Let’s face it – with around 40% of the population of New York all living in the Long Island area, there are going to be plenty of people who find themselves facing a need for dental assistance. Dental work is often something that is only considered to be done on a ‘must-have’ basis, but the reality is that cosmetic dentistry is just as important as those emergency visits and regular cleanings. Dental implants are an option that many people think aren’t really needed, but they can have a huge impact on your life.
Implants are a kind of permanent replacement for your teeth, and they offer numerous benefits that help them stand out as one of the best choices for anyone with missing teeth. If you’re not convinced, here’s a quick look at some of the key reasons dental implants may be for you. (more…)
Roughly 40% of New York’s entire population is found on Long Island, and that huge concentration of people obviously needs quality medical and dental care for any issue they may face. One procedure that could help you if you’re missing teeth is a dental implant. By implanting dental appliances permanently, the hassle of dentures is eliminated completely and yours mile will look and feel as natural as the real thing.
But it’s not always easy to fully understand the dental implant procedure. And with plenty of people out there already afraid of the dentist, it’s something that is well worth taking a minute to explain. That way, you may not be as nervous about what to expect. With that in mind, here’s what you should know. (more…)
Cosmetic dentistry differs from traditional dentistry in a number of ways in that the latter focuses on proper oral hygiene and the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases. Conversely, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person’s mouth, smile, and teeth. More specifically, cosmetic dentistry provides desired (or elective) services and treatments whereas family and/or general dentistry addresses specific dental problems that necessitate required treatments. (more…)
Today, an individual has two basic options for straightening crooked teeth or eliminating any noticeable spacing between them. Ceramic or metal braces that use wires to push your teeth into their proper position are the more traditional methods that have been used for decades. However, the newer, more innovative technology for creating the perfect looking smile is Invisalign clear braces. Today, this is the more aesthetically appealing, convenient, and popular method for eliminating gaps and straightening crooked teeth. (more…)
Having a smile that you are not ashamed of involves having near-perfect teeth free of any noticeable defects. Unfortunately, nearly 70% of all adults in the 35 to 44 year old age bracket are missing at least one of their teeth. Without a doubt, being able to show off a brilliant smile is good one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. But when you have broken, chipped, crooked, or missing teeth, Shine Dental Group can correct these problems by providing you with dental implants. (more…)
Thanks to the recent technological innovations in cosmetic dental procedures, individuals now have a number of viable options for enhancing and improving the appearance of their teeth. One of these recent innovations is teeth whitening or bleaching which helps to lighten the color of your teeth that have become stained over time due to certain beverages and foods that you have consumed as well as tobacco smoking.
Depending on your personal oral hygiene habits, a teeth whitening procedure can last for several years before having to undergo another treatment. In most cases, Shine Dental Group tooth whitening procedures are successful about 90% of the time. Despite the fact that bleaching eliminates staining, it is extremely gentle on a person’s teeth. A bleaching solution containing a peroxide gel is applied to the teeth in order to eliminate any discoloration and staining that has developed over time. (more…)
At Shine, we know how scary it can be for our Long Island area patients facing a dental implant surgery. Just the word “surgery” often strikes fear into the hearts of many of our patients, as they immediately think thoughts of pain, downtime, and possible adverse reactions to different medications, but these are things that don’t really need to be worried about when it comes to getting a dental implant. Dental implant surgery is actually a very simple procedure, and one that you can be awake or sedated for if you so choose, and the best way to calm these fears is to learn a little about what having a dental implant entails. (more…)
The best way to avoid dental procedures is through good oral hygiene, and there are various ways that our Long Island area patients can ensure the health and longevity of their natural teeth. At Shine, we not only want to provide you with the professional help you need to ensure your smile is a healthy one, but we want to educate our patients on prolonged at-home dental care so they can keep the smile that they want for many years to come! While the need for brushing and flossing is typically considered common knowledge, many people may not realize that they could be doing a better job, and that is where we at Shine are here to help! (more…)
A recent study published online by the journal Neurology suggests that brain size my be affected by lack of sleep.
In a study involving 147 adults, ranging in ages of 20 years old to 84 years old, the link between sleep problems such as sleep apnea and the volume of the participants’ brains were examined by researchers. A scan was taken of each participant’s brain, and they were asked to complete a questionnaire about their sleep habits. A second brain scan was taken approximately three and a half years after the first one.
