Our Dental Office Services

Lenox Hill Dental Services | Upper West Side Cosmetic Dentist

At the office of Joseph C. Lattinelli, DMD and associates, we want to be your choice for quality dentistry services in Manhattan, New York. Our accredited and highly-skilled team of professionals will work with you to determine the best treatment options for your unique needs. We offer a full range of dental services, ranging from preventive and diagnostic to cosmetic. Take a closer look at the dental services we offer.

Preventive and Diagnostic

Comprehensive Evaluation/Oral Examination – Oral examinations involve visual inspection of the mouth, head, and neck. With the addition of radiographs, the doctor is able to detect cavities, dental restoration problems, gum and bone recession and other abnormalities.

Cleaning – A dental cleaning is also known as an oral prophylaxis. Specialized instruments are used to effectively remove deposits, loosen tarter, and smooth and polish tooth surfaces.

Custom Mouth Guards – Mouth guards are commonly used appliances which protect athletes while practicing and playing contact sports. Custom mouth guards which provide the highest level of protection and comfort are created by taking an impression of the teeth.

Restorative

Crown – A permanent dental restoration completely covering the outside of a decayed tooth, a crown can be completed in just two visits.

Bridge – A bridge acts as a replacement for missing teeth, eliminating the need for a denture or implant. To create a bridge, a false tooth is used and supported on either side by crowns atop of neighboring teeth.

Veneers – Veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain attached with adhesive which recreate the beautiful, natural look of healthy teeth.

Implant Restorations

Dental Implants – Dental implants are anchored into the jawbone in a fusing process known as osseointegration. Dental implants replace tooth roots and act as a foundation for replacement teeth.

Dentures – A denture acts as a removable replacement for teeth which are missing. There are two types of dentures: complete dentures replace all teeth in the mouth while partial dentures replace only a few missing teeth.

Cosmetic

Whitening – Whitening is a teeth brightening process which is also referred to as bleaching. In-office bleaching uses a carbamide peroxide agent in addition to a laser, and usually requires just one office visit. At-home bleaching uses a customized mouth guard to apply a carbide peroxide agent, which is applied over a period of time lasting four weeks or longer.

Invisalign – Invisalign is a highly advanced and modern a​lternative to wire braces. Invisalign straightens teeth using a comfortable and virtually invisible plastic material.

Specialized Techniques

CAD/CAM Restorations – CAD/CAM is short for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM is utilized to create precise and accurate dental restorations.

Laser Dentistry – Lasers deliver energy in light form. Laser treatments reduce pain, noise, complications, and number of necessary dental appointments.

Biomimetic Dentistry – Biomimetic dentistry allows for as much of the natural tooth as possible to be preserved, removing only damaged and decayed areas before bonding the final restoration.

Additional Services

Scaling and Root Planing – Used to treat gum disease, scaling and root planning removes plaque from beneath the gums and then smooths the tooth’s root. This non-surgical treatment enables diseased gums to heal.

Root Canal Treatment – Root canal therapy involves removing infected pulp from the tooth, cleaning and sealing the tooth chamber, and restoring the tooth with a crown or filling.

Extractions – Following administration of local anesthesia, an extraction involves the use of forceps to gently remove a tooth which cannot be saved.

TMJ Disorders – Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders cause pain in the joint and muscles of the jaw. TMJ disorders can be treated in a variety of ways after the cause is identified.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment/Appliance – Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is an effective solution for patients with obstruction sleep apnea, and utilizes a customized oral appliance to correctly position the jaw and tongue during sleep.

Would you like to know more about the dental services offered by Dr. Lattinelli and his associates? We would love to discuss a personalized dental treatment plan with you. Give our dental office a call today to schedule your dental consultation!

Midtown NY Dental Implants | Upper East Side Dentist

With our CBCT scans and restorative virtual treatment planning along with our extensive training we provide Dental Implant Services for our patients.

