Waterfront Dental

She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and completed a general practice residency at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in 2009.

Dr. Merguerian is committed to lifelong learning and has earned Fellowship standing in both the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the International College of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). Since 2023, she has maintained Gold Level Provider status with Invisalign. In 2026, she received a Mastership Award from the AGD, an honor that has been awarded to only about 4,000 dentists since 1972.

Dr. Merguerian's passion for dentistry began early while working in her father's dental office as a teenager. Today, she focuses on providing friendly, comfortable care and helping patients who struggle with dental anxiety feel at ease.

Outside the office, Dr. Merguerian enjoys running, cycling through the city, and catching live music whenever she can.

Preventive and General Dentistry

• Routine exams and cleanings (as reflected in practice descriptions on the website)
• Diagnosis and treatment planning using modern imaging

Restorative Dentistry

• CEREC / Same-Day Crowns – Custom porcelain crowns designed and milled in-office, often in a single visit.
• Traditional Dental Crowns – Custom crowns placed over two visits when same-day crowns are not used.
• Dental Implants – Surgical placement and restoration of dental implants, including advanced planning with CBCT imaging.
• Tooth Extractions – Removal of teeth when necessary, including as part of restorative or implant treatment plans.

Cosmetic Dentistry

• Composite (tooth-colored) fillings – Metal-free fillings designed to blend with natural tooth structure.
• Professional teeth whitening – Custom trays and professional-grade whitening gel for more predictable, even results than over-the-counter products.
• Porcelain veneers – Thin custom porcelain shells bonded to teeth to improve color, shape, and alignment for suitable cases.

Orthodontic and Alignment Services

• Invisalign clear aligners – Nearly invisible aligners used to straighten teeth without traditional braces. Dr. Merguerian is recognized as a Gold Level Provider.

Comfort, Sedation, and Technology

• IV sedation – Available for patients with dental anxiety or for longer, more complex procedures.
• Advanced imaging and planning – Use of CBCT (VaTech i3D Smart CBCT Machine) and digital scanning to plan precise, efficient treatment.

Additional Services

• Emergency dentistry – Same-day or urgent care is available for many dental emergencies, as reflected by emergency dentistry links on the website.
• Botox treatment – Botox therapy is available for qualifying patients; see the dedicated Botox and TMD document for details.

For specific treatment recommendations, costs, or availability, patients should contact the office directly.

Membership Plans

For patients without dental insurance, Waterfront Dental offers yearly membership plans. These plans are designed to help individuals and families keep up with routine dental care and reduce the cost of necessary treatment.

Specific pricing and plan details are not listed here; patients should contact the office directly for current membership options.

Patient Financing

To help keep treatment within budget, the practice offers patient financing options. These options are intended to spread out the cost of care so patients can proceed with recommended treatment without undue financial strain.

For exact costs, payment options, and any current promotions, patients should speak with the Waterfront Dental team.

221 Key Highway Baltimore, MD 21230

The practice serves patients in Federal Hill and the greater Baltimore area.

Phone and Email

• New patients: (443) 346-1951
• Current patients: (410) 505-0551
• Email: irvinespectrumdental@gmail.com

Office Hours

Regular office hours listed on the website are:

• Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

For the most up-to-date hours and Thursday availability, patients should call the office or check directly with the practice.

Dr. Dawn Merguerian has completed training through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) and uses Botox as part of comprehensive care for appropriate patients.

Botox for TMD and Jaw Pain

• Botox can be used to help manage symptoms related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), such as jaw tension, pain, or muscle-related discomfort.
• TMD symptoms may be associated with issues like teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching, or prior jaw injury.
• Carefully placed Botox injections can temporarily relax targeted muscles, which may reduce tension and discomfort for some patients.

Patients typically notice improvement within days after treatment, but results and response can vary.

Treatment Approach

• Botox treatment is performed in the office as an outpatient procedure.
• The number and location of injections depend on the patient's symptoms and treatment goals.
• Multiple treatment sessions may be recommended over time to maintain results.

Cosmetic and Smile-Related Uses

In addition to TMD-related applications, Botox may be used in select cases to complement dental work and improve overall smile aesthetics, as appropriate.

