Dr. Raj Upadya, an experienced New Jersey cosmetic dentist, provides numerous cosmetic, restorative and implant procedures at Esthetic Dental Care in Florham Park. One of the most requested dental treatments at his practice is a procedure known as composite bonding.

Composite bonding uses a tooth-colored resin, a durable plastic material, to repair and improve problem teeth. The treatment requires both precision and artistry on the part of the cosmetic dentist, who performs the procedure without the use of dental molds and impressions. Dentists apply the composite material directly to affected teeth and carefully shaped them by hand.

Although composite bonding has some limitations, it is a viable option for numerous dental problems. Dentists use the procedure to repair decayed, chipped or cracked teeth; improve discolored teeth; close gaps between teeth; change the length and shape of teeth; and more. Composite bonding is best suited for small cosmetic changes and temporary corrections, since bonding materials are not as strong or stain-resistant as other restorative procedures, like crowns and fillings.

Dental composites are made of tooth-colored, putty-like synthetic resins. The custom-blended material is applied directly to the tooth, sculpted into shape and hardened with a special ultraviolet curing light or laser. The bonding procedure is minimally invasive and usually requires only one visit to the dentist. Very little advance preparation is required, and the dentist can perform some procedures without anesthesia.

Dr. Raj Upadya draws upon years of experience and artistic ability to provide his patients with pleasing, natural-looking results. He often combines composite bonding with other cosmetic procedures as part of a patient’s overall smile design.

For more information about composite bonding and other restorative procedures, contact Esthetic Dental Care at 973-822-1200 or visit http://www.estheticdentalcare.com. Esthetic Dental Care is located at 256 Columbia Turnpike, Suite 107, Florham Park, New Jersey 07932.

Tags: Broken Teeth, Chipped Teeth, Composite Bonding, Cosmetic Dentist New Jersey, Dental Bonding, New Jersey, Restorative Dentistry

What’s the first thing people notice about you? Chances are it’s your smile. If you don’t smile when you first meet someone, they won’t guess you’re ashamed of a missing tooth or teeth. They’ll just write you off as someone who’s unfriendly.

Dental bridges are an excellent way to replace missing teeth so you won’t be embarrassed by your smile.

Dental bridges are prosthetic appliances containing artificial teeth, called pontics. Bridges can be made out of porcelain, porcelain-fused metal, or gold, depending upon how visible they will be when fitted into a patient’s mouth. Bridges are anchored to adjacent natural teeth or implants capped with crowns. There are three basic types of dental bridges:

• A resin-bonded bridge is one that is fixed to the patient’s natural teeth.

• A fixed bridge is one that is fixed to natural teeth or dental implants that are capped by crowns.

• A cantilever bridge is one that attaches to only a single natural tooth or capped tooth.

The structural integrity of the teeth or implants supporting the bridge is extremely important. If you and your dentist decide that a dental bridge is the best option for restoring your smile, he or she will spend a great deal of time shaping these abutment teeth so that they provide the most effective support. The dentist or the dentist’s assistant will then take a mold of your mouth, which will be sent to a lab where your bridge will be crafted by specially trained technicians. These technicians will contour your new dental bridge to the precise measurements of your mouth.

The ideal candidate for a dental bridge is someone who understands how important good oral hygiene is to maintaining a new dental bridge. Brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing once a day are essential if the bridge is going to last. There are special products on the market designed for flossing the narrow space between the bridge and your gums. Visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and professional teeth cleanings. With proper oral hygiene, there’s no reason why a dental bridge can’t last for 15 years.

Tags: Bridges, Dental Bridges, Dental Cleanings, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dental Implants New Jersey, Healthy Smile, Missing Teeth, New Jersey, Restorative Dentistry

National Oral Cancer Awareness Month takes place every April and helps to provide information on sign, symptoms and prevention of the disease. Many events also take place including informative lectures and screenings.

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects areas in and around the mouth. This can be a difficult type of cancer to spot if someone is not getting the proper dental checkups they need. Nearly 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with this type of cancer this year. Because many cases are found in later stages, oral cancer has a higher death rate than many of the cancers that are commonly discussed.

A less common type of oral cancer is also contributing to the high death rate. HPV16 is a virus that can cause oral cancer, but does not show many of the same symptoms as the typical disease such as discoloration or lesions in the mouth. In many cases this type of oral cancer is not detected until it has spread further in the body.

