whiteningbeforeandafter(1)Overall, tooth discoloration can be caused by quite a few different things. No matter what, this is a condition that can end up being both embarrassing or even unsightly.

While there are a number of teeth whitening treatments offered at Island Dental Associates that can be done to help whiten or even out the color of teeth that have become discolored, it is a good idea to recognize some of the causes so that you can prevent the discoloration from happening in the first place.

What Are The Main Causes Of Tooth Discoloration?

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A dentist treating a sedated patientSedation dentistry is a superb choice for individuals with a fear of dental practices and procedures who need work done in their mouth. With this procedure, the patient is given either oral or intravenous sedation medication which allows them to remain unconscious throughout their procedure. The practice of using sedation during dental procedures is becoming increasingly popular across the country.

Sedation dentistry often allows a patient to effectively address multiple concerns during one visit. This helps not only with the fear that patients sometimes experience, but it can also make scheduling easier for busy individuals with hectic schedules. When both fear and scheduling concerns are addressed, finding a remedy for painful dental concerns becomes that much easier to achieve.

In addition to allowing patients to benefit from multiple procedures being performed in one visit, this practice often shortens healing time by reducing stress and the impact it can have on the body.

Sedation dentistry is a great option for anyone who is afraid of sitting in the dental chair. It makes complicated procedures possible while minimizing both pain and the number of visits necessary to achieve a healthy smile.

We invite you to call our Franklin Square dental office office today at (516) 565-6565 to discuss this option with us if you believe it would be of benefit to you.

Replacing mercury fillings - before and afterSilver fillings with mercury were traditionally used by dentists due to their increased strength and durability. However, with advances in technology tooth colored resin or composite fillings can provide similar strength and have the added advantage of improved esthetics.

If you currently have mercury fillings and you want a more esthetic smile we may recommend repalcement of your silver fillings with white esthetic fillings.

The procedure is simple. A dental drill is used to remove the old silver filling. Then, a tooth colored filling material, also known as a white filling, is placed into the tooth. Next, white filling materials are bonded to the tooth and provide strength and stability. Then the filling is cured using an ultra violet light. The cured material provides strength for chewing and function. Once the material is cured it is adjusted and polished using dental burrs and polishing pastes. The filling blends into the tooth providing an esthetic result.

If you have mercury fillings and you’re looking to restore your teeth to their natural shape and appearance give us a call at our Franklin Square office at (516) 565-6565 for a free consultation.

multiple teeth restoration with dental implantsOne of the most common questions that our practice receives is about dental implants. It’s something that very few people can wrap their heads around at first: the fact that we have the technology to create a whole new tooth and actually attach it to your jawbone. This procedure, when perfected, could very well make dentures a thing of the past for some patients. Let’s explore dental implants in a bit more depth so you can see how your missing teeth will soon be replaced.

What Are Dental Implants, And What Are They Made Of?

Dental implants mostly come in two pieces actually (although a one piece alternative is slowly making its way into the mainstream). Most people know about the fake tooth itself, which is usually molded out of porcelain or acrylic. Not many know that there is a root piece as well which is attached directly to your jaw bone. This is usually titanium steel, and bonds itself directly to your jaw bone over the course of a few months (don’t worry, it’s almost painless).

Who Can Get Dental Implants?

Most people can get dental implants; but there are a few factors that a good dentist will take into account first before giving the OK for your procedure. First off will be your overall oral health: will it be safe to give you a fake tooth? Will it react negatively to your gums, or is there worry that it will not be well taken care of? Any issues arising from those questions will need to be dealt with first. Next up will be a bone density check. There is going to be a titanium mini rod installed right into your jaw, and the doctor needs to be certain that it will be able to mold and stay in place. If you clear that you’re good to go!

Dental implants are very safe, and they look great too. If you’re thinking about getting some implants, than talk to a qualified dentist today!

dentalhygieneAre you looking for tips on taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums? If so, you have come to the right place. Taking care of your mouth is important and the article that follows will show you how. Continue reading to learn the best dental health tips out there.

