Are you new in town? Looking for a dentist in Brookline, MA? It’s important that you find a dentist right away so you don’t experience a lapse in your regular cleanings and checkups.

We know that when you’re new in the area, the chance of there being a lapse in your regular dental checkups is high. But choosing a dentist in Brookline doesn’t have to be troublesome.

Location first.
First, narrow down your choices to find a dentist who is located in a location that is convenient for you. Brookline Village Dental is located right in Brookline, off of the T in Brookline Village, just minutes away from Fenway and on Route 9. We are convenient to many parts of Boston, Newton, West Roxbury, and of course Brookline. We are also very convenient to the hospital area on Brookline Avenue.

Do your research.
Ask your friends about us or use a review service like Yelp.

Here are a few questions that you can ask that will help you better understand which dentist is the right one for you.

1. Are you accepting new patients?
Dr. Juriansz is currently accepting new patients at his practice in Brookline, MA.

2. How long have you been in practice?
Dr. Juriansz has been practicing dentistry for 15 years.

3. How well can you work with my dental insurance provider and the plan my insurance plan?
Every insurance provider and plan is different. Call us and we will answer any questions you have to the best of our ability. We also recommend you contact your insurance provider for details on your particular plan.

Stop by the facility to view the facility and talk to the staff.
Nothing is better than first-hand experience. Stop by our office during our regular office hours to speak with us and get a feel for our office. Our friendly and helpful staff will make sure your experience is a pleasant one.

Are you concerned that you might get gingivitis or gum disease? Left untreated, these conditions can cause significant damage to your teeth and gums. Scaling and root planing are treatments that can be performed right in the Brookline Village Dental office in Brookline, Massachusetts, that will combat gum disease and gingivitis.

Why would a person need scaling or root planing?
Plaque and tartar sits on your teeth, providing an environment that is perfect for bacteria to multiply and thrive. This bacteria is what causes your gums to become infected and inflamed. In the early stages of gingivitis, you might notice that your gums bleed when you eat or brush your teeth. Depending on the condition of your gums, to clean the bacteria off of the tooth surface, Dr. Juriansz may clean your teeth by scaling them and then polishing them.

If your gingivitis isn’t treated, the bacteria can work its way down to the foundation of your tooth and cause a “periodontal pocket.” The bacteria can break down the bone that supports your teeth and they may eventually become loose. Unfortunately, damage to the support structure of your teeth is irreversible. To stop gum disease from progressing, Dr. Juriansz may advise you to have a deep cleaning (or root planing).

What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling is when the dental tartar is removed from the surface of your teeth. When Dr. Juriansz smooths the root surfaces of your tooth and removes sub gingival calculus (tartar), it is called root planing.

Does scaling and root planing hurt?
The professionals at Brookline Village Dental are very concerned with your comfort. If your periodontal pockets are not too deep, you may experience little to no discomfort during your procedure.

Depending on the severity of your condition, Dr. Juriansz may choose to numb the area to make the process more comfortable for you. Please don’t hesitate to speak with us about how best to manage any discomfort you may experience.

Dr. Juriansz will teach you how to care for your teeth and gums after scaling and root planing.

Do you have any questions? Need an appointment? Contact our dental office Brookline for quick, friendly service today.

Do you have spontaneous pain or throbbing when you chew? How about sensitivity to cold or hot foods? Was there severe injury to one of your teeth or tooth decay? These are all indicators of problems with your teeth that warrant a checkup with your dentist.

If you do need a root canal, you may be in a lot of pain and might want to schedule an emergency dental appointment.

Why would I need a root canal?
The nerve in the tooth may have gone bad (infected) or may be traumatized. However, a root canal can still save the tooth.

What does a root canal at Brookline Village Dental consist of?
To do a root canal, Dr. Juriansz or a specialist called an Endodontist, will remove the irritated or infected nerve tissue that lies inside of the root of the tooth. This infected pulp tissue is what causes eventual abscesses. The tooth is then disinfected and sealed. Often the tooth will require a crown or possibly a filling if there is not too much damage.

Below is the typical root canal treatment for patients seeing Dr. Juriansz or an Endodontist:

Step 1
The dentist will obtain access to your tooth’s nerve by creating a small opening in the top of your tooth. He will most likely perform this part of the procedure after administering local anesthetic to you.

