How Does Smoking Affect My Teeth?

We all know that smoking is bad for one's health. But what does smoking do to one's teeth? Smoking causes significant, irreversible damage to one's mouth, teeth and gums. Typically, a smoker will not even realize the damage is occurring until the condition is severe.

Studies show that smoking is directly liked to periodontal disease and dental cavities. The smoke actually allows for or accelerates the hardening of the bacteria that causes these conditions. In addition, that bacteria eats away at the bone that supports the teeth. This is why many smokers lose their teeth early in life.

According to Web MD: "Researchers say smokers are up to six times more likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers because smoking dampens the body's immune system and makes it harder for it to fight back against the disease."

Bottom line: stop smoking to save your teeth AND your life.

The Truth About Dental Insurance

Dental insurance may be one of the most frustrating topics for any dentist to discuss. It often becomes a road block in providing patients with the highest standard of care. People who do not have dental insurance often neglect dental care due to cost or limited access to providers. Dental insurance is a contract between you, your employer and the insurance company. Dental offices assist patients with their insurance by filing claims and providing estimates for treatment.

Most insurance plans have a maximum yearly allowable amount of around $2000.  This maximum has been the same since the early 1980s, while the cost of dental supplies, dental procedures and dental education has increased. Dental insurance is not so much of a help since the fee for 1 crown in our area at the 80th percentile is $1250.  I like to say that medical insurance usually kicks in when you need it the most, whereas dental insurance runs out when you need it the most.

One of the most frequent questions I hear in my office is,“What does the insurance cover?” I wish this was an easy question to answer, but unfortunately it is not.  There are hundreds of different insurance companies and thousands of different groups within those insurance companies, making it virtually impossible to obtain a complete benefit summary.  Furthermore, there are exceptions, frequency limitations and exclusions that are either in fine-print or not provided to the dental office when a benefit summary is requested.

Unlike medical insurance, the majority of dental insurances do not require a pre-authorization for dental work. Dental insurance companies determine a patient's benefits AFTER the work is completed and the claim is received. Just listen to the insurance company hold music, read the back of your insurance card or skim the bottom of a benefits eligibility fax, it reads: this is not a guarantee of payment; benefits will be determined after the insurance company receives a claim.

For these reasons, we provide our patients with an ESTIMATE of coverage.  We try our best to make sure that our estimate covers any insurance exceptions or limitations so that the patient has a better understanding of what his/her out of pocket may be. Ultimately, it is the patient's responsibility to read and understand his/her insurance benefits.

Insurance companies should not be considered a friend or foe.  The simple truth is that insurance companies are a for-profit business and exist to make their stockholders' a return on their investment. If they determine that a patient is ineligible for a service, that only means they will not pay for the service. It does not mean that the service is not dentally warranted. Sometimes patients misunderstand that if their insurance doesn't cover a service, then they don’t need the service. Please remember that it is up to the doctor to diagnose and treat patients on what they need- not what their insurance may or may not cover. Often times, dental insurance companies will provide a benefit for the least-costly option, which is rarely the best dental option for the patient.

At Roselle Park Dental, our mission is to ensure the genuine comfort and care of our patients. We pledge to improve both the dental and total health and wellness of our patients. We are here to treat you as a patient and not let insurance companies dictate the quality of care we provide.

Happy Thanksgiving! Updated Office Hours

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Roselle Park Dental! Here are our holiday hours for the rest of the week:

Wednesday, November 27 from 8-5
Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving) closed
Friday, November 29 from 9-5.

Use It Before You Lose It! Last Reminder!

The end of the year is almost upon us! If you have pending treatment or still need to get your check up and cleaning, schedule an appointment ASAP to maximize your insurance benefits. Don't forget that you lose unused insurance benefits at the end of the year. Our holiday season books quickly so call today: 908-245-1745.

Beyond the Brush Free Meeting Reminder!

Don't forget to attend our Beyond the Brush free seminar on November 3 at 10:00 am to talk about how you can get on the path to optimum oral and overall health! Our department leads will show you what you can do besides brushing and flossing that will maintain your oral health. Feel free to bring a guest!

Thank you!

We truly have the best staff! Thanks to everyone who worked today to bring dental services to those who really need it! 

