Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. We've has known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Drs. Skrapits and Rajan on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Hackettstown's CEREC® Provider

CEREC is a technology for restoring damaged teeth, and this restoration can be completed in a single visit to Drs. Skrapits & Rajan. It makes your teeth stronger and more beautiful — all while keeping your teeth looking natural. The restoration is metal-free and the high-grade ceramic material is compatible with the natural tissue found in your mouth. This is the finest restorative material available today, all in one appointment.

The CEREC Process

First, we will meet with you to discuss the details of the procedure. During the procedure, the doctors will apply a thin layer of reflective powder onto your tooth and will use a special camera to take a photo of your tooth. Using Computer Aided Design, the photo serves as an optimal impression. The restoration will then be designed by the computer on this impression. Then CEREC will use a diamond bur and disk to create your restoration piece out of a high tech ceramic. Finally, the ceramic restoration is bonded to your tooth using state-of-the-art adhesive dentistry.

Drs. Skrapits & Rajan are your local CEREC dentists for single-visit tooth restorations. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Meet Our Dentists

Dr. Martin Skrapits graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in 1997 and completed a General Practice Residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital in 1998. After practicing in Randolph, NJ, for several years, he purchased a practice in Hackettstown. He has extensive training and experience in endodontics (root canals) and prosthodontics (crowns, implants, bridges and veneers) and treats patients of all ages, from young children to seniors.

Dr. Skrapits is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the Morris Seminars Study Group. He receives much of his continuing education through Dentaltown meetings and is a certified CEREC user. He has also traveled to Ecuador, Peru, and Madagascar with Healing the Children to provide dental care to the children of those countries and is volunteer dental screener for the Special Olympics. In his free time, Dr. Skrapits enjoys fresh and salt water fishing, working out, swimming, going to the beach, and spending time with his daughter, Alexa, and son, Matthew.


Dr. Naren Rajan joined the practice in 2007 and is committed to providing the kindest and most advanced dental care available.

Dr. Rajan aspired to a career in dentistry while attending college at Rutgers University and was later accepted to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UNDNJ) in Newark, NJ, where he received a degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2003. Dr. Rajan finished near the top of his class and earned membership in the national dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Rajan then completed his residency training at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Rajan was raised in Kendall Park. He attended the South Brunswick township public schools where he was active in sports and music and later volunteered as an emergency medical technician. Dr. Rajan currently resides in Warren Township with his wife and son. Dr. Rajan maintains membership in several professional organizations including the American Dental Association, NJDA, and Academy of General Dentistry. In addition, Dr. Rajan routinely attends continuing education courses to help provide our patients with the latest techniques in dentistry.