Our Care Team Vaccinated

I’m very excited to share that myself and my entire team have been vaccinated for COVID-19. Over the last week, we all rolled up our sleeves and got the shot! By the end of the month, we will all have the 2nd shot and be fully vaccinated.

The vaccine, like the HEPA filters, N-95 masks, and extended appointment times, is another tool we can use to keep our patients and our team safe.

I am extremely proud of how safe we have made our office, I am grateful for all our patients who have helped keep us safe, and am looking forward to a glorious 2021!

Our infection control procedures have always been robust, but now they are on steroids.

Our infection control procedures have always been robust. You are safe here and will always be safe here.

We use the same Universal Precaution procedures used by hospitals to treat patients with active Covid-19. Universal precautions protects both the patient and the doctor from transferring anything infections in either direction. This requires we wear face-shields, N-95 masks, level 2 masks, Hepa filters and advanced room asepsis. This system was designed to keep people safe in hospital ICU settings and is considered to be overkill in a dental office, but we are following it to the letter to ensure everyone is safe.

In addition, we have 3 levels of hepa filters. One is in the HVAC system, one in-room hepa filter in each room, and an over-the-patient hepa filter to collect any aerosols.

Dentists by nature are type-A, germaphobe, gadget enthusiasts. As a profession, we are hard-wired to work in this new environment. Please feel free to email the office if you have any questions about our procedures.

UPDATE: Care Team Vaccinated!

Welcome back message from Dr. Spina

Please watch this 30 second video of Dr. Spina modeling his PPE and welcoming everyone back to the office!

We are excited to welcome everyone back to the office. You will notice a lot of new changes (equipment, PPE, etc.) but it is the same practice and we will take the same great care of you!

We can’t wait to see everyone back at the office.

Smile

I was out on my bike on Thursday afternoon and a biker came up behind me who was an old friend of my father. Even at 82 years old, he was clearly the better rider.

We spoke for a while about Covid, the challenges of home school, the practice, and the state of the world. He brushed off all of my concerns and said simply ,“You are bigger than Covid. We are bigger than Covid and the world is bigger than Covid.”

As he pulled away because I could not keep up his strong pace, I smiled knowing once again that we would conquer this challenge like all others in the past.

Live strong Marco. May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back. Can’t wait for you to kick my ass on a bike again.

Why Should Your Dentist Use a Dental Microscope?

It might seem like an odd idea to use a microscope in dentistry, but dental microscopes have actually revolutionized the field, allowing dentists to provide their patients with more reliable, precise results. A dental microscope is similar to microscopes used by brain and eye surgeons, and it’s a critical piece of technology that can help dentists improve their techniques and utilize other pieces of advanced dental technologies. A dental microscope can also help you achieve the smile results you seek.

What Does a Dental Microscope Do?

No matter what treatment or care your smile requires, your dentist needs the best view they can get. With the use of a dental microscope, they can achieve longer-lasting, higher quality results — so you can wear your smile confidently. The dental microscope magnifies and enhances your dentist’s visualization to allow them to see things they might otherwise miss, providing the opportunity for better treatment plans and, in some cases, the ability to save teeth that might otherwise not have a chance.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Microscope Use?

Saving your smile from tooth loss is just one of the many benefits of using a microscope in dentistry. Especially in cases of aesthetic and restorative dentistry, having access to enhanced visualization helps the dentist see greater detail to evaluate your needs and determine the best treatment plan for optimal results. The alternatives to microscope use are relying on the naked eye or using low-magnification dentistry. These two methods result in far less detail during evaluation, giving the dentist less information to work from and leading to inferior results.

Choose a Dentist Who Uses a Microscope

When you choose to undergo a smile transformation of any kind, you want to feel confident that you’ve made the right decision. This confidence starts with knowing your dentist has access to all the tools and techniques they need to make clear decisions and provide concise reliable results. Dr. Joseph Spina uses a microscope in his practice to take advantage of the benefits of enhanced magnification and to get consistent results for his patients. If you’re ready to see the difference this piece of advanced technology can make for your smile, contact us today.

Benefits of Replacing Teeth

When a tooth is lost, why replace it? This is common question when a tooth is lost. To understand why you need to replace a tooth you need to understand the function of teeth.

Everyone knows that teeth are used in chewing. Without proper chewing, proper digestions cannot occur.

Teeth are also important for speaking. Your tongue depends on your teeth to help make complicated letter sounds.

