90 s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 Keeping Up with the SilverStromS A Livingston dental practice keeps raising the bar Dental office as destination? That may not have been David Silverstrom s initial vision when he launched his practice in the 1980s. Yet today, it s tempting to say that he wouldn t have had it any other way. A visit to The By Diane Alter Silverstrom Group, located in Livingston, is not at all what new patients expect. We have created a spa-like atmosphere with all the modern comforts and state-of-the art technologies, Dr. Silverstrom explains. Every patient
91 gets exceptional, personalized and the friendliest care. We only use the most advanced techniques and materials. And we re like a family here. As group patriarch, Dr. Silverstrom occasionally finds himself wearing the hats of coach, counselor and therapist. It goes with the territory, he says, adding that he relishes playing multiple roles. I started this practice some three decades ago and have loved every minute of it, he says. What I cherish the most are the relationships we have built. Our patients stay with us. They bring their families and extended families. They refer us to their friends. In establishing a safe, non-threatening, communicative environment, all our patients have come to trust us and have complete confidence in everything we do. We take great pride in the esteemed reputation we have acquired over the years. It s wonderful to be able to build those kind of beautiful, enduring relationships. UNLUCKY SEVEN What are the most common dental problems? Here are six that absolutely demand a trip to the chair. 1. Cavities Did you catch a cold this winter? Congratulations, you experienced the only disease more common than tooth decay. It s a simple process: built-up plaque and shoddy brushing and flossing lead to the formation of acids that gnaw away at your enamel. Untreated cavities can lead to much more serious and expensive problems down the road. Decay around existing fillings can also compromise the integrity of a tooth, so don t balk at the opportunity to clean out your old metal fillings and stabilize them with a new filling or crown. 2. Bad Breath Four of every five people who suffer from persistent bad breath can trace the problem to a dental issue from dry mouth to oral cancer. A visit to the dentist can rule out the bad stuff and fix the not-so-bad stuff. 3. Gum Disease Infected gums can leave a bad taste in your mouth in more ways than one. Gingivitis and periodontitis have been linked to heart attacks and strokes. Brushing, flossing and special rinses can put you on the road to recovery. Ignoring the problem is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. 4. Oral Cancer This problem is more prevalent than most people realize, and yet when caught early it is almost always curable. One of the best reasons to schedule regular cleanings and exams is to rule out cancer not just in the mouth, but throat and lip cancer, too. More than 500 Americans a month die from oral cancer. 5. Toothaches Sheer misery. It wasn t all that long ago that dental emergencies were solved almost exclusively with extraction. Now there are myriad ways of dealing with the pain of a troubled tooth. Of course, regular visits to the dentist can catch little problems before they become big ones. 6. Sensitivity Hot coffee, cold water, frozen treats, sugary sweets any of these can create intense discomfort out of the blue. Tooth sensitivity is actually a fairly common issue. Once the cause is determined, your dentist can treat the problem. 7. Cosmetic Issues Discolored, crooked or missing teeth keep many people from laughing and smiling. Strictly speaking, these are not always dental issues. However, almost all are within the power of a talented dentist to address.
92 s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 No doubt it was Dr. Silverstrom s zest and the passion he brought home every day that encouraged his son, Gary, to join the practice. The father-son team embraces a visionary approach to dentistry. Here it s all about wellness, with a focus on peak physical and mental health. Living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps to ensure the body is working properly. The mouth, the Silverstroms like to remind their patients, can be a key component in this process. It s a portal for bacteria that can lead to everything from low-birthweight babies in pregnant women, to arthritis, to pulmonary disease, to diabetes, to Alzheimer s disease, says David Silverstrom. Preventive care is imperative, adds Gary, but we don t stop there. Educating patients is key. The Silverstrom Group cares for patients of all ages and provides a full range of general, preventive and cosmetic dentistry treatments designed to promote optimum oral health for a lifetime. Using the most advanced (and often pioneering) technology available, the staff tackles everything from routine cleanings to root canal therapy, TMJ treatment, X-rays and restorative dentistry. And the group uses digital X-rays, which emit very low amounts of radiation.
93 The resulting smiles cut both ways, David Silverstrom points out. Cosmetic dentistry is more than just about looks, he says. Giving a person a smile they feel good about is transformative. It s life-changing. It gives patients self-confidence, boosts their self-esteem and improves the way they interact with others. In addition to providing a menu of specialty services, the office has an in-house lab. This allows for coordinated dental treatment that is cost-efficient and time-saving. There are no temporaries or call-backs, saving multiple visits. So why the extra effort from the moment you walk in the door? Our aim at The Silverstrom Group is to make your time here as enjoyable as possible, says Dr. Silverstrom. For us, it s all about doing something for the patient. Not to the patient. TOOTH BE TOLD Americans spend more time with their dentist than with any other physician. What is fair to expect from your dentist? general Dentistry It s the key to healthy gums, keeping original teeth and maintaining overall health. A diligent practice stays on top of patients for regular office visits, cleanings and X-rays in order to prevent small issues from become big problems. Also falling under the general dentistry scope are TMJ treatments, sleep apnea and snoring solutions, root canal therapy, tooth extractions and emergency care. Cosmetic Dentistry Routine procedures to close gaps between teeth, lengthen or shorten teeth, conceal chips, cracks, discolored or misshapen teeth, replace missing teeth, reposition crowded or misaligned teeth should be just that routine. The goal? To create for patients the smile they ve always dreamed of. restorative Dentistry There are a number of treatments designed to return the mouth to peak health and optimal functionality. Years of wear and tear, diseases and trauma all take a toll on teeth. Services here include implants, crowns, bridges, dentures and full-mouth restoration. technology & Know-how Cutting-edge equipment and polished skills enable doctors to diagnose a wide range of oral health problems, create and preview treatment plans and perform soft- and hard-tissue procedures with exact precision and patient comfort. Dental Financing Major dental work often comes as a surprise (or an emergency), so affordable and fair payment plans should be a part of any top-notch practice.