Meet DR. Malik

Dr. Gaurav Malik

Dr. Malik received his Master of Public Health from East Tennessee State University before moving to Boston and earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University, Goldman School of Dental Medicine in 2009. He is currently serving the troops in the US Army Reserves.

Dr. Malik also practices in Massachusetts and believes in offering state-of-the-art, comprehensive care tailored to fit into the lives and budget of his patients. Committed to providing the best care to his patients, he keeps himself abreast of the latest technology and techniques. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and the Merrimack Valley District Society.

In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, daughter, and son.

Sleep Apnea

We’re concerned about the overall health of our patients, including their sleep health. Many people suffer needlessly from dangerous sleep disruptive disorders that keep them from getting enough oxygen at night. The risk of a heart attack is 23 times more likely than average with a sleep disorder, and 92% of stroke victims live unknowingly with this condition before having a stroke. Our training allows us to offer you education and treatment surrounding sleep health in the simplest and most cost-effective way possible.

Estimates suggest that more than twelve million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Most cases are still undiagnosed, contributing to diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and traffic accidents related to drowsy driving. Dentistry serves a vital role in treating this silent epidemic. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliances as a primary therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for patients with severe sleep apnea who can’t tolerate CPAP treatment.

What Is OSA?

OSA is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep due to a blockage in the airway. Obstructions occur when throat muscles, the tongue, tonsils, or the soft palate relax and cover the airway, preventing breathing. The obstruction results in a severe drop in blood oxygen levels throughout the night.

OSA is typically diagnosed using a polysomnogram or a sleep study. During a sleep study, a sleep physician monitors brain activity and body system functions while a patient rests overnight at a sleep lab. The specialist evaluates the data collected to diagnose sleep disorders and recommend treatment. If prescribed by the sleep doctor, a dentist trained in sleep medicine works with them to treat obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. In some cases, a home sleep study may also be possible instead of reporting to a sleep lab.

How Is OSA Treated?

Treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea may involve surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances provide the least invasive option and often a good choice for treatment of mild to moderate OSA. A carefully calibrated appliance like a CPAP or BiPAP can comfortably help hold the jaw in a precise position throughout the night.

All treatment recommendations should be made in conjunction with your sleep physician. If appliance therapy is selected, it’s essential the right method and positioning are designed to precisely maintain an open airway.

Full or Partial Dentures

Sometimes a removable appliance is the best way to replace missing teeth. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can help you decide whether a partial denture or a complete denture would restore your mouth to its optimal function and appearance. Sometimes a combination of dental implants and dentures are used for unprecedented stability and confidence.

Dentures are an affordable way to replace any number of missing teeth in your mouth. They have a long history of success and continue to earn a place in the list of options for rebuilding your smile.

Dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth. Full dentures are used when a person is missing all their natural teeth, while partial dentures replace only a few missing teeth here or there to eliminate gaps and improve chewing. Denture treatment is customized specifically to each patient, and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can help you decide which option works best for you.

Full Dentures

Sometimes dental conditions, such as tooth decay or gum disease, can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both arches. Full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile.

A complete denture consists of a thin gum-colored acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth. We know that your smile is unique, and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry has the experience to help you select the teeth that will look the most natural. This also gives you the option to customize the way you look; whether you want a “new” smile, or want to recreate the one you had.

While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers some options to enhance the way dentures fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants placed in the jaw. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.

Partial Dentures

Whether you’ve lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps in your smile. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace missing teeth, fill in the spaces, improve chewing ability, and restore your confidence to smile. A partial denture will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future.

Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed with small metal clasps that wrap around the gum line of existing teeth. This allows for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use and remove. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached, and gum-colored acrylic is used to cover the metal framework. Remember your mouth and your needs are unique, and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry work with skilled technicians to create a solution that is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the bulkiness of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations and keep you as comfortable as possible.

We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile!

Implants

Replacing missing teeth with implants brings your mouth back to full function and well-being. Stunning porcelains replicate natural teeth perfectly, whether it’s one or more missing teeth. Single crowns or complex bridges can be supported by implants, with solutions for every scenario.