Roselle Park Dental's Second Annual Charity Dental Day

Just a friendly reminder- Roselle Park Dental will host its second annual Charity Dental Day tomorrow, October 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Roselle Park Dental will be providing same-day dental services for free. The Charity Day is open to both new and existing patients. No appointment is needed and we will serve patients on a first come, first serve basis.

Beyond The Brush: A New Wellness Department

Beyond the Brush is a new wellness department at Roselle Park Dental. You may have heard of the "mouth-body" connection-- recent research has showed that many diseases that start in your mouth can affect your overall health. In addition, we know that certain conditions, such as gum disease, is linked to other serious diseases like diabetes and heart problems.

Our department leads will show you what you can do besides brushing and flossing that will maintain your oral health. Many vitamins and supplements have been shown to help heal bleeding, swollen gums or restore tooth strength. 

We are hosting a free seminar on November 3 at 10:00 am to talk about how we can help you can get on the path to optimum oral and overall health!

Time is Running Out!

Ever feel like you funnel money into a dental insurance plan that you'll never see again? Don't let your dental policy become a black hole! Take advantage of all the benefits you have before they run out at the end of the year.

You're probably paying a monthly premium to keep your insurance. If you have dental treatment you've put on hold, now may be a good time to schedule an appointment to maximize your insurance benefits. Even if you don't need extensive treatment, you should use that money for regular check ups and cleanings to prevent costly procedures in the future. Don't throw your money away!

Now may also be a good time to use any remaining flexible account dollars. Flexible accounts are created to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical and dental expenses, but if that money is not used before the end of the year, it is lost to you forever.

Our year-end, holiday season books quickly, so call Roselle Park Dental at (908) 245-1745 to schedule your appointment. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage or benefits, we would be happy to help you. We look forward to seeing you!

If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them.

Roselle Park Dental's Second Annual Charity Day October 25

Roselle Park Dental is hosting its second annual charity day on Friday, October 25 from 9-5. Any dental work that can be completed in one day (fillings, extractions, cleanings, etc.) will be offered for free. Crowns, bridges, implants and other multiple appointment procedures are not available. Insurance will not be billed.

Please do not call to make appointments; it will be first come, first serve. Our charity day is open to both new and existing patients. If you have any questions, please call (908) 245-1745.

Part 2 of Investment Strategies

Invest in Your Business

“Invest in yourself. Your career is the engine of your wealth.”--Paul Clitheroe

What does it mean to invest in your business/career?  To me, it starts with choosing what to do with your life. If you decide to do something just to make money, more times than not, you will be unsuccessful. I believe you will be the most fruitful if you earn money doing something you love.

My patients often ask, “Doc, how could you like to work on teeth?" Dentistry can be quite challenging at times, but it's not necessarily the teeth part that I love.  I love the satisfaction I get when I help somebody with a problem.  I love being able to employ people and push them to be their best. The best compliment I can receive is that my staff is so friendly. (Of course, it is still nice to hear people say that they are happy with my dental work.)  

Investing in my business is all about my vision of having a practice that offers our patients top notch, efficient customer service and dental work or advice that is of the highest integrity and standard of care. This vision is always in the forefront of every business decision I make.  Oftentimes, businesses or careers fail because the owner doesn’t have a clear vision. Operating without a vision is like driving your family in a car for a vacation but you have no idea where you are going.  How will you ever get there if you don’t know where you want to be!  My advice is to invest time in thinking of where you want to be--it will help guide you each and every day.

As always, please ask your financial consultant before making any investment decision. These blogs are my thoughts and personal advice only.

Investment Advice

Today, we are going to take a little a break from dental-related topics. I have spent a lot of time researching and speaking with consultants on the best ways to invest my money. Below, I will share with you my findings and my personal investment strategy. As always, please consult a financial advisor or counselor before you choose any investment path.

Investing in Myself

My top three investments are myself, my business, and a savvy whole insurance strategy. Money can be spent in two different ways: an investment or an expense.  An investment suggests that you will get a return on your money. The "return" doesn't necessarily mean monetary value. Furthering one's education is a great example of an investment that gives you a return in the form of learning, increasing mental capacity, expanding horizons, broadening career opportunities, etc.

An expense suggests that there will be no significant benefit to your well-being from you spending money, time or energy.  Sorry ladies, buying those fancy Jimmy Choo shoes is a great example of an expense. The shoes don't really "return" anything that improves one's mental, physical or spiritual state. Of course one can argue that a purchase, such as buying Jimmy Choos, gives one greater self-confidence, which can help in other aspects of life like nailing that job interview. In determining whether spending your money is an investment or an expense, ask yourself, "What am I really getting out of this?"

