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GENERAL QUESTIONS
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How often should I have dental check up?
You should have dental check up every 3-6
months. This is important for the prevention and early detection of dental
problems. This saves you time, money and discomfort in the long run. The
insurance companies encourage them because it saves them money as well.
Some people need more monitoring and need to visit us every 3 to 4 months.
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I’m not in any pain, so why do I need to see the dentist?
Cavities may or may not cause discomfort;
even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth is deteriorating. With the help
of dental x-rays the dentist can detect hidden tooth decay. When cavities
are small, they are much easier and less expensive to treat.
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The treatments always seem to hurt. I hate to be so afraid. What can I do?
The best approach to optimal dental or medical
care is to be preemptive or preventative and not wait for a crisis to erupt.
Certain chemicals like prostaglandin, given off when there is marked pain,
inflammation or infection, sometimes interfere with the effectiveness of
local anesthesia. In such a case, often an anti-inflammatory
medication such as Advil and, possibly, an antibiotic should be taken for
a day or so before solving the problem. From then on, things should be
smooth sailing. We will not proceed with treatment if you are not comfortably
numb. If you feel any discomfort during the procedure, raise your left
hand and we will stop and give you more local anestetic and time to get numb.
We promise.
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How to make my first appointment?
Please call now (212) 579-0552.
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Can I use my credit card for the payment?
Yes, we accept all major credit cards like
Visa, American Express, Master Card, etc.
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How much will it cost?
Postponing needed dental care can result in
more extensive and expensive procedures during a time that is most inconvenient
to you. If you are postponing needed dental care because of finances, our
flexible payment plans, including interest free financing, will take the
fear out of dental expense. We welcome all insurance.
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 DENTAL INSURANCE
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How can I use my dental insurance?
If you have dental insurance, we are more
than happy to assist you with your dental claim. However, please bear in
mind that you are responsible for payment of your account, not your insurance
company. Your insurance company will reimburse you directly. Some insurance
companies allow us to file your claim electronically and will reimburse
you quickly. Others require claim forms to be filled out and mailed in.
We are happy to assist you with either format.
Dental benefits vary from company to company,
and from policy to policy. At times these can be very confusing. For any
extensive dental treatment plan, we can submit a pre-determination to determine
what compensation you may receive from your insurance company. We can also
arrange a payment plan for major dentistry if needed. Please note that
not all techniques and procedures are covered by insurance companies. They
do not always cover the latest and most advanced procedures, which we do
in our office.
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YOUR FIRST VISIT
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For adults
If you have a dental problem that needs immediate
attention we will see to it right away. Otherwise, we will do a complete
dental examination, including X-rays to update your previous ones. We use
a high-tech miniature video camera to examine your teeth at high magnification.
We will take time to discuss our findings with you, show you what we find,
answer any questions you may have, and help you set up a personal dental
care program.
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For children
We like to see kids and their parents quite
early. Age 2 is often a good time for a "fun" visit. The kids have a chance
to meet us and get used to our office. We give them rides in the chair
and demonstrate what we do on a large stuffed animal. They can visit with
Tobler the Labrador (our office mascot-see the staff page) if she's in
that day too. We also take this time to discuss important preventive issues
with their parents, and set up good dental habits. We will do a complete
checkup, cleaning and fluoride (if needed) when your child is ready, usually
at age 3 or older.
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Be prepared
On your first visit we will need some personal
data and medical background information for our records. Please bring us:
- The name and telephone number of
your Medical Doctor.
- The name of any medication you are taking.
- Any Dental X-rays taken in the last 5 years, if possible.
- The name of your insurance company and policy number, if you have dental insurance.
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DENTAL MATERIALS
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Are amalgam fillings safe in that they contain mercury?
According to the American Dental Association,
they are safe to use. Amalgam fillings do not contain free mercury; therefore
according to the ADA, they impart no health risk and need not be removed
unnecessarily.
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I have silver fillings. Should I have them replaced? What other materials are available?
The silver alloys today contain far less mercury
than in days past. This alloy is stable and well functioning. Fillings
can be left alone, especially in the back of the mouth, where the alloy's
superior resistance to wear is a great asset. For enhancement of esthetics,
tooth-colored fillings (composites) are fantastic. They compliment the
tooth's color, are increasingly more wear resistant and require less removal
of tooth structure since they are bonded in place. Lab-constructed porcelain,
hybrid composites and metal restorations are available as well.
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Are tooth colored fillings as strong as silver fillings?
A properly done tooth colored filling (bonded
composite) will wear almost as well as a silver filling. In addition, bonding
to the remaining tooth strengthens the tooth rather than weakening it.
Newer composites, which require 2 appointments and are laboratory processed,
are even more wear resistant. Almost all of the fillings that we do now
are bonded composites.
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Are gold fillings still used?
Absolutely. Where esthetics allow, gold is
still one of the best restorative materials. Unfortunately, it is a costly
material to use. Where cost is not a factor, it is recommended, especially
in the 2nd molar areas.
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LOOK BETTER
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How can I look younger?