Dental Implants are the replacement of your tooth’s roots. When the roots are gone you need to have a foundation strong enough for the fixed or removable tooth replacement, the implant. Small anchors made of a biocompatible metal, called titanium, are placed in your jawbone. These anchors fuse, (a process known as osseointegration) with the bone over a period of a few months. At which point, abutment posts get i​nserted into the anchors for a permanent attachment of the replacement teeth.

We begin with a virtual 3-D model or physical model for the implant placement. This along with the restorative work is simulated to create your ideal treatment plan. The virtual aspect allows our team to take multiple aspects of your implant placement and restoration into account for optimal aesthetics, function and longevity of your final restoration. Our 3-D model also allows you to see and better understand the procedure.

After planning we use our specialized software to create your surgical guide to use during the implant procedure. This guide gives the doctor an exact location, angle, and depth of the implant placement for increased accuracy, efficiency, safety and procedure predictability.

You have a few options depending on the need. An implant-supported bridge is a restorative procedure used when three or more adjacent teeth are missing. The bridge replaces these teeth without the use of dentures. Typically, we use two implants to support the porcelain bridge to provide optimal functioning and aesthetic replacement for your natural teeth.

Another option, Implant supported dentures, can be fixed or removable and requires the placement of two or more implants. Removable dentures snap on to the implant, do not require denture paste or adhesive, and can be taken out at night for cleaning. They simulate your natural teeth and stay in place with the implants anchoring them eliminating the movement or gum discomfort that traditional dentures may produce. Aesthetically, dental implant placement can help alleviate the sunken look that often occurs due to bone loss in the jaw by stimulating bone growth in the area surrounding the implant. This process is called osseointegration and can aid in prevention of future bone loss.

A full arch with only four implants is unique and allows patients missing all upper or lower teeth to replace a full arch using only 4 implants as anchors. The benefits outweigh traditional dentures. These are easier to care for, simulate natural look and feel, and stay fixed in place. Again, you won’t experience the movement and gum irritation that traditional implants can cause. You leave the same day, reducing costs and healing time. Speaking and eating will also be more natural because you have no plate covering the roof of your mouth.

Schedule your consult with our extensively trained and knowledgeable dental office team to receive accurate, more natural looking and feeling Dental Implants.

Manhattan Common Dental Problems | Upper East Side Cosmetic Dentistry

Although most folks try to avoid dental problems like the plague, they inevitably rear their ugly heads every now and then. Care to venture a guess as to which three dental problems dentists most commonly see in their offices? Here’s the big three: cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion. Luckily there are a few things you can do to ward off these dental evils. Our cosmetic dentist team has got some key information about these three common dental problems and how you can avoid them.

Cavities – Those pesky little holes that form in your teeth. These little dental caverns form when plaque is allowed to build up on the surface of the teeth, leading to erosion of the enamel. Plaque, that sticky substance on your teeth that’s full of bacteria, loves to feast on the sugar in the foods you eat. Plaque produces strong acids that breach your teeth’s first line of defense – the enamel. When this happens, a cavity is formed that lands you in the dentist’s chair.

The best way to fight cavities is to rid your teeth of plaque. The best ways to keep plaque at bay? Brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and making a yearly visit to your dentist for a thorough cleaning.

Gum Disease – Commonly referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is that dreaded affliction that occurs when plaque launches a full-scale attack on your sensitive gum line. Gum disease begins as gingivitis and then advances into periodontitis. Hallmarks of gingivitis are inflamed and swollen gums that bleed easily, while periodontitis is manifested by gums that start to pull away from the teeth and form accesses.

If gum disease strikes, don’t lose hope – it can be reversed. The best way to prevent and reverse gum disease is through regular brushing and flossing.

Enamel Erosion – Your enamel is no match for all the acids in the foods and drinks you consume. Even overzealous brushing can wear down enamel. Tooth sensitivity, discoloration, and cracking or chipping are all signs that your enamel is being eroded.

