What You Can Expect From our Family Dentistry Office

In our family dentistry office, our goal is to keep you, our patient, in the best possible oral health. We do this by examining and cleaning your teeth on a regular basis. We would prefer to do so twice a year but at a minimum, once a year. This way we can identify small health issues like cavities before they can spread and create an uncomfortable situation. This ongoing care is your best defense against early tooth loss or even the occasional toothache.

What we do in our family dentistry office.

When looking for a family dentist, it is important to select someone that is passionate about oral health and an expert in their trade. We are exactly that. We realize that dentistry is a combination of both science and art. Through both education and experience, we have honed our craft to ensure that each patient we treat receives the best possible dental care and beautiful results.

When visiting our office, patients can expect to receive comprehensive dental care. We focus on preventing oral health issues and are more than capable of treating a health issue that is already in the advanced stages. but if a health problem arises, we are more than capable of treating it and restoring the mouth to perfect health. Many of the solutions we use to do so can serve a dual purpose of improving a patient's oral health and appearance. Take, for example, dental bonding, which can help to decrease the sensitivity one is feeling in the teeth while also covering up stains.

Simultaneously, a dental crown can be used to restore a cracked tooth but it can also improve the overall size and shape of it. By addressing both the form and function of teeth during our procedures, we can help a patient to love his or her smile again. In fact, when a patient schedules a dental exam to discuss sensitivity or a toothache, the patient needs to let us know what he or she does not like about his or her smile. We might be able to correct both at the same time.

Tips for selecting a family dentistry office.

When a patient is looking for a family dentistry office, there are several things that he or she needs to be aware of. First, they need to be centrally located to where the patient lives, works or goes to school. This way, it is easy to schedule an appointment for a professional teeth cleaning procedure or for emergency dental work. We are conveniently located and would be happy to treat the patient and his or her entire family.

We also recommend that you read patient reviews. We are pleased that our patients have taken the time to review our practice and would be happy to share those reviews with you. The best way to learn what a dental office is really like is to hear what other patients have to say and to visit the office for yourself. We invite you to stop by Art of Dental Care: Ellen Rado DDS, meet our staff, and have a consultation so that you can learn more about our philosophy of care and the approach that we take to keeping you and your family healthy - both now and as you age.

The Scoop About Fluoride From a Dentist

As a dentist office in Green Brook, we use fluoride to help strengthen teeth. You may even see ads for toothpaste containing fluoride and wonder if it even works; let alone, how it works. Fluorine is a naturally occurring substance that is most commonly found in the air, food, and dirt. Now, fluoride is also found in public water throughout the country. Fluoride is easily absorbed by the body and the enamel (outer layer of the teeth). When your enamel absorbs the fluoride, it will strengthen your teeth and decrease your risk for cavities.

Why it works

In our dentist office, we also recommend using toothpaste that contains fluoride as a method of strengthening teeth in between dental visits. While this is not as effective as drinking it or having a professional treatment, it can be helpful in reducing the occurrence of cavities.

When absorbed by the enamel, fluoride helps to remineralize teeth. This is important because over time demineralization naturally occurs due to diet, oral hygiene, and age. As this happens, the hard enamel on the outside of the teeth becomes weaker, and the teeth can feel more sensitive. They can also become more susceptible to cavities.

By remineralizing and strengthening teeth, fluoride can reduce the risk for cavities. In fact, research has found that fluoride can reduce the effect of tooth decay and even reverse the damage before it reaches the point of becoming a traditional cavity. We find that this treatment is incredibly effective.

The application of fluoride

We typically recommend an annual fluoride treatment for children and teens. The fluoride comes in a simple varnish that is mostly odor and taste-free, making it an easy treatment option for children. We simply apply it to the teeth and leave it there for around four minutes. Once complete, the treatment will strengthen the teeth and reduce the risk of cavities.

Adults typically do not receive in-office fluoride treatments, and this is why drinking tap water and using a fluoride toothpaste is so important. In our dentist office, we have had many patients express that their teeth feel less sensitive after starting a regimen of brushing with this type of paste. Given how easy this is to do, there is no reason not to brush with a fluoride toothpaste. Additionally, there are mouth rinses that children can use at home.