When it comes to one’s health, I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as an expense.  I believe in preventative medicine. I always advise my patients to eat right, exercise, and invest in any service that may prevent them from needing something else that would most likely be more expensive or invasive in the future. For example, should you invest 30 seconds a day and floss, or spend thousands of dollars in gum therapy/surgery in the future and risk shedding years off your life by not flossing?

Next week, we will talk about investing in my business.

Q: Am I A Candidate For Getting A Dental Implant?

A:  First, let's discuss some reasons why one would not be a great candidate for a dental implant:

1. Smoking. Smoking lowers our success rate for dental implants because it causes the blood vessels in the jaw to constrict. Without adequate blood flow, new bone formation around the implant is limited. Therefore, the implant may not be as secure as it needs to be and has a greater likelihood of failing. If you are a smoker, I would recommended decreasing the number of cigarettes to less than 1/2 pack a day for a month before implant surgery. Of course, stopping smoking completely is the best option for getting dental implants and one's overall health.

2. Jaw Bone Type. The jaw is made up of 4 different types of bone.  They range from hard, like oak, to soft, like Styrofoam.  The hardest and softest bone have lower success rates. The highest success rate for dental implants are in patients who have bone types that are in the middle of hard and soft. Not sure which bone type you have? At Roselle Park Dental, we have a CT scan that can help us measure the density of your jaw bone.

3. Diseases. Certain diseases, such as uncontrolled diabetes and osteoporosis, can be contraindications for dental implants. At Roselle Park Dental, we make sure we do a comprehensive medical history to determine if dental implants are the best course of treatment for you.

To see if you're a candidate for dental implants, call Roselle Park Dental and schedule a consultation. The dentist will do a thorough oral exam, medical history review and CT scan so he can see your entire jaw bone structure. We look forward to seeing you!

Same-Day Implants vs. Traditional Implants

Question:
Why can some dentists perform an implant the same day and some say it takes up to 9 months?

Answer:
Before this can be answered, one must understand what an implant is. Many people think an implant replaces the crown (the porcelain that looks like a tooth) but an implant is actually the titanium screw that replaces the root of a tooth.  The part that replaces the crown is actually a combination of something called an abutment and a crown.  The abutment will screw into the implant and the crown cements onto the abutment. Please see the diagram below.

Not every patient is a candidate for receiving an implant the same day. A qualified dentist needs to determine the amount of bone in your jaw, whether you grind your teeth, the integrity of the bone that the implant is in, if you are prone to infection and how stable your bone holds the implant on the day of surgery. After evaluating these risk factors, a dentist will be able to determine if one can get an implant, abutment and crown the same day or if additional healing time is needed after an implant is placed.

If you are missing teeth, wear a partial or denture, you may be able to get a dental implant. For more information on dental implants in Roselle Park, please visit our Website or call Roselle Park Dental at (908) 245-1745.

Next week's topic is am I a candidate for an implant?

Question: What can I do to get healthy?

Answer: Hippocrates, The Father of Medicine, said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food!”

Obesity, diabetes, and gum disease are increasing at alarming rates. At the same time, many people are on prescribed medications to help control these varying diseases. Processed foods continue to be consumed because they are cheap and easy to buy. If you want to improve your health, you need to do what Hippocrates suggests and change your diet.

What is a healthy diet? (I am going to answer this question based on my experience only. As always, consult your doctor before you change your diet.)

Dr. O's 8 Simple Rules for Success

1. Read the labels on your food and drink. If there are more than 5 ingredients on the back of the package, it is probably not easily broken down by your body. If there are more than 2 ingredients that are really long words and you don’t know what they are, then your body probably won't recognize it either! Avoid these food/drinks wherever possible.

2. Eat as many vegetables as you want. The greener or more colorful they are, the better they are for you. Try to eat a rainbow of colors (red bell peppers, carrots, watermelon, kale, spinach, etc.).

3. Reduce your animal fat intake. Consume lean proteins such as chicken, turkey and fish over more fatty meats such as beef.

4. Avoid soda. If you must have soda, try to keep your intake to one can of soda per week. Remember, just because a soda is diet, sugar free or calorie free, it does not mean it is good for you!

