Tooth Extraction Succasunna, NJ

The purpose of tooth extractions

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No one wants to think about having a tooth pulled, but sometimes it is a necessary evil. Extractions are commonly performed by oral surgeons who can remove them in one of two ways, including simple extractions and surgical extractions. Both are available with the team at Morris County Dental Care.

What is an extraction?

A dental extraction is essentially the removal of a natural adult tooth or a baby tooth. It is done for many different reasons. Extractions may be performed in the following scenarios:

  • A patient will be having orthodontic work done, and are experiencing overcrowding. One or more teeth may need to be removed to make room for realigning the dental arch.
  • A patient has an impacted tooth, such as a wisdom tooth, that is causing pain and discomfort and can affect the development of the smile over time.
  • A child has a baby tooth that is not coming out on its own and is keeping the existing adult teeth from erupting through the gum line.
  • A patient has a tooth that has had an extremely large cavity which impacts the overall structure. In cases where root canal therapy cannot save the tooth, extraction may be recommended.
  • A patient is preparing for the creation of full dentures while there may be one or more teeth along the dental arch that need to be removed before placing.
  • A patient has had an injury to a tooth and it cannot be repaired with traditional dental options and treatments.

What extractions are performed?

Surgical extractions are extractions during which the dentist needs to access underneath the gum tissue to get to the tooth, while simple extractions are performed on teeth that have already erupted through the gum line.

Do you live in the Succasunna, NJ area and are interested in learning more about dental extractions?

Extractions are just one of many services available from Dr. Ira Goldberg at Morris County Dental Care. Contact the facility to schedule an evaluation and a consultation appointment with our team. We can be reached by phone at (973) 328-1225 and welcome patients into our office, located in Suite #201 at 15 Commerce Boulevard.

What is the Purpose of Dental Implants?

What is the Purpose of Dental Implants?

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Missing teeth can cause a lot of problems outside of just leaving behind a space in the teeth. Without teeth or restorations in place, the existing teeth can shift out of alignment causing spaces and gaps all along the dental arch. Additionally, bone loss can occur, resulting in the loosening of adjacent teeth. The ability to properly eat and speak are also impacted. Because of this, it is important for patients in the area of Succasunna, NJ to speak to a dentist such as Dr. Ira Goldberg of Morris County Dental Associates to discuss the benefits of using dental implants.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Titanium posts called dental implants are used in a variety of ways in restorative dentistry. The primary purpose of the implant is to act as a natural tooth root. This is why the implant is placed into the bone of the jaw and restored over the top on the visible portion. Dental implants are versatile and serve many purposed.

Dental Implant Uses

A dental implant is a restoration that can be used in a number of different methodologies for enhancement of the smile.

  • A dental implant may be placed to replace a single tooth. This is achieved by restoring the implant’s abutment with a dental crown. These crowns are custom-made for the patient to act as a fake tooth.
  • A dental implant can be an anchor on one or both sides of a dental bridge. Dental bridges require teeth on each side to place, but dental implants can be used as well.
  • A dental implant may be used to stabilize a full denture, with several in place along the dental arch for this purpose.

Schedule a Consultation

Dental implants can be an extremely beneficial way of addressing tooth loss or stabilizing dentures. Dr. Ira Goldberg encourages patients to book an appointment at Morris County Dental Associates to learn more about the advantages of dental implants and how they can be used to enhance the smile and restore function. Call (973) 328-1225 today to schedule a consultation visit with our staff at 15 Commerce Boulevard, Suite #201. Dr. Ira Goldberg accepts patients in and around the community of Succasunna, NJ.

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry | Succasunna NJ

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

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It’s not uncommon for Dr. Ira Goldberg to see patients in his practice who have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety affects both children and adults and can be a problem when it comes to getting necessary dental services. At Morris County Dental Associates, patients in the community of Succasunna, NJ who are interested in sedation dentistry can ask about ways of reducing fears before they even sit in the dental chair!

Sedation Dentistry Options

At Morris County Dental Associates, we offer three methods of sedation for patients to consider for their next dental visit:

  • Nitrous oxide – the most common solution is that of nitrous oxide, an odorless, colorless gas that is typically referred to as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is administered through the nose while the dentist performs the necessary procedure. Some patients get “giggly” with nitrous oxide which is how it got its name as laughing gas, while others feel sleepy. Either way, patients are at ease and can undergo necessary treatments.
  • Oral conscious sedation – another method of sedation that is better for getting uneasy patients to the dental office to begin with is that of oral conscious sedation. This sedation is achieved with the use of a medication that is prescribed to the patient to take prior to leaving home for their appointment. Once they arrive with transportation to the dental office, they are coherent and responsive, though extremely relaxed for their treatment.
  • IV sedation – for patients with more severe anxieties, Dr. Ira Goldberg may employ a method known as IV sedation. This is when medication is administered directly into the blood via IV to help a patient rest. This is perfect for patients who are having several procedures done at once. This also helps with one or more invasive procedures such as the placement of dental implants.

