John L. Potter, DMD, focuses his office on Advanced Periodontal Laser Therapy and Implant Treatment.
His ability to manage a patient's dentition through implants, periodontal rehabilitation and
maintenance has yielded uncompromising results. From placing hundreds of implants a year to
enhancing a patients smile through gingival recontouring, he is a perfectionist in every skill he
performs.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. John Potter has proven himself as a skilled periodontist and implant specialist. His ability to manage the bone and gum architecture in combination with functional, regenerative and aesthetic outcomes has yielded him a strong patient following and referral network. His individualized personal patient care approach, a cohesive team and innovative technology have all enabled him to successfully restore the patient’s mouth to both a healthy and beautiful state, resulting in a smile that looks and feels natural. Having completed 40+ Ironman triathlete competitions, his international success perfectly blends his healthy body and healthy smile connection.
As we know, a beautiful smile is important to your health, hygiene, confidence, and self-esteem. Dr. John Potter takes the time to thoroughly understand your goals and strives to find the best solution. As dental issues can have a significant impact on your overall health. Dr. Potter uses his extensive understanding of comprehensive care to tailor your treatment plan to your dental needs and medical condition. Whether it be implant treatment, reconstruction of bone, LASER assisted periodontal therapy (LANAP™), or a combination, his approach will be tailored to have your teeth and smile looking their best in the most comfortable and shortest time possible. Dr. Potter implements cutting-edge periodontal therapy with the only FDA approved Laser for Periodontal Treatment, Periolase by Millenium Dental.
Dr. John Potter graduated from Temple University Dental School in 1993 as a member of the Omnicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society. He completed a one year general practice residency at Staten Island University Hospital in New York before pursuing an intensive three-year program in Periodontology and Implantology at Temple University School of Dentistry, He was also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Temple and earned his certificate in Periodontology in 1997.
Dr. Potter is married with two children and a playful Labrador Retriever. He enjoys an active lifestyle doing Ironman triathlons, snow skiing, water skiing, golf and traveling
Gum disease is an infection in the gums which can migrate to the bones surrounding the teeth, once it progresses. This causes bone loss around the roots and supporting structure of the teeth and is known as Periodontal Disease. Periodontal disease occurs when your system has been trying to fight off the plaque bacteria for so long that your immune response begins to damage your gum tissue and the bone that supports your teeth. Most cases of periodontal or gum disease develop because of bacterial plaque that builds up on teeth over time. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that stimulates an inflammatory response of the gum tissue. Although plaque is the most common cause of periodontal disease, lifestyle or hereditary factors play a significant role in the health of the gums. As the bacteria gets into your bone and bloodstream it can become a systemic problem leading to an increase in the risk of stroke, diabetes and cardiac issues. Patients with tobacco use may be at a higher risk for developing periodontal disease because tobacco tends to increase plaque and increases infection.The most common symptoms of gum and periodontal disease are as follows:
Swollen and bleeding gums
Toothache
Bad Breath
Loose or separating teeth
Change in the way the teeth fit together
Once you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, Dr. Potter will use advanced techniques to control and treat the infection and to allow you to regain the health of your mouth. While there are a wide range of treatments to address these issues such as pocket depth reduction, laser therapy and deeper cleanings, Dr. Potter will discuss the best options with you during your consultation.
Gum Graft is a procedure that helps reverse gum recession and it is one of the most delicate procedures performed in dentistry today. Receding or uneven gums are a common occurrence in patients due to age, trauma and periodontal disease. A recession to the gums is when the gum tissue surrounding the tooth has pulled away, causing the roots of the teeth to become exposed. The main goal of grafting is to restore the health of the gum tissue and to prevent further recession and damage to the tooth.
Gum recession can make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks, and treatment to repair it can be done on either a single tooth, or several teeth at the same appointment. IN addition to sensitivity, receding gums can also make teeth more susceptible to cavities (decay) on the exposed roots. In replacing the gum tissue, Dr. John Potter can also sculpt a more attractive and even gumliine. Gum grafts are used to replace gum that has been lost and restoring the thick healthy gum tissue that seals the neck of the teeth to prevent future problems. Many different techniques are available for gum grafting. There are unique patient variables that will be evaluated by Dr. Potter during the consultation to determine the ideal technique to address the gum recession for each patient.
What Is Bone Graffing
Bone grafting is a procedure in which a replacement bone filler is used to fill in depressed areas where bone has been lost to either missing teeth, injury or disease of the bone, gum and tooth structure.
Am I A Candidate?
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies and is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, the patient is not a candidate for placement of dental implants. In order to place dental implants, Dr. Potter may need to build up lost bone to provide a better foundation and support structure for your implant.
What Are The Benefits Of Bone Graffing?
With bone grafting, in addition to having the opportunity to replace bone where it is missing, we also the ability to promote new bone growth in that location. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance of the face and jawbone. Concavities in the jaw can cause a depression in the facial structure. Without proper bone and tooth support, the patients facial features can have a sunken look which is a sign of aging.
