Maybe you’ve heard of cosmetic dentistry, but honestly have no idea what it is. When we hear the word cosmetic, we often think of make-up and plastic surgery to remove our wrinkles and blemishes. Well, cosmetic dentistry is somewhat like that in the way that is helps remove or repair our dental blemishes. (more…)

Happy New Year from the staff at Shine Dental! As we’ve spent a couple of weeks in 2016 already, we wonder how you’ve done in keeping your resolutions. Did you resolve to get your finances in order this year? Or did you make a resolution to be kinder and more patient with others around you? Maybe you’ve decided that this is the year when you will finally take care of the missing teeth that you have been living with for a while now. (more…)

Good oral hygiene begins from an early age. We all have that grandparent or elderly neighbor who says if they could go back and do it all over again, they’d have taken better care of their teeth. Unfortunately, people tend to put themselves last when it comes to the things that they must take care of. When it comes to dental health, we’re lucky if we get to brush and floss once a day. (more…)

Not everyone was born with a Julia Roberts smile. Though there are people who have perfectly white and straight teeth, there are some of who were born with crooked or discolored teeth. Sometimes an accident can cause a good-looking tooth to chip or break. Though you try to take care of what you have, some teeth need extra help when it comes to looking good. So what options do you have to get that dazzling smile that would make Hollywood celebrities jealous? (more…)

We’re all pretty familiar with what a dentist is and it is quite easy to figure out what a dental surgeon is even if you’ve never met one before. However, there is another mouth specialist you should know about that goes by the name “Periodontist”.

Don’t worry, we’ll clear this up for you!

What Is A Periodontist?

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As 2015 is coming to a close, we can all look forward to the excitement of a brand new year. This is a perfect chance to make a New Year’s resolution and work to become the best you you can be.

Becoming a healthier should always be at the top of your list when it comes to your January goal. Though many will have weight loss and increased exercise on their list, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of improving your dental health. So this year, you should set at least one resolution to protecting and enhancing your beautiful smile. Whether it is to improve your dental hygiene or to undergo a long put off dental procedure, why not make 2016 the best year for your dental wellness! (more…)

Even if your teeth look perfectly clean and shiny, you may still be unknowingly accumulating plaque. But what is plaque and why do we try so hard to get rid of it? You hear about bettering your dental hygiene to prevent it, but most neglect to explain why.

Don’t worry, we’ll help clear up a few things for you. (more…)

The holidays are a wonderful time. There is a chill in the air and you get to spend time with your loving family and share meaningful gifts and memories with each other. Not to mention all the great holiday sweets and treats!

From cake to candy, there are tons of sweetness to get your hands on. As much as you may enjoying this, your teeth probably aren’t sharing the same experience. All those tasty holiday foods could be damaging your teeth and oral health if you’re not careful. Though we certainly don’t want to ruin your holiday experience, you may want to follow a few of these tips to avoid any dental trouble during this holiday season. (more…)

Porcelain veneers are one cosmetic dentistry solution that can solve multiple problems, and these can range from broken teeth all the way to fixing gaps. At Island Dental Associates, porcelain veneers are one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments, and each patient has a different reason for wanting to pursue this cosmetic solution. Some of the reasons porcelain veneers may be chosen are:

• Fixing crooked teeth – For those who have crooked or misshapen teeth, porcelain veneers can provide an easy and instant solution. For crooked teeth, rather than living through years of braces, veneers can be placed on the teeth to create a straighter and healthier shape you can be confident to show off. If you happen to have a tooth, or teeth, which are misshapen, veneers also stand as a simple solution to give the tooth a better shape and better look.
• Discoloration – If your teeth are discolored, porcelain veneers can be used to make your smile whiter. In some instances, stained or severely discolored teeth may not respond well to whitening treatments, and these cases are often perfect for the placement of veneers.
• Broken teeth – Whether you’ve been in an accident, or you simply bit down too hard, teeth can break for a number of different reasons. If the tooth structure proves to be healthy, you can have a veneer placed on the tooth to create a healthy shape once again as you fix the chipped or broken area.
• Unsatisfying smile – In some cases, patients may simply have a smile they aren’t happy with, and porcelain veneers can help them to sculpt their dream look. Much of a person’s confidence comes from their smile, and veneers can help to restore this confidence once again.

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For our Long Island area patients who find themselves with a missing tooth, dental implant surgery is often a procedure we recommend at Island Dental Associates. Dental implant surgery serves as a solution to not only replace the tooth which has gone missing, but to save adjacent teeth from damage as well, but the world “surgery” tends to make patients somewhat uncomfortable. While the procedure is technically considered a surgery, it’s not one you’ll need to be put to sleep for, and your pain will remain minimal.

With dental implant surgery, you’ll be sufficiently numbed up by your dentist, and this will allow you to sit comfortably during the entire course of the procedure. Some patients, however, report pain being felt once the procedure is through, and for these cases there are some solutions that can help to make you more comfortable. While many patients do not report any pain once the numbness wears off, the toll that a dental implant surgery takes on your mouth can cause some discomfort, and the ways to alleviate this are:

1. Over the counter pain medication – OTC ,or over the counter, pain medication is the most popular way to alleviate pain after a dental implant surgery. Medications with acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken once the patient returns home from their procedure, and they will often very effectively alleviate pain and swelling at the procedure site.
2. Painkillers – For patients who experience more intense pain for whatever reason, a prescription for mild painkillers may be given to allow them to remain comfortable as their mouth begins to heal. These prescriptions must be acquired by a doctor or dentist, and can be filled at your local pharmacy.
3. Home remedies – If the pain isn’t intense, and shows itself as more of a discomfort, home remedies may suffice in helping to keep you comfortable. A warm cup of black tea containing tannins, or a cold compress resting on the cheek near where the procedure was performed can help to alleviate your discomfort and make your healing process a bit more pleasant.

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