Diagnostic

• Dental Examination
  Maintaining oral health includes good home care and regular visits to our office for preventive care, which includes oral examinations and cleanings. Comprehensive examinations of the mouth, teeth, surrounding gum tissues, and supporting bone structures help to identify any areas of concern and help with the early detection and treatment of problematic conditions.
• X-rays
• Oral Cancer Screening

Preventive

• Teeth Cleaning
  A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces.
• Fluoride Treatment
  Fluoride treatments may be applied to your teeth to strengthen the enamel and make the teeth more resistant to decay.
• Dental Sealants
  A dental sealant is not the same as a filling. A sealant is applied before there is a cavity in order to prevent it. A filling is needed when a tooth has formed a cavity due to decay.
• Space Maintainers
  You should not put a baby tooth back in the socket because it could damage the permanent tooth beneath it. Instead, contact us and we will determine if the permanent tooth is ready to come in or if a space maintainer may be required.

Restorative

• Fillings
  Another important reason composite fillings have replaced amalgam fillings is that they do not use mercury, which was present in metal fillings. Many patients are choosing to have their older amalgam fillings replaced with tooth-colored fillings for this reason.
• Resin Composite
  Made using composite resin, these may be made in the dental office or in a dental lab and are less expensive than porcelain veneers. They can alter the appearance of tooth color, size, or shape and can be an effective solution for less extensive cosmetic improvements. They are fully customized as are the porcelain veneers, but the composite material is somewhat susceptible to staining and does not last as long as porcelain.
• Veneers
  Veneers cover the front of the tooth surface and slightly wrap around the sides and biting edge of the tooth. In most cases, each tooth receiving a veneer will be carefully prepped prior to the veneer fabrication and placement. This preparation involves removing a thin (usually less than one millimeter) layer of enamel from the natural tooth in the areas that will be covered by the veneer. This allows the veneer to fit seamlessly with the contours of the natural tooth. The veneers are attached using a thin but strong bonding material. The material hardens when cured by a specialized light.
• Crowns
  When a tooth is broken or has significant decay, the ideal solution is to restore it using a filling, crown, or other procedure. If restoration is not possible or advisable due to the condition of the tooth, an extraction may be recommended to prevent infection and achieve or maintain oral health.
• Bridges
  A dental bridge can replace one or two teeth in a row using the healthy teeth on each side for support. Learn More About Dental Bridges
• Dental Bonding
• Restorative Dentistry
  Even with excellent care, however, teeth and gums can be susceptible to disease, infection, cavities, cracks, or other forms of damage. Restorative dentistry helps preserve natural teeth and helps maintain oral and overall health even when the health of one or more teeth or the surrounding areas is compromised. The goal of restorative dentistry is to restore the function and integrity of the tooth structure, function, and health while maintaining a natural appearance.

Endodontics

• Pulpotomy
  The blood vessels, nerves, and tissue that keep a tooth healthy and alive are located in the tooth’s pulp, which is protected by the outer enamel and tooth structure. Sometimes the pulp can become infected. The infected pulp can be removed with a pulpotomy. A medicated dressing is then placed in the tooth chamber to prevent further infection and to promote the healing of the remaining pulp. The chamber is then sealed. Because this procedure is often performed on deciduous (baby) teeth, it is sometimes referred to as a baby root canal.
• Root Canal Treatment
  Traumatic injuries can result in the need for dental treatment. Fractured or cracked teeth, a displaced tooth, or even a tooth that has been knocked out (avulsed) are common results of dental trauma. Each of these conditions requires specific treatment, dictated by the effect of the injury on the tooth, whether or not the tooth is deciduous (a baby tooth) or permanent (adult), and the time between the injury and treatment, among other considerations. Any dental trauma requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Treatment may include a splint, medication, a root canal or other procedures. Once treated, your tooth will be monitored to ensure it is healing as expected and so that any injuries or infections can be quickly resolved.

