Many people require orthodontic treatment in order to have straight teeth. This is particularly common during adolescence, but even adults can require treatment to adjust the positioning of their teeth. However, traditional metal braces placed on the front of the teeth are not the only option.
By choosing invisible braces, you can have your teeth straightened with ease, while avoiding many of the problems that metal braces can cause. There are several different options available for invisible braces, but they all offer similar benefits over traditional braces.
One big advantage that invisible braces offer is suggested by their name. Unlike traditional metal braces, which are clearly visible every time you smile, invisible braces are undetectable. Your smile will seem entirely natural even as your teeth are being straightened. You do not have to worry about feeling self-conscious or embarrassed by your teeth.
Invisible braces also make it much easier to clean your teeth. When you have traditional metal braces with brackets and wires, brushing and flossing your teeth can be a lengthy ordeal. With invisible braces, it does not take any longer to clean your teeth than it normally does.
Wearing invisible braces can also be a lot more comfortable than wearing traditional ones. The wires used with traditional braces can be uncomfortable and poke the inside of your mouth. Invisible braces often do not use wires, and so they are significantly more comfortable.
Invisible braces are an excellent choice for adults, especially professionals who may not want other people to know about their need for orthodontic treatment. They can work quickly so that your teeth will be straighter within a few months.
If you have questions about invisible braces, give our office a call at (516) 348-8500 so that we can get you up to speed on this treatment option.
Cosmetic dentistry serves a very useful purpose in today’s society, as a great smile can help to instill confidence in any person and help them reach their full potential!
A great cosmetic dentist can help his or her Long Island area patients to fix any problems they may have with their smile, and give them an entirely new look that will allow them to feel their best each and every day.
There are many different types of procedures involved in cosmetic dentistry, and our cosmetic dentists here at Shine Dental Associates work hard to find the perfect procedure that will allow you to have the smile of your dreams!
Due to the importance of educating children early about the benefits of good oral hygiene, the American Dental Association has deemed each February “National Children’s Dental Health Month.” The annual campaign allows parents, dental professionals, and educators to focus on teaching children and engage them with slogans and characters designed to keep the memories in mind.
Children who develop good brushing and flossing habits are less likely to experience trouble with their teeth and gums, even when they are older. However, the child who does not learn these critical skills is likely to enter adulthood with fillings, cavities, and early gum disease. The ADA wants to make certain that all children have the opportunity to learn how to brush and floss for life.
We don’t want to scare you…okay, perhaps we do. However, we’re scaring you for a good reason…to get you to take your oral health more seriously!
We found a recent online article by Dr. Peter Galgut at Express.co.uk that once again reveals the scientific studies that connect poor oral health and hygiene to many of today’s most harmful diseases, such as: heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and more.
Gum disease is an infection caused by dental plaque bacteria that creep in underneath the gums. This infection slowly erodes away the foundations of the teeth. Then the gums start to shrink, the teeth get loose and wobbly and, if left untreated, we finally end up with abscesses and the loss of our teeth. But that’s not all.
Research has shown that gum infections have very harmful effects throughout our bodies. Did you know there is a major connection between gum disease and heart disease?
It is now known that the bacteria from gum disease can settle on the heart valves and cause permanent damage to them. Once this happens the heart will be unable to work efficiently and it becomes more susceptible to other infections.
Also, women who have active gum disease during their pregnancy are more likely to have pre-term and low birth weight babies as the body cannot concentrate all its resources on the baby while it has to continuously fight off an ongoing infection in the mouth.
We also know that those with uncontrolled diabetes are more susceptible to infections. If these people also have gum disease either it gets worse or the diabetes becomes more difficult to control, or both. So if the immune system has to struggle to control two problems at the same time to try to maintain health, it often fails to manage either.
Worryingly, rheumatoid arthritis has been linked with gum disease and more recently bowel cancer, asthma and even erectile dysfunction.