5. Drink water. Staying hydrated is critical to your body functioning properly.

6. Limit your dairy intake.

7. Exercise! Eating healthy and working out go hand in hand. Even if you need to start small by going for a walk three days a week, and then work your way up to a jog- that's great. Keep your body moving.

8. Get a partner or coach. It is easier to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle when you have support. 

Question: I've Been Diagnosed with Gum Disease....What Does This Mean?

Answer:

Approximately 85% of our population has some form of gum disease. Gum disease can vary from mild gingivitis (slightly inflamed gums, bad breath and bleeding gums) to periodontitis (gingivitis with bone loss in the jawbone). If you've ever watched Dr. Oz, he always is concerned about inflammation and the harm it brings to our bodies. Inflammation has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight pregnancies, and even shorter life spans.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to diligently follow a strict home care plan. This includes eating a healthy diet with proper nutrients, high antioxidants as well as properly flossing and brushing. Keeping your check up and cleaning appointments at least every 6 months with the dentist is also critical to keeping gum disease at bay.

Here is what I recommend to my patients varying levels of gum disease:

Mild periodontitis protocol- home care plan, laser decontamination, gum infection therapy, re-evaluation with cleaning 4-6 weeks later

Moderate to advanced periodontitis- home care plan, laser decontamination, gum infection therapy, re-evaluation with cleaning 4-6 weeks later, referral to periodontist or further laser treatment.

Gingivitis protocol: home care plan, laser decontamination, 2 cleanings, and a re-evaluation to follow up on gum progress 4-6 weeks later

For more information about our gum infection therapy or laser decontamination, please contact Roselle Park Dental.

Doc, Is It Going To Hurt? Part 3 of 3

There are plenty of people who are hesitant to get their dental work done even with the many advances in technology.  For those patients there is sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry includes the use of Valium, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), Triazolam, and, if necessary, IV sedation or general anesthesia.

The use of Valium in conjunction with a few minutes of nitrous oxide can really reduce the amount of anxiety patients will have while getting their work done.  This is most effective for the patient that doesn't really mind dentistry but wants something to take the edge off.

When Triazolam is used, the patient will experience oral conscious sedation.  This should only be done by a dentist with an oral sedation license. (By the way, New Jersey has one of the hardest licensing requirements in the U.S.) Although oral conscious sedation is extremely safe and effective, certain protocols should be followed strictly.

Oral conscious sedation is extremely effective in reducing all anxiety and fears.  Most patients do not recall the dental appointment at all and the medications even reduce the post operative discomfort.  I have found oral sedation be the biggest game changer in improving the dental experience for patients.

Lastly, if a patient is a terrible gagger or if his/her fear is too great to be calmed by oral sedation, we can involve an anesthesiologist to administer IV sedation or general anesthesia.  Both are more effective than oral sedation but carry additional risk and are more expensive.

Funny Dental-Related TV News

Just wanted to share with you a funny article I read this morning on Yahoo...

http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/which-gorgeous-guest-star-on--the-exes--is-sporting-gross-fake-teeth--203915569.html

Doc, Is It Going To Hurt? (Part 2)

Last week, we talked about different technologies that help minimize, even eliminate, dental pain. We discussed the wand, a comfort injection machine, and topical anesthetics that are strong enough to make patients sufficiently numb. This week, we will discuss soft tissue lasers and our new E4D machine.

The use of soft tissue lasers in dentistry has revolutionized the way we practice dentistry. Soft tissue lasers can completely sterilize any area of the mouth.  We use it before and after invasive dental procedures to prevent infections, such as bacterimia (infections caused by bacteria in the blood).

We can desensitize teeth, desensitize and kill cold sores, and remove hemangiomas (a growth of endothelial cells on your lip). We can also relieve muscle pulls in the mouth that cause gum recession and teeth to shift, remove infected tissue surrounding wisdom teeth, treat gum disease, and even promote bone re-generation. Before the laser, we were either unable to treat some of these conditions or the condition would require the use of a scalpel and stitches, which may cause more discomfort.

The E4D is an in office cad-cam crown milling machine that has made the dental appointment more pleasant and convenient. In the past, patients who needed a crown would require two visits about two weeks apart. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared and the patient leaves with a temporary crown. On the second visit, the permanent crown has arrived from the laboratory and is inserted, which sometimes requires an injection. The E4D eliminates the need for a second appointment to insert a crown. Now, in under 1 ½ hours, we can mill and insert a crown the same day! This eliminates the need for any additional appointments, eliminates the possibility of the lab work getting lost or broken in transit, and eliminates the chances of the temporary crown falling off.  

