Can't We Just Fill It?



Before Crown

After Crown

This question is often asked after a patient is told that he or she needs a crown to restore a tooth, thinking that a simple filling will be sufficient. One may think that the filling is enough but there are several common reasons why this is not so:

• When a tooth fractures or loses a large part or wall, it becomes weakened. If there is more than one-half of the tooth missing, it is more susceptible to further breakage. A crown is able to take that tooth and brace it, preventing fracture.
• When a tooth has a large old filling with decay underneath, the old filling must be removed along with the decay, leaving very little tooth structure to build upon. In this case, the crown would replace all missing tooth structure.
• When a patient presents with a sharp, fleeting pain when biting or chewing, he or she may have what is called cracked tooth syndrome. In this case, the crown braces the tooth and the fracture, resulting in the elimination of the pain.
• When a tooth has had a root canal, the tooth becomes brittle over time and prone to fracture. The crown will stabilize the tooth, preventing fracture and future reinfection. The crowns at Lund Dental are made by premier dental laboratories in the United States using the finest, high quality materials. A computerized instrument, ShadeVision is used to match and blend the crown with the patient’s existing teeth. A digital scanner is used to take a digital impression of the tooth eliminating the need for messy impression material and resulting in a perfectly fitting crown.

At Lund Dental, our mission is to deliver the highest quality of dental care and provide the best long-term solutions for each and every patient.

Author: Mary DeMaina, Dental Assistant at Lund Dental Associates

Making your life easier

            In our busy lives, convenience is of the utmost importance.  In the past, if you our patient needed to be seen by a Periodontist, we would have referred  you to an outside office.  Six years ago this all changed when we welcomed Dr. Marc Pearlstein to the practice.  Dr. Pearlstein is an exceptional Periodontist working at our practice two days a month. Dr. Pearlstein received his dental degree in 1992 and his masters in Periodontics in 1996, both from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.  He has been practicing in the Boston area since 1996.   He specializes in all types of gum surgeries: implants, tissue grafts, extractions with bone grafts to name a few.  When you our patient need this type of treatment, Dr. Pearlstein is able to perform any necessary surgery here.

            This is advantageous to you on many levels:

·        Dr. William Lund and Dr. Cara Lund can consult with Dr. Pearlstein on the best course of treatment during your consultation.

·        All necessary radiographs (x-rays) and charting are available.

·        If an implant is placed, there is collaboration between the three doctors to manage your care to completion.

·        Dianne, our office manager, is able to maximize your dental benefits.

·        It eliminates the need for you to go elsewhere.

·        You are able to have your treatment in our familiar and friendly office with the same team members with whom you are comfortable

Our resident Periodontist is able to make the care of our patients more convenient and consistent with our mission for excellent dental care

Really, X-Rays again??

               There are times when a patient will ask this very question.  Radiographs (x-rays) are a very important factor to your dental health.  The American Dental Association recommends a full mouth series every three to five years and bitewings every one to two years.  An oral exam by the dentist and hygienist is vital to maintaining a healthy oral status but many problems are not visible to the naked eye.  Cavities in between teeth are almost impossible to detect without a bitewing x-ray.  In the same way, the bone level, which determines the presence of periodontal disease is visible on these same x-rays.  A periapical will show problems such as fractures or infection at the root of the tooth. Panoramic x-rays will show any jaw abnormalities, third molar or wisdom teeth, tooth development and other anomalies.

            Radiation is a concern to some patients.  At Lund Dental we use digital radiography which means that a patient is only getting one-third the radiation as opposed to a regular dental x-ray.  In actuality, one gets at least eight times the radiation flying from New York to LA than from an x-ray at our office!  The benefits definitely outweigh the hazards!  In addition, we always use a lead apron with a Thyroid collar for added protection.  If there are radiographs from a previous dentist, we always refer to those as well.

            X-rays, therefore, are a very important part of the dental visit.   At Lund Dental we are committed to giving each and every patient every benefit of their dental visit. We are diligent in our every day practices and feel that our use of dental x-rays are not only necessary but important to our patients dental health.

Snow Is Not the Only Thing White This Winter At Lund Dental!

Dr. Lund After                          Dr. Lund Before

Beautiful white teeth..how many of us have often wished that were the case! Now, at Lund Dental, that can be a reality in as little as two weeks!