Step 2
The dentist will determine the length of the root canal and then remove the pulp.

Step 3
The dentist will locate and reshape the nerve, then prepare the tooth to accept a special filling material. However, you may not have your tooth filled until your next visit. Note that the number of visits necessary to complete a root canal depends on a few factors such as the number of nerves in your tooth, the state of the nerve and extent of infection, and complexity of the root canal procedure.

Step 4
Finally, the dentist will seal the root canal with a sterile material in order to prevent future infection.

If your tooth is treated early enough, root canal therapy doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. At Brookline Village Dental, we take your comfort seriously. Contact us for to schedule a root canal in Brookline or a simple checkup for friendly, professional service today.

Crown, Filling or Veneer?

Chipping your front tooth can be a traumatic experience. Your front teeth are the showcase of your smile, and your smile is one of the foundations of an aesthetically pleasing face. If you have chipped a front tooth, you have several options available to you. Keep in mind your options will be determined on a case-by-case basis if you do have a chipped front tooth, we recommend you call us to make an appointment right away.

Treatment for your broken front tooth depends on the severity of the damage.
If you only have a little damage where, for example, only a little of the enamel chipped off, we may be able to repair your tooth in one office visit. But if the damage is more severe it may take more time to properly repair your tooth.

Dental Bonding or Fillings
When a small piece of enamel is chipped off, we may be able to repair it with a procedure called bonding. Bonding is a relatively simple procedure and generally doesn’t require that the tooth be numbed. To bond your tooth, Dr. Juriansz will first use a liquid to etch the surface so that the bonding material will bond to the surface of it. Next he will apply adhesive material to your tooth, then the bonding material (also called composite filling). Dr. Juriansz will take great care to shape the bonding material so that it matches your other teeth and looks natural. Last, he will use a special light to harden the bonding material.

Dental Crowns or Caps
If you have broken off a large piece of your tooth, Dr. Juriansz may have to remove part of what is left in order to cover it with a crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is specially made to protect your damaged tooth while improving its appearance. During the first visit, Dr. Juriansz will take dental X-rays to check to make sure there are no problems with the roots of your tooth or the bone surrounding it. Then he will take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab where they will make your crown. Dr. Juriansz will send you home with a temporary crown, which you’ll have on until your permanent crown arrives.

Depending on your unique circumstance, your crown could be made of resin, ceramic or porcelain fused to metal. Each type of material has different benefits. While all-metal crowns are the strongest, resin and porcelain crowns can be made to look more like a natural tooth.

When your permanent crown arrives, Dr. Juriansz will remove your temporary crown, check the fit of the permanent one and then cement it into place.

Dental Veneers
If you have chipped your front tooth, Dr. Juriansz may be able to use a veneer to make it look like a beautiful, healthy tooth again. A veneer is made out of tooth-colored resin or porcelain and it covers the front of your tooth.

Dr. Juriansz will first prepare your tooth by removing a tiny bit of enamel from your tooth’s surface. Then he’ll take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab to have the veneer made. After the veneer arrives you’ll come back to the office and he will etch the surface of your tooth with a liquid to help the veneer bond to it. He will then place the veneer on the prepared tooth, using a special kind of cement. Then he’ll use a special light to help the cement harden.

If your tooth is damaged, it’s important to see us as soon as possible.
A fractured, chipped or broken tooth could become further damaged or infected. If you do have a damaged tooth, call us to schedule an appointment immediately so we can help you maintain the healthiest, most beautiful smile possible.

You’re wondering how you can get gum disease, and probably how to prevent it. There’s good news – there is hope for your gums. Stop by our office for a checkup or cleaning and we will examine your teeth and gums, and give you treatment based on your unique condition.

What is gum disease?
Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. It’s an infection of the tissue that supports your teeth. Periodontal disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults and because it is usually painless you might not even know that you have it until it is too late.

When you visit Brookline Village Dental for regular checkups your dental hygienist may take certain measurements in the crevice between your teeth and gums (your sulcus) if there is any indication of gum disease.

What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that continually forms on your teeth. When it builds up between the teeth and gums it can create toxins that damage your gums.

