WHITE FILLINGS    DENTURES    VENEERS    BRIDGES    BASICS

EXTRACTIONS
Tooth extractions are outpatient procedures that Dr. Mike has refined over years of Dentistry that involves removing one or more teeth.
Common reasons for tooth extractions: 
• Extensive tooth decay
• Overcrowded teeth
• Tooth injury
• Preparation for braces
• Infections
• Impacted teeth

If a toothache doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain medication, you’ll need
to have it evaluated. Most extractions are minimally invasive procedures, and the
majority of people only experience mild discomfort after a Dr. Mike tooth
extraction procedure and go back to work the same day. -menu-

CAVITIES
What are cavities?
Also known as tooth decay, cavities are tiny holes in your teeth that form when your teeth are damaged due to decay. While many people think only children get cavities, they are common throughout adulthood. In fact, as you age, your gums begin to recede from your teeth, exposing your teeth to plaque that ultimately leads to cavities.
What causes cavities?
Plaque, a sticky film on your teeth, is what causes cavities, which is why it’s important to floss regularly and brush twice a day. Able Dental and Dr. Mike endorse the daily use of a Waterpik. Some of the most common reasons for plaque buildup on your teeth include:
• Lack of proper oral hygiene
• Consuming sugary foods and drinks
• Bedtime infant feeding
• Snacking throughout the day without brushing
• Poor tooth location
• Frequent heartburn
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia
• Persistent dry mouth
• Old fillings
While cavities may be common in children and adults alike, they can lead to serious complications when left untreated, including:
• Gum swelling or inflammation
• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Tooth abscess — a pus-filled sac
• Shifting teeth
• Difficulties chewing
• Tooth loss
If you or your child experiences pain or discomfort from cavities, it’s important to make an appointment with Able Dental right away for treatment.
How are cavities treated?
Cavities are typically drilled and filled with a substance made out of porcelain, composite resin, silver alloy, or gold, but your cavity treatment depends entirely on the severity of your tooth decay.

If the decay is so severe that there isn’t much tooth yet, Dr. Mike may recommend removing the decay and fitting you for a dental crown. Should your tooth pulp become infected, he will also suggest scheduling a root canal to eradicate the infection entirely.
What can I do to prevent cavities?
Cavities are entirely preventable with proper oral hygiene. The following tips can help you prevent tooth decay:
Avoid sugary snacks
Snacks and drinks filled with sugar create acids that break down tooth enamel. While a couple of treats are fine, frequent snacking makes it difficult to flush out harmful bacteria with brushing and drinking water alone.
Eat for tooth health
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and tea all create saliva flow in your mouth, which helps rid your teeth of harmful bacteria that can build up and lead to cavities.
Brush, Floss and use a Waterpik
The easiest way to prevent cavities is to brush twice a day — more if you’re a frequent snacker — floss and Waterpik regularly.
To learn more about how you can prevent or treat cavities, call Able Dental today. The Magic Hands of Dr. Mike awaits you. -menu-

CROWNS
Crowns cover your entire tooth above the gum line, and they are for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. Crowns are commonly made from porcelain, Zirconia or gold or combination of all 3.
Reasons to consider a crown treatment: 
• Protect weak teeth from further damage
• Hold a cracked tooth together
• Correct a misshaped tooth
• Replace a large filling
• Attach a dental implant
• Restore an excessively worn tooth
To install a crown, Dr. Mike will carefully remove a thin layer of enamel from your tooth. Next, he will take an impression of your smile and send it to his dental lab that creates works of art. This takes 2 weeks or less. It’s the Able Dental way. As fast as possible.
While you wait for your permanent crown to arrive, Dr. Mike will add a temporary veneer that will look close to the permanent crown.
Regular dental care is critical to your overall health, and our Able Dental team is ready to help you regain your beautiful smile. -menu-

ROOT CANAL
A root canal is an outpatient oral surgery that Dr. Mike has mastered and with his magic hands style of dentistry this procedure can prevent tooth extraction. 
• Common reasons for root canals:
• Extensive tooth decay
• History of repeated dental procedures on a tooth
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Injury to the tooth due to force or impact
A root canal is an outpatient oral surgery that Dr. Mike has mastered and with his magic hands style of dentistry this procedure can prevent tooth extraction. 
• Common reasons for root canals:
• Extensive tooth decay
• History of repeated dental procedures on a tooth
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Injury to the tooth due to force or impact

