What makes this recognition particularly special is that Morris & Essex Magazine is a small, community-focused magazine with strong ties to the region. Its mission is to highlight outstanding professionals in Morris County, and being included on this list is a reflection of the trust and respect we’ve earned from our fellow dental professionals. It’s an honor that speaks not only to our commitment to excellence but also to the close-knit, personal nature of the community we proudly serve in Denville and beyond.

All honorees are in good standing with the State of New Jersey, ensuring that those recognized are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and professionalism. While we’re grateful for this recognition, we encourage everyone to explore a variety of resources when choosing a dental provider, as Morris County is home to many skilled and caring dentists.

We deeply appreciate the continued trust of our patients and the local community, and we look forward to serving you with the same level of care and dedication that has earned us this distinction year after year.

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New Doctor welcomed to the AFDPA team…

The staff at AFDPA would like to introduce Dr. Joelle Hirschfeld to our practice. She started with us in July and we are more than excited for the skills and knowledge she will be bringing to our practice. We would like to take this opportunity to provide some background on Dr. Joelle Hirschfeld as the newest addition to AFDPA.

Dr. Hirschfeld was raised in Randolph, NJ. She attended The Pennsylvania State University where she graduated with honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. She continued on to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine. While at Tufts, she served as a tutor and TA for many courses, traveled to the Dominican Republic for a dental service trip, and started the Tufts Chapter of Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon. Dr. Hirschfeld also received awards in operative dentistry and special needs dentistry.

Following dental school, Dr. Hirschfeld completed a General Practice Residency at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. During her very busy hospital-based residency program, she treated hundreds of patients for their general dentistry needs as well as dental implants, oral surgical procedures, pediatric dentistry, root canals, esthetic procedures, and oral pathology needs. She had extensive training in management and treatment of patients with severe dental and facial trauma in the emergency room as well as clearance for medical and surgical procedures. She also spent a lot of time in the operating room treating patients with special needs as well as facial trauma surgeries. Dr. Hirschfeld loves to learn and is committed to continue advancing her training through continued education each year in order to provide her patients with the best possible care.

Dr. Hirschfeld is an active member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, and New Jersey Dental Association. She also plans to join staff at Morristown Medical Center. 

In her free time, Dr. Hirschfeld enjoys working out, checking out the best places to eat, snowboarding, and spending time with her friends and family. Dr. Hirschfeld loves what she does and looks forward to taking care of your dental and overall health!

Graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, DMD, 2018

Memberships: American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, New Jersey Dental Association

Post Graduate Training: 

Continuing education on dental photography, laser training, esthetic dentistry

Past Experience:

Completed General Practice Residency at Morristown Medical Center, NJ.

Community Service:

Give Kids a Smile, Community Health Day, Global Service trip to Dominican Republic

The post New Doctor welcomed to the AFDPA team appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

The team of Sleep Professionals at Aesthetic Family Dentistry P.A., have a passion for providing oral appliance therapy to patients. They are highly skilled in oral appliance therapy that allows victims of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to live happier, healthier lives. Each day they see firsthand the benefits from correcting sleep disorders and the life changing results they produce.
They use a variety of oral appliances that are custom fitted to help each patient sleep soundly and minimize the effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea such as chronic snoring. These FDA approved devices prevent airway obstruction and allow patients to breathe easily and continuously. Drs Steiner, Fine and Kwiatkowski also realize the importance of good relationships with patients’ physicians and other sleep professionals. They are proud of their network of referring health professionals and they work closely with them to insure the best patient care available. Contact us today to schedule your personalized sleep consultation.  Rejuvenate your life.  Rekindle your sprit.  Get the freedom to sleep better.

THE FACTS BEHIND SNORNING AND WHY IT SHOULDN’T BE IGNORED 

Snoring is more than just a loud and annoying noise, it can be an indicator of a Sleep Breathing Disorder (SBD) that can be very serious. Approximately 42 million Americans have a SBD1.

The most common form of a SBD is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a medical condition where your tongue and soft tissues close off your airway and stop air from entering your lungs.

