Restore Your Smile’s Natural Appearance and Functionality with Dental Implants

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you might wonder if there’s a restorative dentistry option that provides more natural results than traditional partials or dentures. The good the news is, yes, there is–it’s called dental implants.

As with traditional tooth replacement options, dental implants make speaking and eating easier by filling in the gaps in your smile. But unlike those methods, dental implants don’t rely on clasps, suction, or denture adhesive. Instead, they use small metal screws surgically placed in the jaw to anchor a new crown, bridge, partial, or full denture.

Once in place, these metal screws act like prosthetic roots. Just like natural roots, they contribute to a strong, stable bite, in addition to promoting bone growth in the jaw. Without roots of any kind, your jaw will weaken, to the point that you could lose any remaining teeth you have. Your implants will help you replace what you’ve lost and preserve your jaw going forward.

Not every patient is a candidate for dental implants, though. During a visit to Dr. Michael Scurti’s Verona dental office, we can assess your oral health and the strength of your jaw. If you have enough bone density, you may be an excellent candidate for the implant procedure. If not, it may be possible to become one through a few extra techniques.

Do you want to make 2014 the year you restore your smile’s natural appearance and functionality? Call us now to schedule a consultation with Dr. Scurti for this month or early in January. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Enjoy Better Confidence and Wellbeing in 2014 with Dentures and Partials

A full set of healthy teeth is important for your confidence and your wellbeing. Imagine how different your life might be if you were missing multiple teeth, or even a full arch. Speaking would be more difficult, and so would eating and smiling. Missing teeth can also affect your appearance by making you look older than you are.

But missing teeth don’t have to cause you anxiety or prevent you from enjoying a healthy diet. At Verona Dental Arts, Dr. Michael Scurti can transform your smile’s appearance and functionality with partial and full dentures. With today’s advances in dental technology, Dr. Scurti can provide you with realistic-looking dentures that will help you eat foods it would be difficult to enjoy without teeth. What’s more, your partial or full dentures will also give you the confidence to speak and smile like you used to. They may even improve your appearance by softening the wrinkles created by missing teeth.

Additionally, some patients may want to consider a partial or denture supported by dental implants. Dr. Scurti will help you decide if this, or some other course, is your best option during a consultation at his Verona dental office.

Reclaim your confidence and your oral health in 2014 with a partial or a full denture. Call Verona Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment with us. Our office is using dentures to change the lives of patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Periodontal Therapy from Verona Dental Arts

Gum disease is a very common oral health problem. It’s not only responsible not only for symptoms like sensitivity, bleeding, and bad breath, it can also cause tooth loss and make patients susceptible to other kinds of health problems in the rest of the body.

Thankfully, treatment is possible with periodontal therapy at Verona Dental Arts. Using scaling and root planing—two very effective therapies—Dr. Michael Scurti will help you eliminate bacteria and plaque from your smile.

Specifically, scaling and root planing target areas below the gum line, where pockets may have developed between the teeth and gums. Since bacteria and plaque are the key ingredients behind gum disease, removing these from the mouth is essential to treating uncomfortable symptoms and restoring good oral health.

Are you struggling with the effects of gum disease? Find out how Dr. Scurti can help with periodontal therapy. During a consultation at his Verona dental office, we can talk to you about your current situation and your needs. We promise to offer you personalized care that targets your exact situation.

Call us today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Scurti is happy to offer quality periodontal therapy to patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Strengthen and Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants

In an earlier post we talked about the history of dental implants. Today we’d like to talk about how dental implants work and why they’re such an effective restorative dental service.

Dental implants are used to replace one or more of a patient’s missing teeth and are structured in a way similar to the patient’s natural smile, with a crown on top and an implant post underneath. These implant posts acts like prosthetic roots, providing patients with restorative care that mimics nature.

But replacing your missing roots with dental implants isn’t just about shoring up a new crown, bridge, or denture. Your tooth roots also stimulate bone growth in the jaw. Throughout your life, new bone tissue replaces old bone tissue, keeping your jaw strong. When you lose a root, though, a part of your jaw no longer has anything there to stimulate new bone tissue. As a result, that part of your jaw will begin to weaken as bone is lost. Over time, nearby teeth may be lost as a result as well. Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth but also strengthen the jaw and prevent bone loss.

