For years, dentures and denture alternatives have been helping folks in West Haven and Milford CT cope with the effects of missing teeth. Full dentures, partial dentures, crowns, and permanent or removable bridges are common solutions to filling the gap left behind when you lose one or more teeth. No matter the cause of lost teeth, whether from injury, root damage, gum disease, decay, cracking or chipping, missing teeth are a major problem for oral health. With dental implants, patients with missing teeth have another option. Dentures and denture alternatives have expanded their ranks!

Dental implants

Dental implants can stand alone as new teeth that look and function just like natural teeth. They can also anchor dentures or bridges without having to sacrifice a healthy tooth to do it. With specialized training in implant dentistry, a cosmetic dentist places a titanium post into your jawbone at the site of your missing tooth. After bone and titanium fuse into a solid bond, the post is used as a substitute tooth root. Your implant dentist then places a natural-looking tooth or uses it to anchor a denture or bridge work.

Sedation dentistry

If having titanium posts implanted into your jawbone strikes you as a serious procedure, it is. But when your caring cosmetic dentist uses sedation dentistry while performing procedures like dental implants, be assured that you will feel neither anxiety nor discomfort. A dental implant does take time and care. Your sedation dentist can administer oral conscious sedation in the form of nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, to help make the lengthy process more comfortable for you. For additional relaxation, your implant dentist may also suggest anti-anxiety medication to take before your appointment. Rest assured that with the use of sedation dentistry, your dental implant procedure will not cause you undue anxiety or pain.

Improve your life with dental implants

The secure fit, comfort and function of dentures and denture alternatives such as bridges and crowns can be greatly improved with dental implants. When dental implants anchor dentures or bridges, or when they provide a brand new tooth comparable to your original, your smile looks healthier and more attractive. With more secure dentures, you can once again eat the healthy foods your body needs. Equally important, you will have the confidence to smile and speak in public, without embarrassment over missing teeth or slipping dentures. Dental implants provide solid, attractive restorations that rival natural teeth.

For advances in dentures and denture alternatives that can make a difference, ask about dental implants at Shoreline Dental Care in West Haven and Milford CT. Visit Shoreline Dental Care and see how Dr. Joe Tartagni can give you a newer, stronger and more natural looking smile. Using sedation dentistry techniques, Dr. Tartagni and his caring office staff show how dental implants regularly make improvements to dentures and denture alternatives that can change your life!

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With the options in orthodontics available to dental patients in West Haven and Milford CT, there is no reason for anyone to cover their mouths or mumble through life with crooked teeth. If you have been covering up your crooked smile, now is the time to consider adult braces that can give you the bright and happy smile you have always wanted.

Straighten those teeth

As an adult or older teen, you know that a straight smile gives you a more attractive appearance and can actually make you feel more like smiling! An attractive smile goes a long way in social and business situations. That is a good reason to wish for a nicer smile. Did you also know that having straight teeth contributes to better oral health? Crooked teeth provide areas for collected bacteria to cause gum disease and tooth decay, which in turn can lead to serious medical conditions. A decision to straighten your teeth as an adult is a wise decision.

Options in orthodontics

Orthodontics focuses on repositioning teeth and giving patients a more comfortable bite. Adults who want their teeth straightened can see their cosmetic dentist for adult braces and can avail themselves of options in orthodontics. These options include the Invisalign clear braces system and the practically invisible Six Months Braces system.

Invisalign clearly produces improved smiles

One of the most popular options in orthodontics is the Invisalign adult braces system. It delivers a straighter smile without the hassle and embarrassment of regular braces. This system of clear, custom aligners gradually shifts your teeth into their correct position, and unlike regular braces, remains virtually unnoticeable to friends and co-workers! While wearing the clear orthodontic aligners, patients happily maintain their adult appearance as they achieve a perfect smile. The removable aligners can be taken out to eat, brush, or for special occasions.

Your custom Invisalign series of aligners gently move your teeth into proper position. All you have to do, besides check in with your cosmetic dentist from time to time, is change aligners about every two weeks during the 12 to 18 month treatment period.

Six Months Smiles are clear braces

If you believe you are too old for regular braces, the Six Months Smiles system has the right options in orthodontics for you! Six Months Smiles are clear braces for adults and teens who want to correct crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth in less time than regular braces need, and without actually looking like they are wearing braces.

