Teeth Whitening

Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS knows her patients want to have a pleasing smile.   Many ask the doctor and her staff about over the counter products, and have tried them with underwhelming results.  Instead of winging it with retail products, come see us for a consultation and get your own custom whitening system!

During a consultation, your dentist will examine the level of staining on your teeth and be able to tell you what kind of results you can expect from the whitening system. To whiten your teeth at home, you will be fit with custom whitening trays made from molds of your teeth.  For a treatment, apply the whitening gel directly onto the trays and fit them over your teeth.  Your dentist will advise how often you should treat at home and how long each treatment can last.  Following dentist’s instructions, patients have seen this system whiten their smiles 4-8 shades!

To learn more about teeth whitening and all the services 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. 

Nocturnal Bruxism

Waking up with facial pain may seem like no big deal, but it’s something to think about. Teeth clenching and grinding are symptoms of a condition called bruxism. Though bruxism can occur while a person is awake, it commonly happens while the patient is asleep. Nocturnal bruxism can be a sign of a sleep disorder. If you snore or clench or grind your teeth, it’s best to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS.

Teeth clenching and grinding can lead to enamel damage, broken teeth, headaches and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Though there is no actual cause of bruxism, some consider it a person’s way of coping with stress and anxiety. If you are experiencing jaw pain, or discomfort, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS may suggest a TMJ splint, night guard,  snore or sleep apnea appliance for you to wear during sleep. This will help prevent further damage, save your teeth, gums, jaw bone and Jaw joint. It will let you sleep better. 

If you have questions or concerns regarding nocturnal bruxism or jaw pain, please give us a call. To learn 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. 

Easing Dental Anxiety in Patients

Most of us look forward to visiting the dentist as much as we enjoy visiting the doctor’s office. It’s not necessarily exciting, but it’s something that needs to be done. Past bad dental experience to you or your loved ones can cause anxiety and if you let that dectate you and do not visit dentist,  it can put your oral health status on a downward spiral. Dental anxiety can leave people panic-stricken and terrified, but Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, can ease your fears and make you feel as comfortable as possible during your dental procedure.

There is nothing wrong with being afraid of oral pain, dental instruments, or injections before a dental procedure.  People with dental fear are at a greater risk for developing periodontal disease as well as early tooth loss. Before your appointment, be sure to discuss your fears with our staff and ask about our  options.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental anxiety, please give us a call. To learn 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. 

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.