• Sleep Apnea can also cause memory problems, weight gain, impotence, and headaches if not treated.

• Untreated OSA can lead to a 30% or more reduced survivability rate over the course of 20 years11. • Drowsy driving is responsible for, at the very least, 100,000 car accidents, 40,000 injuries, and 1,550 deaths per year8.

• Approximately 38,000 deaths occur on an annual basis that relate to cardiovascular problems that in one way or another are connected to Sleep Apnea. These problems include high blood pressure.

Want to learn more about the very best treatment for Sleep Apnea?

Schedule a Consultation Call: 973 627 3617

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BOTOX® Cosmetic was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002. It has virtually changed the face of medical aesthetics.

A bright, confident smile can be the beginning of a new, vibrant you. There’s no reason to stop there. As holistic dentists, we are concerned with our patients’ total well being, and we offer cosmetic services including Botox treatments that can light up the rest of your face and help you feel great about yourself. Botox, a cosmetic injectable, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment and reduction of facial lines around the eyes and forehead for men and women between the ages of 18 and 65. Since Botox was approved for the treatment of facial wrinkles in 2002 it has revolutionized cosmetic medicine. In one office visit, you can get the same results formerly available only through expensive, painful facelifts. Botox injections are the number-one physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States. At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, Dr. Derek Fine is highly trained and experienced in administration of Botox and other cosmetic facial treatments.

How Botox Works

Botox temporarily smoothes moderate to severe glabellar lines – these are the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows that look like an “11! – in adult women and men. Botox relaxes the dominant facial muscles that cause the deep lines to form, creating a smoothed and improved appearance between the brows. Results vary with each patient, but can last up to four months with the first application, and the effects typically last longer with succeeding treatments. Botox is not for everyone – for example, patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome are at increased risk of potentially dangerous side effects – and anyone considering these treatments should first have a thorough medical evaluation, and ensure that they procedure is being performed by a qualified physician. But for the great majority of people concerned about facial lines and furrows, Botox provides an outstanding solution. Call or email us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fine, and let us give your whole face something to smile about!

To Schedule a Consultation Call: 973 627 3617

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If you are looking for  a quick way to whitening your teeth at home Philips Zoom Whitening Pens could be the solution. The pens which are suitable for use on most teeth types, promise great results and very little effort.

Though teeth yellowing is a natural ageing process, it can sometimes be the cause of insecurities. While stained teeth is often associated with bad habits, white teeth communicate self-care and responsibility. As a result, whitening your teeth can make you feel more confident in your own skin.

Philips Zoom Whitening Pens are a comfortable way to whiten your teeth at home. However, a thorough application can sometimes be difficult. Research can help you to achieve the best results.

Read on to find out whether these Zoom Whitening Pens are right for you.

A Brief Overview of Philips Zoom Whitening Pens

Pros:

• Can make teeth up to 5 times whiter
• Low cost compared to professional treatment
• Easy application
• Hassle-free compared to a whitening kit with gel and trays
• Portable: you can use them whenever and wherever you want

Cons:

• Whitening work does not work on discolorations caused by injury, or dental work such as caps, veneers, crowns or fillings
• Can be difficult to get a thorough application
• Possible side effects include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation

The Philips Zoom Whitening Pens are easy to use and can be applied effectively from the comfort of your home or office. However, when used incorrectly, you might experience some discomfort in the teeth and gums.

dental whitening result, before and after procedure. zoom whitening

5 Things You Need to Know About Philips Zoom Whitening Pens

1.) Do Philips Zoom Whitening Pens work?

In short: yes, they do. The Zoom Pens are an easy-to-use whitening system that uses a pen-like applicator to whiten your teeth without a mess. The pens use a bleach (hydrogen peroxide) to break down the colour of the stain, making it appear white.

Whitening pens release a gel containing the bleach, which solidifies into a thin layer. However, this gel can easily travel to your gums and cause irritation, unlike other products such as whitening strips which seal the whitening gel into the teeth. The whitening pens also need more than one application to be effective, unlike whitening kits which also use gel, but can be a one-off treatment.

