Our Care Team Vaccinated

I’m very excited to share that myself and my entire team have been vaccinated for COVID-19. Over the last week, we all rolled up our sleeves and got the shot! By the end of the month, we will all have the 2nd shot and be fully vaccinated.

The vaccine, like the HEPA filters, N-95 masks, and extended appointment times, is another tool we can use to keep our patients and our team safe.

I am extremely proud of how safe we have made our office, I am grateful for all our patients who have helped keep us safe, and am looking forward to a glorious 2021!

Our infection control procedures have always been robust, but now they are on steroids.

Our infection control procedures have always been robust. You are safe here and will always be safe here.

We use the same Universal Precaution procedures used by hospitals to treat patients with active Covid-19. Universal precautions protects both the patient and the doctor from transferring anything infections in either direction. This requires we wear face-shields, N-95 masks, level 2 masks, Hepa filters and advanced room asepsis. This system was designed to keep people safe in hospital ICU settings and is considered to be overkill in a dental office, but we are following it to the letter to ensure everyone is safe.

In addition, we have 3 levels of hepa filters. One is in the HVAC system, one in-room hepa filter in each room, and an over-the-patient hepa filter to collect any aerosols.

Dentists by nature are type-A, germaphobe, gadget enthusiasts. As a profession, we are hard-wired to work in this new environment. Please feel free to email the office if you have any questions about our procedures.

UPDATE: Care Team Vaccinated!

Welcome back message from Dr. Spina

Please watch this 30 second video of Dr. Spina modeling his PPE and welcoming everyone back to the office!

We are excited to welcome everyone back to the office. You will notice a lot of new changes (equipment, PPE, etc.) but it is the same practice and we will take the same great care of you!

We can’t wait to see everyone back at the office.

Smile

I was out on my bike on Thursday afternoon and a biker came up behind me who was an old friend of my father. Even at 82 years old, he was clearly the better rider.

We spoke for a while about Covid, the challenges of home school, the practice, and the state of the world. He brushed off all of my concerns and said simply ,“You are bigger than Covid. We are bigger than Covid and the world is bigger than Covid.”

As he pulled away because I could not keep up his strong pace, I smiled knowing once again that we would conquer this challenge like all others in the past.

Live strong Marco. May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back. Can’t wait for you to kick my ass on a bike again.

Benefits of Replacing Teeth with Dental Implants

There are over three million people in the United States that have already replaced their missing teeth with the gold standard in tooth replacement—dental implants. Dental implants can replace any number of teeth and alleviate smile concerns commonly associated with tooth loss, such as an aging appearance. Why Should I Replace My Missing Teeth?

Missing teeth are more than just an aesthetic concern; they also affect lifestyles.

Even just one missing tooth can make it difficult to speak, chew, or eat, and can be a significant source of unease when it comes to feeling confident. It can also lead to further tooth loss as the jaw bone recedes from lack of use. Dental implants can fix these concerns and more with a natural-looking tooth replacement solution that feels and functions just like natural teeth.
Using dental implants to replace missing teeth protects the health of the smile by addressing the problem at its source. Comprising a screw that implants directly into the jaw bone, an abutment, and a natural-looking tooth that attaches above the gum line, dental implants maintain the health and integrity of the smile while renewing its natural beauty. As we bite and chew, the dental implants act as tooth roots, keeping the jaw bone stable and protecting the rest of the smile from further harm.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Traditional solutions like dentures might have stood the test of time, but they have consistently failed to provide the reliable, long-term tooth replacement solution we are all looking for. Dental implants have quickly become the modern solution to replace missing teeth because of their efficiency and reliability. With dental implants, we get:

Long-lasting solution
Natural-looking smile
Healthy jaw bone for a supported smile
Restored natural appearance
No messy or goopy pastes

How Can I Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are ideal for a wide variety of smiles.