Unfortunately, not every patient is a good candidate for dental implants. If you’d like to know if they’re right for you, visit Dr. Michael Scurti at Verona Dental Arts. During a consultation appointment, Dr. Scurti will thoroughly assess your health and your needs. If your jaw is strong enough to support one or more implants, we’ll start planning your implant procedure right away. If dental implants aren’t right for you, we’re happy to recommend another treatment option. Dr. Scurti is committed to creating healthy, beautiful smiles through a variety of today’s best general, cosmetic, and restorative services.

Call Verona Dental Arts today to see how we can help. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Enhance Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers

Many patients are afraid to let others see their teeth because of imperfections like cracks, chips, staining, misalignment, and more. Thankfully, with a cosmetic dentistry service like porcelain veneers, a whiter, straighter-looking smile is possible. With porcelain veneers from Dr. Michael Scurti, patients from Verona, NJ and surrounding areas can hide the imperfections that are keeping them from smiling, resulting in better confidence and wellbeing.

Your custom-made veneers will be carefully crafted from durable dental porcelain. Veneers are thin and designed to lay flat over the front of your teeth.

Transforming a smile with porcelain veneers can be done in two appointments. In the first, Dr. Scurti will assess your oral health and talk to you about the changes you’d like to make to your smile. We’ll also prep your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel so that your finished veneers will lay flat. Then, between your first and second appointment, our lab will design your veneers according to a detailed plan from us. For your second appointment, all we have to do is affix your personalized veneers, completing your cosmetic procedure and giving you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Do you want to know more about porcelain veneers and how they can make a difference in your life? Call Verona Dental Arts today. Dr. Scurti offers cosmetic dentistry to patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

CEREC One-Visit Crowns

What should you do when a tooth becomes broken or dislodged? Call Verona Dental Arts for restorative help from Dr. Michael Scurti. During a single appointment, his Verona dental team can provide the help you need with a revolutionary CEREC one-visit crown.

Normally, repairing a tooth with a crown takes at least two appointments to complete. But with CEREC, a completely customized crown can milled right in Dr. Scurti’s Verona dental office and then attached immediately afterward.

That means no waiting in between visits with a temporary crown. Instead, you can leave your first and only appointment with a highly accurate, natural-looking restoration that restores your oral health and appearance.

How Does CEREC Work?

Here’s what you can expect from care with CEREC. First, skilled restorative dentist Dr. Scurti will scan the injured area with the CEREC software. Then, that information, and the design for your new crown, will be transferred to the CEREC machine, which will begin milling your restoration while you wait comfortably in our Verona dental office. Once it’s ready, all that’s left is for Dr. Scurti to attach your crown, completing your procedure.

Do you have an injured tooth that requires restorative care? Call Verona Dental Arts today for an appointment. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Are You At Risk for Getting Cavities?

All patients are vulnerable to getting cavities, but some are more vulnerable than others because of certain circumstances in their life. Today, we’d like to mention a few of those circumstances so that you can be better equipped to care for your smile.

Having a cavity already

If you have a history of cavities, this can increase your likelihood of developing more cavities in the future. Prevent this by brushing, flossing, and using a fluoride mouthwash.

Consuming acidic or sugary foods

The real cause of cavities isn’t sugar per se but the reaction that occurs when sugar and bacteria collide. Together, they create acid, which is harmful to teeth. Not surprisingly, acidic foods can also damage teeth. To avoid cavities, limit your consumption of acidic or sugary foods.

Poorly done fillings or crowns

If a filling or crown isn’t properly placed, that can make it possible for bacteria to continue harming teeth, despite the appearance of having been treated.

Other common causes include:

• Family history
• Dry mouth
• Eating disorders
• Poor oral health

Do you want to avoid getting one or more cavities? Call Verona Dental Arts today to reserve your next appointment with Dr. Michael Scurti. We recommend that patients see us twice a year for regular care, and with the end of the year approaching quickly, there’s no better time for a visit than now.

We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

A History of Dental Implants

Among all the restorative services available to patients today, dental implants are among the most effective. With dental implants, Dr. Michael Scurti can help patients from Verona and beyond replace one or more missing teeth.