But whitening pens are easy to use. Simply click the bottom of the pen to release the whitening gel and apply on your teeth like you would with nail polish. You can achieve the first shade lift after two weeks of application (view details).

2.) Are Philips Zoom Whitening Pens safe?

As with any whitening pens, the Philips Zoom Whitening Pens can cause side effects if incorrectly used. Tooth sensitivity happens when the peroxide present in the whitening gel gets through the enamel and comes in contact with nerves inside the tooth. However, the sensitivity is usually temporary and the Zoom Pens can certainly be an inexpensive and efficient alternative to professional whitening.

3.) How soon can you expect results?

You can see results after 2 weeks of consistent application. However, the results are also dependant on the proper use of the product. For example, as the gel used in the pens is not protected from the oral environment, you can accidentally wash it off if you don’t wait the proper time window between application and consuming foods.

How to use Philips Zoom Whitening Pens

Brush your teeth and floss as usual.

Press the button at the bottom of the pen to dispense the product to the brush.

Apply a thin layer of gel to the teeth like you would paint your nails or color in a drawing.

Avoid eating or drinking for the next 30 minutes after the application.

Use it twice a day for 2 weeks to achieve the shade lift.

4.) How long will results last?

There is no provided information about how long the results will last exactly, but it ranges between 6 months and 2 years. Because Philips Zoom Whitening Pens are not a substitute for dental care, you will get better results if used consistently and keep a good oral hygiene routine. As tea, coffee, wine and smoking being the main culprit of yellow teeth, avoiding these will ensure lasting results.

5.) Is there something better?

The Zoom Pens are suitable for anyone who has limited time and is often on the go. It is designed for adults and cannot be used by anyone under 16 years old.

As any whitening pens, the Zoom Pens are likely to be messy and may cause gum irritation. If you have particularly sensitive teeth and gums, whitening strips may be a better alternative as they have a physical barrier between the whitening gel and the rest of your mouth.

What’s in the box?

• 2 Zoom Whitening Pens, 2.7ml each

Amazon also sells a version of the Zoom Whitening Pens with the only 1pk.

Philips recently included the Zoom Whitening Pens in their Sonicare oral hygiene line. These are now available as Sonicare Single Whitening Touch-Up Pen, which comes in both a pack of 1 pen and 2 pens.

Philips Zoom Whitening Pens ingredients:

Whitening products are made of active ingredients, which are directly responsible for whitening, and inactive ingredients, which help the product to work well.

Active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide (5.25%)

Inactive ingredients: water, PEG-60, hydrogenated caster oil, PVP, ammonium hydroxide, sodium saccharin, etidronic acid, potassium stannate, carbomer, glycerin, flavor

Summary

The Philips Zoom Whitening Pens are easy to use, easy to carry around and only need 30 minutes to act. Hence, they are a great product for those who are looking for a quick way to improve the whiteness of their teeth.

See how the Philips Zoom Whitening Pen compares in our Best Teeth Whitening Pensround up.

FAQs

How long does one pen last for?

Each pen lasts for approximately 30 days.

Will they work on veneers?

No – the pens don’t work on any dental work. This is because the surface is not porous and the bleach cannot seep into it.

Can I use this instead of going for whitening sessions with the dentist?

The Zoom Pens are not meant to replace professional whitening or any dental care.

Can I use it on my child?

Zoom Pens should not be used on anyone under 16.

Are they dangerous to use?

Whitening pens are not dangerous, but they could cause gum irritation if not properly use or if you have gum sensitivity.

Can I use it on-the-go?

Absolutely. The Zoom Pens are designed to be easy to use, wherever you want.

Are they vegan-friendly?

Unfortunately, they are not.

Are they gluten-free?

No, they’re not.

I click and click and no gel comes out of the pen?

It may take up to 10-15 clicks the first time you use the pen for the gel to come out.

Is it safe to digest?

Yes – the gel is safe to ingest in small amounts.

Can pregnant women use this product?