In the past, we have utilized several systems to try to achieve the goal of beautiful white teeth. Although many patients were pleased with the results, we were always looking for a system that provided better whitening with less sensitivity. Dr. Kurthy, a renowned cosmetic dentist, has developed a new system named KoR, and we at Lund Dental could not be more enthused about it.

KoR works so well because it restores your teeth’s ability to absorb oxygen, which then dissolves the stain molecules. At the office, a series of impressions are taken and sent to KoR where custom trays are made specifically for the patient. After detailed instructions, the patient wears the trays overnight with the whitening gel for two weeks, achieving a beautiful new smile which is permanent with periodic maintenance. Also, the clinically tested gel produces little or no sensitivity.

We have been prescribing KoR for some time and have been amazed at the results. Dr. William Lund, as you can witness from the pictures, has  been a star patient!  It may be time for you to have that smile you have always wanted!

Jim After                                  Jim Before

Broadway Comes to Lund Dental..and More!

Lund Dental is excited to welcome our newest member, Savanah. Savanah is the new Patient Coordinator and we could not be more thrilled to have her on our team. Savanah is a graduate of Holy Cross with a degree in English and Theatre Arts. With the voice of an angel, she is an active member of Theatre-to-Go, performing on a regular basis in local productions. She is also a board member and Season Ticket coordinator of the group. Acting and singing are her passion and anyone who has heard her is amazed with her talent. Savanah is also proficient in graphic design and has been an enormous help in the office with designing our patient folders and the poster in the reception area to mention a few.
 When she first graduated from Holy Cross, Savanah worked for the Museum of Science at the Harry Potter exhibit. Her mother then encouraged her to enter the dental field, having worked in a dental office for 15 plus years. With her advice she began working for a pediatric dental office before coming to Lund Dental.
 In her leisure time, Savanah loves to garden, bringing her to yet another career. She is the owner of a start up Terrarium company called Thistle and Weeds. She loves the beach and the outdoors. Savanah is newly married to Kristofer, a high school math teacher. Savanah and her husband reside in Salem with their dog Winston.

A team above all..above all a team. Bringing out the best in each other!

At Lund Dental, our staff has longevity both individually and collectively in the dental field, making your experience at our office more comprehensive and enjoyable.  We have staff with experience in pedodontics (children), periodontics (gums), surgical procedures and training on the Lava C.O.S machine.  The advantage for the patient is that our staff is able to consult and advise on many procedures, alleviating many concerns and answering questions.  In this way, the patient is made to feel more comfortable about a needed procedure.

Also, many of our staff members have been here at Lund Dental for 10 plus years.  This continuity speaks volumes about our commitment to Lund Dental and our dedication to our patients.  Because of this, many patients feel that we are one happy dental family, making their dental experiences more pleasant.  Our staff is always eager to learn new aspects of dentistry and the doctors are always willing to further our education in the dental field.  Collectively, we have 116 years, 6 months at Lund Dental!

Taking Care of Your Tiny Treasures – Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Jeanne, our assistant, with two of our new patients

Many parents would like to know when their child should have his or her first dental visit.  The American Dental Association now recommends that the first visit be around age 1 or after the first teeth have erupted.  At Lund Dental, we strive to make this first appointment a pleasurable experience. We take many steps to make him or her feel comfortable and happy. The first appointment will be with Dr. Cara Lund and her assistant Jeanne who has over 8 years experience working in a pediatric dental office.  Most of the appointment is spent discussing with the parents good habits, nutrition, homecare, fluoride and dental development and answering any questions the parents may have. Any teeth are polished and a fluoride treatment is applied. Dr. Cara will then examine the child's teeth and give her recommendations. At all times we make sure the child is comfortable and safe.

Chasing cavity bugs!

In some cases, a child may need a filling on a baby tooth.  Children have a much thinner outer layer of enamel on their teeth and a small cavity can progress quickly.  It is important that this decay is addressed, eliminating the possibility of infection and a toothache. At the filling appointment, we explain everything to the child, alleviating fears and making it a positive experience.

Your children are your most valued treasures.  Lund Dental is more than happy to help your children begin the journey of a lifetime of healthy and happy dental visits.

Crowns fit for a King or a Queen….We Love Lucy!

