Our Office Services

Laser Dentistry

It provides the most advanced alternative for periodontal (gum) treatments and for restorative work like bondings and fillings. Star Smile Dental and Implant Center uses the award-winning Laser machine to ensure patient comfort during and after procedures.

We are proud to be among very few dentists across the United States who are equipped with an all tissue - a true dental laser that allows us to offer our patients scientifically advanced treatment choices that are supported by many years of clinical research. The LightWalker Dental Laser that we use in our dental office in Framingham is FDA approved and won the "Best of Class" Pride Institute's Technology Award. It performs a wide range of procedures for teeth, gums, and jawbones, such as fillings, bondings, gum and bone surgeries.

Most general dental or specialty procedures can be performed or assisted by the laser. Laser Dentistry is similar to other corrective procedures in medicine like LASIK in ophthalmology, wrinkle and hair removal in dermatology, and many others. In general, laser treatments are more patient-friendly than many of the traditional methods, which use a scalpel and drill. The laser provides such benefits as:

• Reduced need for shots (local anesthesia) and therefore less numb lips and cheeks
• Minimized bleeding and swelling
• Little to no postoperative discomfort
• Avoidance of heat, vibration, and pressure that are primary causes of pain from a dental drill

With the Dental Laser, we also see accelerated healing in our patients due to the gentle laser energy and a laser-created, medically sterile field. We believe that the laser delivers the highest standard of dental care due to its effects and positive patient response.

You might need treatment for your condition if you suffer from:

• Red, swollen gums
• Gums that occasionally bleed upon flossing and brushing
• Gum (periodontal) pockets
• Periodontal disease (bone and gum disease)

We would appreciate the opportunity to offer you the most conservative laser method of treatment, Wave-Length-Optimized Periodontal Therapy (WPT).

Our patients who had WPT report little or no discomfort associated with the procedure. Major benefits of the WPT procedure include:

• No cutting away of the gums
• No stitches

Thank you for your interest in this new and exciting technology.

Family & General Dentistry

Most dental patients are seeking dental care because of common dental diseases like tooth decay and periodontal (bone and gum) disease. Their consequences usually manifest themselves in the form of infections, pain, and esthetic and/or functional problems. Oftentimes, trauma, stress, genetics, or one's lifestyle contribute to the development of these types of conditions that our patients need to take control of. This is where the modern science of General Dentistry helps treat dental diseases of patients regardless of their ages. It is has been a very rewarding experience to see different generations of families treated in our dental office. We greatly appreciate your referrals and are proud to be your family dentist!

Cosmetic Dentistry, Smile Makeovers

Did you know that according to recent studies, 95% of adults feel more comfortable with an attractive smile, and 97% feel that a beautiful smile helps them to succeed in business? Dr. Kathryn at Star Smile Dental and Implant Center sees the uniqueness of each smile and how each and every cosmetic treatment should be personalized and match your facial features. You are unique, and your smile is unique.

Dr. Kathryn's highly developed artistic ability, a gift that can not be taught, served many of her patients in creating customized smile makeovers. Please fill in the contact form if you are interested in scheduling a consultation to discuss your needs further.

Children's Dentistry

It is not quite the same as adult dentistry. At Star Smile Dental and Implant Center in Framingham, our goal is to create a natural environment where a child enters adulthood free of dental disease as well as dental fears - with good oral health habits that will last a lifetime. We aim to provide complete care for our children patients.

Oral Surgery - Wisdom Teeth Removal & Extractions

Star Smile Dental and Implant Center performs the following oral surgical procedures:

• Apicoectomy (Endodontic) Surgeries
• Benign Lesions Removal
• Biopsies
• Bone Grafts
• Crown Lengthening
• Frenectomy
• Dental Implants
• Osseous Surgeries
• Teeth Removal / Wisdom Teeth Removal
  
• Treatment of Abscesses

Most oral surgery services can be performed or assisted by a dental laser. The laser works by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical procedures, the laser eliminates or reduces the need for dental drills, scalpels, and sutures. From our experience, when dental lasers are utilized, we have observed accelerated healing in our patients as well as less bleeding, pain, and infections. Oftentimes, little or no injections are required.

Please see what our patients are saying about laser procedures and Dr. Kathryn.

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive Dentistry
Untreated dental issues may result in dental infection tooth loss and even affect your overall health. Preventive dentistry helps you to avoid such situations by regularly working with your dentist and fixing minor problems at the very beginning. Our office can also help you select some dental hygiene products like mouthwash and toothpaste that have preventive value.

Oral Hygiene
Regular brushing and flossing will remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth. This helps to keep your gums healthy and prevents tooth decay. Professional cleanings help to remove tartar and stains that patients cannot remove during regular brushing and flossing and from hard-to-reach spots above and under the gums.

Root Canal Treatments

REFERENCE: Dr. Devine

A root canal is a dental procedure that is performed when the innermost part of a tooth, called the pulp, becomes infected or damaged. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that help the tooth grow during development. However, once the tooth is fully formed, it can survive without the pulp. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the root canal procedure: 1. Diagnosis: Your dentist will examine your tooth and take an X-ray to determine if a root canal is necessary. Common symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal include severe tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, swelling, or a persistent pimple on the gum.

2. Local anesthesia: Before starting the procedure, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. This ensures that you won't feel any pain during the procedure.

3. Accessing the pulp: Your dentist will create a small opening in the tooth, usually through the top surface, to access the pulp chamber and root canals. This is done using specialized dental instruments.

