When you’re missing a tooth, you really have two options, a dental implant or a bridge. And, while at EMA Dental we believe implants are the best option, sometimes patients prefer to have a bridge.

Some people think they can simply leave a missing tooth alone. After all, it’s just a single tooth, right? An estimated 69% of Americans age 35 to 44 have at least one missing tooth.

The problem isn’t necessarily the gap; it’s your other teeth. Just like fans at a packed football game when one person leaves a bleacher row, your teeth move over to fill the empty gap. This causes issues with your bite and overall tooth alignment. No bueno.

What is a bridge?

A bridge, just as the name implies, spans the gap, using a crown to anchor it on each side with an artificial tooth (called a pontic) in the middle. The adjacent teeth on each side are the abutment teeth. Bridges can be made of a variety of materials, but the most common are porcelain or ceramic.

How is a bridge placed?

When we opt for a bridge for our EMA Dental patients, the first step is to prepare the abutment teeth. We remove some of the tooth on each side to make room for crowns to be placed atop both teeth. We then take impressions of the area and send them to our dental lab for fabrication of your bridge. That bridge will have both crowns on the two sides with a pontic or pontics in between. It is all one ceramic or porcelain piece.

When your bridge is finished you return and we check the fit and the color match of your bridge. If everything looks good, we cement the crowns down onto your abutment teeth and you’re good to go.

Duration

Crowns can last the rest of your life, if you practice good home hygiene. Any decay on the abutment teeth, however, can cause a bridge to become loose.

If you have a missing tooth, call us at our Longmeadow or Northhampton offices and let’s talk about a bridge or implant.

People fear root canals because they think they are dreadfully painful. In reality, they are no more painful than getting a typical filling in a tooth. Plus, a root canal can save the natural tooth, which is always the best alternative.

So, what’s involved in a root canal?

Why you need one

Decay is the enemy of teeth. If normal decay is allowed to progress to the point where it enters the interior of the tooth (past the enamel), this is where things get ugly. That decay has now created an infection in the dentin, the pulp inside the tooth. Nerves are exposed and the pain can become extreme, or it can show itself as a reaction to hot or cold foods. Either way, once decay has created an infection in the tooth, a root canal is likely necessary.

The procedure

In a root canal, a hole is drilled into the tooth to allow access. Then specialized endodontic files are inserted into the tooth to remove all of the decayed tissue and bacteria. This is done on the entire interior of the tooth, all the way down into the root. Nerves are removed in the process.

Next the tooth is flushed with water and sterilized. The empty tooth is then filled with a rubber-based material called gutta-percha. Now the opening is filled and, if needed, a crown is place over the filling to rebuild the tooth to its former height and shape.

The vast majority of root canal procedures are successful in allowing the patient to keep his or her natural tooth, which is a far better solution than extraction and implants, bridges, or other dental appliances.

If you’re having serious tooth pain, you may need a root canal. Call one or our two EMA Dental offices and schedule your appointment.

Regular checkups and visits to the dentist are an important part of taking care of your teeth. You need to find a family dentist that you can trust with all your dental needs.

At EMA Dental, we offer experience and quality to our patients. We provide you with qualified dentists who make you feel comfortable. Our caring staff is experienced in providing family dentistry services to children of all ages. We focus on preventing serious dental problems with regular exams and maintenance.

Your family becomes a part of our family when you come to EMA Dental.

Working Towards a Great Smile

Taking care of your teeth with proper dental care is an important part of having a great smile. When you come to us, you deserve quality services to provide you with the desired results. Our East Longmeadow dentist and staff work hard to make sure your teeth are in great shape.

We provide full-service dental care, including teeth whitening, bonding and smile makeovers. We help make sure your teeth are bright and happy

Why Choose EMA Dental

Choosing the right dentist for you and your family is an important decision. You need a dentist you can trust and rely on. At EMA, we offer you reliable services and quality results. Our dentists and staff provide great care and individualized attention to ensure all your needs are met.

Our East Longmeadow and Northampton dentists use the latest technology and our friendly staff is always here to take care of you. We have a rich history of kindness and quality that spans over 30 years.

If you need a family dentist, give EMA a call today!

An infection in a tooth can cause a great deal of pain. The pain can be constant, and eating or drinking can be torture. In such cases, you can
either opt to have the tooth removed or have a root canal.

Bacteria cause tooth infections. When we eat, tiny particles of food become lodged on and between our teeth. If you don’t brush regularly and effectively these food particles attract bacteria. That bacteria causes decay on your teeth, and decay will eventually allow bacteria to infect the pulp inside the teeth. An abscess and severe pain will come next.

Extraction is one of the options that are available for treating an infected tooth. However, if you do that, you will either have a missing tooth or will need to get an implant to replace it. Alternatively, a root canal will relieve the pain, and let you keep your tooth.