A “Gummy Smile” can be greatly improved through the process of a cosmetic crown lengthening and tissue re-contouring. Whether your crown lengthening is done to improve function or for esthetics, patients often receive the benefits of both: a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health.
It is fairly common to have asymmetry in the scalloping of the gingiva around the teeth, which can detract significantly from the overall appearance of the smile. Through the use of lasers and surgical sculpting devices, Dr. John Potter can shape and create symmetry of the teeth and gums to enhance a patient’s beautiful smile.
Crown lengthening is a procedure which adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of your tooth. This procedure will improve the appearance of your gum line and will give you a more natural and more beautiful smile. Crown lengthening can be done to one or several teeth and is an ideal treatment for patients who show a lot of their gums when they smile. Often a gummy smile makes a person’s teeth appear short. Once the tissue is reshaped, your teeth will be exposed at their proper and more natural looking length.
It is the art of restoring the beauty, form and function of teeth that have been damaged by accident, injury or unintentional loss.
Through a combination of esthetically pleasing porcelain crowns, veneers, dental implants and LANAP, a full mouth rehabilitation can improve lives by restoring confidence, health and emotional outlook.
As a periodontist and implant specialist, through the placement of dental implants (if needed) and with treatments to restore gum and bone health, Dr. Potter will create a healthy solid foundation for your esthetic restorations. Dr. Potter, in keeping the patient goals, health and function, is skilled at performing these beautiful makeovers. These cases can be performed in a few longer visits to achieve a look you will love!
TMJ/Teeth GrindingTooth grinding can cause serious tooth damage and joint damage (TMJ issues) and even pose health problems if not addressed. Unfortunately, many of us grind our teeth during our sleep, and are unaware of the severity of the issue.If you have some of the symptoms below, Dr. John Potter can address your concerns by custom fitting you for a either a day or night guard to protect the teeth and relax your jaw position:
migraine headaches
sore jaw
TMJ pain
difficulty opening and closing the mouth/limited opening
stiff neck
sensitive teeth
damaged, cracked, or worn down teeth
gum recession
noticeable enamel wear and darkness of the teeth with a lowergum level
For those with migraines or headaches, a different option is custom made for the patient called an NTI. The NTI guard has FDA approval for the treatment of headaches and migraines. It is a small, removable, custom-fitted appliance positioned over your two front teeth to wear at night while you sleep. The NTI repositions your jaw in a relaxed position to prevent teeth grinding, helping eliminate tension headaches and migraines, and provide a restful night’s sleep
Periodontal Maintenance is the most conservative and least expensive thing you can do to help protect and ensure the long term stability/health of your teeth and the supporting structures. The importance of routine periodic hygiene visits with the dental professional is especially critical if you are a periodontal patient. Ongoing maintenance therapy is crucial to sustain long-term oral and overall health, and to help us identify any new developments and areas of concern. On average, a periodontal patient will need to be seen at 3-4 month intervals.
With Dr. John Potter’s specially trained hygienists, who have all worked with him for over 15 years, the hygiene maintenance visits typically involve the measuring of the periodontal pocket depths. In addition, we take careful records of any increases in areas that bleed on probing, which is a sign of inflammation. For minimal localized cases, additional treatments of scaling or root planing and localized antibiotics may be possible to treat the patient.
What Does Oral Surgery Include?
Occasionally, a tooth needs to be removed to help with your oral health. While it can be a cause for anxiety, there are many tooth replacement options for patients that provide functional and esthetic outcomes. Dr. John Potter is a specialist in tooth extraction and implant placement; he and this team provide a comfortable, state of the art environment for these treatments.
Am I A Good Candidate?
The most common reason for the removal of a tooth is severe decay or breakage of a tooth that cannot be saved. However, teeth may also be removed because of: Extra teeth that are blocking other teeth.
Severe gum disease
Orthodontic treatment
Non-restorable teeth
Fractured teeth
Cosmetic reasons
In addition to tooth extraction, occasionally a Ridge Preservation is performed to prepare the extraction site for future implant placement or to enhance the area for future prosthetic rehabilitation.
Ridge Preservation
At the time Dr. Potter extracts the tooth, the extraction site will be filled with either bone filler or covered with a membrane that will enhance the preservation left by the tooth extraction. Regardless of the reasons for the tooth removal, extractions are usually reserved only for cases in which no other treatment option will solve the problem.
Dr. Potter will review any and all alternatives during your consultation phase and develop a treatment plan for the replacement of your teeth.
Preserving or rebuilding oral bone and soft tissue to its most optimal shape and form is both an art and a science – Dr. John Potter excels at both. Having properly shaped bone and soft tissue to support your teeth or implants is important for your appearance, health and overall dental function. If you have lost gingival tissue due to tooth brushing techniques, are missing teeth or bone due to injury or periodontal disease, it may be possible to restore what has been lost by using new techniques in bone and tissue regeneration.
