A national leader in high-tech cosmetic dentistry is taking his cutting-edge practice to the next level.

BY ERIK SCHONING • PHOTOS BY ALEX BARRETO

From where Dr. Anthony J. Vocaturo sits, there’s plenty to smile about. The Colts Neck dentist-to-the-stars is embracing big changes at his practice this year, including the arrival of exciting new technologies and the introduction of his son, Anthony Vocaturo Jr., into the family business. At NJ Smile Center, the next generation of dentistry has arrived.

Dr. Vocaturo, affectionately known as “Dr. V” by patients and colleagues, has spent decades building a premier reputation as one of the state’s top cosmetic and general dentists. (He’s a rare Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, one of fewer than 500 dentists worldwide to hold the coveted distinction.) Today, his practice is a New Jersey institution, a success he credits to a people-first approach.

“I’m not here to treat teeth; I’m here to treat people,” Dr. V said. “It doesn’t matter who walks in here. It could be the biggest celebrity or it could be your grandma. People are here because of the way we practice. We treat people right, like family, and then they come back. That’s been my recipe my entire career.”

Dr. V grew up afraid of going to the dentist; for his son, Dr. Anthony Vocaturo Jr., that couldn’t be further from his childhood experience. A recent graduate of Rutgers Dental School, Dr. Vocaturo Jr. practically grew up in the NJ Smile Center and returned to dentistry after a successful but unsatisfying stint in finance. Now, he’s forging his own path in dentistry.
“Part of me wanted to continue what my dad was doing, but in the process of doing it I fell in love with the everyday interactions, the creativity, and the people,” Dr. Vocaturo Jr. said. “I want my first year in practice to focus on building meaningful relationships with my patients while delivering exceptional dental care that reflects the high standards of NJ Smile Center.”

While the next generation is stepping into the practice, NJ Smile Center’s continued success is also built on the strength of its team. Dr. Christopher Garofalo and Dr. Brendan Ursomanno have become invaluable members of the practice, sharing Dr. Vocaturo’s commitment to exceptional patient care, clinical excellence, and continual innovation.

“For me, the most rewarding part of dentistry is the relationships we build with our patients,” Dr. Garofalo said. “Every smile has a story, and it’s a privilege to help people regain their confidence while delivering the highest level of care. What makes NJ Smile Center special is that everyone on our team shares the same commitment to treating patients like family.”

With the addition of Dr. Vocaturo Jr. and a team that embraces both innovation and collaboration, NJ Smile Center is well positioned for the future of dentistry. As digital workflows and AI continue to transform the profession, the practice remains focused on combining advanced technology with personalized care to deliver exceptional outcomes for every patient.
Dr. V has long been on the cutting edge of his field; he spearheads the Institute of Advanced Dental Education out of his practice, which trains dentists in the latest technologies. When he rolls out new tech, he’s usually the first to offer it, and that’s certainly been the case with one of his most exciting recent additions, MODJAW, a French innovation that captures jaw motion in real time.

When a patient comes in for an impression, instead of relying on traditional articulators that can only replicate the jaw in an open or closed postion, MODJAW enables Dr. V and the team to create a virtual 4D avatar that captures the patients’ natural jaw movements, allowing for more precise diagnosis and treament planning, delivered in a fraction of the time and effort.

“When I speak to other dentists, I compare it to before we had navigation in our cars,” Dr. V said. “We used to open up this giant map to get to where we had to go. We would get there, but after a lot of wrong turns. Now, MODJAW gets us where we need to go without any wrong turns.”

As one of the first practices in the country to offer this technology, the team at NJ Smile Center are in a prime position to not only lead the way in high-tech dentistry, but to help shape where the field goes from here. There is also the newly introduced iTero Lumina intraoral scanner, representing a major advancement in digital imaging. The Lumina captures thousands of pictures per minute and is able to instantly model outcomes for the patient.

In a world that is constantly being reshaped by AI, Dr. V is putting the technology to work for his patients, rolling out a suite of smart services that will reshape dentistry forever. AI dental radiographs, for example, allow Dr. V and his team to instantly show patients decay, tartar, and bone loss directly on X-rays.

“It’s a great time to be a dentist,” Dr. V said. “What we’re doing at our practice today is going to be the standard of care ten years from now. We’re teaching other dentists to help make that a reality. What’s happening now is incredible. I mean, I wish I was 30 years younger.”

For Dr. Vocaturo Jr., the timing couldn’t be better. As he embarks on his career in dentistry, he feels confident he’ll master whatever the next horizon may bring. “It’s not a stagnant career,” he said. “New technology comes out, and it’s a never-ending learning experience. You strive for things and you try to get better and better every year, and you build relationships that last forever.”

Change is life’s great constant, and at NJ Smile Center, a season of change is in full bloom. But amid the surge of groundbreaking tech, people are the constant. Dr. Vocaturo has built a career on prioritizing the patient experience, handpicking dentists, hygienists, and staff who share his vision. With his son joining the fold, he is excited to see where the practice will continue to grow.

“I don’t want him to become me; I want him to become a better version of me,” Dr. V said. “He’s a caring person, he’s an extreme perfectionist, and he’s a people person. Those are the three qualities you need to be a great dentist, and he has all three.”

NJ Smile Center — 317 Route 34, Suite 203, Colts Neck • 732.677.2777 • njsmilecenter.com