Mass Ave Dental offers comprehensive general dental services, including routine cleanings and fillings, as well as more specialized treatments such as crowns, bridges (made of porcelain, ceramic, or gold), partial and complete dentures, extractions, implants, and now, Invisalign.
I’ve been seeing Dr.Alsamra for some time now, and I can confidently say this is the best dental experience I’ve ever had. The entire staff is incredibly professional and welcoming,
JW
John Westlake
Jul 9, 2024
1.0
I have been having problems with service at Mass Ave dental. I have been a patient for many years. After seeing me as a walk-in today, I complained about the past service, the office manager cornered me after the Dr. saw me, and said, the last time I was there, I called one of the desk people stupid. Which is a straight out lie, or I would have been kicked out then. Don't you think? I just could not wait with this pain any longer. The reason they do not want to see me is that I have been back too many times to count, for the same problem since December, 8 months now. My neck hurts, jaw, tooth, I have never been in so much pain for so long. So, now I still have a problem they caused, and they do not want me back there. I will never trust them again! The office manager said, we are ending your care, I said I'm getting a lawyer!" The office manager said to go ahead. This is the day and age we live in. There are other dentists in the area that have better ratings. Look at the low ratings, and if you read more of the low ratings, you'll notice a pattern. Like others, I also, have had similar problems, with billing, insurance, and payments. They fix it, but with an attitude, like the problem they caused is you, because of you, bringing it up to them! I should have left them years ago! OMG, I'm in so much pain, and it's worst than it was!
EC
Elizabeth Carbone
Apr 1, 2022
5.0
The dentist is quiet, professional and performs what you are there for. He took the time to explain my aftercare. The staff, in particular his dental assistant was communicative and informative. The waiting room was pristine and took me in on time for my scheduled appointment. (remember we are not at a salon, we are at a dentist office. I liked the get it done, and done right ! having the front desk staff and dental assistant informative and communicative was great)
What type of toothbrush and toothpaste should I use?
Buy toothbrushes with soft bristles. Medium and firm ones can damage teeth and gums. Use soft pressure, for 2 minutes, two times a day.
Both powered and manual toothbrushes clean teeth well. Manual brushes with mixed bristle heights or angled britles clean better than those with all flat, even bristles. Powered toothbrushes may be easier if you have trouble with using your hands.
Set a reminder to replace your toothbrush every 2-4 months. Toss it sooner if the bristles look bent or splayed out. Bent bristles don't clean as well. (they're also a sign you may be brushing too hard.)
Most toothpaste will clear away bacteria growth and acids from food and drinks. Toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance always have fluoride, which strengthens and protects teeth. If you want a non-fluoride option, stores carry toothpaste and powders made with natural ingredients that don't have ADA testing and approval.
If cold or hot food or drinks make you cringe, pick a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and let your dentist know.
Do I really need to floss?
There's no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears flood and plaque from between teeth and under the gumline. If you don't, plaque hardens into tartar, wich forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums pull away and teeth loosen.
Either waxed or unwaxed floss will do the job. Using floss picks or interdental brushes is another easy option.
What are early signs of dental trouble?
Visit a dentist if you have any of these issues or see your child having trouble chewing or complaining of soreness:
Mouth sores
Jaw pain
Redness
Swollen face or gums
Tooth sensitivity
Broken teeth
Dry mouth
Bleeding gums
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
Getting checked out right away prevents more serious problems and infections.
Are dental X-rays safe and needed?
Medical and dental experts study the use of X-rays and set limits for their safety. Your dentist should take as few as possible. Sometimes dentists may recommend X-rays to diagnose a special problem. Advancements in technology mean today's digital X-rays release much less radiation and are safer than in the past.
Expect to get them during a first exam after not seeing a dentist for a while. This helps check tooth and gum health. If you have gum disease, the dentist may want pictures every 6 months. For regular check-ups, it's about every 2 years, depending on your dentist's plan.
Kids have more X-rays done than adults because their teeth are changing and because they get cavities more easily.
How much radiation do I get from a dental X-ray and How does it compare to medical procedures?
The radiation you would receive from a traditional film dental X-ray is very low. Today, with non-film digital X-rays available, the radiation is reduced by an additional 90%.
Comparatively, a traditional chest CT scan exposes a patient to 2,800 times the radiation of a digital dental X-ray, and a mammogram gives off around 60 times as much radiation.
Surprisingly, you can get the same amount of radiation as one of our dental X-rays from eating about 50 bananas.
References:
BBC news magazine, 12 October 2011 "Go Figure: What Bananas Tell Us About Radiation," by Michael Blastland.
Everyday Health: "The Truth About Everyday Radiation," by Sharon Tanenbaum, Medically reviewed by Ed Zimney, MD.
3/18/2011.
Do teeth need fluoride?
Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association (ADA), and the CDC all agree that kids should use fluoride toothpaste for brushing, taking care not to swallow it.
Adults benefit from using fluoride to protect their teeth, too.
Are sweets and ice really bad for my teeth?
Yes, sweets and foods with acid, like candy and soda, could stick to teeth and lead to cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer and gum disease.
While teeth are strong enough to chew ice and tear open packages, this can break them and stress your jaws. Gritting or grinding down on teeth when you're stressed may crack them.
Biting your nails is another bad habit. It pulls your jaw out of position and changes how your teeth fit together.
It's been a long time since I've visited the dentist. What do I need to do?
You're not alone! Whether it's been 6 months or 6 years, it's never too late to get back into the routine.
At our dental office, we can arrange for you to have a thorough and educational exam appointment. We have been taking care of people just like you for over 50 years - take advantage of our experience! We're here to help!
Does having a cavity always mean that my tooth will hurt?
The occurrence of pain in a tooth signifies the problem has reached a more advanced stage. That's why you shouldn't wait until a tooth hurts. Having regular dental exams can lead to a cavity being caught early - and that's good news.
Yes, the cavity will still need to be filled; however, a cavity that goes undetected until it's causing pain can possibly mean that it will be more difficult and expensive to fix.
What about silver fillings vs. white fillings?
Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1933 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, "white" fillings can not be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.
What if I have a dental emergency but can't reach my dentist?
For a dental emergency, you ideally want to contact your regular dentist. If that's not possible, then contact another dentist near you. You may also want to go directly to an urgent care or an emergency room. Go online to look for ERs.
If you can't reach a dentist or can't leave your location, consider the following tips for temporary help.
If you have a toothache
-Mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and gently rinse your mouth with it.
-Brush the affected area gently and carefully floss the area in case there's trapped food causing pain.
-If it's okay for you to take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen, then do so. It may relieve your pain temporarily.
-A topical pain relief gel like Orajel or Anbesol contains the local anesthetic benzocaine. It may provide minimal temporary pain relief.
Even if your toothache pain subsides, you still need to see your dentist to identify the reason for the pain. More importantly, the pain may likely return and even worsen over time which is all the more reason to see a dentist as soon as possible.
If you have a permanent or temporary crown that breaks off
-You want to keep the tooth area as clean as possible. Rinse the area with salt water frequently (one teaspoon of table salt to one cup of warm water). If not too sensitive, the area can be gently brushed as well.
-It's possible that the original crown may be recemented. However, if too much time goes by, that may not be possible, and a new crown will need to be made.
If you have a broken filling or tooth
-Check your local drug store for a temporary filling product. Until you see your dentist, this can be placed over the affected area temporarily. As a last resort, you can use sugar-free gum to cover the area.