Specializing in dental crowns, dental implants, dentures, oral reconstruction and dental bridges, a prosthodontist is one of nine dental specialists recognized by the American Dental Association, a prosthodontist is a skilled architect who restores optimum function and the appearance of your smile and can also treat facial deformities due to congenital or birth anomalies to teeth and oral cancer reconstruction. According to Dr. Mariano, “the goal is to reconstruct a beautiful, natural smile for all our patients.”

“Prosthodontists receive three years of additional training beyond dental school,” says Dr. Mariano of EMA Dental, a multi-service practice that offers family dentistry. “We are trained to give the highest level of care in the field of prosthodontics.”

The graduate programs that a prosthodontist takes include classroom lectures, treatment of patients and lab experience with creating restorations. Additional training is earned through a hospital based program, which is accredited by the ADA.

There are approximately 3,000 prosthodontists in the United States. Only 1,000 of those are board certified. Dental specialists, Dr. Mariano is the only board certified prosthodontist in Western Massachusetts and Dr. Thomas Vergo is the only maxillofacial prosthodontist in Western Massachusetts.

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“A majority of stains come from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco products,” says Dr. Emirzian, an esthetic dentist. “Teeth can also become worn over time, which can cause the yellow dentin color to show through.”

We offer ZOOM! in-office whitening, customized at-home whitening program and BOOST in-office whitening as the best options for extrinsic staining. The ZOOM! in-office whitening is a 90-minute procedure following a doctor exam. A highly trained team member will protect your gums with a rubber dam before placing the whitening agent on your teeth to be activated by the ZOOM! light.
Our customized at-home program is just as effective as ZOOM!; however, it requires more time to get the same results. A lower concentration peroxide gel is safely placed into custom trays and worn for one to two hours per day for two to three weeks.
Lastly, BOOST is another great option and is ideal for those who have whitened in the past and are looking for a “touch-up” or for those who would like an introduction to whitening.  BOOST is a one-hour, in-office procedure.

Beyond whitening, there are many other options available for enhancing your smile, including porcelain veneers. This option is great for those who have severe staining or chipped, crooked teeth. Both of these methods can brighten a smile.

“Many people with badly shaped, stained or crooked teeth can have a lower confidence level,” says Dr. Vincent J. Mariano of EMA Dental, a prosthodontist whose practice also offers esthetic and general dentistry. “They may be afraid to even open their mouths, which could hinder their business careers down the road.”

Veneers are virtually undetectable and resemble healthy tooth enamel. An impression is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for custom fabrication.  The veneers are then bonded directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are often one of the services that produce results that patients refer to as an extreme makeover.

Smiling can uplift our moods, relieve stress and boost the immune system. More importantly, a smile is contagious. Having the confidence to show your beautiful smile can draw people to you and lighten up any room.

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Tooth enamel is the outer surface of your teeth, and it protects against cavities. This layer is considered to be the hardest mineral substance in the body. Although it is strong, acids from food and drinks can put the teeth at risk. Wear and tear can also harm the enamel, according to information on the Crest Pro Health Website.

“Acid attacks on the teeth can cause a softening to the enamel,” says Dr. Vincent J. Mariano of EMA Dental, a multi-service practice that also provides tooth whitening with our cosmetic dentists in Springfield MA. “The loss of enamel can also be attributed to wearing, and once the enamel is gone it can’t be rebuilt.” Dr. Mariano explains a few factors of premature wear:

Attribution
Attribution is known as the tooth-to-tooth friction, which in small amounts is normal with everyday talking and eating. Severe grinding, also called bruxism, can wear the enamel down extensively. This friction happens when the jaw is clenched. Typically, this occurs during sleep when it is involuntary.

Abrasion
Abrasion is wearing of the enamel by brushing too hard or biting hard objects. Our general dentist would agree that brushing with a soft bristled tooth brush can help prevent abrasion to the enamel. Jewelry in and around the mouth, such as pierced lips and tongue, can also cause abrasion.
“Patients should never bite on pens, fingernails or hard candy,” says Dr. Mariano. “That can lead to severe abrasion and wear.”

Erosion
Erosion is the chemical wear of the tooth enamel. Citric acid, found in lemons, oranges and grapefruit, can wear a tooth down if exposed regularly. Coffee, tea and soft drinks contain a corrosive acid, as well. When consumed occasionally, it is rarely a problem; however it is a good idea to rinse your mouth once finished.
“Some fruit drinks contain acids that can be more erosive to the teeth than battery acid,” says Dr. Mariano. “Diluting the juice with water can help.”

