DENTISTRY

A BEAUTIFUL PRACTICE FOR ALL YOUR DENTAL NEEDS

GENERAL DENTISTRY

A visit to the dentist’s office isn’t just about checking for cavities anymore – there have been incredible advancements in the field of dentistry, and we have responded by expanding our range of custom dental care services to suit your needs.

We are always at the forefront of the latest research in dentistry and use the most up-to-date methods and technology to help our patients’ achieve their desired smiles. At Beautiful Smiles of Long Island, we frequently perform a wide variety of general dental procedures, so you can rest assured that yours will be performed by a skilled and experienced medical professional. With an arsenal of state-of-the-art equipment and an expert multidisciplinary staff dedicated to your dental health, we are in a unique position to offer best-in-class dental care.

Our commitment is to providing the highest quality of dental care for our patients, and we want to do the same for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. Beautiful Smiles of Long Island serves individuals and families throughout the New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Williston Park and neighboring areas to receive the dental care they need and deserve. Our philosophy is about taking pride in two things – how we treat our patients and the quality of our work. We treat the whole family from 2 to 102 years old. We can treat the whole family from 2 to 102 years old. We are mindful to show special consideration for those patients that are fearful to visit the dentist with a very gentle and understanding approach, to encourage regular dental check-ups. We don’t want to see patients intimidated to address their dental health. We work to stay abreast of the newest techniques with ongoing continuing education. We take the time to fully explain any treatment plans and answer any and all your questions. Our main goal is optimal dental health through prevention – controlling the process of tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why the most valuable service we can give to you is a thorough diagnostic examination to get you on your way to the very best New Hyde Park dental health.

Our team provides high-quality dental care at affordable prices. Our participation in most major dental insurance plans and union benefit plans allows us to maximize your benefits program and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Our standard is to provide high-quality and reasonably priced dental care, offering a full range of general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Our commitment is to providing the highest quality of dental care for our patients, and we want to do the same for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.Beautiful Smiles of Long Island serves individuals and families throughout the New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Williston Park and neighboring areas to receive the dental care they need and deserve. Our philosophy is about taking pride in two things – how we treat our patients and the quality of our work. We treat the whole family from 2 to 102. We show special consideration for those patients that are fearful with a very gentle and understanding approach. We stay abreast of the newest techniques with ongoing continuing education. We take the time to fully explain any treatment plans and answer all your questions. Our main goal is prevention – controlling the process of tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why the most valuable service we can give you is a thorough diagnostic examination to get you on your way to good dental health.

CROWNS

As we get a little older, our teeth begin to change and are prone to decay. There are many possible reasons for this change in your smile. These reasons can include bruxism(teeth grinding), general decay, cracked fillings, root canals, and many others. If your tooth is beyond repair with a filling material, we may recommend that the best viable option to save the tooth is a full crown. The reasons for this type of restoration in a badly damaged tooth are durability, cosmetic appearance, and overall support of the chewing function.

Types of Crowns

If we decide that you are in need of a full crown, there are a few different options for the repair of your tooth. These options include a full porcelain crown, a porcelain fused to metal or gold crown, or a full gold crown. We will make the determination as to which of these options is the most appropriate for your situation. You can be comfortable in knowing that your new tooth will be virtually unnoticeable and will flawlessly complement the rest of your smile.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is incredibly durable, with a strong, high resistance to corrosion. It is mined all around the world, also making it a very abundant source to work with. These qualities are what make Zirconia an ideal material for use in dental crowns. The extreme durability of this type of material for a crown is what is contributing to the ever-growing popularity of this type of crown.

Zirconia is experiencing ever-growing popularity as an ideal material widely used by dental offices for dental crowns not only for its perfect crown usage properties but for the convenience of dental offices as well as their patients alike.

Caring for your new Zirconia crowns is as simple as though they are natural teeth. All that is required is brushing and flossing and one normally would, twice a day and between meals whenever possible to remove bacteria from the teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks. Soft bristle brushes are appropriate to use.

Full Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is created due to a certain specific process that entails heating ceramic properties at an extremely high temperature. This process results in a beautiful and almost glass like texture. Full Porcelain Crowns are the most optimal choice of material for crowns if crowns are needed for the restoration of the front teeth. This is mostly due to the fact that Full Porcelain Crowns are translucent, which result in an appearance that is most similar to that of our natural teeth. The color is sometimes influenced by the portion of existing tooth below them. Full porcelain crowns are typically considered to be the most beautiful crown material to get, and it just comes down to the fact that they will look like your natural teeth. Full Porcelain Crowns are they only type that do deliver the ideal appearance of the look of natural teeth. Another upside to Full Porcelain Crowns is that they do not result in allergic reactions, and can even sometimes on some occasions reduce tooth sensitivity. Alignment corrections are possible if needed down the road in the future. If there are drawbacks to Full Porcelain Crowns to mentioned, it would be that the expertise level is high, as to place a Full Porcelain Crown can be a bit more challenging and the process of manufacturing the crown more of an in depth and slightly complicated process than some of the alternative materials available in dental offices today. In certain situations that are more prone to cracking or breakage. Still, they are placed very often for their unique and unmatched aesthetic quality. This also will result in a price that’s comparatively more expensive than alternative materials that do not deliver as look as natural and similar to natural teeth.

