Dr. Mark D. Kollar, DDS

Root canals are still the bogeyman of dentistry because there are some myths that people keep spreading. Today’s root canals are quick and painless. In fact, the procedure actually relieves pain because it removes the nerve that is sending pain signals. Many patients report that the procedure is no worse than having a filling. If you have concerns about a root canal, give us a call. We’ll be happy to give the truth about root canals.

Amalgam (silver) fillings have been used for many decades. Some studies have raised concerns that exposure to minute particles of mercury contained in the fillings and/or vapor from mercury can cause health problems. However, the American Dental Association, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the FDA, the World Health Organization, and many other groups support the use of amalgam fillings. To avoid any possible health concerns and for a more natural-looking smile, we use tooth fillings made of tooth-colored composite.

We offer many cosmetic dental procedures to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your needs, your treatment plan may range from restoring a single tooth to having a complete smile makeover. Dr. Mark Kollar has been transforming smiles for many years and can help you decide which treatments are right for your smile.

Unlike a cavity, which often hurts, you can have periodontal (gum) disease without even realizing it. You should see us right away if you notice symptoms such as bright red gums, puffy gums, chronic bad breath, teeth that feel loose, or gums that bleed. We can eliminate gum disease with a deep cleaning treatment.

We recommend brushing at least twice a day, for two minutes each time, and flossing at least once a day. We can show you proper techniques for both brushing and flossing during your dental exams.

We recommend visiting our office every six months for a dental exam and cleaning. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, we may recommend more frequent visits until the disease is completely under control.

To replace missing teeth, your options at our office include dental implants and a dental bridge. Implants can be restored with a crown, a bridge, or even dentures. No matter which restoration you choose, your smile will feel, look, and function much like it did before you lost teeth. You can choose a removable bridge or a fixed bridge. We can attach a fixed bridge to implants, so we won’t need to drill into healthy tooth structure.

Porcelain veneers are extremely thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are custom-made to cover the front surfaces of your teeth. They are very durable and will not stain, making them an effective solution for patients who want to restore or enhance their smile.

Dr. Kollar will check your fillings to see if they are defective and need replacement. If you simply want to replace metal fillings with more natural-looking restorations, he can help you decide which ones should be replaced first and which replacement options will work best for you. Depending on the size of your fillings and where they are located, your choices may include composite fillings, porcelain dental veneers, inlays, onlays, or dental crowns.

Teeth whitening treatments are a great option for many people. We offer a choice of a whitening treatment in our office, using a pressurized powder that is tough on stains but easy on your teeth, or an at-home whitening kit with professional-strength bleach and custom-made whitening trays. You can cover stains that don’t respond well to whitening treatments with dental veneers, a tooth bonding treatment, or dental crowns.

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is the leading cause of lost teeth among adults. Since it’s a bacterial infection, it can also affect the health of your body. Numerous studies have found a correlation between gum disease and major medical conditions. Conditions linked to gum disease include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and preterm childbirth.

It’s possible to reimplant teeth that have been knocked out, especially if you can get to our office within 30 minutes. Be sure to handle the tooth only by the crown (white part), not by its roots. If you can, put the tooth back in its socket immediately. Gently bite down on gauze or a wet tea bag to keep it in place. It’s best to use saliva or milk for storage if you need to transport it in a container. Consider buying a “Save-A-Tooth” storage container, which can be purchased at many drugstores, and keeping it as part of a first aid kit.

Bad breath (halitosis) has many causes. You can often get rid of bad breath by improving your oral hygiene habits and making lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and drinking more water. If your bad breath is due to gum disease, we’ll treat it with a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing.

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that cover and protect the chewing surfaces of your teeth. The sealants create a smooth protective barrier that makes it easier to clean teeth and helps keep them cavity-free. They are especially useful for areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, such as back teeth. Dr. Kollar is likely to suggest sealants if you have dry mouth or other conditions that make you susceptible to cavities.

Brushing your teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your tooth surfaces – but your brush can’t reach the spaces in between the teeth. Thus, it’s important to floss every day to clean between your teeth and under your gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, but it also discourages plaque from accumulating, which helps prevent damage to your gums, teeth, and bone.

It’s easier to chew, bite, and speak more effectively with straight teeth than with crooked teeth. In addition, a straight smile looks more attractive and gives you more self-confidence. It also makes it easier to keep teeth healthy, since they should be easier to brush and floss. At Five Star Dental FC, you can straighten teeth with Invisalign, a system that uses clear plastic aligners instead of metal braces.