- Dental ExaminationDuring this first visit, we want to get to know you and allow you to meet us and understand our treatment philosophy. We feel it is best, in the first appointment, to perform a through comprehensive exam. If you have extensive dental work, gum problems, TMJ pain, we have time to show you where you might have a problem and educate you on options for fixing it. This first visit includes...
- X-rays
- Teeth CleaningIt’s best if this first visit can be a low-stress, fun visit for your child. We are hopeful that, at this first visit, your child won’t need anything more than an easy dental cleaning. This will help develop a healthy attitude toward routine dental visits as an adult. You don’t want your child’s first dental experience to be an emergency. That could start them on a path of associating pain and anxiety with a trip to the dentist.
- Fluoride TreatmentFluoride treatments are important for your child, and we provide those for children up to the age of 19. When teeth have recently erupted, fluoride treatments help incorporate a layer of fluoride-rich enamel on the surface, which has long-lasting effects on the tooth’s ability to resist decay.
- Dental SealantsWe recommend dental sealants for teeth susceptible to decay on the chewing surfaces. When teeth have pits and fissures, those pits and fissures can provide hiding places for bacteria and microscopic food particles, and so they are the most vulnerable surfaces to decay. Sealants are very effective at preventing that.
- FillingsOne reason mercury-amalgam fillings used to be very popular is that any dentist can do them. They’re relatively easy to place and are part of basic dental education. Composite fillings haven’t always been taught in dental school and can be tricky to place successfully. Trained cosmetic dentists know how to place composites. At Chesapeake Dental Arts, we prefer mercury-free composite fillings and do not place amalgams.
- VeneersAre you embarrassed at all about the appearance of your teeth? If so, porcelain veneers could be just what you’re looking for. They can change the shape, color, and alignment of your teeth in a couple of appointments.
- CrownsIf you have a damaged tooth that needs restoration, a crown may be best. While we can restore a small cavity with a composite filling, more extensive damage may necessitate a crown. A crown, sometimes called a cap, protects the remaining tooth from further damage and restores it to a whole and healthy state. When a crown made by an artistically inclined dentist like Dr. Esposito, no one will be able to tell it’s not real. Furthermore, a well-made crown will be completely comfortable.
- BridgesDental implants can replace individual teeth, as shown in the graphic below. If the surrounding teeth are healthy, an implant will allow for restoration of the missing tooth without having to prepare the adjacent teeth for crowns as needed for a dental bridge. This makes the dental implant a more conservative treatment by preserving existing healthy tooth structure.
- Dental BondingLexi had two congenitally missing lateral incisors. Dr. Esposito did dental bonding on the front two teeth and then placed two Maryland bridges to give her an attractive smile and hold the place until she is old enough for implants.
- Restorative DentistrySince TMJ dentistry is not a recognized specialty, it wouldn’t be accurate to say that Dr. Esposito or any dentist is a TMJ specialist. However, it’s important to know that TMJ care is complicated and requires advanced training. Dr. Esposito is a graduate of the Dawson Academy where she studied TMJ therapy and complex restorative dentistry. She also continues to take courses on this subject from Spear Education in Arizona. She has years of experience relieving TMJ pain. TMJ disorders are common, and treatment can improve your quality of life.
- Root Canal TreatmentShe then completed a general practice residency in Philadelphia at the Albert Einstein medial center where she enhanced her clinical skills and had additional training in endodontics, surgery and implant dentistry. When her husband was offered a position as a faculty member at the United States Naval Academy they relocated to Annapolis. During her first years there she had the opportunity to work in several different dental offices. These varying experiences led to the desire to open her own office and meld all the wonderful experiences she had treating so many different types of patients. She wanted to create a space where everyone could count on getting the best high quality care with a warm chairside manner.
- DenturesYou may understand that stabilizing your dentures with dental implants would make them secure and would help prevent the shrinking of your jawbone, but are looking for an affordable alternative that fits into your budget.
- OverdenturesThis is definitely a compromise. It would be better to have a fully secured overdenture, but the snap-on denture is certainly an improvement over a fully removable denture.
- Dental ImplantsWhether you’re missing one or several teeth, Dr. Meredith Esposito can restore your smile with expertly crafted dental implants.
- Oral SurgeryMeredith Esposito, originally from New Jersey, graduated from The College of New Jersey in 1997 with honors and recognized as a Garden State Scholar. In 2001 she graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia. A fixture of the Dean’s List, she graduated with several awards including the Oral Surgery Honor Society, American Association of Women Dentists Leadership and Clinical Excellence, Jersey Alumni Award for Clinical Excellence, and the Stomatognathic Honor Society.
- Jaw SurgeryJennifer came to Dr. Esposito with jaw pain. She had ankylosed teeth in the back, so she couldn’t bite on all her teeth. She received orthognathic surgery, after which Dr. Esposito did a full-mouth rehabilitation that included whitening, crowns, and veneers.
- Maxillofacial SurgeryShe then went on to attend the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Upon graduation, she was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor fraternity. She then was accepted into a general practice residency program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry where she trained in hospital-based dentistry and emergency oral care.
- Tooth Extractions
- Bone GraftingIn addition to improved function of the restored tooth, dental implants also prevent bone loss in the surrounding jaw. When you’ve lost a tooth, your body’s natural response is to resorb the bone that had once held the root in place. Over time, this leads to shrinkage of the jaw and the structure of your face begins to appear sunken in. This is known as facial collapse, and the consequences are more than just cosmetic. As the bone continues to erode away, treatment becomes more difficult, and usually involves bone grafting to fortify the jawbone. Fortunately, the presence of an implant stops the progression of facial collapse and helps to stimulate healthy bone growth.
- OrthodonticsThere are some situations in which veneers are not the best solution. If you have significantly misaligned teeth or a large gap, orthodontics might be a more appropriate solution than veneers. If you have lost considerable tooth structure due to decay, trauma, or a severe grinding habit, it might be more appropriate to restore your teeth with strong ceramic crowns that cover the entire tooth.
- Invisalign OrthodonticsAt Chesapeake Dental Arts, Dr. Esposito offers one of several new types of clear aligners. These newer variations have made some refinements of the Invisalign system and, since they aren’t as heavily marketed, they tend to be less expensive than Invisalign. Some of them, because of increased efficiency of tooth movement, provide even shorter treatment times than Invisalign. Dr. Esposito, after your examination, will discuss with you which brand of clear aligners she feels would be most appropriate for your case.
- BracesBecause they involve precise, computer-controlled movements, they move teeth more quickly. Typical cases take from six months to a year, as opposed to conventional braces requiring 2-3 years of wear.
- Teeth WhiteningTeeth whitening has gone pro! You don’t have to deal with a dizzying array of drugstore products anymore, trying to guess which kinds of whitening toothpaste or gel treatments might work best for you—or IF they will.
- Cosmetic DentistryDr. Esposito keeps her knowledge current by attending about 80 hours of continuing education each year, more than five times the amount required by the state of Maryland. Over the years, she has completed thousands of hours of Spear education in topics including TMJ dysfunction, cosmetic dentistry, and implantology. She’s also an alumna of The Dawson Academy, another leader in postgraduate dentistry training. Dr. Esposito studies challenging implant cases with colleagues at the Advanced Dental Implants Study Club, and she’s also a member of the Spear Faculty Club. Dr. Esposito’s other memberships include...
- General Dentistry