Removing Braces

The completion of a phase of orthodontic therapy is an exciting time. We at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice are proud to have reached this milestone with so many of our patients. For those who are currently wearing braces or expect to get them in the future, we wanted to describe a little about the process of removing them.

Although their function is to guide teeth through the jaw bones, braces are delicate. Orthodontic brackets can be pulled loose by extremely sticky foods and knocked off if the patient gets hit when not wearing a mouth guard. The dental cement that bonds them to enamel is made to be easily removable. Nonetheless, we don’t want to exert too much force against a patient’s enamel. Instead, after removing the elastics and wires for the last time, we use a plier to compress the brackets. The change in their shape will cause the dental cement to retract, and the bracket is lifted out.

The metal bands that surround a patient’s molars are also lifted out with a specialized pair of reverse-action pliers. The patient will feel pressure, but the removal process is not painful. The dental cement will be left on until all the brackets have been removed, after which it will be removed. An impression of the patient’s mouth can then be made and used as the basis for a retainer, which will preserve their new smile.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Bite Checks

Do you wonder if your children are going to need braces? Are you worried their crooked teeth might be causing problems with their teeth, gum and jaw? As a family practice that offers orthodontic treatment, we at the Holmdel dental office of Dr. Dipika Shah can monitor the development of children’s teeth and spot problems early at in-house at biannual check-ups.

It is best if orthdontic needs are observed at earlier age and treated while they are going through their growth period to guide everything in a correct direction rather than waiting till their bone completely matures and harder to make changes. 

At each biannual check-up, we take x-rays of children’s mouths to determine whether their teeth are coming in straight. Depending on what we see, we may recommend extractions or early-stage orthodontic therapy. The first orthodontic assessment is usually done at age seven. We will also examine whether each child is able to close their teeth together comfortably and whether there are unusual patterns of wear that could indicate that a misaligned tooth is impeding jaw function.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Orthodontics and Mouthguards

As providers of orthodontic treatment, we at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice want to make sure our patients are safe playing contact sport. Everyone who plays contact sport should wear Mouth guard, including those who are going through active orthodontic treatment. 

Most sports require players to wear a mouthguard, There are several kinds of mouthguards commercially available, including ones that are pre-fitted and ones that a patient bites down on after softening in hot water. All mouthguards are not same. Commericailly avalable ones do not protect you as well as the ones which are made by dentists. 

That's why dentists recommend that patients get their mouthguards custom-fitted. But this can be a problem for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment because their teeth are quickly shifting position. It is likely now that school is beginning that a teenager’s mouthguard from the previous year will not still fit them. In these cases, it is important to have the mouthguard regularly updated so that it will fit snugly over orthodontic brackets without needing to be forced on.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Orthodontic Tools

As a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Holmdel’s Dr. Dipika Shah is equipped to provide expert orthodontic treatment. Having straight teeth comes with many health benefits as well as more self-confidence with a beautiful smile. We want our patients to  feel comfortable with their treatment, Children or adult can get their teeth straightened. 

Starightening of wire can be done with either braces or with aligners. Braces give lot better control to dentist and parents as we do not have to worry about whether child wears it or not. But they do colllect lots of food and patient has to be very good at oral hygiene in order to keep teeth and gums healthy. Aligners allow patients can easily clean their teeth but patient has to make sure that they brush and floss before they wear aligners. Also if child is not cooperative or responsible to wear as suggested, it will not work. 

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Orthodontics and Root Canals

At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice, patients have the advantage of a dentist who is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and skilled in a wide variety of treatments. Dr. Shah is competent to provide general dentistry including orthodontics, root canals, implants, extraction, treat kids, cosmetic dentistry tetc under one roof  by same comforting and caring team. 

When a tooth is badly infected, dentists face a choice: should it be extracted and replaced or treated with a root canal? Nothing is as good as your own tooth.Dr. shah will give her 100% to save your teeth if possible. It may need simpole filling or may need root cana, post core and crown or gum treatment.  It makes sense for patients to go to a single doctor who can provide all their treatment.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

When to Start Orthodontics

At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel practice, we want to provide treatment for your entire family with good quality. Part of our exam is to determine whether our patients will need orthodontic treatment and to prepare them for braces or Invisalign. To help patients know what kind of treatment is appropriate, we’ve provided this guide.

Ten or eleven is the usual age to begin braces or Invisalign but children will begin being assessed several years before then. One of our specialties is the use of oral appliances to help combat problems such as tongue thrusting (which can result in malocclusions) and overly narrow jaws. Children may also need early orthodontic treatment if they are suffering from constricted airways or if they have lost a baby tooth before the permanent one was ready to erupt. In that case, they would need a spacer to ensure the permanent tooth will have room. Early adolescence is the recommended age at which to begin braces and Invisalign because the permanent teeth have all erupted but the skull is still somewhat flexible. Adults can undergo orthodontic treatment for misalignments and gap teeth, but guided canine eruption and underbite treatments work best on adolescents.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Diabetes and Orthodontics

Did you know that November is American Diabetes Month? At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental office, we’ve worked for years to help our patients understand how diabetes complicates oral health. This month, we want to focus on how orthodontics, in particular, is affected by diabetes.