But did you know this seemingly “modern” solution is actually not as modern as you may think?  Implants as we think of them today go back to at least 1965, when Swedish surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark learned that titanium and bone could fuse together, creating a bond similar to the bond shared by the jaw and a natural tooth root.

Historical evidence shows that people have been using similar materials to replace teeth for many, many years, though. The oldest piece of evidence comes from Honduras and is a 1,300-year-old mandible with shells used as replacement teeth. It also appears that the Egyptians and the Romans had methods of their own for replacing teeth, sometimes with gold wires and sometimes with cast-iron. So if you have any hesitation about how dental implants work, you can rest assured knowing that similar techniques have been used all throughout history.

Do you have missing teeth? Find out how dental implants may be able to help. Call Verona Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.

Plan Your Holiday Dental Care Now

With the end of October comes the beginning of the year-end holiday season. If you want to go into this year’s holiday festivities with a smile that’s bold and dazzling, you need to start planning your cosmetic care right now. At Dr. Michael Scurti’s Verona dental office, we offer three great cosmetic services:

• Teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Cosmetic bonding and shaping

With these services, our Verona dental team can put together a plan to help you achieve a gorgeous smile in time for Thanksgiving and the December holidays. Whether you just want a whiter smile, or you need help hiding flaws like craps, chips, or misalignment, we can put together a sure-fire plan for you.

How fast can we have your new smile ready? Two of our cosmetic services—teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding—can deliver amazing results in a single appointment. Porcelain veneers, on the other hands, takes a minimum of two.

Which service is right for you? Dr. Scurti would be happy to help you answer that question with a consultation appointment. During your visit, we can assess your oral health and determine the best course of action for you to take.

Go into the holidays feeling more confident about your smile than you ever have before. Call us today to reserve an appointment. We serve patients from Verona, West Orange, Livingston, Clifton, and nearby New Jersey cities.

Protect Your Smile This Halloween with Xylitol

When you think of October, you think of Halloween. Of course, the big draw for Halloween—even more so than costumes or decorations—is candy. But too much candy can negatively impact your oral health. That’s why Dr. Michael Scurti and his Verona dental team want to recommend switching to candy sweetened with xylitol this year.

What Is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from fibrous plant material. Unlike regular sugar or corn syrup, it has few calories and doesn’t have the same impact on oral health. Regular sweeteners cause cavities by stimulating the production of bacteria and acid, which eat away at tooth enamel. Xylitol, by comparison, creates a neutral environment, beneficial for your oral health and not destructive. Xylitol is even used by some toothpaste brands to help patients fight cavities.

Where Can You Buy Xylitol Candy?

If you’re interested in switching from regular Snickers and Milky Ways this year to something that’s more beneficial for your smile, you can find candies sweetened with xylitol online and in a health food store near you. These candies taste great and will let the children in your community enjoy their Halloween, but their little teeth will be at a smaller risk for developing cavities.

Do you have more questions for us about xylitol and its benefits? Don’t hesitate to call Verona Dental Arts with your questions. We’re happy to help patients from Verona, Clifton, West Orange, and all surrounding communities in New Jersey.

Oral Health and Acid Reflux

How many times have you struggled with heartburn this week? Most patients experience a bit from time to time, while others struggle with it two, three, or more times a week. Does that sound more like your experience?

Heartburn that occurs so frequently is a symptom of a condition called acid reflux disease. Other symptoms of this condition include:

• Bloating or burping
• Regurgitation
• Narrowing of the esophagus
• Nausea
• Hiccups
• Black or bloody stools, or bloody vomiting
• Weight loss
• Dry cough, sore throat, wheezing, hoarseness

Aside from these symptoms, acid reflux disease can also have an effect on your oral health. That’s because of how acid reflux works. For patients who struggle with acid reflux, what happens is that stomach acid routinely escapes from the stomach and ends up in the esophagus. If any of this acid comes into contact with your teeth, it can dissolve the protective layer of enamel on the outside, exposing the sensitive layer of dentin underneath.

Have your teeth been damaged by stomach acid? Here are a few symptoms:

• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
• Teeth that have thinned or shortened
• Pain or irritation
• Teeth with sharp edges

Do you recognize these symptoms with your own smile? Call Verona Dental Arts today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Scurti. We serve patients from Clifton, West Orange, and all surrounding communities in New Jersey.