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ira Goldberg of Morris County Dental Associates. His practice is equipped with the latest in sedation dentistry to ensure a positive experience in the dental office. Call today at (973) 328-1225 and visit the office in Succasunna, NJ at 15 Commerce Boulevard #201.

Sedation Dentistry Succasunna, NJ

Avoid the Pitfall of Dental Anxiety with Sedation

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Dental anxiety is a problem that we no longer want to brush under the rug. At Morris County Dental Associates, we believe in prioritizing patient care. However, that looks for each individual is up to them. When dental anxiety exists, our objective is to offer solutions that work. That’s why Dr. Goldberg has obtained DOCS education and certification in the area of oral conscious sedation. If you’ve been avoiding the dentist, we want to help you change your ways. Here, we discuss the consequences of not seeing the dentist and what we can do to help make your dental visits something you can appreciate rather than fear.

Why We Want to Help You Manage Dental Anxiety

Not seeing the dentist may enable you to avoid facing certain stressors; however, it may lead to others:

Gum disease

The dental anxiety that prevents regular visits to the dentist inevitably opens a door for problems like gum disease. This condition develops when invisible plaque sticks to enamel at the base of teeth. The cleanings performed in our office are intended to remove the biofilm that you may not see when you brush at home.

Unnecessary suffering

Dental anxiety is a double-edged sword. On one side, you’ve got the unpleasant sensations that stem from fear. On the other side, you’ve got cavities and gum disease that cause bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and out-and-out pain. Often, the only reason a person who fears dental care sees the dentist is that pain and the fear of losing a tooth override the initial anxiety they must endure. This is a cycle that could play out endlessly if not interrupted with compassionate sedation dentistry.

Embarrassment about your teeth

Seeing the dentist may not seem like it does much for your smile, but it can. Those routine cleanings polish away surface stains so your smile shines more brightly. Cleanings prevent the buildup of tartar, a hardened form of plaque that becomes visible on teeth. Finally, the disease prevention that is attained with routine dental care can save you from the embarrassment of bad breath.

Schedule a Consultation

Dental anxiety is something to discuss with your sedation dentist. Contact our Succasunna office at 973-328-1225 to learn more about your options for relaxing dental care.

Dental Implants Succasunna, NJ

What is the Cost of Dental Implants?

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Many of the things we spend money on are perceived as investments; something that offers us a reward of some sort. A house is a safe and inviting space that is expected to hold monetary value over many years of time. Even the vehicles that we drive are a type of investment that provides rewards like getting us where we need to go and, if we’re lucky, getting us there in style. Dental costs fit in here somewhere, too; they just aren’t as fun and exciting for most people as getting that shiny new car or the big house.

When your dentist suggests dental implants to replace a tooth or teeth that are failing, the investment that has to be made may not feel great at first. Here, we want to point out how dental implants can be the best value for long-term health and vitality.

The Big Picture

Tooth replacement has historically focused on the necessity of structure and function. Therefore, the approach may have looked something like “just get teeth back into the mouth.” Old-school methods of tooth replacement, including bridges and dentures, may reinstate a beautiful appearance and chewing function by putting teeth back, but the degree to which they do that is limited.

Restorative fixtures like dentures and bridges are typically expected to last about 15 years. The average lifespan may be closer to five or eight years in many situations. Dental implants, on the other hand, are expected to last for life. The first surgical-grade titanium implants were used more than fifty years ago, and many of them were entirely intact for the remainder of the patient’s life.

Comparing Cost Against Longevity

Calculating cost is quite different than calculating value. Looking at the up-front costs of treatment alone, a patient may shy away from dental implants. According to research, this choice may ultimately prove costlier due to the shorter lifespan of non-implanted restorations.

What are You Really Paying For?

When you pay for dental treatment, you’re investing in something more. When dental care revolves around prevention, the investment is in the avoidance of uncomfortable dental problems. Dental care that is performed to restore something that has been lost can ultimately improve your quality of life, and that is the actual investment. Research has demonstrated the success that can be attained with dental implants.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering which tooth replacement protocol is right for you, now is a great time to see firsthand what research has suggested. Learn more about dental implant treatment at our Succasunna office. Contact our office at 973-328-1225 to schedule a consultation today.

Family Dentist Succasunna NJ

Preserving Happy Smiles with Dental Sealants

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Many children imagine that they have a secret power. Superheroes may be able to fly or run about under a cloak of invisibility, but children, their unique ability is their smile. Did you know that most children smile about 400 times a day? Think about how many times you smile. According to studies, we adults do so only about 40 times a day. Not just because they smile more, but because their smiles are precious, children deserve care that preserves their smiles. Dental sealants are one way we can do this.

