What's My Tooth's Function?

It is very important to stay well informed with anything you put your mind to. Whether it is buying a car or changing your hair color, a lot of research and information can go into figuring out exactly what you want and how things are supposed to work. The wonderful thing is that your smile is no different. Sure, we all know that we have teeth, but the different functions of our teeth play a big role in our smile. Dr. Michael Scurti is a big believer in patient education, and he wants you to be as informed as possible with it comes to your teeth.

One type of tooth that resides in your mouth is the incisors. These teeth are the eight that are in the front and center of your mouth, and they are the teeth you use when you take bites of your food. Canines are another type of tooth in your mouth, and these appear between sixteen and twenty months of age. These are the sharpest teeth in your mouth, and they are generally used to tear your food apart.

Premolars are used for chewing and grinding food, and you have four on either side of your mouth. Your premolars start to appear when you are around the age of ten or eleven. Your molars are also used for chewing and grinding food, and these start to appear between twelve and fifteen months of age. The molars erupt around the age of six years old. Lastly, the third molars, also known as your wisdom teeth, are the last teeth to develop and do not erupt until the age of about eighteen to twenty years old. Some people do not even develop their third molars, which eliminates the need to remove them should they cause crowding.

So the next time you find yourself eating something or brushing your teeth, take note of the amazing power your teeth have, and appreciate them for all the hard work they do!

Do not hesitate to call Dr. Scurti’s Verona, New Jersey dental office. We would be happy to answer your questions or schedule or appointment with you. Dr. Scurti serves patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.

Have Fresh Breath for Summer!

With summer making its bright, warm way into our lives, the world of laying by the pool and having outdoor barbeques are rapidly approaching. Celebrating summer means being surrounded by your closes friends and family, meaning people are getting their beach bodies ready and their refreshments cold. With all of the people you will encounter, it is very important you are healthy from the inside out, including your smile! Having fresh breath is an awesome way of making a first impression, and if you suffer from bad breath, also known as halitosis, you may find it difficult to be confident in yourself. Dr. Michael Scurti and the entire Verona Dental Arts team are able to give you some insight as to what causes halitosis, and some ways of fixing the issue.

One of the causes for halitosis is not brushing and flossing your teeth every day. Food particles get stick between your teeth, and if they are left to sit, it causes bacteria growth. An antibacterial mouthwash is a good way of reducing these bacteria, as well as making sure you brush and floss your teeth every day. Also, smoking and/or chewing tobacco-based products causes bad breath, as well as stains your teeth, irritates your gums, and lessens your ability to taste and enjoy your favorite foods. Some of the signs of halitosis are an unrelenting bad taste in your mouth, severe dry mouth, and ill fitting dental appliances.

A few of the ways you can keep you halitosis under control is by practicing good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Also, seeing your dentist regularly, stopping smoking and using other tobacco-based produces, keeping a record of the kinds of food you eat, and drinking a lot of water are all sure ways you can be sure you have the freshest breath to celebrate the summer !

Do not hesitate to call Dr. Scurti’s Verona, New Jersey dental office. We would be happy to answer your questions or schedule or appointment with you. Dr. Scurti serves patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.

Give Yourself A Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers

Minor chips, cracks, and misalignments in your smile can be a difficult thing to live with. Your teeth go through life’s hard knocks, and can become discolored and damaged. Many people consider a smile is a first impression, and if you do not feel confident about your smile, it can really have a negative effect on how you see yourself. Luckily, Dr. Michael Scurti is able to transform your smile with the help of porcelain veneers.

The process of porcelain veneers begins with a consultation with Dr. Scurti. There, he will be able to get a good look at your smile, and ask you about your long-term goals. Also, during the consultation, you will be able to express any questions or concerns you may have regarding the procedure. When it comes time to apply your porcelain veneers, Dr. Scurti will prepare your natural tooth by removing a small amount of enamel. Your custom-made veneers will be applied, and made permanent with dental resin cement. At the end, you are left with a beautiful, flawless smile!

One of the benefits of porcelain veneers is that they are stain resistant. You won’t have to worry about having that extra cup of coffee or glass of red wine, as your smile will always be dazzling. Also, with proper care and maintenance, your porcelain veneers can last up to ten years! If you have any questions on how Dr. Scurti can help with your journey to porcelain veneers, make an appointment and we’d be glad to help!

Do not hesitate to call Dr. Scurti’s Verona, New Jersey dental office. We would be happy to answer your questions or schedule or appointment with you. Dr. Scurti serves patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.

