Comprehensive Dentistry in West Covina
Patients have a broad range of needs and concerns, and Dr. Salek is able to handle just about all of them. Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so the doctor emphasizes the need for regular cleanings and check-ups so that small problems can be addressed long before they become serious issues. For a number of reasons, however, patients often require more advanced care, and Dr. Salek is able to provide a broad range of dental services. These include: Root Canals. This common procedure is also one of the best dental solutions there is. When tooth decay has become so advanced that a simple filling won’t address the problem, a root canal remains the best and only means we have for saving the tooth. In this procedure, the outer portion of the tooth is removed and the root is preserved. Then, a temporary crown is added, later the patient is given a permanent crown that performs essentially the same as a real tooth. Root canal has developed a highly exaggerated unpleasant reputation but, when properly performed, it should be no more uncomfortable than getting an ordinary filling. Dental Implants. Sometimes teeth are knocked out due to trauma, or a severely decayed tooth cannot be saved and a surgical extraction may become necessary. In cases where it’s appropriate, we provide traditional dentures and bridgework. However, dentists and medical experts agree that dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement. They not only provide benefits in terms of convenience and appearance, they are also the only form of tooth replacement that stops the potentially severe bone loss that results from missing teeth. We offer a full range of options for dental implants. Orofacial Pain. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are the most common cause of the facial joint pain that many patients experience, but it has many forms and treatments. Dr. Salek notes that less knowledgeable dentists can sometimes make an incorrect diagnosis of the particular issue and may propose the wrong solution which can lead to unnecessary heartache and expense. As a leading expert in orofacial problems, Dr. Salek is easily the best dentist in West Covina and the San Gabriel Valley when it comes to diagnosing and treating a large range of conditions. These include not just standard chronic jaw pain but also less well-known issues such as neuralgia, neuropathy (nerve damage), and burning mouth syndrome. Oral Medicine. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, well over 10,000 Americans may die of an oral cancer in a given year. That’s more than the toll from such well-known malignancies as cervical cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Fortunately for San Gabriel Valley residents, Dr. Salek is an outstanding specialist who has identified cancers in many patients. In cases where problems turn out to be from something other than a malignancy, he is an expert at dealing with such painful issues that tend to attack the lining of the mouth, aka the oral mucosa. From nasty cold sores to herpes outbreaks, to painful lesions caused by gastrointestinal disorders to potentially serious issues which attack the gums, Dr. Salek is able to provide care that successfully treats these painful and annoying disorders. Dentures. While dental implants are the preferred long-term solution for missing teeth, they are not right for every patient. The procedure involves a minor oral surgery that might not be advisable for some people, and there are a number of reasons why a patient might decide to go in a different direction. Regardless, teeth must be replaced to protect the good health of the patient for numerous reasons, including proper nutrition and social stigma associated with missing teeth. Dr. Salek is an expert at ensuring that dentures are appropriate replacements for lost teeth and are as comfortable and convenient as possible. Snoring and Sleep Apnea. Snoring is music to no one’s ears! The noise can keep partners up at night and even force them into separate rooms. Much more seriously, it can be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious health problem that increases fatigue as well as a substantially increased risk of many serious overall health problems. The good news is that many patients have benefited from Dr. Salek’s treatment and advice on dealing with the breathing issues involved with snoring and sleep apnea.