The procedure begins with Dr. Mike removing the infected pulp. After rinsing your tooth with antiseptic, he will refill your tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Next, he will take impressions of your tooth and send them off to a dental lab that will fabricate a permanent crown.
The last step is to seal the hole in your tooth to prevent reinfection.  After your root canal, you’ll take an oral antibiotic to prevent ongoing infection. If you experience any pain or swelling, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
The procedure only requires a local anesthetic, and most people fully recover within 2 days. When your crown arrives, you’ll return to the office to have it fitted. -menu-

DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implants are made from biocompatible materials like ceramic and titanium and are used to replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Dr Mike says one major benefit of dental implants is that they stimulate bone tissue in your jaw. Bone tissue needs stimulation to retain strength and prevent deterioration of your jawbone to maintain the natural shape of your face.
To be a candidate for dental implants, you first need to have healthy gums. If you have gum disease, you’ll need to have that treated before getting dental implants. You’ll also need to have sufficient amounts of bone tissue in your jawbone. Able Dental has 3D technology to determine if you qualify and are ready for implants.
There are other options available for those who don’t qualify. After Dr. Muscato secures your implant and the root fuses to your jawbone, he will install a restoration, like a crown, bridge, or dentures. -menu-

WHITE FILLINGS
What Is Bonding?
Dental bonding is a special filling that can restore, reshape and rejuvenate your teeth, improving both the function and the appearance of your smile. Dr Mike will apply a thin layer of tooth-colored plastic to the front of the tooth and sculpting it like clay. Magic hands may use bonding to correct chipped, cracked, broken, misshaped, stained, or spaces between teeth. -menu-

Dental Bonding Material
The dental bonding material is a composite resin (plastic) that hardens and fuses to the tooth when Dr. Mike’s assistant shines a bonding light on it. Once in place, the bonding material is shaped to correct the specific problem, colored to match your natural teeth, and polished until it’s smooth. The dental bonding procedure take up to an hour. Its results last about ten years.
Types of Dental Bonding
There are two main kinds of dental bonding: small, simple fillings like the ones described above that can be done in a single appointment, and more complex fillings that require at least two appointments. Results of dental bonding bonded teeth look and function just like your natural teeth. The dental bonding material can be colored as well as molded, we will as close as possible match the shade of your teeth. When bonding is performed by Dr. Mike and his assistants, people won’t be able to tell that you’ve had cosmetic work done on your teeth-except for how good your smile will look when the bonding is done! -menu-

DENTURES WITH IN-HOUSE DENTURE LAB
Able Dental is a dental practice that provides a range of dental services, including dentures that are made in-house. Dentures are custom-made replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. They are typically made from a combination of materials, such as acrylic resin and porcelain.
If you are considering dentures, it’s important to schedule a consultation with Dr Mike and staff who can evaluate your oral health and determine if dentures are the right option for you. We will discuss the different types of dentures available, such as full or partial dentures, implant-supported dentures, and help you choose the best option for your needs. Implant-supported dentures are attached to dental implants, which are surgically placed into the jawbone for added stability and support.
At Able Dental, our team of dental professionals and in-house lab will provide you with high-quality dentures that are custom-fitted to your mouth for optimal comfort and function. We will also provide ongoing care and maintenance to ensure your dentures remain in good condition and continue to fit properly over time.
Once you have dental dentures, it’s important to take good care of them. This includes cleaning them regularly with a soft-bristled brush and special denture cleaner, as well as soaking them overnight in water or a denture cleaning solution. Able Dental, Dr. Mike and staff will provide you with more detailed instructions on how to care for your dentures to ensure they remain in good condition and continue to fit properly over time.
Able Dental’s onsite denture lab is in house and specializes in the fabrication of dentures. Our lab is equipped with the technology and materials for creating custom-made dentures for our patients. This allows for a more efficient and streamlined process, as our technicians can work closely with our patients to ensure that the dentures are the perfect fit for the patient in need.
Having an onsite denture lab also allows Able Dental for fast turnaround times, our staff can make adjustments or repairs to the dentures right away, rather than having to send them out to an external lab. Additionally, it allows for more direct communication between our patients and our staff, which improves the overall satisfaction of our patients with the final product. This differentiates Dr. Muscato and Able Dental from a traditional practice that outsources the fabrication to a third-party laboratory. -menu-