Health problems can also effect enamel erosion. Acid reflux disease and gastrointestinal problems can produce more acid in the stomach, which can filter up into the mouth. Bulimia, an eating disorder that’s associated with self-induced vomiting, can erode the enamel and lead to tooth decay.
Our prosthodontic specialists are uniquely qualified to correct severe dental wear problems.

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The theme this year focuses on healthy habits for a healthy smile. Dr. Vincent J. Mariano and the dentists at EMA Dental, a multi-doctor Pioneer Valley dentistry office, are celebrating by acknowledging their amazing team of registered dental hygienists who have a combined 95 years of dental hygiene experience that enables them to provide services of the highest level to our patients.

“The doctors and hygienists are also happy to announce that our hygienists are now providing BOOST whitening services to their patients,” says Dr. Mariano. “BOOST is our newest whitening technique, and it is a great introductory procedure or a great touch-up option for those who have whitened in the past.”

The fact that it can be done by any of our hygienists or whitening specialists in just about an hour makes it a convenient and efficient option. In recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month, here are a few tips to keeping your mouth healthy.

Visit Dentist Regularly- Visiting your family general dentist routinely can help prevent serious dental issues, such as gum disease, cavities or tooth loss. Brush- Brushing twice a day is critical to maintaining a healthy smile, says Dr. Lisa Emirzian, an extreme makeover specialist.
Floss- Flossing can remove plaque and food debris from places a toothbrush cannot reach. Daily flossing is recommended for the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease.

Mouthwash- Rinsing your mouth is another important step in the prevention of gingivitis. Antiseptic mouthwash can kill germs that brushing leaves behind.
You can incorporate these simple hygiene tips into any busy schedule to maintain good oral health. The result is a beautiful healthy smile.

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“The longer you keep plaque on your teeth, the more harmful it can become,” says a Northampton MA dentist Dr. Vincent J. Mariano. “This bacterium causes an inflammation called gingivitis, where the gums become swollen and bleed easily.”

The dentists at EMA Dental, a Northampton, MA cosmetic dentist and multi-service provider, agree that oral hygiene is key to preventing extensive restorative procedures.Dr. Mariano, a dental implants expert, explains a few tips to help prevent gum disease.

• Brush At Least Twice a Day- Brushing thoroughly removes plaque and tartar from surface areas before it can harden. Using a fluoride toothpaste can help prevent decay, as well.
• Floss Daily- This is the only way to remove plaque from surfaces the toothbrush can’t reach.
• Mouthwash- Antiseptic mouthwash can get rid of the hidden bacteria in the mouth.
• Eat A Well-Balanced Diet- “Be smart about your meal choices; you can’t go wrong with fruits and vegetables,” says Dr. Mariano.
• Visit Your Dentist Regularly- Routine check-ups and professional cleanings will keep you a step ahead in the fight against gum disease. A dentist can intervene if you have any signs of periodontal disease, such as: bad breath, swollen gums, loose teeth or sensitive teeth.

Keeping up with your routine appointments and following proper hygiene protocol can help the fight against gum disease. You can even consider teeth whitening, a cosmetic dentistry service we provide in office, to add to your beautiful healthy smile.

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Untreated, many dental problems can grow more serious and more expensive to correct. For instance, a small cavity that is not treated can expand and spread to the tooth’s nerve, where it will lead to an infection or abscess. It is only at this point that the patient experiences pain and realizes there’s a problem.

Instead of a simple filling, you now need more extensive and expensive treatment to address the issue.  However, the cost of a root canal can be avoided if the decay is removed before it gets to the tooth’s nerve.  “Don’t wait until something causes pain,” warns Dr. Emirzian, awho also is a tooth whitening provider. “If you’re feeling pain, the problem is probably already serious and more difficult to treat.”

The Northampton family dentistry provider also observes that a healthy mouth is key to a healthy body.  Infections that start in the mouth can spread anywhere else in your body. Researchers have also found links between gum disease and other health conditions, including: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, premature births and many more. Often, a patient’s dentist is the first health professional to note alterations in his or her physical condition. Dental visits can also help detect acid reflux and gastroenterological diseases, some auto-immune disorders, liver diseases and other conditions.
“Regular dental visits can help detect and avoid many health conditions,” says Dr. Emirzian, an extreme makeover specialist. “But we can’t help if the patients don’t visit.”

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Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners to move teeth gradually and gently over time. There are no brackets or wires. At the start of the process, impressions are taken and then customized aligners are made. Every two weeks, the patient swaps an old aligner for a new one. Little by little the teeth move, giving you the smile you’ve always wanted.One advantage Invisalign offers is that the aligners are removable. Patients can take them out to eat, drink or brush.  Because they only need to be worn around 20-22 hours a day, you can also remove them for special occasions.  The ability to remove the aligners is a particular advantage when it comes to brushing your teeth.

