Options If You Have Missing Teeth

Midtown West Replacing Teeth | Manhattan Dentist

If you are missing a tooth, it affects your life in a big way. Not only are your looks and smile diminished, but you use your teeth to speak and chew, and a missing tooth can make those difficult. Fortunately, missing teeth can be replaced in several different ways. Your dentist may recommend dental implants, a fixed bridge, or a removable partial denture. Which option you choose can depend on your concerns, finances, and goals for treatment.

Manhattan Implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw. A replacement tooth is then attached. This give the patient a sturdy tooth replacement that works well for most people, and they never have to be removed. Another option is a fixed bridge, which uses your natural teeth next to the empty space to support a false tooth. Your dentist must contour the adjacent tooth so that a crown can be placed on it to support the bridge. This is sometimes a more affordable solution than implants.

The final option is partial dentures. These hold false teeth on a plastic or metal framework which is removable. It’s designed to fit around adjacent teeth, and needs to be removed nightly for cleaning and to allow the gum to breath. If you've lost a tooth, make an appointment with our Upper East Side dental office to discuss all your options. You’ll be on your way to a confident smile once again!

Daily Tips for Good Oral Hygiene

Midtown West Dental Health | Upper East Side Dentist Office

Basic dental care is extremely important to your overall health and well being. It prevents tooth decay and gum disease, prevents bad breath, and saves money by reducing the need for fillings and other costly procedures.

You want your teeth to last a lifetime, so here are some habits that you can add to your daily routine to help care for your teeth and gums in the best way possible.

Oral health begins with keeping your teeth clean. Brush your teeth twice a day, and be sure to use the proper technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle, aiming the bristles where tooth meets gum. Then gently brush with short back and forth motions. You should also use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and you should ask our Manhattan dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride. An electric or battery-operated toothbrush can reduce plaque and gingivitis.

Flossing at least once a day is also extremely important. Flossing reaches the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gumline. To do it properly, break off about 18 inches of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger, and grip the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers with the other hand. Gently guide the floss between your teeth until it reaches the gum line, then rub the tooth back and forth. Do this one tooth at a time through the rest of the mouth. Other tips include avoiding sugar and tobacco, and of course, scheduling regular trips to our Tribeca dental office for checkups and cleanings.

Caring for your Dentures

Manhattan Dentures Care | Upper East Side Dentist

Today's dentures are made from advanced materials. If you recently received a brand new pair of dentures, you'll want to keep them looking their best. Like natural teeth, dentures must be cared for the same way with brushing and dentist visits. Brushing your dentures cleans off plaque, food, and other debris that can be harmful to your mouth and your dentures. Unclean or distorted dentures can cause infections of severe irritation. Visiting our Upper East Side dental office allow a licensed professional to deep clean and make any adjustments and changes to your dentures to ensure they continue fitting comfortably and safely.

Rinsing and brushing your dentures after every meal and soaking them in denture solution every night keeps you dentures in their best shape and allows your gums to breathe. There are several simple cleaning techniques you can utilize to keep your dentures their cleanest. To brush your dentures, you can use either a slightly abrasive toothpaste, soap and water, or denture cream. Avoid using abrasive chemicals and paste as well as scrubbing your dentures too hard as this can cause them to crack or scratch. Always clean your dentures with cool or lukewarm water so as not to warp the dentures. Make sure to place a washcloth beneath your dentures during cleaning so they don't break if they fall. Soak your dentures overnight in commercially available products like Efferdent or Polident; always rinse them before your next use. Finally, use a separate toothbrush to clean you natural teeth and your gums. If you don't have any teeth, a soft washcloth can be used to wipe you gums.

Over time, your denture cleaning habits will become second nature and will lead to long denture life and a healthy mouth. Our professional dentist staff is here to provide you with the quality care you need, whether you have new, old, partial, or a full set or dentures. For more information on denture care and our services, contact our Manhattan dental office today.

The Long Term Effects of Thumbsucking

Tribeca Thumbsucking Effects | Upper East Side Dentist

Thumbsucking is a natural and comforting reflex for children. It’s something that starts while they are still in the womb, and can continue through toddlerhood. When a baby puts its fingers or thumb in their mouth, it gives them a sense of security and happiness. During times of stress, in goes the thumb as a built in comfort device that is always on hand. Thumbsucking also helps kids fall asleep, and offers comfort when tired or in an unfamiliar environment.

If the situation persists, however, it can have long-term consequences to your child’s oral health. It can have an effect on teeth, gums, jaws, and even facial form. It can cause what is known as a skeletal open bite. This can sometimes self-correct, but it also can lead to expensive orthodontic work to correct the teeth and align the jaws. The problem should be corrected while the child is growing, otherwise jaw surgery could be required in the future.

