If you are missing a tooth, there are many factors to consider when creating a treatment plan to replace your tooth. There are two approaches, either an implant-supported crown or fixed dental bridge, which both offer reasonable solutions for patients.

Fixed Dental Bridge
A fixed bridge is constructed with crowns covering the teeth on both sides of the space, with single-unit prostheses in-between called a pontic. One of the problems associated with a fixed bridge is that the natural teeth on either side of the bridge must be filed down. Continue reading →

Porcelain veneers offer a simple, non-invasive solution for chipped, broken and discolored teeth. This dental procedure is a fairly painless process and can be completed in a few visits. Using porcelain veneers has many benefits both for the appearance and health of your teeth.
We offer beautiful and natural-looking porcelain veneers, you don’t have to be ashamed of chipped, stained or misaligned teeth anymore. You will be able to smile with complete confidence.

Cover Up Gaps, Chipped, Broken or Discolored Teeth with Non-Invasive Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are made of a strong ceramic material that is custom-made to fit the affected tooth. Unlike a dental crown, porcelain dental veneers cover only a portion of the Continue reading →

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy during pregnancy have many benefits for you and your baby. Your body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and some of these can affect the health of your gums and teeth. During pregnancy our hormones change. Fluctuating hormones can cause dental problems or make existing dental problems worse, like loose teeth, gum disease, pregnancy tumors on gums and tooth decay. The most common issue pregnant women experience is pregnancy gingivitis and it typically settles down after a mother gives birth.

To avoid irritated and inflamed gums from gingivitis, we recommend a solid routine of proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, flossing, and using a mouthwash.

While the gums are usually of biggest concern during a pregnancy, there are other potential issues that can arise. Some pregnant women often experience an increase in cavities. Tooth decay risks increase during pregnancy due to increased acidity in our mouths. The gastric acid that comes up with morning sickness is extremely acidic, which weakens the enamel, making a great environment for bacteria to thrive.

Another common cause of increased decay during pregnancy is the misinformation out there about not taking x-rays while pregnant. Dental x-rays are actually a very, very low dose of radiation (equivalent to standing outdoors in the sunlight), safe, and still necessary to detect cavities.

We highly recommend regular dental checkups during a pregnancy, especially if you are experiencing inflamed, red or bleeding gums. A thorough cleaning by a hygienist can help reduce the effects of gingivitis.

For more information on dental issues and dental health, give our office a call at 212-481-2535. We look forward to speaking with you.

Stains and discolorations on your teeth are unattractive. They occur slowly, and you may not even notice them until a picture or a reflection suddenly reveals the truth, your teeth are gray, yellow or brown. Teeth can become stained for many reasons, but one of the most common is food.

Coffee, Tea and Cola
These are favorite drinks that wake us up in the morning and keep us going in the Continue reading →

A diet rich on vegetables, nuts and fruits
A strong immune system is very important to help fight inflammation and bacteria. Essential vitamins and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and nuts help protect gums and teeth as well as keep them clean and give the breath some freshness. Continue reading →

There are a lot of repercussions to the teeth in the mouth of a person battling eating disorders. Such negative effects could include the loss of teeth, gum problems and erosion of the enamel on the tongue side of the teeth due to the acids involved in bulimia. In addition, people with eating disorders lack nutrients that can result in osteoporosis, weakening of the bones in the jaw that support the teeth and this may lead to tooth loss. More so, many individuals with such disorders suffer from bleeding gums, burning of the tongue and dry mouth due to decreased salivary flow and swollen glands.

A dentist’s intervention should take place to treat any damaged teeth. Professional help is received when the dentist knows the patient’s background, particularly regarding an eating disorder, so it’s important to be honest about it.

Eating disorders are on the rise. There are two main kinds of eating disorders, namely, anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Attributed to the fear of gaining weight, people with anorexia nervosa are easily identified with sunken body mass. They usually look very pale, have loose skin and poor dental health. They deprive their body of nutrients which contributes to the reduction in saliva production, an essential process to keep our teeth clean. With dry mouth, cracked lips and eroded teeth, people with anorexia nervosa need a comprehensive dental treatment in order to regain oral health. With bulimia, a person usually goes on a food binge before using various methods to purge the food that has been eaten. Bulimics are at a high risk for tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease that result from frequent vomiting. The gastric acids erode the enamel of the teeth.

Changes in the mouth are often a physical sign of eating disorders. Regular visits to the dentist would help prevent further damage to eroded teeth. Some treatment options such as crowns, composite bonding or veneers might be recommended to protect the enamel of the teeth from further breakdown.

For more information on dental issues and dental health, give our office a call at 212-481-2535. We look forward to speaking with you.

Amalgam fillings have been one of the most popular dental filling materials since the nineteenth century. Amalgam is an alloy including 15% tin and 35% silver (sometimes copper is used to replace silver), a little bit of zinc is also required along with mercury which consists of almost 50%. This amalgam filling or mercury filling is quite useful to fill dental cavities. It is also called a silver filling, because of its color.

Dental Filling Procedure

The dental amalgam placement is divided into a series of steps. The dentist first anesthetizes the patient then he removes the decay and the affected portion of the tooth to eradicate the deteriorating area. Next, the tooth cavity is shaped and the powdered substance is mixed with mercury to create the muddy amalgam. The soft putty-like amalgam is then properly placed in the cavity hole and solidifies in the necessary amount of time.

