ARESTIN for Gum Disease

Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. If you don’t practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis, you can develop gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease), which if left untreated can lead to periodontitis (the final stage of gum disease). Gingivitis is reversible, however, periodontitis is not. If your gum disease moves past the stage of gingivitis, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may need to apply ARESTIN to the gums, an antibiotic that is used in adjunct to scaling and root planing.  

Scaling and root planing is an effective gum disease treatment. In this procedure, our doctors use tools to clean plaque and tartar from your teeth and roots below the gum line. During the procedure, our doctors utilize ARESTIN, an antibiotic that contains microspheres smaller than grains of sand. ARESTIN is placed directly on your gums and has the power to kill bacteria so your gums can heal better than with scaling and root planing alone. In one single visit, our doctors can add ARESTIN to the pocket between your gum and tooth. It is a painless procedure, with effective results.

If are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about ARESTIN as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Handling Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when a dental emergency occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., our goal is to help you minimize the risk of emergency treatment. This is why we commit a copious amount of time designing a Lifetime Treatment Plan that will help you to offset the possibility of unforeseen pain or tooth breakage. When you have a dental emergency it’s important to visit us as soon as possible. Meanwhile, here are some tips for handling common dental emergencies.

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

Dr. Samuel Meghadri is on call 24/7. If you have a dental emergency, please contact our office immediately. To learn more about dental emergencies as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

What Are Veneers?

If you have stained, chipped, decayed, or crooked teeth, then you may benefit from veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations because they provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size, or shape. If you have any questions about Veneers, just ask one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A.

Veneers are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are worn down may consider veneers. The procedure itself requires little or no anesthesia and can be the ideal choice for restoring your smile. Once veneers have been applied by your dentist, for about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment as you get used to your new teeth that have changed in size and shape. Nevertheless, the results will be a confidence boost and a brand new smile.

If you think you may benefit from veneers, please give us a call. To learn more about veneers as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Details On Dentures

If you have missing teeth, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. have a variety of treatment options to replace them to help you improve your appearance and smile. One of these options is dentures. Dentures are custom-made replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back in your mouth. While they may take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as natural teeth, they are a non-invasive form of treatment that provides great benefits.

Today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever. There are two main types: full and partial. With full dentures, a flesh-colored acrylic base fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the roof of your mouth while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue. A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Partial dentures are a removable alternative to dental bridges. After you schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, they will determine which type is best for you.

If you think you may benefit from dentures, please give us a call. To learn more about dentures as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

What are Fastbraces?

Have you ever wanted a straighter smile that didn’t require years to move teeth into place? At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A., we offer a solution called Fastbraces that do just that. Traditional braces are usually square in shape and typically move the crown of the tooth in the first year, and the root of the tooth towards its final position in the second year, thus requiring about two years of treatment. Meanwhile, Fastbraces technology gently allows for movement of the roots of the teeth towards their final position from the onset of treatment, thus completing treatment from three months to about a year.

With safety in mind, Fastbraces technology was developed to straighten teeth differently – allowing for a fast, safe and affordable solution. Your journey will begin after scheduling a consultation with one of our dentists. During this consultation, the doctor will take radiographs and pictures of your teeth. This will help them create a customized plan for you.

If you desire a straighter smile, give us a call to discuss your orthodontic options. To learn more about Fastbraces as well as other services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide sometimes called “laughing gas” is one option our dentists at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may offer to help make you more comfortable during certain procedures. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose and helps you relax. If a visit to the dentist’s office makes you cringe, or you simply wish to remove the discomfort from a professional cleaning, we are here to make you as calm as possible.

Receiving nitrous oxide as a form of sedation is the only type that allows you to drive yourself home after the procedure. It is not intended to put you to sleep, and you will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions the dentist may have. Overall, you may feel light-headed or a tingling sensation in your arms and legs, but the effects of nitrous oxide will wear off soon after the mask is removed.

If you suffer from dental fear, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about sedation options as well as the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Scaling and Root Planing Heals Your Gums

If you have a severe case of gum disease, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may recommend a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing. Perhaps you’ve been neglecting your oral hygiene, or you just haven’t been removing plaque well enough. Whatever the case, over time, dental plaque will slither below the gum line, forming “pockets” between the teeth and gums. The larger these pockets grow, the worse gum disease gets.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures in the future, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal. Scaling involves the dentist or hygienist using a hook shaped tool (dental scaler) to remove the plaque and tartar from below the gum line while root planing uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface to reattach to the teeth.

If you have gum disease, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about scaling and root planing as well as the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.