A long-lasting choice, implant-supported dentistry brings you as close to growing new teeth as possible. Expertly placed in the same bone that once supported teeth, you’ll enjoy the strength and function of a natural tooth. Modern porcelains produce a result so life-like, you may forget they aren’t your natural teeth. Dentures can also be attached to implants when more than one missing tooth needs to be replaced. The stability and sense of confidence you develop with implants will leave you smiling.

Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry use the latest technology to collect all the data necessary to help plan your restorative case. Digital x-rays, 3D mapping, models, and photographs prove valuable. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry use highly regarded specialists to bring all components of your case together. But at all times, they serve as the quarterbacks of the entire plan.

Many patients find the procedure of implant placement easier than they anticipated. Various types of sedation may fit your comfort level best, so feel free to discuss them with our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry. Modern dental anesthetic numbs the site, and experienced hands carefully place the implant. A tiny guide hole provides a path for threading a small implant cylinder into place. The sterile piece is inserted into an exact location, and a smooth cover, or healing cap, protects the implant during the healing period.

In some cases, a temporary or permanent crown may be inserted at the time of surgery. Cases involving multiple implants often proceed the same way so that you can smile confidently immediately.

Implants can’t withstand normal bite forces until the bone has integrated fully into the implant body. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will help you decide what will work best during the initial healing period, ensuring you’re able to function while protecting your implants. This period usually lasts 3-6 months as the bone grows around the implant. Most patients experience minimal discomfort after placement, especially compared to an extraction.

One Of Healthcare’s Greatest Values

Even with all the benefits, the cost of dental implant procedures is an important consideration. When your case brings together the latest imaging, advanced training, and unique material technologies, this service offers one of the best values in modern health care. Compared to the replacement of other hard structures and joints of the body, most dental implant procedures can be done at a small fraction of those costs. Most patients carry on with normal activities right away and usually enjoy a lifetime of normal chewing, bite stability, and appearance. We know the cost of dental implants is an important part of creating a complete plan that works for you.

The cost of dental implant services involves several critical factors unique to each patient. A fee quoted without careful evaluation and treatment planning may not only be incomplete but doesn’t consider what’s best for your mouth as an individual. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry customize your treatment plan after they evaluate your current oral conditions, needs, wants, and budget.

One thing is certain: You’ll get the highest value possible in modern implant dentistry. That means years of natural function and a smile you are proud to show. We look forward to discussing how we can partner together for the best solution for you!

Porcelain Veneers

At Concord Family Dentistry, watching patients see their brilliant new smile for the first time highlights our days. Veneers can dramatically transform a smile, sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” A set of veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth or help give the appearance of a straight tooth where there is not. While it may sound dramatic, it isn’t. Veneers provide a highly conservative approach to esthetic smile makeovers.

Veneers are one of dentistry’s ultimate combination of dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. These paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But just because they’re thin, don’t be fooled. Veneers are highly versatile and can replicate all the complex nuances of a natural tooth.

Good Planning Paves The Way

There’s a lot of diagnostic work and careful planning that goes into a treatment plan that includes veneers. Models, photographs, and digital x-rays allow you and Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. Sosa to create a perfect blueprint to guide your treatment from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can’t be compromised. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and everything in between.

The Next Steps

Once our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry plan your case, it will take around two appointments before you leave with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted by a master lab technician.

Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will create temporary acrylic restorations that mimic the veneers, which you’ll wear for up to three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and lets you see try it out to see if any further changes are needed.

Delivering The Magic

After your veneers have been masterfully crafted to you and our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry specific instructions, you’ll return for a second appointment. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will try in each veneer and evaluate the appearance and fit, giving you an opportunity to preview the new look. They will go through several steps to precisely bond the thin veneers to the surface of your teeth, creating an incredibly strong bond between tooth and porcelain. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish will leave you with a smile that may have you wondering why you waited so long to find Concord Family Dentistry

Adult's Dentistry

It’s easy to ignore, but a little bit of tooth decay or gum disease always leads to a little bit more. However, one thing is certain. If left untreated, it almost always results in pain, emergency treatment, and tooth loss. So why does this happen?

It’s An Infection.

Millions of bacteria swim around in our mouths. Many of them are harmless, and some are even beneficial. But a few love nothing more than to eat away at the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. Like all living creatures, they need an energy source. Sugars are their snack of choice, and they use simple carbohydrates from our diet to manufacture energy.