Advantages

Amalgam fillings are considered one of the best filling methods of all time. Here’s why:

• Getting an amalgam filling is not expensive so everyone can afford it.
• Patients who suffer from a high risk of tooth decay and severe gingivitis are ideal candidates for amalgam fillings because this material works better than tooth-colored fillings in this type of oral environment, so they will last longer.
• This pulpy mixture is quite malleable, so it can be widely used.

Due to these advantages, mercury amalgam is one of the preferred dental repairing materials. However, it’s important to remember that the metallic replacement will never substitute the natural strength of your teeth.

Disadvantages

At the same time, dental amalgams have a lot of disadvantages to consider.

• The color of the dental amalgam does not match your normal teeth so you need to get used to this unnatural look. Moreover, this silver amalgam will develop dark spots over time also known as amalgam tattoos.
• It has been reported that some people suffer from sensitivity issues due to expansion and contraction of the amalgam metal with temperature changes.
• Mercury used in the amalgam can cause severe environmental pollution due to its toxicity. This happens when the dental wastes are not correctly treated or disposed of properly. It is highly recommended for pregnant women to avoid getting mercury fillings.

Any sort of allergy to metals such as silver, mercury or copper may result in sensitivity issues. In this case, you should consider other choices. For more information on dental issues and dental health, give our office a call at 212-481-2535. We look forward to speaking with you.

Tooth whitening has become very popular in recent years. Having beautiful white teeth can improve your self-esteem and confidence. With many different products available on the market today, it can be hard to find the dental procedure that is right for you.

Our dental office is the perfect place to obtain all the information you need on how to whiten your teeth. The clinic has eleven fully qualified dentists that can perform a number of procedures to help you gain the beautiful smile you seek. The options include:

Bleaching: Bleaching is one of the easiest ways to whiten your teeth. It is cost effective and the procedure can be performed in less than an hour at your dental surgery. The process begins by having a custom mouth piece fitted. A bleaching solution is applied to your teeth and the mouth piece is put in place for around an hour. When the mouth piece is removed, your teeth will feel clean and look whiter.

Why should you see a dentist for bleaching over a DIY Kit? Custom made mouth pieces stop the whitening solution from escaping and affecting other areas of your body. Over-the-counter kits use generic mouth pieces that can leak. Pitting, uneven whitening and nerve damage can occur from improper bleaching.

Laser Treatment:  A whitening solution is applied your stained teeth. A laser is used to activate the solution and remove discoloration quickly. Over the course of an hour your teeth will become noticeably whiter. The laser whitening dental procedure produces faster results than a standard bleaching treatment.

Crowns: Crowns are caps which are placed over a tooth that is permanently discolored or chipped. The crown is used to restore the tooth to its natural shape and appearance. Crowns last a long time and look just like your other teeth. It’s the perfect solution for people who want to keep their original teeth.

Plastic and Porcelain Veneers: Many people opt for veneers over bleaching. Veneers hide discoloration, chips, uneven or damaged teeth. They look just like your teeth and no one will be able to tell the difference. Why not call our dental office and talk to them about having veneers applied to your teeth? The staff is helpful and friendly and will talk to you about the different types of veneers that would suit your needs.

Bonding: If your teeth are slightly decayed or pitted, bonding might be the answer for you. Bonding is a tooth-colored substance which covers gaps, pitting and staining on your teeth. It can be applied in just one visit and will last for years to come.  Bonding is cost effective and provides an alternative to veneers.

Please call our dental office and make an appointment to have your teeth properly assessed. The clinic will check for mouth infections, gum disease or tooth decay before recommending further treatment. The above conditions can all lead to discoloration of your teeth and need to be addressed to ensure future dental procedures will be successful. We look forward to seeing you in our dental surgery soon.

Flossing your teeth is an integral part of dental care routine. The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth at least once every week for a good oral health. Daily flossing however, helps to prevent development of plaque that generally builds up in some areas where toothbrushes cannot reach, as well as cavities and other gum diseases.

How Do You Do It?

Removing plaque from your teeth is important, because with time it gets hardened and forms tartar. The most essential part about flossing is its procedure. It just needs an extra minute or two of your day and can lead to extremely healthy teeth.

Here are a few easy steps for proper flossing.

• Spiral each end of 18 inches floss, around the middle finger of both your hands.
• The floss has to be tightly held between the forefingers and thumbs.
• Gently rub it between your teeth, paying attention to never let the floss reach the gums.
• The floss has to be curved in the form of a C, as soon as it reaches the base of the gum-line. Then, slowly rub it in the space between the tooth and the gum.
• Especially for molars and pre-molars, hold the floss tightly against the tooth, following a rhythmic up and down motion.
• Take care of the back part of the tooth the same way.

Flossing should not be painful. It might be quite uncomfortable at the beginning, but with time you will get used to it. If the discomfort doesn’t stop within a week or two of constant practice and you start feeling pain, it’s recommended to consult a dentist.

Necessity of Flossing

Flossing is often necessary even for children. A child’s teeth have to be taken care of, as soon as the two teeth developed are attached to each other. Children need assistance in flossing because they generally cannot do it on their own until they are 10 or 11 years old.

As conventional flossing may appear difficult to some people, they might head on to other methods to clean areas between their teeth. There are several inter-oral cleaning methods which can be of help if flossing bothers you. Wooden plaque removal, pre-threaded floss or dental pick, are common replacements of regular flossing. However, if using these alternative methods, make sure you get the proper dental care advice.

You can opt for any type of oral floss such as comfort, thick, waxed, or un-waxed floss. For further advice on flossing, and to help you find a dentist in your area, visit identistreview. You will be able to see what other patients like you are saying and evaluate which dentist is the best for you.