With the Six Month Smiles system of clear braces, positioning problems with those teeth that show when you smile can be corrected in just a few months. As the name suggests, most patients achieve their desired outcome in six months, though some require even less time. Using a specially designed arch wire to gently guide teeth movement, Six Months Smiles braces are comfortable. Patients see the cosmetic dentist just once every 30 days. Because many image-conscious teens and adults want virtually invisible braces, they can opt for braces with clear brackets and thin wires, or they can choose lingual braces, which are worn behind your teeth where they cannot be seen at all!

Options in orthodontics are something Dr. Joe Tartagni and his experienced staff at Shoreline Dental Care are very concerned about. Dr. Tartagni is not an orthodontist but a trained cosmetic dentist with advanced training in all aspects of cosmetic, implant, sedation, and general dentistry. At his offices in West Haven and Milford CT, Dr. Tartagni restores smiles with Invisalign and Six-Month Smiles clear braces, giving patients a new smile and a new outlook on life. Visit Shoreline Dental Care today, and click or call for an evaluation to see which options in orthodontics may be best for you!

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To catch people’s attention about the study, the Academy of General Dentistry made articles about it appear in CBS National News, ABC National News, National Public Radio, Health.com, The Huffington Post, Yahoo! News, iVillage.com and WebMD.

The Academy of General Dentistry also had some television exposure by being featured in programs like America This Morning and World News Now. Local and international news programs have also caught on the story, making the study reach more than 218 million people around the world.

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What color are your teeth?

Many people think their tooth enamel should be as white as, perhaps, bathtub enamel. Actually, depending on your genetics, natural tooth color ranges from pearly white to bluish white to pale yellow. Chemicals in the things we eat and drink, tobacco we smoke or chew, some medications we take, along with the natural effects of aging cause stains.  Despite our faithful brushing and flossing, they still can wreak havoc on our natural tooth coloration.

Over-the-counter teeth whiteners
You can purchase home-use whiteners over the counter, although these bleaching products tend not to be as effective as professional bleaching methods available at your dentist. If you wish to try a store-bought whitening system, ask your cosmetic dentist which product would work best for you and remember to use the product as directed, never longer.

If your teeth are sensitive to bleaching, your cosmetic dentist can also recommend certain whitening toothpastes, which use gentle chemicals and polishing agents to remove stains. While they are not as effective as bleaching systems, whitening toothpastes are easy and safe to use.

Deep Bleaching

The Deep Bleaching teeth whitening system offered by your West Haven and Milford CT cosmetic dentist will remove stubborn stains from teeth quickly, comfortably, and for the long term. Patients who were unsatisfied with over-the-counter bleaching treatments have found that Deep Bleaching treatments deliver the bright and happy smiles they want. It takes only two in-office sessions and two weeks of take-home treatments.

Deep Bleaching administered by your cosmetic dentist at Shoreline Dental Care is absolutely safe for your teeth and gums. With Deep Bleaching teeth whitening, you can go ahead and drink your favorite beverages and eat your favorite foods, while you continue the at-home maintenance program. While some bleaching systems treat teeth harshly, Deep Bleaching is a low-sensitivity program that causes little or no teeth sensitivity.

Teeth whitening reviews

Teeth whitening reviews are a good way to learn which teeth whitener systems can best whiten your teeth. Angie’s List is a great place to get unbiased teeth whitening reviews. Also, Google the Deep Bleaching teeth whitening system, and you will find compelling reviews from patients thrilled with the way it has brightened their smiles and their lives. Shoreline Dental Care in West Haven and Milford CT can give you the same reason to smile!

With the availability of teeth whiteners like Deep Bleaching, you don’t have to live with discolored teeth. For a smile that makes you look as great as you feel, contact Shoreline Dental Care, your West Haven and Milford CT dentist, for an examination and ask Dr. Joseph Tartagni to whiten your teeth and give you a smile makeover. You can have the kind of smile you want with a professional teeth whitener system that works!

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Replace missing teeth

It is a fact that people with missing teeth are not as healthy as those with a full set of teeth that function well. By completing the job your teeth are intended to do, partial or full dentures and denture alternatives fit the bill. They maintain the shape of your mouth and give you the confidence to speak clearly and show your smile. For treatment of one or two missing teeth, more and more patients are opting for dental implants from their trusted implant dentist at Shoreline Dental Care.