Though the procedure for the fitting of a Full Porcelain Crowns is a longer, more in depth and delicate process, the steps of procedure are still similar to that of any other crown material being put into place. The steps are as followed below.

The tooth in need of the crown in prepared by a cleaning, a reshaping is done, and it now ready for treatment by crown placement. The tooth is also tapered slightly just so that the crown may be fitted snugly on to the top of the afflicted tooth. Dental putty is what is used to mould an impression of the tooth. Some costs associated with the price of a Full Porcelain Crown has to do with the fact the mould must then be sent to an outside lab for fabrication of the crown. The patient may receive a temporary crown while waiting the period of time, generally up to two to three weeks until the completed crown is complete and sent back to the patient’s dental office. This is will also result in multiple trips to the dental office to complete the entire process of receiving a new Full Porcelain Crown from start to finish. When the Full Porcelain Crown arrives completed to the dental office, the patient will then be fitted for their permanent crown. The dentists will usually create some texture to the top of the afflicted tooth to enable a secure bonding of the crown to the tooth. Dental cement is use to securely affix the crown to the tooth. Care and consideration by the recipient of the crown must be taken to ensure there is not any grinding of the crown, biting into hard or brittle foods and clenching of the teeth that would affect the crown negatively.

Procedure

When we have decided to go ahead with a full crown restoration, we will set aside 2-3 appointments for the entire process. Although the majority of crowns are completed in two visits, there is sometimes a need for a third visit to ensure a proper fit.

The procedure begins with the removal of all decay in the tooth. Once we have removed the decay, we will take an impression of the tooth. This impression will be sent to our lab where your new restoration will be crafted. While this new tooth is created, we will provide you with a temporary restoration. Our temporary restorations will resemble your natural teeth so that you can continue with your daily life without worrying about a missing or incompatible tooth.

During your second visit to the office, we will proceed with the placement of your final restoration. This crown will be fitted comfortably into the mouth. We will make every effort to ensure that the new tooth feels exactly like one of your natural teeth. The final step in the process is to cement the crown into your mouth, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.

Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?

A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:

To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of the tooth left
To hold a dental bridge in place
To cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
To cover a dental implant

BRIDGES

A bridge is one of the few options that you have when deciding how to deal with a missing tooth or teeth. The replacement of these missing teeth is necessary in order to maintain the proper mouth functions. Tooth loss can affect the way you eat, speak, and the alignment of other teeth in your mouth.

Types of Bridges

A bridge, by definition, is a link or connection between two permanent structures. A dental bridge is very similar in that it attaches the restorative teeth (bridge) to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. This bridge acts as your new teeth, closing the gap and restoring your smile. Bridges are often constructed of gold or metal foundations with porcelain fused to the foundation. This ensures that the bridge will support the normal functions of the mouth.

There are three main types of bridges:

Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth.
Maryland bonded bridges (also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge) are made of porcelain teeth and gums supported by a metal framework. Metal wings on each side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.

Procedure

The procedure begins with the preparation of the natural teeth or abutments. We will shape the abutment teeth so that the ends of the bridge will fit comfortably on each one. The next step is to take an impression of the area. This impression will be sent to our lab where your new restoration will be crafted. While this new tooth is created, we will provide you with a temporary restoration. Our temporary restorations will resemble your natural teeth so that you can continue with your daily life without worrying about a missing or unattractive tooth.

During your second visit to the office, we will proceed with the placement of your final restoration. This bridge will be fitted comfortably into the mouth. We will make every effort to ensure that the new bridge feels exactly like your natural teeth. The final step in the process is to cement the bridge into your mouth, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.

ROOT CANAL

Root Canal (Endodontics)

Root Canal, or endodontics, is the process of removing the nerves from the roots of a tooth. A root canal is often necessary to save an infected tooth. If an infected tooth is left alone for a long period of time, an abscess can form. An abscess will show up on an x-ray as a dark spot below the apex of the root. This is actually bone loss in the jaw. It is very important to catch this problem before it deteriorates too far.

Process

The first step of the procedure is to anesthetize the effected area. The next step is to open an access point through the top, or biting surface of the tooth. The doctor will then determine a working length of each canal. Each canal is then cleaned and shaped in preparation for the filling material. Once each canal is prepared, it is filled with an inert material called gutta percha. The canals are then sealed. The tooth is now ready for a restoration, which is usually a crown. This entire procedure is often completed in two visits.

