Dental Implants in Holmdel, NJ

If you’ve lost one tooth or multiple teeth due to extensive decay, gum disease or facial trauma, we can provide you with the solution you need to restore your oral health in Holmdel, NJ. Since teeth can shift out of place after a tooth has been removed, and since teeth that shift are more susceptible to disease and decay, our office offers dental implants to both restore the beauty of your smile and improve your oral health. While bridges or dentures can also be used to replace missing teeth, these options either require work to healthy teeth or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. Dental implants, on the other hand, look and feel natural.

The first step of the implant process is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, your jaw is left to heal around the implant in a process called osseointegration—a process that can take three to six months to complete. During this healing, you will receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

When the implant has healed, Dr. Dipika Shah will install the abutment, which acts as the foundation upon which your permanent crown is placed. An impression is then taken of the area, and the permanent crown is custom made and adhered to the abutment to give you a new smile that looks and functions like your natural teeth.

With our help, you can achieve an attractive and complete smile with dental implants. Schedule a consultation by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Scaling and Root Planing with Dr. Dipika Shah

In Holmdel, NJ, we actively strive to help our patients maintain optimal oral health and retain all their original teeth if possible. By offering scaling and root planing to treat early gum disease, Dr. Dipika Shah can restore the health of your gums and save your smile.

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar are allowed to buildup on your teeth, creating a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive. As bacteria collect in your mouth, they will attack your teeth and surrounding gums. In its earliest stages, gum disease is called gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes a much more serious periodontal disease that destroys your gum tissue and leads to tooth loss. If it is not treated, the disease can even cause a loss of bone mass in your jaw.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into a more serious disease. The procedure allows Dr. Shah to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar that is causing your inflammation. The procedure is incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth.

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with our office in by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Computed Cone Beam 3D X-ray in Holmdel, NJ,

The dental industry has been greatly impacted by advancements in technology, allowing dentists to improve the way they serve their patients. One such advancement that has revolutionized the way that dentists view their patients’ mouths is the Computed Cone Beam 3D Scanner. With this technology, Dr. Dipika Shah is able to access 3D, high-resolution images that help her provide superior dental care to patients in Holmdel, NJ.

Cone Beam technology provides 3D, high-resolution images that allow Dr. Shah to accurately assess your mouth and customize your procedures for the highest quality of care. Offering a clear view of teeth, facial nerves, bone structures and even sinus issues in 3D, the scanner captures parts of the anatomy that cannot be diagnosed externally or with only two-dimensional images. A typical scan only takes 20 seconds, and images are ready for viewing in less than three minutes.

Because we value the health and safety of our patients, we also choose to use this type of imaging for its low radiation emission. Able to capture a superior image while exposing patients to minimal radiation means that 3D Cone Beam imaging is one of the best diagnostic tools on the market. 

Computed Cone Beam 3D imaging is just one of the ways that we put our patients first. You can schedule an appointment by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

BOTOX with Dr. Dipika Shah

In Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah does more than take care of her patients’ teeth. She helps her patients feel truly confident with their smiles by providing facial rejuvenation procedures. With BOTOX®, our office is able to help you look as young as you feel.

 As you age and your skin loses its elasticity, the repeated contractions of these muscles cause wrinklelines. BOTOX® is a medication used in facial aesthetics to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkle lines by reducing the activity in the muscles that can cause wrinkles overtime.

The active ingredient in BOTOX® is botulinum toxin type A, which acts on nerve endings in muscles to prevent muscle fibers from contracting. If the muscles’ contractions are minimized, then frown lines can be temporarily reduced. The FDA-approved treatment can be used on patients between 18 and 65 years old and has effects that last for several months. It is most commonly used to treat crow’s feet and wrinkles on the nose, between the eyes, on the forehead and on the chin.

If you want to regain youthful confidence in your skin and in your smile, Dr. Shah is a professional with years of experience. To schedule an appointment with our office, call 732-264-8180. For more information, please visitwww.dentistnj.com.

Sleep Apnea in Holmdel, NJ

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects 6 to 8 percent of the population, causing those with the disorder to suffer from inhibited breathing during sleep. By causing their breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time, the disorder can jolt patients out of their natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night. As a result, their energy, mental acuity and productivity can suffer. This can then lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain, which makes treatment absolutely necessary. If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah can provide the treatment you need to improve your sleep and overall quality of life.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may have been recommended the CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) device by your doctor. This device provides positive pressure airflow to keep your airway from collapsing during sleep and is proven to be very effective. However, some people cannot tolerate this device. In this case, Dr. Shah recommends dental appliances work to reposition the lower jaw to maximize your airway while you sleep. By increasing airflow and preventing snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea, the appliance promotes deeper and more restful sleep. Because it doesn’t interfere with breathing through your mouth, you can still use the appliance safely with congested nasal passages.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, schedule an appointment at our office by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Orthodontics in Holmdel, NJ

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, it is important to correct them in order to prevent future dental problems and ensure that you’ll keep your own teeth for life. There are several options available for straightening you teeth, including traditional braces, clear braces and invisible aligner trays, and in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics.   