At Dr. Potter’s office our focus is on patient-centered care utilizing the latest innovations and biotechnologies allowing us to exceed the highest level of expectations for patients in need of oral bone rebuilding and tissue regeneration to ensure successful implant placement and overall general gum tissue and teeth appearance. Our goal is the restoration of your mouth to both a beautiful and healthy state.
Most of us are not born with perfectly straight teeth, and some of us are born with teeth in the wrong position, missing teeth altogether, or have teeth that fail to erupt properly. The most common tooth to erupt improperly is the upper canine. It is not uncommon for an upper canine to remain stuck under the gum, requiring surgical exposure to access the tooth andpull it into proper alignment with orthodontics.
As a skilled periodontist, Dr. Potter is an expert at helping your tooth erupt into the proper position. As it is mostly young adults who require this procedure, we create a stress free environment with TV, light sedatives if needed, and our warm, chocolate chip cookies on your way out! Our 3D conebeam CT machine helps us identify exactly where the tooth is so that the proper procedure is performed, ensuring that the tooth is surrounded by healthy bone and gum.
If you are a patient with dental anxiety, Dr. John Potter provides safe and simple solutions. When you walk through our doors into our beautifully appointed space, you will not even feel like you are at the dentist. Dental anxiety is an all-too real problem for many and our aim is to make your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We have a full range of sedation options to calm your anxiety such as sedatives, conscious sedation, and nitrous oxide. To encourage relaxation and provide a comfortable environment, we provide blankets, pillows, ear plugs, shaded eyewear, wifi, and TV. We will work together to find a solution that works best for your needs.
IV Sedation (Conscious Or Twilight Sedation)
Conscious sedation is a safe, controlled and reversible option for the reduction of anxiety, memory and time perception during a procedure. It is administered intravenously and produces a shallow state of sedation whichallows the patient to maintain control of safety reflexive functions and cognitive response. At Dr. Potter’s office each of our patients receives the most safe and gentle sedation treatment options available from a Board Certified Anesthesiologist.
At your initial consult, we will review your medical history and review any anxiety triggers to determine if IV sedation is the right option for you. Then, during the procedure, we will give you a combination of medications that minimizes how much you remember. Your 2-hour appointment may only seem like it takes 20 minutes! We will make you totally comfortable, and we will minimize swelling and discomfort post-procedure.
Nitrous Oxide
Also commonly referred to as laughing gas, this method is ideal for those requiring quick recovery following a procedure. Nitrous oxide can be administered and quickly flushed out by oxygen within minutes. Following a nitrous oxide treatment, the patient will leave Dr. Viechnicki’s office as alert and bright-eyed as upon arrival.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
When used during dental treatment, anti-anxiety drugs make it possible for a nervous patient to relax in what would otherwise be a stressful situation.
Valium/Xanax (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are two of the most common medications prescribed. Dr. Potter will do a thorough medical history assessment to customize your plan prior to any procedure.
Though these oral medications aren’t intended to “knock out” patients, some patients feel so relaxed that they fall asleep right in the chair during treatment. Others remain conscious but have no memory of the procedure.
With Dr. Potter and his team, from the moment you make the first point of contact until the time you leave the office, we specialize in making the anxious patient feel comfortable!
Obstructive sleep apnea treatment in Allentown / Lehigh Valley is starting to become more common because of the high number of people who have experienced adebilitating lifestyle due to sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea treatment will not only allow you to sleep more peacefully, but may allow you to perform simple daily activities with ease and greater safety. In fact, sleep apnea treatment is particularly important for people with sleep apnea who drive since many accidents are caused by falling asleep on the road. Without sleep apnea treatment, your social and professional life may be negatively affected.
While the CPAP machine is a common form of sleep apnea treatment, there are other methods that offer relief from sleep apnea when the CPAP is not a preference. Many individuals prefer a dental approach for the management of sleep apnea when compared to the CPAP. The CPAP can be cumbersome to wear throughout the evening, making sleep uncomfortable and leading to restless nights.
Dental appliances offer a highly desirable alternative to the CPAP machine for people who cannot tolerate the CPAP and have mild to moderate sleep apnea. A dental appliance can be inserted into your mouth, like a mouth guard, to help keep your airway open for smooth breathing. In this way, your entire mouth area is free from restriction for peaceful sleeping.
Dr. Potter along with a team of professionals will be able to evaluate your condition to ensure that a dental appliance is the right approach for you. Periodically Dr. Potter will check to ensure the appliance is appropriately fitted as it may require adjustments from time to time.
For sleep apnea treatment in the Allentown / Lehigh Valley area contact our office today to book an OSA consultation. We have a new snoring relief site in development that will feature enhanced content specific to the treatment of sleep apnea. You can view it at Sleep Well Allentown .