Youthful teeth are lighter and have a translucent
halo effect at their tips. As we age the grinding and use of our teeth,
both wears away the translucent tip and makes the teeth thicker from the
inside, darkening them. Often times just bleaching the teeth can bring
out a more youthful look. Labial Veneers can re-establish the translucent
tips of the teeth to any age, you want.
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How can I get whiter, brighter teeth?
Bleaching in the dental office usually takes
about 30 to 60 minutes and one to three visits to the dental office. A
shield (or rubber dam) protects your gums from the bleaching agent (usually
a form of hydrogen peroxide) which is "painted" onto your discolored teeth
and activated with heat or high-intensity light. You do mouth guard bleaching
at home. You wear a custom-made mouth guard with special bleaching gel
(provided by your dentist) for periods of time each day, or overnight,
over a number of weeks. It's important to know that not everyone's teeth
will "whiten" the same. It depends on the number of teeth involved and
the severity of discoloration. Over-the-counter, at-home whiteners are
not recommended because they may cause problems associated with over exposing
gum tissues to the active whitening agent. Any bleaching treatment should
be done under your dentist's supervision.
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Can I Improve My Smile?
Are you self-conscious to smile because your
teeth are chipped, discolored, or poorly spaced? Cheer up, your dentist
may be able to apply a porcelain laminate veneer to your teeth and give
them a whole new appearance. Veneers are strong, thin pieces of porcelain
that are bonded to the teeth, making them stronger. They are used to repair
chipped, decayed or stained teeth and for closing gaps between teeth. With
a bit of contouring, veneers can also rectify crowded or overlapping teeth.
If your teeth have discolored with age, a veneer may improve their appearance.
Veneers can also be used for cosmetic reasons instead of crowns, which
are more often used for badly damaged or decayed teeth.
Typically, the front and edges of the
tooth are selectively removed and the veneer replaces the removed surface.
Veneer preparations frequently require the use of local anaesthetic and,
depending on color and shade, may take two or more appointments for completion
of the procedure. Ask your dentist if veneers can help improve your smile.
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Is home bleaching safe and can I safely use store bought bleaching systems?
Numerous clinical studies have shown home
bleaching to be safe, as long as the bleaching is done under the care of
a dentist. We make a bleaching tray (called a stent) to exactly fit your
teeth. It does not cover the gum tissue at all. The bleaching gel is 10%
carbamide peroxide, which can be irritating to the gums. It can also cause
temporary tooth sensitivity if not used correctly. Since the bleach is
in the form of a gel, there is little chance of swallowing the bleach.
Store bought bleaching systems have you make the stent by heating a block
of tray material and then having you bite into it. There is nothing to
prevent the bleach from sitting on your gum tissue. The bleach used in
store bought systems is more fluid and can be easily swallowed.
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TIME TO REPAIR
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Why do corners of my teeth break off?
Teeth break for several reasons, namely, a
traumatic injury due to a hard or foreign object in your food, severe clenching
or grinding (Bruxism) and/or the presence of large amalgam (silver) fillings.
Amalgam fillings, as they have been done in the past, weaken the remaining
tooth. Present amalgam fillings have less of a tendency to contribute to
tooth breakage if they are bonded.
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Can A Tooth Be Replaced?
There are three main types of artificial teeth:
dental implants, removable dentures, and fixed bridges. Each one is designed
for a particular situation. A dental implant is made by surgically
placing one or more small metal posts beneath the gum into the jawbone.
In a few months, when they are attached to the surrounding bone, they are
exposed and have the artificial tooth or teeth attached to them. A removable
or partial denture replaces all or some of the lost teeth in the arch
with one appliance. The denture is held in place by clasping some of the
remaining teeth - or by suction where none of the natural teeth are left.
A fixed bridge is a replacement that is cemented to the adjacent
teeth and cannot be removed.
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What is a Crown/Cap?
A crown or cap is a cover that fits over a
properly prepared tooth that has been damaged by decay or accident, or
is badly stained or shaped. A crown can be made of acrylic, metal, porcelain,
porcelain and metal, or resined metal. All-porcelain crowns look more like
your natural teeth, and therefore are usually used for front teeth, while
porcelain with metal underlay has more strength and is good for crowns
in the back of the mouth. Sometimes all-metal crowns are used for back
teeth because of the metal's strength.
In order to prepare your tooth for a crown,
you require a local anaesthetic. Then the tooth is filed down so the cap
can fit over it. An impression of your teeth and gums is made and a temporary
cap is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. On your
next visit, the dentist will remove the temporary cap and cement the crown
onto the tooth. The crown will closely match your natural teeth and give
you back your smile.
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What is involved in a root canal procedure? (Endodontics)
Root canal treatment has become a common form
of treatment for diseased (abscessed) teeth. Your regular dentist or root
canal specialist (Endodontist) can provide this treatment.
In healthy teeth, the interior of the
tooth is filled with tissue (pulp). Once the tooth is injured, cracked,
or decayed, it is necessary to open the tooth and clean out the infected
tissue in the center. This space is then filled and the opening sealed.