Gum disease often begins just below the gum line, causing the tooth’s attachment and supporting tissue to break down. As your gums are damaged, the crevice between teeth and gums develop a pocket; generally speaking, the more advance the gum disease, the deeper the pocket is.

Periodontal disease is classified according to its severity, middle, moderate and severe.

Gingivitis is the early sign of potential gum disease.
Characteristics of gingivitis include red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Gingivitis is treatable and often reversible through proper brushing and flossing daily.

Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease.
Periodontitis affects the bone and gums that support your teeth. When these become seriously damaged, it can affect how well your teeth are anchored into place. If your gums are affected by periodontitis, your teeth can become loose, and may need to be removed.

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing periodontal disease.

• Systemic diseases such as diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Defective fillings
• Crooked teeth
• Some types of medications
• Tobacco chewing or smoking

If you have any of the following signs of periodontitis, we recommend you see a dentist as soon as possible.

• Loose or separating permanent teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Gums that are pulling away from your teeth
• Gums that bleed easily

It’s possible to have gum disease but see no warning signs.
Regular dental checkups and examinations are important to prevent gum disease. Your treatment will vary depending on what type of gum disease you have and how far your condition has progressed.

Good oral hygiene is imperative to preventing gum disease
To prevent gum disease from progressing or recurring, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene. When you visit us at Brookline Village Dental in Brookline, Massachusetts, we will teach you how to brush and floss properly to help maintain a healthy oral regimen so you can be sure you have a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Good Diet
Avoiding intake of sugar in certain food forms for example soda, candies, gum, breath mints, etc. will help prevent gum disease. Chronic intake of sugar is more damaging than the amount of sugar. Try to restrict sugar intake to dessert only.

Periodontal Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

As your community dentist in Brookline, our foremost concern is always the prevention of oral disease like periodontal disease. Prevention is the key to long-term, low-cost dental health.

Periodontal disease can slowly creep up on you and if it isn’t addressed it may lead to major issues. Left unchecked, periodontal disease can be a contributing factor to:

• Tooth loss
• Bone loss
• Sore teeth
• Swollen and sensitive gums
• Bad breath
• Toothaches

While this does not happen to everyone who has periodontal disease, the presence of infection can contribute to these health issues. TheAmericanAcademyof Periodontology, the American Dental Hygiene Associate and the American Dental Association all link periodontal disease bacteria to general good health.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Like tooth decay, periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. When the bacteria from plaque gets under your gums, your gums and the surrounding soft tissue of the tooth can become inflamed. This inflammation/infection of your gums and/or surrounding tissues that hold your teeth in place is called periodontal disease. Left untreated, it can lead to your teeth shifting, becoming loose and eventually tooth loss.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Bleeding when eating normal foods or brushing. It is a sign that you may have periodontal disease when your gums bleed excessively during a regular dental cleaning or when doing “normal” activities like eating.
• Ongoing bad breath, even after you have just brushed and flossed your teeth.
• Receding gums and/or loose teeth. Loose teeth and “longer-looking” teeth can be an indicator of bone loss due to periodontal disease.

If you experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our office without delay.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

Keep in mind the root cause of inflammation is “bad” bacteria under your gums. But how does “bad” bacteria get under your gums? In most cases the answer is, poor oral hygiene or lack of professional dental maintenance.

Treating Periodontal Disease

The best treatment for periodontal disease is prevention. You must fight the “bad” bacteria, plaque and tartar. Bacteria is always present in your mouth. That’s why brushing and flossing is so important.

You can help prevent periodontal disease by:

• Brushing properly at least twice a day
• Flossing properly to remove food particles from in between your teeth
• Having regular dental cleanings and review oral home care with a dental professional

If you already have periodontal disease, there are many treatments available to you depending on the condition of your gums, teeth and bone. Before you have any treatment performed, we’ll do a complete periodontal exam of your mouth right here in ourBrooklinedental office. Common treatments for periodontal disease include:

• Scaling and root planing
  In some cases, in order to preserve your teeth and gum tissue, we will do a “deep cleaning” to remove the calculus and bacteria that is causing the infection. You may also be prescribed a prescription antimicrobial mouthwash.
• Tissue regeneration
  Sometimes when your bone and gum tissue has been destroyed, we can encourage regrowth by using grafting procedures. In this case, we may opt to insert a membrane into the areas that has been damaged in order to assist in the regeneration process.
• Pocket elimination
  Pocket elimination surgery is a treatment that can be performed to reduce the pocket size between your teeth and gums.
• Dental implants
  If you have lost teeth because of periodontal disease, dental implants may be an option for you. If you have bone loss, you may have to have a tissue regeneration procedure performed first in order to strengthen your bone.