At EMA Dental, we perform root canals every day. And, contrary to popular belief, they are relatively painless. All you will need is local anesthetic. Pain during recovery is minimal, too. Root canals are an outpatient procedure.

The pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth can be extreme. Your best option is a root canal to stop the pain and save the tooth.

EMA Dental recently introduced a new concept for those patients who request dental whitening and dental hygiene — the Refresh Whitening Spa. The Refresh Whitening Spa has a team of professionals who are dedicated to providing you with state-of-the-art whitening and dental hygiene services.

The Spa has been designed with your comfort in mind; the atmosphere is relaxing and stress-free. After reviewing the various whitening options with you, our highly knowledgeable, professional team creates a treatment plan especially for you.
At your appointment you will experience the comfort and ease of the professional whitening team approach. Your satisfaction is our main concern.

It may be necessary to have more than one visit to obtain the results you are looking for, depending on the initial condition of your teeth. The team will advise you of any additional visits prior to your first visit.

The cost and details of the procedures will be discussed prior to your appointment. All you do is to show up and enjoy your visit.
There are currently two locations of the Refresh Whitening Spa. You are just a telephone call away from sparkling teeth and a beautiful smile. Call today for your appointment.

Teeth Whitening Northampton, MA-What do you rank as the most important social assets? They could include how someone dresses, their posture or how firm their handshake is.

However, there may not be a more important social asset than one’s smile. A recent survey in coordination with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry concludes that 99.7 percent of adults admit the importance of a smile, while 96 percent say that an attractive smile makes a person more attractive.

Today, the key in having a beautiful smile consists of how white a person’s teeth are. So why is it so difficult to keep those pearly whites true to their name?

“There are so many causes of tooth discoloration,” says Dr. Lisa Emirzian of EMA Dental. “There are certain factors like smoking and staining foods that can contribute to it. But often times, tooth discoloration is just a part of your genetic makeup and aging process.”
Many people go the route of using over-the-counter methods to have whiter teeth.

Options such as whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, mouth trays and whitening gum all claim to provide great results for consumers. It’s still recommended though that you have a professional exam prior to starting these treatments.

By this point, maybe you’re already invested in a certain OTC method. You’ve followed the instructions and complete the touch-ups when necessary. Can you really know how long the whitening treatment lasts?

“Unfortunately, the results vary,” explains Dr. Emirzian. “You can do everything right and still not see your ideal whiteness. In addition to external tooth discoloration, we experience internal tooth discoloration.”

According to AACD, internal tooth discoloration includes exposure to high fluoride levels, tetracycline, tooth decay and trauma, amongst others. That’s why allowing a professional to handle your teeth whitening needs may be the best investment for you.

At EMA Dental, we provide the finest in-office teeth whitening services. We launched our new Refresh Whitening Spa about eight months ago. Since its inception, patients have raved about their experiences.

“From start to finish, the process is comfortable and convenient,” says Dr. Emirzian. “Patients can finally achieve their ideal smile in the safest way possible.”

Our staff encourages you to consult with us regarding Refresh Whitening Spa in East Longmeadow. We guarantee that you will absolutely love your new smile and that you’ll have a new sense of confidence in all areas of life.

For more information on our teeth whitening services or any of our other treatments, visit our website or call the office. EMA Dental is a proud provider of general dentistry, aesthetic dentistry and prosthodontic specialty care. They serve Northampton, Springfield, Amherst, Longmeadow and surrounding areas.

© 2014 Millionairium and EMA Dental group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that EMA Dental group and Millionairium are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

Northampton, MA – Patients of EMA Dental are invited to bring their friends, family and colleagues to a special “EMA After Dark” event on September 25 to learn more about Refresh Whitening Spa.

The event will take place at EMA East Longmeadow from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, cocktails and more, all while learning about the exciting new services available in the spa.

The Refresh Whitening Spa opened in January to offer several tooth whiteningoptions for patients. A professional whitening team works with each patient to help them discover which method is best for them.

“Everyone deserves a gorgeous, white smile,” says esthetic dentistry expert Dr. Lisa B. Emirzian. “Many patients try in-office and at-home whitening treatments, but now our spa makes it so convenient and comfortable for our patients to maintain their newly whitened smiles. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep a bright smile.”

And now with their After Dark event, EMA Dental is giving everyone  a fun opportunity to see the beautiful spa and learn more about the services offered there. Services include:

• Refresh 30 and Refresh 60, which are cost-effective options to maintaining a brighter smile.
• Zoom!™ Whitening, an in-office treatment that provides a dramatically whiter smile in just one office visit. Zoom! uses highly concentrated peroxide gel paired with light-activated whitening technology for brilliant results.