In rare cases, if teeth are prone to cavities we may recommend a more aggressive at-home treatment. We can provide special trays so that you can apply a fluoride gel at home in order to help prevent cavities. Again, the trays are only in rare cases but we can discuss it with you during your dental exam. To find out how fluoride can help you, visit our Green Brookoffice for a teeth cleaning and exam today.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatments

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, it is important to consider the various treatment options and to make a decision about whether to have surgical or non-surgical gum disease treatments to restore your gum health. The decision you make is going to directly impact the recovery outcome. There are several things to keep in mind when making this decision.

How bad is the gum disease?

Gum disease can range from being minor to severe. If we can catch the gum disease at an early stage, non-invasive methods are typically all that is necessary to treat the condition. Having a deep dental cleaning, for example, can restore the health of the gum tissue. Some dental offices do this using metal dental tools to scrape off the plaque while others use dental lasers.

We will remove the plaque and tartar from underneath the gum tissue so that the gums can begin returning to good health. If effective, there will be no need for more intensive treatments such as oral surgery.

Have all non-invasive measures been tried yet?

Since a deep cleaning can help to improve gum health, it is wise to start with this treatment option. If the non-invasive measures are effective enough for restoring the health of the gums, there will be no need to try more invasive measures. Non-invasive options can result in saving cost and time, so it is important to exhaust these non-invasive methods first.

Have pockets formed in the gum tissue?

If there are pockets in the gum tissue, it is a clear sign that gum disease has progressed to the point of a surgical option becoming necessary. A gum graft is likely to be the best treatment option at this point. By suturing new tissue to the natural gums, we can secure the gums around the teeth. This way, the lower areas of the teeth and roots are no longer exposed.

Preventing root exposure is a critical step in the restoration process and important for protecting the teeth and preventing tooth loss. Typically, surgery is part of this process. However, some dentists are using alternative therapies to restore gum tissue that does not require a scalpel.

Are teeth wiggly or feeling loose?

If teeth are already loose, gum disease has probably progressed to the point where immediate treatments are going to be necessary and surgery required. Additionally, the teeth themselves may need to be restored, root canals completed, etc. in order to eliminate an infection.

What does the dentist recommend?

Asking a dentist if they recommend surgery or non-surgical treatment is important when making a decision on how to treat gum disease. They are going to make the recommendation that they feel will best resolve the issue so it is important to carefully consider any advice that they give.

Consider the recovery process

When debating between surgery and non-surgical alternatives, it is important to consider the recovery process. Anytime a patient undergoes surgery it is going to take longer to recover, there could be complications and there will be a level of discomfort for several days.

Gum surgery is no different. Before it is scheduled, it is necessary to prepare by taking time off work and planning to take it easy for a few days.

Learn more about your options

Get help deciding between surgical and non-surgical gum disease treatment options by discussing them with our dentist. Schedule a consultation today in order to do so.

A Family Dentist in Green Brook Debunks Common Oral Health Myths

As a family dentist in Green Brook, we are asked many questions about oral health. Often, these questions arise from common myths that circulate from time to time. The problem with myths is that many of them are born out of convenience or from popular ideas that are not particularly healthy.

Do not hesitate to ask us any questions

It is important for patients to visit us and bring up any questions they have to ensure they have the facts straight. For example, many parents will send their children to bed with a bottle or cup of milk. Since milk is full of calcium, they assume that milk is safe for the teeth.

However, milk is also full of sugar, so if a child takes it to bed, the sugar will remain on the teeth and increase the risk of getting cavities. This popular myth is widespread and partially to blame for why baby bottle tooth decay is so prevalent. With that in mind, we have listed a few common myths we hear and our answers to them.

Myth: Fillings have to be replaced, no matter what.

As a family dentist, we do not put a set expiration date on fillings. How long the fillings last depends on several factors, including one's general oral hygiene. If one brushes and flosses his or her teeth, eats a healthy diet, and avoids activities that can damage the teeth, then the fillings can last for a long time. Some people never have to replace their fillings.