Your Verona Dentist Reminds You to Use Your Dental Benefits

Now that we’re almost done with September, we’re entering the home stretch for 2013. From now until January 1, 2014, time will seem to move a lot faster, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the December holiday season taking up so much time and attention. But along with the passing from one year to another, January will also see the dental benefits of patients go back to what they were at the start of 2013. That’s why Verona patients should take advantage of what remains of their benefits before the year ends.

In particular, here’s what you can expect.

Yearly Maximum

Dental benefits exist to help patients cover the cost of many kinds of services. The yearly maximum attached to your plan doesn’t rollover at the end of the year, though. Take advantage of what you have left with a visit to your Verona dentist.

Deductible

A deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance company starts covering care, and every year comes with a new one. If you’ve paid your deductible for 2013, make sure you’re getting the most out of your remaining benefits.

Insurance Fees

When 2014 comes, that may also signal a change in your premiums or co-pays. Because you can’t know for sure, though, why not seeing your Verona dentist now, with the current fees that are in place?

Emergencies

You never know when an emergency will strike—that’s part of what makes an emergency what it is. But not all emergencies come out of nowhere. Regular care every six months may help you avoid one by giving your doctor a chance to monitor your smile for potential problems twice during the year.

Do you want to schedule an appointment with your Verona general dentist? Call Verona Dental Arts today for an appointment. We serve patients from Clifton, West Orange, and all surrounding communities in New Jersey.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction for Verona and Beyond

In our last post, we highlighted the comprehensive restorative dental services offered by Verona Dental Arts. Today, we want to focus on just one of those services we mentioned: full-mouth reconstruction. With this incredible service, patients of Dr. Scurti can see dramatic changes to the appearance and functionality of their smiles.

What Does a Full-Mouth Reconstruction Involve?

Similar to the way a cosmetic smile makeover will combine two or more services together, a full-mouth reconstruction will use some of today’s best restorative services to transform your teeth and gums.

But which ones do you need? As with any major treatment decision, Dr. Scurti will help you decide with an exam and consultation. The purpose of your visit will be to determine your needs and what we can do to help.

Some of our biggest restorative dentistry services include:

• CEREC one visit crowns
• Dental implants
• Periodontal therapy
• Root canal therapy
• All-on-4s
• Dentures and partials
• Crown and bridge therapy

A full-mouth reconstruction will involve two or more of these and can be completed in just a few visits.

Do You Want To Know How a Full-Mouth Reconstruction Can Help You?
If you need help improving the appearance and functionality of your smile, call Verona Dental Arts to reserve an appointment with Dr. Scurti. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about the treatment plan we recommend. We provide effective care to patients from Verona, Clifton, West Orange, Livingston, nearby New Jersey communities, and beyond.

Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry from Verona Dental Arts

Sometimes, in order to have a healthy smile, restorative dentistry becomes important. Through restorative dental care, Dr. Scurti can repair damaged or decayed teeth, replace missing teeth, and improve the overall functionality and appearance of a patient’s smile. Our Verona dental office provides excellent restorative care with the following services:

• CEREC one visit crowns
• Dental implants
• Periodontal therapy
• Root canal therapy
• All-on-4s
• Dentures and partials
• Crown and bridge therapy
• Full-mouth reconstruction

But how can you know what kind of restorative care you might need? For that, you’ll have to see Dr. Scurti for a consultation. During every consultation at Verona Dental Arts, we’ll complete a thorough oral exam and spend time talking to you about your needs. Every patient is unique, after all; we want the plan we create for you to be truly personalized.

How long will your restorative treatment plan take to carry out? That depends on what services we recommend and how much help you need. Many of our Verona restorative dental services can be completed in just a few visits.

Find out how Dr. Scurti can help you today by calling Verona Dental Arts for an appointment. In addition to completing an oral exam and recommending a treatment plan, you can also ask us any questions you might have. Dr. Scurti wants every patient to feel absolutely comfortable with what he recommends.

We serve patients from Verona, Clifton, West Orange, Livingston, and nearby New Jersey communities.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is an extension of general care that lets doctors create whiter, straighter-looking smiles in just a few appointments. After all, not many people are naturally blessed with the kind of smile you see on TV or on a magazine cover. A beautiful smile is often the work of a skillful dentist putting his or her artist talents to work, with dazzling results for the patient.