Certain demographics may be at more risk for oral cancer than others, so it is particularly important that people over the age of 40, those who use tobacco or alcohol and those who are prone to persistent viral infections are screened on a regular basis. If you fall into one of these categories or have never had a screening before, make an appointment with a dentist to get your oral cancer screening.

The screening process for oral cancer is simple. Dentists can look for any of the more obvious signs including lesions in the mouth that are not healing quickly, white patches inside the mouth or a thickening of the cheek. It is also important for the patient to discuss with the dentist anything else that may not seem normal. Important information to tell your dentist during screening is whether you have numbness in the mouth, chronic hoarseness or swelling in the jaw that could make chewing difficult or painful.

Tags: April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dental Cleanings, Florham Park, General Dentistry, Healthy Smile, New Jersey

It’s easy for some people to assume that dental care is a simple matter that only requires that they brush and floss their teeth daily. While brushing and flossing are very important and should never be neglected, there are some issues that will most likely only be noticed and diagnosed through general dentistry. General dentistry refers to regular trips to the dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings. These visits are ideally preventative measures intended to catch potentially serious problems while they can still be easily treated.

General dentistry is the foundation of any dental practice and can best be described as routine maintenance of your teeth and gums. A typical general dental appointment involves an examination of the entire oral cavity that includes an oral x-ray, a periodontal screening for gum disease, a screening for cavities, bite analysis and a thorough cleaning of the teeth. This cleaning usually is much more thorough and complete than what most people can do when they brush their teeth and often goes in between the teeth in ways that a toothbrush normally does not.

A regular dental appointment is usually painless, which should help to relax those who avoid visiting the dentist. Modern technology has even made a visit to the dentist quicker and more painless than it has been in the past. One device that is used to ensure pain-free dentistry is known as The Wand, a computer-controlled device that can deliver a slow, controlled dose of anesthesia to completely numb one area of the gums. Many people say that The Wand resembles a ball-point pen, and is ideal for those with a fear of needles.

Whether a dentist uses more traditional methods or the latest state-of-the-art technology, the one constant is that general dentistry is very important. It’s the best way to diagnose and treat potentially serious dental problems before they get out of hand and require more expensive treatments and procedures.

Tags: Dental Cleanings, Florham Park, General Dentistry, Gingivitis, Healthy Smile, New Jersey

Dental implants are a way to keep your smile and mouth healthy after you lose one or more teeth. They also help with the overall appearance of your smile, which helps improve your self-esteem and confidence. The procedure to obtain dental implants takes a few months from start to finish, but once completed will enable you to chew in the same way that you could before losing teeth. This is superior to getting dentures because the dental implants are a part of your mouth rather than something that you attach daily with adhesives.

The health benefits of dental implants are overwhelmingly positive. Having spaces in your mouth allows food and other objects to get stuck in the spaces, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and heart problems. Dental implants fill the spaces naturally so that surrounding teeth are not affected by the change, rather than dentures or a bridge. They are reliable because they are attached to your gums and roots, so you do not have to worry about eating or going through your normal day-to-day routines while having them in.

Dental implants look much more natural than other replacements for missing teeth. This provides you with a beautiful smile that looks and feels natural. Nobody needs to know that you have had dental implants unless you feel the need to tell them. This reliability and aesthetic appeal helps you feel more confident and attractive, which is important when living your daily life. You do not have to worry about having your dentures accidentally fall off, or about damage to your other teeth due to your dental work. You will feel healthy and ready to face the world.

With regular care to your teeth, dental implants can last for the rest of your life. It is important to maintain a good routine where you brush, floss and see a dentist regularly. If you do these things you will be able to maintain a beautiful smile for years to come. The benefits far exceed any negatives from having implants. You can consult with an implant surgeon to find out whether or not you are a good candidate for this type of work.

Tags: Broken Teeth, Chipped Teeth, Cosmetic Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist New Jersey, Dental Implants, Dental Implants New Jersey, Florham Park, Healthy Smile, New Jersey, Porcelain Veneers

In some cases, it is necessary to completely recreate a smile using a group of procedures called Smile Design. While some patients choose to do this for purely cosmetic reasons, it is more often done where teeth are missing, severely damaged or suffering from disease.

