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You’ve gotten your wedding dress, but while trying it on, you notice that your teeth look yellow in comparison to your beautiful white dress! What’s a bride to do? To get your teeth their whitest on your wedding day, we offer Zoom! Professional Teeth Whitening. In as little as an hour, your teeth will look up to 6 shades whiter!

What is Teeth Whitening?

Your teeth are made up of an outer layer, called enamel, an inner layer, called dentin, and a bundle of nerves underneath that called the pulp. Across the span of your life, many things have accumulated and made stay on the surface of your teeth to form a yellow film: acidic foods, coffee, cigarette smoke, darkly colored sodas, the list goes on and on. As time goes on, these foreign materials enter the second layer of your teeth, the dentin, and causes it to become discolored.

However, the whitening agent found in a teeth whitening product basically enters the second layer of your teeth to sets off an oxidation reaction that breaks apart the staining compounds and leaves your pearly whites looking pearlier. There are two main types of teeth whitening: in-office professional teeth whitening and over the counter teeth whitening methods that you can apply at home.

Teeth Whitening at Home

In-home systems have become popular because they are inexpensive, easy to apply, and can be done in the comfort of one’s own home. There is a good selection of over-the-counter teeth whitening products that can be purchased without the consent or prescription of your oral care practitioner. They include whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, and even whitening gum. Having a mouth tray that fits properly is an important factor for comfort and health. Most over-the-counter products that have mouth trays don’t conform to the user’s mouth as well as an in-office system would. We offer custom bleaching trays made specifically for your mouth, which can be worn with whitening gel.

The problem with At-Home Teeth Whitening is that it must be done consistently every day over the course of several weeks (or even months) to get ideal results. With In-Office Teeth Whitening, you can get the same results in as little as an hour!

Professional Teeth Whitening at your Dentist’s Office

Professional teeth whitening is done in a dental office under the care of a qualified oral care practitioner. This method is the fastest way to brighten your teeth up to ten shades lighter in as little as an hour! The agents used in teeth whitening are considerably stronger than that of in-home teeth whitening strip, but with this method, your gums and the rest of your mouth are much more protected. The best systems for whitening teeth include a buffer in the gel that protects the tooth enamel from damage.

The effects of your treatment should last one or more years, it all depends on how well you take care and manage your teeth. If you follow up with an in-home teeth whitening system, and apply regularly, the effects could last even longer!

Teeth Whitening After Care Instructions

In order to maintain your new white smile, you may want to use take home teeth whitening treatments including bleaching trays, whitening toothpaste or whitening gum. It is important to avoid certain foods or drinks or behaviors which may stain your teeth, especially in the days immediately following your Professional Zoom Teeth Whitening treatment. These include:

Coffee
Dark Colored Tea
Sodas Especially Cola
Some Wines
Smoking
Staining Foods (like Red Berries)

In addition, you can protect your teeth by drinking certain beverages through a straw.

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?

It is important to note that teeth whitening treatment will help whiten surface stains but it may not be for everyone. For example, while it will not damage any existing dental restorations in your mouth, the treatment will not whiten any existing crowns (or caps), fillings, veneers, partials, gold, laminates, composite bonding, or other restorations. As a result, if you whiten your teeth your other restorations will appear darker and more noticeable in comparison, especially if you have restorations on your front teeth. Previous dental work would need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth, so keep this in mind. In addition, if you have decalcification, or white spots, on your teeth, it may make those white spots even whiter and more noticeable.

Finally, some people experience sensitive teeth after using at-home or in-office whitening treatment. If you already have sensitive teeth, there are some alternative teeth bleaching gels which may result in less sensitivity. In addition, your dentist may recommend using fluoride treatment or Sensodyne toothpaste to minimize any sensitivity from the teeth whitening treatments. Be sure to let your dentist or hygienist know if you have any additional concerns, and they will be happy to answer your questions.

Call us at (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) to schedule an appointment or to have all of your questions answered by one of our professional team members, or click here to request a Zoom Teeth Consultation with us today!

Take a moment off this month from your March Madness Basketball fantasy to thank the Bronx women in your life; whether they are your sister, mother, wife, grandmother, daughter or aunt. Women play an important role in society, and they don’t have to be Amelia Earhart to do so. We here at Morris Park Dental Associates in the Bronx salute the women in the Bronx and the women of America! Call (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) or schedule a dental appointment online today and get the smile that every woman deserves.

