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Have you been dreaming of a more attractive smile? Do you wish that your teeth were straighter, whiter, and more uniform looking? Those who suffer with multiple types of smile imperfections may benefit from porcelain veneers—a permanent cosmetic enhancement that conceals flawed teeth and produces a total smile makeover. Veneers are incredibly durable and can last for decades with proper attention and care. Our cosmetic dentist offers porcelain veneer placement to patients in our area.

Who should receive porcelain veneers?

Adult patients who have relatively healthy teeth and gums are great candidates for veneers. Patients who would not benefit from orthodontic treatment and have misaligned teeth also benefit from this procedure. The best way to be sure if veneers are right for you is to schedule a consultation with our team.

Will porcelain veneers appear natural?

Yes, since veneers are crafted from high quality pieces of porcelain, they closely resemble the appearance of biological teeth. Porcelain is available in different shades of white and reflects light like teeth do because it is slightly translucent. In addition to porcelain’s natural looking appearance, our dentist will take special care to ensure that each veneer is the proper shape and size for each tooth. While veneers can completely transform a patient’s appearance, they will look and feel like natural teeth.

Is receiving veneers an invasive procedure?

The process to place porcelain veneers is not an invasive procedure. Most patients are comfortable throughout the process and only a mild, local anesthetic is used. Placing veneers involves gently removing some of the tooth’s enamel to create a bonding surface for the teeth. Veneers are then cemented using a bonding compound and while the compound dries, our team will make final adjustments of their placement to ensure patient satisfaction.

After the procedure, patients will leave our office with a new, beautiful smile. To learn more about our cosmetic services, call our office, East Hills Dental Associates, to set up an appointment with our team.

Are you unknowingly harming your oral health? While dental care is more accessible than ever, some oral health myths still hold strong in many folks’ psyches. Our dentist is committed to providing quality preventive and restorative dental care to patients in our community. Following are some common dentistry myths dispelled by our team.

Myth: Flossing is Unnecessary

The notion that flossing is less important than brushing could not be further from the truth. Flossing is especially important to maintaining healthy gums and removing debris between teeth. When you floss, you disrupt the colonies of bacteria that form along the gum line, which irritate gingival tissue and ultimately lead to gum disease. Just brushing alone will only clean about 70% of the surfaces in your mouth. This is why it is important to floss every day.

Myth: Sugar Causes Cavities

This is only partially true. Sugar contributes to cavities by feeding harmful oral bacteria, which in turn causes bacteria to release acids. This reaction and presence of acid causes tooth enamel to soften, and over time, exposure to acid will permanently weaken enamel. When tooth enamel is weakened, the underlying structures of teeth are exposed to the bacteria that cause decay.

Myth: Stop Brushing and Flossing if Your Gums Bleed

Some people believe that they should abstain from brushing or flossing if they notice that their gums are bleeding. While it’s a good idea to visit our dentist if you notice your gums bleeding, you should not avoid brushing and flossing because of it. In fact, you should gently and thoroughly floss daily and brush at least twice a day—preferably after meals and before bedtime. Bleeding gums is normally a sign of gum disease, which is often caused by plaque irritating gum tissue from inadequate oral hygiene.

We are currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment for a cleaning or checkup with our dentist, call 516-484-6600 at your convenience.

Teeth in a Day is an exciting method for replacing lost teeth in edentulous patients. This method, also called All-on-4, utilizes prosthetic teeth anchored to dental implants so that patients can enjoy better oral function than with traditional dentures. The procedure for Teeth in a Day allows a patient to undergo the implantation process and receive their new teeth in the same day. The result is a natural look and functional smile. Committed to improving our patients’ quality of life and oral health, our dentist is proud to offer this procedure to members of our community.

How does All-on-4 work?

All-on-4 refers to a strategic method of securing an arch of prosthetics to small implants. Dental implants are titanium rods that are embedded into the jawbone. Over time, bone will fuse to the rod and secure it in place. This is a natural process and it allows implants to serve as sturdy pillars to prosthetics like crowns and dentures. Because of their strategic locations, each implant helps support the weight of an arch of new teeth. For edentulous patients, All-on-4 is ideal because an implant is not needed for each individual lost tooth. After the implants are embedded into the jawbone, a set of prosthetic teeth are anchored to abutments. Once the procedure is complete, patients will leave our office with a brand new smile.

How does All-on- 4 compare to traditional dentures?

The most notable difference between implant supported dentures and traditional dentures is the fact that implants replace lost dental structures below the gum line whereas traditional dentures simply rest on top of the gums. Traditional dentures typically require frequent repairs because a patient’s mouth will change shape and every few years, dentures will need to be replaced because they will no longer fit properly. With All-on-4, implants support bone health thus improving the longevity of a patient’s prosthetics. Lastly, since dentures are secured by implants, patients can eat many types of food with ease including chewy and tough foods.

To schedule a Teeth in a Day consultation with our skilled dental team, contact East Hills Dental Associates at your convenience.