He is a recipient of the Divisional Award in Endodontics from Columbia University and the Proctor and Gamble Award of Excellence for Geriatric care. Dr. Shojai is a father of three children and resides in Madison.
Dr. Goldberg is a fellow Columbia University alumni. With a post doctorate degree in periodontics, he fulfills the needs of our patients in Hunterdon County in soft tissue management and implant placement.
Not many people think past the visual aspect of losing teeth, but there are more drawbacks than just aesthetics. Not only are there several oral health concerns to consider, but the toll that having missing teeth takes on our physical appearance can also have consequences on our social and emotional health and wellbeing. Although the options have never been better to both improve existing teeth and replace a missing tooth due to an accident or gum disease, there is something about the permanence of losing a tooth that keeps many people from seeking dental treatment.
Traditional tooth replacement methods like dentures and crowns and bridges do a fine job in repairing both the look and function of a damaged smile. Depending on the location, missing teeth can affect everything from our ability to eat, our speech, and even the health of the bone tissue in the gum, and the stability of the surrounding teeth. A denture or crown replaces the bottom half of the tooth, which is obviously very important. But dental implants go a step further, and replace the root of the missing tooth as well, making it the most permanent of the options currently available.
The implant consists of a cone-shaped titanium screw that replaces the root of the missing tooth. Once the implant has fused with the surrounding bone in the gum, the crown of the tooth is attached to the implant with an abutment, permanently securing the new tooth in place. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or several. Once it has healed, the implants do not have to be removed for maintenance or care and are generally as stable and secure as a natural tooth.
Regular dental visits are essential to make sure oral health problems from tooth decay to oral cancer are detected and treated in a timely manner. At our office, your oral health is our paramount concern. We want to make sure your teeth stay healthy, function well and look great! From regular cleanings and exams to advanced restorative treatments, all of your routine dental needs can be met right here.
If you have a life-threatening or severe injury, call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room. We can treat a variety of traumatic dental injuries, including teeth that have been chipped, moved, or knocked out entirely. Please call our office for assistance.
Extensive damage: When fillings, root canals, and crowns arent enough to save a tooth, it will likely need to be extracted and then replaced with a prosthetic tooth. Children may need baby teeth extracted if they suffer from extensive decay early in life.
Risk of infection: Anyone with a weakened immune system is at higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease, and may need to have teeth extracted to prevent infection from spreading throughout the body. People at high risk of infection include cancer patients and those who have had organ transplants.
Impacted teeth: An impacted tooth is one that is blocked from pushing through the gum, either by other teeth or by excessive soft tissue. This can lead to inflammation and jaw pain, as well as an increased risk of gum disease and decay in the surrounding areas. Impacted teeth are frequently candidates for extraction to prevent complications.
Preparing for orthodontics: Sometimes theres simply not enough room in the arch for all the teeth to sit comfortably. In these cases, some teeth may need to be extracted to solve the crowding problem. Crowding can also cause an adult tooth to erupt in the wrong place, failing to push out the baby tooth. The baby tooth must be removed before the crowding can be corrected with orthodontics.
Loose teeth due to periodontal (gum) disease: When the gums are infected, the underlying bone can begin to break down and cause teeth to become loose. Sometimes this process can be reversed with bone grafting, but if this isnt an option for your health condition, then extraction may be necessary.