Women like Alice Paul, Malvina Reynolds, Rosa Parks, and Eleanor Roosevelt, all have something in common. What is it? Confidence! This month, we’re celebrating Women’s history by sharing one of the easiest ways to boost your confidence – your smile!

Your pearly-whites can be become not-so-pearly when you consume things that stain your teeth, weaken your enamel, and build up plaque.

Some of the most popular drinks consumed on a daily basis that can stain your teeth in the Bronx consist of: red wine, coffee, darkly colored juices and teas, soda and sauces.

Most of these also weaken your enamel and promote tooth decay. In addition to the aforementioned liquids, we can also add acidic foods such as blueberries, prunes, plumes, cashews, bacon, fish, and lamb. The list goes on and on.

In replacement of these delicious foods we consume so often, try veggie juices, almonds, cucumbers, pumpkin, celery, carrots, avocados, watermelon, tomatoes, peas, and kale.

Keeping healthy teeth habits will prevent plaque buildup, as well as brighten your smile and gums. Habits to hold on close to are those such as brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and using a mouth rinse for at least 30 seconds twice a day, not to be confused with a mouthwash. The difference is that mouth rinses are an antiseptic that decrease bacteria, whereas mouthwash just freshens your breath. Mouthwash doesn’t actually protect you against plaque. Habits to stay away from can conclude with staying away from sticky foods which cling to your teeth, such as raisins, candies, and sugary and starchy foods.

Others things to stay away from, and some of the more obvious ones, include hard liquors, cigarettes, drugs, tobacco, beer, chemicals and aspirin.

If you or your child is just too stubborn, or don’t have enough time to brush twice a day, it is essential that the brushing at night is done. The level of saliva in your mouth decrease significantly at night, making plaque buildup, bad breath and cavities thrive while you’re asleep. Not to mention that there are probably still microscopic food particles left in, around and between your teeth, from eating throughout the day. This is another reason why flossing is so beneficial – it gets to the parts in between your teeth that your average toothbrush can’t get to.

In the long run, it pays to follow the recommendations of our Morris Park Bronx dentist; brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and utilizing a mouth rinse. It saves you the pain, discomfort and cost of potential cavities, gum disease or plaque buildup.

Here are 5 tips that can make your teeth one step closer to that shine you desire:

Brush for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
Brush in front of a mirror; watch where you get and where you have yet to get to. Make sure you are getting along the gum line, this is the most commonly missed area, yet one of the most important.
Brush in a circular pattern. Start small and get bigger.
Do NOT brush too hard, you are actually doing more harm than good as this can cause damage to your tooth enamel.
Brush with the right toothbrush. Buy a toothbrush that is fitted correctly to the size of your mouth, with soft or ultra-soft bristles to minimize damage.

Above all, visit our dental office in the Bronx! Who knows your teeth better than your Bronx dental practitioner? Come see us on a regular basis so that an accurate, professional tab can be kept on your oral health. If anyone can identify the early signs of a gum disease or abnormality, it’s the great Bronx Dentists at Morris Park Dental Associates.

Your smile says something about you. The great women we talked about above exuded confidence and high self-esteem. One can say; “In the face of adversity I press on and keep my head held high and my smile big.”

Call our Morris Park Dentist office and request a dental appointment and consultation for all of your dentistry needs. From cosmetic dentistry to dental implants and dentures, we can help you look and feel confident! Call (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) today to find out more about Dentistry In The Bronx.

Dentist’s day in the Bronx is a day to wear those pearly white teeth with pride and thank your Bronx dentist for all the work that goes into keeping your beautiful smile perfect. It is also a day to remember to take good care of your teeth and improve your dental routine. Call now for a dental consultation in the Bronx. Call our Bronx Dentists in our Morris Park Avenue dental office (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) or request a consultation.

There is no reason to ever be afraid of going to the dentist office for a check up. They are there to help you and to help you improve the health of your mouth and teeth. Getting regular check ups and cleanings can make sure that you have those teeth for a long time. Taking care of your mouth can mean better overall health for the rest of your body also. Your NYC dentist is there to help you.

Dreading a dentist visit can come from fear of pain or judgment. That is just silly! Our Morris Park Bronx dental office can make sure that you are comfortable during a checkup. Cleanings and x-rays should not cause any pain. Fillings that need to be done on occasion are just a part of life. Everybody will get a cavity at some point no matter how well they take care of their teeth. Your Bronx dentist is not there to judge you because of this. They are there to help treat and prevent cavities from forming into serious tooth decay and prevent the problem from getting worse.