During the procedure the area around the tooth is frozen. Sometimes difficulties
may be encountered during or after root canal treatment. This may require
the use of medication or involve further treatment. A crown or cap may
be necessary to protect the tooth, once the root canal treatment has been
completed. Teeth that have had root canal treatment can stay as healthy
and last as long as other teeth. In most instances, you won't be able to
feel or see a difference.
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What is a sealant?
While cavity prevention starts with a healthy
diet, brushing twice a day, daily flossing and regular dental checkups,
sealants can offer additional protection against tooth decay. Sealants
are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back
teeth (premolars and molars). This clear, plastic coating bonds into the
depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surface effectively
sealing out the decay-causing bacteria, and reducing the risk of cavities
and tooth decay. The application of sealants is easy, painless, and takes
only a few minutes to complete. First, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned
and then etched with a solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth.
The sealant is then 'painted' onto the pits and fissures, where it bonds
directly or is hardened with a high-intensity light. Sealants usually last
several years before a reapplication is required. Your dentist will monitor
your sealants during your regular checkup. Although children and teenagers
will benefit most because they have the highest incidence of pit and fissure
decay, adults with difficult to clean molars or wisdom teeth may benefit,
as well. Ask your dentist if sealants can help with your preventive care.
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Do I have to have them out?
Wisdom teeth don't make you smart, but they
can create problems. These third molars are the last teeth to erupt and
usually appear between the ages of 17 and 21, but can begin causing problems
as early as age 13. Sometimes the teeth don't always have enough space
at the back of the lower and upper jaw and develop at an angle causing
the tooth to jam and become impacted. When this happens, a cyst can form
in the tissue surrounding the tooth causing deterioration of the jawbone
or the tooth in front. Sometimes the wisdom teeth only partially erupt
and become prone to recurrent infection and decay. This condition can lead
to swelling, pain and difficulty opening the jaw. The development of wisdom
teeth can be painful and is often associated with sore throats, headaches
and gum infections. By checking the development of your wisdom teeth during
regular checkups and dental x-rays, your dentist can determine whether
your wisdom teeth have enough space to erupt through the gum or if they
should be removed.
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Does your office offer gas (nitrous oxide) to control nervousness or anxiety?
While it is not unusual for some of us to
be more or less uncomfortable visiting the dentist, I believe that good
communication between doctor and the patient is key. One needs to know
what is planned, why, and how procedures can be accomplished. This can
bolster the patient's knowledge and confidence. There are many, less invasive
procedures, some of which don't require local anesthesia.
Nitrous oxide is a sedative gas that you
breathe through a small mask over your nose. The relaxed and dissociated
feeling disappears soon after the gas is turned off. You can drive back
to your home or office responsibilities right away.
Nitrous oxide is not as widely used or
available for routine procedures as in the past. For those requiring an
anti-anxiety agent, an appropriate oral prescription can be taken a short
time prior to the appointment. We prefer that a driver be available to
the patient before and after the procedure.
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What is the difference between a cleaning and scaling?
Many people come to the office knowing the
mouth needs to be cleaner. For new patients, we prefer to obtain information
through the medical history, examination and dental films on the first
visit. If time permits and oral conditions are conducive, a cleaning can
commence. The cleaning or prophylaxis is a procedure, usually performed
by the hygienist, whereby tartar, stains and debris are removed from the
tooth surfaces and the teeth are polished. Depending upon how conscientious
the patient has been will determine the time necessary to complete the
cleaning. If the deposits are unusually heavy or there exists gum disease,
whereby there are pockets or deepened gum/ bone detachments from root surfaces,
scaling is the ideal treatment. Accordingly, more involved treatment planning,
presentation, execution, and possibly several appointments could be necessary.
Thorough scaling (below the gum line) should precede a prophylaxis.
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How is the video intra oral camera used?
The phrase “one picture is worth a thousand
words” is certainly a truth today. With Video Intra Oral Imaging Technology
we can capture images magnified many times allowing us improved diagnostic
ability. The benefit, a clear and graphic picture of conditions and potential
problems that you can see in an understandable way.
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How long does a root canal tooth last?
A root canal tooth can usually be restored
to last as long as any other tooth. After root canal treatment, the tooth
is restored to it’s original shape and function. This is often done using
a crown. The cost of a root canal and a restorative is usually less than
the cost of removing that tooth and replacing it with an artificial one.
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What is the purpose of a crown?
The purpose of a crown is to protect and strengthen
a brittle, weakened or badly broken tooth - i.e., a root canal or a tooth
with a very large filling.
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Why replace missing teeth?
The normal arrangement of teeth following
the removal of one tooth is lost with time. The teeth in front of the space
drift back creating spaces between the front teeth, teeth behind the space
tilt forward and the tooth above the space erupts down. As teeth drift
out of position, changes in the bite can lead to clicking of the jaw, headaches
and jaw pain. Also, hard to clean areas are created which can lead to tooth
decay and gum disease.
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How does it feel after the orthodontic practice?
You might feel uncomfortable with the braces
that attached within your mouth for just the first 2-3 days.
It is important to put on the retainer
for 3-6 months after taking off the braces.
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EMERGENCY
