May 13, 2022
The process of getting a crown just became a whole lot easier for our patients! The team at Falmouth Dental Arts is excited to offer same-day crowns, also known as Dentistry Powered by CEREC®—(Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics). With this advanced technology, we can now provide same-day crowns and other dental restorations right in our Falmouth, Maine dental office. The CEREC® Primemill, developed by Dentsply Sirona, is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that allows us to mill, bake, and stain your new crown all in one visit – so there is no more need for a temporary crown. Because of this exciting upgrade, getting a crown will now be a faster and more comfortable experience. The cost of same-day crowns is also on par with traditional crowns. Always seeking to expand our knowledge in the field, our team has participated in extensive training to be able to offer this convenient new option to our patients. Let’s take a deeper look at what this technology means for you, our patients.
Benefits of Same-Day Crowns
We are pleased to be one of just a handful of family dentistry practices in the Portland, Maine area to offer same-day crowns, as they offer many benefits for our patients:
- Less time at the dentist
- A permanent solution in just one visit – no need for temporary crowns
- Minimally invasive
- Highly precise and custom-made for an optimal fit
- Natural-looking
- Made from safe material
- Durable and long-lasting
How Do CEREC® Dental Crowns Work?
This new technology is exciting for many reasons, one of them being how much easier it will make dental restoration for our patients. The same-day crown procedure is a simple four-step process:
1) Scan
We use digital scans to create a 3D model of your teeth. This is an easier process than traditional impressions, which means less discomfort for you.
2) Design
We use CEREC® Software to design your customized restoration right here in the office. The designs are extremely accurate and can be created very quickly.
3) Manufacture
Next, the design is sent to the milling machine to create your custom crown. The process is very precise and allows us to create a very smooth and realistic result in just one visit.
4) Heat
Your custom ceramic dental crown is then sintered (baked) and glazed using a special sintering furnace made just for dental restorations.
Like any dental restoration, your new ceramic crown may be sensitive for the first few days after your visit. If you have any questions about same-day crowns, would like to make an appointment, or want to become a new patient, give us a call, or fill out a new patient form today!
Apr 18, 2022
At FDA, our goal is to provide the best oral care possible and that starts as soon as our patients walk in the door. Our front desk team is there to help our patients immediately feel comfortable and welcome. We are so lucky to have such a great group at the front desk, and we are excited to welcome a new member to the team – Amy! You’ve likely experienced the compassionate care of Sue, Marlene, Lauren, and Amy as they help you get checked in for your appointment with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos, answer your questions, and make sure you are scheduled for your next check up. They are at the heart of our practice and we are so grateful for their hard work and commitment to patient care. In honor of these wonderful women, let’s hear what they have to say about their work:
Sue
“Over the past 30 years I have seen many changes in dentistry. I am so happy to work with doctors who keep us current with the latest techniques and technologies.”
Sue is our office manager as well as a hygienist. Known for her excellent listening and communication skills, Sue is always available to help patients learn about the treatment options that will meet their needs. She has been a part of our team for close to thirty years!
Marlene
“I love seeing our patients and building a connection with them. I try to help them feel at ease right away, from their very first phone call and when they walk in the door.”
Marlene has been working in the dental field since 1990. She completed business school in New York and brings much experience and knowledge to our caring front desk team!
Lauren
“Our team is what makes FDA feel unique beyond other practices. I have the pleasure to work with people who are good humored, warm hearted, and great educators.”
Before joining FDA, Lauren worked in social services as a supervisor at a homeless shelter and as an administrative specialist at a psychiatrist’s office. Providing patients with support and care fills Lauren with a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Amy
“There is an amazing group of people at FDA. Everyone is willing to jump in and help each other out.”
Always interested in the dental field, Amy became a member of the front desk team in 2022. Prior to joining FDA, she worked as a cosmetologist for 17 years, as well as a preschool teacher and certified nursing assistant.
Thank you, Sue, Marlene, Lauren, and Amy! We are appreciative of all you do to help our practice run smoothly and our patients get the best care possible!
If you have questions or need to schedule your next check up, please give us a call at 207.781.5900. We look forward to helping you have a healthy, happy smile!
Apr 14, 2022
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity for dental practices like Falmouth Dental Arts to raise awareness about the importance of oral cancer detection and prevention. When treated early, oral cancer has an estimated 80-90% survival rate. As your dental care partners, we believe strongly that we are an essential part of your healthcare team. As such, we’ve had a long-standing commitment to screening our patients for early signs of oral cancer. We are excited to announce that we now have a new state-of-the-art diagnostic tool to assist us in the oral cancer screening process – a CBCT 3D x-ray machine. 3D imaging allows us to better diagnose a range of dental issues, including oral cancer. Learn more from Dr. Brunacini, as he explains some of the advantages of CBCT 3D x-rays.
