Meet Dr. Rob Guerriero: Cayce’s New Leader in Dental Care at Soda City Dentistry (Formerly Columbia Smiles)

If you’ve taken a stroll through Cayce recently, you might’ve noticed a new dental practice emerging from the shadows of what used to be Columbia Smiles – on the corner of Charleston Highway and Glenn St.

That new dental practice is called Soda City Dentistry – and we’re excited to introduce ourselves. 

But don’t worry – Dr. Nick Pournaras of Columbia Smiles is still operating a practice out of Columbia, SC.

Spearheaded by Dr. Rob Guerriero, Soda City is making a strong investment in all the newest and most exciting cutting-edge technology – ensuring our patients have access to nothing but the best dental care. 

To quote Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: 

“What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly." 

Don’t think of it as the end of Columbia Smiles in Cayce, but rather the beginning of Soda City Dentistry. 

You know what they say – when one door closes, another one opens. Well, not only are our doors open, but we look forward to serving the Cayce and Columbia communities with best-in-class dental services. 

It’s what we strive for, and it’s what we’re most passionate about. 

From Northport to Columbia: Dr. Rob Guerriero Is Here to Stay

Let me start off by introducing myself and telling you a little bit about how Soda City came to be. 

Hi – my name is Dr. Rob Guerriero, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.

I’m originally from Northport, New York, but moved to Boston, Massachusetts soon after graduating high school to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Boston College. 

After several years of working in the Infectious Disease Department at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in Manhattan, NY, I made an honest commitment to pursue a career in dentistry. 

And it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

I graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2017 and completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Stony Brook University Hospital in Long Island, NY the following year. 

And then, in 2018, I relocated to Columbia, South Carolina. 

I now hold a fellowship in dental implants from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and am also enrolled in the Kois Center in Seattle, focusing on full mouth rehabilitation and cosmetic dentistry.

Outside of my professional career, I enjoy staying active, spending quality time with friends and family, playing 18 rounds of golf, watching hockey, and exploring the beauty of South Carolina with my dogs.  

Want a Million-Dollar Smile? We Can Help You Get There!

You know a little bit about my background, but what does that mean for you, exactly? 

For starters, it means that ‘million dollar smile’ you’ve been dreaming of is right around the corner. And contrary to popular belief, that doesn’t always mean undergoing dental surgery or a major transformation. 

Whether you need a complete smile makeover or a routine dental cleaning – we’ve got you covered! 

At Soda City Dentistry, we combine cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology with personalized care and a passion for excellence to ensure your journey to a radiant smile is as smooth and successful as possible.

Here’s a look at some of the things we can do for you and your family: 

5. Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of biocompatible materials, typically titanium, which are surgically placed into the jawbone. Most implants last between 10 and 30 years, if not your entire lifetime.

Dental implants are made up of three working parts: 

• The post is a small, screw-like device typically made of titanium that serves as the artificial root of the dental implant.
• The abutment is a connector piece that attaches to the top of the implant fixture and protrudes above the gum line.
• The crown is the visible part of the dental implant that looks and functions like a natural tooth, and blends in with the others. 

Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth, and they blend seamlessly with your existing teeth – providing a natural appearance. They also won’t damage neighboring teeth. 

4. Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is an artificial tooth or prosthetic that quite literally ‘bridges’ the gap created by missing or damaged teeth – restoring both appearance and function. A bridge can last between 5 and 15 years. 

Dental bridges are made up of two working parts:

• The crown is an artificial tooth custom-made to fit over the natural teeth on either side of the gap – there can be one or several crowns in a bridge. 
• The pontic is the artificial tooth or teeth that fills the gap left by the missing tooth/teeth – it’s usually cemented to the crown(s). 

Two of the major differences between a dental bridge and implant – aside from the procedure itself –  is that bridges come with a much lower initial cost and are more likely to be covered by dental insurance. 

3. Invisalign

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment designed to straighten teeth and correct bite issues using a series of  removable aligners. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is virtually invisible to the naked eye.

There are three primary technologies at play here: 

• The iTero Element™ Scanner is a digital scanner that takes up to 6,000 images per second to create a 3D image of your teeth.
• ClinCheck Software is an outcome simulator that maps out the perfect treatment plan, down to the tiniest little shift in tooth position.
• SmartTrack Material is a patented material that’s designed to apply gentle pressure on the teeth and improve the control of tooth movement.

Invisalign can be an effective treatment for crowded teeth, under bite, over bite, open bite, cross bite, and gap teeth. The aligners can be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, or even while speaking. 

2. Teeth Whitening

Intrinsic stains, extrinsic stains, enamel breakdown, genetics, the natural aging process – there are a lot of reasons why our teeth turn yellow, but that shouldn’t stop us from restoring its natural, youthful shine.

That’s where teeth whitening systems come into play. 

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), teeth whitening is the most popular dental procedure in the US – with 77% of women and 65% of men trying it at least once in their lifetime. 

And don’t worry – you can try it, too!

At Soda City Dentistry, we trust the KöR Whitening System with all of our teeth whitening needs. We have at-home and in-office treatments available, though most people will benefit from a combination of both. 

1. Routine Dental Cleanings

A dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a routine procedure performed by a dentist or dental hygienist to help prevent dental problems, detect issues early, and maintain a bright, clean smile. 

At Soda City, we recommend scheduling two dental cleanings every year, unless instructed otherwise. 

Most dental cleanings will consist of an exam, X-rays, plaque and tartar removal, flossing, polishing, and fluoride treatment, if necessary. For the most part, these appointments won’t take longer than an hour. 

Aside from treatment, dental cleanings are an excellent opportunity to ask your dentist questions. 

It’s not everyday you get to sit next to a dentist or hygienist for an hour straight – so take advantage of this time and ask them any questions you might have about your teeth, smile, and mouth, in general. 

Soda City Dentistry: We’ll Have You Smiling From Ear to Ear

Do you live or work in the Cayce, SC community? Has it been more than six months since your last dental appointment? Are you experiencing any tooth pain? Are you dreaming of a brighter, straighter smile? 

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Welcome to Soda City Dentistry – formerly known as Columbia Smiles. 

One of the things that sets Soda City Dentistry apart is our commitment to providing comprehensive dental care under one roof – minimizing the need for multiple trips to different specialists across the city. 

Where most dentists refer you to a specialist, Soda City refers you to, well, ourselves.

Whether you’re experiencing a dental emergency and need immediate assistance or want to schedule your routine dental cleaning, contact Dr. Rob Guerriero of Cayce, SC – we can’t wait to hear from you!