Dental implants

Dental implants are posts made of titanium, a biocompatible material that is surgically placed in your jawbone.  This procedure can be done in the office of a specially trained dentist who will use sedation dentistry to keep you comfortable and ease any possible anxiety about the dental implant procedure.

Once the implant post fuses to your jawbone, it forms an artificial tooth root that can then support a crown, a denture, or a bridge. Dental implants provide solid teeth restorations that look, feel, and most importantly, perform like natural teeth.

Sedation dentistry

With advanced training in dental implants and in sedation dentistry, your West Haven and Milford CT restoration dentist can provide dental implants for a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. The caring sedation dentistry practice at Shoreline Dental Care offers both oral conscious sedation to encourage you to relax and oral sedation with an anti-anxiety medication before your appointment. Either sedation dentistry technique can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed for your dental procedure.

Dentures

When you lose teeth, eating, speaking and smiling become an issue you must address. Missing teeth generally cause existing teeth to shift out of place, compromising your bite alignment and changing your facial structure. A new set of replacement teeth in the form  dentures or denture alternatives can go a long way toward improving your comfort in talking and eating, thus improving your enjoyment of life. The dentures your grandparents wore were often unattractive and ill fitting. With new technologies and new materials, dentures are now more attractive and allow you to eat and speak with confidence, while you take comfort in knowing you will not be embarrassed by slipping dentures.

Dentures and denture alternatives

Whether you and your dentist decide dentures or denture alternatives are the better option for you, missing teeth do not have to limit your quality of life. With modern denture technology, you can replace your worn and uncomfortable dentures. For a more natural solution to replace missing teeth, ask your cosmetic dentist about dental implants.

For a consultation on dentures and denture alternatives, contact Dr. Joseph Tartagni at Shoreline Dental Care with offices in West Haven and Milford CT, today to learn more about how you can improve the way you feel about your smile with dentures and denture alternatives.

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CHICAGO, IL, USA: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, and more than 8,000 deaths occur annually. The five-year survival rate for oral cancers is roughly 50 percent. In observance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recommends that patients receive a dental exam from a general dentist every six months.

Dental exams not only help to decrease a patient’s risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, but they also may help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions, such as oral cancer.

“Next time you visit your dentist, ask about an oral cancer screening,” says AGD spokesperson Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, FAGD. “Your dentist will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, cheeks, and oral cavity and thoroughly examine the soft tissues in your mouth, specifically looking for any sores or discolored tissues. Although you may have already been receiving this screening from your dentist, it’s a good idea to confirm that this screening is a part, and will remain a part, of your regular exam.”
Although oral cancer is sometimes difficult to self-diagnose, warning signs may include bleeding sores; sores that do not heal; lumps; thick, hard spots; soreness or feeling that something is caught in the throat; difficulty chewing or swallowing; ear pain; difficulty moving the jaw or tongue; hoarseness; and numbness of the tongue, as well as changes in the way teeth fit together.

“If it is not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can be deadly. Treatment for advanced stage oral cancer may lead to chronic pain, loss of function, permanent facial and oral disfigurement following surgery,” Rhee says. “The earlier the cancer is detected and treated, the better the outcome.”

Scientists are not sure of the exact cause of oral cancer. However, risk factors include tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, age, gender (oral cancer strikes men twice as often as it does women), and race (oral cancer occurs more frequently in African Americans than it does in Caucasians). New research has uncovered a connection between the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, and oral cancer.

“Early detection is key to increasing the survival rate for cancers of the oral cavity,” Rhee says. “In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, scheduling two visits with your general dentist each year helps to ensure that any concerns are caught early on, with good oral health.”

More information about this and many other oral health topics is available at www.KnowYourTeeth.com, the AGD’s source of consumer information on dental care and oral health.
(Source: AGD)

Brought to you by your Milford CT and West Haven CT dentist, Shoreline Dental Care.

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Teeth whitening options available in-office and at-home

Teeth whitening in-office or at-home can offer you a completely new outlook on life. People are attracted to a bright smile, but when your teeth are discolored, it is hard to put on a happy face. Stained teeth can keep you from meeting and making friends, and even impede your success at work. Studies show that a bright, white smile increases self-confidence.

