Dental Services

With the use of 3-D technology, Dr. Clapcich is able to create natural looking crowns, inlay/onlays and veneers in a single appointment.

Even with dental technology evolving and recent innovations, proper dental care does not take away from the routine of your life. New technology helps our staff diagnose dental problems earlier, and allows us to treat problems with less invasive techniques. Dr. Clapcich is proud to offer the latest in comfortable dentistry with CEREC. In the CEREC machine is a computer aided design technology called CAD/CAM. The CAD/CAM allows him to custom fabricate tooth colored porcelain restorations, including onlays, inlays, crowns, veneers, and sometimes bridges in just a single visit.

Advantages of CEREC:

• Dr. Clapcich can utilize the principles of Biomimetic Dentistry, which is the preservation of as much natural tooth structure as possible when restoring teeth.
• CEREC restorations are less likely to be sensitive to cold temperatures or chewing after they are completed.
• CEREC restoration are much more convenient since they are completed in 1 visit.
• CEREC restorations feel and function just like natural teeth.
• Since CEREC restorations are completed in just 1 visit, it means the patient will not have to wear a temporary crown.

What exactly is CEREC?

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics, which means that a dentist can economically restore damaged teeth in just 1 easy appointment using ceramic material that matches the natural color of the patient’s other teeth.

How does it work?

CEREC uses CAD/CAM technology, incorporating a camera, computer, and milling machine – all in one great instrument! The camera is used to take accurate photos of the tooth/teeth that need to be restored. This impression is then transferred and displayed on a colored computer screen, where Dr. Clapcich will use the CAD technology to design the restoration. Then CAM technology will automatically create the restoration while the patient waits. The new restoration is then bonded to the surface of the old tooth.

How does this innovation mean for a patient?

With the use of the CEREC system, patients no longer have to be subjected to silver fillings or metal in crowns that cause black rings at the gum line. The restoration is natural-looking, anti-abrasive, and resistant against plaque. Dr. Clapcich no longer needs to make temporary restorations or take time-consuming impressions of the patient’s mouth. There is no risk of having to send the crown back to a dental lab due to a bad fit. The CEREC system makes for a smooth, easy process for restorations and has been proven to be precise, safe, and effective.

If you want to achieve beautiful straight teeth without the use of braces – consider Invisalign! Call our office today to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Clapcich so he can determine if Invisalign is the right fit for you.

Invisalign consists of using invisible, removable, and comfortable clear aligners that no one will be able to see when you are wearing them. So, you are able to smile with ease during treatment. Invisalign is created using 3-D computer imaging technology and has become one of the most popular systems in the dental world.

The aligners are not only invisible, but they are also removable, meaning you can eat and drink as you please during treatment. This also makes brushing and flossing a breeze. Since Invisalign does not consist of any metal or wires, you won’t have to worry about mouth abrasions and you will spend less time at the doctors for adjustments.

How Does it Work?

With Invisalign you will wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them when you eat, drink, brush and floss. As you continue to replace each set of aligners with the next, your teeth will slowly move a little every week until they reach their final position. You will come to see Dr. Clapcich once every six weeks so he can make sure your treatment is progressing as planned. Generally, total treatment time is around 9 to 15 months, though this varies from case to case.

When a tooth is affected by decay, fractures, or cracks, a dental filling is needed to restore the tooth. In a single dental appointment, the decayed or injured tooth will be removed, cleaned, and filled. Composite fillings can be matched to the color of your existing tooth. Since the color is the same as your original tooth, the filling will look aesthetically pleasing and restore your teeth to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that your dentist uses to improve the appearance of your smile. He will bond the veneers to the surfaces of the teeth to correct certain dental flaws. Your porcelain veneers are customized for a perfect fit and natural appearance. When in place, porcelain veneers can:

• Close spaces between the teeth
• Lighten and brighten the teeth
• Improve the beauty of your smile
• Repair chips, wear, or cracks in teeth
• Correct teeth that are misshapen, crooked, or uneven

The procedure usually requires two visits to our office to complete. When your veneers are in place, you can enjoy a radiant new smile. Contact us today for more information on how porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry can benefit you.

Boost by Opalescence is a teeth-whitening treatment that creates a dramatically whiter smile in approximately one hour! This is an in-office treatment that is chemically activated to create beautiful, noticeable, yet natural-looking results. So if you want results quickly or have a special event coming up and need a show-stopping smile, Boost by Opalescence is perfect for you. Our team can help you determine if you are a candidate for this effective service.