If you have any medical condition, please speak to your doctor before using this product.

I have braces, can I use the pens anyway?

Unfortunately, the Zoom Pens cannot be used if you have braces or over any dental appliance.

Can the pen be refilled?

No – you should discard the pen once it is finished.

What percentage of hydrogen peroxide does it contain?

The Philips Zoom Whitening Pens contain 5.25% hydrogen peroxide.

The post Philips Zoom Whitening Pen: Is This Too Good To Be True? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

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The OraRisk® HPV Complete Genotyping test option will analyze the oral rinse specimen for 51 different types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), including high risk, low risk and unknown risk types. If the sample is positive for the presence of HPV, it will then be genotyped to identify which HPV type is present with the associated risk for that type. The complete list of HPV types able to be identified in this assay are:  2a, 6, 11, 16, 18, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 89.

The OraRisk® HPV 16/18/HR test on the other hand will look strictly for the presence or absence of HPV type 16 and type 18, in addition to a panel of 12 high risk HPV types.  This panel of 12 high risk HPV types include: 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 & 68. If a sample is positive for one of these 12 types, the assay will not specify which type, but simply state the sample is positive for one or more of the following 12 high-risk HPV types.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determines the risk associated with each type of HPV in our assays. It is always up to the provider ordering the test, to determine which OraRisk® HPV testing option they would prefer.  Overall, OraRisk® HPV complete genotyping offers a greater number of screened genotypes, and OraRisk® HPV 16/18/HR is focused solely on HPV types with high risk association. Regardless of which testing option is ordered, once the sample is received in our laboratory, the provider will receive results within approximately 3-5 business days.

The post What’s the difference between the two OraRisk® HPV testing options offered by OralDNA® Labs? appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

For too long healthcare has overlooked the potential of HPV to cause serious disease in the oral cavity, the pharynx and larynx.  Fortunately, early detection is key, and there is now a highly sensitive test that can identify early HPV infections called OraRisk ® HPV.  OraRisk ® HPV identifies the HPV infection often before any clinical symptoms can be seen, and before the most serious complication occurs, cancer.  If a person tests positive for a high-risk type of HPV, there is often ample time to carefully monitor what will happen next.  Importantly, the majority of persons who initially test positive for oral HPV will find they have a negative result upon retesting about a year later. The question then becomes, where did the HPV go?

HPV is a DNA virus, which will infect a cell, where it can reside quietly in the nucleus sort of “going along for the ride.”  A person’s immune system will work to keep that infected cell(s) from growing, and typically, no lesion will ever appear.  We call this state of the HPV infection, dormant.  More specifically, the molecular drivers that would cause HPV to replicate within the nucleus and infect adjacent cells and grow into a papilloma or some other type of “lesion” are usually kept in check by the person’s immunity.  When this happens, the level or copy number of the HPV is very, very low.  So low, that even a sensitive molecular test may not be able to detect the HPV DNA.  For individuals who experience a series of test results, which go from positive to negative, are at a very low risk for progression of that HPV infection.

By contrast, when our immune system is slow to keep that HPV infection in check, that first positive HPV test result might, after about 1 year, be positive on the second test as well.  When that occurs, and when the same HPV type is found on that second test, we refer to that condition as persistent HPV.  This happens in about 1% of initial tests that are positive, so in fact it is quite rare.  Testing again, in yet another year, the majority of these persistent infections will convert to negative, where they will, most likely remain.

When it comes to the counsel of patients concerned about oral HPV the approach is simple; detect early, retest in about a year and note that there is very likely plenty of time to act on the uncommon event, a patient with a positive test progressing to a lesion.  Remember, it’s a numbers game, and the odds are in the patient’s favor.  But nevertheless, to use an old phrase: Test, Don’t Guess!

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Receding gums is an age-related condition that we will all have to contend with at one time or another. It is where the term ‘long in the tooth’ comes from when describing older people. Our gums naturally recede with age but it can also be caused by periodontal disease, genetics, crooked teeth or even aggressive brushing.

