North Shore Restorative & Implant Dentistry

Dental crowns offer a valuable treatment technique to preserve a natural tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted due to advanced decay or severe injury. These tooth-shaped caps can restore a beautiful appearance to a smile that has been affected by a damaged tooth.

After the dentist places a dental crown, most patients are concerned with maintaining good hygiene to prevent a recurrence of the decay that originally caused the problem. Many patients are concerned that their dental crowns will require special techniques for cleaning.

For the most part, dental crowns can be treated the same way that natural teeth are. That is, patients should take steps to prevent decay under the crown just as they would with their biological teeth.

To begin with, you should be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to reduce the presence of decay-promoting plaque and tartar. Your dentist can show you the proper technique for flossing in the vicinity of the crown. [pullquote]A dental crown can help you save a damaged tooth, but you must be sure to take good care of it to maximize the crown’s lifespan.[/pullquote]

Patients may need to adjust their diets slightly after getting a dental crown. For example, patients may want to avoid sticky foods that could dislodge the crown. Similarly, don’t bite down directly into any hard objects that could damage a natural tooth, like pencils, ice cubes or nuts in the shell.

Routine professional dental care is also crucial after you have a crown placed. Preventive cleanings can minimize the presence of oral bacteria that could further damage the tooth under the crown. Regular exams by the dentist will also help to identify signs of problems before they become extensive.

A dental crown can help you save a damaged tooth, but you must be sure to take good care of it to maximize the crown’s lifespan. Dental crowns can last for more than 10 years if you treat them well. If you have any concerns about caring for your dental crown, be sure to discuss them with our dental team. To learn more, contact the office of Dr. Gardner at 516-484-6394 today.

Most patients who have lost an entire arch of teeth want to replace them as quickly as possible. Indeed, there are many benefits to restoring a smile in a short timeframe, such as improved self-esteem and restoring some of the smile’s functioning (such as chewing).

Same-day smiles can help these patients restore their smiles in a single appointment with an implant dentist.

Same-day smiles involve the placement of a small number of dental implants, typically four, with the implants being loaded with a prosthetic arch that same day.

The term “same-day smile” is a bit of a misnomer, as the actual treatment does involve several weeks of planning by the implant dentist. The process begins with an evaluation, which may involve a visual examination by the implant dentist and dental impressions, along with a cone beam CT scan, which produces a three-dimensional image of the jaw. That technology gives the implant dentist an almost lifelike setting in which to plan the procedure.

The subsequent implant placement is completed in just a matter of hours. Because the dentist is able to plan so carefully for the procedure, including the exact site of implant placement, the surgery can be finished in a shorter period of time, and it is minimally invasive. Some patients may need only a local anesthetic for the surgery.

Patients will receive the prosthetic arch on the same day that they get their dental implants, so that appliance is crafted in a dental laboratory in advance of the scheduled appointment.

The prosthetic arch can be designed to mimic the shade and shape of the patient’s natural teeth to create as lifelike an appearance as possible. Patients can use the process of getting a same day smile as an opportunity to improve on a natural smile that they found lacking.

Edentulous patients don’t have to wait for months anymore to get a completely restored smile. If you want a short treatment timeline, talk to our team at North Shore Restorative and Implant Dentistry about same-day smiles.

Patients who are disappointed with the aesthetics of their smiles should consider working with a cosmetic dentist to improve the smile’s appearance.

Cosmetic dentistry treatments can address a wide range of issues, such as misshapen or stained teeth, a crooked smile or teeth that have been damaged by injury and decay.

To treat all of those problems, a cosmetic dentist may use any number of interventions. Some patients, for example, can see dramatic improvements in as little as an hour with a teeth whitening treatment such as ZOOM!, which uses lasers to activate the bleaching gel to make it work more quickly.

Other treatments require a greater investment of the patient’s time, but are worthwhile nonetheless. When a tooth (or multiple teeth) is chipped or cracked, it can be seriously detrimental to the smile’s appearance. Depending on the extent of the damage, dental bonding or porcelain veneers can remedy the flaw. Bonding can be completed in a single appointment, while porcelain veneers take a little more planning and are placed on the patient’s teeth within a matter of a few weeks.