What Are Dental Sealants?

There are several ways that we use sealants today. We seal pipes and plumbing with caulking and special tape. Granite is sealed with special liquids. We could even describe car wax as a type of sealant to prevent water from beading and creating spots on the paint. Dental sealants are intended for a similar purpose: to protect a surface. Where dental sealants are concerned, though, we’re talking about preventing cavities, not spots.

Dental sealants are an excellent way to protect premolars and molars from tooth decay. These teeth are particularly susceptible to damage because they have deep grooves on chewing surfaces. Studies indicate that, when these grooves are sealed with appropriate material, there is an 80 percent less chance for tooth decay on treated teeth.

Painless Treatment, Big Rewards

Parents are willing to go the extra mile for their children to keep them healthy, happy, and comfortable. Dental sealant treatment is a painless process that provides up to five years of protection against tooth decay on treated surfaces. The steps to this procedure include:

  • Standard dental cleaning and polishing in the dental office
  • Isolating and drying each tooth
  • Minor, painless etching to ensure complete attachment of sealant to enamel
  • Application of liquid sealant material
  • Curing liquid by directing light on the treated tooth surface
  • Evaluation of the tooth to confirm a proper “seal.”

Protect Your Child’s Smile with Dental Sealants

In our New Jersey office, we see children as quickly as possible to reduce any stress related to seeing the dentist. Our methods of care are gentle and friendly, so children learn that their dentist is an ally, not someone to fear. We focus on prevention and conservative treatment as much as we can so children can enjoy optimal oral health with less intervention.

Learn more about dental sealants, contact Morris County Dental Associates at 973-328-1225.

Dental Bridges Randolph, NJ

Dental Bridges Provide Restorative Benefits

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Outside of early childhood, there is pretty much zero excitement associated with tooth loss. Adults expect to keep their teeth for their lifetime. The loss of one or more teeth can feel devastating. It doesn’t have to. Modern dentistry provides outstanding solutions for tooth loss. Dr. Goldberg has achieved Diplomat status with the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry. Still, he recognizes the value of longstanding restorative solutions like the dental bridge.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is an oral prosthesis that replaces missing teeth by affixing a new structure atop what remains. A bridge looks like natural teeth and feels like them, too, because the entire fixture that includes two crowns and one or more artificial teeth fits over existing anatomy. With crowns affixed to natural teeth, false teeth in the bridge can sit securely over the gums. Bonding a bridge over natural teeth supports long-term stability and chewing function, not to mention personal confidence.

Why People Still Get Dental Bridges

In the past twenty years, we have seen a sharp turn toward dental implants as a successful method of tooth replacement. There are significant benefits to that particular process because dental implants reinstate the root structure that is necessary for lifelong bone regeneration in the jaw. However, people are still getting dental bridges. Here’s why:

Dental bridge treatment is an affordable method of replacing one or more teeth in a short period. The entire process is usually complete within two office visits, and patients can resume normal activities right away. With a bridge in place:

  • The bite is aligned
  • Teeth do not shift into empty space
  • There is no significant gap in the smile
  • The smile looks natural
  • You can chew a variety of foods
  • You feel good about your smile

A dental bridge can last 7 to 15 years or more with proper care. Your New Jersey dentist can provide you with the details you need to determine if a dental bridge will meet your long-term needs for function and natural appearance. Call Morris County Dental Associates at 973-328-1225 to learn more.

Family Dentist Succasunna NJ

You Have a Great Smile, but That Breath!

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Many people express a desire to improve the appearance of their smile with cosmetic dental treatment. In our Succasunna office, we’ve got several techniques that can achieve the ideal shade, proportions, and condition of teeth. However, it must be said that bad breath can instantly downgrade a great smile. Discussion of bad breath is not ordinary dinner conversation, nor is it something most people like to talk about at all. In some cases, bad breath may occur without one’s awareness. Here, we want to point out a few of the reasons why bad breath may develop and what can be done to address this problem so your smile can sit center-stage.

Bad Breath May Come From

  • Foods and beverages. We don’t just mean onions and garlic; what we eat affects our body, including the condition of the mouth. For instance, foods and drinks that are acidic can promote bacterial activity, ultimately leading to bad breath. Acidity may also increase as a result of processed foods and the sugar residue they leave behind.
  • Poor hygiene. Brushing and flossing are the two best things you can do for your teeth and your breath. They should not be skipped. Brushing and flossing daily can promote fresh breath by removing the plaque and bacteria that deposit odorous sulfur-compounds. For additional effectiveness, add gentle tongue-scraping with an appropriate tool to your daily practice.
  • Dry mouth. Saliva flow is necessary to break apart foods, dilute sugar residue, and prevent excessive oral acidity. Dry mouth is a chronic condition that may stem from a health problem, medication, smoking, and even from snoring. The effects of dry mouth can be offset by sipping water frequently and chewing xylitol gum.