Dental Microscopes Save the Unsavable

With the advent of the dental microscope, dentists are now able to save heavily damaged and, in some cases, even terminal teeth. The Terminal Tooth Protocol, or TTP, is a novel method of salvaging previously non-restorable teeth. This technique, based on the innovative work of several European dentists, has changed the practice of restorative dentistry. Relying on advanced dental microscopy, TTP utilizes every micron of healthy tooth to restore teeth and potentially allow the patient continued function.

Teeth that could derive particular benefit from TTP include those that: have had a previous failed crown; have been badly fractured; are located in areas inaccessible by implant. Many patients will do anything possible to avoid having to remove a natural tooth. These patients, or those who are otherwise not candidates for dental implants, should strongly consider TTP as an option. Oftentimes, we bill TTP restorations as long-term temporaries, as they all have a guarded prognosis due to their heavily damaged nature.

Of course, even with TTP, many teeth cannot be saved and dental implants are still recommend. However, as use of this technology becomes more widespread, tooth salvage may become the exception rather than the rule.

Grapes, Wine, and Dentistry

Great wine always starts with great grapes. They give the wine flavor, color, character and complexity. Much in the same way, great dental laboratories with great dental laboratory technicians are vital for great dentistry. They provide the expertise in materials, design, and fabrication that brings our dental restorations to life.

Your mouth is a hostile environment. The temperature can range from freezing cold to boiling hot. The force placed on teeth when chewing can vary from soft to brutally strong depending on the food. Then, some people grind and clench their teeth in unique and unnatural ways. For a restoration to survive even for a short amount of time, it must be resilient, fit with precision, and be adaptable to demands placed on it. The skill of the lab technician and the quality of the material used are key factors in creating a restoration that can survive in such an environment.

Myself and my team of technicians, who work in Baltimore MD, use only the best and most researched materials. I only work with technicians with a long history in the industry and who have a proven record of success. If your goal is great dentistry, you can never compromise quality. From crowns to bridges or implant and veneers, quality is our most sacred value. Much like grapes are to wine, dental laboratory technicians and materials are the building blocks of great dentistry.

3 Benefits of Routine Dental Maintenance

You use your teeth every day to smile, speak, bite, and chew–but how often do you think about your dental health?

Your teeth are a critical component to everyday life and keeping them healthy is often as simple as brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dental professional for a routine cleaning as often as they recommend (usually every 6 months on average). With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy for these appointments to get set aside unless a dental problem arises. But, if you wait until there is a problem, you already risk scheduling your visit too late.

The following are three benefits of routine dental maintenance:

1. Catch Dental Problems Early

When you visit a dental hygienist for a routine cleaning, they are doing more than just cleaning your teeth. During these visits, your dentist can detect any early signs of dental concerns, such as fractures, broken dental fillings or early signs of oral cancer or gum disease. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, but when caught in the earliest stages, its effects are completely reversible. This saves you the time-consuming struggle of additional appointments, which can quickly become expensive.

2. Save Time and Money

When you schedule your routine dental maintenance, you are giving your dentist the opportunity to not only catch these problems early, but stop them as well. As disease progresses, fillings break or fractures become cracks and you are suddenly looking at a list of expensive dental procedures that will cost a lot more in terms of time and money than routine appointments ever will.

3. Keep Your Smile Healthy Long-Term

By having your dentist fix small dental problems as they arise, instead of waiting for a larger repair when you have no other options, your dental care will be time effective, virtually painless, and much less expensive. Fixing these small dental problems also elongates the life of tooth restorations so you can invest in more long-term dental solutions. If any teeth become diseased or damaged, early treatment can save them and the health of your entire smile. The longer dental problems are allowed to persist, the more at risk you are of losing teeth when repair is no longer possible.

Keep Your Smile Healthy for a Lifetime

If you have recently experienced dental trauma or have not scheduled a routine dental appointment in a while, time is of the essence. By maintaining a regular relationship with your dentist, you can save yourself time and money and ensure that your dental visits stay comfortable and convenient. If you have a dental concern or need to schedule a routine appointment, call us today.