As more and more medical conditions are associated with this ongoing silent infection, it is clear that although gum disease does not cause pain, swelling or any other alarming symptoms in its early stages, the effects of the infection from the highly toxic bacteria lodged underneath the gums echo throughout our bodies and can cause or contribute significantly to other illnesses.
Again, we want you to take your oral health seriously. At Shine Dental Associates we have an excellent team of dentists, hygienists, and a board certified periodontist to provide the very best dental care on Long Island. Give us a call today for a free consultation at (516) 348-8500.
There will often be times where someone will call into our office with urgent questions. Some of the calls will be answered simply while others will constitute as a dental emergency. If you are concerned about whether or not you have an urgent situation that requires a quick trip to the dental office, you may want to keep a couple of problems in mind that you could face with your teeth.
Fractured Tooth
In some cases a fractured tooth may not be considered an emergency. However, there are many times when a fractured tooth will need to be addressed immediately. If you happen to feel as though you have a severe fracture and you are in a great deal of pain, it is important that you have it looked at as soon as possible.
Major Swelling
There are some instances where you end up having swelling in your mouth that can be due to infection. If at any time you notice that your gums are swollen, it is important that you talk to your dental office right away about being seen.
Knocked Out Tooth
If there is any time when you have a tooth that has been knocked out, it is important that you apply a compress as soon as possible to help stop the bleeding. It is crucial that you make plans to visit the dentist immediately and if possible, bring the tooth with you in case it is able to be used for an implant to fix your smile.
Extruded Tooth
When a tooth is extruded, it is repositioned or displaced from the location where it is supposed to be. Usually, this is when a tooth is either pushed backward or forward in the mouth. Instead of attempting to readjust it, it is important that you make plans for a dental visit as soon as you can.
Abscessed Tooth
Generally, an abscessed tooth will appear discolored and will swell due to the formation of pus. No matter the level of the abscess, you need to see a dentist immediately to have the tooth addressed. With this sort of a situation, you could have a bad infection on your hands that can lead to dangerous health consequences if not treated.
No matter what, it is important to call a dentist whenever you find that you have any sort of emergency on your hands. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your mouth health.
Shine Dental Associates provides 24 hour dental care. Call our special dental emergency number when you needs us for an emergency at (516) 348-2000.
Mini dental implants differ greatly from standard dental implants, and the purpose these mini implants serve is to stabilize dentures and help to keep them in place more securely. With a traditional dental implant, a titanium post is placed in the space left by a missing tooth root within the jaw, and a crown is attached to create a brand new tooth. With a standard implant, the crown placed at the end of the post is not removable, and the implant is meant to be used just like a natural tooth, however a mini implant serves an entirely different purpose.
We recently found an article at CBSNews.com by Sarah Butler with the provocative title, “Why Your Dentist Costs So Much”. We realize that many people believe that the cost of dental care is too expensive.
However, if more people took the time to understand the value of good dental care and the value of having healthy teeth and gums throughout their lifetime, we believe they would have less hesitation investing in their dental health.
Dentists wish patients would value their teeth more. Teeth are a crucial part of health and appearance. Untreated gum disease, for instance, is linked to heart disease. (Would you choose a cardiologist based on price?) “With time, you will come to realize that shopping price is a minor concern when it comes to your health,” says Dr. W. “Any minor cost differences amortized out over a lifetime will become insignificant. You will get the best results and have the most long-term satisfaction getting care from someone you trust.”
At Shine Dental Associates we are committed to providing our patients with the best dental care on Long Island. Everyone from our hygienists, to our dentists, and our board certified periodontist is here to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy so that you avoid unnecessary and costly dental treatments. And, should you need those treatments we have specialists to take care of you.
Call us today to set up a free consultation at (516) 348-8500.
Dental implants are important in helping you to restore your self-confidence and ensure the overall good health of your teeth, but these procedures can be expensive to our patients. With financing, you can get the dental implants you need without worrying about paying for the entire procedure up front, allowing you peace of mind that you can take care of your mouth in an affordable and convenient fashion!