The after dark event will showcase not only the great options available for tooth whitening, but the convenience and fun of visiting the spa for the most relaxing experience possible. A beautiful smile requires a bit of maintenance work to keep it looking as bright as possible, and now patients can do that while being pampered in EMA Dental’s Refresh Whitening Spa.

Call EMA Dental today to RSVP for this exciting event. The first 15 to respond can experience our Refresh 30 for only $60 during our “After Dark” event!

To RSVP or learn more about the event, call 413-732-6281.

© 2014 Millionairium and EMA Dental group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that EMA Dental group and Millionairium are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

Northampton, MA – Sometimes in dentistry, even a tooth cannot be restored. In that case, there are a couple of options –dental implants or removable prostheses, such as dentures. But is one better than the other?

First, let’s discuss dental implants, which are placed by a prosthodontist or trained dentist.

When a tooth cannot be restored, it needs to be replaced once it has been removed for both functional and esthetic reasons. A dental implant acts as a tooth root for the restoration.  It provides stability for the fixed or removable replacement tooth. That means that the dentures or bridges that are affixed to the implant won’t slide around in your mouth.

There are different types of implants available, and only a thorough examination with your Northampton dentist, will reveal the health of the surrounding tissues, teeth and gums and evaluate your bone density. This will tell your dentist if there is enough bone left to place the implant and where it should be placed.

Implants fuse directly to your jawbone, so there is no need to worry about the replacement teeth shifting in your mouth, leaving you embarrassed when you’re speaking or eating. The dentures or bridges will also feel more comfortable in your mouth. Standard bridges and dentures aren’t possible for everyone because some people might have sore spots or poor ridges in their mouth. Bridges need healthy surrounding teeth to attach to, which may not be the case for some patients. With implants, no surrounding teeth need to be prepared.

On the other hand, there are removable partial and full dentures that patients can consider.

With removable partial dentures, the remaining teeth act to stabilize the denture, typically with metal clasps. Precision partial dentures that are claspless are also available.

Removable full dentures are constructed to replace the missing teeth on one or both of the arches of the mouth. The oral cavity tissue will offer support.

Non-removable restorations, such as those with implants, offer patients the security of feeling as if they have a permanent replacement. However, they can be harder to clean, and for patients who already have experienced dental disease, they can be prone to recurrences. Patients who choose this option must be dedicated to maintaining their oral hygiene.

Removable restorations are easier to clean and service, but they are not as stable and can require longer periods to adjust to. They typically cost less, as well.

Removable partial dentures can be constructed much more quickly and are less expensive than their implant counterparts. However, they are more likely to damage the surrounding teeth that are used for support.

Full removable dentures are the least stable option and can cause further bone loss.

When it’s time to consider tooth restoration, schedule a consultation with your dentist or prosthodontist to determine the best solution for you.

© 2014 Millionairium and EMA Dental group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that EMA Dental group and Millionairium are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

Northampton, MA – Visiting an esthetic dentist to restore your smile can give you the confidence you need to smile proudly. But it also has an additional benefit – improving the form and function of your teeth.

“We always strive to provide our patients with the most beautiful smile possible,” says Dr. Lisa B. Emirzian, one of the Springfield, MA dentists at EMA Dental. “But we wouldn’t be doing our jobs properly if we didn’t also help our patients get healthier teeth and gums.”

Cosmetic dentistry services, such as tooth bonding, can help patients improve their dental health by helping their teeth work properly. When teeth don’t fit together properly due to issues such as overcrowding, it not only makes for an unsightly smile, but it’s also harder to properly clean the teeth. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease that can worsen overtime.

“When we help a patient achieve a straighter smile, we’re giving them an opportunity to more easily brush and floss,” says Dr. Emirzian. “If you have a less than perfect smile, you may be putting off having work done because you think it’s purely cosmetic. But you may be doing damage to your teeth that could be corrected with a visit to EMA Dental.”

What types of procedures can provide a more beautiful, and more importantly, functional, smile?

Dental bonding is a very common esthetic dentistry procedure. It is used to correct chipped or cracked teeth, discolored teeth, change the shape of teeth or to close spaces between teeth. A tooth-colored resin will be applied to the tooth and hardened with a special light. The material will be bonded to the tooth to restore a patient’s smile.

Porcelain veneers are another popular esthetic dentistry option. Veneers are basically shells that are made of a high-quality ceramic, which are bonded to the top and front part of a tooth. They can easily correct the appearance of crooked, misshapen, misaligned, chipped or discolored teeth. Patients love them because they are an easy to achieve solution, and with regular maintenance visits and proper hygiene, the results will last for years.

“For many years, metal crowns were standard in the dentistry world,” says Dr. Emirzian. “But as technology has improved, so have the options available to better your smile. Ceramic crowns are now industry standard, giving patients a more natural looking grin.”

