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A “crowning” achievement gets even better! Family Dental Group of Paxton upgrades crown-making process with Omnicam technology

photo of Omnicam
Cerec OmniCam is now used at the Family Dental Group of Paxton. This scanning technology, coupled with an onsite mill unit and oven, enables crown replacement in one office visit.

PAXTON, MA…

The Family Dental Group of Paxton, located at 581 Pleasant Street in Paxton, recently announced the addition of the Cerec OmniCam to its crown-making technology.  This cutting-edge technology gives dentists powder-free scanning capabilities, helping to create precise 3D images in natural color.

“We’ve been making crowns onsite at this practice for about 10 years. In that time, we have learned the critical importance of having the highest level of detail in the scan to create a crown that looks and feels right,” said Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD, who owns and operates Family Dental Group of Paxton with his wife Dr. Archana Lavana, DMD. “With the OmniCam, we have one of the most advanced tools in the market as the key component in our ability to replace a patient’s crown in one office visit.”

The OmniCam is about the size of an electronic toothbrush. Using the Omnicam, the dentist will literally scan images of the patient’s jaw and teeth. This enables them to design the crown electronically. This includes adding the color and shading to ensure and authentic look.

The scan of the crown is then transmitted to the milling unit. The milling unit is similar in size to a bread maker.  After milling, the crown will then be stained, glazed and polished before being placed in a kiln-like oven, which is heated to 2192 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the crown has cooled it is then bonded in the patient’s mouth—all in one appointment.

Both Dr. Lavanas and their assistants have been thoroughly trained in the Omnicam technology and are continually training to become more efficient, utilize better techniques, and create more customized prosthetics (bridges, implants, veneers, onlays, inlays).

Said Dr. Nikhil Lavana, “Eliminating the temporary crown is one of the big advantages of CAD/CAM technology.  Others are scheduling and the convenience of in-house creation.  If there is an issue, we can adjust it here during that appointment.  This service will really benefit those patients who can only do early and late appointments as it will require just the one visit.”

About Family Dental Group of Paxton

Located at 581 Pleasant Street in Paxton, The Family Dental Group of Paxton offers: comprehensive examinations; cosmetics; crowns or temporary crowns (in just one visit with no messy impressions); teeth whitening with ZOOM; laser dentistry (no needles!); partial and full dentures; root canals; inlays/onlays; extractions; crown lengthening; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).

The Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts all major credit cards and offers credit card financing plans.

To schedule an initial consultation, please call 508-755-2905. For more information, visit www.paxtondentist.com.

A “crowning” achievement gets even better! Family Dental Group of Paxton upgrades crown-making process with Omnicam technologyRead More

Family Dental Group of Paxton names Cara Benoit its first Smiling Neighbor

photo Smiling Neighbor
Family Dental Group of Paxton’s Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD (r), presents an Oral B Pro 5000 to Cara Benoit. Mrs. Benoit is the first winner of the Family Dental Group of Paxton’s Smiling Neighbor award program.

PAXTON, MA…

Cara Benoit has four young children. By definition that means she has little to no free time. Yet when she saw a friend stricken with cancer, she made the time to help coordinate two fundraisers. For those efforts, she has been named the first winner of Family Dental Group of Paxton’s Smiling Neighbor award.

“The friend in question was the sister of one of our hygienists and I know how touched she was by Cara’s gesture maybe even more than the money raised,” said Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD, who owns and operates Family Dental Group of Paxton with his wife Dr. Archana Lavana, DMD. “We created the Smiling Neighbor program to recognize people doing good things in our community. Cara’s act of kindness makes her a very worthy recipient of our Smiling Neighbor award.”

For being selected as the Smiling Neighbor program, Benoit had the choice of either a $50 gift card to Black & White Restaurant in Spencer, MA or an Oral B Pro 5000 complete with Bluetooth timer, four different brush heads, charger and a travel case; a $250 value). She chose the toothbrush.

“This was quite an unexpected surprise,” said Benoit. “We have been going to Family Dental Group for years, largely because it does feel more like family than a trip to the dentist. I’m honored to be the first Smiling Neighbor.”

The Smiling Neighbor award will be given out on a quarterly basis to citizens of the greater Paxton area going above and beyond the call of duty for their fellow citizens. People can nominate a Smiling Neighbor by sending an e-mail of 200 words or less to officemanager@paxtondentist.com. Please remember to include your name and telephone number as well as the name and telephone number or e-mail of the person they are nominating. Nominations can also be sent to Family Dental Group of Paxton, 581 Pleasant Street, Paxton, MA  01612.

For more information on Family Dental Group of Paxton, visit www.paxtondentist.com or call 508-755-2905 to schedule a consultation.