Some of today’s most common cosmetic dental services include:

• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Veneers
• Cosmetic Bonding

Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend just one service or a combination of services. What’s more, two of these services—in-office teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding—can be administered in just a single visit. That means that after about one hour, you can leave your doctor’s office with a smile that looks dramatically different. But even if your doctor recommends porcelain veneers, you can still look forward to fast results.

So, which of these services is most right for you? During a consultation visit, your doctor will complete an oral exam and talk to you about your own goals for your smile. Based on the results of that consultation, your doctor will make a recommendation. A more comprehensive plan may also include a general or restorative service as well.

Do you want to know what cosmetic dentistry plan is right for you? Call your local cosmetic dentist today for an appointment.

General Dentistry for Verona and Surrounding Areas

How often should you see your dentist for regular care?

At Verona Dental Arts, we recommend that patients see Dr. Michael Scurti twice a year for regular exams and cleanings.

Why so often?

Because exams and cleanings are the cornerstone of general dentistry. What’s more, with care this frequent, Dr. Scurti can watch for small changes that might indicate the need for advanced care.

Why is that important? 

Because providing early care for cavities and gum disease will help Dr. Scurti preserve more of your natural smile. When care isn’t provided early, these common conditions can dramatically affect your oral and even your overall health. In studies, a condition like gum disease has been linked to an increased vulnerability to a variety of health problems in the rest of the body, including:

• Diabetes
• Preterm birth
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s
• Heart disease

During your visit with our Verona dental team, Dr. Scurti will look closely at your teeth and gums to understand your needs. Once we know where your smile stands, we can recommend one or more services to help you reclaim optimal oral health. If you have questions about the plan we recommend, don’t hesitate to ask.

Has it been more than six months since your last visit with Dr. Scurti and our Verona dental office?
Call us today to reserve your next appointment. Every day we’re working hard to improve the oral patient of patients from Verona, Clifton, Livingston, West Orange, and surrounding New Jersey cities.

What Is General Dentistry?

For children and adults, it’s important to see a general dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Why so frequently? Because it’s through regular oral exams and cleanings that your doctor will help you achieve optimal oral health.

General dentistry is all about prevention and promoting healthy habits. During your next checkup with your general dentist, your doctor will look for signs of the most common oral health conditions, like tooth decay and gum disease. Other things your doctor will look for include neuromuscular conditions, like bruxism or TMJ dysfunction, as well as oral cancer.

Based on the results of your exam, other services may be recommended to help you improve the health, appearance, or functionality of your smile. Some of those services might include:

• Fillings
• Porcelain Veneers
• Periodontal Therapy
• Crown and Bridge Therapy
• Other cosmetic and restorative services

Whatever your doctor recommends, it will be tailored on your specific needs. What’s more, there will also be time for you to raise questions about the treatment plan your doctor recommends. Your general dentist wants you to fully understand what you can look forward to as we move forward with your treatment.

Has it been more than six months since your last general dentistry exam? Call your local dental office today to schedule an appointment.

Welcome to Dr. Scurti’s Blog!

Welcome to the blog for Verona Dental Arts. Here you’ll find information on the different services offered by Dr. Michael Scurti, in addition to tips on how you and your family can take better care of your smiles. As your partners in helping you enjoy a lifetime of good oral health, we look forward to offering you advice on healthy living and careful brushing and flossing.

Excellent Services for Healthy Smiles

At Verona Dental Arts, we offer some of today’s best general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services. Some of them include:

• Teeth Whitening
• Porcelain Veneers
• Periodontal Therapy
• Crown and Bridge Therapy
• Neuromuscular Dentistry
• CEREC One-Visit Crowns
• Dental Implants
• Dentures and Partials
• Root Canal Therapy

Personalized Care for Verona and Beyond

Looking at the list of services we offer, you might wonder which one is right for you. That’s a question we can help you understand with regular exams at our Verona office. With an exam, Dr. Scurti can diagnose your situation and recommend a personalized treatment plan to help you improve the appearance, health, and functionality of your smile. If you have any questions about the care we recommend, Dr. Scurti and his dental team would be happy to answer them.

Do you have question about dental care or need to schedule an appointment? Call our office. We serve patients from Verona, Livingston, West Orange, Clifton, and surrounding New Jersey towns.