Dr. Eric Weinstein discusses cosmetic dentistry at Island Dental Associates

If you’re unhappy with your teeth and you want to give your smile a serious upgrade then call Island Dental Associates at (516) 565-6565 for a free consultation to discuss all the options on how we can improve your smile.

It’s much easier today to have a beautiful smile than it was, let’s say, twenty years ago. Cosmetic dentistry has made huge progress, so practically everybody who has the wish and the money can have a Hollywood-like smile with very little effort.

Cosmetic dentists make use of various procedures to give people a beautiful smile. We are going to see a few of them in this article.

Teeth whitening or bleaching is probably the most common treatment. It is done through a chemical process: a special substance is applied on the teeth, then you either need to let that substance act for a certain amount of time, or your teeth get exposed to UV light that accelerates the whitening. Teeth whitening can be done either in the dentist’s office or at home.

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island-periodontalservicesDisease of the gums can eventually infect or destroy your teeth, and increase your risk for heart disease by about 15 percent.

Also called periodontal disease, this is a disease that doesn’t become too apparent right away, but it can cause great discomfort in its advanced stages. The first stages of the disease is called gingivitis when the irritation is minor, and when the disease begins to cause loss of the bone in the jaw that holds the teeth in place, it is called periodontal disease.

The first tip that can be of great assistance is to take proper care of your mouth. You should brush your teeth regularly, and floss in order to get the food out from in between your teeth. Then use mouthwash to help to reduce bacteria that can further re infect your gums. By doing these things on a regular basis, you keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay and help to ward off future problems.

Next, eating the proper foods can help to ward off the problems from the inside of the body proper that can help to fight infection if it should occur, and in some cases help to prevent it. The eating of oysters, lamb and beef are high in zinc, which helps to fight inflammation, is an antioxidant and helps to boost the immune system. Vitamin B6, which is also found in beef as well as seafood, helps to fight gum disease.

For breakfast, have a bowl of cereal with milk to get your daily dose of calcium, which helps keep your teeth strong, the drink a glass of orange juice, which is full of vitamin C for good tooth and gum health. Eat spinach of beta-carotene, which is a good immunity-boosting substance. Eat other dark and leafy green vegetables for the same qualities. Eating carrots, squash, cantaloupe and apricots have the same effect.

The final tip for avoiding periodontal disease is to get your teeth cleaned by your dentist as often as you can. For most, a good cleaning 2 times a year along with proper brushing and flossing (and a good diet low in sugar) will go a long way to you keeping your teeth and gums healthy for many years to come.

If you think you may have periodontal disease it’s a good idea to treat it as quickly as possible. Give Island Dental Associates a call at (516) 565-6565 to set up a free consultation with our board certified periodontist.

Plaque and tartar deposits on your teeth can cause tooth decay and many other dental diseases. Regular caring for your teeth is more important than most people would realize. Dental hygiene is of utmost importance in order to reduce your visits to the dentist, and save money in the process. Toothache and tooth decay are the results of poor dental practices, which could end in severe painful gums and periodontal diseases and possible tooth loss. This article will highlight 3 important tips for better dental hygiene.

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If you are looking for a cost effective way to ensure that your dentures remain stable you should consider having mini dental implants placed into your gums. The procedure is minimally invasive and a lot more affordable than regular implants. These implants are designed to be used in order to stabilize and retain your dentures at the bottom of your mouth.

What Are Benefits of Mini Dental Implants For Denture Wearers?

How Do Mini Dental Implants Stabilize the Lower Denture?

  1. A metal cap will be placed into the bottom part of your lower denture
  2. A ring made out of rubber is placed inside the metal cap which provides a seal to ensure the pieces are kept intact
  3. Titanium mini implants are then rooted into your jawbone and these are the anchors that are place in order to stabilize your denture

How is the Mini Dental Implant Procedure Done?

You will have the implants done in the regular dental chair at Island Dental Associates. Local anesthesia will be used to numb your jawbone area. In most cases you can have the implants done within one consultation. The procedure works by the dentist using a technique that will place the diameter of the the tiny implants into the jawbone.

The heads of the implants are ball shaped and will protrude from your gums and this is what creates the anchor for your denture to fit your mouth in a stable way. The rubber rings are then placed into the metal caps. The rubber then goes over the ball and locks your denture into place without creating pressure on your gums.