Smile Design is a collaboration between the patient and the dental practitioner. It starts with an initial consultation in which they talk about the patient’s dental situation, as it exists now and as the patient wants it to be. The dentist will examine the patient, listen to their goals and attempt to formulate a schedule of procedures to achieve those goals. Since it may be an extensive program including multiple procedures, this first examination involves not only the teeth, but the mouth, jaw, gums and the entire face.

The planned procedures may involve the reconstruction of missing teeth and the repair of existing ones by using implants, bridges, crowns, veneers or composite bonding. Techniques from both restorative and cosmetic dentistry will be used to provide the patient with a healthy, attractive smile. Smile Design can include all the treatments and procedures at the dentist’s disposal as needed for each individual case.

In addition to its obvious esthetic benefits, Smile Design can bring relief to patients suffering from gum disease or TMJ. Gum disease can be extremely painful and result in the ultimate loss of the teeth, while TMJ can make any jaw movement painful and difficult. Less severe cases may respond to less intensive treatments, but for some patients, Smile Design may offer the best hope.

Once this option has been chosen, there is a high likelihood that it will lead to a successful reconstruction of the patient’s smile. The reconstructive and restorative techniques used in Smile Design have an excellent track record and will generally yield the desired result. Since each design is customized for the individual patient, the numbers of visits, types of procedures and recovery time will vary widely from case to case.

Tags: Cosmetic Dentist, Digital Imaging, Florham Park, Healthy Smile, New Jersey, Restorative Dentistry, Smile Design

Dental technology has advanced to allow dentists to offer patients more effective treatments than ever before. Early diagnosis helps to prevent most dental conditions from advancing and allows patients to keep their teeth, brighten their smile, and enjoy a lifetime of excellent dental health.

Digital Imaging

For many years X-rays have been the height of dental technology. While an X-ray does provide the ability to monitor dental conditions it does expose the patient to potentially harmful radiation. Digital X-rays significantly reduce the amount of radiation exposure compared to traditional X-rays. In addition, digital X-rays are stored electronically which saves space and allows access to dental history quicker and easier.

Dental photography can be used to preview restoration results in cosmetic dentistry. A visual presentation of a dental treatment also helps the dentist to better evaluate a patient’s needs and communicate the processes involved. While a simulated image is not a guarantee of results, patients are generally more satisfied with their outcomes when they have a better understanding of what to expect.

IntraOral Camera

The IntraOral Camera is a small video camera at the tip of a probe allowing the dentist to not only see the teeth and gums easier, but also allows the patient to view the images of the inside of their own mouth. The images can be magnified and viewed instantly on a computer. This allows dentist and patient to discuss potential problems and treatments.

Smile Design

Missing or damaged teeth can make a person self-conscious about their smile. A whole mouth make over can be much more than a physical change, it can boost confidence and provide emotionally satisfying results. Depending on the specific concerns many different technologies may be employed to improve a smile’s esthetic.

Dental technologies are constantly improving and evolving to meet the needs of patients and dentists alike. Early detection and less invasive procedures make going to the dentist a less stressful experience.

Tags: Dental Technology, IntraOral Camera, Smile Design

Broken, misshapen, or unsightly teeth shouldn’t keep one you from sharing smiles and enjoying life. This year, resolve to restore the beauty of your smile. There are a variety of ways a restorative dentist can close gaps or repair blemished teeth in healthy condition.

According to Mark Lazare DDS in “Dr. Lazare’s The Patient’s Guide to Dentistry,” (2011) patients may choose from several methods, including:

Enamel shaping or Bonding: allows the cosmetic dentist to reshape teeth contours without disrupting the actual dentition. The dentist doesn’t need to move or pull teeth, or use braces to move teeth. Enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, is used to reshape the aesthetic appearance of the patient’s mouth. The procedure is usually performed without the need for anesthetics, and patients see almost immediate results. This procedure is considered a conservative way to change the patient’s smile.
Porcelain veneers: allow the cosmetic dentist to treat a variety of cosmetic and functional tooth concerns. Veneers are considered an excellent choice to close gaps and spaces between the teeth. In addition, veneers may cover up stained or worn enamel, or other blemishes. The client doesn’t need to straighten, then whiten, teeth to achieve a sought-after appearance.

Pros and Cons
For clients desiring a quick dental contour change, enamel shaping or bonding is fast and cost-effective. However, clients should understand that enamel shaping or bonding may require the permanent removal of some of tooth enamel. The process requires gently “roughing” each tooth in order to affix the material.