4.  Cleaning and disinfecting: Using small files, your dentist will carefully remove the infected or damaged pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals. The area is then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to eliminate any bacteria or debris.

5. Filling the canals: After cleaning the canals, your dentist will shape them using tiny instruments to make room for the filling material. The canals are typically filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, which seals them to prevent reinfection.

6. Restoring the tooth: In most cases, a root canal-treated tooth becomes weaker and more brittle over time. To protect the tooth and restore its strength, your dentist will likely recommend placing a dental crown or filling over the treated tooth. This step may be performed during the same visit or in a subsequent appointment.

7.  Follow-up care: Once the root canal procedure is complete, you may experience some sensitivity or discomfort for a few days. Over-the-counter pain medications can help manage any discomfort. It's crucial to maintain good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, to ensure the long-term success of the treated tooth.

Root canals are highly effective in saving teeth that would otherwise require extraction. They relieve pain, eliminate infection, and allow you to maintain a natural tooth functionally and aesthetically.

Remember, it's essential to consult with your dentist for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan if you suspect you may need a root canal.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers cover the front side of teeth. They are usually used to change the length, color, and shape of teeth. This procedure can be performed with minimal tooth preparation and, therefore, makes an excellent choice for a cosmetic makeover.

Crowns & Bridges

A Dental Crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is bonded or cemented over a tooth to restore the strength and appearance of a damaged tooth. A crown can be placed:

• To protect and strengthen the remaining portion of the tooth from breaking further
• To restore misshaped or discolored teeth
• To restore an implant
• To anchor a dental bridge

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials. However, the most common types are all-porcelain or porcelain with metal substructure underneath, which provides additional strength.

A Dental Bridge is also known as a fixed partial denture; it is a non-removable replacement of one or more missing teeth. The bridge is held by anchoring to the teeth or implants on either side of missing teeth and restoring the appearance of natural teeth and an ability to chew and speak normally. A Dental bridge also prevents remaining teeth from drifting out of their position, which causes bite changes.

Implants

The purpose of dental implants is to provide a strong foundation for teeth replacement that would look and function similar to genuine teeth—the implants placed directly into the jawbone. Implants can be done to replace missing teeth and can be support for dentures, called hybrids or all-on-4. In addition, implants can help protect the facial structure by preventing the bone deterioration that can happen when teeth are missing. With implants, many patients were able to regain the confidence of eating, speaking, smiling, and enjoying life.

Inlays & Onlays

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays are used as teeth fillings and usually last 2-3 times longer than a regular tooth filling. As an alternative to getting a crown, Inlays and Onlays do not require the grinding away of all sides of the tooth.

Take care of your smile, and it will take care of you.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Also called "white fillings" are dental fillings that restore and mimic the natural appearance of a tooth’s structure that has been fractured or decayed. White fillings can be used for the replacement of old, defective silver fillings.

Esthetic Bonding

It is a tooth-colored resin application to the teeth. It looks like a natural-looking tooth and costs a lot less than a veneer. Bonding can be used to improve the appearance of the teeth and to fill in gaps between the teeth. It can also be used for teeth sculpting. Dental bonding comes in a wide range of teeth-colored shades, so it can be matched to the patient’s teeth. No one will realize that you have colored bondings, but everyone will notice your perfect smile. The benefits of esthetic bonding include but are not limited to: A natural-looking solution to cracked chipped, or otherwise damaged teeth Less expensive than porcelain veneers Completed in just 1-2 visits

Teeth Whitening

Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure in dentistry. Dr. Kathryn will help you choose the correct tooth whitening product to maximize your personal whitening results.

We offer two options: in-office and home whitening.

Affordable Dentures (Full, Partials, Implant Supported)

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available – complete and partial dentures. While complete dentures replace all teeth in the jaw, a partial denture will only replace some of the teeth and leave others untouched. Some partial dentures can be substituted with the Snap-on Smile appliance option. Dental implants can be placed to support the denture, making the denture more secure. A person who has lost the ability to chew and smile with confidence regains this ability. Both full and partial dentures are removable.

Lumineers

These are ultra-thin veneers that are placed over existing teeth without drilling or reshaping the tooth structure (as opposed to regular veneers). Consider Lumineers as a painless, permanent cosmetic dentistry solution for stained, discolored, chipped, crooked, or misaligned teeth. Is Lumineers a good solution for you? At Star Smile Dental and Implant Center, Dr. Kathryn will help you to choose the right custom solution specifically for your teeth. Get yourself a beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!

Invisalign^®

It is a new, innovative alternative to regular braces that provide a tooth straightening solution. This new technology lets you get the smile you have always wanted without bands, brackets, or wires. Invisalign® is a virtually invisible solution. So, you won’t draw unwanted attention to your mouth while being treated. In fact, no one would notice any difference unless you tell them. Invisalign® aligners are comfortable to wear and can be removed to eat, drink, brush, and floss, as usual. A typical Invisalign® case takes about a year to complete. Dr. Kathryn Polyakov, an Invisalign® Certified Dentist, can use Invisalign® to treat the vast majority of common problems among adults and teens.

Snap-on Smile

A revolutionary, removable, and beautiful smile solution that requires no shots, no drilling, and no adhesives. Snap-on Smile is an affordable, non-invasive, reversible alternative to restorative/cosmetic dentistry. Patients using a Snap-on Smile appliance report an immediate boost to self-confidence. Your custom-designed Snap-on Smile appliance will only take a couple of weeks to complete. The results are an affordable temporary solution that allows a patient to seek a more extensive restorative dentistry solution later on.