Brookline Village Dental for Periodontal Disease Treatment & Prevention

We take pride in exceeding your expectations and dedicate ourselves to providing you with a pleasant, comfortable experience. We’re passionate about improving your dental health and providing you and your family with great dental care in a patient-centered environment.

Your individual needs are always taken into consideration and we’re committed to giving you the information you need to help you make the most informed decision possible.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please give us a call at 617-731-3888. We serve dental emergencies during our office hours and make space available for evaluation. We may refer you to a specialist or emergency room, depending on the emergency.

Common Dental Emergency Problems

There are many dental problems that you could be experiencing that warrant an emergency visit. These include abscesses, lost crowns, lost fillings, knocked out tooth/teeth, broken teeth and toothaches.

Knocked Out Tooth

If you have a tooth that is completely knocked out, contact your dentist as soon as possible. It may be possible to have  your tooth placed back into your mouth.

Chipped Tooth

If you have a small chip in your tooth and you have no pain as a result of it, there is more leeway as to when and how you decide to repair the tooth. We may be able to smooth or cosmetically correct your chipped tooth, depending on the size of the chip and extent of the damage. We will explain these options to you.

Other Dental Complications

There are many dental complications besides accidental chipped or knocked out teeth that can become too painful to endure. This can include:

• Swollen gums
• Abscessed teeth
• General tooth decay
• Infected gums
• Damaged dentures
• Lost crowns
• Loose fillings

Any of these dental complications should be addressed as soon as possible. Left untreated, they can lead to progressively poor oral health, which can cause other serious health issues.

No one should suffer through dental pain.

If you’re in need of emergency dental care, please don’t hesitate to call us. Because we’re located right in Brookline, Massachusetts, we’re easy to get to and right in your neighborhood. We’re available to help you keep a healthy mouth.

Brookline Village Dental offers professional teeth whitening right here in Brookline,Massachusetts.

Professional teeth whitening in Brookline doesn’t have to come at a hefty price. If you’re a Brookline Village Dental patient and you’re a student or senior citizen, you can get great deals on teeth whitening at our office.

We offer 20% off teeth whitening kits (including custom trays) for new patients with a full series of X-rays, cleaning and comprehensive exam. We offer an additional 5% off for senior or student discounts.

What is teeth whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a simple oxygenating procedure that brightens and lightens discolored teeth. It’s the most effective in whitening teeth that are discolored due to stains from tobacco, food or drink such as coffee and tea, or the natural aging process. It can also be used to improve the appearance of chemically induced stains such as excessive fluoride, or medication.

How does teeth whitening works at Brookline Village Dental?

If you have dull or discolored teeth because of the natural aging process, smoking or drinking coffee, the dental professionals at Brookline Village Dental can help improve your smile! We use safe, effective teeth whitening procedures.

We discuss all of your options with you and find a teeth whitening procedure that fits your needs — whether you want to lighten one slightly off-colored tooth or bleach multiple teeth.

Once you make an appointment at Brookline Village Dental, our dental professionals will determine whether you are a good candidate for a lightening or bleaching treatment. We may need to take X-rays in order to assess the appropriate treatment for you.

In some cases, the right treatment for you may involve veneers rather than professional bleaching. We will also take into consideration any crowns or bridges that you have in place, as these dental fixtures will not respond to bleaching.

Whatever you decide, we’re here to help improve and brighten your smile. Contact us for a consultation today.

Most people are aware that brushing your teeth is an important part of good oral care, and that not brushing your teeth properly can lead to cavities, inflamed gums and other health complications.

But did you know it’s possible to brush your teeth too much or too hard? Read on to learn seven common tooth-brushing mistakes – and how to avoid them.

1. You’re not using the right toothbrush.

When picking a toothbrush, many people forget to consider their mouth size. If you’re straining to open your mouth in order to get the toothbrush in, it’s too big. You should also be able to easily move the brush over and around all of your teeth, even the very back ones.