However, simply filling a cavity, does not mean the decay will stop. There are times where the decay continues to spread and we need to replace a filling because it is no longer big enough. When a patient visits our office for regular dental exams, we will inspect the fillings and let the patient know how the fillings are holding up.

Myth: Cavities are painful.

If cavities grow untreated, they will eventually cause discomfort and even pain. However, in their early stages, cavities can go undetected. As a family dentist office, we encourage patients to visit us twice a year so we can both prevent and catch cavities. If we treat them immediately, the patient will never experience cavity-related discomfort.

Myth: Only cavities and infections create the need for a root canal.

In our dental office, we perform root canals for a variety of reasons. While they are typically necessary due to a cavity, root canals can also treat damage from an accident or due to grinding and clenching teeth. Regardless of why a patient needs a root canal, we can complete the procedure while keeping the patient entirely comfortable.

Myth: Children are the only ones really at risk of getting cavities.

This is simply not the case. Anyone can get a cavity, regardless of age. In fact, we have seen more seniors getting cavities due to dry mouth caused by medications. Regardless of how old you are, it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.

A Smile Makeover Can Fix Your Smile After an Accident

If you have been in an accident that has damaged your teeth, a smile makeover can restore your smile. Whether you have cracked your tooth or lost your tooth, a smile makeover could be just what you need to correct the damage. We offer many techniques that will greatly improve your smile including, but not limited to, bonding, crowns, veneers, bridges, and even implants.

Smile Makeover Treatments

Tooth Bonding

Bonding involves the use of a tooth-colored composite resin that is applied to the chipped, cracked or discolored area of your tooth and then hardened to a smooth, natural looking surface. This process will repair minor damages and give your teeth a perfect finish that makes any imperfection unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Crowns

Our attractive, durable crowns can improve the look of a tooth that sustains too much damage for bonding to cover the imperfections. Crowns are a permanent, protective solution to harmful damages that could encourage decay if left untreated. Our crowns will completely encapsulate your tooth so no damage will be visible and your tooth will have the ultimate defense against further harm.

They come in silver amalgam or tooth colored porcelain or ceramic material. For a smile makeover, our patients tend to prefer natural looking crowns since they can correct both physical damage and any aesthetic imperfections.

Veneers

For a large scale smile makeover, veneers are a good solution since they can close gaps, cover stains, and change the overall appearance of your teeth. Veneers are a porcelain type shell that covers the front of your teeth, shielding any chips, discoloration, or other noticeable damage. They can also improve shaping if your teeth have been misshapen from an accident. Veneers are tooth-colored and will be bonded to your teeth to create a lasting repair.

Dental Bridge

If you have lost your teeth in an accident or you have suffered from irreparable damage, a dental bridge may be the best option for your smile. A dental bridge is created by placing crowns on existing teeth, anchoring the bridge to them, and securing a permanent tooth to that bridge. Dental bridges are natural-looking and feel secure in your mouth. Most people will not even notice you have a bridge, and you will be able to eat the food you like. This is an attractive solution for your smile.

Dental Implant

For the most permanent solution, a dental implant is the best choice. During the procedure, we will insert a dental implant into your dental cavity on your jawbone where the root of your former tooth was. The secure, titanium metal post is a permanent replacement to your original tooth root. A manufactured tooth that looks similar to your other teeth will be created and attached to the titanium rod. A dental implant will be one of your most attractive routes to a great smile after an accident. It will look very natural and blend in with your other teeth.

No matter which of the smile makeover procedures you may need, our services will help you attain a smile like you originally had or better. You will be pleased with our natural looking, durable solutions and the attractive smile they produce.

We Offer Implant Supported Dentistry to Expand Your Options

Implant supported dentistry has changed the face of how we deal with tooth loss and continues to revolutionize the role that dental prosthetics play in supporting tooth replacement. Given that tooth loss is as old as man, and quite common due to age, diseases, or accidents, this meant that a large segment of the population was using wires, dental cement, and adhesives to help hold their new false teeth in place.

