Bonding
Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained or have gaps between them. Procedures are usually painless and provide dramatic results in a single office visit. Bonding is a great way to change the shape or color of a single tooth or, if necessary, to remake your entire smile. After treating the tooth surface, Dr. Ruden applies a putty-like bonding material that is then sculpted, shaped and colored to specification. A high-intensity light causes the plastic to harden after which the new surface is smoothed and polished.

Bridges
The loss of even a single tooth can have a major impact on your dental health. Dr. Ruden may recommend a bridge be used to replace one or more teeth. This consists of a replacement tooth/teeth attached to crowns on each side. The bridge is cemented to the teeth adjacent to the space, effectively replacing the missing tooth and preventing any shifting.

The procedures involved in making a bridge are very similar to those for making a crown. Bridges can be made from the same materials as crowns - full porcelain, porcelain fused-to-metal, and all metal.

BriteSmile
One of our most popular in-house teeth-whitening systems, BriteSmile brightens and whitens teeth by up to ten shades in under an hour. BriteSmile is a scientifically advanced system that utilizes a highly specialized gel formula and laser light to transform dull or stained teeth, resulting in a bright and luminescent smile.

During the procedure, the patient’s gums, lips, and cheeks are protected while gel is applied to the teeth. Laser light is then directed at the teeth to activate the whitening gel. During a 45-minute period, the gel lightens teeth that have become discolored due to coffee, tea, nicotine, antibiotics, or the effects of aging. At the end of the treatment, a staff member will remove the whitening gel to reveal whiter, brighter teeth and, of course, a more radiant smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry
We understand that a smile can be the most eye-catching feature of your face. Each year, we help patients achieve their dream smiles through advanced cosmetic dentistry techniques including tooth whitening, bonding and veneers. If chipped, stained or crooked teeth are concealing the real you, we can give you a smile makeover with immediate and dramatic results.

Crowns
Crowns, or caps for teeth, look and function just like natural teeth. Dr. Ruden may recommend a crown if your tooth has enough decay that it cannot hold a filling, or if your tooth is cracked or broken and in danger of cracking down into the root if left unattended.  A crown covers your tooth completely.  It fits snugly at the gum and protects what remains of the natural tooth.

Emergency Dental Care
We understand the importance of emergency dental care for all patients. That’s why our staff is on call 24 hours, 7 days a week for dental emergencies. Should you have a dental emergency, call the office and we can accommodate your needs right away.

Fillings
Fillings are used to replace and restore the tooth structure that is damaged due to decay or fracture. Old broken-down amalgam/metal fillings can be replaced with white fillings (composites) to restore your smile and teeth to a more natural appearance.

Implants
Many patients who have lost teeth know that it’s difficult to duplicate the performance and looks of your own healthy teeth. Whether you have full or partial dentures or have recently lost a tooth, implants may be an option for you. Implants attach directly to the jaw. They can replace one or more teeth, provide support for a partial denture or be used to attach to a full denture.

Implants are not an option for everyone. If you have jawbone ridges that are in good shape and healthy gums, you may be a good candidate for dental implants.

Intraoral Camera
Our state-of-the-art intraoral camera and computer system allow us to give you the most personalized treatment available. The camera transmits pictures from inside a patient's mouth onto a chairside monitor. Patient and doctor can review the pictures and discuss treatment options. The intraoral camera also provides before and after pictures, so the patient can see what was accomplished through restorative or cosmetic procedures.

Invisalign®
Using the latest 3D computer technology, Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten teeth using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. An alternative to metal braces, Invisalign® has become a popular choice among teenagers and adults alike. So whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart, or have shifted since wearing braces, you’ll have a new reason to smile. Since there are no metal brackets or wires, you can enjoy your favorite foods and smile without holding back. The best part of all is that aligners are removable, so it’s easy to eat, floss and brush.

Invisalign® works gradually during the course of several months and up to two years to shift teeth into proper alignment. Patients may wear anywhere from 18 to 30 aligners during the course of treatment, depending on their needs.