Tip For Brushing Your Teeth

Buy a high-quality toothbrush and replace it frequently. A good toothbrush should be soft especially if your gums bleed while brushing your teeth. Do not keep the same toothbrush for more than a month since bacteria can quickly develop on this object.

Tips For Flossing

Flossing helps remove plaque on and around your gum line and should be performed at least twice daily. When flossing, gently work the dental floss up and down between each tooth. Do not subject your gums to harsh flossing; instead, use a gentle hand and waxed dental floss to help protect your gums.

Special Consideration for Smokers

Daniella Sansotta, Registered Dental Hygienist at Island Dental Associates in Franklin Square Long Island
Daniella Sansotta, Registered Dental Hygienist

Stop smoking to improve your dental health. Smoking harms both teeth and gums. It can even discolor your teeth. Smoking disrupts the blood supply to the gums, which makes it harder for them to remain strong and healthy. This reduced blood supply makes it more difficult for dentists to diagnose gum diseases.

Visit Your Dentist Frequently

You should visit your dentist AT LEAST once every 6 months. If you do this your breath will be fresh and clean, your teeth will stay white and gleaming, and your gums won’t bleed when you brush. When you care about your oral health you’ll be repaid in spades.

You only have one mouth and one set of teeth and gums. For this reason it is important that you take care of them and do all you can to keep your mouth healthy. Try out the tips shared here and you can have the healthiest teeth and mouth possible.

Mini dental implants are also known as denture retention type implants that use tiny titanium posts in order to provide the user with a secure and comfortable fit for their lower dentures. The implants can be compared to the roots of normal teeth which will be a permanent fixture placed into the gums.

The implants at the top are ball shaped and the posts are placed for the ball to fit into in a secure and stabilizing way. When the procedure is complete the balls of the implants snap into the posts for a secure fit of the lower denture.

How Do Mini Implants Help People Who Wear Dentures?

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Pearly white teethWhether you have pearly white teeth because you have spent your life looking after them or you are having teeth whitening treatment at the dentist, the difficult part is keeping them white.

There are so many foods around these days that can stain teeth and a change in eating or drinking habits can quickly see white teeth start to change shade. Even for those who do not have perfect white teeth, if they start avoiding the foods mentioned in this article, then they can start work on improving them.

What foods should you avoid for whiter teeth?

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On site denture repair lab at Island Dental AssociatesWe frequently have people bring us broken dentures that they tried to fix themselves with over the counter denture repair kits.  One even tried using fishing line to hold them together. But doing that is just silly when you can bring it in to us and our on-site denture repair lab and have a specialist fix your dentures for you the same day!.

First off, having us fix your dentures for you ensures that you are getting the highest quality repair work performed on your dentures.  You won’t have to worry about them falling apart a few days later like some of the kits are known for.  You can also rest at ease with the peace of mind that they are being handled by a professional that has made it their life to repair broken dentures, and not some amature that is desperate to have them fixed.

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dental care professionalsShould You Have Your Denture Repair Done By A Dentist Or Attempt It Yourself Using An Emergency Kit?

When your dentures have become broken or unusable for any reason, you have two main options for repairing them. One option is to attempt to do the repair yourself by using a denture repair kit that you can order online or purchase in drugstores in your local area. The other option that you have is to find a local dental professional and make an appointment with them to do whatever repairs to your dentures may be needed or desired.

So which of these options should you choose? In order to make that decision, you must weigh the pros and cons of each of the methods.

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Do Electronic Cigarettes Cause Oral Cancer?

We have noticed that many of our patients have switched from cigarettes to the electronic cigarettes. E-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco. Instead, they contain cartridges that are filed with nicotine and other chemicals. Once the e-cigarette is used the liquid chemicals turn into vapor.

There is limited research on e-cigarettes with respect to oral cancer. However, there are chemicals such as nitrosamine in the e-cigarettes that are known to cause cancer.

In our opinion, there needs to be more research on this product to determine the risks vs. benefits compared to regular cigarette smoking.

Screening for oral cancer is very important whether you use e-cigarettes or whether you smoke regular cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe. At Island Dental Associates we do a thorough intra-oral examination for our patients to make sure no lesions are missed.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 516-565-6565.