Root Canal Therapy with Dr. Scurti

Living in pain is never an easy thing, especially when it comes to your teeth. Tooth pain can be excruciating, and doing nothing about the pain will only make it worse. If you are suffering from an ongoing tooth ache, it is most likely because your tooth is infected. Left untreated, an infected tooth can wreak havoc on the rest of your smile, leaving you with a much more expensive and painful result down the road. Verona Dental Arts understands the importance of making sure your smile is as health as it can be, which is why we offer root canal therapy to our patients!

A root canal needs to be performed when the tooth’s structure has been compromised. Perhaps due to a crack or a large cavity, the tooth’s inner structure has become infected with bacteria, causing you much pain and discomfort. Other things that can cause the need for root canal therapy are deep restorations and dental trauma.

We begin your root canal by focusing on the infected tooth and removing the harmful bacteria. The tooth’s pulp is removed, and then the tooth is filled. After that, a crown is usually placed at the top, protecting the tooth from further harm. At the end, you feel relieved and alleviated of pain!

If you are experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, pain, swelling, throbbing, and a bad taste in your mouth, you may need a root canal. Make an appointment at our office, and we’ll be glad to help!

Do not hesitate to call Dr. Scurti’s Verona, New Jersey dental office. We would be happy to answer your questions or schedule or appointment with you. Dr. Scurti serves patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.

What Is Fluorosis?

In our last few posts, we have talked about the importance of healthy enamel and the benefits of fluoride. Today we want to talk about one more related topic—fluorosis.

This is a condition that can develop when patients have too much fluoride. Patients with fluorosis can end up with stains or white streaks on their teeth. Children may be especially vulnerable, but adults can be too when the exposure is great enough.

Fluoride is found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and water supplies. If instructions aren’t followed when using these toothpastes or mouthwashes, that can lead to the blemishes caused by fluorosis.

Thankfully, the problems of fluorosis are primarily cosmetic. With a service like porcelain veneers, Dr. Scurti can help you turn your situation around to have a beautiful smile again.

A transformation with porcelain veneers takes two appointments to complete. What we design will do an excellent job of complementing the size and shape of your smile.

Learn more about fluorosis and porcelain veneers by calling Verona Dental Arts today. Dr. Scurti would be happy to talk to you and answer your questions during a consultation visit. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.

The Benefits of Fluoride

In our last post, we talked about the importance of healthy enamel. Today we want to focus on a topic related to that: fluoride.

As you may know, fluoride is routinely added to tap water and it’s a key ingredient in most toothpaste brands. Some mouthwashes also include fluoride.

Why does it seem like fluoride is everywhere? Because of how beneficial it is for teeth. To enjoy good oral health, you need to have strong enamel. But acid, bacteria, and plaque can weaken enamel, making teeth vulnerable to decay. Fluoride helps support enamel by attracting healthy minerals.

To make sure that your teeth stay strong and healthy, we recommend that patients brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day. You might also want to avoid drinking bottled water, as most bottled water doesn’t contain any fluoride. Enjoy a cup of tap water instead. And why not finish up your oral health routine by rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash.

Children especially need extra help protecting their teeth, because they’re just learning to brush. Make sure that you’re helping your little one every day by making brushing a family event and by explaining the importance of strong, healthy teeth.

Call Verona Dental Arts today if you have questions about fluoride or enamel. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.

The Protective Power of Enamel

Our teeth are made up of three layers. For today’s post, we want to focus on the outer layer, which is known as the enamel. This layer forms the part of the tooth that we see when we smile. It also has an important protective function.

Specifically, enamel protects teeth from decay, which is caused by an acidic chemical reaction that occurs when we eat foods high in sugar or starch. When enamel becomes weak, teeth can develop cavities. A tooth with a cavity needs to be treated with a filling. In cases of advanced decay, a crown, inlay, or onlay may be necessary. In other cases, a bad cavity can lead to a bacterial infection inside the tooth, which would need to be treated with a root canal.

Fluoride plays an important role in protecting your teeth and keeping your enamel strong. How does it do this? By attracting important minerals that will make it more difficult for acid, bacteria, and plaque to destroy this important protective layer.

You can find fluoride in most toothpaste brands. Most communities have also added fluoride to their water supply. Some mouthwashes even contain it. With so many sources for fluoride out there, it’s easy to protect the enamel on your smile.

Do you have questions about the protective power of your enamel and the benefits of fluoride? Don’t hesitate to call Dr. Scurti’s Verona dental office. We’ll be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment with you. Dr. Scurti serves patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and other cities in New Jersey.