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.