In addition to our own website, there are other sites on the Web that provide interesting and helpful dental information. Because we are committed to improving the oral healthcare knowledge of our patients, we are providing the following selection of links to other sites you might find interesting and informative. We have grouped some of the links into various categories to provide quick access to the topics of greatest interest to you.
If you have a suggestion for a new link, please send us an email, as we are always looking for good resources to pass along to our valued patients and visitors to our website. We hope you find these sites helpful!
Valley Brook Dental in the News
Dr. Joseph Gurecka has been placing dental implants at Valley Brook Dental, LLC for the last 15 years. His passion is to use dental implants to help patients connect with something that they lost: a confident smile, the ability to chew, or missing teeth. To accomplish this in the facial esthetic zone requires a degree of expertise that only comes from experience. To accomplish this Dr. Gurecka utilizes some of the most advanced techniques for dental implant placement and bone regeneration to achieve lasting results while simplifying the procedure and increasing the reliability of the treatment. Sometimes a patient with a broken tooth or a fractured root can have the tooth removed and the implant placed at the same time, even with a temporary crown to fill the space in their smile!
By using the most advanced dental implant systems on the market, including the VERSAH® surgical system (which uses osseodensification to preserve bone), Dr. Gurecka provides new opportunities for patients who, because of poor bone levels, were not candidates for dental implants. His office also uses Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), or Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF). This technique uses a by-product of your blood which contain growth factors and stem cells, to initiate and accelerate the healing process. PRF/PRP have been used for years by Orthopedic surgeons to accelerate the body’s own healing process. Dr. Gurecka applies the same PRF technique for bone and gingival grafting to improve healing and success rates.
The office uses optical digital scanning and Cone Beam Vertical Tomography (CBCT) to render accurate 3D images of the implant sites and are used to fabricate surgical guides that help in precise implant placement. Our advanced imaging and digital impressions allow for the crafting of restorations that fit comfortably and look natural. Dental implants support several prosthetics including Crowns, Bridges, and Hybrid Dentures (All on 4). For patients with missing, broken, or decayed teeth, the All on 4 approach refers to a combined surgical prosthodontic procedure which replaces teeth with a fixed, full arch prosthesis supported by 4-6 implants often on the same day. The final life-like prosthesis can be acrylic or zirconia which is very strong, durable, and esthetic!
To keep up with this rapidly changing field Dr. Gurecka recently completed a 9 month Implant program at Augusta University in Georgia, home to the Georgia Dental School.
There he was trained by some of the leaders in Dental Implant Education and completed almost 400 hours of continuing education through the American Association of Implant Dentists (AAID). Last year he passed the written AAID Fellowship Exam and then flew to Chicago to submit actual cases for peer review and an oral examination which he passed and in September was inducted as an Associate Fellow in the AAID.
Dr. Gurecka lives in Upper St. Clair with his wife Helen and daughter Diana who attends Seton LaSalle High School where she plays Lacrosse. Helen works in Corporate Risk at PNC Financial Corporation in town. Dr. G can often be seen on the Montour Bike Trail, cheering on the Penguins, fishing with his daughter, or at Home Depot with his yellow lab “Murphy” who loves to greet shoppers wearing his very own Home Depot vest.
Sponsored content brought to you by Valley Brook Dental LLC.
Affordable Dental Implant Solutions
Joseph L. Gurecka, DMD | 180 Gallery Drive McMurray, PA 15317 | 724-942-8982 | www.valleybrookdental.com
Missing or Broken Teeth?
We offer implant options for crowns, bridges and dentures using the latest in dental implant technology
What sets Dr. Gurecka apart from the rest?
We offer:
- All treatments done in office (no need for referrals)
- State-of-the art equipment
- CT & Digital scanning
- AAID credentialed dentist
Myths about Dental Implants
By Nancy Kennedy
For adults who have lost teeth, dental implants may well be the ideal solution. According to the American Dental Association, dental implants are an excellent long term option to restore one’s smile, re-establish normal eating function and improve overall health. Implants are attractive, strong and permanent and can replace one tooth or all of them.
Here in Pittsburgh we have talked with Dr. Joseph Gurecka. With over 20 years of experience, extensive ongoing education, training and formal AAID credentialing, Dr. Gurecka is superbly qualified and passionate about the many advantages of dental implants for his patients. He likes to say that he simply helps patients find something that they lost … their smile, but he does so with advanced, state-of-the-art dental technology. Dr. Gurecka is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh Dental School where he graduated with Honors. He completed a General Practice Residency at Allegheny General Hospital. He later returned to the University of Pittsburgh to attend the Katz Graduate School of Business and receive his Executive MBA with a focus on Biotechnology and Bone Tissue Engineering. Dr. Gurecka received his implant training at Augusta University and passed his clinical exams in 2019 to be recognized as an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). His practice, Valley Brook Dental, LLC, is located in McMurray. Dr. Gurecka stays current with developing technologies in order to offer his patients the best possible care.
For this issue of the Guide to Good Health, we asked Dr. Gurecka to help correct common misunderstandings about dental implants. “I often hear my patients say, ‘It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be’ when their treatment is completed. Sometimes I will have a new patient speak with a satisfied patient who recently had an implant; they talk about what they experienced and it makes patients feel much more comfortable with the whole concept. First hand patient testimony can really help put people at ease with proposed treatment. We encourage our patients to share their experiences and when we ask them, they are always gracious,” Dr. Gurecka says.
Some common misunderstandings:
“You can eat anything after you have dental implants.”
Dr. Gurecka: “Once the implant has integrated to the bone, it is fixated. This is called osteointegration and it occurs over a period of 3-6 months. Once this happens the implant is ready to be restored and there are very few dietary limitations. However, we teach our patients to use common sense.
“You can tell if someone has implants.”
Dr. Gurecka: “No, you cannot tell by how the person looks, speaks or chews. Implants are designed to replicate the normal teeth in shape, color and function. They look and feel natural.” Many patients exclaim “I had forgotten what it was like to have a tooth in that empty space!”
“Dental implants affect your speech.”
Dr. Gurecka: “No, this is not usually true. During the transition from complete dentures to implants, a few people may experience some changes in how they speak, but this will often resolve in a short period of time. The biggest feedback we receive is from patients who can throw away their removable partial denture that was used to fill an empty space. They can now speak with more confidence and not worry about an appliance “floating’ around in their mouth.”
“Dental implants are too expensive for most people.”
Dr. Gurecka: “The cost of implants is comparable to other alternative treatments. Most people want a fixed appliance rather than dentures. If you decide to get two implants versus four crowns in a fixed bridge, the cost will be roughly comparable. We present patients with every option and the patient chooses based on their personal preferences an
General Dental Websites
The AAID is the first professional organization in the world dedicated to implant dentistry. Its membership includes general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and others interested in the field of implant dentistry.
Provides information for the general public including dental care articles, dental insurance information, and information for students interested in dentistry.
The AO is recognized as the premier international association for professionals interested in implant dentistry.
The AGD’s consumer information section provides information on more than 50 oral dental health topics.
Oral Health Care & Products
Links to sites providing helpful information on oral health and home care products patients can use to maintain optimum oral health.
Trusted resource for dental health information and oral care products.
One of the world's most trusted brands in dental products.
Oral-B developed this learning center for dental health education to promote oral care habits that are essential to the lifelong health of teeth and gums. The site includes information and advice for children, adults, and dental health teachers.
Learn how the Sonicare toothbrush creates an indescribable clean feeling, the benefits you can expect, and even take a factory tour.