These are two relatively new technologies I have implemented in Roselle Park Dental. If you have any questions, please contact me! Stay tuned next week for the last part of this topic.

Doc, is it going to hurt??

Question:  What's new in the world of dentistry to prevent or mitigate dental pain?

Everyday my patients tell me “it's not you doc, but I hate the dentist!”  When I ask my patients why they hate the dentist, they say, “because of the drill sound, the needle and THE PAIN!!!!”

The truth is, dentists don’t like causing their patients pain as much as patients don't like being in pain. I have heard the horror stories of the dentist who wouldn’t stop drilling even though the patient told him it hurt. Believe it or not, this is so extremely rare that it is only talked about because it happens so infrequently.

Technological advances have done a lot to prevent patients from feeling dental pain. This includes using a comfort injection machine (called the wand), super strong topical anesthetic, septocaine instead of novocaine, noise cancelling headphones, a soft tissue laser instead of a scalpel, a Cad-Cam (computerized) machine to make single day crown appointments, nitrous oxide, and oral sedation.

Let's talk about a few of the technological advances today, and I will continue with the others next week. The wand can comfortably numb a single tooth anywhere in the mouth without causing the cheek to feel numb. It is a remarkable machine and works about 60% of the time. When asked, most patients say “I don’t know what you did but I didn’t feel anything.”  I have performed crowns, extractions, fillings and even root canals with only using the Wand for anesthetic.

Septocaine is a super strong local anesthetic that ensures that most people are profoundly numb.  Instead of using multiple shots of lidocaine (what most poeple think is novocaine) septocaine can be used to achieve the same level of numbness.

Topical anesthetics (the gel we use before the needle) have come a long way.  We have found that due to the strength of these new topicals, a lot of times we can just use the gel instead of the needle.  We can perform some procedures with just our super strong topical, such as gum infection therapy, some fillings, and some soft tissue procedures. (More to come on soft tissue laser procedures next week).

Disclaimer: In my clinical experience, about one out of 500 people have a predisposition that makes it extremely difficult to get them numb.   If you are one of the unlucky ones, longer appointments (allows for anesthesia to work), nitrous oxide and oral sedation may be better options for you.

Why Do I Get Cavities Even Though I Brush and Floss Everyday?

I hear the question, "Why do I get cavities even though I brush and floss everyday?" all the time. Here's the skinny:

SIMPLE ANSWER:  The acidity of foods. The foods and drinks we consume have different levels of acidity. These foods/drinks include sugary sport drinks, soda, bananas, candy, and even certain bottled waters. Almost everything besides purified tap water contains enough acidity to be a potential threat.


THE SOLUTION:
The only true solution is prevention and education. Brushing and flossing are instrumental in the quest to fight cavities and gum disease.  They are the mechanical means to remove plaque from our teeth.  If done thoroughly and properly, one can significantly reduce the likelihood of getting a cavity and gum inflammation. Prevention also includes the use of fluoride and getting the hard to clean parts of the teeth sealed off with resin-based sealants (done by your dentist). 

If you are diligent about your brushing and flossing, then pat yourself on the back and keep up the good work. If you are not, please consider changing your habits. If you are on the go and can't get to a toothbrush you can swish some water in your mouth to dilute the more acidic foods. At Roselle Park Dental, we take pride in knowing that our patients leave our office with a better understanding of preventive measures.

TIP OF THE DAY: Read the labels on your food/drink!  If there are more ingredients on the label than you have fingers DON'T consume it.

Answer to Your Common Dental Questions

I often get asked questions about the best course of treatment to fix a broken or missing tooth. Dental terms can be confusing, so I've explained a few of them and offered the pros and cons of each item.

1. Implants- Made of the same titanium that are in joint replacements.  Can be used to retain dentures (instead of glue) or to replace 1 or all the teeth in the mouth.  Implants last the longest and should be used where indicated, as they are the preferred method to replace missing teeth.

2a. Bridge- Cuts down teeth adjacent to replace missing teeth and glues into the mouth.  A bridge stays in the mouth and can replace 1 or all missing teeth, but that depends on how many healthy teeth are present. A bridge consists of at least 3 crowns.