If your child hasn’t stopped sucking their thumb by ages two to four years old, there are steps you can take to help him or her kick the habit. Giving plenty of praise for not sucking, taking away the source of the child’s anxiety, and having your dentist talk to your child about the effects of thumb sucking can help. You can also put a bandage on the thumb or sock on the hand at night. Your dentist or doctor can also prescribe a medication that has a bitter taste to help them stop. If you are concerned about thumbsucking, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our Upper East Side Dental Office today.

Treatment for TMD

Manhattan TMD Treatment | Upper East Side Dental Office

TMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, can cause you serious pain and discomfort that can last many years. You might have pain in your jaw area, neck or shoulders, problems opening your mouth wide, headaches, ear aches, swelling and more. No one knows exactly what causes TMD, but it is most common for people between 20 and 40 years of age. Home remedies and traditional dental cures may be able to offer some relief. Let’s go over some of these treatments and hopefully one will work well for you.

On your own, you can take an over the counter medication like ibuprofen or naproxen for temporary relief. You can also do a cold to hot routine. First use an ice pack applied to the side of your face for 10 minutes. Then do a few jaw stretches, if your dentist approves it. When you’re done, hold a moist, warm compress against the painful area for 5 minutes. Do this several times a day. Soft foods, not leaning your chin on your hand, and keeping your teeth slightly apart can also help.

When you visit your dentist Upper East Side, you can discuss other options for treating TMD. He or she may prescribe muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, or antidepressants. Your dentist will tell you if a plastic splint or a night guard is the right choice. Dental work may help correct a bite problem. In extreme cases, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, trigger point injections, or low level laser therapy may be suggested. If you are bothered by TMD, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with Dr. Lattinelli so he can determine the best course of action to relieve you from your pain.

How to Treat and Prevent Cavities in Teeth!

Manhattan Cavity Prevention | Upper West Side Dentistry

Those committed to a clean and healthy smile often find that even brushing and flossing may not yield the comprehensive results they desire. Food and plaque is sometimes not effectively removed from the nooks, grooves or back areas of teeth. For those who want to take the extra step, Dr. Lattinelli and Associates recommend adding sealants to your dental care and prevention plan. Liquid sealants can be “painted” onto the tooth, bonding onto the depressions of the teeth and providing a protective safeguard over the tooth enamel, further working to prevent tooth decay. Manhattan Sealants are applied in a painless and easy process, and require only a few minutes per tooth to apply.

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in premolars and molars, children and teenagers between the ages of 6 and 14 are often good candidates for the sealant process, as they are often cavity prone during those years. In some instances, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth which have deep creases and grooves. Although baby teeth will eventually be lost, they play a vital role in proper spacing of permanent teeth, and as such keeping them healthy as long as they remain in the mouth is important. Adults who wish additional protection are always good candidates for this dental procedure.

Sealants can preserve teeth for up to 10 years, but Dr. Lattinelli will check for chips or signs of wearing at regular checkups and determine what is the appropriate remedy. As many insurance companies will cover the application of dental sealants, those interested should check with their insurance carrier regarding their plan's coverage. Dr. Lattinelli and Associates provides quality dental care and specialized dental services to the Upper East Side and beyond; wherever you are in Manhattan, it is worth the trip to visit Dr. Lattinelli's Upper East Side Dental office for superior dental service.

Interested in Dental Veneers?

Manhattan Veneers | Upper East Side Dentist

Maintaining the health of your teeth is of course of utmost importance. In a perfect world, regular brushing and flossing would be enough to maintain brilliant, white, healthy teeth. We here at Dr. Latinelli’s office understand that occasionally this idea isn’t a reality; even with regular maintenance, teeth can become stained, poorly shaped, or crooked. It is these situations for which we would recommend applying tribeca dental veneer.

A veneer is a thin piece of plastic or porcelain that is permanently cemented over the front of your teeth. For people with teeth that are misshapen or discolored, but otherwise healthy, this is a simple way to create a brilliant, beautiful smile using little to no anesthesia. Veneers are long lasting and highly resistant to further staining from coffee, tea, and cigarettes. Porcelain veneers are especially good at masking color defects and damage to the teeth.

The veneer is made by one of our expert dental lab technicians, working from a mold provided by your dentist. You’ll schedule three appointments with our office: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.

The preparation visit will last around two hours. The teeth are lightly buffed, which may require a local anesthetic. Your technician will also take a mold of your teeth to be used in creating the Upper East Side veneers.

The bonding process also takes around 1-2 hours. The veneers are placed on the teeth and adjusted for fit and color. The teeth are cleaned with dental chemicals, and then a special cement is used to bond the veneer to the teeth. Using a laser beam, the cement is catalyzed and hardened. The bonding process is generally irreversible, due to the frequent necessity of removing some enamel from your teeth to accommodate the veneer.