A variety of teeth whitening options are available, but it is best to talk to a trusted West Haven or Milford, CT cosmetic dentist about which option is right for you. In-office visits allow the dentist to use a stronger solution of product that offers dramatic results. At-home solutions take more time, but are a good option for those who would like to avoid a trip to the dentist.

Teeth whitening with Deep Bleaching effective and long lasting

Deep Bleaching is a safe and effective way to get the most brilliant, natural-looking teeth whitening available by trusted cosmetic dentists.  By combining two in- office visits with two weeks of take-home teeth whitening kits, Deep Bleaching will remove tough stains with long lasting results. Eat or drink whatever you like after achieving its brilliant results!  You will continue to impress your friends, family and co-workers with your dazzling smile by using Deep Bleaching’s maintenance system.

Teeth whitening reviews are a great way to find out the best teeth whitening products on the market. When it comes to Deep Bleaching, patients overwhelmingly agree that its effects are dramatic and free of discomfort. Before buying over the counter products, consider first that the results will not be as satisfying as what your cosmetic dentist can achieve. Also, do you really know what you are putting into your mouth when you use over the counter teeth whiteners? The only way to achieve guaranteed results with products that are safe to use in a controlled environment, is to consult Dr. Joseph Tartagni, your cosmetic dentist, for teeth whitening.

With your cosmetic dentist, teeth whiteners are no longer only reserved for Hollywood starlets. Teeth whitening is quick and easy at Shoreline Dental Care, West Haven and Milford CT cosmetic dentist .

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Are you afraid of the dentist? You are not alone!

Sedation dentists are skilled at providing conscious sedation for patients who suffer anxiety and fear when going to the dentist. If you are afraid of the dentist you are not alone. A lot of patients have a fear of the dentist, stemming back to an early negative experience or tooth pain. Sedation dentistry can help get you back on track with regular dental visits again! If you have a high gag reflex or a history of trouble getting numb with local anesthetic, a sedation dentist is the perfect solution. Sometimes treatment is lengthy and several visits can be combined into one visit when your gentle dentist uses sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is an option for patients with a variety of dental concerns and can make your next dental experience enjoyable.

Sedation dentists use conscious sedation with positive outcomes

Your sedation dentist, Dr. Joseph Tartagni at Shoreline Dental Care, can offer two sedation alternatives for West Haven and Milford CT patients: nitrous oxide and oral sedation. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is an easy conscious sedation technique without lingering side effects. It is perfect to take the edge off of minor anxiety or fear. For those patients with significant anxiety, longer treatments, difficulty numbing with anesthetic, or back and neck pain, oral sedation is a wonderful alternative.

Sedation dentists can combine lengthy, repetitive visits into one with sedation dentistry

A sedation dentist like Dr. Tartagni is particularly beneficial for reconstructive and restorative dental visits. These techniques are time consuming and require multiple visits to complete work. Sedation dentistry patients can combine lengthy visits into one simple visit through the use of nitrous oxide or oral sedation. Most patients report a feeling of time standing still during conscious sedation, so a lengthy visit doesn’t feel that long at all. If you are looking for easy, comfortable dental care, a sedation dentist is the answer.

Your West Haven and Milford sedation dentist is a compassionate dentist who wants his patient’s visit to be relaxing and comfortable. If you are afraid of the dentist, take heart! Cosmetic dentists understand that sitting in a dental chair fills some patients with anxiety and fear. Conscious sedation can alleviate anxiety through nitrous oxide or oral sedation, making the visit enjoyable and relaxing. Restorative and reconstructive dentistry is time consuming, but sleep dentists can combine repeat visits into one simple visit, shortening treatment time and reducing anxiety. Your sedation dentist at Shoreline Dental Care in Milford and West Haven CT is the answer for patients who seek a calm and comfortable dental experience.

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How do braces work?

When teeth are moved using orthodontics, small pressure over a long period of time creates spaces between teeth. Once the spaces are made, the tooth is guided into place. Then, bone fills in behind where the tooth used to sit. This process is repeated until teeth are in the desired positions. Every treatment plan is different, but most orthodontics take at least a year, possibly two years or more from beginning to end. Many adults would like to straighten their teeth, but don’t want the hassle of such a long treatment plan. Perhaps they fear appearing unprofessional with metal on their teeth. Today, teenagers and adults have other options, and their cosmetic dentist can help!