Results from the questionnaire showed that 35% of participants qualified as having unhealthy sleep patterns, according to the study’s criteria. It was also shown that the participants with sleep problems saw a more rapid decline in the volume or size of their brains over the study’s time period than the participants who consistently slept well.
For those participants who were older than 60 years old, the results were even more significant.
Numerous studies have shown how important sleep is and how the brain can be effected by sleep deprivation. It is very well known, in fact, that poor sleep pattens contribute to brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
It is a logical and natural conclusion that if memory loss can be caused by lack of sleep, that the volume and size of the brain could also be affected by sleep deprivation.
According to Dr. Neal Maru, neurologist and sleep specialist with Integrated Sleep Services located in Alexandria, Virginia, is it a well known fact that all kinds of problems can result from lack of sleep. He also stated that memory, the immune system, weight and cardiovascular heath can all be affected by poor sleep, although the specific reasons are not known yet.
One potential cause is, it is has been shown in studies that lack of sleep may cause protein to build up in the brain, which in turn attacks brain cells.
According to Clair Sexton, one of the authors of the University of Oxford study, it is not yet known whether or not poor sleep quality is a cause or consequence of brain structure changes.
She also explains that additional research is needed to determine whether improving the quality of sleep for an individual will slow down low brain volume rate. If that is true, then an effective way of improving brain health may be to use effective treatments for improving sleep habits.
Dr. Maru is in agreement with the fact that it isn’t known which of these comes first: whether the sleep problem is what causes brain atrophy or whether brain atrophy is the cause of the sleep problem.
Shine Dental Associates is proud to offer sleep apnea treatment for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Our Board-Certified Periodontist, Vikas Mittle DDS, provides custom-fitted oral appliance therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
For more information about our sleep apnea treatment give us a call at (516) 348-8500.
Dental implant surgery is one procedure that is often opted for when a natural tooth is lost for many reasons. One reason is that it helps to provide a chewing surface area where one may have gone missing, and this helps to correct any bite or pressure issues which may arise from the missing tooth area, and another is that an implant saves adjacent teeth from moving out of their correct position. When a natural tooth is lost, other natural teeth are compromised, and a dental implant helps to save these natural teeth from suffering loss as well. (more…)
A person derives much of their confidence from their smile, and having the perfect smile isn’t always something that comes naturally for all individuals. At Shine, we offer cosmetic dentistryoptions to all of our Long Island area patients to allow them to finally have that smile they’ve always dreamed of, as we know just what this can do to a person’s confidence throughout their day to day lives! (more…)
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), up to 40 million Americans, or 15% of them have anxiety or phobias about going to the dentist. In some cases, these can be so severe that sedation dentistry is the only solution. In the simplest of terms, sedation dentistry involves the use of pharmacological agents in order to relax the patient prior to and during their visit to the dentist so they remain calm and experience little or no stress.
Are You A Candidate For Sedation Dentistry?
Whether you are scheduled for a routine cleaning or something more complex such as an extraction or having a cavity filled, you may experience certain fears and stress about your visit to the dentist. Many individuals suffer from these dental anxieties and phobias, so you’re not alone where this is concerned. (more…)
In the simplest of terms, dental implant surgery is performed in order to replace damaged or missing teeth. The implant functions as an artificial root and is placed into the jaw bone in order to hold a bridge or replacement tooth. One of the primary concerns that Shine Dental Group patients have regarding this procedure is what they can expect when dental implant surgery is performed.
In addition to providing high-quality dental services in Long Island, Shine Dental Group understands how certain patients have budget concerns and are concerned about the costs of cosmetic dentistry or standard periodontal services. We attempt to provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of dental implants, denture repairs, same day dentures, or any other dental procedure or service you are considering. In so doing, you will be able to make a well-informed decision regarding the financing and payment options that are available to you. (more…)
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), porcelain veneers are used to restore the natural appearance of your teeth. Normally, thin pieces of porcelain are used in this cosmetic dental procedure as they provide resilience and strength compared to the natural enamel of teeth. Many of our patients have oftentimes asked whether or not they were good candidates for this procedure. In most cases, this depends on the patient and what they want to accomplish. Basically, if you have issues with the appearance of your teeth and smiling is an issue, then this procedure may be the right option for you. (more…)