Oral Exams and Cleanings
At Sea Cliff Health Center, we believe maintaining good dental hygiene requires routine professional dental cleanings and oral exams. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. And clean between teeth once a day with floss or an interdental cleaner to remove decay-causing bacteria that toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Look for oral hygiene products that display the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, a symbol of safety and significance.

Pediatric Dentistry
Our professional staff is qualified to handle all of your child's dental needs.  Working closely with our hygienists, children are always given special treatment. Dr. Ruden will evaluate your child's oral cavity to assess tooth and jaw development. Dental sealants and fluoride treatments are offered, as well as referrals for children's orthodontics if necessary.

Periodontal Care
For adults, periodontal (gum) diseases represent a major cause of tooth loss. This is caused by bacterial infections that attack gums, ligaments and bone. Although the body has some natural defenses that resist bacterial attacks, these may not fully protect gum and bone tissues from inflammation and infection.

Periodontal care at Sea Cliff Health Center gives patients preventative care and treatment options. Dental X-rays can evaluate bone supporting the teeth and detect other problems not visible during the clincial examination. Treatment methods depend upon the type and progress of the disease.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a great way to fix front teeth without the hassle of braces or crowns. If you have experienced tooth discoloration from staining, medication, injury, or age, or if your smile is uneven due to spaces or chips, porcelain veneers can restore your smile.

Restorative Dentistry
Our practice provides the highest-quality general dentistry services for restoring mouths that have been damaged by dental disease and injury. Our primary goal for our patients is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health through advances in techniques, technologies and by maintaining their scheduled dental exams.

Root Canal
Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with root canal therapy you may save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp, which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth.  It runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If it remains, your tooth becomes infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed to protect it. Then a crown is placed over the tooth to help make it stronger.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure involving one to three visits with little or no discomfort. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile.

Sedation Dentistry
Have you been putting off dental work for years? After experiencing Sedation Dentistry, many patients say they are no longer afraid of dental visits. Because you are completely comfortable, Dr. Ruden can restore your mouth to health in just one visit.

On the day of your appointment, you'll take medication in pill form, and then a companion will take you to the Center. By the time you arrive, you should begin to feel drowsy. Our team of professionals will be there to greet you and stay with you every step of the way. Most patients feel no pain or discomfort whatsoever during and after treatment, and have little or no memory of the visit.

TMD Disorder
We’re staffed to handle all types of TMD.  TMD disorder describes a variety of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (the point where the jaw opens and closes) and nerves related to chronic facial pain. TMD causes a number of problems, including joint pain in the jaw, shoulder pain, headaches, earaches, and tooth pain. Teeth grinding or jaw clenching are common causes of the disorder, which puts the temporomandibular joint under extreme pressure.

Sea Cliff Health Center offers bite therapy for patients complaining of TMD disorder symptoms. Treatment is prescribed after conducting a thorough health history, clinical exam, taking appropriate X-rays, and other diagnostic tests. Jaw exercises may be recommended to reduce clenching and grinding and promote better jaw control.

Tooth-Colored Fillings
In the past, teeth were most commonly repaired with amalgam (silver) fillings or gold restorations. Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, teeth can be restored with a more aesthetic and natural appearance. There are different types of cosmetic fillings currently available that can match your natural tooth color.

Tooth Extractions
While there a a number of reasons that a tooth may need extraction, the most common is advanced tooth decay. If a tooth has decayed to a point where restorative procedures such as drilling and placing crowns, onlays, or inlays will not save it, then an extraction is needed to protect the mouth from further infection and damage. In addition, tooth extractions are performed on patients who have impacted teeth or who need more room in their mouths in order to receive the benefits of orthodontic treatment.

Tooth Whitening
There is nothing more powerful than a dazzling smile. Whiter teeth not only look better, they make you feel more confident. We can provide a variety of options for whitening your smile. Laser tooth bleaching or whitening lightens the color of teeth whether darkened from age, coffee, tea or tobacco.

A less expensive alternative to in-office procedures is teeth-whitening trays. Dr. Ruden will custom-fit your tray, so you can brighten your teeth in the comfort and privacy of your own home.