Veneers

At the dental practice of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, her patients are always asking about the latest cosmetic solutions for their teeth. Some fixes are recommended just to repair damage or to whiten, but veneers remain one of the best ways to give your mouth a total makeover. Veneers are custom-made porcelain shells that bond directly to the surface of your teeth.  This gives you the opportunity to completely change the appearance of your smile and still look natural.

Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers. You can have a new smile using veneers in as little as two visits. First, your dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile.  Then an impression of your teeth is taken in order to custom-fit the final product to the surfaces of your teeth. On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth for you to wear and enjoy!

To learn more about veneers and all the services we provided at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Sleep Apnea and the Heart

Sleep apnea is not only a serious medical condition, but left untreated it can lead to a plethora of other health issues and is dangerous for the heart.  A patient with sleep apnea does not breathe properly during sleep, resulting in low oxygen levels throughout the entire body. Breathing supplies lungs with oxygen but also the rest of the body.  When there is a lack of oxygen, the part of the heart responsible for moving oxygenated blood to the organs and extremities is forced to work extra hard.  This can cause an enlarged heart and eventually heart failure.

Those living with untreated sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing irregular heartbeats, and also have a higher risk for a stroke and heart attack.  Men with untreated sleep apnea are actually living with double the risk for a stroke.  If you have yet to find a solution for sleep apnea, please visit Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS for a consultation.  She can fit patients with a snore guard in just one visit, which has helped many people avoid the negative effects of sleep apnea.

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we offer, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

The Importance of Regular Cleanings

It is recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry to have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months.  Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS encourages all her patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  However much you brush and floss, we are all human and may miss one or two areas, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, we clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, we flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist.

To learn more about teeth cleanings and all the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom TMJ splint helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Causes of Gap Teeth

If you’ve got a gap between your upper front teeth and want to get rid of it, Holmdel’s Dr. Dipika Shah has you covered. But what kind of treatment is best will depend on a few factors, some of which are related to other issues.

If the teeth are otherwise in alignment, veneers may be all that's needed to close a gap. These shells are cemented onto the fronts of the teeth, covering gaps as well as cracks, chips, and stains. But if the teeth are twisted or there are gaps between the other teeth, as well, orthodontic treatment may be preferable. Cosmetic orthodontic corrections can be done with Invisalign while more advanced work requires traditional braces. Patients will have to wear retainers afterward regardless of which kind of orthodontic treatment they get or the gap may reopen.

Sometimes, especially when accompanied by an overbite, a gap develops in response to pressure on the teeth. Tongue thrusting and thumb sucking can both push the front teeth apart and have to be resolved to prevent the gap from returning. (This may require help from another specialist, such as an ear, nose, and throat doctor.) If the labial frenum, the strip of tissue connecting the inside of the upper lip to the jaw is enlarged, it has to be surgically reduced for the teeth to be able to move together and stay together. We have laser to take care of that attachment so no pain and no bleeding. 

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.

 

White Spot Lesions

When tooth decay is developing, there are warning signs. At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice, we don’t want our patients to miss a warning that they need to pay more attention to their brushing, which is why we’re spreading the word about white spot lesions.

The development of white spots on tooth enamel is the first visible sign of erosion. (For this reason, they are also called “incipient” lesions.) The spots have a chalky appearance, similar to that caused by the early stage of acid reflux-related erosion. They are most commonly seen in the spots where plaque accumulates, such as near the gum line or surrounding an orthodontic bracket. White spots can form in just a month, and if the bracket they’re surrounding is removed, the patient will be left with white hollow rectangles on their teeth.

Better brushing is the key to preventing tooth decay. We encourage patients who are at elevated risk for tooth decay due to factors such as diabetes and dry mouth to talk to us about infection control. If a lesion has already developed but its progress has been arrested, the patient may benefit from remineralization therapy. Avoiding the risk of white spots is also a major reason why people choose Invisalign over fixed braces.  

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.

 

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews

Here at the dental practice of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, we love to hear from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. At this time, we would like to thank Trupti for not only being an excellent patient but for leaving us a review. Additionally, we encourage the rest of our patients to write testimonials and thank each and every one of you for your feedback!   

-"As most of us I was scared to go to a dentist so I put off my cavity until it started hurting me in my 8th month of pregnancy so bad then I called Dr. Shah's office as a new patient and the office was so cooperative and Dr. Shah still saw me the same day as I was in pain. That experience showed me she really cares about her patients and has compassion. Dr. Shah is very calm and is passionate about her work. The office staff is also very friendly and pleasant." -Trupti

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.