About Family Dental Group of Paxton

Located at 581 Pleasant Street in Paxton, The Family Dental Group of Paxton offers: comprehensive examinations; cosmetics; crowns or temporary crowns (in just one visit with no messy impressions); teeth whitening with ZOOM; laser dentistry (no needles!); partial and full dentures; root canals; inlays/onlays; extractions; crown lengthening; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).

The Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts all major credit cards and offers credit card financing plans.

To schedule an initial consultation, please call 508-755-2905. For more information, visit www.paxtondentist.com.

 

Family Dental Group of Paxton names Cara Benoit its first Smiling NeighborRead More

Dr. Jinyoung (Jean) Choi joins Family Dental Group of Paxton

PAXTON, MA…

The Family Dental Group of Paxton recently announced the addition of Dr. Jinyoung (Jean) Choi to its staff of dental practitioners. Dr. Choi will see patients on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Family Dental Group’s Paxton location at 581 Pleasant Street.

“We’re delighted to add Dr. Choi to our staff, even its just for a few months before she heads off to the post graduate orthodontics program at Roseman University in July,” said Dr. said Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD, who owns and operates Family Dental Group of Paxton with his wife Dr. Archana Lavana, DMD.

Dr. Jinyoung (Jean) Choi earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and then attended University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She graduated with Honors in the field of Clinical Dentistry and Community Oral Health in 2012. After receiving her D.M.D., Dr. Choi completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry through Lutheran Medical Center.

“I’m very grateful to both Dr. Lavanas for this opportunity. Even though it’s a fairly short time, I’ve already enjoyed my time here very much,” said Dr. Choi.

For more information on the Family Dental Group of Paxton you can visit www.paxtondentist.com or call 508-755-2905.

About Family Dental Group of Paxton

Located at 581 Pleasant Street in Paxton, The Family Dental Group of Paxton offers: comprehensive examinations; cosmetics; crowns (in just one visit with no messy impressions); teeth whitening with ZOOM; laser dentistry (no needles!); partial and full dentures; root canals; inlays/onlays; extractions; crown lengthening; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).

The Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts all major credit cards and offers credit card financing plans.

To schedule an initial consultation, please call 508-755-2905. For more information, visit www.paxtondentist.com.

 

Dr. Jinyoung (Jean) Choi joins Family Dental Group of PaxtonRead More

Laser changes the drill for cavity filling

photo of Paxton Dentist Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD,
Family Dental Group of Paxton’s Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD,

PAXTON, MA…

When you think about why people don’t like or even fear going to the dentist, most of it stems from childhood visits that required a shot to fill in a cavity. In recent years and at many dental practices, laser technology has replaced anesthesia and drilling to prepare teeth for fillings. And that’s alleviated the fears of many who used to dread a trip to the dentist.

“Ask people what they don’t like about going to the dentist and most people will respond the shot, the drilling or both,” said said Dr. Nikhil Lavana, DMD, who owns and operates Family Dental Group of Paxton with his wife Dr. Archana Lavana, DMD. “With laser technology, we can eliminate that part of the process so it really comes down to just a filling.”

How it works is fairly straight forward. The dentist applies the laser beam to the decayed area of the tooth. The laser beam combines with a spray of air and water to keep the tooth cool. The laser works by heating water molecules in the tooth, which expands and dislodges decay—all without the laser cutting into the healthy enamel and dentin of the tooth.

After the tooth cavity has been cleaned out and disinfected by the laser, filling material is injected into the treated area. All without the use of anesthesia or drill.

“While the sound of drilling is gone, the laser does make a noise resembling a woodpecker. The smell also is less of an issue and most patients tolerate the procedure very well,” said Dr. Lavana.

Dr. Lavana notes that more than 70 percent of cavities Family Dental Group of Paxton treats can be filled using this method. Adds Dr. Lavana, “There are some cases where we cannot get all the decayed matter out and have to drill.”

Perhaps the most important benefit of the laser treatment lies in the new perception of patients towards fillings, particularly children.

“With the laser, we essentially have a pain-free, needle-free way to fill cavities and that makes a tremendous difference with all patients, especially children,” said Dr. Lavana. “For dentists and patients, there’s the additional benefit that it doesn’t cost any more to use the laser.”

For more information on laser treatment for filling, please call the Family Dental Group of Paxton at 508-755-2905.

About Family Dental Group of Paxton

Located at 581 Pleasant Street in Paxton, The Family Dental Group of Paxton offers: comprehensive examinations; cosmetics; crowns (in just one visit with no messy impressions); teeth whitening with ZOOM; laser dentistry (no needles!); partial and full dentures; root canals; inlays/onlays; extractions; crown lengthening; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).

The Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. Family Dental Group of Paxton accepts all major credit cards and offers credit card financing plans.

To schedule an initial consultation, please call 508-755-2905. For more information, visit www.paxtondentist.com.

Laser changes the drill for cavity fillingRead More