1) Why has FDA upgraded to 3D x-rays?
Dr. Brunacini: 3D x-ray or CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) technology allows us to better visualize all of the structures within the head, neck, and mouth so that we can better assess our patients’ oral health.
2) How are 3-D x-rays different from the traditional digital 2D x-rays?
Dr. Brunacini: For years, dentistry has been taking and reviewing x-rays in 2-D, which can sometimes make it difficult to determine a proper diagnosis. Without the 3rd dimension, it can be difficult to see an area of concern, such as a gum or tooth infection. Being able to take 3D images allows us to more thoroughly and completely diagnose our patients prior to performing any dental treatment, especially oral surgery.
3) Will 3D x-rays replace traditional 2D x-rays?
Dr. Brunacini: 3D imaging won’t replace our typical bitewing x-rays, which are used to locate areas of decay. Rather, 3D x-rays can be used as an additional tool when trying to diagnose an area of concern or when planning for dental implants. It can also be helpful for patients with a strong gag response, as 3D x-rays allow us to get the imaging we need without placing anything into their mouth, making the process much easier and more comfortable for them.
4) How can 3D x-rays be helpful in the early detection of oral cancer?
Dr. Brunacini: CBCT technology can be used as an additional screening tool in diagnosing oral cancer. It doesn’t eliminate the need for our other screening methods, such as a visual or physical exam or VELscope screening. VELscope is a non-invasive device that emits a safe blue light to detect abnormal cell growth that could be cancerous or precancerous. If we identify any areas that look suspicious through these methods, 3D imaging can be helpful in determining subsequent steps for the ideal treatment of a lesion. As we see many of our patients twice a year, we now have a wider range of diagnostic tools available to us to screen for oral cancer during routine hygiene appointments, including CBCT x-rays.
Thank you, Dr. Brunacini!
If you have any additional questions about the oral cancer screening process, CBCT 3D x-rays, or would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We’re here to help!
Mar 15, 2022
March is a month full of celebrations to make you smile…like Dental Assistants’ Week and National Dentist’s Day! Celebrated on March 6, National Dentist’s Day is to recognize all the men and women who keep our teeth and mouths healthy! At FDA, we are lucky to have two of the most amazing dentists around – Dr. Brunacini and Dr. Karagiorgos, who are both deeply devoted to providing the best oral health care possible. We wanted to know more about what makes them both such great dentists, so we asked them a few questions about their profession.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Dr. Brunacini: I like having the ability to find a solution to someone’s dental concerns – whether it is in an emergent situation or minor day-to-day concerns. I am always encountering new situations that require me to pull from previous experiences or to think “outside the box.” I love working together with patients to find the right care for their needs.
Dr. Karagiorgos: Everything. I absolutely love being a dentist! Dentistry is a perfect blend of art and science and feeds my passion for each. My career before dentistry was engineering. In my mid-twenties I became very ill and came close to losing my life. Thankfully, I survived. Going through that experience, I came to realize how short life can be and that each day is a gift. I spent a good deal of time looking for a career that could fulfill me professionally, personally, and allow me to help people. I am very fortunate to have found all of those things in dentistry. The fact that I get to do this job at FDA with a wonderful business partner, the best staff, and fantastic patients makes it just that much better.
What is the most surprising thing that has happened during your dental career?
Dr. Brunacini: It amazes me how much dentistry is in the “people business” more than anything. In dental school, all I could focus on was developing the technical skills to do the procedures, but you soon realize that it really is about building trust with patients and creating relationships by treating them well. That is what we strive to do at FDA everyday.
Dr. Karagiorgos: Before dental school I was under the impression that when you graduate that you are a dentist and then you work as a dentist. Having been out of school for many years now, I have a different understanding. While graduating dental school prepares a person to learn to be a dentist, I find that the field is changing so quickly nowadays that unless you are constantly expanding your education, you are falling behind.
What are you looking forward to in dentistry?
Dr. Brunacini: I am excited about the technological advancements on the horizon. The continued progression of digital dentistry gives us the ability to better plan out treatments before procedures. This ability will continue to improve outcomes for our patients, which is always our goal.
Dr. Karagiorgos: This is a very interesting time in dentistry. The integration of computers and technology into dentistry makes it a very dynamic profession. Dentistry at Falmouth Dental Arts today is almost unrecognizable from when I first started. To remain a licensed dentist in Maine we have specific amounts of required continuing education that we need to fulfill by taking classes in person or online, attending seminars, and dental meetings. Brian and I are finding that we are far and away exceeding these requirements in order to keep FDA at the crest of the wave of modern dentistry.
Thank you Dr. Brunacini & Dr. Karagiorgos for all you do to keep us healthy!