The best way to avoid enamel erosion is to simply strike first. Eliminate highly acidic foods and drinks from your diet, and drink lots of water every day. Brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Make sure to keep your scheduled dental office visits to keep your teeth in good shape. Our technicians are expertly trained and promise you the best care you can possibly receive.

Lenox Hill Got Braces? | Tribeca Dental Office

Got braces? Planning on getting braces? You’re not alone. 50-70 percent of American kids have or will wear braces between the ages of 16-18. And although most people associate braces solely with young people, the fact is that getting braces as an adult is becoming increasingly common. Nearly 20 percent of all braces-wearers are adults. No one secretly hopes to have to get braces, but we all know that the smiles they create are truly priceless. If you’re a member of the braces club, there are a few things you’ll need to remember when caring for your teeth. Our cosmetic dentist has four essential tips for braces-wearers.

Keep Those Braces Clean

Unfortunately, braces and their wires, springs, and bands attract a whole lot of food and plaque. It’s very easy for things to get stuck in braces, and a little extra work is required to keep your teeth clean. Orthodontists recommend brushing after every meal. You’ll also find that devices like a waterpik or airflosser can work wonders when it comes to flushing out stuck pieces of food.

Keep a Good Relationship with Your Orthodontist

Make sure you visit your orthodontist regularly with any questions or concerns. If a wire or bracket happens to break, don’t take a do-it-yourself approach. Cover any sharp broken edges with some cotton or dental wax and get in to see your orthodontist immediately.

Don’t Forget About Your Dentist

Don’t neglect your regular dentist simply because you’re seeing an orthodontist. It’s important to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and to check for tooth decay.

Stay Away From Cavity-Promoting Foods

Try to avoid sugary foods that increase your chances of tooth decay. You’ll also want to steer clear of foods that can break or loosen your braces. A few foods to for braces-wearers to be mindful of include:

• Sticky or chewy stuff like caramel, taffy, or dried fruit
• Hard stuff like hard candy, nuts, ice, or jerky
• Difficult-to-bite stuff like apples, bagels, corn on the cob, or carrots

Contact our dental office if you have any questions or concern not mentioned above.

Tribeca Coffee & Your Teeth | Upper East Side Dental Office

The alarm buzzes, you apprehensively hit snooze and with effort bring yourself out of bed and onto your feet. Your day does not begin until you have that much-needed cup of coffee in the morning. You have your cup at home, take it on the go with you, stop at your local coffee shop on the way to work or brew it at the office. And so your Daily Grind begins. So what happens to your dental heath with each cup?

As a coffee drinker, you could receive unpleasant effects from drinking coffee. Effects such as teeth stains, enamel erosion, and bad breath A.K.A coffee breath. Drinking a high caffeinated black cup of coffee can destroy the bacteria in your mouth that is responsible for plaque build-up. There’s a positive!

One of the most noticeable and common impacts on the mouth that drinking coffee can cause is staining. Because your teeth enamel is porous, that dark-colored coffee can penetrate and create stains. Having regular dental cleanings will help eliminate some of these surface stains.

Another not so great effect coffee has on your mouth is enamel erosion. Over time, your enamel can begin to have erosion due to the acid in your coffee. A way to help prevent or lessen the amount of erosion is to drink your coffee through a straw and swish your mouth with water after drinking coffee. You may want to brush but because your enamel will be vulnerable after drinking the coffee, it is best to wait at least one hour prior to brushing. This will help prevent any damage that brushing could cause while your enamel is weak.

The caffeine in coffee can dry out saliva in your mouth. The result is bad breath. Bacteria grows more quickly in the mouth when there is no saliva to cleanse the bacteria. This can lead to that unpleasant coffee-breath. Chewing a sugar-free gum can help get rid of that unwanted lingering bacteria.

On the plus side, coffee high in caffeine may actually help destroy certain bacteria that causes dental plaques. But only if you drink it black.

As with anything there are pros and cons. You can still enjoy your coffee and have a healthy smile.

