218 Denison Parkway E.  Corning, New York

607-937-5341

Dr. Timothy Bates

Dr. John Carozza

Dr. John Gunselman

Dr. Lynne Meriwether

Dr. Dennis Vargas

A bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth.  A bridge involves placing a crown on the teeth adjacent to the space with an artificial tooth connected in the middle.  A bridge is permanently cemented in your mouth.  It requires very thorough home care and periodontal maintenance to keep the teeth adjacent to the space healthy.

A denture is a removable appliance that is used when all natural teeth are missing on the top or bottom.  It is fabricated to resemble a natural set of teeth.  A denture can be fabricated to be used with implants to provide better retention.

A crown is a superstructure placed on a tooth to make it stronger and improve its appearance.  It can be made of metal, gold, porcelain, or ceramic.  A crown may be placed due to the following reasons: fracture, root canal, large filling, decay, esthetics or complete dental implant treatment.

Dental implants are a way to replace missing teeth.  They can be used to replace individual missing teeth, or to provide an anchor for dentures and partials.  The dentist will review your medical and dental health to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.  The procedure involves placing a titanium screw in your jaw bone.  After the implant has healed, an abutment is placed to hold the denture or a crown.

A filling is placed when you have a cavity in your tooth.  There are several different materials that can be used when placing a filling.  The two main types are amalgam and composite (“tooth-colored”).  The dentist will discuss these options with you and make recommendations based on your individual oral health.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment to align your teeth without the use of common “braces”.  The treatment utilizes a series of aligners, similar to clear retainers, to provide minor movement of teeth. Dr. Dennis Vargas is a certified Invisalign provider. 

Lumineers are a special form of porcelain veneers used to improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth.  Dr. Dennis Vargas is a certified Lumineers provider.  At your consultation visit, he can determine whether you are a candidate for Lumineers. 

A partial denture is a removable appliance used when some natural teeth are missing.  It replaces missing teeth, restores chewing function and prevents remaining teeth movement.

Our office welcomes families and we look forward to treating your children.  Please see our special children’s section for more information.  (Section under construction- link coming soon!)

On the basis of your oral health, we will recommend the appropriate treatment for your dental cleaning.  A periodontal appointment (dental cleaning) is scheduled with a certified hygienist and involves a review of your oral hygiene and diet, an extraoral and intraoral exam, blood pressure screening, oral cancer exam, and lastly a removal of plaque and tooth polish.  The dentist will also provide an exam at each cleaning appointment.  Our hygienists are dedicated to providing you with the best oral and periodontal health.

A root canal is a procedure used to remove infected or damaged nerves from the roots of a tooth.  The procedure requires two office visits.  The first visit involves removing the nerve tissue.  The second visit allows a material to be placed in the roots to prevent re-infection.  A root canal allows the tooth to be saved without being extracted.  A permanent filling (post and core) and crown is usually recommended to be placed on the tooth following a root canal in order to prevent future fracture of the tooth.

Sealants

A sealant is a material that is placed over the grooves on the biting surface of your molars.  Sealants can be placed on children and adults.  The grooves on molars can be very deep and difficult to keep clean which leads to cavities.  A sealant provides a surface that is easier to clean and helps prevent cavities.

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and includes many muscles and ligaments.  This joint can become diseased causing symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, ear pain, jaw tenderness, headaches, and neck pain.  This disorder can exhibit symptoms which mimic other conditions, and it is important to have a full comprehensive exam with a dentist to determine the cause of the symptoms.  There are several treatments for TMD including, stress reducing methods, warm moist heat, stretching exercises, muscle relaxants, and removable appliances.  The dentist will develop a customized treatment plan to treat your individual condition.

We offer an at home teeth whitening system.  The procedure is very simple and offers personalized results.  At your first visit, impressions are taken of your teeth to fabricate clear flexible trays, and a pre- treatment shade of your teeth.  The trays are worn for one hour a day for two weeks.  At your second visit, a post-treatment shade is taken to determine if acceptable results are obtained. Depending on the initial shade of your teeth, an additional week of whitening may be needed.  At home whitening includes the trays and a large quantity of whitening bleach which allows you to bleach on your own as needed.  The trays can also be used for at home fluoride-cavity prevention treatments.

Veneers are a thin covering placed over the front teeth.  These coverings are permanently cemented to the tooth.  Veneers are one way to improve the appearance of chipped, stained, or unevenly spaced teeth.