"Oral Bacteria Create a 'Fingerprint' in Your Mouth"

Scientists identified a total of almost 400 different species of microbes in the mouths of 100 study participants belonging to four ethnic affiliations: non-Hispanic blacks, whites, Chinese and Latinos. Only 2 percent of bacterial species were present in all individuals -- but in different concentrations according to ethnicity -- and 8 percent were detected in 90 percent of the participants. Beyond that, researchers found that each ethnic group in the study was represented by a "signature" of shared microbial communities. "This is the first time it has been shown that ethnicity is a huge component in determining what you carry in your mouth. We know that our food and oral hygiene habits determine what bacteria can survive and thrive in our mouths, which is why your dentist stresses brushing and flossing. Can your genetic makeup play a similar role? The answer seems to be yes, it can," said Purnima Kumar, associate professor of periodontology at The Ohio State University and senior author of the study. "No two people were exactly alike. That's truly a fingerprint." Kumar used a DNA deep sequencing methodology to obtain an unprecedented in-depth view of these microbial communities in their natural setting. Read More>>

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Benefits of Air Abrasion

If you have been getting tooth fillings the old-fashioned way, you know that it is sometimes uncomfortable, due to the strange and sometimes unpleasant, touch, sounds and smells. Fortunately, there’s a more appealing hi-tech alternative.

We are now using a new technique at our dental office to remove tooth decay, called air abrasion. Air abrasion uses no drills (or shots), and instead relies on puffs of air through a small instrument to remove the decayed part of your tooth. It removes the small particles of decay and suctions through a tube.

There are many benefits to getting air abrasion done, including the following:

•  Treating multiple teeth in one visit


• No sounds, pressure, vibrations or heat


• Lack of anesthesia in most cases


• Maintaining as much of the tooth as possible


• Improving the success of composite fillings by having a dry working area


• Less risk of fracturing or chipping the tooth


• Safe and quick procedure

Our dental office uses air abrasion to give you a quick, easy and safe way of treating decayed teeth for a healthy, better looking smile. Contact our Holmdel, NJ office today to get started on your treatment using air abrasion.

Crowns

Dental crowns offer you the ability to cover any cracked, fractured or damaged teeth. They are commonly used to cover a tooth that has recently had a root canal, in order to protect it, as well as replacing older crowns. Here at Gentle Dental, we believe in providing you with excellent crowns, made of the highest quality materials.

When to Consider a Crown:

1) After having a root canal.

2) To protect a tooth that has been weakened.

3) After having a large filling that weakens the tooth.

4) To help hold in a bridge.

5) To restore a decayed or broken tooth.

6) To cover a misshapen tooth.

7) To place over an implant.

The crown process starts with making a mold and sending it to a lab for the permanent crown. Then, we will place a temporary crown for up to two weeks until your permanent crown is ready. We provide different types of crowns, all of which are stable enough to eat with the tooth and not worry about cracking it. The types of crowns include stainless steel, metal like gold or other alloys, ceramic and resin.

Visit our website today at DentistNJ.com to find out more about how a crown can create a dramatic improvement in your smile.

Kodak 3D Digital X-Rays

At our dental office, Dr. Dipika Shah and the rest of our team are dedicated to providing you with the best hi-tech dental care possible. That includes using the latest technology, such as the Kodak 3D Digital X-ray machine. Its benefits far outweigh what traditional x-ray machines offer, including a more comfortable x-ray process. It uses a three-in-one process for quality x-rays and offers a multitude of advantages.

The Kodak x-ray machine has a 3D imaging mode that provides us with anatomically correct, high resolution images of your teeth all at low radiation exposure.  This helps us provide you with the best care, while you get the advantage of face-to-face positioning -- without the use of uncomfortable slides.

The panoramic imaging system offered by this machine makes the x-ray process quick and easy, with higher quality images. It makes it easier to diagnose any jaw problems, find impacted teeth, and see the exact position of wisdom teeth to determine if they are close to any nerves.

Whether it is your first time in our office or you are a repeat patient, call us today to get your X-rays done by this fantastic Kodak 3D Digital X-ray machine.

Bridges

Having a missing tooth or several missing teeth together not only makes it difficult to chew properly, but it can also be embarrassing. Dr. Dipika Shah believes in giving you a smile that makes you feel confident. Dental bridges allow us to do that by filling in the gaps with an artificial tooth that looks natural with the rest of your teeth.

The dental bridge lets you fill in missing spaces in your mouth with artificial teeth, as an alternative to getting an implant. The bridge created a crown for the two adjacent teeth and has an artificial tooth where you are missing one. It creates a bridge that doesn’t look obvious to anyone else and offers you a beautiful smile.

Types of Bridges:

• Traditional bridge – The most common type of bridge includes an artificial tooth in between two adjacent teeth, covered in crowns.

• Cantilever bridge – This type of bridge has an artificial tooth next to the adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth.

There are many benefits to getting bridges, including being able to speak and chew properly, improving the shape of your face, preventing your teeth from shifting as a result of the missing tooth or teeth, and filling in gaps.

Call us today at 732-264-8180 to schedule an appointment for your new bridge.