Sitting in the dental chair can also be a fear that some people have. Your dentist will provide a blanket for you if it makes you feel more comfortable and soothing music to help you relax. If you are super anxious about visiting the dentist for your routine cleaning, checkup, or filling, your dentist can sometimes provide a light sedative or gas that can help you feel more comfortable during the checkup or fillings.

Dentist’s Day is a good day to think about improving your oral hygiene routine that you do daily. Do you floss in the evening? Do you use a good mouthwash that is recommended by your dentist? It may be time to take your dentist’s advice and brush, floss, and use a good mouthwash at least twice a day. Maybe research what type of toothpaste is best for you. Reduce your sugar intake because nothing causes teeth to get cavities faster than sugar sitting on them!

Your New York City dentist works hard to make sure that you have a lovely smile! Show them some love on Dentist’s day. Maybe you can send them a picture of your beautiful smile or send them a thank you card to let them know how much they are appreciated. Write on the Morris Park Dental Facebook wall a note of gratitude for the good job on keeping your mouth healthy. Your dentist will appreciate the good dental reviews. Make sure to tell your dentist Happy Dentist’s Day on March 6!

Call our Morris Park Dentist office and request a dental appointment and consultation for all of your dentistry needs. From cosmetic dentistry to dental implants and dentures, we can help you look and feel great! Call (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) today to find out more about Dentistry In The Bronx. Happy Dentist’s Day!

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.

When having to consider whether or not to get dentures or dental implants in the Bronx, the first question most people ask is, “Which one is better?” The truth is both offer great dental integrity and both have their unique benefits. Both offer excellent alternatives to having to live life without a full set of teeth, and both produce the best and most natural looking teeth. Call our Bronx dentist office today at (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) or request an appointment online.

One Day Dentures & Denture Repairs

One of the best things about dentures is that they can be completed in as little as one day! Our denture specialists in the Bronx can have a set ready within the same day. If a person shows up early in the morning to our Bronx dental office, they can have a set ready by that afternoon, all in one day! Replacement dentures and denture repairs are also easy to obtain, and can be completed in as little as one day! If one or more of the false teeth in the set of dentures falls out, all a person has to do is swing by our conveniently located Morris Park dentists office and drop them off. After a quick, easy fix, the dentures are as good as new!

Partial Dentures

Along with the convenience of getting dentures easily, there is a difference in what kind of dentures a person can get based on their need. For example, if a person only needs dentures for a few teeth, dentists can make what’s called a partial denture. A partial denture has the base, or plate, of a regular set of dentures, but only has the necessary number of teeth inserted into it. Partials can also come in several different patterns with different size teeth, in order to match the wearers teeth size and tooth organization.

Denture Epoxies and Adhesive

Dentures are also easy to keep in place or remove. In order to place the denture in the mouth, one must simply put the denture in their mouth, because it has already been sized and fitted to the wearer’s mouth, through the use of a mold. To keep the dentures in place, the wearer only needs to apply an epoxy or adhesive strip. Different denture wearers prefer different means of keeping their dentures in place, but both epoxies and adhesive strips work very effectively to keep the denture wearer comfortable throughout the day. Also, many of the epoxies and adhesive strips are designed to wear off after a certain number of hours, as to make it very easy to remove at the end of the day.

Denture Maintenance

Dentures aren’t just easy to remove, they are also easy to clean and maintain. Unlike real teeth that require brushing, flossing, and constant maintenance, dentures require very little maintenance to keep fresh and clean. One need only take their dentures off at the end of the night and place them in a cup of water with a cleaning agent in it. Not all cleaning agents work, but many companies make denture specific cleaning agent. Similar to an alka seltzer, one only needs to drop the tablet into the cup of water and it will dissolve and clean the dentures. Many dentists don’t recommend brushing the dentures, because it will wear away the material used to make the teeth, which goes to show another reason why dentures are so easy to clean and maintain.

Denture Costs

Many people who need to purchase dentures in the Bronx are on a fixed income, so buying expensive dentures is almost out of the question. Thankfully though, many sets of dentures are inexpensive. Morris Park Dental Associates offers dental payment plans and works with insurance companies to provide the best possible dental care to their patients. Also, there are many different types of dentures, all at different costs. Though in general dentures are cheap enough for people to buy, they are also of good enough quality that one pair will last for a very long time.