Veneers, which are tooth-shaped shells that are bonded atop a patient’s natural tooth, can also help to bring misshapen or undersized teeth into the correct proportions so that they fit in with the rest of the smile. Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics,” veneers can also create a straighter appearance.

Patients who need more extensive orthodontic work may opt for Invisalign, which repositions the teeth using a series of plastic trays rather than metal brackets and wires. This treatment method appeals to patients who want to avoid obscuring their smile with traditional orthodontic appliances while improving their smiles.

A single cosmetic dental treatment, such as swapping out a metal filling for a tooth-colored one, may be all that is needed to improve a smile’s appearance. On the other hand, these interventions can be used in combination for a complete overhaul of a patient’s smile.

To learn about all of the ways you can enhance your smile with dental treatments, contact the office of Dr. Gardner at 516-484-6394 for advice on which interventions would be most helpful in achieving your unique smile goals.

Porcelain veneers are extremely versatile in repairing various types of damage to the smile, including deep stains, chips and cracks in the teeth. Yet many patients want to get a durable solution for correcting those issues, and they sometimes express concern that a device made out of porcelain, which they perceive to be fragile, can only last for several years.

In reality, though, porcelain veneers can last for up to a decade when a patient takes good care of them and uses some common sense. When you get veneers, treat them the same way that you would your natural teeth.

The thin porcelain shell is bonded to the tooth by a cosmetic dentist, allowing the tooth to provide extra support to the veneer, improving its durability.

In some cases, the cosmetic dentist may first remove a thin layer of enamel to accommodate the veneer. Some veneers are so thin, however, that this step becomes unnecessary.

Of course, patients must take certain steps to preserve the durability of their veneers. As with so many aspects of dental care, the first step is maintaining good oral hygiene. Cavities that occur after the veneers are placed can threaten the stability of the devices.

Additionally, any objects or activities that can damage your natural teeth also have the potential to harm your veneers. Avoid biting into hard objects like ice cubes, or non-food objects.

If you participate in contact sports, wear a custom-crafted mouthguard to protect your veneers from harm. When mouthguards are specifically designed to a patient’s unique specifications, they can be highly effective at preventing dental injuries due to facial trauma.

If you show signs of bruxism (teeth grinding), you should also seek treatment for that condition so that it does not affect the longevity of your veneers.

Patients who want to pursue a durable treatment for improving their smile’s aesthetics should consider porcelain veneers. Schedule a consultation at North Shore Restorative and Implant Dentistry to discuss this treatment option and the dentist’s suggestion for maximizing the lifespan of veneers.

Your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, and it plays a critical role in protecting the sensitive inner core of your teeth. Yet, the enamel is not invincible. It can be damaged by certain habits and foods and beverages, and patients who want to boost their dental health should also be taking steps to preserve their tooth enamel.

The first safeguard is maintaining a good oral hygiene regimen at home. To the extent that you can minimize oral bacteria through brushing and flossing, you’ll be limiting that bacteria’s opportunity to damage your enamel through tooth decay.

Of course, you should routinely visit your dentist for cleanings and examinations, too. Getting a professional cleaning will help to eliminate any traces of plaque and bacteria that you may have missed in your own oral hygiene self-care. [pullquote]The first safeguard is maintaining a good oral hygiene regimen at home.[/pullquote]

The best dentist will also recommend a fluoride treatment to protect a patient’s tooth enamel. The enamel routinely demineralizes (loses minerals) and re-mineralizes (gains minerals). That latter process offers a level of protection against tooth decay because it makes the enamel stronger.

A fluoride treatment helps to facilitate that remineralization. In younger patients, fluoride treatments are beneficial because it’s important for teeth to be exposed to adequate fluoride as a child grows. Fluoride treatments aren’t just for kids, though. As we get older, we’re at greater risk for enamel erosion, so fluoride treatments benefit adult patients as well.

Another step that patients can take to protect their tooth enamel is limiting their consumption of acidic and sugary foods and beverages. The acid can eat away at enamel, while sugary snacks can leave behind a residue that offers an excellent food source for harmful oral bacteria.

Additionally, if you have a problem with dry mouth you should either drink more water or consider an artificial saliva product. Your saliva is essential in clearing away that oral bacteria, so if it is insufficient, your enamel may suffer as a result.

