How can we help you?
Being informed about your dental treatments is essential for achieving optimal oral health. We want you to be an active participant in your dental care, and the best way to do that is by answering any and all of your questions.
Please remember that no question is too small, and we encourage you to ask Dr. Martik or a member of our team any time you’re looking for information. We’ve shared some of the questions we hear most frequently, but please feel free to give us a call or use our contact form to email us if you don’t see yours listed here.
Other
It’s not uncommon to grind or clench your teeth occasionally. But if it is a chronic problem for you, we have solutions that can help.
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can seriously damage your teeth. Constant excess force gradually breaks down tooth enamel, which not only causes premature wear, but can also result in fracturing or breaking of a tooth.
There are many reasons why you might grind your teeth. It may simply be the result of stress, in which case meditation or relaxation techniques can be very helpful.
For many people, though, the problem is more complicated. Teeth grinding often occurs when your dental bite is out of alignment. Your dental bite is related to the way your teeth come together, and when it is unbalanced, you may grind your teeth.
Your teeth grinding may also be a result of TMJ, a disorder that affects the joint and muscles in your jaw. If you have TMJ, you know that its symptoms can be painful and may disrupt your life.
At Martik Family Dental, we can provide relief with a simple appliance known as an NTI device. This is a small customized plastic guard that fits comfortably over your front teeth and prevents your teeth from coming into contact while you sleep. It eliminates teeth grinding and its painful symptoms like migraines.
Please contact us if you would like more information about the ways we can help with your teeth grinding or TMJ symptoms.
Crowns & Bridges
It’s important to consider all your options before you commit to any dental treatment. We are happy to offer complimentary consultations to help you gather all the information you need before you make any decisions. If you have current x-rays, please bring them to your consultation. Contact our Pittsburgh dentist office, and we will be happy to arrange an appointment at your convenience.
There are a lot of cosmetic dental flaws, but a filling should not be one of them! If you have an old filling that looks obvious or an amalgam filling that makes your tooth look dark, we have the answer.
Crowns at Martik Family Dental are a common dental restoration. They are primarily thought of for strengthening and protecting a damaged tooth, but crowns can also be used to address flaws like an old discolored filling.
In some cases, we may be able to use a tooth-colored filling, also referred to as a dental composite, to replace an old filling. Since composites are bonded to your tooth, we only need to remove a small bit of tooth structure to accommodate the filling.
However, if you have a very large filling where there isn’t much healthy tooth structure left, it is usually better to leave it be and cover the whole tooth with a dental crown. This covers the old filling with a new protective porcelain shell and provides strength for the tooth that is already compromised.
Dental crowns are versatile because they offer support for a damaged tooth and can be used to address a variety of aesthetic problems. We offer same day CEREC crowns so that you don't have to wear a temporary crown and return for a second visit to deliver your permanent crown! Please contact our Pittsburgh dental office if you’d like more information.
Dental Implant Restoration
We know that many people don’t have dental insurance, so we make CareCredit financing available to our patients. This convenient healthcare credit card will help you cover the cost of dental and other wellness treatments like chiropractic, Lasik, and more.
Applying for CareCredit is easy, and we can usually complete the process during your visit to our Pittsburgh dental office. If you are interested in learning more about CareCredit, please contact us, or ask at our front desk next time you visit.
KöR Teeth Whitening
With all the updated cosmetic dental treatments available, there really is no reason to live with a smile that doesn’t meet your expectations. Teeth whitening is an efficient, cost-effective way to brighten your smile and restore your confidence.
At Martik Family Dental, we are pleased to offer KöR teeth whitening to our patients. There are lots of products available today for whitening teeth, but none of them come close to the stunning results we can achieve with KöR.
KöR’s unique whitening gel is formulated to help you achieve the brightest smile possible, safely and quickly. KöR teeth whitening is so popular not only because it delivers great results, but also because the treatment is permanent. After the initial treatment, you just need to perform periodic maintenance at home every six weeks.
If your teeth are stained by tetracycline use, you may think that you are stuck with the problem forever. But you will be happy to hear that KöR is the only whitening product known to remove this type of deep discoloration.
Depending on the type and extent of staining, other options like crowns or dental bonding may be a better choice for you. Please contact our Pittsburgh dental office to arrange your next dental cleaning. At that time, our hygienist will be happy to talk to you about the benefits of KöR professional teeth whitening.
Periodontal Treatment
Tender, swollen gums are a sure sign that something is wrong, and the most likely culprit is periodontal disease. This is a problem that is very common and affects millions of people.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is most often the result of improper oral hygiene. Dentists like Dr. Martik promote brushing and flossing twice a day for this very reason. If the plaque and food debris that rests on your teeth is not thoroughly removed, it will lead to gum disease.
Without prompt treatment, periodontal disease can continue to attack your gums and may even lead to deterioration of your jawbone and, ultimately, tooth loss. This is not just an oral health problem either. The inflammation in your mouth can get carried into your bloodstream and lead to complications like heart and respiratory disease, diabetes, and strokes.
It is vitally important that you maintain good oral hygiene practices and keep regular appointments for dental cleanings and exams. You may be doing the best possible job with your home care, but if you’re not having regular dental cleanings, you are still at high risk for developing gum disease.
Preventive services like cleanings are the easiest way to avoid developing gum disease in the first place. Please contact our Pittsburgh dental office to make your next appointment for a thorough professional cleaning with our skilled hygienist.
Root Canals
We know how frustrating it can be when you need immediate dental treatment and feel you don’t have any options. If you or your child have a dental emergency, we will do everything we can to see you the same day.
Our policy is to always leave time in our day to see to the needs of emergency patients at our Pittsburgh dental office. In most emergency situations, prompt treatment can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
If you have a young child, you know that dental emergencies are common and can occur any time. We offer early morning hours as well as extended evening hours so we can do everything possible to accommodate your needs and schedule.
We are here for you and we don’t ever want you to suffer through a dental emergency alone. Whatever your situation is, we are just a phone call away. Dr. Martik and our team are experienced in handling a wide variety of dental problems, so you can be confident that you are receiving high quality care exactly when you need it most.
If you have a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact our Pittsburgh dental office. A helpful member of our team will be happy to assist you.
Tooth Extraction
You should never move forward with any dental treatment until you feel fully informed and confident about your decision. If you are uncertain about a proposed procedure and would like to get a second opinion, please contact our Pittsburgh dental office. We will be happy to arrange a complimentary consultation with Dr. Martik so he can evaluate your situation and make appropriate treatment recommendations.
If you want to achieve great oral health, you need to have access to the care you need when you need it. Financial considerations should never get in the way of receiving the important treatment you need.
Martik Family Dental is in-network with the following insurance providers, but we will be happy to file most insurance claims.
Delta Dental Premier
Guardian
UPMC Advantage
United Concordia PPO (not currently accepting new United Concordia patients)
Cigna
Aetna
Assurant
United Healthcare
Dominion Dental
Ameritas
Principal
Humana
Teamcare
We want to work with you to maximize your benefits, so please contact our office and we’ll be happy to help you get the answers you’re looking for.