With the help of implant supported dentistry, this is slowly changing. Today we can replace not only the upper, visible tooth, which is more commonly known as the crown but also the lost root, through dental implants.

Dental Implant FAQ's

Dental implants, being a new technology, raises a lot of questions among patients that are considering implant supported dentistry to replace their lost teeth. Some patients have questions about the longevity of the implants while others just want to know if they are eligible to get implant supported dentistry. This second question is more complex than a simple yes or no answer because from a technical perspective virtually anyone can have the benefit of implant supported dentistry.

However, it is important to remember that with everything there are usually caveats. In the case of implants, the caveat is that this kind of dentistry requires oral surgery to place the implants. As such, patients need to be healthy enough to receive an oral surgery. In addition to this, there are a few conditions that may prevent patients from getting dental implants or may delay the process. These include diseases like uncontrolled diabetes, periodontal diseases, and treatment for cancer that includes radiation.

Restore your smile with functional teeth

Implant supported dentistry is one of the most successful forms of replacing lost teeth, partly due to the fact that we are able to replace the root with an implant that holds the crown of the tooth in place securely. This kind of success does not happen by accident. We will take X-rays to determine if the patient's jawbone has sufficient density to support and sustain a dental implant. Since implant supported dentistry depends most heavily on the quality of the implant, the first step is to secure the implant itself.

In many patients, we will find that the loss of teeth has led to a deterioration of the jawbone itself. In situations like this, we will need to perform an alveolar bone graft to make sure that there is a sufficiently dense block of bone into which we can place the implant. This kind of an onlay bone graft typically requires that the patient recovers for around three to six months before we can proceed to the next steps of the implant supported dentistry.

Teeth Whitening Dentist in Green Brook Township: Your Solution for Stained Teeth

People come to a teeth whitening dentist because they are tired of dealing with stained or discolored teeth and want a real solution. Often, patients who come through our doors have gone through various thought processes on how they want to handle their teeth whitening. Given how many products are out there, it is no wonder people are often confused by what the best option really is.
The teeth whitening industry started out small, despite the fact that humans have always sought to have whiter teeth. However, the ease of the ability to have whiter teeth soon caught on and became a household practice, spurring a multi-billion dollar industry of products that promise to give you the beautiful white teeth you desire.

Many Teeth Whitening Options

As a teeth whitening dentist, we have seen all kinds of products, promising all kinds of wonderful results. The reality is that when one is considering whitening his or her teeth, it is best to consult with a teeth whitening dentist first to see what exactly the needs are. For our patients, there is no hassle or worry about selecting the right kind of product.
They come in and let us do all the work, so they can leave with perfectly whitened teeth that are even, well-matched and look great. We train our dentist office in ensuring that we handle the science of whitening the right way. Teeth whitening, whether it is at the hand of a teeth whitening dentist or elsewhere, is a scientific process based on chemistry. The oxide-based solution releases free radicals into the enamel, which then act to make the enamel more transparent and appear whiter. It is quite an amazing process that requires knowing what level of whitening the patient wants, how much of the formula to use, and how to get it all evenly on the teeth.
An uneven bleaching is the largest challenge do-it-yourselfers have. Typically, without speaking to their teeth whitening dentist, patients will attempt to correct these mistakes by reattempting the whitening too soon, leading to sensitivity in the teeth and a need to see a dentist anyway. Overuse is one of the biggest problems when it comes to over-the-counter whitening products.

Teeth Whitening Application

Getting the whitening solution onto the teeth evenly is another challenge. When a patient gets a whitening treatment by a teeth whitening dentist, we custom-fabricate the trays that hold the whitening solution for the patient's teeth. We will capture every nuance and bump in the individual's teeth. This allows the tray to be a perfect fit, keeping the solution from leaking out and providing full coverage to the teeth in an even fashion.
On the other hand, store-bought solutions have a one-size-fits-all tray, which very often allows the solution to come in contact with sensitive gum tissue. These trays also do not provide an even coverage of the solution for even whitening across the spectrum of the teeth.