If left unchecked, tooth roots can be exposed. This can lead to discomfort and accelerated tooth decay. Roots are not protected by hard enamel so will be subjected to the full range of rigors we regularly put our teeth through. This can lead to infection or worse. If no treatment is sought, it could even cause you to lose teeth!

How pinhole gum rejuvenation can help stop gum recession

Before pinhole gum rejuvenation, the usual treatment for receding gums was a lot of surgery. Gum grafts were often used to address receding gums which involved taking healthy tissue from elsewhere in the mouth and suturing it to replace tissue lost to recession. This was uncomfortable and very involved and a less than ideal procedure.

The Chao Pinhole^® Surgical Technique is a very effective alternative to this involved procedure. Instead of cutting and grafting, we can do everything through a pinhole. Like keyhole surgery in general medicine, pinhole gum rejuvenation does the same thing but inside your mouth.

The Chao Pinhole^® Surgical Technique

Using the Chao Pinhole^® Surgical Technique, we can address receding gums without invasive surgery. We use special instruments to create the pinhole. Then working through the pinhole the special tools are used to loosen the gum and pull it back up the tooth covering the root surface. The only incision is tiny. All work is then done inside the gum.

This has obvious benefits. It is much less invasive, involves much less discomfort, far faster healing and offers less chance of infection.

As holistic dentists, the team at Aesthetic Family Dentistry embraces innovations like this. It makes life much easier for the patient, involves less surgery, less medication, faster recovery and much less discomfort. Not only does it provide these advantages to undertaking this procedure, it helps encourage those who would otherwise avoid such a procedure through fear or pain or surgery.

Untreated gum recession can result in tooth loss at worst and periodontal disease at best. Pinhole gum rejuvenation goes a long way to addressing that with a very simple procedure that will work in the majority of cases.

If you would like to see if you are a candidate for pinhole gum rejuvenation, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today to schedule a consultation.

The post How pinhole gum rejuvenation could save your teeth appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

Medical ozone is completely different. While it is the same gas, it has been specially formulated to offer significant help for dentists and our patients.

Ozone and root canal

Root canal therapy is a surgery of last resort. It is only ever used when no other treatment will be effective. The procedure involves removing the pulp from inside the tooth that has become inflamed or infected. The tooth can survive without this pulp as it continues to be nourished from the surrounding gum.

A root canal involves the removal of the pulp, nerves, and blood vessels from inside the tooth. While this may sound painful, it really isn’t. Modern dentistry has progressed significantly and has removed much of the discomfort from this procedure. Once we have removed this material, we eradicate the infection and as much bacteria as possible.

Removing the infected pulp requires us to disinfect the tissue left inside the tooth before sealing it with a material called gutta-percha. Without ozone therapy, we can usually eliminate the majority of the bacteria living within the tooth. Using ozone therapy, we can eliminate 99.9 percent of bacteria.

This means the tooth is as clean and as disinfected as possible before we seal it up. This has obvious benefits for recovery as your body can concentrate on healing rather than having to fight bacteria too. The long-lasting effects of ozone therapy can continue for up to a year depending on your general oral health and any other issues you may have.

As hard as we might try, without ozone therapy, it is very difficult to effectively remove bacteria. There are lots of places for it to hide, including dentinal tubules within the tooth itself which can stretch for miles if placed end to end. Ozone therapy allows us to flood the entire area with disinfecting ozone gas to kill that 99.9 percent.

Using a special dental device, we can apply medical-grade ozone to the site of the root canal to eradicate any bacteria. The applicator sits on top of the tooth and only delivers gas to that tooth. The applicator then removes the gas from your mouth. The procedure is completely safe and has been used in dentistry across the world for a very long time.

Given its effectiveness at fighting bacteria, using ozone in root canal therapy offers many benefits. Further infection was always a risk after root canal therapy but with ozone, we eliminate bacteria and therefore make it less likely that your tooth will become re-infected.

If you think you may need root canal therapy, using ozone gas as part of the procedure offers real life benefits. Contact us here at Aesthetic Family Dentistry today to schedule a consultation.

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