2. You’re not picking the right bristles.

Do you spend hours picking out your toothbrush based on whether the bristles are angled or straight? What about the toothbrushes that have “gum massagers” and super-fine bristles intermixed with thicker bristles. What toothbrush is better? Angled or straight?

Here’s the funny thing – the angle of the bristle matters much less than the hardness of the bristle. And the hardness of the bristle is less important than your technique. The American Dental Association recommends a soft-bristled toothbrush. Toothbrushes with stiff bristles can aggravate your gums and teeth. Generally speaking, your toothbrush bristles should be stiff enough to remove plaque, but not stiff enough to damage your teeth.

3. You don’t brush often enough or when you do brush, you don’t brush long enough.

You should brush your teeth softly at least twice a day. Brushing after meals is recommended. When you wait too long to brush your teeth after meals or between brushings, plaque builds up and opens you up to the risk of tooth decay and gum inflammation.

It should take you at least two minutes to brush your teeth, three is even better. Try dividing your mouth into “30-second quadrants” where you divide your mouth into four sections and brush each one for 30 seconds.

4. You brush your teeth too hard or too often.

If you brush your teeth more than four times a day, it could contribute to the root of your tooth being exposed. Brushing too hard or too often can also erode your tooth enamel, gum tissue, and root surfaces. The best course of action is to brush very gently for two to three minutes, two to three times daily.

5. You have bad tooth-brushing technique.

If you use long, horizontal strokes across the top of your teeth, you could be irritating your gums and causing abrasions on your gum line. It is recommended that you brush your teeth in an up-and-down or circular motion, not horizontal. Also, be sure to brush the outer and inner tooth surface, the chewing surfaces, cheeks and tongue.

6. You don’t let your toothbrush dry.

Did you know that if your toothbrush is always moist it will cultivate bacteria? Don’t let your toothbrush stay soggy. Rinse your toothbrush well, and then shake out the moisture after you are done brushing. If you use a toothbrush cap, be sure it’s the kind that allows air in.

7. You don’t change your toothbrush often enough.

The American Dental Association recommends that you change your toothbrush at least every three to four months. You should change out your toothbrush sooner if the bristles look like they’re getting frayed. A good rule of thumb is to keep a close watch on your bristles. When they lose their normal flexibility or start to break apart, get a new one.

We Care About Your Smile

At Brookline Village Dental, we’re concerned with teaching you good home care as well as giving them excellent patient care when they are in our office. Visit call us today to make an appointment for a cleaning, checkup or teeth whitening. We offer dental discounts to students and seniors.

Great Deal on Night Mouth Guards

At Brookline Village Dental, we offer a great deal on mouth guards. While most dentists charge somewhere in the neighborhood of $750-$960, you can get a custom night mouth guard for $460 at Brookline Village Dental and protect your teeth if you grind them at night.

Why would I need a night mouth guard?

Brookline Village Dental, located in Brookline, Massachusetts, specializes in preventive and cosmetic dentistry, especially treatments like dental implants, veneers and mouth reconstruction. But the most effective way for you to avoid the need for dental reconstruction is to take care of your teeth and mouth with preventive dental treatments.

You can have regular teeth cleanings performed in our Brookline dental office, but sometimes there’s more to keeping your teeth and mouth healthy than simple cleanings. Something seemingly harmless like grinding your teeth can cause serious oral complications over time. Fortunately, there are things that can be done to help minimize the impact of teeth grinding – and we can help.

How does a custom night guard work?

You wear the night guard at night on one dental arch (usually the top arch). The night guard prevents the teeth from grinding against each other. It also can promote a more relaxed and comfortable jaw position, which reduces stress on the jaw joint (TMJ) and muscles in the area.

How do I know if I should see Dr. Jurianz about a night mouth guard?

Do you have chronic, daily headaches because you grind your teeth? Do you wake up in the middle of the night with jaw pain? If you do, contact Brookline Village Dental about a custom night guard fitting. It can help you to stop clenching and grinding before you cause permanent damage to your teeth. A well-constructed, properly fitted night mouth guard can reduce your discomfort and keep you from many other grinding-related problems in the future.