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Did you know that the American Dental Association does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty? That means that any general dentist can claim to do cosmetic dental work. It’s true that all aspects of dentistry, including filling teeth and fitting a crown, have some esthetic elements, so it’s smart to choose a dentist who understands that and delivers beautiful results no matter the procedure. The following tips will help you find the right cosmetic dentist for you–one that has the training and experience to make your smile dreams come true.

Keep the following in mind when looking for a dental professional who can provide porcelain veneers, aesthetic orthodontic treatment, or full-mouth reconstruction:

1. Experience – A good cosmetic dentist will have invested time to perfect his art. For the last 30 years, Dr. Michael Curtis has served the Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield communities with excellent general and cosmetic dentistry. Countless patients have enjoyed the results of beautiful smile makeovers. Don’t hesitate to ask a prospective dentist about his experience, and if he or she performs cosmetic dentistry as an integral part of the practice.

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Visit Bridgeport, Trumbull Dentist Dr. Curtis for Fast Relief of Dental Issues

There are many small ways you can keep from developing a dental emergency. In fact, the ADA provides excellent precautionary guidelines to avoid dental discomfort and trauma. For example:

• Wearing a mouthguard greatly reduces your chance of an oral injury on the playing field,
• Avoid risky habits like chewing ice or hard candy that can cause your teeth to chip or crack
• Don’t use your teeth to help open stubborn plastic packaging or cut tape
• Visit Dr. Curtis for preventive maintenance visits at regular intervals, so he can spot any problem areas as they develop.

Sometimes, though, even your best efforts can be thwarted by an unexpected problem or injury. If this happens to you, call our office for a same-day emergency appointment. Dr. Curtis can assess your condition and provide on-the-spot care to relieve the issue. It’s important to remember that pain is like a signal flare from your body, warning you that something’s wrong. Even if your tooth pain subsides for a while, it doesn’t mean that the underlying problem has disappeared.

Restoring your health and protecting your smile is always our focus, so the sooner Dr. Curtis sees you, the better the outcome will be for your smile. (more…)

Does the following situation sound familiar? You think about driving to a dental appointment, or walking in the door of the dentist’s office. Suddenly your palms are sweaty, and your heart is pounding. If this is you, you’re in good company. Dental fear is a pervasive problem, and many Americans just like you avoid proper care because of it.

At Dr. Michael Curtis’s Bridgeport, Trumbull dental practice, we are highly attuned to the unique needs of fearful patients. Our dentist and team are friendly, gentle, and truly focused on your comfort and well-being. We’ll thoroughly discuss your goals and develop a plan to overcome your anxiety, so your mouth can get the attention it needs. Dr. Curtis and his team not interested in lecturing you about past neglect, only in building a future of oral health with you as our partner.

In addition to our compassionate approach and welcoming office, Dr. Curtis also offers sedation options. (more…)

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) affects more Americans than heart disease, cancer, and stroke combined. At Dr. Michael Curtis’s office, we’re always looking for ways to serve patients with excellent dental care. If we find signs of gum disease at your dental visit, we can provide gentle, appropriate therapy with one of our gum care services.

About Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection that starts below the gum line, when sticky plaque hardens into tarter. Combined with bacteria and decaying food particles, infection spreads quickly. The signs of early stage gum disease, swollen, bleeding gums, are mild enough to escape your notice. But this signals the start of a progression into a serious condition which can cause bone deterioration, tooth loss, and spread infection into your entire body. (more…)

Would you like whiter teeth? A recent study showed that 80% of Americans aged 18 to 49 would love to have a brighter smile, and professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available. A brighter smile will make you look younger and may dramatically improve your self-esteem.

Dr. Curtis and our team offer two teeth-whitening systems: in-office whitening and take-home bleaching. Both are safe, gentle, and effective against stains and discolorations caused by food, beverages, tobacco, medications, and aging. Dr. Curtis will examine your smile to determine the teeth whitening method that’s right for you.

Take-Home Whitening
You can choose to whiten your teeth at home in as little as 30 minutes per day. Custom whitening trays and safe, professional-strength gels are easier and far more effective than weak solutions and strips you might buy at the store. And they fit comfortably and snugly against your teeth. Simply place the professional whitening solution in the trays, apply them for the prescribed time, and watch your smile brighten. Many patients see results after a few applications, but it’s best to figure 10 days to two weeks. You can skip days between treatments without compromising results. (more…)

It’s no secret: a person’s quality of life is better with a full smile. With a full set of teeth, you can smile with confidence and enjoy a more varied diet, among many other benefits. We want you to live life to the fullest, so Dr. Curtis offers custom dentures to restore your smile’s function and appearance. Modern dental materials and technology allow us to create dentures that look and feel like natural teeth.

Benefits of Prosthetic Teeth

• Support facial muscles for a youthful appearance
• Enhance quality of life
• Make chewing easier
• Improve speech difficulties (more…)

Are your teeth worn down? Does your bite feel off? Do you hide your smile because of stains, decay, or missing teeth? If you answered yes to these questions, talk with Dr. Curtis about full-mouth reconstruction.

Illness, injury, and daily living can take a toll on your smile. Designed to revitalize your appearance and oral health, full-mouth reconstruction will restore harmony in your mouth. The full-mouth reconstruction dentistry process combines cosmetic and restorative treatments to establish an ideal relationship between your teeth, bone tissue, gums, and related muscles. (more…)

As your general dentist, Dr. Curtis understands how important and confusing dental insurance can be. So our entire office staff is committed to explaining your benefit plan and making sure your claims are processed efficiently and correctly for you.

Preferred Provider:
Dr. Curtis is a preferred provider for Aetna, Delta, Guardian, Ameritus, United Concordia, Assurant, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and many other dental insurance plans. And if Dr. Curtis is not in your dental network, you will still probably have benefit coverage as our patient. Simply call our Trumbull, CT, Bridgeport, CT dental office to find out how we work with your benefit plan.

Whatever benefits you have, we will always explain your coverage and provide you with your estimated financial portion before we perform any treatment. In addition, our office offers many dental payment plans to help you get the best care possible. Ask us for more information if you’d like financing options. (more…)

Do you have crooked teeth? Do you have crowding or spaces in your smile that you would like to correct? Dr. Curtis offers “invisible braces” that can straighten your smile in an average of only 6 months!

How it works:
This orthodontic solution consists of clear brackets and tooth colored wires to move teeth, so it’s much less obtrusive than traditional braces. And if you prefer Invisalign-type clear aligners, Dr. Curtis also offers these type of invisible braces. Here you would get a series of clear removable trays that fit intimately over your teeth to create the beautiful smile you deserve. (more…)

If you’re an athlete or the parent of an athlete, you know that appropriate protective gear is invaluable. Helmets, knee pads, and other safety measures come to mind immediately, but were you aware that up to 40 percent of sports injuries involve the face? A professionally-made mouthguard from Dr. Curtis’s office can effectively protect an athlete’s mouth and reduce the trauma that can occur from a blow to a jaw.

What is a mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is a piece of protective gear that fits over your teeth and protects your smile as well as your lips, tongue, and jaw. A custom mouthguard is neither bulky nor uncomfortable, as store-bought mouthguards can be, and fits securely inside the mouth. Dr. Curtis’s custom mouthguards also won’t interfere with breathing or speaking during sports, so you can enjoy comfort and safety and even enhance your performance on the field. (more…)