A recent article reported at Foxnews.com by Julie Relevant discusses the connection between pregnancy and oral health. The data is pretty revealing and conclusive that, if you’re pregnant, you are more likely to develop conditions, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.
As explained in the article…
Pregnancy gingivitis occurs because the increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy causes an exaggerated response to the plaque that’s already in your mouth. “The reaction to those toxins and those poisons from the plaque build-up is increased,” according to Dr. Amanda Seay, Orbit for Kids gum spokesperson.
And even if you’re diligent about brushing and flossing, pregnancy gingivitis can still be a problem. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease, which studies show increases your risk for having a preterm and low birth weight baby.
If you’re pregnant call Shine Dental Associates today to schedule a periodontal exam with our board certified periodontist who will assess the state of your oral health and make sure that you do not develop gum disease or other oral health problems during your pregnancy.
Laser dentistry is becoming popular among dental patients quite rapidly. The advancement in laser technology has offered many benefits in professional teeth whitening.
Laser dentistry is not only used to give you a bright white smile. It can also be used in fixing dental cavities and healing damaged gum tissues. They can be used for a variety of cosmetic dentistry issues, and this is the reason for the extreme popularity of this service among dental patients.
Laser dental services are painless and quite fast compared to traditional dental practices. A damaged gum which is laser treated will heal quickly than treated with traditional dental procedures. There is also less bleeding when laser dentistry is used. A laser can be pinpointed to the precise area of the problem, and this will help not to damage the surrounding areas on the teeth or gums. No sutures are needed with laser treatments which is another advantage of the method.
Normal dental procedures can carry the risk of infection whereas laser dental practices doesn’t have such risks. Laser seal off the tissue, and this will help to ward off infections. Even anesthesia is not needed in laser dentistry since it inflict little or no discomfort.
Laser dentistry can be performed right at the dentist’s office, and there is no need to see a dental surgeon for it. This helps to save a considerable amount of money, which is another advantage of laser dentistry. A laser dental treatment session will proceed after, both the dentist and patient wearing protective glasses. This is part of the safety procedures to be followed when taking laser dental treatments.
All in all, laser dentistry has helped many people to treat their dental problems. If you have a condition that you think could be cured by laser dentistry, consult to dentist immediately.
Shine Dental Associates offers laser dentistry. To find out more please us today at (516) 348-8500.
There are many patients who do not realize that more than one type of dentistry exists. Sedation dentistry is one where the patient receives a sedative prior to any procedures being performed. If you would like to know more about why this is the best option in some cases, you should continue reading.
Anxiety
The reality is that there are many people that are petrified of going to the dentist. Even if the procedure being performed is one that is not very painful, the thought of going to the dentist strikes fear in some. If you know that you have out-of-control anxiety, then being sedated before the dental procedure is performed is a great choice since a sedative will help you relax and forget about what is going on.
Dental implants are used when a person loses a tooth due to extraction, injury, or disease, and a dental implant procedure is one that should never be feared! With today’s advances in modern dentistry, receiving a dental implant is painless and easy, and it can save you a significant amount of trouble later on due to bone deterioration and further tooth loss.
Invisible braces can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted, and without a mouth full of metal. Invisible braces use a series of clear, removable and comfortable aligners to help correct your bite for a beautiful million dollar smile. Other than the end result of a beautiful smile, there are many advantages to opting for invisible braces.
The most obvious advantage is the cosmetics and the ability to conceal your treatment when necessary. Without a mouthful of metal you can ease into your beautiful teeth without the embarrassment. This is especially great for adults and professionals for whom going to work with adult braces might be a hindrance.
Once significant advantage to using invisible braces to correct your smile is that they are removable. They can be removed when eating, which minimizes discomfort and avoids issues usually associated with regular braces. This feature also promotes better oral hygiene as the teeth can be brushed properly and the braces cleaned thoroughly on a more regular bases.
