• Gums that do not bleed.  HEALTHY GUMS DO NOT BLEED! Gums that are not red, swollen or tender
• Fresher breath and taste
• Reattachment of gum tissue to tooth surface
• Smooth tooth surface
• Flush out bacteria in pockets
• Knowing how to effectively maintain good oral hygiene
• Reduce pocket depths 
• Control periodontal disease

• Completion of the therapy as prescribed 
• Thoroughly cleaning all tooth surfaces two times a day (See cleaning section below)
• Flossing daily
• Maintenance of regular re-care visits (See our FAQ on frequency of re-care).
• We will offer thorough instructions on home care to insure the removal of bacteria on a daily basis. This includes proper use of the toothbrush, paste, mouth rinses, medications, floss threaders, and proxy brushes. Home care can effectively eliminate the plaque above the gums and down to 2 mm below the gums.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
• Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.

Please check out this link for more details on periodontal health and problems associated with it.

Crowns are made of natural looking porcelain and are made to improve your overall smile or to blend in with your own teeth. Sometimes an underlying metal shell is used under the porcelain if additional strength is needed. A Bridge, as the name suggests, would be considered if you would need multiple crowns across adjacent teeth. .

• A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
• Extensive damage by decay.
• Discolorations and compromised esthetics.
• Fractures
• Root canal - After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. These teeth need to be protected by a crown. .
• Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.

Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented into place.

There are a couple of additional facts you should know about regarding the care of your temporary crown:

• Home care is extremely important while your temporary crown is in place. The health of your gum tissue and the success of your final treatment restoration depends upon it. PLEASE do not be afraid to clean your teeth between visits. With a minimal amount of home care, you should be able to maintain the continued health of your teeth and gum tissue during the time required to fabricate your new crown.

• Sometimes, even with meticulous care, temporary crowns or bridges may become loose between visits. If this should occur, please place the temporary crown or bridge back on your tooth immediately. Putting a drop of Vaseline™ in the temporary crown or bridge will very often increase the retention and hold the temporary in place until you can schedule an appointment. You can also buy denttemp from drugstore and use it to temporarily cement the temporary crown. Once again, REPLACING THE TEMPORARY CROWN IMMEDIATELY IS VERY IMPORTANT! It only takes a short time for teeth to move if the temporary is not put back into its proper position. This could affect the final restoration significantly and may necessitate new impressions and a great deal of time. If you can not replace the temporary crown yourself, put it in a safe place and call the office. We will be happy to recement it for you at the earliest possible.

It is not unusual for the new crown to be mildly sensitive to cold temperatures for a few weeks. However, if the sensitivity is severe, does not subside, or if the bite feels uncomfortable, contact us. Further adjustments to the crown may be necessary.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other procedure, please feel free to ask our staff, and we will be happy to answer them.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

• Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
• Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
• Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Tooth-saving Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!

Confidence Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They'll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.

Reliable The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?
As you know, your own teeth require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. Dental implants are like your own teeth and will require the same care. In order to keep your implant clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing still apply! After treatment, we will work closely with you to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy.

Inflamed or infected pulp (pulpitis) most often causes a toothache. To relieve the pain and prevent further complications, the tooth may be extracted (surgically removed) or saved by root canal treatment. Root canal treatment has become a common dental procedure; more than 14 million are performed every year, with a 95% success rate, according to the American Association of Endodontists.

Amalgam fillings are an alloy of mercury (from 43% to 54%) along with silver, tin, zinc and copper. Due to the known toxicity of mercury, the main component of amalgam fillings, there is an ongoing dental amalgam controversy on the use of this filling material. (See Dental Amalgam Controversy)

Composite resin (white or plastic filling)

Composite resin fillings are a mixture of powdered glass and plastic resin, and can be made to resemble the appearance of the natural tooth. They are strong and durable and cosmetically superior to silver or dark grey colored amalgam fillings. Composite resin fillings are usually more expensive than silver amalgam fillings.

Besides the aesthetic advantage of composite fillings over amalgam fillings, the preparation of composite fillings requires less removal of tooth structure to achieve adequate strength. This is because composite resins bind to enamel (and dentin too, although not as well) via a micromechanical bond. As conservation of tooth structure is a key ingredient in tooth preservation, Dr. Somani prefers placing composite over amalgam fillings when possible.

The tooth itself may be weakened by the filling and crack under the pressure of chewing. That will require further repairs to the tooth and replacement of the filling. If fillings leak or the original bond is inadequate, the bond may fail even if the filling and tooth are otherwise unchanged

According to a recent study, the #1 question on people’s mind when it comes to their teeth is teeth whitening!

And due to the popularity of the Extreme Makeover show, ZOOM! undoubtedly has become THE most popular teeth whitening process. And we are proud to be offering this cutting edge process in our office.

Some sensitivity may develop after the process, but is should subside after a few days. Ask Dr. Somani which is the right procedure for you!

Veneers are a thin, semi-transparent tooth shaped "shell" that are made of porcelain.  They are permanently bonded to your natural teeth which are located in your "smile zone" to enhance their shape, color, length or size.  They fit your teeth precisely to look completely natural.  They are used to conceal damaged, stained or misshaped surfaces of your teeth. 

The great thing about veneers is they allow a conservative approach  to long-lasting, major cosmetic changes.   

The benefits of veneers as an alternative to a white fillings or crowns is:

How does it work?
To help you get a more beautiful smile, we use a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually move your teeth. You wear a set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush and floss. As you replace each set of aligners with the next in the series, your teeth will gradually move until they reach the position Dr. Somani has prescribed for you. To learn more, take a look at this video on the Invisalign website.

Since Invisalign is practically invisible, there's no unwarranted attention to your mouth. In fact, very few people will notice at all - unless you tell them. They're comfortable to wear and remove easily when you eat, brush, and floss.

All across the country, people like you now have great smiles and straighter teeth, thanks to Invisalign. Why not join them? That gorgeous smile you want is just a click away.

There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Dr. Somani will help you choose the type of denture that's best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced and the cost involved.

How do Dentures Work?
With full dentures, a flesh-colored acrylic base fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of your mouth), while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue. Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your mouth. Dr. Somani will determine which type of denture is best for you.

Full Denture
A conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after any remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. Healing may take several months, during which time you are without teeth. An immediate full denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. Dr. Somani takes measurements and makes models of your jaw during a prior visit. While immediate dentures offer the benefit of never having to be without your teeth, they must be relined several months after being inserted. The reason is that the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals, causing the denture to become loose.

Partial Denture
A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.

How Long Before I Get Used to My Dentures?
New dentures may feel awkward or uncomfortable for the first few weeks or even months. Eating and speaking with dentures might take a little practice. A bulky or loose feeling is not uncommon, while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold your dentures in place. Excessive saliva flow, a feeling that the tongue does not have adequate room, and minor irritation or soreness are also not unusual. If you experience irritation, call our office.

How long do Dentures Last?
Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see Dr. Somani annually for a checkup.

• When handling your dentures, stand over a folded towel or basin of water. Dentures are delicate and may break if dropped.
• Don't let your dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you're not wearing them. Never use hot water, which can cause them to warp.
• Brushing your dentures daily will remove food deposits and plaque, and help prevent them from becoming stained. An ultrasonic cleaner may be used to care for your dentures, but it does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
• Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.

See Dr. Somani if your dentures break, chip, crack or become loose. Don't be tempted to adjust them yourself — this can damage them beyond repair.