To provide our patients with the best dental care, Dr. Clapcich recently invested in the latest technology in dental diagnostics – the Galileos® 3D Dental Cone Beam by Sirona. The Galileos® 3D imaging allows our team to pin point accuracy so we can provide safe, efficient, and highly accurate dentistry.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography gives Dr. Clapcich and his team a 3D image of the oral and maxillofacial complex from every angle. Galileos technology expands the diagnostic x-ray imaging capabilities in many areas including:

• Periodontics
• Implantology
• Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Endodontics

With visualization software tools, our team is then able to locate anatomical structure that are generally hidden in traditional x-rays. These structures can be viewed in 3-dimensions, giving Dr. Clapcich the ability to pinpoint the placement of implants. By studying these images and measuring bone width before the procedure, Dr. Clapcich will have a much easier time during surgery. Our team can also schedule treatment with colleagues and explain conditions and treatments with you with greater clarity than ever before.

Structure involving hard and soft tissues associated with sleep apnea, sinus and airway issues, as well as TMJ and jaw joint conditions can be better seen. When it comes to the location of impacted teeth near major nerves, or the visualization of oral pathology, or facial trauma and viewing of developmental deformities; 2D imaging is no match for the scans that 3D imaging can create.

The most exciting part of Sirona’s Galileos 3D imaging, is the fact that the Cone is the only Cone Beam system that can integrate with CEREC CAD/CAM technology, our office’s other virtual treatment planning system. This means dental implants have a higher success rate of being planned, placed, and restored without discomfort to the patient. These procedures can be completed at a high level of accuracy that was not available with old technology.

Some advantages of using Galileos 3D include:

• Allows for the visualization of areas that were once hidden with traditional x-rays
• The dentist can prepare for extractions, place implants, and prepare for a root canal ahead of time
• There is more security and faster surgery times
• Can easily share images with referring doctors
• Low radiation used during scans
• Easy and comfortable scan of the patient’s mouth, face, and jaw
• Surgery is virtually performed on the images taken of the patient before the physical surgery is completed
• Makes it easier for the dentist to uncover chronic sources of pain

3D Implants – Guided Implant Placement

If you are missing one or multiple teeth, our office can restore your smile using modern technology that allows Dr. Clapcich to extract teeth as needed and place implants with ease. What used to take 6 to 7 visits can now be completed in 2 easy visits with 4 main steps – scan, plan, place and restore!

During appointment 1:
Step 1 – Scan
First, we need to take a 3D Cone Beam CT scan of your teeth and mouth. This scan captures a 360 degree image of your head and allows Dr. Clapcich to easily locate anatomical structures in your mouth that are normally hidden by traditional x-rays. He will use this image to place your dental implants safely and securely.

Next, our staff will take a digital impression with our CEREC scanner where a special camera is used to take a 3D impression of your mouth, including the area that will be restored. This impression is transferred and displayed on a color computer screen, where Dr. Clapcich and his staff use CAD technology to design the virtual restoration that will later be placed on the dental implant.

Finally, our team will integrate or stitch together the scans we have taken with the Galileos 3D, CEREC digital impression, and the CEREC virtual restoration. Doing so will allow Dr. Clapcich to plan out the placement and restoration of your dental implant. This allows our team to provide every patient with the best possible results and minimize any need for invasive surgery and post-operative discomfort.

Step 2 – Plan
Our team will then take the scan data and import it into our Galaxis implant planning software where Dr. Clapcich can simulate the implant position and restoration steps on a 3D model. This 3D model gives the doctor accurate information about each patient’s mouth. With the 3D implant software, Dr. Clapcich can plan out the implant procedure with great efficiency.

Next, the 3D implant plan is uploaded to the SICAT which will produce a surgical guide to be used during the implant placement.

During appointment 2:
Step 3 – Place
During this step, Dr. Clapcich will use the SICAT surgical guide to ensure proper placement and precision when the implant is inserted. The surgical guide is used for ideal positioning of implants in three dimensions of space and to help prevent complications that can occur during surgery. With this technology, Dr. Clapcich can place implants with less invasive surgery and an increase in predictability, safety, and patient satisfaction.

Step 4 – Restore

Finally, the implant will have a crown placed on it. A temporary crown may be placed during surgery if conditions permit, if not the restoration will be placed at a later time.

Digital x-rays are a great preventive, 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. Instead of developing x-ray film in a dark room, the x-rays are sent directly to a computer and can be viewed on screen, stored, or printed out.

There are several nice benefits of using this new technology including:

• The technique uses less radiation than the typical x-ray and there is no wait time for the x-rays to develop – the images are available on screen a few seconds after being taken.
• The image taken, of a tooth for example, can be enhanced and enlarged many times it’s actual size on the computer screen, making it easier for your dentist to show you where and what the problem is.
• If necessary, images can be electronically sent to another dentist or specialist – for instance, for a second opinion on a dental problem – to determine if a specialist is needed, or to a new dentist (if you move).

