Tag Archives: healthy smile

Getting dentures in the Bronx has never been so easy! Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out, cleaned overnight, and put back in. While dentures take some getting used to, and will never feel the same as one’s natural teeth, modern day dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever before. If you are interested in finding out more about All-on-4 Implant Supported Dentures In The Bronx, you should call our Morris Park Dental Office for a consultation at (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) or request a consultation.

There are two main types of dentures you can get in the Bronx: full, and partial. Any Bronx dentist can help choose the type of denture that’s best, based on how many teeth need to be replaced, and the cost involved. But what are implant supported dentures, and how do they work?

Unlike regular dentures, which rests on the gums, implant supported dentures are anchored to the jawbone, by way of dental implants. Most often, this type of denture is placed in the lower jaw, mostly because dentures tend to be less stable in the lower jaw, as opposed to the upper jaw. However, implant supported dentures can be placed in in the upper jaw as well. With this type of denture, an implant supported denture snaps into place on the implants, which are surgically placed into the jawbone. This prevents the denture from slipping or coming loose during activities like eating, talking, or laughing. Denture paste and adhesives are no longer required because the dentures are secured by the fittings in the jaw. The implant supported denture can be removed at night for cleaning, just like regular dentures, or, if one has a fixed implant supported denture placed, these dentures can act as permanent teeth.

So what are the basics of implant supported dentures? There are two styles of implant supported dentures, bar-retained dentures and ball-retained dentures. Both types of dentures require two or more dental implants to be placed in the lower jaw, and both will provide a beautiful, natural smile.

In the Bar-Retained type of denture, three or more implants are surgically placed into the lower jaw. Attached to these implants is a metal bar that runs slightly above the gum line, inline with the natural position of teeth. The denture then rests on the metal bar and is attached using clips or other forms of attachments. This type of implant supported denture holds the denture in place without the steel studs used in Ball-Retained Dentures.

Many patients prefer this type of denture to a traditional denture because it provides greater denture integrity and doesn’t cause the painful rubbing of contemporary dentures. The denture is held in place more securely and is less likely to come loose.

Unlike Bar-Retained dentures, Ball-Retained Dentures, also called Stud-Attachment Dentures, use a ball-and-socked design to attach the dentures to the implants surgically placed in the gums. Traditionally, the denture is fitted with sockets into the jawbone, and the implants have a ball on top of them so the dentures can snap onto them. The denture and implants snap together where the ball and sockets meet.

This form of denture is considered exceptionally secure. Ball-Retained Dentures are less likely to slip or move in the mouth, and will allow denture wearers to eat more foods they love and speak more clearly.

Dental implants are long-term replacements that your dentist surgically places into the jawbone. These dental implants, composed of titanium, fuse with the jawbone through a process called “osseointegration”. Implants never slip out or make embarrassing noises that expose the one’s denture, and because they are made of titanium you do not have to worry about decay. Also, given the fact that the titanium is surgically inserted into the jawbone, it will typically not develop into issue or cause bone loss.

Dental implants have been around for a long time, and their reliability has been proved well founded. Doctors have been implanting dentures this way for over 20 years and many of the implants that were placed in the late 80s and early 90s are still operating as if they were brand new, requiring little to no maintenance. If properly cared for, dental implants can easily last a lifetime.

Before any work is done, a dentist will preform an initial exam to evaluate the best type of implant supported dentures. The doctor will take x-rays, create impressions, and take one’s medical and dental history. If this information seems appealing, talk to a dentist and see if a temporary denture could be made to wear until the Implant-Supported denture is placed.

The initial surgery would place the implants in the jawbone. Three or six months will elapse before the next surgery. This is to ensure that the jawbone and implant integrate and fuse properly. The second surgery will expose the tops of the implant and a healing cap, or collar, will be placed on the head of each exposed implant. Less healing time is needed after the second surgery, so the next appointment will be within two weeks. In the third appointment, the healing caps will be replaced with regular abutments, the part of the implant the crown, metal bar, or ball-socket is attached to. The last appointment will be to try on the new dentures to ensure that it is a comfortable fit.

It is always important to remove dentures at night and to clean them thoroughly. One should also clean the attachments thoroughly to prevent gum disease, tarter buildup, or decay. Follow the dentist’s instructions carefully to keep that new smile as beautiful as possible.

Dentures are well known to be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Many patients complain of discomfort, embarrassment, and unhappiness with their smile. Dentures by themselves do not act as natural teeth would. The lower denture is not anchored in place and can slip and prevent the wearer from eating the foods they love. Worse yet, dentures can cause decay in the jawbone because they do not stimulate the bone like natural teeth do. Overtime, the gums one relies upon to keep their dentures in place dissolve and the worse the denture will fit.

