LeVos Dentistry

Treating dental issues early is always easier and less costly than treating them after they have developed over time. We strive to do it right the first time so that your dentistry will last as long as possible. Sometimes treating teeth individually, one at a time, is not the best option. Sometimes more complex solutions are needed. Don’t feel bad or anxious if you have more complex dental problems. We are here to help and provide long-lasting solutions. We want to promptly repair and correct any dental issues that arise to restore your health and smile – functionally and aesthetically.

Dr. LeVos is passionate about ongoing dental education courses and certifications. He keeps himself and his team up-to-date on the latest research, and he uses dental products with the best scientific support, not products with the biggest marketing budgets.  The vast majority of continuing education Dr. LeVos attends is free from corporate sponsorship.

Some of our restorative dental procedures include the following:

Fillings replace small to moderate amounts of decayed or missing tooth structure, allowing you to preserve more of your natural tooth.  We offer several types of restorative options, both indirect materials (made outside your mouth by our ceramist) and direct materials (layered and sculpted directly on your tooth), including tooth-colored fillings that closely match the shade of your natural tooth.

Crowns and bridges are used when a tooth or teeth are broken down or decayed enough that a filling won’t solve the issue. A crown covers and restores your tooth to its normal function. A bridge is crowns connected to a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that attaches to your teeth and cannot be removed.

Implants are ideal when you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth. Implants can support a single tooth or a complete upper or lower set of teeth. More info.

Root canal therapy can save teeth that have deep decay, traumatic injuries, or infections that have reached the roots. More info.

Tooth extractions provide relief if you are suffering from cracked, damaged, or severely decayed teeth when root canal therapy isn’t effective or isn’t an option.  More info.

Dentures are removable appliances that can restore the appearance of your smile and restore function in your mouth. We specialize in creating life-like, natural-looking dentures.  A denture is a smile makeover, and we want your denture to enhance and fit your face. We are happy to discuss how implants can make your denture more secure. More info.

We have a trusted team of partners in the dental and medical community. If you are in need of care that is not performed in our office, we will refer you to one of our team members. We believe the best outcomes result from interdisciplinary care that is carefully coordinated. We are proud to work with some of the best oral surgeons, ENT surgeons, oral myologists, orthodontists, laboratory technicians, and ceramists in the country. Whether you are being treated in our office or elsewhere, we want to see you receive the very best care.

Dental implants are a stable solution for replacing teeth that you have lost due to decay, gum disease, or injury.  A dental implant consists of a titanium post that is surgically positioned into the jaw, a custom designed titanium or ceramic abutment that supports the crown, and a ceramic, natural-looking crown. Implants match the appearance of your natural teeth and restore function and confidence.

Unlike bridges, implants don’t rely on the surrounding teeth for support and don’t add risk to neighboring teeth since they don’t require preparation for a bridge. Because they are implanted right into your jaw, they give your bone something to grow against and receive forces when you are chewing. This helps prevent the bone in that area from shrinking over time.

 Dental implants can also be used in supporting multiple teeth, like a bridge, or even all of the teeth in an arch. Dr. LeVos has experience and training in all of these options. He has taken hundreds of hours of advanced training on implants and can offer you implant solutions with the highest longevity and fewest complications. Our office works with outstanding laboratory technicians around the country to help ensure an excellent result.   

The extensive root system of your teeth provides a nutrient canal for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the bloodstream. When you have a deep cavity or sustain a tooth injury or fracture, that canal can become susceptible to inflammation or a bacterial infection. This can kill the tooth’s inner pulp and cause an inflammatory reaction and pressure, leading to pain and bone degeneration. If the infection and inflammation gets bad enough, your tooth may need to be extracted.

However, if you see us in the early stages of this condition, we can perform root canal therapy to save your tooth. Our goal is to maintain the health of your natural teeth whenever possible.

Over the years, “root canals” have gotten a bit of a bad reputation for being painful. Today, technology and good anesthetics have advanced greatly to make the procedure much more comfortable. When we perform root canal therapy, we are precise and gentle as we clean out your tooth’s infected canal, fill it with a biologically-inert substance, and seal it from further infection. Root canal therapy is an excellent way to save a damaged tooth.

There are some situations where it may make sense to extract a tooth or teeth, including the following:

• Patients who are suffering from very decayed, damaged, or broken teeth (in cases where those teeth aren’t good candidates for root canal therapy)
• Patients with wisdom teeth that have emerged and are causing pain or misalignment
• Candidates for dentures who have only a few remaining teeth (in cases where extractions would allow a full denture to be placed)
• Children who have impacted teeth that are about to emerge out of alignment, or “baby teeth” that are blocking other permanent teeth from erupting

 Before recommending a tooth extraction, we will first perform a thorough examination and risk assessment, including the necessary X-rays. We will talk with you about the different treatment options available, including alternative ways to address your issue and secondary treatment options to pair with an extraction (such as an implant to replace the extracted tooth). Sometimes placing a bone graft at the time of extraction makes the site better for an implant.

When you decide to move forward with a tooth extraction, it’s normal to feel nervous about the procedure. Rest assured that we prioritize your comfort on the day of the extraction. Throughout the procedure, we’ll continue to check in with you to make sure you are comfortable and pain-free. We will go over post-extraction care with you so that you heal properly and as quickly as possible.

