A skilled and highly trained dentist, Dr. Efren Cortes is committed to creating healthy and radiant smiles for each one of his patients. Specializing in a great assortment of dental procedures, ranging from general and preventive dental procedures to complex treatments in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Cortes has the expertise and knowledge to make your dream of a dazzling smile a reality. Whether you are in need of a full mouth restoration or a subtle change, the doctor is able to meet all of your needs with skill and sensitivity.
Graduating in 1996 from NYUs College of Dentistry, Dr. Cortes has been practicing for over 25 years. He started his career with a Dental Practice in Manhattan and then decided to move to Connecticut to start a family. He and his wife, Melissa, have been blessed with two daughters, Anastasia and Paloma, and the family has become a strong presence in Fairfield County. A member of several prestigious professional organizations, Dr. Cortes and Distinctive Dental Service have received numerous awards for their contributions to their district. In fact, the offices at Distinctive Dental Service have been selected by The Consumer Research Council of America as one of the Top Ten Dental Offices in the Westport community.
Dr. Cortes believes that in order to prosper, we must always consider the well-being of our neighbors. This is why you will always find the doctor participating in free lectures, giving free cleanings to children, or participating in various other charitable works. Choosing to give a number of free, interactive, and fun lectures at various Westport businesses, such as banks, realty offices, and pre-schools, the doctor loves helping others and educating people, especially little ones, on proper oral hygiene.
In addition to providing educational information on oral health, Distinctive Dental Service also sponsored a Little League team in Westport, because Dr. Cortes knows that children that are involved in youth activities are more likely to become successful later in life and stay off the streets. The doctor and his office also participate annually in the National Give Kids A Smile Day! Taking place in February of every year, less-privileged children are given complimentary services by the staff at Distinctive Dental Service.
Dr. Ali chose dentistry because it lets her be creative and utilize her background in fine arts to create a long term, meaningful and beautiful result for someone. Before becoming a dentist, she earned a fine arts degree; She has found her training in the arts has been instrumental in my practice of dentistry. Nothing is more related to art and creating than the detailed work on a tooth or recognizing the subtle nuances in shape and color that make a smile look natural.
Her main focus is to offer patients personalized and comprehensive quality care. As a prosthodontist, she has advanced specialty training to create optimal oral health, both in form and function, including dental implants, veneers, crown and bridgework, and dentures. She enjoys getting to know her patients and working to tailor a dental treatment that addresses their specific concerns, lifestyle, and well-being.
Lorraine has been part of the DDS for over 4 years. She started her dental career as a dental assistant and continued to help patients chairside for over 5 years until she transitioned to become an administrative team member. Now Lorraine is our Office Manager and couldnt be happier! She has an amazing grandson that takes up all her free time and keeps her very busy with play-dough and trucks.
Being the second youngest of seven siblings Jessica always understood the value of teamwork and the importance of helping others. For as long as she can remember she has always tried to encourage people and inspire them to face their fears. When Jessica started her career in dentistry over 6 years ago she knew it was her calling. She has been working chairside with Dr. Cortes and Associates for over 3 years to provide the best dental care for all our patients.
Jessica is extremely proud to be a dental assistant at DDS and to have a career that can help build confidence and courage for all of our patients. She is a very creative artist and in her free time enjoys roller-skating with her teenage daughter, reading comics, drawing, and anime.
Born and raised in the dental field, Tiffany comes from a very strong dental background. Her stepfather recently retired from being a dentist at 83 years old! She spent her life in her parents dental offices and has had her hand in pretty much every aspect of dentistry. She recently joined the DDS family and couldnt feel more at home. Being a people person, she is able to connect with her patients and give them the most comfortable experience possible. When she is not with her DDS family she is a professional photographer, Owner of RSKS Photography. She has a love for photographing children and pets!
Our office is conveniently located on Imperial Avenue and is accessible via all major roads. We are proud of our office which fully utilizes the state-of-the-art equipment. We have a modern sterilization system that surpasses OSHA requirements. The source of water for our dental units is distilled water (bottled water) which removes any chance of contamination from regular tap water like that used in most dental offices.
Our friendly and competent staff is dedicated to patient comfort and quality care. We provide the best and latest in dental technology and treatment options. We provide gentle, family-oriented dental care to the adults and children of this community. We utilize the best equipment sterilization techniques available to dentists. In addition to General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry, we work with specialists in Periodontics (gum diseases), Implant Dentistry, and Endodontics (root canal treatments), as well as other specialists. Our team emphasizes comprehensive quality care and preventive dentistry.
We accept all major credit cards, ATM cards, cash, and personal checks. For our patients convenience, we have arranged a payment plan through a third party, which helps our patients receive their treatment in a timely manner.
Dr. Cortes has made the process of dental implants convenient for all patients. He has brought in Board Certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Alison Loewenstein to place the dental implant which is the first step. Dr. Cortes and Dr. Loewenstein work side by side to determine the best placement of the implant to achieve optimal results for the patient to provide the best final crown. After the implant insertion with Dr. Lowenstein the implant site will then heal and the second step is then done by Dr. Cortes. Dr. Cortes will then create and insert the dental implant crown. Having the ability to place implants and crowns in one office is a huge benefit for patients. Patients no longer have to get referred out to another Dental Office when needing a dental implant placed.
When a single tooth is lost, other teeth surrounding it may begin to shift, resulting in an unsightly appearance. In the past, bridges were the preferred method of cosmetic restoration, but surrounding teeth had to be damaged in order to support the prosthesis. As an alternative, many patients seek dental implants as a means of improving cosmetic appearance following the loss of a tooth. A dental implant has the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth, and its positioning within the bone where the prior tooth was once rooted prevents other teeth from shifting out of place. The result is a visually appealing smile the wearer can be proud of.
In some cases, all of a patients teeth need to be replaced due to decay or other oral health complications. The teeth are vital to communication and digestion, so replacement is no longer a matter of cosmetic preference but a necessity. Options for full mouth restoration are limited to dentures or dental implants. More and more patients are choosing implants over dentures, as they provide a permanent solution that requires less maintenance and also preserves more of the natural maxillofacial bones surrounding the teeth.
Your dentist can evaluate your case and tell you if you are a candidate for dental implants. Structurally, a dental implant is a titanium-based cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a period of time, other parts are placed on the implant to enable your dentist to eventually place a crown (cap) on the implant. Implants can also be used to support full or partial dentures, dramatically improving denture retention and stability.
Most patients with adequate bone mass can have implants, although it varies among individuals. Typically an x-ray and CT scan are performed to determine if you have enough bone to place the implant, as well as to verify the size and kind of implant that should be placed.
When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone structure gradually recedes. Placing an implant in that empty space significantly reduces the speed of bone resorption and provides stability for this valuable tissue.
Patients who have experienced removable full or partial dentures know that keeping their dentures in place is always a challenge. Dental implants offer a great improvement to denture retention for all patients. In some cases, the denture can be secured to a group of implants with special screws that stabilize the denture completely.
Often the preferred method of replacing a single missing tooth is a bridge. Bridges require extra preparation for the surrounding teeth to ultimately connect 3 or more teeth. This negatively impacts your health by making the task of retaining your teeth more difficult and by often requiring the destruction of existing tooth structures to create room for the new bridge. An implant is mostly an independent unit and does not negatively affect the adjacent teeth.