What do you say to patients who have concerns about dental x-rays?
Posted 03/21/2022
Westpark Helpful Dental Articles
Digital X-Rays Produce Much Less Radiation
X-rays are used for diagnostic purposes, and to protect the patient from oral health problems that could arise—or are currently present—which would not be discovered without the use of this important diagnostic tool.
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Posted 03/14/2022
How do you make yourself available to patients who have a dental problem after hours?
Posted 03/07/2022
Sleep Apnea Often Treatable According to Cleveland Dentist
Sleep apnea is a condition that happens while someone is sleeping and they either completely stop breathing or partially stop breathing repeatedly through the night. It is a significant problem that affects many people.
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Posted 02/28/2022
What precautions do you take to ensure proper sterilization and infection control in your office?
Posted 02/21/2022
Universal Infection Control Procedures Protect Patients
At West Park Dental we have infection control protocols in place that go beyond those required by law. We provide a very safe and hygienic environment for patients and staff alike. Our protocols begin with the way our treatment space is setup in the rooms.
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Posted 02/14/2022
Dental Hygienist Measures Depth of Pockets Around Teeth
Periodontal (gum) disease is a silent disease because without periodontal charting of the gums people often would not know it is present until it reaches an advanced stage. Periodontal charting is used to assess overall dental health by checking every surface of each tooth, and the condition of the gums in every location of the mouth.
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Posted 02/07/2022
Full Mouth Rehabilitation Often Requires a Team Approach
Some patients need a full mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction. One example would be a patient who has several missing teeth while many other teeth are breaking down and some teeth are not functioning properly.
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Posted 01/31/2022
Clenching and Grinding of Teeth Can Be Treated
To help patients who grind their teeth, the first step is to get to know the patient and learn about their lifestyle. So many people have excess stress in their lives that often leads to clenching the teeth or grinding the teeth, or both.
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Posted 01/17/2022
The Secret Language of Dental Benefits—Insurance Coordinator Tells All
When a patient tells me, they want to be smart about their insurance and make sure they are choosing a company that will cover them in the best possible way, I offer my services to the patient.
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Posted 01/10/2022
Dr. Gallagher On Call for Dental Emergencies
We are on call at West Park Dental after hours for emergencies. One new emergency patient was in town to give a talk at a conference, and while at the meeting he developed a toothache and was afraid it was so severe that it would prevent him from giving his presentation.
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Posted 01/03/2022
Zirconia and Porcelain Crowns Look Completely Natural
Non-metal crowns have changed cosmetic dentistry. I am very pleased to be practicing dentistry during these times when we have years of experience with modern materials.
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Posted 12/20/2021
Treatment Coordinator at West Park Dental 20 Years and Counting
The way I would describe my favorite part of the job at West Park Dental is helping my patients maintain and restore their dental health.
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Posted 12/13/2021
Dr. Gallagher Says Patients Can Keep Teeth for a Lifetime
Some patients think that losing teeth is a natural part of the aging process. The myth goes back to the Middle Ages when there was no dental health care or an understanding of proper oral hygiene. When a tooth became problematic, the only option was to take it out.
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Posted 03/29/2021
How have tooth-colored materials revolutionized getting a cavity filled?
Posted 03/22/2021
Dental Patients Now More Aware of Health Issues
The future of dentistry will focus very much on information being at our fingertips and patients maintaining dental awareness into later years of life.
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Posted 03/15/2021
Bonding Teeth Can Close Gaps and Create Instant Beautiful Smiles
In modern dentistry today one of the techniques we have at our disposal as an alternative to placing a full coverage crown on a tooth is bonding the tooth. When placing a crown we are required to grind down the whole tooth, but with bonding we bond pieces of porcelain to a fractured or decayed tooth.
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Posted 03/01/2021
Dental Prevention Starts with Teaching Children to Brush and Floss
At West Park Dental the entire team is involved in the prevention program in order for it to be successful. Prevention is part of our practice culture and everyone--from hygienists to assistants to the doctors--will emphasize prevention with patients.
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Posted 02/15/2021
A Fearful New Patient Had the Courage to Call for an Appointment
Here at West Park Dental we have an overall philosophy that the patient comes first, which sounds simple but it is really something we put into practice.
