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.

How Often Should You Visit Dr. Scurti for Regular Care?

The question of how often to see a dentist for care is a common one. Should you do it once a year, like you would a primary care doctor, or should you go more often than that?

At Verona Dental Arts, we recommend that patients of Dr. Scurti come in twice a year for a checkup and professional dental cleaning. Why so often? Because that’s what it takes to provide patients with effective preventive care.

During every checkup at his Verona dental office, Dr. Scurti will look for signs of the most common oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, plus teeth grinding, TMJ dysfunction, and even oral cancer. Diagnosing conditions like these early is important for protecting the long-term health of teeth. With regular checkups every six months, Dr. Scurti can address any developing problems quickly, saving you time and money, plus adding to the life of your natural smile.

Dental cleanings will also help as they give us an opportunity to remove excess bacteria and plaque from above and below the gum line. If you have questions about how to brush and floss more effectively between visits, our Verona dental team will be more than happy to answer them.

Are you ready to schedule your first appointment for 2014? Call Verona Dental Arts today. Dr. Scurti is happy to offer general dental care to patients from Verona, Clifton, Livingston, West Orange, and other nearby New Jersey cities.

Finally Find Relief from Bruxism with Neuromuscular Dentistry at Verona Dental Arts

If you often wake up with a headache or a sore jaw, it's possible that you may suffer from a stress-related condition called bruxism. Bruxism, treated most effectively with neuromuscular dentistry, is characterized by the act of clenching the jaw and/or grinding the teeth during sleep. At Verona Dental Arts in Verona, NJ, Dr. Scurti and his team want to help you understand and manage this subconscious behavior so that you can prevent damage to your teeth, find relief from morning discomfort and get the restful sleep you need.

The Importance of Treating Bruxism

When a person clenches the muscles of the jaw continuously during sleep, the result is typically an aching head and sore facial structures the next morning. If the bottom jaw, or mandible, is set into motion as well and the teeth grind against each other throughout the night, enamel begins to wear down under the pressure. Tooth erosion caused by bruxism, particularly noticeable in the molars, can be incredibly damaging to overall oral health. It can alter your bite and even lead to fractured teeth in extreme cases.

At Verona Dental Arts, Dr. Scurti provides his patients with nighttime mouth guards to stop teeth grinding and jaw clenching, thereby restoring their natural sleep habits and preserving their dental health. Often simply called nightguards, these oral appliances are custom-fitted to your unique dentition, making them more effective than generic, store-bought mouth guards. The guard helps to keep the jaw in the proper position while you sleep, preventing further damage to teeth and muscles.

In addition to fitting you with a custom mouth guard, Dr. Scurti and his team can explain to you the many benefits of neuromuscular dentistry. This advanced form of treatment takes into consideration the complex muscle structures in your entire head and neck for improved comfort and optimal results.

A Comprehensive Solution

If you or your partner suspect that you suffer from bruxism, contact us at our Verona, NJ office today to find out how Dr. Scurti can help you find the relief you deserve. We also proudly serve patients from throughout the surrounding communities, including Clifton, Livingston, West Orange and New Jersey. We look forward to serving you and your family!

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.

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.

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.