Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

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. Our staff would not only like to thank Janet. for being an excellent patient, but we’d like to thank her for reviewing us. Additionally, we encourage the rest of our patients to write testimonials and thank each and every one of you for your feedback!   

“My family and I have been patients of Dr. Dipika Shah for years and we think very highly of her. Not only is she a wonderful dentist but she and her staff have always graciously accommodated us during emergencies or when our schedules have been tight. My first visit to her was on an emergency basis and her treatment saved me from hospitalization. My children, who are young adults now, had their first dental visits with Dr. Shah. She always made them feel comfortable and took the time to instruct them well about the care of their teeth. Neither of them has ever had a cavity, nor have they ever been afraid to seek dental care. And, by the way, she is a really nice lady! Thanks, Dr. Shah! –Janet”

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 Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Extrinsic Tooth Stains

Are your teeth an unsightly shade of yellow or dark brown? If these stains are extrinsic – located on the outside of the enamel – then the good news is that they are easy to remove. Tooth discoloration is divided into two categories, extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic stains are more difficult to get rid of because they stain the dentin located inside the tooth. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS has plenty of options to restore the color of your smile, such as whitening treatment.

Extrinsic stains are usually caused by foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis. Though regular brushing and flossing can reduce the appearance of the discoloration, you may need a little extra help to remove them completely. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS will likely suggest whitening treatment to remove extrinsic surface stains. If you aren’t satisfied with the appearance of your teeth, Dr. Shah can make them as white as your natural color or even whiter if you’d prefer.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth discoloration or teeth whitening treatment, 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.

Start of School Year Exams

Dentists recommend that children get check-ups and professional cleanings every six months. If yours haven’t been recently, now’s the time for it. At Dr. Dipika Shah’s office, we provide comprehensive care to prevent children from having problems with tooth aches and misalignment later on in the school year.

Children are the demographic that is most likely to suffer tooth decay in the form of caries—bacterial infections which make little cavities in the teeth. Caries are painful and can have a devastating impact on the child’s well-being. Pain may slow their speech development and cause them to be unable to sleep, making them irritable and unfocused. It may also interfere with their chewing, affecting their diet, (as can misalignment). Caries will not improve on their own; they require a dentist to clean out the decayed material and fill them in.

Fortunately, if your child is at risk for caries, it’s still early enough in the year to treat them before they take a major toll on their education. This will also give us a chance to monitor wisdom tooth eruption and plan for orthodontic treatment which may require time out of school.

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.

 

Invisalign

Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adolescents and adults.  At the practice of Dr. Dipika Shah we provide Invisalign to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  Invisalign does the job of traditional braces without metal brackets and wires – saving patients from the dreaded ‘metal mouth’ look throughout their treatment.  Severe misalignment may require another method, so always consult your dentist. 

To straighten your teeth with Invisalign, we begin with an examination. Then, impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan.  A typical treatment plan consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth, and can be completed in less than a year. Depending on your individual treatment plan, each set of aligners should be worn at least 20 hours a day for about two weeks. The aligners should be removed to eat, and to brush and floss.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide, 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. 

Night Guards for Bruxism

At the dental practice of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, we treat many patients who experience some negative effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is the term for any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw.  Chronic teeth grinders often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Some teeth grinders only grind their teeth while they sleep at night and may not be aware of it.  Waking up with a stiff or sore jaw or headache could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored.  Schedule a consultation to see what damage you may be doing to your mouth and how a custom night guard can help you.

A custom night guard is the best way to protect your teeth from the dangers of teeth grinding.  When we provide patients with custom night guards, the process begins by taking an impression of the mouth.  This impression is used to fit a custom product that protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth and aligns the jaw.  Night guards are durable and last 10 years with proper care.  This is an easy precaution to take if you are a grinder, and can even help improve sleep!

To learn more about bruxism, custom night guards, and all the services we provide, 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. 

Loose Permanent Teeth

Anytime adult teeth come loose, it’s a major problem. Fortunately, Dr. Dipika Shah is experienced in several of the aspects necessary for saving patients’ teeth and restoring their bite functions, including fighting periodontal disease and placing implants.

When teeth come loose due to periodontal disease, as opposed to a violent blow, dentists call it secondary occlusal trauma. Primary occlusal trauma is the term used to refer to teeth that have been damaged by tooth grinding without an infection. Severe periodontal disease doesn’t just erode the gum ligaments which hold teeth in place; it also erodes the jaw bone, which can have devastating consequences for the other teeth and the appearance of the patient’s face.

The infection must be controlled before any restorations can be done.Weakened teeth often require treatment with a splint, although in mild cases, the splint is usually temporary. One major danger is that when patients lose the use of their back teeth, they sometimes try chewing with their incisors. This is very dangerous; the front teeth cannot withstand such strong force and are likely to be pushed out of position. Anybody experiencing problems with loose teeth should seek help immediately and not try to adapt on their own.

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.

 

Halitosis in Children

Dr. Dipika Shah loves helping kids with all their oral health needs, including relief from bad breath. Generally, children suffer from halitosis for the same reason as adults: bacteria build-up. However, they may need some specific attention in order to deal with the problem.

Bacteria build up in creviced soft tissue, such as the tongue and top of the throat. The tongue is easy to clean, but fighting bacteria in the back of the throat may require a specialty mouthwash Dr. Shah can recommend. Bacteria in this region not only feed on trapped food particles, they also feed on nasal drip. Children tend to get more sinus infections than adults, increasing their risk for halitosis, and they are likelier to have undiagnosed allergies.

Dry mouth is another major contributor to bad breath. In children, the most common medications that cause it as a side-effect are those for ADHD and anxiety, but it could also be caused by mouth breathing. This may require attention from a specialist to correct, or it may be related to sleep apnea, which Dr. Shah can provide a snore guard for.

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.