Implant supported dentures provide the wearer with a life without pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. Implant supported dentures act like natural, healthy teeth; they stimulate the bone and prevent bone loss, increase bite forces up to 10x in the first year, and look and feel like natural teeth! Wearers often marvel at the ability to chew, speak, and smile with ease and comfort once had with natural teeth. Implants have truly revolutionized dentistry for the denture wearer.

Call our Morris Park Dentist office and request a dental appointment and consultation for All-on-4 implant supported dentures as soon as possible. Call (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) today to find out more about Implant Supported Dentures In The Bronx.

Presidents Day and Presidents Week comes along but once per year in the month of February. We here at Morris Park Dental take pride in our American freedoms and the choice to choose to have a great smile! In the Bronx you always have to look your best and a winning smile gives off confidence and shows your good health. Sometimes though, problems come up and one needs to have their teeth taken care of in one way or another. If dental implants aren’t for you, then perhaps dentures might be the way to go.

One of the most famous early denture wearers was the first U.S. President, George Washington. Contrary to popular belief, Washington’s dentures were not made of wood. Washington sported some of the highest quality false teeth of the time, consisting of a denture plate made of carved hippopotamus ivory into which human teeth, along with parts of both horse and donkey teeth, were fitted. Around 1774, the French Alexis Duchâteau crafted the first porcelain dentures. But these were prone to chip and also appeared too white to be convincing. They would also stain easily due to the large tea and tobacco consumption of Europeans of the time. Human teeth, or “Waterloo teeth”, named for dead soldiers’ teeth plucked from the battlefield after the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, were in higher demand. Waterloo teeth were riveted into the base of animal ivory, similar to modern day dentures.

In 1820, a Westminster silversmith and goldsmith named Claudius Ash was asked to craft new and improved dentures. At the time, most false teeth were still made from ivory, which was prone to discoloring, or from human teeth. The real teeth were extracted from soldiers’ corpses or recently executed criminals, procured by grave robbers, or even obtained from direct sale by the desperately poor. Claudius Ash mounted porcelain on 18-karat gold plates, with gold springs and swivels. These new dentures were superior both aesthetically and functionally to the older models. From the 1850s onward, dentures continued to improve and were made of Vulcanite, a form of hardened rubber into which porcelain teeth were set. Claudius Ash’s company was the leading European manufacturer of dental Vulcanite. In the 20th century, acrylic resin and other plastics became materials of choice. These same components are used today in dentures.

Also, in honor of Presidents Day, some interesting stories of the dental histories of some famous US Presidents will be told. One might be surprised to learn what some of our presidents had done to their teeth in the dentist chair.

The legend of George Washington’s false teeth are as renowned as he was. Poor George Washington never told a lie, but tradition, as well as historians, have encouraged this story for generations. Contrary to popular belief, our First President never had dentures made of wood; they were made of ivory. This then begs the question, why did he look so stern in all his portraits, when he had the best possible teeth to show off? Well, it’s because many of his dentures were ill fitted, which distorted his lips and would have looked awkward while smiling. Washington’s dental problems could also be credited with the victory at Yorktown. The British general Sir Henry Clinton had intercepted a letter from Washington to his dentist in Philadelphia, requesting that teeth cleaning supplies be sent to his headquarters near New York because he didn’t think he would make it to Philadelphia any time soon. Upon reading this, Clinton was convinced that Washington was not going to march south to attach Lord Cornwallis, so he remained in New York. This allowed Washington and his army, along with the French reinforcements to encircle Yorktown, without having to worry about Clinton’s army in New York.

John Adams apparently neglected to do his twice-yearly dental checkups, leading to him too losing most of his teeth. He also started smoking when he was just 8 years old. Those two issues combined might have been what caused him to lose all his teeth, not to mention the lack toothbrushes or the standard hygiene techniques of today. He refused to wear fake ones, resulting in a lisp when speaking.

President Lincoln was rarely photographed smiling with his teeth. It’s rumored that Lincoln had a phobia of going to the dentist, well justified it seems given the rudimentary methods used by dentists then, which started when a dentist mistakenly broke off part of his jawbone while extracting a tooth, all without any anesthesia. After this incident, Lincoln used chloroform to self-medicate on future dental visits.