Why do I need a root canal?

There are a number of reasons why one of your teeth may need a root canal. These include but are not limited to, a very deep cavity that extends into the nerve, a trauma to the tooth that exposes the nerve, or a crack in the tooth that extends into the nerve of the tooth.

Signs/Symptoms

-Moderate to severe lingering toothache pain when drinking hot or cold liquids or foods.

-Moderate to severe pain when biting on a tooth

-Sensitivity to tapping or pressure on the tooth

-Toothache that wakes you up in the middle of the night

-A pimple on your gum that may release pus or blood

-Radiating pain from one area of the mouth to another

DENTURES

What are Dentures?

Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While dentures take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as one’s natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.

There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Your dentist will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on whether some or all of your teeth are going to be replaced and the cost involved.

How do Dentures Work?

With full dentures, a flesh-colored acrylic base fits over your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (the roof of your mouth), while that of the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to accommodate your tongue.

Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your mouth. Your dentist will determine which of the three types of dentures described below is best for you.

Conventional Full Denture

A conventional full denture is placed in your mouth after any remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. Healing may take several months, during which time you are without teeth.

Immediate Full Denture

An immediate full denture is inserted immediately after the remaining teeth are removed. (Your dentist takes measurements and makes models of your jaw during a prior visit.) While immediate dentures offer the benefit of never having to be without your teeth, they must be relined several months after being inserted. The reason is that the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals, causing the denture to become loose.

Partial Denture

A partial denture rests on a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges.

How Long Before I Get Used to My Dentures?

New dentures may feel awkward or uncomfortable for the first few weeks or even months. Eating and speaking with dentures might take a little practice. A bulky or loose feeling is not uncommon, while the muscles of your cheeks and tongue learn to hold your dentures in place. Excessive saliva flow, a feeling that the tongue does not have adequate room, and minor irritation or soreness are also not unusual. If you experience irritation, see your dentist.

How Long do Dentures Last?

Over a period of time, your denture will need to be relined, remade, or rebased due to normal wear. Rebasing means making a new base while keeping the existing denture teeth. Also, as you age, your mouth naturally changes. These changes cause your dentures to loosen, making chewing difficult and irritating your gums. At a minimum, you should see your dentist annually for a checkup.

Here are tips for caring for your dentures:

When handling your dentures, stand over a folded towel or basin of water. Dentures are delicate and may break if dropped.
Don’t let your dentures dry out. Place them in a denture cleanser soaking solution or in plain water when you’re not wearing them. Never use hot water, which can cause them to warp.
Brushing your dentures daily will remove food deposits and plaque, and help prevent them from becoming stained. An ultrasonic cleaner may be used to care for your dentures, but it does not replace a thorough daily brushing.
Brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.
See your dentist if your dentures break, chip, crack or become loose. Don’t be tempted to adjust them yourself this can damage them beyond repair.

TECHNOLOGY

Digital X-Ray

Digital x-rays are quickly becoming the standard in dental imaging.

Digital x-rays allow the doctor to get a much better view of your teeth and potential dental conditions. The digital imaging software allows the doctor to see a number of different views of the tooth to gain a better understanding of the proper course of management. Digital x-rays provide a great benefit to the patient. Not only are they an excellent diagnostic tool, but they decrease radiation to the patient by over 80%.

Intraoral Camera

Intraoral cameras are an excellent means of allowing the patient to view potential dental conditions in their own mouth. It is much easier to understand what is happening in your mouth if you can see the problem on a computer monitor. This digital image can be utilized to provide information to insurances and other doctors if necessary.

Biolase

A new and wonderful era in dentistry has begun. Our high-tech office is pleased to offer this state-of-the-art technology to our patients. Lasers are an amazing new technology for the dental office

Lasers have the capability to:

Perform gum surgery without the need for needles and no bleeding or stitches, being able to eat, drink and talk right after surgery with no discomfort.
Fill teeth without the need for needles, being able to eat and talk and chew right after fillings.
Remove decay from small fillings and replace them with the natural color of your tooth.
Perform dentistry without the need for a drill!
Sterilize your restoration and gum tissue as it’s healing

Rotary Endodontics

Rotary Endodontics, or root canal, is a method in which the doctor utilizes an electric handpiece to perform the procedure. The electric handpiece allows the doctor to clean and shape the canals faster than using hand files and because it’s electric, there is no drill noise. This makes the whole treatment experience much more pleasant.

Electric Handpieces

There are basically two types of handpieces, air-driven and electric. Electric handpieces are much stronger than air-driven due to the fact that a motor is spinning the bur as opposed to air. This allows the doctor to remove decay at a faster pace. This will cut down on the time it takes to complete a procedure.