Aesthetics is another major function of your teeth. Teeth maintain the size and shape of your lower face. Without teeth, the form and function of your mouth can be effected.

Once again, why replace a lost tooth? When a tooth is lost, the patients ability to chew, speak, and smile can be effected.

Preventing tooth loss is our goal as a dental practice. However, if a tooth is lost, replacing it to maintain all the functions of your teeth and mouth is important.

Are Dental Restorations Noticeable?

This Simple Dental Restoration is Noticeable (But in a Good Way)

Most people you meet have at least one. If not, their oral health is better than most or you
wouldn’t recognize it if they did. We’re talking dental restorations. More specifically, a dental filling.

Take notice or preferably go unnoticed

Dental treatment could be one of those health necessities that you’d prefer to keep to yourself. Some procedures make that easier than others. The days of metal fillings, for example, are somewhat history. Even so, you see the evidence when someone (or perhaps you) smile. Metal or “old silver” dental restorations have lasted longer than most. Or they’re worn and in need of replacing.

How to know if you’re due for a replacement

A few common symptoms can reveal it’s time to replace your tooth restoration. A toothache, localized mouth pain, sensitive teeth, tooth decay, and gum recession are signs that your restoration could benefit from a replacement. Increase your restoration’s “mileage” and improve your smile Mercury (or metal) free white fillings are a go-to replacement for your old dental fillings. The white material blends with the natural color of your remaining tooth structure and your surrounding teeth.

White (tooth-colored) fillings also help maintain the strength of your treated tooth. And did
we mention that you (or anyone else) won’t notice you have one. Next to having dental treatment when you need it is not looking like you did. White fillings accomplish that making them the next to perfect replacement for your “old” or unattractive dental restoration.

Contact our Wayne dental office about your “old,” unattractive, or failing tooth restorations. Schedule an examination to discuss mercury-free white fillings for a strong, appealing, new dental restoration.

“Did You Say You Could Treat My Gums Virtually Pain-Free?”

What’s the best kind of dental treatment?

First choice would be none because you keep your teeth and gums healthy with routine check-ups and teeth cleanings. A close second and perhaps most popular would be virtually painless dental treatment.

You had me at “pain-free”

Laser dentistry introduces you to a range of dental procedures that are virtually painless. Dental lasers are most commonly used to treat periodontal (gum) disease.

Advanced cases of gum disease can actually lead to surgical treatment. Pain or the anticipation of it are among the top reasons you could delay periodontal disease treatment.

The evolution of gum treatment

Surgical techniques for gum disease have evolved. Numerous dental appointments and referral to a periodontal specialist (periodontist) was once your standard of care.

Gum surgery can require more than one invasive procedure. And any surgical treatment is followed by a period of healing before you can anticipate being pain-free.

Gum treatment has been revolutionized by laser dentistry techniques. You can anticipate reduced treatment time, less office visits, and…significantly less pain and recovery time than invasive gum surgery.

How laser dentistry provides you a more comfortable gum treatment

Imagine having surgery and not requiring an incision. It might interest you to know that dental lasers are not invasive.

The laser used to treat your gums or other oral health issue is hair-thin. The pinpoint technology easily and quickly removes the diseased gum tissue between your teeth and gums.

Dental lasers are also effective for eliminating infection and treating it’s source. Again, this is possible without any necessary or painful incision common with other forms of oral surgery.

Following the initial removal of your infected gum tissue, the dental laser will seal the area of your treatment. You will experience only minor discomfort, little or no bleeding, and the procedure will require no local anesthesia unless you request it.

Recovery from procedures is faster with laser dentistry too. Your complete treatment, healing period, and overall recovery is noticeably improved compared with standard gum surgery.

Laser dentistry enables you to get the necessary (and best) treatment for your gum disease without fear of pain or time consuming appointments.

Contact our Wayne dental office with your questions and concerns about gum disease. Ask us about laser dentistry as a treatment option.

Best Dentist 2015

I’m so humbled and excited to be named “Best Dentist on the Main Line” by Main Line Magazine. I’m so grateful to have so many patients who have supported me over the years! Thank you! I love you all.

Best Dentist 2014 – Main Line Today Magazine

I am always honored when my patient’s vote for me as “Best Dentist on the Main Line” in Main Line Today magazine. This is our 4th consecutive year making the list of “Top Dentist on the Main Line” and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your votes, friendship, and loyalty.