Visiting Dr. Lattinelli and Associates for routine dental office check-ups will ensure you have a healthy mouth and happy smile while still being able to enjoy your daily cup of coffee. We have an experienced team to treat all of your individual dental needs. Give us a call to schedule your check-up today!

Lenox Hill Bruxism-Teeth Grinding | Manhattan Cosmetic Dentistry

Have you been told or have you noticed that you grind your teeth while you are sleeping? Occasionally grinding your teeth can be common, but if you constantly grind your teeth, there is the possibility of fracturing, loosening or losing your teeth. It can also harm your jaw, cause headaches, and cause TMD/TMJ. At our Upper East Side dental office, we want you to be aware of the health complications of teeth grinding, also called bruxism, and let you know what you can do to minimize it. If you wake up with headaches or a sore jaw, you might be grinding your teeth in your sleep.

Teeth grinding can be caused by a variety of factors, like stress and anxiety, abnormal bite, missing teeth, or a sleep disorder. If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night, make an appointment to see us. We can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you are sleeping. If there is already considerable damage done to your mouth, bridges, crowns, root canals or dental implants might be necessary to repair the damage.

There are a few things you can try to reduce or stop bruxism. If you are constantly stressed, try to reduce your stress level by exercising or seeing a counselor. You can also avoid or reduce your caffeine, alcohol and chocolate consumption. Avoid actions that clench your jaw, like chewing gum or other things like pencils. If you suspect you might have a sleep disorder, see your primary care physician for assessment and treatment.

If your child is grinding his or her teeth at night, this could be for a variety of reasons, like when teeth are coming in, if the teeth aren’t aligned, or anxiety and stress. We can assess your child and help determine what may be going on.

You don’t have to suffer from bruxism our dentist can help. Contact Dr. Lattinelli, DMD and Associates for an appointment today!

Manhattan Dental Milestones | Upper East Side Cosmetic Dentistry

>Turning 30 is a huge milestone, but the road is paved with smaller milestones, especially with your teeth. By the time you are 30, you have likely had cavities, braces and wisdom teeth removal. If you think you or your kids need any of these services, make an appointment at our dental office.
Braces are typically worn by children ages 10-14, but they aren’t just for kids. Adults also want straighter teeth, or want to correct issues like crowded teeth, overbites or underbites, or issues with the jaw. Invisalign is especially popular with adults because it is less noticeable than traditional braces. If you would like braces or Invisalign, Dr. Lattinelli can assess your mouth and help you make a plan. View our dentistry services online.

While having a cavity isn’t a good milestone, it is often a common one. Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth uses dental plaque and sugary and starchy foods to produce acids. These acids eat away at the enamel of your teeth and form cavities. You can protect your teeth from decay by using fluoride toothpaste, brushing your teeth after every meal, and eating a good diet.

The final milestone that you often reach by the time you are 30 is the removal of wisdom teeth. Around 85% of people need their wisdom teeth removed because they are negatively impacting the mouth. Changes that can occur with wisdom teeth include: pain, fluid-filled sacs called cysts, tooth decay, and infection of tissue behind wisdom teeth. The longer you leave painful wisdom teeth in your mouth, the more issues they can cause.

If you have any concerns about braces, cavities, or wisdom teeth, make an appointment to see Dr. Lattinelli. Oral health is important, especially since your teeth will be with you your entire life. We are conveniently located at 121 East 60th Street, 10th floor, in New York City. Our cosmetic dentist team looks forward to serving you and your family.

Upper East Side Cosmetic Dentistry | Manhattan Dentist

Regular dental visits help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. During a dental check-up, your mouth is checked for overall oral health and to see if there are any areas that could causes problems in the future. Dr. Joseph C. Lattinelli DMD and associates care for you and your oral health. That is why we offer a full array of dental services for all of your dental needs.

During your first visit, you will have an initial oral examination. We do this in order to get a full picture of your current oral health, and discuss with you any goals you might have. This initial oral examination includes a visual examination, periodontal probing, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. X-rays are also taken for diagnosis of decay of teeth.