Periodontal disease (or “gum disease”) is a biofilm bacterial infection of the roots and gums that can’t be treated with regular antibiotics alone. When your gums get irritated by bacteria in your mouth, they often recede from the teeth and create deep pockets where more bacteria can hide and flourish. In the early stages, you might not experience any discomfort or notice any symptoms. When left untreated, gum disease can damage the bone supporting your teeth, leading to tooth loss.

Routine exams along with annual X-rays help us monitor the health of your gums, teeth, and the bones that support your teeth. We also use periodontal measurements to assess the health of your gums surrounding your teeth, screening for signs of bone loss and inflammation in the gum tissue. It’s important that we detect even small changes from one appointment to the next, so if needed, we can personalize a periodontal treatment plan for you before serious problems have a chance to develop.

Having a healthy mouth is important to your overall whole-body health. Periodontal disease is ultimately an inflammatory disease, so controlling inflammation in your mouth will provide health benefits throughout your body and lower your risk for other chronic diseases. Many studies have linked periodontal disease to other chronic inflammatory problems such as heart disease, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, and pregnancy complications. There are more than 50 different chronic conditions now being researched in relation to periodontal disease. Inflammation seems to be the common player among these diseases. So healthy gums impact far more than just your teeth.

Advancements in science have uncovered common pathogens that directly cause gum disease. We provide oral DNA testing to identify the amount and types of bacteria present. We can also check for HPV virus and inflammatory markers. These metrics allow us to see how well our treatments and your homecare techniques are working.

A thorough risk assessment and regular check-ups will increase your chances of early detection and prevention of gum disease, which allows us to take a conservative approach to treatment. Bacterial DNA testing may be part of the diagnostic process. In addition to individualized instruction regarding home care techniques and products, we also perform Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) with our periodontal therapy, gum pocket irrigation to kill bacteria, and local antibiotic placement in areas of unhealthy pocketing. Most patients experience improvement after treatment with significant reduction in inflammation.

Feeling happy about the appearance of your smile can enhance your self-esteem and give you more confidence in social settings and the workplace.

Dr. LeVos approaches cosmetic dentistry with an emphasis on a natural-looking smile that fits the shape of your face and lips. The goal is to make you feel good about the appearance of your smile while maintaining or restoring proper function. We want to duplicate nature in the best way, so the aesthetic and functional result of your cosmetic dentistry is attractive in a natural way. Others will notice that you have a bright smile that warms up your face, not that you have good veneers or a great bleaching routine.

We offer the following procedures in cosmetic dentistry:

Teeth Whitening

Veneers

Bonding

Crowns

Orthodontics

If you have missing teeth, you may experience difficulties when it comes to eating and speaking. Over time, you may also develop jawbone deterioration. Dentures and partial dentures are affordable options for replacing missing teeth in order to improve function and restore confidence in the appearance of your smile.

A partial denture, commonly referred to as simply a “partial,” consists of teeth and gum-colored acrylic on a metal frame with clasps. Partials are supported by other teeth and the soft tissue where teeth used to be. When implants are used for attachment, the partial can be made much smaller and more inconspicuous. Partial dentures must be removed for cleaning and while sleeping.

A denture is a prosthesis replacing a complete arch of teeth mounted on a gum-colored base. A denture is only a fraction as efficient at chewing as natural teeth, and Dr. LeVos understands there is an art to making comfortable and functional dentures. He strives to make dentures that look as natural as possible to give you back a glowing smile.

For people that have difficulty keeping a denture in place or do not want their jawbone to shrink, an implant-supported denture solves these problems. Chewing ability, teeth perception, and quality of life can dramatically improve with implant-supported dentures. Many people can continue to wear their existing denture with only slight modifications during the implant healing phase.

Dr. LeVos has always made it a priority to stay at the forefront of research and advanced training in dentistry, and he is excited to offer Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) at LeVos Dentistry. With GBT, patients experience a new level of health with this game-changing technique that removes plaque, biofilm, stain, and preserves implants.

What is Biofilm?

Biofilms in the mouth are a complex arrangement of microorganisms, sometimes called plaque, that adhere to the teeth and even the tongue and gums. The biofilm in our mouths need to be disrupted and removed frequently (think brushing, flossing and professional hygiene). Otherwise they can become out of balance, causing inflammation, caries (tooth decay), and periodontal (gum) disease. Simply put, managing the biofilm is the key to controlling and preventing the most common dental diseases: cavities and bone loss.

Biofilms are not easy to remove. Studies show that hand instruments don’t do a good job at removing them. In the last half century there have been only slight changes to how we remove biofilm… until now.

What is GBT?

GBT is a leap forward and the most advanced method in removing biofilm. In traditional hygiene visits, hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers are used to scrape and mechanically remove biofilm and calculus followed with polishing paste. GBT is less invasive because it uses a fine therapeutic powder delivered with air and water through a special instrument. Hard deposits are removed with Piezon, a more comfortable ultrasonic technology. Much less hand scaling is required. Metal instruments and pastes can remove small amounts of tooth structure and scratch restorations made of porcelain and composite. GBT is gentle and safe for any type of dental restoration.

To thoroughly remove the biofilm, we have to be able to see it. GBT begins by using a diagnostic liquid that colors your biofilm so we can actually see it. Once visible, we look at it together and make recommendations for your home care. Our therapy is then guided by seeing the biofilm and removing it. We believe this method makes sense and is a better way to help you be healthy. Most importantly, you’ll notice a difference in how it feels. We think you will love how clean and smooth your teeth feel afterwards.