“A CERTAIN SMILE”: “I enjoy the flexibility and the opportunity to be innovative in how I can take care of the patient. My practice is full reconstructive comprehensive dentistry — a mix of everything, including implants, crowns, dentures, facial prosthetics, and more.” Dr. Michael Cortese of Princeton Prosthodontics, specializes in complete oral rehabilitation.

What is a prosthodontist? First, it is one of nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. Second, it is the only specialty that deals with the entire mouth.

“Think of it this way,” explains Angela Cortese, office manager of Princeton Prosthodontics at 311 Witherspoon Street. “The prosthodontist is the captain of the ship. He diagnoses and develops a treatment plan, which can include other specialists, such as orthodontists, periodontists, etc., and he directs it.”

Dr. Michael Cortese, D.M.D., P.A., who established Princeton Prosthodontics in 1987, has recently been listed in the first edition of “The Best Dentists in America”. Out of approximately 10,000 licensed dentists in New Jersey, 256 were selected. Nationwide, 7500 dentists are listed out of approximately 250,000 licensed dentists in America.

“I was truly excited to be nominated because the nomination committee is a group of faculty and dental practitioners that I have a great deal of respect for. To be voted in by such an esteemed group and your own peers is an honor I will strive to uphold.”

Post-Graduate Training

A native of Plainfield, Dr. Cortese received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and his dental degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Dental School. He received post-graduate training in maxillofacial prosthetics and dental oncology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. Recently, Dr. Cortese was invited to teach at the New York University Dental School in the Graduate Implant Program.

A member of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, a member or associate member of the American College of Prosthodontics, the American Dental Association, and the Society of Clinical Oncology, among many other organizations, Dr. Cortese has received numerous awards and honors, including being named as one of New Jersey’s top dentists by New Jersey Monthly Magazine. He also consults for the New Jersey State Board of Dentists.

Initially, dentistry was not part of Dr. Cortese’s plan. He aimed to be a surgeon, and was on his way to medical school. Plans have a way of changing, however, as he explains.

“In college, I lived with guys who wanted to go to dental school, and they urged me to consider it. I was a bio major, and it was rigorous. Finally, in junior year, I could take an elective, and I chose fine arts. I enjoyed painting and creating things, and found I had an aptitude for it.”

Artistic Skills

This led him to reconsider dental school, although his goal now was to focus on oral surgery. His advisors had other ideas, however, and directed him into maxillofacial prosthodontics, where all of his skills could be put to best use.

A maxillofacial prosthodontist constructs prosthetics to replace portions of the palate, jaw, and face, including eyes, nose, and ears, that are missing due to cancer, congenital defect, trauma, or surgical removal. The prosthodontist performs these supportive services for oral surgeons, dermatologists, opthalmologists, plastic surgeons, oncologists, and otolaryngologists. The work requires the skills of an artist and the techniques of a dentist.

After four years of dental school, Dr. Cortese received three more years of intense post-graduate training in maxillofacial prosthodontics and dental oncology. There are only three accredited maxillofacial prosthodontists in New Jersey and only 400 worldwide.

“After my training at M.D. Anderson, which is the premier cancer treatment center, I wanted to be in private practice,” says Dr. Cortese. “Princeton was right between New York and Philadelphia, and it was a great location.”

Dr. Cortese’s practice includes implants, bridges, dentures, inlays, crowns, bonding, and veneers, as well as teeth whitening (bleaching), treatment of TMJ and TMD, and snoring and sleep disorders (sleep apnea).

“I like being able to help people.” he explains. “If necessary, I can rebuild the whole mouth. Or someone may have lost a tooth and need to have a replacement. Whether to put in an implant or a bridge depends on the state of the teeth surrounding the gap from the missing tooth.”

Overall Health

“Dr. Cortese is looking at the patient’s overall health,” points out Angela Cortese. “Patients will get the best care and get it done right. During every visit, he checks for oral cancer. We are also seeing more TMJ cases now, which can come from over-use of the jaw, and it can be painful. He has also been working with sleep apnea conditions for 20 years. And he treats cleft palate cases, as well as medically-compromised patients, including those with ALS, MLS, and Parkinson’s Disease.”

Treating such a wide range of patients, typically within the ages of 35 to 75, Dr. Cortese spends a great deal of time with each individual case, including those patients who are afraid of dentists!

“We have ‘dentophobics’ who come, and they are really afraid to come in the door,” says Ms. Cortese. “You have to have patience to deal with the patients! Dr. Cortese is very good at establishing a relaxed, calm atmosphere and positive relationship with each patient. This is very important to him. We have patients from all over the state as well as Delaware, Philadelphia, New York, and even abroad. People find him on the internet”

“We enjoy getting to know our patients and their individual needs,” adds Dr. Cortese. “Our first goal is that our patients are comfortable and understand all of their treatment options. Additionally, we assist with convenient financing arrangements so that every patient can have the care they deserve.

“I really enjoy the challenge of my work,” he continues. “And it means a lot when people say ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you.’ Dentistry today is the best it has ever been. There is more flexibility now, and especially with the Branemark implant. It was a paradigm, a real shift with those devices. It opened doors to what we can do and be able to preserve what the patient has and restore it in a more natural and permanent way.”

Princeton Prosthodontics is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (609) 683-8282. Website: drcortese.com