When a tooth is prepared for a crown, impressions must be taken in order for the laboratory to fabricate the final product. Previously, we needed to use impression material on trays that was not so great tasting and somewhat unpleasant, sitting in your mouth for four to five minutes. Now, Lund Dental has our beloved “Lucy” COS (Chairside Oral Scanner) which replaces the old technique. After the doctor prepares the tooth, a small lightweight wand captures a digital impression of the teeth, taking just a few minutes. The end result is a crown that usually needs little or no adjusting. Lund Dental also uses a small machine called ShadeVision to match the color of the crown to your natural teeth, eliminating all the guess work in the fabrication of the beautiful new crown. Please take a moment to watch the short video introducing “Lucy”.



"Lucy" COS scanning machine

Click here to watch Jeanne take a digital impression on YouTube!

ShadeVision

Importance of Preventative Dental Care

Preventing dental problems before they have time to get started is the most direct and cost-effective approach to oral health. The team at Lund Dental Associates makes it our priority to deliver quality dental care to each of our patients because we care about your oral health and want you to have a healthy smile for the rest of your life.

Poor Oral Health Linked to Other Health Issues

We would like our patients to know that a healthy mouth is essential to the overall health of your body and that problems with your teeth and gums can lead to other health issues. In fact, research has proven that there is a link between oral health problems and serious health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory problems.

When a problem begins in your mouth like gum disease and it's not treated, it can lead to you getting an infection which could go unnoticed. And anytime you have an infection in your body, it can cause a whole host of problems. This is why preventative dental care is of the utmost importance.

Practicing Preventative Dental Care

Of course brushing and flossing well every day is crucial to maintaining your oral health. But, you also should see a dentist regularly so that he or she can conduct a thorough examination to look for problems with your teeth and gums. Only a trained dentist can diagnose a possible problem in your mouth before it becomes a major issue. Your dentist also is able to spot a very small cavity and repair it before the tooth becomes so damaged that it weakens, must be extracted or need a root canal. And, if tartar builds up under the gum line, a proper cleaning by a dental hygienist using special tools can remove the tartar so that it cannot lead to an irritation or infection.

A good way to practice preventative dental care besides seeing a dentist and brushing & flossing regularly is to eat a well-balanced diet. Foods high in sugar are very destructive to your teeth and the destruction can continue for several minutes after you have eaten the sugary food. If you cannot abstain from eating sugary foods then you should see to it that you brush and floss after consuming sugary snacks.

Periodontics and Tooth Replacement For Missing Teeth

The team at Lund Dental Associates has been providing high quality comprehensive dental services to patients living in Stoneham, Reading, Wakefield and many other Massachusetts communities for over 37 years. We're proud to offer a wide variety of dental services in our caring, stress-free environment.

What is Periodontics?

Periodontics is a dentistry specialty that studies the supporting structures of teeth, diseases and conditions that affect them. Periodontists specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases & oral inflammation and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants.

Importance of Maintaining Good Periodontal Health

One out of every two American adults over the age of 30 has periodontal disease according to The Centers for Disease Control or CDC. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. If it's left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss. Research has shown that periodontal disease is associated with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Considering the high prevalence of periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss, it's very important to practice and maintain good oral hygiene and to see a dentist regularly so that your periodontal health can be assessed. Periodontal disease can be prevented by brushing and flossing regularly, getting regular dental check-ups & cleanings and by eating a well-balanced diet.

Unfortunately, periodontal-related problems are often discovered after they have persisted for an extended period of time. We encourage people who think they have periodontal disease to schedule a periodontal evaluation with us as the effects of gum disease can be damaging to your overall dental health.

What Our Periodontist Can Do About Missing Teeth

Our in-office periodontist, Dr. Marc Pearlstein, is a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease. He is involved with all of our patients who have gum disease so we can ensure that each patient receives the very best care. Dr. Pearlstein also places dental implants to restore lost teeth and performs cosmetic periodontal procedures to help our patients achieve the smiles they deserve.

Dr. Pearlstein often replaces missing teeth with implants which are artificial tooth replacements. Today, implant techniques provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions including single tooth replacement, anterior replacement, posterior replacement and full upper replacement.

If you would like to set up a periodontal evaluation with us, please give us a call at 781-438-2700 or send us an email. We will then schedule an appointment time for you.