Dental Implants

Healthy, beautiful smiles that make a difference in peoples' lives is what we are here for. For us, keeping good oral health means offering our patients the best options. To replace decayed or extracted teeth, we here at Tavormina Dentistry offer dental implants from sttart to finish.

Dental implants are permanent replacement teeth for when a tooth is fully extracted, leaving no root structure. They are a better alternative to dentures or bridges. Unlike dentures, dental implants provide a stable anchor for teeth that come out or don't come out, so there is no slipping around while speaking or chewing. Unlike bridges, none of your other teeth will need to be reduced in order to place the implant, leaving more of your natural teeth intact.

The process of using dental implants as anchors for replacing missing teeth takes a few months. First, Dr. Tavormina will place a titanium post into the bone socket of the missing tooth where the jaw bone will form around it and bond. This healing process can take between three and six months. During this time, Dr. Tavormina will place a temporary crown so you can still use your teeth normally. Once the implant becomes part of you jaw, an abutment is placed to act as the base of your new tooth. A laboratory-made crown is then permanently cemented into place. With a normal oral hygiene routine, implants should last a lifetime.

If you have recently had a tooth extracted and want to learn more about dental implants, schedule an appointment with Drs. Vincent and Glenda Tavormina at our Millburn, NJ dental practice. Call (973) 761-5090 to schedule, or visit our website, www.tavorminadentistry.com. 

Teeth Extractions (Taking Out Teeth)

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will be in need of a tooth extraction. You may also need one if one of your teeth does not have enough room in the mouth. When teeth are impacted (lodged in the dental bone), it can cause damage to the roots of nearby teeth, so they must be removed before damage is done. At Tavormina Dentistry, Dr. Vincent Tavormina can help you restore your oral health by performing tooth extractions.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. During a simple extraction, the tooth is loosened and then extracted with forceps. Once removed, Dr. Vincent may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone. Then the gums are sutured.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. Dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth, or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of discomfort may accompany an extraction, so medication to keep you comfortable may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection, or impaction, Dr. Vincent Tavormina can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in Millburn, NJ by calling 973-761-5090. For more information, visit www.tavorminadentistry.com.

Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is essential to maintaining your good looking smile. Regular visits to our experienced team here at Tavormina Dentistry are the best preventative measure you can take when it comes to proper oral hygiene upkeep. We believe that patient education is a key factor in keeping your mouth healthy!

Drs. Vincent and Glenda Tavormina give their patients the tools necessary to maintain a healthy smile. Regular brushing and flossing is a must when it comes to proper oral hygiene. You should also know which toothpaste is best for you.  With the wide array of options available, you need to know which product will work best for your oral hygiene goals.

Proper brushing technique is lot more in depth than you might think. While the goal is to prevent cavities and to have a white smile, you might be interested in learning what is known as “correct” brushing techniques. First, your brushing ritual should last at least two minutes. You also need to use the appropriate brush style; this varies person-to-person, so ask us at your next cleaning. You should be using short, gentle strokes and make sure to pay attention to the gum line and hard-to-reach areas such as fillings or crowns. The last step would be to brush your tongue in order to have fresher breath.

It might be hard to believe, but flossing is actually more important than brushing. While brushing twice a day is extremely beneficial, you’re not optimizing your oral health potential. Through flossing, you’re able to get in the small parts of your mouth that brushing cannot reach. Places where if bacteria goes untouched, could cause serious damage to your oral health. Flossing is responsible for cleaning and protecting 80% of your mouth!

Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!

Gum Disease

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral health and overall wellness, and Dr. Vincent Tavormina and Dr. Glenda Tavormina provide the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens, providing the ideal environment for bacteria to collect and attack surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis. Periodontis can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office in Millburn, NJ to receive periodontal cleanings and treatment. We think you'll be impressed with our non-surgical treatment of gum disease using the phase contrast microscope to diagnose gum disease and to see your progress. It is easier to prevent gum disease or treat it early on than to reverse the effects of periodontis. Call 973-761-5090 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vincent Tavormina at Tavormina Dentistry. For more information, visit www.tavorminadentistry.com.

Dental Crowns

In cases when a filling or bonding will not be sufficient, we use dental crowns. Crowns are a great restorative treatment used when teeth become weak due to decay, cracks, discoloration and other issues. At Tavormina Dentistry, we treat many of our patients suffering from weakened teeth with dental crowns.

A crown is essentially a “cap” that covers the damaged tooth. Unlike removable devices such as dentures or bridges, a crown is used to improve appearance, shape or alignment. Crowns are cemented onto existing teeth or implants and can be removed by the dentist if necessary. Dental crowns are used in many applications. Mostly, they are used to protect a weak tooth from a fracture and to restore a fractured tooth. Temporary crowns help maintain proper chewing and speaking efficiency during the crown making process and implant process while we are waiting for the completed crown to be placed.

Crowns are typically made from porcelain fused to metal or a full gold crown. A porcelain crown can be matched to the shade of your other teeth, allowing it to blend in and appear just as your natural teeth do. The process of installing a crown usually takes 2-3 visits. Dr. Vincent here at Tavormina Dentistry will start by reshaping the enamel of the broken tooth so the crown can be placed properly. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be created of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. A temporary crown will be set in place so the teeth do not shift while the permanent crown is being created. Once the crown is completed, it will be put in place and bonded with cement.

Set up an appointment with Dr. Vincent Tavormina at Tavormina Dentistry in Millburn, NJ by calling 973-761-5090. You can also visit www.tavorminadentistry.com to learn more about the dentists and their services.