Prosthodontics

• Dentures
  A labial frenectomy is performed on the tissue that connects the lip to the gums. This may be performed on children or adults to aid with orthodontic treatment or even help with the proper fitting for a denture or appliance. A lingual frenectomy may also be referred to as the release of tongue-ties (ankyloglossia). This procedure is performed on the connective tissue under the tongue. The procedure is often performed on neonatal patients to assist with nursing or on toddlers or older patients who need the surgery to help correct speech issues caused by limited movement due the the frenum.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Dr. Zamora continued his education with well-renowned educators such as the Pete Dawson Institute, The Pankey Institute, The Pikos Institute, and The Implant Reconstruction Center. Currently, Dr. Zamora calls The Meadows Dental Associates his home.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Oral Surgery
  For 15 years, Dr. Zamora honed his skills in implant dentistry, restorative dentistry, and oral surgery in Miami. During that time, he completed a 2-year mini residency in implantology at the Robert Morgan Institute. He also completed a prosthetic and surgical residency in the Misch International Implant Institution.
• Gum Surgery
  Lasers have several uses for dental surgery. Some common types of dental laser surgery include but are not limited to: dental cavities, root canals, gum surgery, dental abscess, biopsy, and treatment of lesions.
• Maxillofacial Surgery
  The term dentoalveolar refers to the teeth and the alveolar bone that supports the teeth. Surgery involving the dentoalveolar area is the basis for much of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dentoalveolar procedures simple procedures, such as simple extractions to much more complex procedures. Often, a combination of procedures requiring extraction, modification to the bone, and/or modification of the gum tissue surrounding the surgical site are included in a dentoalveolar surgery.
• Tooth Extractions
  Platelet Rich Growth Factors and Platelet Rich Fibrin are a form of mixed gel that can be applied directly into tooth sockets and other sites. Placing this material in tooth sockets after tooth extractions can improve soft tissue healing and positively influence bone regeneration.
• Bone Grafting
  Bone grafting may be required to address defects in a patient’s jaw. Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps to generate and rebuild bone and increase bone density.

Orthodontics

• Orthodontics
  Impacted wisdom and cuspid (or canine) teeth are fairly common. To correct impacted teeth, there are a few treatment options. For impacted wisdom teeth, the most common procedure is extraction. For impacted canine teeth, several treatment modalities are available. Orthodontics (braces) can be used to open space for proper eruption. Primary (baby) teeth can either be extracted or surgically exposed to allow for the placement of an orthodontic bracket to help align the teeth.
• Invisalign Orthodontics
  Invisalign® clear aligners have been proven to provide an effective contemporary alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment. You can gently shift your teeth into place by wearing each set of aligners for about two weeks, removing them only to eat or clean your teeth. Being able to remove the aligners whenever you like allows you to enjoy life without restriction or inconvenience. The best part is that Invisalign® aligners are virtually invisible- so no one will ever know!
• Braces
  It’s never too late to straighten your smile! The perfect solution for adults on the go, Invisalign® clear aligners offer a comfortable and affordable orthodontic solution without the look and feel of traditional metal braces. Invisalign® uses 3D computer graphics technology to create a series of custom-made aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of comfortable and virtually invisible clear material that you wear over your teeth.

General

• Teeth Whitening
  In-Office Bleaching usually requires only one office visit. A protective gel or a rubber shield is placed over the gums to protect the soft tissue. A bleaching agent containing carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth, and a specialized light is then used to enhance the action of the whitening agent. This is the fastest way to achieve results.
• Cosmetic Dentistry
  Our office also provides cosmetic dentistry services and procedures. This means that we not only pay attention to the health and function of your teeth, but we also pay close attention to aesthetics. We want you to maintain great oral health but we also want you to have a beautiful smile and the confidence to smile often!
• General Dentistry
  Dr. Shamsia Shafi, with over eighteen years of experience in all aspects of general dentistry, is dedicated to the patient experience. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of the Arts in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina in 1997, She furthered her studies there to earn her Doctor of Dental Sciences (DDS) in 2002. Currently a licensed dentist in Florida and North Carolina; for the past eighteen years, Dr. Shafi has provided comprehensive dental care for communities in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Gulf Coast of Florida.