Traditional braces have been around for years and are considered the standard correction method among patients looking to straighten their smile. Able to correct even serious cases of misalignment, today’s braces are made with incredibly strong metals that are durable enough to wear for a considerable time on your teeth. If a mouth full of metal doesn’t appeal to you, we also offer clear or ceramic braces. Specifically designed to not stain or wear over time, clear braces are as effective as metal braces but less eye-grabbing.

For those looking for a more convenient way to straighten their smile, we also offer clear trays that can be removed for easy eating and cleaning. These invisible aligners allow you to get the smile you want without sacrificing your looks in the meantime.

Child or adult, it’s not too late to straighten your teeth. Dr. Shah will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Call 732-264-8180 to schedule an appointment in Holmdel, NJ. For more information, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Dr. Dipika Shah Performs Tooth Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will need a tooth extraction, and in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah can provide the extraction you need to restore your oral health.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. During a simple extraction, the tooth is then loosened with an elevator and extracted with forceps. Once removed, Dr. Shah may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone. When she is finished, the gums are sutured.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, Dr. Shah can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Dental Bonding in Holmdel, NJ

Of all the cosmetic and restorative procedures we offer at our office in Holmdel, NJ, bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to enhance your smile. Called bonding because tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, the procedure is used to repair teeth that are discolored, unevenly shaped or chipped. At our office we can even use bonding as an attractive alternative to amalgam fillings.

Bonding is achieved by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth in need of restoration. The procedure can usually be accomplished in one visit and allows you to keep most of your tooth’s enamel, which makes bonding preferable to veneers in many cosmetic cases. Once the right color resin has been chosen for your smile, Dr. Dipika Shah will apply an adhesive gel to your tooth or teeth to help the resin adhere. The putty-like resin is then applied to your tooth and molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape. After it is hardened with an LED light, Dr. Shah will trim and shape it even more and then polish it until shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.

If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. To schedule an appointment with our office, call us at 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.  

Dr. Dipika Shah Can Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Procedure

If the root of your tooth becomes infected, it is important to first try and save the tooth rather than extracting it and replacing it with an artificial restoration. This is because restorations, such as implants or bridges, are both expensive and not as beneficial to your oral health as having your own root supporting your tooth.  To avoid extracting a tooth, Dr. Dipika Shah performs root canal procedures, which can effectively save your tooth and relieve your pain in Holmdel, NJ.

Root canals can be performed with new 3D technology and rotary instruments that provide improved quality and efficiency and less pain. During the procedure, Dr. Shah will remove the infection by first applying a local anesthetic to the area and then creating an opening in the canal. With her rotary instruments, she is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area before filling the canal with a sealant to protect from further infection. Teeth that have root canals performed on them also usually require a crown to protect it from fractures, as well as improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. Once the procedure is complete and any soreness subsides, you will be able to eat without pain and sensitivity.

If you’re in pain, you can stop you’re suffering by scheduling an appointment with our office in Holmdel, NJ. Call 732-264-8180. For more information on Dr. Dipika Shah, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Laser Cosmetic Dentistry

Lasers have revolutionized the dental industry, allowing dentists to heal cold sores, treat periodontal disease, reduce trauma during dental procedures and minimize anesthesia use. At our office in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah uses lasers for a multitude of procedures, from pocket reduction in the gums to frenectomies, the removal of gum overgrowth and impressions for crowns.

We offer a variety of procedures in our office that use the lasers. One such procedure is cosmetic periodontal surgery, which sculpts the gum line so that it is even and best exposes your smile. With the laser, Dr. Shah can reshape your gum tissue best with no anesthesia and minimum sensitivity.

The dentists can also use the laser to manage soft tissue in patients with deep pockets found in periodontal screenings. The laser will kill bacteria and get rid of infected tissue easily and quickly to ensure that periodontal disease is treated and prevented.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring you maintain a smile you can be proud of while receiving the highest level of comfort during dental procedures, and laser dentistry is one of the ways we do this. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information about Dr. Dipika Shah or our services in Holmdel, NJ, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Sealants

Although brushing and flossing is effective at removing food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of our teeth, sometimes these methods are ineffective at thoroughly cleaning the nooks and crannies in our premolars and molars. Because molars are the hardest to clean and the teeth most used in the chewing process, they are the most susceptible to cavities and decay, which is why Dr. Dipika Shah recommends sealants soon after molars emerge when children are between the ages of 6 and 14.

Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent cavities and tooth decay. The sealant is applied by Dr. Shah, who first roughens the surface of the molar with acid and then paints on the sealant. The sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, hardening and forming a shield over the enamel to protect it for approximately 10 years.

Sealants are normally applied to children’s molars because their teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. However, sometimes they are applied on adult molars if they have hard-to-clean grooves that are causing cavities.

To schedule an appointment, call our office in Holmdel, NJ at 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Invisalign

At our office in Holmdel, NJ we offer Invisalign aligners so that you can straighten your teeth without committing to a mouth full of metal. Using a series of clear plastic aligners, Dr. Dipika Shah will guide your teeth into a smile you can be proud of.

While regular braces are still best for the most serious cases of teeth straightening, Invisalign is great for cases of mild to moderate spacing or crowding. For these cases, Invisalign provides teeth correction that bypasses the discomfort, soreness and restrictive diet that those who have traditional braces must face.

With a computer program that generates a series of aligners with small changes in each, Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. Virtually invisible, the aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic and are removable. Therefore, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can normally occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will be able to eat all the foods you like, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, nuts, apples, carrots and corn.

If you think Invisalign might be the best option for you to achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming of, call us at 732-264-8180 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Your third and final molars to emerge are your wisdom teeth, which usually come in when you are between 17 and 25 years old. While many people do not experience problems with these new teeth, many others find that their's must be removed. If your mouth does not have enough room for your wisdom teeth to come in, a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, and at our office in Homdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah can determine whether a wisdom tooth extraction is the best course of action for you.

Wisdom teeth are usually removed because they become impacted, which means that the tooth does not have enough room to come in straight through the gums and instead emerges at an angle. This can cause pain, damage to the jaw and a more crooked smile. Additionally, the site of impaction can become a bacterial hotspot since impacted wisdom teeth are hard to clean.

Wisdom teeth extractions can range from removing a single tooth to removing all four teeth at once. Dr. Shah will let you know what she thinks is best for you. For the procedure, she will use either a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate you while the teeth are extracted. The tooth will then be accessed through an incision in the gums and wiggled until it is loose enough to be lifted out. If the tooth is too deeply embedded to be removed this way, it will be broken up into pieces before being removed.

Whether you are already feeling pain due to impacted wisdom teeth or have not yet felt them come in, we can determine if your wisdom teeth will cause problems for you. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Mouth Guards

If you play contact sports, mouth guards are a necessary piece of equipment. From football, soccer and basketball to hockey, lacrosse, wrestling and even baseball, if you play a sport where contact is possible, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Here in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah can provide you with a custom mouth guard to protect your jaw, cheeks, teeth, tongue and lips and more importantly your brain.

Mouth guards are essential for protecting your teeth and jaw against structural damage and your tongue and lips against lacerations. They have also been known to decrease the risk of concussions during sports.

While you can buy mouth guards in most sporting goods stores, you should be wary of these. They are ill-fitting and uncomfortable and they do not offer protection. If you want to protect your mouth during sports, a custom mouth guard from Dr. Shah offers the highest level of protection. Created specifically for you the mouth guard is made with a thin plastic that is hardened after being custom fit to the mould of your mouth. Its thinness allows you to breathe and talk easier, which is important when playing team sports.

To ensure that you perform at your best and are protected on the field, rink or court, schedule an appointment at our office by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Dental Crowns

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. Covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At our office in Holmdel, NJ, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure is compromised. When a crown is installed, the decay is removed from the tooth and a core build-up is used to insulate the nerve and create a surface to bond the crown to. An impression is then made of this surface so that crown can be custom fitted. Usually made of porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, the crown is fabricated in a lab and then cemented onto the current tooth. This fabrication process can take between two to three weeks.

Crowns are made incredibly strong to protect the remaining tooth structure, and the custom fit ensures that the seam between tooth and crown is miniscule, which helps protect the tooth from further decay.

If you’re experiencing pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com. 

Gum Disease

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral health and overall wellness, and Dr. Dipika Shah provides the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis. Periodontis can destroy your gums tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office in Holmdel, NJ for periodontal cleanings and treatment. We will make sure your gums are well cared for. Call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

TMJ Disorders

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint, TMJ, those disorder are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated, and Dr. Dipika Shah can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, sowhen you’re chewing and muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. TMD’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to talk to your dentist.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Shah to relieve symptoms with mouthguard or TMJ splint..