Like all living creatures making energy, they also produce waste. These acidic wastes deposited on the teeth erode the hard surfaces, weaken the enamel, and form holes known as cavities.

Some bacteria produce a toxic waste that causes bleeding gums, and the destruction of bone around the teeth, which is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the leading reason people lose their teeth and end up with dentures.

Most infections can be treated with antibiotics, but mouth bacteria require a different approach. Regular checkups help us identify new cavities, and periodic cleanings remove plaque and tartar that harbor millions of harmful bacteria. High-risk patients benefit from a customized approach with our team, and we have many methods to strengthen weakened enamel that has not yet developed into decay.

The complex cycle of inflammation and infection extends beyond the gums and mouth. In fact, research continues to uncover the many ways that our oral health affects the overall health of our bodies including heart health, and can influence medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and even some types of cancer. For example, mouth bacteria enter the bloodstream through inflamed and bleeding gums. Like a river, blood flow carries the bacteria to the small vessels of the heart and brain. Here they can damage the intricate vessel lining, leading to blockage of the vessel. Heart attack or stroke can result because of bleeding gums.

A FEW TIPS FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY MOUTH:

Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day and floss at least once a day: It sounds like a long time, but it makes a difference. Consider an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer or set a timer on your phone. If you don’t like to floss, consider toothpicks, proxabrushes or the magic of a Waterpik.
Brush for at least two minutes each time: It sounds like a long time, but it makes a difference. Consider an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, or setting a timer on your phone.
Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly and replace every three months:Bacteria linger on your toothbrush, finding their way back into the mouth at the next use.
KDrink sugar-heavy liquids through a straw: A straw helps keep sugar from bathing the teeth directly before swallowing.
Drink sugary liquids through a straw: A straw helps keep sugar from bathing the teeth directly before swallowing.
Drink water after eating a meal: Water helps clean larger deposits of food from your teeth. Plus, we all could use a little more hydration!
Get cavities treated immediately: Cavities rarely hurt until they reach a critical stage. And don’t forget: a little bit of tooth decay eventually becomes a little bit more.
See your hygienist every six months: The risk of critical dental problems diminishes significantly if you’re visiting us twice a year. Patients that fit preventive dentistry into their schedule and budget typically enjoy fewer dental visits and expenses over time than those who wait for emergencies to develop.

Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, affects about 30% of the adult population, and it’s the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Many denture cases begin because of this chronic condition. While not curable, with a dedicated professional hygiene regimen and consistent at-home care, it is controllable.
Gum disease can advance with few signs or symptoms in early stages. Many patients diagnosed with this condition experience no pain and are surprised by the quiet yet swift damage that periodontal disease leaves in its wake. In simple terms, consider the gums and bone around your teeth as the foundation of a house. Just like a house, the foundation must be sound regardless of the beauty of the home. When the foundation crumbles, the rest of it does too.

Regular dental exams, professional cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices at home are essential to detecting and strategically managing periodontitis.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Our mouths provide a home to millions of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. Bacterial waste forms a sticky substance, plaque, which adheres to the teeth. Brushing and flossing aim at removing plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Tartar becomes a colony for more bacteria releasing toxins into the gums.

Gums react to this bacterial invasion with an inflammatory response thanks to your immune system. Around the base of each tooth, there is a small collar of gum tissue that forms a small crevice or pocket. This warm, dark environment provides a perfect habitat for deeper tartar and bacteria to infiltrate.

Early inflammation results in bleeding gums, known as gingivitis. Bacteria left untreated and undisturbed successfully create a chronic infection in the periodontal pocket. In many cases, the bone begins to deteriorate around the teeth. While gums may be slightly tender at this stage, there’s generally minimal discomfort as the bone begins to erode.

More than 50% of the bone around your teeth can disappear before any signs of looseness or pain appear. The bone around teeth never regenerates, so this loss becomes permanent and harder to control as the bacteria hide deeper into the gums. Untreated gum disease leads to abscesses and generalized tooth loss in many advanced cases.

