We perform a wide range of techniques for restoring dental health after disease, injury and other common conditions. All are performed employing cutting-edge procedures and technologies. Our fees are affordable and our staff strives to accommodate patients’ schedule, concerns, and finances.
Services & Education
Dental Services
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Six Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles® short term orthodontic treatment is a modern twist on tried-and-true orthodontics. There is little debate within the orthodontic community that braces are the most widely used and most effective method to give patients straight, healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Six Month Smiles has taken the best aspects of braces and modified the treatment and the materials to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle. See our case studies!Our Case Studies!
How is SIX MONTH SMILES different from “Regular Orthodontics”?
This treatment takes an AVERAGE of six months vs. about 2 years for traditional orthodontics. Your “investment” is less with Six Month Smiles vs. traditional orthodontics. Six Month Smiles is small tooth movement and the brackets and wires are tooth colored.
Does it really take ONLY six months?
Most patients who are CANDIDATES finish in about SIX MONTHS. The amount of tooth movement that we need to accomplish determines the amount of time your treatment will take. If the treatment requires that you wear elastics, your compliance to wearing the elastics can also be a determiner of the amount of time it will take.
Will I have to wear retainers?
ABSOLUTELY! We want to protect your investment by KEEPING YOUR TEETH STRAIGHT. We will place permanent bonded retainers on the tongue side of your upper and lower 6 front teeth and we will also take impressions for removable retainers that you will wear at night for the rest of your life.
What is the difference in SIX MONTH SMILES and INVISALIGN?
The Invisalign System is a series of REMOVABLE appliances that make the patients teeth move. THE PATIENT is responsible for placing the appliance and removing the appliance per the dentist instructions. This system is more expensive than SIX MONTH SMILES and takes longer. One of the obstacles of Invisalign that is NOT in the SIX MONTH SMILES SYSTEM is that the brackets are bonded on to the teeth and the patient doesn’t have to think about putting them in and taking them out daily, therefore the treatment time is more predictable.
Does the SIX MONTH SMILES SYSTEM hurt?
As with conventional braces and most dental procedures, you may experience some mild discomfort on the day the appliances are placed and for a couple of days after each adjustment that will be lessened by Ibuprofen or Tylenol. We recommend that you take and over-the-counter pain reliever prior to your Six Month Smiles appointments.
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Zoom Whitening
Power whitening makes it possible to achieve a whiter, brighter smile—right here in our office.
How power whitening works:
A special light is shined onto the teeth after they have been coated with a whitening gel. The light works with the gel to release oxygen. The oxygen penetrates the outer enamel layer and then the dentin layer of the teeth, bleaching away stains and discolored areas.
Power whitening quickly brightens your smile:
Once we have determined that power whitening is right for you, we may begin by thoroughly removing any plaque and tartar from your teeth. Then we’ll start the whitening process with protective glasses, a lip retractor, and a cream or lotion to shield your eyes, lips, and face. We’ll then isolate the teeth and protect your gums by applying a special protective material to the gum tissue or by placing a rubber dam.
Next, we paint the whitening gel onto your teeth, and while you relax in the chair, we shine a light or laser onto the teeth. We may repeat this cycle several times.
Since every case is different, we carefully evaluate your individual results. Your new smile will lighten, on average, about 6 to 10 shades. We may sometimes recommend a fluoride treatment, additional bleaching at home, or another session here in our office. We’ll also give you instructions for taking care of your new smile and for handling any post-whitening sensitivity.
Power whitening is a safe and effective technology that can help give you a beautiful new smile, all in one appointment.
At Home Whitening: Are you a candidate?
AT HOME WHITENING:
Over time, your teeth darken as minerals penetrate their outer enamel layer. This darkening can be caused by foods and beverages that stain, such a coffee, colas, tea, red wine, or berries. Tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, can cause teeth to take on a yellowish brown hue. The natural aging process can also cause your teeth to darken.
We can prescribe a home whitening system that will safely lighten these stains, giving you a whiter, brighter smile. A specially formulated whitening gel, designed to be highly effective, yet safe, gently forces oxygen through the enamel of your teeth. The process virtually erases stains and brightens your teeth, without damaging your tooth enamel or your gums.
DESIGNING YOUR WHITENING SYSTEM:
First, we thoroughly examine your teeth and your mouth to make sure at-home whitening is an appropriate option for you. We then take impressions of your teeth, and use the impressions to make models of your teeth. Using these models, we make a personalized whitening tray that fits tightly over your teeth, allowing us to achieve optimum results.
At home, you’ll fill the tray with the whitening gel and place the tray over your teeth, keeping it in place for several hours each day. You can wear the whitening trays while you sleep, or if you prefer, you can wear them as you go about your day. Typically, you’ll begin to see results in two to three weeks.
