A dental hygiene appointment in our New Jersey office is not just a cleaning. Just as an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure, the best oral health investment you can make is a regular appointment
with one of our highly skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated dental hygienists.
Our New Jersey-licensed dental professionals are specially trained in preventive dental care.
They are here to help you achieve and maintain good oral health. Once you have completed any dental
care, from simple fillings or crowns, to implants
and cosmetic dentistry, the hygienist will help you
maintain the new restorations for years and years to come.
We are proud to say that each of our hygienists graduated at the top of their class during their
professional education. They, like everyone in our practice, are dedicated to continuing education
at the highest level. Dr. James Courey encourages each hygienist to attend multiple continuing education
courses every year (beyond the minimum required by law) in order to ensure that our patients continue to receive the very best care.
As a patient of Dr. Courey, you may request to see the same hygienist at each visit. A relationship
and rapport develops, and the hygienist becomes familiar with your dental history and your individual needs.
Our hygienists spend up to a full hour with each patient ensuring the most comprehensive and thorough cleaning and
examination possible. During every appointment with the hygienist, the patient is also examined by a doctor.
What do our hygienists do during your visit?
- Review and assess your overall health history, during the first visit, to determine if there are any existing medical conditions that could have an impact on your treatment
- Assess, at each subsequent visit, your overall oral health and note any changes
- They are specially trained and qualified to administer local anesthesia and/or nitrous oxide to eliminate both anxiety and discomfort
Screen for oral cancer using state-of-the-art screening methods and equipment
- Look for problems, including cavities and gum disease that can be treated before they become much more serious
- Screen for oral symptoms of other serious illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes
- Teach, review and reinforce the techniques of good oral hygiene, including effective brushing and flossing
- Take digital x-rays
- Remove hard and soft deposits (calculus and plaque – which contains bacteria) both below and above the gum line
- Polish teeth
- Apply cavity-preventative agents, including fluorides wherever needed
- Apply, when indicated, an antibacterial medication (Arestin), which is placed directly beneath the gums of certain patients, to help slow the deterioration of the bone and soft tissues associated with periodontal disease
- Apply special desensitizing liquids to sensitive teeth
- Counsel on the link between diet, nutrition and oral health
- Work with you to develop a personalized oral health plan
Summing up the benefits of regular visits to a hygienist for checkups and cleanings:
- Many conditions can be detected and treated before they become unpleasant, time-consuming, costly and potentially dangerous problems.
- Studies show that patients who see their hygienist on a scheduled basis are more likely to have healthier bone and gums and to keep their teeth significantly longer.
- Poor oral health can affect your ability to properly chew and digest your food, leading to serious nutritional and systemic problems.
- Poor oral health can affect your appearance and your self-esteem.
- Poor oral health can have serious implications on your general health and well being.
We believe our dental hygienists play an essential role in our patients’ oral health and well-being. And our patients agree.
Arestin
Preventing and effectively treating or reversing gum disease is a top priority for our
patients’ best oral health. Periodontitis (gum disease) is a chronic, progressive, and
inflammatory infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss and may be linked to other
serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Arestin®, the
topically-applied antibiotic that we recommend, is a proven, effective weapon in the war
against this smile-destroying disease.
When used together with scaling and root planing, Arestin significantly reduces the depth of
infected pockets and helps prevent disease progression. A combined therapy of Arestin plus scaling
and root planing is more effective at fighting periodontal disease than scaling and root planing alone.
Arestin was shown to be particularly even effective in the more difficult to treat patients, such as smokers or people who have
cardiovascular disease. According to research, control of gum disease is significantly increased when Arestin is applied, in addition
to the thorough cleaning procedures that we provide. This antibiotic fights infection for up to 21 days after treatment and creates a
healing environment in which it attacks harmful germs and allows healthy oral bacteria to thrive.
Contact our office to schedule your dental hygiene appointment with our New Jersey dentist today.
Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey (SDNJ) provides comprehensive dental services, including dental hygiene in New Jersey. Dr. Courey is located in Manalapan and serves patients from the
areas of Freehold, Old Bridge, Morganville, Marlboro, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey.