People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to gingivitis and periodontal disease. When periodontal disease goes untreated, it damages the jaw bone that supports your teeth and gums, allowing teeth to migrate. This kind of damage can influence poor results with orthodontics, braces make oral hygiene more difficult. For a diabetic person with uncontrolled periodontal disease, this becomes poor choice of treatment. On the other hand, Invisalign does not create additional challenges to oral hygiene. The aligners may be removed and the patient can brush and floss normally. Invisalign also puts gentler pressure on the teeth, which is preferable for diabetic patients. Everyone may not be a candidate for Invisalign but if the patient’s blood sugar is kept under control and they adhere to oral hygiene practices, they can still receive treatment with braces or Invisalign. Once treatment starts, your follow up visits, will give us an opportunity to ensure the patient’s teeth and gums are still healthy.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

How Long Should You Wear Retainers?

When people undergo orthodontic treatment, they should know that they will have to wear retainers for a time after the first phase of orthodontic work is complete. There are some people who will require a fixed retainer for the remainder of their lives. This is not the case for most people, but it is a good idea for anyone who has had orthodontic work to always keep a well-fitted retainer.

Individual cases vary, but it is common for people to have to wear their retainers full-time for a year after finishing braces and to have to wear the retainers at night for some time after that.  Gap teeth tend to require the most retainer use after correction. Eventually, the jawbone will solidify and the teeth will lose their tendency to migrate back to their original position. However, the jawbone undergoes slight changes throughout a person’s life, and the front teeth are always being pushed forward. Preventing this requires the retainer to be worn for a few nights a week on a permanent basis. For this reason, patients should make sure they always have a clean retainer that was made relatively recently if they want to ensure they never experience any tooth migration.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Orthodontics in Holmdel, NJ

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are misaligned and corrects any dental deformities. Dr. Dipika Shah offers a variety of orthodontic options to her patients but encourages assessing a child’s orthodontic needs as early as possible. Crowded teeth are difficult to clean and packs a lot more food. The benefits of receiving orthodontic treatment are endless but include a healthier mouth, and a straighter, more aesthetically pleasing smile  and face.

At her Holmdel, NJ dental practice, Dipika Shah, DDS gives patients a choice when it comes to straightening their teeth – Invisalign and traditional braces. Both appliances work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. Depending on the individual case, one option may be preferred over another. To decide which form of orthodontics is best for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation.

If you have questions or concerns about our orthodontic options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

Dangers of DIY Orthodontics

Last February, the American Association of Orthodontists released a study that showed 13% of its members had treated someone who attempted to perform orthodontics on themselves. At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel office, it is alarming to us that anyone would think this is a good idea and we want to help our patients avoid scams and harmful practices.

DIY orthodontics were popularized by the story of someone who used a 3D printer to manufacture his own aligners while characterizing the standard orthodontic process as dragging out treatment to raise costs. This is not true; moving teeth, which are living tissue, through jaw bones takes time because the jaw bones must be allowed to rebuild themselves. Moving teeth too quickly will leave them loose and could cause them to fall out or move back to their former position.

Other publications encourage much more primitive corrective methods, such as substituting wires with home items. However, tying teeth together instead of connecting them with a bracket-supported wire could strangle the teeth’s blood supply. Furthermore, without a bracket to hold the ties in place, the ties could slide into the wearer’s gum pockets and get stuck there while they rot.

Our office provides a variety of orthodontic and payment options. Please come see us if you are worried about misaligned teeth so we can fix them the safe, effective way.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Guiding Impacted Canines

 At her Holmdel office, Dr. Dipika Shah offers orthodontic work to adults and children for a variety of conditions. sometimes she comes across the failure of canine teeth to erupt. The canine teeth don’t just help us pierce food; they also occupy the points of maximum change of curvature in the jaw arches and are crucial to keeping the other teeth in alignment and your jaw joint healthy. Since teeth which have not erupted by adulthood likely never will, The progress of the canine teeth is one of the most important things for dentists treating children to check.

Guiding canines down into the proper position may require a bit of surgery and a distinctive bit of orthodontic work. An incision will expose the unerupted canine so a bracket may be attached to it. Connecting this bracket with the wire connecting the other brackets will require a chain or a looped bit of wire called a ballista spring. Depending on how far a canine is from its destination, moving it may require a year of orthodontic work. But aesthetically and functionally, guiding an impacted canine is one of the most important orthodontic procedures a child can undergo.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

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.

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.

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.      

Bonding and White Fillings

If you have a cavity that needs to be treated, a metal filling that needs to be replaced or a tooth with a minor chip, crack, or stain, it may be that a simple dental bonding treatment or a tooth-colored filling is all that is needed to correct the problem. Bonding and white filling is a great way to improve the cosmetic appeal of your teeth.