Fixing Bad Breath

Bad breath is not something you can cover up with mouthwash. In fact, if your mouthwash contains alcohol, which many do, the drying effects of that ingredient could be making the problem worse. To remedy bad breath, it is necessary to eliminate as much plaque and bacteria as possible. A great starting point to achieve this is in our office. A thorough dental cleaning removes buildup from around teeth and under the gums, eliminating the sulfuric waste deposited by bacteria.

We can help you create the healthy, attractive smile you deserve. Call 973-328-1225 to schedule your visit.

Dental Implants Succasunna NJ

What Modern Dentistry Has to Offer

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Dentistry is such a common aspect of healthcare today that most people never stop to consider the humble beginnings of this practice. The earliest evidence of dental knowledge dates back to about 5000 BC when tooth decay was described as having “worms” in teeth. In ancient Greece, great minds like Hippocrates contemplated the inner workings of the mouth. Still, it wasn’t until the 1700s when knowledge regarding dental problems and their causes reached a stage at which we had any power against them. Formal dentistry didn’t emerge until the middle of the 19th Century. Boy, have we come a long way since then!

We are proud (and relieved!) to live in a time at which dentistry is not a challenge. Innovation has led to solutions that were once unimaginable. Examples include:

Dental Implants

The ancient Egyptians actually had their own version of dental implants: shells. We shudder to think about that procedure but have to applaud their courage and wisdom. The use of shells as replacement teeth indicated that humans recognized the need for stability. Today, we have a much more refined approach to tooth replacement. Dental implants, tiny posts made of surgical grade titanium, are commonly used to reinstate a functional root after tooth loss. This innovative technique has made it possible for patients to regain full chewing function and also to preserve facial structure through supported bone regeneration.

Sedation

Sedation techniques have also been tested throughout the ages. In most instances, sedation was considered a valuable aspect of surgical medicine. Today, we see the benefits that effective and mild sedation techniques provide to dental patients. In our office, patients can remedy dental anxiety with the use of nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or with IV sedation for more complicated procedures.

Porcelain Veneers

Cosmetic dentistry as a whole is a relatively new area of dental care. However, veneer treatment was first performed more than 80 years ago. The first veneers, used by Hollywood dentist Dr. Charles Pincus, provided temporary improvement for actors during filming but didn’t last much longer than that. Today, we have durable dental porcelain and a proven bonding technique that allows patients to enjoy veneers for upwards of 15 years.

Obtain the care you need to love the smile you’re in. Call 973-328-1225 to schedule a consultation with us.

Dental Implants Succasunna, NJ

How Dental Implants Compare to Natural Teeth

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Having a full set of healthy, natural teeth is an expectation that most adults have. We don’t often look into the future and see ourselves needing tooth replacement. This is interesting, considering the evidence that suggests most people will need one or more teeth replaced at some point. In fact, the Academy of General Dentistry has stated that over 50% of men aged 74 and older have lost approximately 12 teeth.

As much as we’d love for all of our patients to keep all of their natural teeth for life, we know there are no guarantees. Because tooth loss may happen, we believe in being prepared with optimal treatment. Dental implants enable us to replace missing teeth in a way that nearly gives natural teeth a run for their money. Here, we discuss how the structure of titanium implant posts and ceramic teeth compares to natural roots and teeth.

Bye-bye Cavities

Natural teeth are susceptible to decay; there’s no way around that fact. As an implant dentist with years of clinical practice performing dental implant treatment, Dr. Goldberg has seen the correlation between widespread decay and the need for tooth replacement. Often, by the time patients visit the dentist to receive dental implants, they have suffered chronic oral pain for years. Understandably, then, their transition into full-arch tooth replacement with dental implants and lifelike crowns or bridges is a life-changing event.

The surgical-grade titanium from which implant posts are made is resistant to all types of corrosion, including cavities. Ceramic crowns and bridges look just like natural teeth, but they won’t get cavities either.  Implant patients do still need to take good care of their oral health, though; the risk of gum disease never goes away completely.

Implants can Last a Lifetime

Dental implants have been used for more than half a century now. As this technique has become more familiar, more dentists are performing the procedure. This has allowed scientists to study the long-term value of dental implants as a form of tooth replacement. At this point, we can see that dental implants can last 30+ years when oral care is sustained.

Nothing beats natural, unless natural is not functioning as it should. To restore comfort and confidence, contact our Succasunna office at (973) 328-1225 for your dental implant consultation.