Why Dental Veneers Are Your Solution to a Beautiful Smile

Staining, discoloration, cracks, chips and otherwise imperfect teeth can impact more than just your self-confidence – they can also make everyday life uncomfortable. Uneven spacing and other smile imperfections can significantly change the way you bite, chew, and speak. They often make these normal activities difficult, requiring diet changes and other measures to counteract the effects of the dental irregularity.

Previous restorative solutions have offered some relief from these challenges, but often come up short in terms of offering a comprehensive, long-lasting dental solution that not only improves the functionality of the smile, but its beauty as well. Fortunately, these solutions have paved the way to a modern cosmetic dental solution that really works: dental veneers.

What Can Dental Veneers Do For You?

Dental veneers are a minor, minimally-invasive cosmetic dental solution that may be recommended for the following smile concerns:

• Staining and discoloration from tobacco use, coffees, teas, medications, or natural aging

• Teeth that have been worn down

• Broken or chipped teeth

• Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth

• Teeth that are too far apart (gaps between the teeth)

Dental Veneers Are a Natural-Looking Cosmetic Dental Enhancement

Dental veneers are a thin piece of high quality porcelain that is cemented onto the front, outer-facing portion of your tooth. They are custom designed to replicate the shape, size, length, and color of your natural teeth. This means they blend naturally into your beautiful smile for a virtually undetectable cosmetic dental enhancement.

Choose Dental Veneers for a Lifetime of Benefits

When you choose to improve your smile with dental veneers, you are making the decision to invest in more than just a cosmetic dental enhancement. Your dental veneers will help you bite, chew, speak, and smile normally again, making these everyday activities convenient, all while increasing the confidence you have in yourself.

Dental veneers also offer the following benefits to you and your smile:

• Custom fit and design blends naturally with your smile

• High quality porcelain is designed to last with proper care

• Stain-resistant protection keeps your smile brighter and whiter

Your Beautiful Smile is Possible

If you have been dreaming of a beautiful, functional smile, there has never been a better time to take action with modern dental solutions like dental veneers. This minor cosmetic enhancement offers significant, long-lasting improvement that will leave you with the beautiful smile you deserve. To get started, schedule your personal consultation with a dental professional to discuss your smile needs and desires, and how dental veneers can be the solution you have been waiting for?

Are Dental Restorations Noticeable?

This Simple Dental Restoration is Noticeable (But in a Good Way)

Most people you meet have at least one. If not, their oral health is better than most or you
wouldn’t recognize it if they did. We’re talking dental restorations. More specifically, a dental filling.

Take notice or preferably go unnoticed

Dental treatment could be one of those health necessities that you’d prefer to keep to yourself. Some procedures make that easier than others. The days of metal fillings, for example, are somewhat history. Even so, you see the evidence when someone (or perhaps you) smile. Metal or “old silver” dental restorations have lasted longer than most. Or they’re worn and in need of replacing.

How to know if you’re due for a replacement

A few common symptoms can reveal it’s time to replace your tooth restoration. A toothache, localized mouth pain, sensitive teeth, tooth decay, and gum recession are signs that your restoration could benefit from a replacement. Increase your restoration’s “mileage” and improve your smile Mercury (or metal) free white fillings are a go-to replacement for your old dental fillings. The white material blends with the natural color of your remaining tooth structure and your surrounding teeth.

White (tooth-colored) fillings also help maintain the strength of your treated tooth. And did
we mention that you (or anyone else) won’t notice you have one. Next to having dental treatment when you need it is not looking like you did. White fillings accomplish that making them the next to perfect replacement for your “old” or unattractive dental restoration.

Contact our Wayne dental office about your “old,” unattractive, or failing tooth restorations. Schedule an examination to discuss mercury-free white fillings for a strong, appealing, new dental restoration.