2b. Crown (aka a "cap")-  Restores broken down, decayed or fractured teeth in order for them to function properly. Can also be used for aesthetic reasons.

3. Denture (aka a "plate")- Replaces all teeth. It can be aesthetic but the jawbone underneath the denture remodels, affecting the fit and comfort of the denture. Implants should be used as indicated to preserve bone and provide a more comfortable, tighter fit.

4. Partial (aka a "plate")- Replaces some missing teeth. Partials should be only be used when implants or  bridges are not possible.  The only benefit is cost.

I hope this has helped you understand some dental terms and highlight the benefits of each procedure. The above post reflects my personal opinion, and it is always best to consult your dentist when deciding which course of dental treatment is best for you.

Top 10 Reasons Why a Patient Should Choose Roselle Park Dental

We asked our patients and our staff for the top 10 reasons why a patient should choose Roselle Park Dental. Here's what you've said:

1. Quality, comprehensive care
2. Limited need for referrals (in-house specialists)
3. Latest technology (same day crowns, CT scan machine)
4. Friendly staff :-)
5. Comfort amenities (coffee and tea in the waiting area and comfort items available while in the dental chair)
6. Convenient hours (open 8am-8pm)
7. Flexible payment options (no interest monthly payments and extended monthly payments)
8. No judgmental feeling from staff members
9. Compassionate
10. Dedication to excellence

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to delivering on our top 10 reasons for you and your family each time you visit us!

What is The Best Way To Whiten My Teeth?

With wedding season here already this question seems to be the hottest dental topic today.  There are so many different options and products out there to whiten your teeth it may be a bit confusing as to what's  best, even for the trained dental professional.

Every bleaching product, whether it's over the counter or from a dental professional, contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.  Carbamide peroxide products need to be placed on the teeth at about 1 hour intervals, while hydrogen peroxide products should only be applied to the teeth for under an hour. Therefore, results from hydrogen peroxide products may take longer to see.

What separates one bleaching product from the next is the percentages of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide in the bleach, the application method, and the time it takes to see results. The strength of bleaching percentages vary from 10%-36%. In my opinion, products above 15% should only be used under a dental professional's supervision.

The application methods range as well. There is, what I call the scotch tape method, where a small piece of plastic containing a small amount of bleach is applied to the teeth. One can also use a customized bleaching tray, where the bleaching is placed into the tray and then the tray is worn for a specific amount of time. There is also a very controlled bleaching experience, where the bleach is applied in a careful manner so that it does not touch any part of the mouth other than teeth and a customized bleaching tray is used as well.

All products take at least one week to see adequate results, although some may take longer.

In summary, here are your whitening options:
1. Over-the-counter products contain about 10-24% peroxide
Pros-  Relatively inexpensive
Cons- Poor application method. The scotch tape method is not as effective and people run the risk of unnecessarily ingesting bleach or having sensitivity. Furthermore, you can only use how ever many strips are in the package.

OTC products are for people with yellowish or coffee stains who value saving a buck over the possibility of exposing themselves to too much caustic bleaching peroxide.

2.  The quick fix/One Hour Bleaching contains 36% peroxide
Pros- Whiter teeth potentially in an hour.
Cons- Relatively more expensive. A person's teeth will most likely relapse, risk of increased sensitivity, there needs to be adequate isolation of gums and lips so that bleach does not touch those areas (don't even think about doing this in the mall).

3. Custom bleaching trays (made by your dentist) contain up to 20% peroxide
Pros- Very effective for day-to-day staining. The custom trays can be used for fluoride, to help with sensitivity, and are cost effective because the trays can be reused.
Cons- Not as effective on grayish/blueish staining, and it could take up to 2 weeks to see results.

4. Bleaching tray and 1 hour bleaching combo aka Deep Bleaching
Pros- BEST bleaching on market! You can use the trays forever. My office offers bleaching for life program, which allows you to get free touch ups for life. The bleach works on tetracycline staining. Results will show in about 2 weeks.
Cons- Relatively more expensive. People need to follow a regimen to get the best results.

This is my professional opinion after exploring many bleaching methods in my practice.  Good luck in your quest for a whiter smile.