In addition, chips or peeling material may require touch-ups and adjustments. In addition, the luminous quality of healthy enamel can be lost in exchange for a preferred dental contour.

Porcelain veneers provide a more natural, luminous appearance. Each dental veneer can be matched to the client’s own tooth color or a brighter, whiter shade of her choice. In only two or three visits, the client’s teeth change from misshapen, discolored, or unsightly to picture perfect.

Talk to your dentist about restoring your health of your teeth before making cosmetic changes. Healthy teeth make a beautiful smile!

Tags: Broken Teeth, Chipped Teeth, Composite Bonding, Cosmetic Dentist, Dental Veneers, Porcelain Veneers, Restorative Dentistry

A smile can convey more emotions than any other body part gesture. Happiness, joy, love and excitement – all of these feelings are visible when the lips are spread and the teeth are revealed. But if someone has a gap in their teeth, they may not smile at all, depriving the world of everything they may be feeling.

What are teeth gaps?

A gap between teeth is known as diastema. It occurs when the size of the teeth and jaw are unequal, and is due largely to genetics. Gaps can occur between two teeth, usually the middle two, or between many throughout the mouth. Gaps are also caused by habits like thumb-sucking, as well as gum disease.

How is a gap fixed?

There are many ways to fix teeth gaps, including braces and surgery. But one of the most effective and long-lasting resolutions is porcelain veneers.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are translucent, paper-thin “shells” that are placed over flawed teeth. The material used is tooth-like, effectively blending the cosmetic operation into the natural structure of the mouth. The process is simple and painless and can take only a few visits.

What is the porcelain veneer procedure?

First, a thorough and thoughtful evaluation is performed, in which the patient’s problems, hopes and fears are addressed. Next, the mouth and face is appraised, so as to better determine what kind of porcelain veneers should be used. Then a thin, almost unnoticeable layer of the patient’s tooth/teeth enamel is shaved off. This makes way for the veneers.

Using photographs and impressions, an expert ceramic sculptor will then create by hand the new tooth/teeth coverings. The color of the veneers is altered to perfectly match the existing teeth. Lastly, the veneers are secured to the prepared tooth/teeth using a medical-grade bonding.

Through these simple steps, a new smile can been imagined, designed and created.

What will this procedure do for patients?

A new, glowing facial expression is just the first benefit of closing teeth gaps. When a person is unafraid of revealing their teeth, self-esteem, happiness and opportunities smile back at them.

Tags: Cosmetic Dentist, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Gap in Teeth, New Jersey, Porcelain Veneers, Spaces in Teeth

Fillings fully restore teeth and allow proper eating and chewing. The most common older filling material is amalgam. Patients with these metal fillings are now finding them to be uncomfortable or loose. Fortunately, there are new procedures to replace these old fillings.

Amalgram filling material originated in 1833. It filled larger, deeper cavities due to its strength. The mixture is a combination of metals, including silver, tin, copper, zinc, and mercury. The problem with amalgam is it expands over time. This expansion causes fillings to become loose. It can even fracture or split the tooth, requiring a crown. Amalgram darkens with age and becomes unsightly. The metal has the potential to corrode and leak, leaving the entire tooth and gums with an unattractive, gray appearance. Additionally, the corrosion eventually breaks the protective seal, allowing bacteria to grow underneath and start the decay again.

Composite resin fillings are replacing the old amalgam fillings. These consist of a plastic, dental resin. It is white in color and blends into the tooth to create a natural look. Composite resin fillings are beautiful and durable. They will cause little or no sensitivity to hot and to hot and cold. Composite resin fillings also require less drilling than with an amalgam filling.

Sometimes a filling will cover more than half of the tooth’s surface, especially on the molars. Instead of replacing these with another filling, a better option may be a porcelain dental inlay or onlay. Bonded in the center of a tooth is an inlay. An onlay covers one or more cusps. As long as the damage is not severe enough to require a crown, inlays are an excellent choice.

Painful and undesirable metal fillings do not have to be permanent fixtures. Composite resin fillings, porcelain inlays, outlays, or crowns are a welcome change. A bright, new smile can easily be obtained!

Tags: 'White' fillings, Composite Resin Fillings, Cosmetic Dentist, Dental Crowns, New Jersey, Replacement Fillings