People were astonished to find out that President Woodrow Wilson had such horrible teeth after seeing his picture taken during his 1913 inauguration. Wilson didn’t obtain dentures during his presidency, but his famous bad teeth represent the dental issues many of the presidents had. Interestingly enough, poor dental hygiene has been suspected to increase the risk of strokes, which President Wilson suffered from later on in his presidency. His bad teeth and infrequent dentist trips could have contributed to his near fatal stroke, which he suffered in his second term in 1919.

Here’s just a little history of the myths and realities of many of the US president’s smile. With the advances in dentistry, hopefully current and future US presidents won’t suffer the same fate as our presidents of years gone by.

The first sets of false teeth were discovered in Japan dating back several thousand years ago, but the practice of using false teeth to improve a smile isn’t limited to Japan. They used animal, and sometimes dead human’s, teeth to solve the problem of rotted away teeth. Also, around 700BC, Etruscans in northern Italy made dentures from human and animal teeth. Although these early forms of dentures would deteriorate quickly, either because of poor maintenance by the previous owners or the weak plate dentists used to hold the teeth, dentures like these continued to be made this way because they were easy to produce and remained popular until the mid-19^th century.

Dietary changes in Europe forced denture makers to rethink artificial teeth. Sugar was the main culprit in increased tooth decay during the 18th Century because of the vast amounts of it coming from the East Indies, making it cheap, where before only the wealthy could afford it. With everyone in Europe using sugar on a regular basis, coupled with the lack of real dental hygiene, most people for cavities and their teeth rotted. With the industrialization of modern Europe, between 1860 and 1890, Britain’s sugar consumption per ca-pita increased 500 percent. Ivory dentures became popular in the 1700s, made from natural materials including walrus, elephant, or hippopotamus, becoming the new replacement for teeth in dentures, rather than teeth from dead corpses or animals.

Be like a President! Call our Morris Park Dentist office and request a dental appointment and consultation for dentures as soon as possible. Call (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) today to find out more about Dentures In The Bronx.

What is it cosmetic dentistry? How do I select a good Bronx cosmetic dentist in the new year?

Cosmetic dentistry mostly deals with the appearance, rather than the health of the teeth; although the both of them are obviously not mutually exclusive. For example, when you get white fillings, they can be considered cosmetic because they “look” better, but at the same time, they can also be healthier because they require less removal of tooth structure. In more complex cases however, cosmetic dentistry can be a lifesaver, because other results which might be acceptable health-wise are just not as good-looking or functional. Cosmetic dentistry in the Bronx involves all dentistry that’s not strictly necessary for health reasons. Much of it is a matter of personal preferences, needs, and opinions. While we all feel we know a beautiful Bronx smile when we see one, there is no perfect smile. That’s because each person has a different perception of what is beautiful; you and your cosmetic dentist may even have a difference of opinion. So it’s important that you discover what you really like and then communicate that to your dentist.

Choosing a Bronx cosmetic dentist is crucial, as it is for any other health medical professional. The first step would be to look at your smile and determine what you want to change. Your cosmetic dentist may have some other apprehensions and concerns when you visit, but it’s best to arrive having your own wish list; then together, you can work along to decide what best steps to take toward your new smile!

Cosmetic Procedures: Examples

The myths behind Amalgam and Composite fillings

What’s the big Idea about amalgam fillings? Can it really really kill you?

The Facts: Pro of white fillings – they look more real, because it is the same color as your natural tooth, to most patients, it’s more pleasant to smile and laugh and not see dark coverings on their teeth. Con of amalgam fillings-Some cosmetic dentists would also argue that it reduces the chance of undetectable decay leading to a silent destruction of tooth structure until pain indicates the need for treatment, and that amalgam can expand over the years, possibly causing a tooth to crack. On the other hand, conservative dentists agree that every time you remove a filling, you remove a bit more tooth substance, plus you irritate the tooth with more trauma. Every time you remove a filling and put another in its place, you may cause the risk of killing the nerve of the tooth and in turn, needing more complex treatment (Root Canal). So having a lot of amalgam fillings replaced for cosmetic reasons may not be such a good idea after all. A filling should not be replaced unless it is damaged, broken, or has decay around the edges or underneath. Amalgam fillings can last for a very long time (some sources estimate 14 – 40 years or even longer – it’s not unusual for an amalgam filling to last a lifetime). So the very fact that you have a mouthful of them and haven’t seen a dentist in a while doesn’t mean they need to be changed. Amalgam has its advantages – for example, it tends to be self-sealing which means that amalgam fillings resist recurrent decay better than white fillings. A dentist should not replace fillings that don’t need to be replaced. If a dentist tells you that amalgam is toxic and have to be removed, snatch off that bib and run. So, it is ultimately up to the patient and the dentist to make a wise and educated decision about which route to go.