Your tooth enamel is important to your oral health, so you should do everything possible to preserve it. If you have any concerns about the health of your enamel, contact the office of Dr. Gardner at 516-484-6394 to discuss the steps you can take to protect it.

Our smiles are a very important aspect of our appearance. It is often the first thing someone notices when meeting a person for the first time. If your smile is flawed in some way, it’s easy to understand why you might be self-conscious about it.

Unfortunately, everyone isn’t born with a picture-perfect smile. However, by working with a cosmetic dentist, patients can achieve dramatic results and get the smile of their dreams.

A cosmetic dentist can use a number of interventions to correct the problems with your smile. In cases of more severe problems, the treatment course may take several months, or even more than a year. But the time invested will be well worth the final result.

For example, in patients with crooked teeth, a cosmetic dentist may suggest Invisalign, a system of clear plastic trays that progressively move the teeth into their correct positions over the course of 12-18 months. Because the trays are clear and removable, patients can see their results in real time!

Dental implants can also help to improve the smile’s appearance if the patient has experienced tooth loss. These devices require a surgical procedure to place the implant, with which the bone will bond over several months. The implant then holds a prosthetic, and many patients can wear a temporary prosthetic while the implant heals.

Other patients can see permanent results in a shorter timeframe. Significant chips or cracks, deep stains or disproportionately small teeth can be improved with porcelain veneers, which from start to finish take a matter of weeks to create and place.

Some patients will benefit dramatically from interventions that take just a few hours, or even less. Metal fillings can be removed and replaced with tooth-colored ones for a significant impact in a short time frame. Similarly, a straightforward bonding procedure can re-contour a tooth in little time. An in-office tooth whitening system like Zoom! can give patients visible results in a little over an hour.

If your concerns about your smile’s appearance have been affecting your quality of life and your mood, consider working with a cosmetic dentist to give your pearly whites a boost. Schedule an initial consultation with our team at North Shore Restorative and Implant Dentistry to learn more about the treatment options that can help you meet your smile goals.

When a tooth is significantly damaged but still salvageable, your dentist will likely take all steps possible to save that tooth. Although tooth replacement technology has advanced significantly in recent years, biological teeth still are the best option for long-term oral health.

If your dentist is attempting to save a tooth, you may be fitted with some sort of restoration, like a dental crown. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that slide atop a natural tooth that is severely decayed or otherwise damaged.

Dental crowns can help to improve the appearance of a damaged tooth and strengthen that tooth, as well. If a tooth is at risk for breaking or has already cracked, a crown can help to support it.

Crowns may be appropriate in other circumstances, as well. For example, crowns are typically placed on teeth following a root canal. Crowns can also protect a tooth with an especially large filling, and the devices are used to secure a dental bridge, as well.

The process of placing a crown is a straightforward one, and it typically takes place over the course of two visits to the dentist.

The dentist may prepare the tooth by removing a thin layer of enamel before placing the crown on the tooth. After that step is complete, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth, and that impression will be used to design the crown. Some patients may be fitted with a temporary crown while waiting for the permanent appliance to be ready.

At the second appointment, the permanent crown will be attached to the tooth using a dental cement.

Dental crowns may be made of varying materials, including porcelain, composite materials and metals. Based on the crown’s location, aesthetic considerations and the patient’s situation, the dentist will recommend a material that will meet your needs.

A dentist can use a dental crown to preserve a natural tooth in a variety of circumstances. If you have suffered damage to a tooth, contact the office of Dr. Gardner at 516-484-6394 to see if you might benefit from a crown.

As with any other form of medicine, preventive care is the best way to reveal potential conditions and treat them before they become costly and dangerous in the future. Preventive dentistry offers patients of all ages a variety of services to preserve teeth, prevent gum disease, and detect abnormalities such as malocclusions and oral cancer. By taking a proactive approach to receiving preventive dental treatment on a regular basis, the best dentist can help you maintain optimal oral health.

Your mouth, jaws, gums, and teeth work in harmony to help you speak and process food properly. During oral examinations with your dentist, your entire mouth will be closely evaluated and diagnostic technology will be used to reveal tooth decay, oral cancer, and jawbone abnormalities. When these conditions are detected early, their treatment is often less costly and invasive when compared to patients whose conditions advance without professional dental care. For most patients, an annual examination is sufficient to catch problems early on.

