MILLION DOLLAR SMILE: “With our prosthodontics practice, we respond to many different situations. With our experience and confidence, we are able to treat complicated conditions and situations.” Dr. Steven C. Isaacson. D.M.D. and Dr. Suzanne B. Reinhardt. D.M.D. of Prosthodontics of Princeton are pleased to offer their patients state-of-the-art dental care.

A missing tooth or teeth? A damaged, fractured, or worn tooth? Teeth looking a little “gray”?

If you can identify with any of these situations, Prosthodontics of Princeton may be able to restore that million dollar smile.

Located in Princeton Professional Park at 601 Ewing Street, it is the practice of Dr. Steven C. Isaacson, D.M.D. and Dr. Suzanne B. Reinhardt, D.M.D.

Dr. Isaacson, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry, is continuing the practice started by his father, Dr. George Isaacson in the 1960s. After a one-year general practice residency at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Steven Isaacson went on to obtain specialty training in prosthodontics at Temple University School of Dentistry, with an emphasis on reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry. He then joined his father’s practice in 1988.

Restoration And Replacement

Dr. Reinhardt, a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, joined Prosthodontics of Princeton in 2004, after extensive training in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, including post graduate specialty training at the Manhattan campus of VA NY Harbor Health Care System.

Prosthodontics are dentists who specialize in the aesthetic restoration and replacement of teeth. Two or three years of additional training after dental school are required, where the dentists are educated in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating many different dental conditions. These include crowns, bridges, complete and removable partial dentures, dental implants, TMJ-jaw joint problems, traumatic injuries to the mouth’s structure and/or teeth, and snoring or sleep disorders.

“Teeth can have problems due to extensive cavities or periodontal conditions, or injuries,” explains Dr. Isaacson. “Also, sometimes people have grinding or clenching problems, which can wear down teeth or cause TMJ. We do a full mouth evaluation and come up with a treatment plan with a number of different options.”

One of the major advances in dentistry has been the growing emphasis on implants, he adds. “Implants began in numbers in the 1980s, and this was a total change. Before that, bridges and dentures were used to replace missing teeth.”

Root implants are the most widely used type of implants, and can provide a base for a single tooth or support a bridge or a denture, he explains. They are close in size to a natural tooth. Implants are inserted into the jawbone, and offer stability because the bone grows onto the implant, and once the fusion has occurred, it will allow for more natural and comfortable substitutes for lost teeth than dentures or bridges.

Candidates for implants must have healthy gums and adequate jaw bone to support the implant, points out Dr. Reinhardt. “We now offer ‘Teeth In A Day’. In some cases, we can provide extraction and the implants in one day. It is exciting and really on the cutting edge.”

Brighter Smile

Another important part of the Prosthodontics of Princeton practice, and increasingly popular, is teeth whitening. Many people are looking for a brighter smile these days, and are opting either for over the counter products to do the job or the more thorough and professional procedure a dentist can provide.

Whitening will remove surface stains, due to coffee, red wine, berries, and the passage of the years, notes Dr. Isaacson. “We evaluate a patient to see if whitening is appropriate. For example, only original teeth can change color, not crowns. Whitening can produce great results. We follow the ADA guide lines, and we have not experienced any harmful side effects.”

He adds that whitening is not generally done on patients under college age.

Dr. Isaacson and Dr. Reinhardt emphasize that they participate in continuing education to keep up with the latest advances in their field. “We attend education classes once a month. There are changes and advances in materials, techniques, implants, and medicine, etc. There are so many new materials coming along to help teeth to be strong and beautiful.”

Porcelain veneers (laminates), and bonding are just some of the possibilities available today to keep a smile looking great.

Both Dr. Isaacson and Dr. Reinhardt look forward to continuing to help patients achieve the best outcome for their dental needs They do all they can to provide a comfortable and relaxed environment, and are pleased to have a very strong patient base. “Some of our patients are referred to us by general dentists, and we are very proud that most patients have been referred by other patients. We have a very loyal following.”

All Ages

Although the specialty at Prosthodontics of Princeton is reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Isaacson and Dr. Reinhardt also treat patients for general dentistry. Their patients are all ages, including children. As they point out, “If someone needs restorative work, we can see other family members for general dentistry.

“I enjoy the patients so much,” continues Dr. Reinhardt. “It is wonderful to know that what you are doing is helping them and making a difference for them.”

“I like dealing with the people,” adds Dr. Isaacson. “I love all the different personalities. We really help to make people over, and it’s about trust. I try to explain about the procedure and help the patient become knowledgeable about what is happening. I feel a real closeness with them, and we can truly make a difference in their lives. It’s amazing when someone looks in a mirror and is so happy after the work. I am especially proud of being able to continue my father’s practice. We were a family of dentists.”

Prosthodontics of Princeton is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and one Saturday a month 8 to 1. (609) 924-1975.

Website: www.prosthodonticsofprinceton.com.