What about Tooth Whitening?

Tooth whitening is very a very common and highly requested treatment. It doesn’t appear to carry any major health risks. The most common side effect is temporary sensitivity. That’s why it’s a good idea to consult with a trusted dentist first before considering whitening your teeth- for people with super sensitive teeth, whitening would not be immediately recommended. The lower the concentration of the bleaching agent is, the less likely it is that there will be sensitivity. That would mean that you’ll have to do it over a longer period of time, in order to get the wanted results. Teeth whitening usually to work best with a custom tray made by a dental professional. Something to note: Teeth whitening or bleaching will NOT lighten existing dental work like bonding, sealants, white fillings, crowns, or bridges. You should also be aware that the bleaching isn’t permanent and you’ll have to re-do it every so often. So if you have bleaching done and dental work which matches the whitened shade, you will need to keep up the bleaching. In this case, bleaching will be a long-term commitment. There is some debate about the safety of tooth whitening for purely cosmetic purposes. Not much detailed proven research has been done conclusively.

Veneers & Cosmetic Crowns

Veneers are often placed for cosmetic reasons, sort of like plastic surgery. What are they exactly? They are thin pieces of porcelain which are glued over the front of the teeth, because they are severely discolored, or badly misshapen. Because they require the removal of tooth structure, they’re “unhealthier” than doing nothing (assuming it’s done purely for appearance’s sake) and the procedure carries some risk of doing damage to the tooth. They will also be need to replaced 10 or 20 years down the line. Veneers are NOT reversible, so you’re stuck with them for the rest of your life. So it is imperative to make sure that this is what you want. Because results vary substantially from one dentist to another, it is a patient’s responsibility to do their research, and make sure to have a look at photos of previous veneers dentists have done. You’ll notice massive differences in what dentists think looks aesthetically pleasing – for example, some cosmetic dentists seem rather don’t mind the boxy, chiclet horse like teeth look…. Remember, it is YOUR money that you are spending, make sure that you will be very happily satisfied with your results. Placing crowns for the purpose of improving appearance is a little more invasive than veneers. It involves shaving off more tooth structure. Note: Both veneers and crowns inflict trauma to the treated teeth and may then make root canal treatment necessary at a later stage. Also, some people have reported that they were not informed as to how much tooth structure would actually be removed and then were shocked and saddened when they found out. Always make sure that you understand what a cosmetic procedure involves before making a decision!

What You Should Know About Dentures

For years, dentures have been considered a tried and true method for tooth replacement in many cases. However, they come with their own set of issues. The main problem is that dentures rest on teeth and gums for stability. This can very well encourage bone loss, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. Nevertheless, dentures can be relined every few years to compensate for bone loss and any compromised facial integrity. There have been modern advances in dentures, as there have been in many other areas of dental healthcare, and an overdenture retained by implants may be an option. Overdentures are a combination of traditional dentures and the newer science of dental implants to prevent bone loss that could result from dentures alone.

Aesthetic and Cosmetic Dentistry… The controversy and the Truth.

There is a difference to be made between aesthetic dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. Aesthetic dentistry implies restoring teeth to their normal appearance. Cosmetic dentistry involves improving the shape, the color, or arrangement of teeth to make them look better to the eye of the beholder, which often can mean they can “look fake”. Ideally, all dentistry should be aesthetically pleasing especially where front teeth are concerned. Many dentists advertise themselves as providing “cosmetic dentistry”, even though what they really mean is that they are providing aesthetic dentistry. The reason why they use the term “cosmetic dentistry” is because that’s what people google for. The aesthetic/cosmetic distinction is very blurry. The terms are interpreted differently even within the dental community – with some dentists referring to “aesthetic dentistry” when they really mean “cosmetic dentistry” and vice versa.

My dentist is ‘Conservative’ what does that mean?

Conservative dentistry incorporates dental treatments aimed to preserve existing teeth. Conservative dental services include fillings, cosmetic dental services as well as root canal treatments. A conservative dentist believes in the power of natural teeth, and will do all they can to have you retain your actual natural born teeth. They will try all the necessary procedures that would contribute to the salvaging of the teeth as much as possible before simply giving up on a tooth that may seem perhaps like “a lost cause”. That is why if you may have a not so conservative, more so traditional or aggressive dentist, it would be recommended to visit another professional for a second opinion, if your tooth has to be extracted.

Call Morris Park Dental at (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) to schedule a Bronx cosmetic dentist consultation today and you’ll be on your way to a great smile! Click here to request a dental appointment online.