We’ll monitor your progress on a regular basis, ensuring that your gums aren’t becoming irritated and your teeth are whitening as desired. When the process is complete, your smile will be noticeably whiter and brighter.
MAINTAINING YOUR NEW WHITER SMILE:
Let us know if you experience some sensitivity during or following the whitening process. This is normal, and should subside shortly. We can suggest toothpaste that will alleviate the sensitivity. Avoid foods an beverages that stain, like coffee, cola, tea, berries and red wine, or brush or rinse with water after consuming them.
See us periodically for touch-ups to remove new stains.
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Prosthodontics and Implants
PROSTHODONTICS is the branch of dentistry concerned with the artificial replacement of missing teeth. In the course of her practice, Dr. Barwick has added implantolgy to her repertoire of procedures. Implants can be used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth or a patient’s complete dentition. 3D Cone Beam Imaging, which our office acquired in December of 2011, assists greatly in her success in implant placements.
Dr. Barwick also provides more traditional techniques such as Removable Partial Dentures and Fixed Partial Dentures (Bridges) for patients missing one or more teeth, Complete Dentures. for patients who lose all or most of of their teeth. We look forward to talking to you about TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS.
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Preventive Dentistry
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY is the branch of dentistry that deals with the preservation of healthy teeth and gums and the prevention of dental caries (decay or cavities) and oral disease. The American Dental Association recommends that adults and children establish good oral hygiene habits at home and visit their dentist at regular intervals to have a dental prophy and diagnostic radiographs taken to detect changes in the teeth, changes in the bone level around the teeth and changes in the tissues of the oral cavity. Our office recommends that healthy patients schedule regular 6 month visits.
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Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)
ENDODONTICS, also known as Root Canal Therapy, is the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the tooth root, dental pulp (nerve) and surrounding tissue. Specialists, called Endodontists, treat the dental nerve and its diseases on a daily basis. Dr. Barwick will treat some cases in the office and refer others to an endodontist after an assessment based on testing, review of X-ray images and the preferences of her patients.
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Esthetics and Cosmetic Dentistry
ESTHETIC OR COSMETIC Dentistry is the branch of dentistry aimed at improving the appearance of the teeth. The purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of the teeth using bleaching, bonding, veneers, reshaping, orthodontics, or implants. Dr. Barwick offers a range of Esthetic Services including 6 Month Smile Treatment, Implant placement and restoration, Dentures and Partial Dentures and Whitening options including the ZOOM Whitening System.
Call our office today to discuss Esthetic services that may be right for restoring or maintaining your smile.
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Education
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Came to Dr. Karen 6 months ago a total mouth mess! Now I have a beautiful smile and I can't thank her and her wonderful girls enough! My dentist fears are gone!
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You are the best. Your staff makes everyone feel like family when we walk in the door.
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Dr. Barwick and the rest of the team are awesome! I couldn't ask for a better dentist!!
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I have been coming to Dr. Karen since I was 4, and now at 29 I still love her and her staff as much as I always have, if not more.
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The whole staff is super amazing. Dr. K and everyone else make you feel as if you are the most important patient they have seen all day.
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Why go anywhere else?! Excellent stop for all your dental needs.
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Treated like family. Been going since 1999. I look forward to visits to see how everyone is doing.
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Not only is Dr. Barwick a very good dentist she makes me feel like I am part of her family and is very easy to talk to. Dr. Barwick has talked to me when I had no one else to share my feelings to. Thank you Dr.Barwick.
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An excellent dentist and a good friend. I have been her patient for over 20 years. She has a way of making you feel special and important. Love you Dr. Karen!!!!!
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The best group of people I love them!
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Dr Barwick taught me in Dental Asst. School in 1989 at ACC. She got me my first job when I got out of school . The two asst. That work there are great girls. I went to school with one of them and she too was taught by Dr Barwick. You are in good hands if she is your dentist. Very friendly atmosphere, excellent work, a great place to keep coming back too.
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Great place, a very caring and friendly staff...they all make you feel like you are part of a family.
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I've been a patient with Dr. Karen since 1998 and I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else. Her professionalism is unmatched, and the staff there is so upbeat and friendly. Quinn has been my hygienist since the beginning, and she's always interested in asking what's new with me and my family. I look forward to my next 6 month checkup with my dentist family! If you want a dentist and staff who care about you, then I highly recommend Dr. Karen & her staff.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Barwick Today!
There’s no better time than the present to schedule an appointment to take care of your dental health.
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Copyright © 2014 | Karen D. Barwick DDS, PA & Associates