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If you’ve ever had a dental crown made, you know that the process can be time-consuming. Our team at Southcenter Dental is proud to offer a treatment that makes crowns, veneers, and bridges faster and simpler so that you can get back to enjoying life with just one visit.

Gone are the days when anesthetic was involved so that the crown can be placed. Also gone are the cumbersome, hassling steps needed to have an outside lab construct a crown.  With CEREC, Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin Baruffi scan your tooth using a small infrared camera that fits inside your mouth and takes a picture of the area in question. The image is then transferred and displayed on a computer screen, where Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin Baruffi use the computer to design the dental crown. The crown is then milled from a high-grade ceramic material, all while you wait and enjoy the sights and sounds of our office. Once the machine is done milling, Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin Baruffi place the crown on the tooth and have you out the door quickly so that you can get back to enjoying life.

The reduced time involved with this procedure makes the CEREC system especially appealing for patients who lead busy lives. CEREC patients benefit from this treatment because they needn’t deal with the having their teeth numbed, nor are they required to wear a temporary crown or return to our office for a follow-up visit.

To learn more about CEREC technology or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin Baruffi at our convenient Tukwila, WA office, we invite you to give us a call today! We look forward to working with you!

At Southcenter Dental, we are well-aware of the 25 million Americans who fear having to visit the dentist. Dental phobias are known to range anywhere from feeling mildly nervous to experiencing sweaty palms and even a racing heartbeat upon entering a dentist’s office. This anxiety can sometimes be so severe that it prevents people from visiting a dentist for years, postponing dental procedures that often result in costly problems down the road.

For those of our patients who have dental anxiety or dental phobia, it may be time to look into sedation dentistry, a safe and effective option for patients who are anxious or afraid, have a bad gag reflex, limited jaw opening, or for those who have a difficult time getting numb.

Sedation dentistry, a term that we use to refer to the use of anesthesia during treatment to put patients into a relaxed state, comes in many forms of sedation, from simply easing anxiety, to “conscious sedation,” which places patients in what we call a “twilight sleep.” Sedation dentistry at our Tukwila, WA office allows our patients to drift through their appointments—including complex dental work—as well as feel completely relaxed throughout their visits, without any discomfort or pain. Sedation dentistry can turn a nerve-wracking visit into a comfortable and enjoyable one.

Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin J. Baruffi and our team will be more than happy to discuss any concerns, issues, or fears you may have before or during your visit, and will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for sedation dentistry.

By talking with Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin J. Baruffi about sedation dentistry, you can feel more comfortable and relaxed during your next visit to Southcenter Dental. Give us a call today!

People have been ushering in the New Year for centuries but it became an official holiday in 1582 when Pope George XIII declared January 1st to be the day on which everyone would celebrate the New Year. At midnight people would yell, holler, and blow horns to scare away the evil spirits of the previous year so the New Year would be joyous and filled with opportunity. Nearly 500 years later, we still greet the New Year by whooping and hollering, but in a celebratory manner instead. Whether you intend to ring in the New Year quietly at home in the Tukwila, WA area or have plans to join the countdown at a gala extravaganza, these tips can help you ring out the old and usher in the new with a smile.

Tips for a Happy New Year's Eve Celebration from Southcenter Dental

• Be Safe. There's no way to predict the behavior of others on New Year's Eve, but you can be responsible for your own behavior to keep yourself safe. If adult beverages will be part of your celebration, plan on spending the night wherever you are or line up a designated driver to bring you home after the party is over.
• Enjoy Family and Friends. Spending time with the important people in your life is what makes the holidays enjoyable. Coordinate your schedules and choose New Year's Eve activities that everyone in the group will enjoy. You don't have to go to a party to ring in the New Year; some people like to go bowling, see a movie, or have a great meal at home.
• Accessorize with a Smile. Whether you dress up or have a quiet dinner with family and friends, one of the best accessories you can add to your attire is a beautiful smile.

New Year's Eve is a time to gather with friends and family, reflect on the year that's coming to an end, and look forward to the new one with anticipation. Enjoy this transitional holiday in a way that's safe, healthy, and fun. After all, counting down until the clock strikes 12 marks the beginning of a full year of opportunity ahead of you. From Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin J. Baruffi, have a great new year!.

You’ve likely heard that smoking increases risk of lung cancer and emphysema. But did you realize that your cigarette habit also has an impact on your smile? Chronic smokers suffer from increased dental problems that make their smiles unsightly. Understanding how smoking affects your oral health may provide the momentum you need to kick the habit for good.

Cosmetic Changes Associated with Smoking

Cigarettes contain more than 600 ingredients that, when lit, create in excess of 4,000 chemicals. Of these chemicals, many are known carcinogens while others have been shown to have serious negative effects on health. The nicotine and tar in tobacco products are absorbed by the enamel of your teeth. The result is yellowed teeth that look unsightly; with heavy smoking, your teeth may eventually turn nearly brown in color.

The chemicals in cigarettes and cigars also cause your teeth to become less clean. Smoking is associated with a build-up of tartar and plaque on the surface of your teeth. Over time, this increases your risk of developing cavities and other oral health problems. Furthermore, pursing your lips while smoking leads to wrinkles around your mouth, which detracts from your smile.

More Serious Dental Conditions

In addition to having unsightly teeth, smoking can cause serious health conditions. Because of the carcinogens in cigarettes, smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, which can be deadly. Smokers are also more likely to develop gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. You may experience an increased loss of bone within your jaw, which will cause significant problems later in life.

Treatment for Smoking-Related Oral Health Problems

Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin J. Baruffi and our team at Southcenter Dental will tell you that the best defense against smoking-related oral health problems is to ditch your nicotine habit. By decreasing the amount of nicotine and other chemicals you consume, you can decrease your risk of oral cancer and gum disease. Remember to mention your smoking habit when you’re at our Tukwila, WA office. We frequently treat smokers and can recommend smoking cessation programs to help you quit. Dr. Jerome R. Baruffi and Dr. Austin J. Baruffi can also advise you about whitening treatments and gum disease prevention activities that ensure you’ll have a beautiful smile for years to come.