When should someone meet with an orthodontist?

Did you know you don’t have to see an orthodontist for adult braces? Dr. Joseph Tartagni at Shoreline Dental Care is not an orthodontist. He is a cosmetic dentist who can help teens and adult patients obtain a straighter, healthier smile with the clear braces methods of Invisalign or Six Month Smiles. Because these orthodontic methods are focused on the teeth and not on adjusting the bite, most patients immediately see significant progress in the alignment of their teeth. Results happen in a much shorter time than traditional braces.

Clear aligners the secret to Invisalign

Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to gently move teeth into alignment over a period of six to 18 months. Patients who choose Invisalign will need to see their cosmetic dentist every two weeks to check on progress and receive a new set of aligners. The best part of Invisalign is that the clear aligners are removable. When you eat, drink or even if you have a special night on the town planned, you can take out the Invisalign clear aligners and no one but you and your cosmetic dentist will know you have braces!

Six Month Smiles makes you picture perfect in no time!

Six Month Smiles is another adult braces option from your cosmetic dentist. Using clear brackets and thin, tooth-colored nickel titanium wires, Six Month Smiles can have your teeth straight in as little as six months! If you are getting married next year or planning to attend senior prom or a high school reunion, you will want to look great in your pictures. The adult braces option of Six Month Smiles eases teeth into alignment with steady, gentle pressure and can have you picture perfect by the big day.

If you have been putting off straightening your teeth because you didn’t want the inconvenience of having braces on for more than a year, or if you were afraid of looking unprofessional, ask your cosmetic dentist about the adult braces option of Invisalign and Six Month Smiles. Shoreline Dental Care, West Haven and Milford CT cosmetic dentist, will be happy to explain how easy it is to have a perfect smile without braces!

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What is the difference between bleaching and whitening?

Bleaching is a term applied to products that contain bleach. The two most common types of bleaching products used are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Whitening refers to restoring a tooth’s surface color and is done by removing dirt and debris. So, if a product like toothpaste cleans teeth, it could be considered a whitener. Many people prefer the term whitener to bleaching.  So, even if the product contains bleach, teeth whitening is the term more commonly used.

Why are my teeth dull and stained?

As people get older, the enamel on their teeth wears down. Often this is through normal wear and tear. As a result, the tooth’s core material shows through which is the yellow shade of the dentin. Eventually, everyone’s teeth develop a dull appearance. This is where teeth whitening will come into play by removing stain and debris and restoring the teeth to their natural luster.

Stains that appear on the surface of teeth are called extrinsic stains. Dark-colored drinks, foods and even tobacco cause these types of stains. They are also caused by routine wear and tear. Often these stains are superficial. They can be removed through brushing and dental cleaning. If the stains are not dealt with early, they can penetrate the dentin and become ingrained.

Teeth whitening products are very effective for removing this sort of stain. In office or out of office, Shoreline Dental Care’s trusted cosmetic dentist can transform teeth to a whiter brighter smile in no time at all!

Another type of staining, found on the interior of teeth, is called intrinsic staining. Typically these stains are the result of trauma, aging and even exposure to certain minerals. If someone ingests fluoride, it can also cause intrinsic stains. In the past, many dentists thought that these types of stains could not be corrected. But, thanks to new technology, cosmetic dentists at Shoreline Dental Care have found great results through Deep Bleaching.  Deep Bleaching is absolutely safe and in only two visits, followed by two weeks of at-home treatment, teeth will be whiter and brighter for the long term. Even better, it is a low-sensitivity in-office treatment, so it won’t cause discomfort while working on those tough, ingrained stains.

Cosmetic dentists help everyone achieve brighter smiles!

Teeth whitening results vary from person to person and the majority of people are very excited with the outcome. Before starting any teeth whitening procedure, it is best to discuss what you want with a reliable dentist. He will be able to tell you what results you will most likely achieve and how long the teeth whitening process will take.

If you would like to whiten your teeth, contact the trusted cosmetic dentist at Shoreline Dental Care in West Haven and Milford CT to find out all of your teeth whitening options.

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