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding in Holmdel, NJ, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

When children are born, they are born without teeth and without cavities, and if you would like for your child to remain cavity-free even as their teeth come in, it is important to instill good oral hygiene early on. Dr. Dipika Shah will work with you to give your child the smile he or she deserves.

One way to set your child on the right path toward lifelong oral health is to begin with a fearless introduction to the dentist. At our office in Holmdel, NJ, we have a special play room with children’s furniture and entertainment, including books, toys, games and TV shows. This helps make their first and subsequent appointments as much fun as possible.

To help Dr. Shah provide an anxiety free appointment, you can remember to not talk to your child with negative language. Phrases like “the dentist isn’t going to hurt you” or “you won’t feel pain” are counterproductive since it probably never occurred to your child to be scared of the dentist in the first place. If you would like to introduce your child to the idea of going to the dentist ahead of time, you can borrow a video from us that explains that it can be fun to go to the dentist.

In addition to regular dental visits, good oral health can be achieved with a proper diet and regular brushing. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.

Don't Let Your Bad Breath Scare People Away

Whether we’re dealing with business associates, friends or a romantic partner, we all want our breath to be at its freshest, but most over-the-counter mouthwashes, gums and mints are actually ineffective at improving our breath. Only a dentist can make sure our breath is at its best.

Bad breath is a result of oral bacteria in your mouth, which can produce a bevy of different chemicals that create foul breath. The chemicals that can be produced include hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs, methyl mercaptan and sketole, which smell like feces, cadeverine, which smells like corpses, putrescine, which smells like decaying meat, and isovaleric acid, which smells like sweaty feet!

Bad breath bacteria are able to accumulate because of sustenance provided from a postnasal drip or from poor hygiene, unclean dentures and abscesses. The situation can be further exacerbated by dry mouth, which is caused by smoking, mouth breathing, fasting, stress and certain medications.

Products available over the counter cannot kill the germs or odor, but Dr. Dipika Shah can prescribe what is best for your bad breath. Treatment may include using a mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide, Rotadent Electric Toothbrush and Waterik. If you have bad breath, schedule an appointment at our office in Holmdel, NJ by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com. 

Air Abrasion: No Shots, No Drills

Dr. Dipika Shah is dedicated to providing her patients with the best dental service she can, and one of the ways she does this is by using high-tech dental tools that can increase patient comfort and reduce anxiety during procedures.

One such tool is the Air Abrasion , which forgoes drills and shots. With no vibrations, friction or heat, there is no jarring of sensitive nerves or anxiety. The tool instead delivers a gentle stream of particles with forced air that removes decay quickly and gently.

Because it is quicker and does not require sedation, it allows more teeth to be worked on in one visit and without side effects. This is much more convenient that traditional drills and allows you to have necessary dental work without cutting too much into your busy schedule. In addition, air abrasion allows for healthier tooth structure to be conserved when removing decay and is highly effective in stronger bond procedures.

Air abrasion is only one way that Dr. Shah puts her patients’ best interest first. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information on the dentist, our practice and our services, visit www.DentistNJ.com.

The Monmouth Ocean County Dental Society Leadership Award 2014

We are proud to announce that Dr. Dipika Shah has been awarded the Leadership Award for 2014 from the Monmouth Ocean County Dental Society! Dr. Dipika Shah was chosen for this award for her exceptional leadership and dedicated services. 

The Society promotes the highest levels of oral health for those who live in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and provides critical support and education opportunities for dental professionals practicing within the counties. This translates into providing members of the society with free continuing education courses and other benefits, which proves extremely beneficial to the community since it receives a better standard of health care for its citizens.

The society has over 600 members in general dentistry and the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com. 

Bridge the Gap

If you have had a tooth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position. When this happens, your teeth become more susceptible to disease and decay. Dr. Dipika Shah can help you keep your smile beautiful and functional with dental bridges.

Called a bridge because it literally creates a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing, this prosthetic tooth replacement is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than a decade if properly cared for.

The process of creating a bridge takes two visits to our office. In the first, we will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your missing tooth. This is where the bridge will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge will consist of two crowns, which will be fixed to the abutments, and a pontic, which is the prosthetic that will replace your missing tooth. We provide you with a temporary bridge while your permanent one is crafted in the lab. On the second visit, the permanent bridge will be fixed to the abutments with an adhesive.