 

The best thing about dental bonding and white filling procedures is that they can be completed in one visit. Bonding is comparable to veneers, but is a much more cost-effective option. The procedure is also quite simple and can be done in just one visit.

 

Receiving white fillings is also a non-invasive, quick procedure. Unlike metal fillings, they do not contain any mercury, and they make tooth stronger.  A local anesthetic is often utilized for these procedures to numb the tooth and the area around it. 

 

To learn more about bonding and white fillings, visit www.dentistnj.com or call 732-264-8180 to schedule an appointment. 

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term that refers to various types of dental work that improves the general appearance of patient’s teeth, gums and bite. Procedures vary from small repairs such bonding and white fillings to a complete restorations like dental veneers. Dr. Dipika Shah provides many options for patients to improve their smile. 

 

Common procedures in cosmetic dentistry include whitening, bonding, crowns, veneers and dental bridges or implants. . Whether patients need a major repair or just a subtle change, we have the ability to treat each patient to fit their individual needs.

 

Whitening is a common and popular way to whiten teeth quickly and effectively. Discoloration occurs in the enamel and can be caused by medication, coffee, tea,wine, food colors and smoking. We provide take home whitening or in office whitening with laser. Take home whitening involves using custom-made trays, filled with a whitening gel to whiten teeth 4-8 shades in just a few days. In office whitening is done in few minutes couple of shades lighter with the use of laser. Bonding and white filling is another procedure that can improve the cosmetic appeal of your smile. Using tooth-colored material, Dr. Shah will fill in gaps or even change the color of teeth.

 

. A crown is essentially a “cap” that covers the damaged tooth; a crown can be used to improve appearance, shape or alignment. Veneers are a great option for patient’s hoping to completely change their smile. These thin pieces of porcelain are placed over the existing teeth to create a brand new smile. Dental bridges are a great option for patients who have lost one or more teeth. Bridges use existing teeth to create a bridge to hold the area where the tooth is missing. 

 

For more information about cosmetic dentistry with Dr. Dipika Shah, visit www.dentistnj.com or call 732-264-8180. 

Sleep Apnea

Dr. Dipika Shah provides a wide range of dental services to her patients, including oral appliances for sleep apnea. Dental treatment is not just about fillings and root canals and cleanings, though that is certainly important. It is also about helping with our patients with their overall health.

With sleep apnea, the patient is having interruptions in their breathing multiple times a night, which not only keeps them from having a good night’s sleep, but can also be bad for their health.

Common signs of having sleep apnea include choking upon waking, excessive tiredness during the day, an urge to nap every day, headaches when waking up in the morning, snoring noisily, and waking up extremely thirsty and/or tired.

We urge patients with sleep apnea to visit our office and benefit in the following ways:

• Get a custom-made oral appliance for proper treatment of sleep apnea.
• Improve their sleep every night.
• Have a more comfortable appliance for better sleeping.
• Access to a small appliance that is easy to travel with.

If you have signs of sleep apnea, visit our dental practice in Holmdel, NJ. We will provide you with more information about the oral appliance available to give you an effective solution.

Athletic Guard

An athletic guard is a type of mouth guard given to adolescents/adults who play sports in school or for fun. The reason we create these mouth guards is to protect the patient’s teeth and their smile. While there are other uses for a mouth guard, the main function is for protection of not just their teeth, but their head from concussion and brain damage.

Dr. Dipika Shah prepares custom athletic guards that fit the patient perfectly so it is comfortable and offers the best protection available. They also don’t have a weird taste or odor. They allow you to breath better and even talk to your team mate as they do not fall out when you talk/laugh/breath or even get tackled. 
There are many benefits of athletic guards, including protecting their teeth from fracture or loss, preventing expensive dental work later on, and protecting the head, neck and jaw joint from damage during a sport. They also give parents a peace of mind knowing their child is playing the sport they love without risking severe damage to your teeth or mouth. Mouth guards made here in our office fit the patients better, allowing them to breathe easier and have more comfort.

If you have a child that plays sports, whether in school or as a hobby, we encourage you to call us at 732-264-8180 to schedule an appointment for a custom athletic guard.

Bad Breath

If you are experiencing bad breath, it is likely due to bacteria in your oral cavity. Many of our patients visit our clinic complaining of bad breath, and we have found a variety of things to cause it. It may be lack of proper dental hygiene, the food or drinks they are consuming, smoking cigarettes, or having an infection or deep decay of the teeth. We diagnose the problem then provide an effective solution for reducing bad breath.

When a patient experiences bad breath, it can be damaging to their self esteem. They feel afraid to confront others and don’t feel confident being in relationships. These struggles don’t need to continue if a patient visits us to get a dental screening and deep cleaning. This removes all of the bacteria built-up and decay from their teeth, and gives them a fresh mouth. They are also urged/helped to stop habits like smoking, which can further cause bad breath.

Aside from providing a good cleaning, we also perform a check-up and x-rays to see if other dental issues are causing the bad breath. If you have bad breath, visit Dr. Dipika Shah in Holmdel, NJ to discuss your options.