All About Baby's Teeth

Do you know the age in which your child should first visit the dentist? Most people think they have to wait until most of their child's teeth are erupted, or when they actually start getting their adult teeth. However, Dr. Geoffrey Gonzales, our pediatric dentist, recommends seeing his patients as early as the age of one. And, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry agrees. According to an article on CNN "...The eruption of that first tooth, between the ages of 3 and 9 months, should be a signal to parents to schedule a child's first dental appointment -- and one should be scheduled no later than age 1." 

The reason why pediatric dentists, like Dr. Gonzales, recommend seeing children early on is to educate parents, evaluate the teeth that are under the gums, establish a good daily hygiene routine and help the child feel comfortable at the dentist.

Tooth decay can happen when a child drinks a bottle of milk or juice and does not rinse out his/her mouth or brush his/her teeth. Don't be fooled that baby teeth don't need to be taken care of because they eventually fall out. Some of the baby teeth may still in place when children enter middle school, so it is just as important to take care of those teeth as it is to take care of adult teeth. If any tooth, baby or adult, is left untreated with tooth decay, infection, pain, or abscesses may happen. 

Be sure to schedule an appointment for your children by the age of one, and keep their regular hygiene appointments every six months. For more information about pediatric dentistry, please visit our Website or call us at (908) 634-4018.

Fluoride Benefits People of All Ages, Not Just Kids!

As a dentist, we were taught and have seen first-hand about the benefits of fluoride. Fluoride helps to harden the tooth's enamel and protect teeth from decay. Most pediatric dentists, like Dr. Geoffrey Gonzales, in our sister office, Little Smiles of Roselle Park, recommend that pediatric patients receive fluoride treatment at each of their bi-annual hygiene check ups.

Now, there is further evidence of the benefits of fluoride. According to Medical News Today, fluoride actually reduces the ability of decay-causing bacteria to stick to teeth!

So why is it that most dental offices only offer fluoride to its pediatric patients when the benefits of fluoride can be enjoyed by patients of all ages?! Here at Roselle Park Dental, we believe in prevention. We suggest fluoride treatment to all of our patients, regardless of age. Most insurance plans only cover fluoride treatment to those under a certain age, like 15, but who would you rather guide your oral health, your insurance company or your doctor?

Be sure to schedule and keep your bi-annual hygiene appointments to keep your teeth healthy and catch problems early. At these appointments, ask for fluoride treatment and keep those teeth strong! To schedule an appointment at our office, please visit our Website or call (908) 245-1745.

New, Improved Website

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know that we revamped much of the content on our Website, www.roselleparkdental.com. You can learn more about who I really am by visiting our Meet the Team Page. This isn't just a laundry list of my accomplishments, but rather a glimpse of how I approach my job and my life.

We also have implemented new payment plans at Roselle Park Dental. You are now able to get started on your dental treatment and pay later! In other words, you can make monthly payments without interest toward dental work you've already started or even completed. If you need more than just a few months to pay for your dental treatment, we offer extended payment plans for up to 36 months! We understand dental work is expensive, and we want to give our patients as many options as we can for them to get the dental treatment they need. To learn more about our new monthly, no interest payment plans, please visit our Financial Page.

If you don't have dental insurance, don't worry! We have an in-office discount dental plan that helps you and your family receive the treatment you need. The plan pays for itself with just a teeth cleaning appointment or one tooth-colored filling. You can learn more about Roselle Park Dental's discount savings plan by visiting our Financial Page.

We look forward to helping you and your family.

What's New at Roselle Park Dental

If you've been to Roselle Park Dental recently, you may have noticed a few changes. We've implemented our newest technology, E4D, which allows us to provide dental restorations the same day. No more temporary crowns that may fall off or waiting three weeks for your permanent crown to come back from the lab-- if you're a candidate, you can get your permanent restoration the same day!

We also have a state-of-the-art CT scan and panoramic x-ray machine that allows our doctors to see one's entire jaw structure and bone density. This helps our team create a personalized plan for implants, extractions and orthodontics, all here in our office.

Your comfort is one of our highest priorities. Ask us for our new comfort menu and choose from items such as a neck pillow, noise-cancelling headphones, stress ball or warm towelette. Also, you can now enjoy coffee, tea and other beverages in our waiting area. 

Lastly, we'd like to congratulate John Bancey, from Garwood, who won our new patient referral TV giveaway. Thank you to all those who participated and for referring your friends and family to us; it is the biggest compliment we can get! Be on the look-out for the next new patient referral giveaway in the spring.