Diagnosis

There are several factors we take into account before we make a gum disease diagnosis. The small collar of gum, or pocket, around each tooth usually sits 2-3 millimeters deep, a space easily cleaned by floss or toothpicks. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry or our hygiene team can measure and chart multiple areas using a small measuring device called a periodontal probe. If these measurements are more than 3 millimeters and bleed upon probing then periodontal disease is present. Deeper readings indicate more advanced disease than shallower readings. Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry will also evaluate the texture and shape of your gums, and any movement detectable in each tooth. It’s also vital to examine the levels, shape, and density of the bone around your teeth on digital x-rays. By collecting all of this data, a clear picture forms about your gum condition.

Treatment

After establishing a diagnosis defining the severity of gum disease, we can develop a personalized treatment plan. In milder forms with little or no bone loss, one or two visits with our hygiene team may bring the condition under control. When you leave our office with a strategy for daily home care and an established schedule for maintenance, little additional treatment may be needed.

If the inflammation has advanced and measurable bone loss is evident, a proactive approach to stop further deterioration should be strongly considered. Often, we will suggest gentle numbing of your gums, and a more in-depth cleaning process sometimes called root planing or scaling. Over a few visits, a portion of your mouth at a time will be deep cleaned. The infected pocket around each tooth, including the mineralized tartar, must be carefully cleaned out with hand and ultrasonic instruments. Polishing the teeth to establish glassy surfaces that help repel stain and plaque accumulation usually finishes this initial therapy.

Our doctors at Concord Family Dentistry may suggest a medicated rinse, an electric or ultrasonic toothbrush, and other specific strategies to help you with your homecare routine. Remember, gum disease can be controlled but not cured. Dedicated daily efforts must be consistent to control the disease.

Maintenance Matters

Regular home care is critical to arrest the progression of gum disease. Within a few hours of cleaning, the bacteria begin to repopulate and adhere to the teeth. Plaque left undisturbed will start to harden and mineralize within 24 hours. Remember, deeper gum pockets require even more diligence to prevent the bacteria from undermining the foundation of your teeth.

Since gum pockets previously damaged by bacteria can be difficult to reach at home, a faithful maintenance schedule with us is essential. We can customize your plan to include 2, 3 or 4 visits a year depending on the severity of disease, its response to treatment, and the consistency of your home care.

If our combined efforts don’t slow or stop the progression of your gum disease, we will suggest referral to a specialist, known as a periodontist. With specialized training in many gum conditions, further treatment may be recommended.

Mouth-Body Connection

Research continues to establish clear links between bacterial disease in your mouth and ailments in other parts of the body. Studies show a link between oral bacteria and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, even certain types of cancers. The relationship between a person’s oral health and their whole body health has never been more understood than it is today.

Bleeding gums provide a direct pathway into the bloodstream, a journey that oral bacteria can quickly take. If an open wound existed on your skin, infection would be a concern. Gum tissue that bleeds should be looked at no differently. This helps explain why researchers continue to identify oral bacteria deposits in various areas of our bodies.

Diabetes and other auto-immune disorders lower the body’s ability to fight infection, allowing uncontrolled gum disease to advance faster and with more destruction. Research also confirms that the inflammation in the mouth can aggravate diabetes, making it harder to control. This two-way relationship between two chronic conditions emphasizes the importance of optimal oral health.

Dr. Suman Reddivari

Dr. Gaurav Malik

Braces

ClearCorrect®

CLEARCORRECT® CAN:

Something For Everyone

Invisalign®

INVISALIGN® CAN:

Something For Everyone

Teeth Grinding

You Don’t Even Know

Avoiding Irreversible Damage

Sleep Apnea

What Is OSA?

How Is OSA Treated?

Extractions

Bone Grafting

Oral Surgery

Porcelain Bridges

A Better Bridge

Full or Partial Dentures

Full Dentures

Partial Dentures

Implants

One Of Healthcare’s Greatest Values

Teeth Whitening

Gum Contouring

Onlays

Porcelain Crowns

One Simple Step

Composite Fillings

Porcelain Veneers

Good Planning Paves The Way

The Next Steps

Delivering The Magic

Ortho Screenings

The Usual Track

Adult's Dentistry

It’s An Infection.

A FEW TIPS FOR MAINTAINING A HEALTHY MOUTH:

Teen's Dentistry

Tips For Home Efforts That Protect Your Teen’s Dental Health:

Children's Dentistry