Patients should schedule a consultation to discuss whether Botox is suitable for their specific concerns, and to review expected benefits, risks, and costs with the dentist.

Metal-Free Composite Fillings

• The practice is metal-free for fillings and crowns.
• Tooth-colored composite fillings are used to repair cavities and minor damage while blending with the natural tooth.
• Composite materials are designed to be both durable and aesthetically pleasing.

Professional Teeth Whitening

• Custom-made whitening trays are created to fit your teeth.
• Professional-grade whitening gel is used with these trays to provide more even, predictable whitening than typical over-the-counter products.
• Custom trays help ensure the gel stays on your teeth and away from your gums.

Patients interested in whitening should contact the office to discuss whether take-home whitening is appropriate for their situation.

Porcelain Veneers

• Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of teeth.
• Veneers can address issues such as chips, gaps, uneven edges, and severe discoloration.
• To place veneers, a small amount of enamel is removed from the front of the teeth before the veneers are bonded.
• The goal is a natural-looking, refreshed smile tailored to the patient's preferences.

Patients can schedule a consultation to learn which cosmetic options are best for their goals and oral health.

What Is a Dental Crown?

• A crown is a "cap" that covers the entire visible part of a tooth down to the gumline.
• Crowns are typically made of porcelain and are designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth.
• Crowns protect the underlying tooth structure and restore normal function.

Crowns may be recommended for teeth with extensive decay, after root canal treatment, for cracked or broken teeth, or when other restorative or cosmetic options are not sufficient.

Crown Placement Process

The traditional crown process generally involves two visits:

1. First Visit – Tooth Preparation and Impressions

• The tooth and surrounding area are numbed.
• Damaged or decayed enamel is removed.
• The tooth is shaped to create a stable base for the crown.
• Digital impressions or scans are taken and sent to a dental lab.
• A temporary crown is placed while the final crown is being made.

2. Second Visit – Final Crown Placement

• The temporary crown is removed and the tooth is cleaned.
• The fit, shape, and color of the permanent crown are checked.
• Once approved, the crown is cemented in place.

Waterfront Dental also offers same-day CEREC crowns in appropriate cases; see the general services document for more information on same-day crowns.

Aftercare and Recovery

• Most patients can return to normal activities shortly after crown placement.
• Some temporary sensitivity or tenderness is possible but should improve over time.
• Patients should contact the office if they experience significant or persistent pain, or if the crown feels loose or high when biting.

Good oral hygiene and regular checkups help crowns last as long as possible.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Implants are designed to look and feel like natural teeth.
• They are surgically placed in the jawbone, so they do not shift the way traditional dentures can.
• With proper care, implants are intended as a long-term or permanent solution for many patients.

Who Is a Candidate?

• Candidates should have healthy gums and sufficient bone in the jaw to support the implant post.
• During a consultation, Dr. Dawn Merguerian evaluates oral health, medical history, and any risk factors.
• Patients who smoke or have uncontrolled diabetes or advanced periodontal disease may be better suited to other options.

The Implant Treatment Process

1. Assessment and Planning – Examination, imaging, and assessment of bone and gum health.
2. Implant Placement Surgery – A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone. The area is cleaned and sutured.
3. Healing and Integration – Initial recovery typically takes 1–2 weeks, while full integration of the implant with the bone (osseointegration) can take several months.
4. Creating the Restoration – Scans, images, and impressions are taken to design a custom restoration (such as a crown, bridge, or overdenture).
5. Final Restoration Placement – Once healing is complete, the custom restoration is attached to the implant.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing and ensure the implant is functioning properly.

Types of Implant Services

• Single-tooth implants with crowns
• Implant-supported bridges to replace multiple missing teeth
• Implant-supported overdentures using mini implants, designed to provide more stability than traditional dentures

Technology Used

• Waterfront Dental uses CBCT imaging (VaTech i3D Smart CBCT Machine) and digital planning software to plan implant placement.
• This technology helps improve accuracy and efficiency during surgery and restoration.

Patients interested in implants should schedule a consultation to confirm candidacy and discuss a personalized treatment plan and costs with the team.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.