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Posted 02/08/2021
West Park Dental in Cleveland Offers Fast Smile Makeovers
Veneers are a wonderful product we can offer patients here at West Park Dental, and there are certain circumstances that make them a wise choice versus putting a crown on a tooth. An example is a patient I have who has what we call “tetracycline staining.”
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Posted 02/01/2021
Why are dental implants often a great option, even for older patients?
Posted 01/25/2021
Dr. Brian Gallagher Explains the Importance of Having a Proper Bite
The reason it is so important for a patient to have a proper bite is that certain teeth are meant to do certain things, and when they are asked to go beyond their intended function, there can be problems with teeth breaking.
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Posted 01/18/2021
West Park Dental Offers Interest Free Financing
A variety of payment options are available to patients here at West Park Dental in Cleveland. We accept coordination of payment via insurance, personal checks, and all the major credit cards including Discover and American Express. We also offer financing with CareCredit.
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Posted 01/11/2021
Tooth Colored Fillings Offer Patients Many Advantages
The main point of creating a filling is to create a very durable tooth. Scientists use the term “newton centimeter” to describe the bite force placed on teeth during compression or chewing.
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Posted 01/04/2021
Sleep Apnea Often Treatable According to Cleveland Dentist
Sleep apnea is a condition that happens while someone is sleeping and they either completely stop breathing or partially stop breathing repeatedly through the night. It is a significant problem that affects many people.
Read More...
Posted 12/07/2020
The Secret Language of Dental Benefits—Insurance Coordinator Tells All
When a patient tells me, they want to be smart about their insurance and make sure they are choosing a company that will cover them in the best possible way, I offer my services to the patient.
Read More...
Posted 10/19/2020
Zirconia and Porcelain Crowns Look Completely Natural
Non-metal crowns have changed cosmetic dentistry. I am very pleased to be practicing dentistry during these times when we have years of experience with modern materials.
Read More...
Posted 09/28/2020
Treatment Coordinator at West Park Dental 20 Years and Counting
The way I would describe my favorite part of the job at West Park Dental is helping my patients maintain and restore their dental health.
Read More...
Posted 09/21/2020
Dental Implants Provide Senior Citizens with Lifestyle Benefits
Many dental patients come to West Park Dental convinced that they are too old to have dental implants. I respond by asking a 70-year-old patient, for example, if they feel old and I ask about their overall health.
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Posted 09/14/2020
What are the advantages of invisalign and what has been your experience with it?
Posted 09/07/2020
West Park Dental’s Crowns Have Lasted Over 20 Years
Perhaps the most common reason for putting a crown on a tooth is that it previously held a large filling that now needs replacement due to additional decay, but there was not enough healthy tooth structure remaining in which to set a filling.
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Posted 08/31/2020
Lori at West Park Dental Has a Calming Effect on Patients
My work is as a certified dental assistant and I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties as well. In this capaCleveland I have an opportunity to get to know patients well, which I love to do.
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Posted 08/28/2020
Whiter Teeth Achieved with Take Home System
If a patient would like whiter teeth the first thing we do is a thorough dental cleaning. After a cleaning a very good option for the patient is the gel and tray whitening service we offer.
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Posted 08/17/2020
What advice do you have for parents of young children regarding proper dental care?
Posted 08/10/2020
West Park Dental Provides Snap-In Dentures and the All-on-4 Fixed Hybrid Denture
There are many different types of dentures that we provide at West Park Dental in Cleveland. Years ago we only had the option of providing patients with conventional, full mouth dentures that were completely removable.
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Posted 08/04/2020
Treatment Coordinator at West Park Dental Takes Care of Insurance and Scheduling
As Treatment Coordinator at West Park Dental in Cleveland, my responsibilities include presenting the treatment plan to the patient and arranging financial options and payment plans for the treatment.
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Posted 07/27/2020
The Doctor Will See You Now—No Long Waits at West Park Dental
New patients who visit our dental office for their very first visit do not have long to wait once they arrive. One reason we can see patients promptly is that the doctors tend to run on time.
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Posted 07/20/2020
Oral Cancer Can Be Devastating - Dr. Gallagher Recommends Screenings
In dentistry oral cancer is a very serious concern, which we screen for when we see our patients. Most people are not aware of how insidious this disease can be, because symptoms are almost nonexistent until the patient either has pain or swelling, or a sore that will not heal over time.