For more information about how mini dental implants can help stabilize your dentures we invite you to call Island Dental Associates at (516) 565-6565 for a free  consultation.

For some people, going to the dentist can be an unpleasant experience. If you are a person who has had negative experiences in the past, sensitive teeth or even anxiety about dental procedures, you may not look forward to visiting the dentist even if it is for a regular check up. No matter what the case may be, you can look into your options in sedation dentistry so each trip to the dentist can be much easier to handle.

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Do Not Repair Your Dentures At Home

A dentist fixing denturesDentures can be rather expensive. It is understandable that when patients have a problem with their dentures, for example a broken tooth, they may try to cut corners by repairing them at home. From a professional point of view however this is a terrible idea that could have dire consequences.

First of all please understand that when dentures are made, they are put together only after taking exhausting measurements of the patient’s mouth and bite pattern. They are custom fit specifically for the individuals mouth. Any deviation out of these measurements could easily disrupt the function of the jaw, move or displace any real teeth that are remaining, as well as compromise the ability of the patient to properly bite.

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Dental implants have changed the lives of millions of people as they can help replace lost teeth and create a beautiful and confident smile. Of course, as with any type of oral surgery, the number one concern that patients have is whether or not they will feel much pain during the process.

The answer to that question isn’t necessarily a simple yes or no. The least painful type of procedure is dental implants. When compared with other types of procedures, patients will suffer the least discomfort. However, the amount of discomfort or even pain a patient can feel will greatly depend on the involvement of the surgery.

There are some cases where bone grafts may need to be used or tissue grafts, which can cause some discomfort, but not pain. The pain after the surgery is usually managed by over-the-counter painkillers such as Ibuprofen. However, a patient may need to use narcotics the first day of surgery, but it all depends on the level of pain the patient may feel afterwards.

If the doctor takes special care when working with bone and tissue, the chances of the patient feeling pain are even more minimal. Of course, this is usually where experience can come in handy. Surgeons that have more years behind their belts tend to have more satisfied patients as they can finish the procedure with little or no pain.

(Please note that all dental implants placed at Island Dental Associates are done by our board certified periodontist)

We want to answer all your questions about dental implants. That’s why we offer free consultations with our board certified periodontist Dr. Vikas Mittle. Dr. Mittle will answer your questions about the entire procedure so that you will be completely informed about what to expect.

Call our Franklin Square dental office today at (516) 565-6565 to schedule your free one-on-one consultation.

Missing teeth are a common and dentists have various methods for replacing a missing tooth. Let’s take a look at some of these options and what they entail for the patient who has the missing tooth.

Dental Bridges

Based on the dentist’s recommendation, dental bridges are a potential solution for this issue. Especially when it comes to multiple missing teeth, dental bridges can become an excellent solution for setting a solid foundation. These bridges are placed inside and hold the teeth together as they are situated inside the mouth. One drawback for this particular solution is that bridges require replacement every 5-10 years, which can be frustrating.

Dentures

Dentures are another option for patients that want to get a natural, aesthetic appearance for their teeth. In the past, this option was not for those who wanted to make their teeth appear natural. Yet, dentistry has progressed to a point where they are a great option for those who are missing a lot of teeth and want a solution that is easy.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants represent the only permanent solution on the market for patients who don’t want to keep coming back for maintenance and who don’t want to deal with the shortcomings of bridges and dentures. Implants permanently replace a new tooth in the area of the old one in a very stable ans secure way Implants do not shift and will not require replacement unless it is physically broken like a regular tooth, which is quite rare.

At Island Dental Associates we offer our patients with missing teeth every option available in modern dentistry.  Dental insurance is available and we offer financing/payment options to make whatever procedure you choose as affordable as possible.

Please feel free to call our Franklin Square dental office today at (516) 565-6565 to find out which tooth replacement option is best for you

Periodontal disease is never easy on the individual suffering from it. Many patients complain about issues with their gums and the damage is often extensive. It is essential to remain on top of these matters before they get out of hand and become very difficult to control. Dentists always make specific suggestions to patients that are aiming to ensure they never get hit with periodontal disease. Let’s take a look at some of the tips one can employ in order to make sure they do not suffer with this particular issue.

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