If we find during your initial oral examination or your regular cleaning any problem areas, we can take care of them in our office. We offer:

• Implants
• Veneers
• Crowns and Bridges
• Teeth whitening
• Invisalign
• Root canal therapy
• LASER dentistry
• Cosmetic contouring
• Extractions
• Cosmetic fillings
• Scaling and root planning
• Specialty dentures

So you don’t have to go to multiple offices for your oral health needs. In order to reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, we recommend you brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily.

Finding a dentist is sometimes a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. You can trust your oral health to Dr. Lattinelli and associates. Dr. Lattinelli is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has over a decade of experience in private practice. If you would like more information on our many services, or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our dentistry office at 212-752-7188.

Midtown NY Dental Implants | Upper East Side Cosmetic Dentist

Are you embarrassed by your failing or missing teeth? Do you find yourself trying to cover your mouth when you smile? If the condition of your teeth bothers you, it’s time for you to take control and regain your self-confidence, and dental implants makes it easier than ever before. If you’re looking for dental implants, we can help.

In the past, dentures were the only answer for people who wanted to replace their missing teeth, but relatively recent advancements in dentistry have made it possible for people to replace individual teeth with dental implants, an artificial tooth that feels and looks like a natural tooth. Dental implants are made from biocompatible synthetic material like metal or ceramic, and Dental Implants are specifically designed to match your natural teeth, so you can recapture your self-esteem.

There are, however, certain specifications for people who want dental implants. Implants require strict dental hygiene, proper bone density and a healthy immune system. As a result, unfortunately, not everyone will be a candidate for dental implants, but if you take care of your teeth and you feel that your bone density and immune system are strong enough, Upper East Side dental implants may be an option for you.

Stop being afraid of flashing your smile. Don’t let your teeth be a source of embarrassment for you or your family. Dental implants can be a great a​lternative to dentures, so if you’re looking for a safe and natural way to make your smile beautiful again, look no further than Dental Implants.

If you would like more information on Dental Implants, contact our dentistry office at (212) 752-7188.

Lenox Hill Toothache Causes | Upper East Side Cosmetic Dentist

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of conditions, contact our dentist if you are unsure why. It may be as simple as food debris lodged between two teeth, or it could be a serious medical condition. There are some steps you should take to eliminate simple causes of toothache before they become serious.

Food lodged between teeth can cause pressure on the tooth nerve, creating discomfort. Using a disinfecting rinse might remove it without further action. You can also floss your teeth, always a good idea for regular hygiene, but using floss may remove the debris causing pain.

If a tooth has been broken or cracked, you should arrange an appointment with the dentist, but this is not immediately an emergency. Rinse your mouth well with warm water. If you experience swelling of the gums or mouth, a cold compress on your cheek near the point of discomfort can help reduce swelling and pain. Avoid ice packs unless the swelling is more severe, and if you use one only place it on your cheek for 15-20 minutes maximum per hour. Longer periods can cause nerve damage.

If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, first rinse your mouth and the tooth with warm water. While waiting to see the dentist, attempt to put the tooth back into its normal place. If you cannot get it to fit back into place, hold the tooth by the top, or crown, and place the tooth in warm milk, saline solution, or your saliva. This will protect the tooth until the dentist can look at it.

If you are able, you can take ibuprofen to control the pain and swelling. Never place an aspirin tablet in your mouth directly on any tooth problem. This is a home remedy that should not be used since the acids in the aspirin can cause damage to the tissues in your mouth.

Small cracks or fractures in teeth can often be reduced by simply grinding the damaged areas. As long as the crack or fracture doesn’t reach the inner pulp of the tooth, the repair may be that easy. Your dentist can and should evaluate any tooth damage, don’t try to assess it yourself.

Dr. Joseph C. Latinelli is your Manhattan cosmetic dentist. He is located at 121 East 60th Street, 10th Floor, and can be reached at (212) 752-7188. Call him before you have your next tooth emergency, and he will help you keep your best smile.