Another great way to say thank you to the doctors is to keep up with your home oral health care – brushing twice-a-day, flossing once-a-day – and to schedule regular check up appointments. If you need to schedule your next appointment, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
Mar 4, 2022
March 6–12, 2022 is Dental Assistants’ Week, a celebration of dental assistants and the value they bring to our patients and to the FDA team. This year’s theme is, “Passionate about our patients, dedicated to our profession,” and each of our five multi-talented dental assistants exemplify this on a daily basis. They each bring their skills and positive attitudes to our practice, and are always seeking to elevate the comfort and satisfaction of our patients. If you’ve had an opportunity to meet Lisa, Pat, Mary, Mirela, or Chelsey, then you know this to be true! In honor of our fantastic team, we have put together some quotes from our dental assistants themselves, sharing what they love most about their jobs. We appreciate them during Dental Assistants’ Week and every day!
Lisa
Lisa has been helping patients achieve better smiles for more than 25 years, joining the FDA family in 2019. For Lisa, her joy of coming to work also extends to providing excellent preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care for FDA patients. And it is a joy to have her on our team. Thank you, Lisa!
Pat
Pat has been a Certified Dental Assistant for over 17 years . She handles patient radiology and assists chairside for cosmetic and restorative procedures. We are grateful for Pat and the compassion she shows our patients. Thank you, Pat!
Mary
Mary has worked in the dental field since 1995, spending many of those years at Falmouth Dental Arts. Mary enjoys helping people and seeing the results of a successful treatment. We love Mary’s positive attitude and commitment to the team. Thank you, Mary!
Mirela
Mirela has worked in the dental field since 2003, joining the Falmouth Dental Arts team in 2017. With a background in pediatric dentistry, Mirela demonstrates exceptional compassion for her patients and team. Thank you, Mirela!
Chelsey
Chelsey joined FDA in 2020. After an experience traveling to Central America on a mission trip to assist a dentist with restorative work, Chelsey realized she wanted to work in the dental field. We are grateful to have Chelsey on our team! Thank you, Chelsey!
Learn more about our fantastic dental assistants and the rest of our team of compassionate dental professionals here.
If you have questions about your oral health or need to schedule your next appointment, feel free to give us a call at 207.781.5900. Our wonderful dental assistants, along with Dr. Brunacini, Dr. Karagiorgos, and the rest of the team, are here to help!
Feb 7, 2022
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Falmouth Dental Arts! “Tooth” be told, we love our patients and are committed to providing a patient-centered approach to your complete and compassionate care. Your comfort level is paramount to us and that’s why we strive to be on the cutting edge of dentistry, offering the latest in dental technology. Thanks to your valuable feedback, we will continue to offer the best services and amenities to make you feel as comfortable as possible with your dental care experience. Over the years we have heard from you, our patients, about some of the things you appreciate most about Falmouth Dental Arts. Read on for some of our favorite patient “love letters” below.
Tami G.
As always, everything exceeded expectations. The people, place, procedure, professionalism, and pleasantries can make a new crown without a frown. FDA patient for over 20 years.
Timothy L.
Great staff, very knowledgeable, a wonderful experience and I learn something new every time I go in!
Julia L.
Always friendly, always caring. The dentists and hygienists listen to you and make you feel heard. I’m one of those fearful of dentistry types and I’d go nowhere else.
Cheryl H.
Absolutely superb care! Dr. Karagiorgos is highly skilled, compassionate, and a true dental health care partner. All the staff I’ve encountered are friendly, professional, and kind, and I’ve known some of them for decades. My daughter, a patient since she was a very young child, entrusts my grandson’s dental care to Dr. K and his staff. Falmouth Dental Arts is a truly exceptional practice.
J. Kernis
Thanks to my friends who recommended Falmouth Dental Arts. I am new to Maine and am pleased with my first visit to their practice. The hygienist was thorough and gentle. I appreciated that Dr. Brunacini, while also thorough in the dental exam, was practical and modest in his treatment recommendation. The office was simple, clean, comfortable, quiet, and all personnel were pleasant. I am delighted to find a dental practice that feels friendly, extremely competent, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping me maintain my dental health without pushing me into expensive treatment plans.
Thank you, patients, we feel the love! We are so grateful for our wonderful family of patients and want to provide you with the best oral care possible! To show you how much we care on Valentine’s Day (and every day), we pledge to continue to:
- Design a dental plan with you that fits your needs and budget.
- Make sure that you feel comfortable physically and emotionally while you are in our care.
- Offer a range of treatments to help you attain your dental health goals.
- Provide the least invasive products and procedures.
- Build a partnership with you as we plan for your care.
Keep spreading the love to your teeth and gums by keeping up with your daily oral health routine and hygiene appointments! If you need to schedule an appointment, or have some feedback to share with us, please give us a call at 207.781.5900.