“Traditional braces can make it hard to keep teeth clean,” notes Dr. Emirzian, the Amherst dentist. “When you can remove the aligners, you can brush your teeth normally. So you’re much less likely to experience cavities or other problems when the treatment is finished.”

The Invisalign system is very sophisticated. “Many patients believe that the system only works for correcting fairly minor orthodontic problems,” observes Dr. Emirzian, who also is a dental implants provider. “However, an experienced Invisalign dentist can use the system to correct malocclusions, crowding, open bites or spacing and rotation issues.”

“Our patients have remarked on how comfortable Invisalign is and how easy it is to use,” notes Dr. Emirzian. “They can have the smile they’ve been looking for without living with a mouthful of metal braces. They’re thrilled.”

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Crowns are used to encase the part of the tooth that shows above the gumline. “We use them for a number of reasons, such as: shielding a weak tooth, repairing a broken tooth, protecting and supporting a tooth with a large filling, or obscuring misshaped or badly discolored teeth,” explains Emirzian, a Springfield, MA general dentist.
All-ceramic crowns provide one huge benefit compared to traditional metal-ceramic crowns: they allow more light transmission through the tooth’s body. This creates a far more natural appearance, so the crown will resemble a more natural tooth. All-ceramic restorations also require that we remove less of the natural tooth’s structure. They stay in position through micromechanical and chemical bonding. “All-ceramic crowns are the best aesthetic choice, but they aren’t the right option for every person in every situation,” notes Emirzian, a Springfield, MA Teeth Whitening specialist. “They are only one of the different choices available.”

Depending on the tooth’s position in the mouth and the patient’s intra-oral forces, various types of crowns are the best choice for functional and aesthetic reasons. For example, when patients clench or grind their teeth excessively, all-metal crowns run less risk of fracturing. Or, if the tooth has little or no enamel left, it may not provide enough surface area for adhesive bonding to the ceramic crown. Our Amherst Invisible Braces specialists can give you advice about which kind of crown is right for you.

“At EMA, we offer state-of-the-art ceramic crowns,” observes Emirzian, a Springfield, MA Invisalign provider. “We can obtain the best cosmetic results without using metal. Additionally, we can treat your functional dental issues while addressing aesthetic considerations. Our patients really appreciate the results.”

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“Many dental patients don’t understand very well what a prosthodontist does,” explains Mariano, an Amherst dental implants provider. “National Prosthodontics Awareness Week is an opportunity for us to explain what prosthodontics are and the kind of specialized care that prosthodontists provide. We make a special push to get the word out to our patients and to the community at large.” Prosthodontists focus on the restoration and replacement of teeth and surrounding dental structures. One of dentistry’s nine specialty fields, prosthodontics requires an additional three years of work following graduation from dental school. “Prosthodontists have received additional training in aesthetics, dental implants, crowns, bridgework, and dentures,” points out Vergo, a Springfield, MA prosthodontist.

The American College of Prosthodontists asks its members to use National Prosthodontics Awareness Week as an opportunity to advocate for the prosthodontists’ valuable role and raising public awareness about the importance of a healthy mouth. The college promotes several key messages during this week:

• Prosthodontics changes lives
• Prosthodontists and technicians create museum quality restorations
• Prosthodontists are serious about access to care (dental school clinics and pro bono services)
• Prosthodontists provide a broad spectrum of services including maxillofacial
• Prosthodontists treat a broad spectrum of patients

The American College of Prosthodontists’ mission is to represent the needs and interests of prosthodontists to the public by stimulating awareness and interest in the field of prosthodontics. It is the only prosthodontic specialty association in which membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an American Dental Association-accredited advanced education program in prosthodontics.

“The college promotes the idea that replacing missing teeth is an essential part of overall health,” explains Mariano, a Northampton, MA prosthodontist. “Prosthodontists are prepared to provide the kind of expert care patients need in considering the best options for replacing missing teeth.”

There are more than 3,000 trained prosthodontists in the U.S., but only about 1,000 of them are board certified. Mariano is the only board-certified prosthodontist in Western Massachusetts and Vergo is the only maxillofacial prosthodontist in Western Massachusetts. Both doctors are affiliated with the Tufts Prosthodontic Specialty Program in Boston and the University of Connecticut’s prosthodontics program.
“EMA Dental offers the only prosthodontic group in Western Massachusetts,” notes Mariano, an Amherst prosthodontics specialist. “We can offer the whole range of services when it comes to prosthodontics care.”

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