Transparent braces also work much faster than traditional braces. The braces are made in conjunction with computer imaging software, and are adjusted every two to three weeks based on your molds. Meaning you can get the smile you want that much faster.
Although not everyone might be a proper candidate for Transparent Braces, they are a good fit for about 80% of patients. If you are interested in transparent braces, call Shine Dental Associates so we can assess whether transparent braces are a good fit for your situation.
We can help you get the beautiful smile you want without the hassle associated with traditional braces, and in less time thanks to the cutting edge transparent braces treatment options. Call us today at (516) 348-8500 to see if transparent braces are right for you.
As dentists who have been providing dental care to the residents of Long Island for many years we are widely familiar with the problem of helping people who have lost their teeth. Bridges and dentures represent some traditional methods of dealing with replacing missing teeth. However, dental implants offer many benefits over these options. Let’s review these benefits…
The biggest problem with most tooth prostheses is the challenge of how to keep them in place. With dentures a simple adhesive is used. Although these have progressed a long way over the years in terms of improving patient discomfort, no adhesive will be perfect in securing the denture in place. The result will inevitably be patient complaints that the dentures feel loose or that they have to avoid certain foods because they are afraid the dentures might come out. Bridges provide some positive support, but require damaging the adjacent teeth to be able to fit the new prosthesis in place. This can cause more problems than it solves over time.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are designed to work and function like normal teeth. There is no need for a patient to change his diet to avoid certain hard to chew foods. There is no fear that the tooth will all of the sudden fall out at an inopportune time. The reason is that dental implants are screwed into the gum itself, providing a very firm foundation to the artificial tooth. This essentially mirrors the way normal teeth stay in place.
Keeping an artificial tooth in place can be a challenge for dental providers. By using dental implants, they can provide their patients a better quality of life by giving them artificial teeth with largely the same stability and functionality of their normal teeth.
At Shine Dental Associates of the North Shore we want to provide the best options for people with missing teeth. Please feel fee to call us for a free consultation at (516) 348-8500 so we can go over all your options.
Board Certified Periodontist
Experts indicate that periodontal disease is on the rise and point to three significant reasons for this unfortunate development. First, our population is aging, and gum disease is often seen in elderly adults. Second, smoking and escalating chronic health conditions like diabetes have a dramatic impact on oral health. However, the third and more troubling issue is that routine dental checkups are being put off in these difficult economic times, allowing small problems to escalate into severe issues.
Periodontists offer important dental services for people of all ages that can intervene now to stop erosion of oral health and restore a sense of well-being. Periodontists fight the effects of gum disease, caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth.
In its earliest stages as gingivitis, gums may appear puffy and inflamed. If addressed vigorously at this stage, a solid regimen of brushing and flossing, along with routine care by your dentist can resolve the issue. But as the plaque hardens into tartar and settles into the gum line, bacterial pockets form around the teeth and eat away at the tissue and bone holding them in place. Without intervention, tooth loss will often occur. Persons who smoke and have chronic conditions like diabetes are at even greater risk for the serious forms of periodontal gum disease.
Periodontists, like Dr. Vikas Mittle at Shine Dental Associates, have many tools in their arsenal to fight periodontal gum disease. Through root scaling and planing, they can clean away infections around the root of the tooth to save it from bone and tissue erosion. They offer many surgical techniques designed to strengthen damaged bone and help to regenerate gums that may have receded away from the teeth. When needed, periodontists also offer dental implant surgery to replace missing teeth and help stabilize the bite.
Good oral health is an essential component of living well. Periodontists diagnose and treat complex dental issues so that you have a smile to be proud of. Even more importantly they address serious dental issues through expert care that will enhance your overall physical health and keep you feeling younger even into your mature years.
For a free consultation with Shine Dental Associate’s board certified periodontist please call (516) 348-8500.