585 Main St.
Chatham, NJ 07928
Phone: (973) 701-7777
Keeping Our Patients Safe

Keeping Our Patients Safe

Dear Friends:
I am excited to announce that we are being allowed to see patients again. We will be opening on Weds. June 3rd. We have made improvements to keep you and the staff safe. We would like to ease your concerns about coming to the office.

Click here for our  new office safety protocol

© All photographs on this site are of Dr. Allyson K. hurley's patients and represent her work and her photography.

Archives for August 2017

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How long can I wear a snap on smile to protect my teeth before I get dental treatment? My dentist recommended the smile for me because the dental work I need is going to take 2 years. I need 5 dental implants with crowns and 4 other crowns. It’s not that she can’t do all the work faster, but I can’t afford it. I’m 3 years out of college and still paying off loans. I have to budget in my dental work along with paying off student loans. I wasn’t expecting to have to pay for a snap on smile too. I’m just wondering if it’s worth the money to get it or if I am going to have to replace it if the 2 years are up. My dentist seems to be honest but I am wondering if she is trying to get a little more money out of me because the work is being stretched out over years. Is it really worth it? Todd

Todd – The Snap-on Smile is for cosmetic purposes only. It won’t protect your teeth from decay, but it can improve the appearance of your smile. It’s not meant to be worn every day, so depending on how often you wear it and how to care for it, it might last two years.

Your dentist will prioritize your treatment over the next two years. If you need dental crowns, the crowned teeth might need root canal treatment, too.

If You Wear the Snap-on Smile, Don’t Delay Treatment

It’s important for all patients to remember that the Snap-on Smile should not be used to delay dental treatment. Be sure you stick with your dentist’s timeline for treatment. It will help keep costs down. If you prolong treatment, the condition of your teeth will worsen and treatment will become more costly.

If your appliance is provided by a cosmetic dentist, it can enhance your smile. Otherwise it can look bulky, because it fits directly over your teeth. It might not produce the results you want.

Additionally, in all cases of major dental work, we suggest that you receive a second opinion from an accredited cosmetic dentist. He or she will let you know your options. You can compare the second opinion with what your current dentist is recommending.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ top cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

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I’m wondering if Zoom can help my teeth. For the past year I’ve been smoking medical marijuana and it’s really staining my teeth with a greenish yellow color. I know that I will have to keep using the marijuana indefinitely, but I still need to do something about my teeth. I’ve tried whitening toothpaste but it doesn’t do anything. I’ve been looking at different brands of whitening. I prefer having it done in the office so I don’t have to do anything at home. I looked on the Zoom website, but I don’t see anything specific about it treating marijuana stains. Will it work or are stains just something I have to deal with? – Kendall

Kendall – Marijuana stains are usually easy to remove from your teeth. When possible, it’s best to brush your teeth after smoking. Brushing can remove the stains before they settle into your teeth. Stains that stick to your teeth can be removed by your dental hygienist.

Some Things to Consider Before You Get Zoom

Before your teeth are whitened with Zoom® or any other type of treatment, there are some things to consider first.

  • You need to have your teeth professionally cleaned first. If your teeth aren’t clean, the bleaching gel can’t evenly coat and penetrate them. The results will be blotchy. This is good reason not to try take-home treatment without a recent dental cleaning.
  • Stains that penetrate below the surface of your teeth may respond to Zoom whitening or another brand of treatment from your dentist. It’s unlikely that you will see a major brand of teeth whitening advertise that it works for marijuana stains.
  • Marijuana and tobacco smokers have higher rates of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Smoking affects your gum health. You need healthy gums before your teeth are whitened. Otherwise the bleaching gel will irritate your gums.
  • Even with in-office whitening treatments, you might have to continue with a brief period of take-home whitening.
  • You still need to be periodic touch-ups at home to keep your teeth white.

We recommend that you first have a dental exam and cleaning. If your hygienist is unable to remove the stains from your teeth, and if your teeth and gums are healthy, you can ask your dentist about whitening your teeth.

If Zoom whitening isn’t the best option for your stains, your dentist will let you know which brands he or she recommends.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.