Studies show that 50% of caries go undetected by present diagnostic methods. The new DIAGNOdent aids in diagnosing “hidden” fissure caries more accurately and confidently. Most caries occur in the complex anatomy of the occlusal surfaces, making diagnosis with traditional methods difficult, because the outer tooth surface often appears to be intact.

The DIAGNOdent is a new high tech laser system. It utilizes laser light of a defined wavelength to help detect and quantify demineralized tooth substances without x-ray exposure. This revolutionary new device is easy to use and turns caries detection into a harmless, measurable, more reproducible and exacting procedure.

With DIAGNOdent, we are able to make better treatment decisions earlier, whether we call for further “watching” of suspect areas to monitor changes, preventive measures, or minimally invasive preparation. Detect the invisible, with the new DIAGNOdent.

Though your mouth may feel healthy and you may not have any symptoms, periodontal disease can progress without a patient knowing. If left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the supporting bones in your mouth. This is why early treatment and prevention is so important! Dr. Clapcich will make sure you are receiving the highest quality of care that will assist in preventing periodontal disease from developing.

For successful dental treatment, your home care is vital. Brushing and flossing of your teeth is essential for the health of your mouth. Once you have serious periodontal (gum) disease, it can never be cured. The best you can hope for is to keep it controlled. Our commitment is to help you plan your dental destiny so well that you understand & appreciate your role in maintaining the health of your teeth & gums. We will teach you how to become healthy, but whether you stay healthy will be up to you.

Tartar & Plaque:

The consequence of the tartar and plaque present is further gum recession, deepening gum pockets, bad breath and the loss of most, if not all, of your teeth. Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common dental disease. It was formerly known as “pyrhorrea.” Periodontal disease cannot be cured if it reaches advanced stages. Advanced stage periodontal disease can only be controlled in the vest circumstances. It is the primary reason why people end up needing dentures. Most people who have early stages of gum disease do not have any pain and do not realize that they have a problem. However, treatment of this condition is most successful at the early stages.Thorough removal of the poison-producing bacterial plaque form all tooth surfaces, will eliminate or control the primary cause of gum disease and cavities. Polishing of the teeth will help to prevent further plaque build-up in the future. Regular re-care (cleaning) appointments are suggested every 3-6 months and will be determined by the doctor.

Denture Odor:

The pink acrylic resin portion of the denture is a plastic material, and has a minor amount of porosity which can collect debris and odor. In addition, dental plaque and the associated odor can accumulate on dentures in the same manner as it accumulates on natural teeth. Therefore, it is imperative to thoroughly clean your dentures for the health of your gum tissue as well as the elimination of denture odor.

You will be given written or verbal instructions on proper cleaning procedures for your dentures. An evaluation of your dentures at recall appointments may necessitate additional cleaning recommendations.

The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque bacteria. Plaque is an often colorless mass of bacteria that sticks to teeth, crowns and bridges, and other tissues in the oral cavity. Plaque is constantly forming on the teeth. Plaque irritates the gums, causing them to become red, tender, and swollen.

If not removed daily, plaque becomes the hard material known as tartar or calculus. Calculus cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone. A dentist, periodontist, or hygienist must remove it manually to stop the disease process.

With time, the tissues that attach the gums to the teeth are destroyed by plaque and its byproducts. The gums “pull away” from the teeth and pockets begin to form between the teeth and gums. Plaque and calculus continues to fill these pockets until eventually, the jawbone supporting the teeth is destroyed.

Other factors can modify how your gums react to plaque or calculus, thereby altering your body’s response to the disease and affecting your overall health:

• Smoking/Tobacco Use
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Medications
• Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
• Pregnancy and Puberty
• Diet and Nutrition
• Immunosuppression (i.e. leukemia, AIDS)

A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating that’s placed on the chewing surface of a patient’s back teeth to prevent them from decay. Typically made of plastic, sealants are an effective approach for preventing cavities, especially in children. Sealants act a barrier by keeping bits of foot, bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth. They can be applied in just one visit.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique™ is a minimally invasive option for patients suffering from severe gum recession. Gum recession is what occurs when gum tissue recedes or pulls away from the tooth, exposing its roots. Traditional gum grafting involves extracting gum tissue from other areas of the mouth and suturing it onto the spots where the recession has occurred. In the Pinhole Surgical Technique™, a needle is used to make a small hole in the patient’s existing gum tissue. Through this pinhole, special instruments are used to gently loosen the gum tissue. These tools help expand and slide the gum line to cover the exposed roots. This highly effective technique simply involves the adjustment of existing tissue. The Pinhole Surgical Technique™ comes with many advantages over the traditional grafting method, including: no incisions, no sutures and less discomfort and swelling. Applying this technique not only restores gums to their proper level, but delivers great cosmetic results.