Spa we specialize in several full-tooth restorations, including dental implants. Dental implants have revolutionized the way we treat tooth loss, and an implant-supported restoration is the next best thing to your natural teeth!

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically embed below the gum tissue and into the jawbone. The implant post serves as the root component of a prosthesis. After a brief healing period the post is attached to an abutment, or support structure, that links the implant to the restoration. Thanks to technological advancements implants can be used to support a single dental crown, a fixed bridge, or even a full-arch restoration!

The dental implant process

The process begins with a consultation appointment. During your consultation, Dr. Vasilakos will perform a series of diagnostic tests to ensure you are a suitable candidate for implant treatment. Most patients healthy enough to undergo minor surgery will qualify. Implants do require a significant amount of bone in the jaw. If your bone is too soft or too thin, we may recommend a bone graft.

Most implant procedures are broken up into two surgeries. During the first surgery, we will make a minor incision in the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone, then place the implant deep within the jawbone. Over the next several months, the implant and your jawbone will fuse through the process of osseointegration. Once osseointegration is complete, we will schedule the second surgery to place the abutment. After the abutment is in place, we take an impression of the area, which our laboratory technicians use to fabricate your final restoration. Once your restoration is ready, we will permanently attach it to the implant post.

Benefits of dental implants

• Unmatched aesthetics. Our restorations are made from aesthetically-pleasing materials, such as porcelain or zirconia. These materials mimic the appearance of natural enamel.
• Unmatched comfort. Because your implant becomes a part of you, you will not experience any of the discomforts typically associated with removable restorations.
• Unmatched convenience. Implants are permanently fixed to the jawbone and do not require any special attention. Your restoration will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth.
• Unmatched durability. Under the proper care and maintenance, a dental implant will last for many decades. In some cases, it may even last a lifetime!
• Better oral health. The implant post provides physical stimulation to the jawbone, preventing future deterioration. Your restoration will also leave your remaining teeth unaffected.

Call (508) 548-2442 to schedule your implant consultation.

A denture is a removable appliance that is usually used to replace one or more missing teeth. A partial denture usually attaches to the surrounding teeth with metal clasps. A complete denture consists of a flesh-colored acrylic base that supports a complete arch of prosthetic teeth. We offer custom-fit dentures as a more comfortable, functional, and durable solution.

Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.

A root canal is a last-ditch effort to save a tooth from extraction. We may recommend a root canal if an infection has spread to the “pulpy” center of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other connective tissues. Once the infection has been removed, we fill the canals with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. A tooth that has received root canal treatment typically needs to be capped with a crown.

Wisdom teeth typically erupt much later than other permanent teeth, which can cause problems for your oral health. At Town Hall Dental Spa, we provide wisdom teeth extractions to prevent or alleviate these potential problems. The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth typically takes place during a single appointment.

Crooked teeth not only affect the aesthetics of your smile, but they can also be detrimental to your oral health. For instance, crowded teeth can be much more difficult to properly clean, leaving you at a greater risk for developing tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. At Town Hall Dental Spa, we specialize in clear aligner treatment. The Invisalign® clear aligner system is designed for patients who want a discrete and effective alternative to traditional metal braces.

How do clear aligners work?

Invisalign clear aligners straighten your teeth without the use of metal brackets, wires, and elastic bands. Instead, we begin treatment by taking an impression of your teeth and gums. This impression will be used to create a 3D model of your smile. We may also take photographs, x-rays, and CBCT scans to gather a more comprehensive overview. Once we decide how to correct your bite, we will develop an appropriate treatment plan for moving your teeth, and a dental laboratory will use it to fabricate a series of aligner trays.

Each tray in your series will gradually move your teeth to a more proper position. You will be asked to wear each tray close to full time for two weeks. Once your teeth have shifted, you can move on to the next tray. A tray should only be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing. On average, clear aligner treatment takes between ten and 24 months, depending on the severity of your misalignment.

Who qualifies for Invisalign?

Clear aligners are an excellent alternative to braces, especially for adults. The nature of the clear plastic makes them virtually invisible, which is ideal in the professional setting. However, they may not be appropriate for patients with severe orthodontic issues. We typically recommend clear aligners for patients with mild to moderate crooked or protruding teeth. In the right circumstances, clear aligners can also be used for more serious malocclusions, such as overbites or underbites. During your consultation appointment, Dr. Vasilakos will be able to determine if clear aligners are right for you!

Invisalign vs. traditional braces

Traditional braces involve a series of brackets linked together by a metal wire. The wire is attached to the brackets with elastic bands. As your treatment progresses, the wire is periodically tightened until your teeth are in their proper position. Unfortunately, traditional braces come with a certain stigma, especially for adults. Braces can also be quite uncomfortable and inconvenient. Daily activities such as eating, brushing, and flossing can be much more difficult. Clear aligners help patients with mild to moderate issues avoid the disadvantages of traditional braces. Don’t let your orthodontic treatment affect your professional and personal life!

Call (508) 548-2442 to schedule an appointment.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. In previous years, a dental crown was fabricated using a gold or silver amalgam. These days, porcelain is usually the material of choice. Porcelain is a ceramic compound that mimics the light-reflective properties of natural enamel. It can also be textured and color-matched to your existing teeth. Thanks to porcelain and other ceramics, crowns can also be used to fix the aesthetics of an unsightly tooth.

A dental veneer is a razor-thin shell that is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Like our dental crowns, our veneers are typically made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to fix teeth that are severely discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped, or even gapped. During the procedure, we have to remove a small amount of enamel to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. For this reason, the veneer procedure is considered irreversible.

Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.