Crowns are used with a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling, and is a cap that fits over the tooth above the gumline. Crowns are used to correct damaged or deformed teeth, and allow for normal chewing that may have been prevented when the teeth were damaged. Crowns can also be used to replace missing teeth to provide better oral health and a natural and attractive smile.

For some adults, braces may be the best option to provide a properly functioning smile. But EMA Dental knows that busy adults don’t want to traditional wire and brackets. That’s why they proudly offer Invisalign as a comfortable and invisible way to straighten teeth. The clear, removable aligners elicit gentle force to guide the teeth to their proper locations, giving patients the beautiful and healthy smile they’ve always wanted.

For patients with more severe problems, a smile makeover may be the right choice. The dentists at EMA Dental know that no two smiles are alike, so using advanced technology and an artistic approach, they can provide each patient with the smile of their dreams.

If you have a less than perfect smile, but have been putting off visiting a cosmetic dentist, what are you waiting for? An esthetic dentist can not only give you the smile of your dreams, but can improve tooth function. If you suffer from frequent headaches, have issues when speaking or eating, a poorly functioning mouth could be the source of your problems. Ensuring your teeth fit together properly, missing spaces are filled in, and chipped or broken teeth are repaired can give you the confidence you need to smile bigger, as well as peace of mind that your oral health isn’t suffering. Correct your smile before permanent damage is done.

© 2014 Millionairium and EMA Dental group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that EMA Dental group and Millionairium are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

Northampton, MA – As we age, we may find our smiles lacking the bright white shine they once had. There are several factors that can lead to this, but not to worry – there are also many solutions to give you back a sparkling smile.

“Teeth stains occur  for a variety of  reasons,” says Northampton dentist Dr. Lisa B. Emirzian. “One reason is simply your age. Over time, the outer layer of our enamel slowly gets worn, resulting in the yellow color of the underlying dentin showing through.”

While you can’t control yellowing due to aging, there are several factors you can control, such as what you eat and drink. Drinks such as coffee, tea, sodas and wine can result in discoloration of your teeth.

Many people assume only red wine affects the teeth, but white wine can also affect the color of your teeth, especially if you are also a tea drinker. The New York University School of Dentistry performed a study that showed that tea drinkers had their teeth stained more severely if the teeth had previously been exposed to white wine. Many esthetic dentistry experts believe tea may actually be more of a stain culprit than coffee. If you are a tea drinker, opt for herbal, green and white teas rather than black tea.

Sodas are very acidic and can cause significant staining over time, even if they are light colored. Sports drinks are also high in acid that can soften tooth enamel, thereby setting the stage for later staining.

Berries and other intensely colored fruit, and the foods and beverages made from them, are also stain heavy. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, cherries, grapes and pomegranates may all send you running to your cosmetic dentist for whitening treatment.

Additionally many sweets, such as hard candies, popsicles and chewing gums, can affect your smile. A good rule of thumb is that if it changes the color of your tongue, it may be having the same effect on your teeth.

Everyone knows smoking is bad for our health, but it also wreaks havoc on your teeth as well. Any tobacco use, whether cigarettes or chewing tobacco, can stain teeth.

Failure to properly care for your teeth through inadequate brushing and flossing will also result in tooth stains because the plaque and stain producing agents will remain on the teeth.

There are also other factors that are simply out of our control, such as genetics. Some people are simply born with more enamel to protect their teeth than others. There are also several diseases that affect the enamel of the teeth, as well as treatment for conditions such as cancer. Head and neck radiation treatments and chemotherapy can result in tooth discoloration. And some medications may also alter the color of your teeth. The antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline may result in discoloration when given to children whose teeth are still developing. Antihistamines, antipsychotics and even blood pressure medicine may also cause discoloration.

But there is good news. Even if your smile is currently less than white, there are several great options for teeth whitening.

“At EMA Dental and our new Refresh Whitening Spa, we offer a number of in-office whitening procedures including ZOOM!,” says Dr. Emirzian. “Our whitening options are affordable, convenient and because they are among the most advanced tooth whitening options available, they provide excellent results.”

Tooth whitening is the least invasive cosmetic procedure you can have performed and you can achieve whiter teeth in as little as a half hour.

If you’d rather whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home, EMA Dental also offers a whitening program that is just as effective as  inoffice whitening but takes a bit more time to see the final results. Using an easy-to-use, but lower concentration peroxide gel, the patient coats the teeth for one to two hours a day for up to three weeks to achieve their optimum whitening. The gel is held in place with the help of a custom made tray.

No matter which option you choose, now is the perfect time to get that smile back to its brightest. And it may also be time to alter some of your habits that might be contributing to discoloration of your teeth. If you are interested in how whitening can change your smile, call EMA Dental for a consultation.

© 2014 Millionairium and EMA Dental group. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that EMA Dental group and Millionairium are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.