VENEERS
Veneers are an affordable, non-invasive dental restoration that can restore the size, shape, color, or alignment of your teeth. A veneer is a custom-made covering made of various compounds (resins) that bond to the outside of your natural teeth. Unlike a crown that covers your entire tooth above the gumline, veneers only cover the front portion of your tooth. Veneers are typically used for cosmetic purposes.
Types of veneers: 
• Porcelain: A type of ceramic that is strong, stain-resistant, durable, and long-lasting 
• Lumineers®: A bonding agent that is fast, convenient, and less invasive
• eMax® Veneers: Similar to porcelain veneers, but applied in layers with a brush and then cured
• Porcelain Jackets: Similar to crowns, but no metal is involved
These are all brand name products that use all the same materials with different price points.
Reasons to consider a veneer treatment: 
• Crooked teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Damaged teeth
• Smaller-than-average teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Pointy or crooked teeth -menu-

BRIDGES
What Are Bridges?
Dental bridges are natural-looking tooth replacements that help maintain facial structure, reduce stress on the jaw and fill in the gaps caused by missing teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented to the existing teeth and do not come out. Removable bridges can be taken out.
A dental bridge can be used to:
• Replace missing teeth
• Restore your smile
• Restore your ability to bite and chew
• Improve your speech
Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.

Types Of Dental Bridges
There are three main types of bridges:
• Traditional bridges, also known as fixed bridges, are used to replace one or more missing teeth. The procedure involves creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic (false tooth) in between. Unlike dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth. These are the most common type of dental bridge and are made either of porcelain fused to metal or of ceramics.
• Resin bonded bridges, also known as Maryland bonded bridges, are primarily used for your front teeth. They are less expensive than fixed bridges and are best when the teeth are healthy and do not have any large fillings. A false tooth is fused with resin to metal bands that are bonded to the adjacent teeth and hidden from view. Resin bonded bridges require minimal preparation of the adjacent teeth.
• Cantilever bridges are used in areas of your mouth that are under low amounts of stress, such as your front teeth. Cantilever bridges are recommended when there are teeth on only one side of the open space.
Dental Bridge Procedure
First, the adjacent teeth must be prepared. This involves Dr. Mike removing some of the enamel to allow room for the crown to be placed over them.
Next, he will take impressions of your teeth. These will be sent to a laboratory so we can create the bridge, pontic, and crowns to fit your unique mouth. This may take 1 to 2 weeks. While your bridge is being made, you will be given a temporary dental bridge to protect the exposed teeth. Dr. Mike uses another one of his favorite local dental laboratories to fabricate the Bridge.
On your next visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and replaced with the permanent bridge. Dr. Mike will utilize his magic hands to insure the bridge fits properly and then cement it to your teeth.  You will love noticing the difference when you speak, as your speech will become clearer and back to what you’re accustomed to.
Results Of Dental Bridge
With good oral hygiene, you can expect your dental bridge to last from 5 to 15 years, sometimes longer. You must remember to initiate the Able Dental Way and practice proper oral hygiene to prevent the build-up of bacteria on your teeth and gums. -menu-

ROUTINE DENTAL CARE BASICS
Dental Exams
At every check-up our hygienist or Dr. Mike will check every tooth, plus your gums, tongue and cheeks. Healthy teeth depend on a healthy mouth. We will check all of the structures and surfaces in your mouth for cavities, signs of gum disease, infections and other possible health problems.
Get a peek at your general health You mouth can show signs that indicate more serious health concerns like heart disease and diabetes. Some cancers create sores and lesions under the tongue and in the folds of the cheek. That’s why Dr. Mike and Able Dental doesn’t stop with your teeth.

Dental cleanings
Our hygienist will clean along and below the gum line with an ultra-sonic tool or a dental scraper to remove built-up plaque and tartar. Once all the tartar and plaque are gone, you’ll get a tooth polishing and a good flossing.
Most people need a dental cleaning every six months, but some people need them more often.
Get X-Rays once a year
Able Dental’s Modern, Panoramic, 3d and intra oral digital X-Ray machines use a low dose of radiation to capture detailed images of your mouth’s structure. X-Rays help Dr. Mike and staff see problems like infections, cavities between teeth, impacted wisdom teeth and much more.
Twice a year is a typical schedule for adults.
In between check-ups is on you.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day to break up tartar so it doesn’t become plaque.
Floss at least once a day to break up bacteria between teeth that your brush can’t reach. A waterpik is ideal. -menu-