Treating the Whole Family at Hamilton Dental Associates
By Taylor Smith
Hamilton Dental Associates, located at 2929 Klockner Road in Hamilton Square, employs the latest dental technology in the treatment of patients of all ages. Pediatric dentistry, adult dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, and endodontics are all offered at the Hamilton Square location. As a result, no referrals are needed.
President and partner Dr. Michael DeLuca is a member of the American Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists, and is a current member and former president of the Mercer Dental Society. In addition, he serves as a fellow of the International College of Dentists. He is joined by partners Dr. Kevin Collins and Dr. Deolinda Reverendo, general dentists; Dr. Irving Djeng and Dr. Lauren Levine, pediatric dentists; and Dr. Matthew Etter, orthodontist; as well as a full-time staff of talented doctors in diverse areas of practice.
Dr. Deluca emphasizes that a healthy mouth is tied to multiple aspects of overall wellbeing including a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, and many other systemic diseases, not to mention improved emotional health and wellness. He states that teaching children good oral hygiene at a very young age prepares them for an improved quality of life later on. At a child’s first dental appointment, the pediatric specialists will clean teeth, apply fluoride, and check for possible issues related to mouth development, including teething, nutrition, thumb sucking, overcrowding, gum disease, and cavities.
At Hamilton Dental Associates, patients are always treated by specialists in their particular field. For example, orthodontic treatments will always be done by an orthodontic specialist, and patients requiring root canals will always be treated by an endodontist — a dentist who specializes in root canals.
Hamilton Dental Associates uses cutting-edge dental technology, such as digital X-rays, 3-D X-rays, and digital impressions of teeth to treat everything from crowns to the use of Invisalign, to help straighten teeth. In fact, the practice has been using digital X-rays since 2002.
The benefit of the 3-D X-ray system is that dentists can better examine all angles of a patient’s mouth, including jaw anatomy and root positions. 3-D X-rays are especially helpful when it comes to locating root fractures or diagnosing impacted teeth, as in the case of wisdom teeth removal.
Digital impressions allow dentists to capture impressions of a patient’s teeth and gums without the use of messy impression materials. This technology is particularly useful when replacing and fitting crowns, speeding up the process and reducing the amount of “chair time.”
Lastly, all patient records are digitized, meaning that no paper sheets attached to clipboards will be seen during an appointment. Digitization of patient records not only makes appointments more seamless, but it also contributes to a “green” office environment, reducing the amount of waste that the office produces.
Hamilton Dental provides many separate services not typically offered under the same roof. In terms of cosmetic dentistry, HDA offers cosmetic tooth whitening, veneers, crowns, bonding, and tooth-colored fillings, which provide a more natural looking alternative to the old silver fillings.
Oral surgeons perform wisdom teeth removal and extractions in which patients are either partially or totally sedated. There are three forms of conscious sedation offered at Hamilton Dental Associates, which include oral medication, inhaling laughing gas, and intravenous medication. Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients needing a large amount of dental work at once or those who suffer from debilitating anxiety surrounding dental care, inhibiting them from seeking treatment.
Invisalign is a great application of the digital impression technology that HDA offers. Dr. DeLuca describes how straightening teeth has never been more comfortable or discreet. “Teeth naturally move over time and many adults who never had braces seek out Invisalign as a way to gently shift teeth. Invisalign is appropriate for patients of any age.”
The skilled dentists at Hamilton Dental Associates have completed advanced training in the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders, also known as TMD. TMD occurs when the temporomandibular joint, which connects the upper and lower jaw, is misaligned. Patients suffering from TMD may experience a more difficult time chewing due to their jaw shifting positions. They may also notice increased facial pain, difficulty holding the mouth wide open, or a popping or clicking noise when they chew. They work with each patient on an individual level in the diagnosis and treatment of TMD, the goal being to ultimately make the patient more comfortable and to improve the neuromuscular positions of the jaw.
To request an appointment and learn more, call 609.586.6603 or visit hamiltondental.com.