To schedule an appointment at our office in Holmdel, NJ, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.

Transform Your Smile with Veneers

If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look, veneers are an effective method for reshaping and redesigning your smile. Whether your teeth have gaps, stains, cracks, chips or other issues, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted with veneers. Veneers are thin shells that cover the existing tooth structure in your mouth, and Dr. Dipika Shah uses porcelain veneers to give her patients the smile you’ve always wanted.

Having veneers placed usually only takes two to three visits. During the first visit, you can discuss the shape and look of the smile you want to accomplish with the doctor, and then your teeth will be prepared. Dr. Shah will prepare your teeth for veneers by removing a small amount of enamel to ensure a secure and natural-feeling bond.

Once the enamel has been removed, an impression is taken of your mouth so that the veneers can be fabricated to fit your existing teeth. This fabrication process takes between 10 to 14 days and is done in a laboratory of the highest standards. You will be provided with temporary veneers during your wait. Then the final veneers are bonded to your teeth to create an attractive smile that looks and feels natural.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah in Holmdel, NJ, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.

Why Do You Need a Root Canal?

While the thought of having a root canal procedure usually fills patients with dread, the procedure is a necessary one for those whose teeth become infected in the nerves. Besides causing pain, infections, if left untreated, can become abscesses, which are much more serious and result in a loss of bone mass in the jawbone. Dr. Dipika Shah can relieve your pain with a root canal procedure in Holmdel, NJ.

Although root canals may not sound pleasant to you, they are well worth it to stop your pain and improve your oral health. While there is soreness after the procedure, it is only temporary and usually nothing that over-the-counter painkillers cannot take care of.

During a root canal, Dr. Shah removes the infection by applying a local anesthetic to the area and drilling into the tooth to create an opening in the canal. Then she is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area. Once the infection has been removed, your tooth will be filled with a sealant and then fitted with a crown to protect it from infection in the future. The crown also helps improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. Once the procedure is complete and soreness subsides, you will be able to eat without experiencing pain and sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure.

If you’re in pain, you don’t need to suffer. Schedule an appointment with us by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.

What You Need to Know About Dental Implants

If you’re missing teeth or are in need of an extraction due to disease, decay or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While there are other options for replacing missing teeth, bridges require alteration to adjacent teeth and dentures are not natural. Here, Dr. Dipika Shah uses dental implants to help you achieve a complete smile that you can be proud of.

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone through an incision in your gums. This screw will serve as your replacement tooth root. Then the gums are sutured and the jawbone is left to heal around the implant. This process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

Once the jaw has healed, and abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either fixed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that looks and feels natural.

To schedule an appointment in Holmdel, NJ, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.

Orthodontic Options

Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology, you no longer have to feel embarrassed or self-conscious becauseyou have to wear braces. You also don’t have to wear braces for over a year to get the best results anymore. Dr. Dipika Shah offers both braces and Invisalign for patients hoping to straighten their teeth.

 

Invisalign aligners are plastic, removable mouth pieces that gradually straighten teeth over time. They give less force per week and cause considerably less pain to straighten teeth compared to traditional braces. Since the pieces are transparent, patients are able to maintain their smile while improving it at the same time. One of the main complaints of traditional braces, while they are effective, they often leave stain marks on the teeth. This is not the case with Invisalign; patients are able to remove the mouth pieces in order to brush and floss well regularly. They do not interfere with your speech either. May a times, no one will even know that you are wearing "Invisalign' aligner. 

 

Dr. Shah also offers traditional braces for patients looking to correct bite problems while straightening their teeth. These braces are made of strong metal alloys and are considered the smallest and most comfortable option. While they do take the longest of all the orthodontic options made available by Dr. Shah, they are the most effective when it comes to aligning teeth and correcting bite problems.

 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah at our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180 or visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. 

Teeth Whitening

When staining agents such as coffee, wine or acidic foods are able to penetrate the enamel of the teeth, it can be difficult to return to the original teeth shade through brushing and flossing alone. Unlike ineffective, over the counter whitening strips that are messy and tend to slide off teeth, in-office professional whitening provided by Dr. Shah whitens teeth quickly and effectively.

 

Having your teeth whitened with us provides a number of benefits that change the way you think about your smile. The results of this simple procedure can help you feel more confident about your smile and encourage you to show it off, inspiring positive impressions everywhere you go.  We are especially happy to offer teeth whitening as it prompts our patients to take even better care of their teeth to maintain their results.

 

To learn more about the teeth whitening process at our practice and to find out if it’s right for you, please visit www.dentistnj.com or call 732-264-8180 to schedule a consultation.