In addition to dental exams, routine professional cleanings are paramount to preventing a number of conditions including periodontal (gum) disease. During your cleaning, your dental hygienist will remove tartar deposits near and above the gum line with special tools. Because brushing and flossing alone cannot remove tartar, professional cleanings are necessary every six months to maintain a clean, healthy mouth. Dental hygienists also look for signs of gum disease when removing tartar and polishing your teeth by measuring the space between the tooth and gum with precise measuring tools. Depending on the size of this space, your dental hygienist and dentist can determine if you have gum disease and how severe it is.

If oral conditions are detected during examinations and cleanings, your dentist will develop a treatment plan with a conservative approach to help prevent conditions from worsening in the future and restore your oral health.

Contact North Shore Restorative and Implant Dentistry today to schedule an examination or a professional cleaning with our experienced, caring dental team.

If you’re suffering from chipped, cracked, gapped, and permanently stained teeth, there’s hope for you to achieve the smile of your dreams. Did you know that your cosmetic dentist can transform your smile from flawed to flawless with porcelain veneers? In fact, using the same techniques and materials that produce perfect and illustrious smiles for celebrities and entertainers, your cosmetic dentist will drastically improve your appearance and conceal imperfections.

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular ways to improve a flawed smile. Made from wafer thin pieces of porcelain, veneers are used to cover the outside portion of a tooth. Each veneer is made to precise specifications to match the shape and size of your tooth while also complementing the contour of your gum line and the size of your mouth.

Since porcelain veneers are custom-crafted for each patient, they produce natural looking results. Porcelain is also ideal because it reflects light and closely resembles the chemical structure of a natural tooth.

The first step to improving your smile is to schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist to see if this procedure is right for your needs. At your consultation, feel free to discuss areas of your smile which you would like to see improved. Your dentist will also conduct an examination to assess your overall oral health.

Once your dentist determines that porcelain veneers will benefit you, molds of your teeth will be taken and sent to a dental laboratory. These molds will allow dental technicians to create your veneers based on the specifications provided by your dentist. When your veneers are completed, you will return to your dentist’s office where the veneers will be placed and permanently bonded to your teeth. Patients will leave the dentist’s office with instant results that conceal nearly every smile flaw imaginable.

To learn more about porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry, contact the office of Dr. Gardner at 516-484-6394 to reserve your consultation today.

After suffering from tooth loss, patients want to obtain a replacement tooth or teeth as quickly as possible to minimize the time they must spend concealing their smiles.

An increasing number of patients are turning to dental implants following tooth loss because the devices provide a durable, reliable long-term solution for tooth loss. They also come with a relatively speedy treatment timeline for patients who are suitable for implant placement. [pullquote]An increasing number of patients are turning to dental implants following tooth loss because the devices provide a durable, reliable long-term solution for tooth loss.[/pullquote]

In fact, patients can actually get same day smiles in which the dental implants are placed and the patient is fitted with the prosthetic on the same day.

However, the phrase same day smiles is a bit of a misnomer, as the process does involve a planning period before the dental implants are placed.

The dentist must collect adequate information to determine the best implant site and will take dental impressions in order to do so. The bite must be symmetrical. Three-dimensional imaging obtained from a cone-beam computed tomography scanner helps to streamline the treatment planning and allows the dentist to get a more lifelike perspective of the patient’s bone structure.

The dentist must also plan for the shade and the shape of the teeth according to the patient’s desires. Patients can and should have significant input into this portion of the planning process.

As for the surgery itself, it is completed in just a few hours in the dentist’s office. There’s no need to go to the hospital, and patients return home later that day – with a completely restored smile. After the surgery is complete, the patient is fitted with the prosthetic appliance.

Patients must have adequate bone tissue available to support the osseointegration of the dental implants, but in patients who have suffered bone loss, options are available to help overcome this potential hurdle.

Contact our experienced and dedicated team at North Shore Restorative and Implant Dentistry and ask about same day smiles if you have experienced tooth loss. You may find that you can take advantage of this efficient treatment option.