Following the application is a two-week adjustment period. You may notice that your teeth feel different in shape and size. This is nothing to worry about: you’re simply adjusting to your new beautiful smile! It’s important to remember to brush and floss regularly, treating the veneer as you would your teeth.

Contact our dentist today to schedule your next appointment. Please feel free to call us at 212-752-7188 with any questions.

Restoring your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry!

Midtown West Restoring your Smile | Manhattan Cosmetic Dentistry

If you're looking to restore your smile, re-align your bite, or even prevent remaining teeth from moving, a dental bridge may be the perfect solution. Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.

Bridges are made of porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials and consist of Abutment teeth and Pontic teeth. Abutment teeth are the anchors that hold the false teeth/tooth in place, and are molded and then bonded to fit the existing teeth on either side of the gap. The Pontic teeth fit in the gap and are then cemented in place.

There are several types of fixed dental bridges, with the traditional bridge (explained above) being the most common.

Bridges, with proper oral hygiene and regular Midtown West dentist checkups, can last fifteen years or longer.

Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain or stainless steel, placed on the top of a tooth to restore its function and appearance.

Crowns can be used for a myriad of problems including but not limited to:
Covering a misshapen tooth, protecting a weak tooth from breaking or cracking or covering a tooth with a filling. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. The amount that the tooth is filed down depends on the type of crown and the decay, if any, involved in the original tooth. An impression is then made from the existing tooth and is sent to a lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown. In some cases, a temporary crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are cemented in place.

Crowns, with proper care, can last from five to fifteen years depending on the amount of wear and tear they experience. Certain habits such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration. Moreover, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown.

Please contact our Upper East Side Dentist with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

The Importance of Oral Health for Children

Manhattan Kids Oral Health | Tribeca Dental Office

Your Manhattan kids oral health and well-being is always our top priority and this is especially true when it comes to matters that concern the mouth. There are a number of things to be aware of when taking care of your child’s teeth and we at Dr. Lattinelli’s office want to make sure that you are aware of everything you need to know. You child should be seen by our office as soon as they reach 6 months in age. By this time their first teeth should be just starting to come in—this is a critical time to spot any problems before they can become worse.

By the age of 3 every child grows 20 primary teeth. This is an important time because this is what sets the stage for when the permanent teeth develop. If something goes wrong with the primary teeth, there’s a good chance the permanent teeth will suffer the same fate if not corrected. Brushing during this time is important; gums and teeth can be gently cleaned with special infant toothbrushes that fit over your finger. Toothpaste isn’t necessary because the baby may swallow the toothpaste and anything with fluoride should be avoided for all children under the age of 2.

Injures happen, and it’s important to know what to do in case of an accident. Mouth guards should always be used with any athletic physical activities or sports. If a tooth is knocked out place it in milk, saline, or the victim’s saliva. If it’s not completely knocked out, try to place it back in the socket while waiting to see us. Sealants are another way to protect the teeth. It fills in the ridges on the chewing part of the tooth to seal it from food and plaque. The sealing process is easy to apply and lasts for several years.

Contact our Upper East Side Dentist to schedule your next appointment or if you have any questions.

Relax- Dental Injections are now Pain-Free!

Manhattan Dental Injections | Tribeca Dental Office

When asked why they avoid or put off dental procedures, patients almost always give the same answer – they are afraid it is going to hurt. While it is true that injections have been painful in the past, new advancements and techniques are making pain free Upper East Side dental injections the norm. As a highly regarded member of the Manhattan dental community, Dr. Lattinelli is committed to not only proving the very best results, but to doing everything possible to make your experience enjoyable. Pain free dental injections are an integral part of this important goal.

What many people do not realize is that it is not the injection itself that traditionally causes pain, but the introduction of the anesthesia which burns as it enters your gum. The burning sensation is due to several factors, not the least of which being the acidic ph of the anesthetic. The introduction of neutral ph anesthesia has gone a long way to reducing the burn, and thus the pain of the overall experience. A second way that pain-free dental injections are being accomplished is through much thinner needles than have been utilized in the past. The thinner needle minimizes the intrusion into the gum.

Finally, the introduction of the anesthesia can be much more comfortable if it is injected slowly as opposed to with one quick push. When the influx of the anesthetic begins at surface level and is only injected more deeply when the surrounding area is numb, the whole experience is more pleasant. This takes a little more time, but is far more comfortable for the patient. By utilizing these techniques, Dr. Lattinelli can ensure as close to a totally pain-free visit that you can experience. One visit and it is easy to see why he is a frequent recipient of many awards, honors and into the Consumer Research Council's prestigious list of "America's Best Dentists". Because of his passion about staying on the forefront of the best techniques in all aspects of Lenox Hill dentistry, including pain-free dental injections, Dr. Lattinelli remains your best choice for care.

Feel free to call or contact us online with any questions. Don't forget to schedule your next Upper East Side Dentist appointment.