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Posted 07/06/2020
Baby Teeth Must Be Cared For To Prevent Future Problems
There are a number of dental myths. A big myth is believing that cavities in a child’s baby teeth are not a problem because the teeth will eventually fall out. I do not like seeing people in pain, and a small child will be in pain if they have cavities that are not treated while waiting for baby teeth to fall out.
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Posted 06/29/2020
Dr. Gallagher’s Dental Assistant Says People Skills are Important
My work is as a certified dental assistant and I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties as well. In this capaCleveland I have an opportunity to get to know patients well, which I love to do.
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Posted 06/22/2020
Dr. Gallagher Builds Rapport with Children and Baby Boomers Alike
At West Park Dental we treat multiple generations, from small children to very elderly patients, and it is easy to relate to all these different generations because I really enjoy all these relationships.
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Posted 06/08/2020
Affordable Dental Treatment Possible with Insurance and Financing
Many patients ask questions about the cost of dental treatment and financial options, and here at West Park Dental we have a staff who are experts concerning the options available to patients to help pay for needed dental services.
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Posted 06/01/2020
Flossing Properly Just One Minute a Day Great for Dental Health
The reason it is so important to floss your teeth is that a toothbrush has a really hard time getting in between your teeth. Toothbrush bristles are too thick to get into those areas.
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Posted 05/25/2020
What are some common myths about dentistry and the facts you can share?
Posted 05/18/2020
Dr. Michael Gallagher, Dentist in Cleveland, is Active in His Community
As a dentist in practice for many years I have become very active in the community. During children’s dental health month we speak to the children at local schools, and we also participate in the local parades. For many years I served on the Board of Director for St. Joseph Academy, the all-girls school down the street from West Park Dental, and currently I lecture in their health sciences classes.
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Posted 05/11/2020
Cracked Teeth Can Often Be Repaired at West Park Dental
When a patient comes in to have a cracked tooth treated, one of the biggest factors in determining the course of treatment is to examine the crack very carefully.
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Posted 04/05/2020
What are the advantages of replacing a single missing tooth with dental implant rather than a conventional bridge?
As the Insurance Coordinator here at West Park Dental, I know that the most common misperception about dental insurance is that it is like medical insurance.
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Posted 04/27/2020
What are the advantages of replacing a single missing tooth with dental implant rather than a conventional bridge?
Posted 04/20/2020
Single Tooth Dental Implants Have Advantages Over Three-Unit Bridges
Dental implants are often preferable to a bridge for various reasons. The implant is a single tooth, whereas a bridge will involve three teeth and span over the empty space where one natural tooth used to be.
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Posted 04/13/2020
Invisalign Can Be Removed for Dinner and for Photographic Moments
These days we have the technology to straighten teeth with no wires or brackets using nearly invisible braces. The system we use is Invisalign, which incorporates computer-based imaging to create a digital mockup of the teeth prior to treatment.
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Posted 06/04/2020
Hygienist at West Park Dental Discusses Oral Hygiene Products
With so many different kinds of toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market it can be confusing for consumers to know which ones are right for them.
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Posted 03/30/20
Cleveland Dentists Dr. Brian Gallagher Performs Wide Range of Procedures
While I practice the full scope of general dentistry, there are some aspects that I really enjoy very much, including, for example the cosmetic side of dentistry.
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Posted 03/16/20
A Cohesive Family Atmosphere Starts with the Doctors
At West Park Dental there are specific steps we take to create and sustain patient loyalty. After operative procedures we call the patient to follow-up and see how they are doing.
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Posted 03/09/20
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary-Dental Assistant Places Fillings
In addition to being a certified dental assistant, I have expanded function dental auxiliary duties, or EFDA. With that EFDA I am able to place fillings. To become qualified I trained for a year to learn how to place and finish fillings.
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Posted 03/02/20
Sterilization is a High Priority at West Park Dental in Cleveland
At West Park Dental we have several systems in place in terms of protocols for ensuring proper levels of sterilization. We take patient safety very seriously here. As part of our protocol, we have a sterilization area that has a clean side and a dirty side.
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Posted 02/10/20
A Fearful New Patient Had the Courage to Call for an Appointment
Here at West Park Dental we have an overall philosophy that the patient comes first, which sounds simple but it is really something we put into practice.
Read More...
Posted 01/06/20