Dental Implants

The other alternative to getting dentures is getting surgical dental implants. Surgical dental implants involves putting studs into the jawbone that protrude out, so that either a ball or a bar can be placed on top to provide a more secure denture within the mouth. Most dentists preform this procedure on the bottom jaw; it can also be done on the upper jaw if necessary. The recovery time for these operations is not long and a temporary pair of dentures will be provided in the mean time.

The greatest thing about surgical dental implants is that they last forever. After the surgery is performed, the newly fitted teeth can be snapped into place, providing the most secure alternative to natural teeth. They will neither slide around in the mouth, nor will they come out while eating food. They will stay in place without the need for epoxy or adhesives.

Another great thing about surgical dental implants are that they are just as easy to clean as dentures. They can snap them in and out of their studs, allowing for easy access and being easily placed in and removed. Just like dentures, implants can be cleaned in the exact same fashion, but placing them in a glass of water with a cleaning agent. A person can also brush them like regular teeth, if it is uncomfortable to remove them on a regular basis. Also, anyone can sleep with them in without having to remove them to go to sleep.

Dental implants have the added bonus of promoting jawbone integrity because if a person doesn’t have something pressing on or into the jawbone, it will deteriorate over time. This is easily fixed by planting the studs into the jawbone so that they can keep the jawbone from deteriorating. The studs placed into the jawbone will give anyone the added benefit of a strong, healthy jaw.

Together, either dentures or dental implants provide the optimal solution to having a full set of teeth. Whether the comfortable fit of dentures seems like the best option, or the security of having dental implants, you really can’t lose. Dentures are easy to clean, maintain, get a hold of, and if one needs only a partial, dentures would prove the ideal fit. If a person wants the added security and stability of implants, and a permanent solution that looks and feels like real teeth, they would be an excellent candidate for dental implants. Either way, it’s a win-win!

Call our Morris Park Dentist office in the Bronx today at (718) DR.SMILE (718-377-6453) to request a consultation to see whether dental implants or dentures are the way to go. Request a Bronx dental appointment online as soon as possible.

Most dental implant procedures are performed on adults, and a majority of the adult population consumes alcohol on a varying basis. When it comes to alcohol and dental implants, patients and past patients may be concerned about possible effects tied to consuming alcoholic beverages.

While there are very few studies surrounding alcohol and dental implants, several assumptions or deductions can be made based off similar dental surgeries, as well as looking at the effects of smoking has on implants.

Reduced healing ability
Coagulation
Higher rate of implant failure
Inflammation around your dental implants

Alcohol and Your Bronx Dental Implants Procedure

Using a standard Manhattan or Bronx Dental Implants procedure as an example, let’s walk through the aspects where alcohol and dental implants may cross paths.

Before the Procedure:

Consuming alcohol before a dental implants surgery should be avoided as it will reduce your ability to heal and can affect coagulation, which is where proteins in your blood help form clots to heal wounds.

Post Procedure:

Drinking alcohol after the procedure is also discouraged. It will similarly affect the recovery period as coagulation will be challenged. Also, excessive drinking will cause a dry mouth which may inflame the areas around those dental implants.

Playing it Safe with Alcohol and Dental Implants

Many mouthwashes can contain traces of alcohol, so try to find a mouthwash that has no alcohol in it. This may be considered extreme, but its better to be safe than sorry. Overall, moderate to excessive drinking will increase the changes of complications post-surgery.

With alcohol or any substance abuse, if the problem gets to a certain point, it is no stretch to say dental care, including dental implants, will be affected.

It is best to play it safe before heading in for your Bronx dental implants procedureand those who are addicted or abuse alcohol should consider alternative solutions or prepare themselves for the risk involved by mixing alcohol and dental implants. The healing period will differ across all individuals so there is no suggested time frame for refraining from drinking alcohol.

Are you ready for a consultation? Make an appointment online or CALL -504-0697

We all desire the best and we especially want it if it concerns our health. Do you need dental implants? If so, you probably want the best dental implants. As Bronx holidays are fast approaching, you need to be able to Continue reading The Best Dental Implants in Bronx: Make Your Mouth a Priority →

Before you start looking for professional teeth whitening in the Bronx, you should first determine the causes of your yellow teeth. This ensures that your Bronx dentist uses the correct teeth whitening procedure, and that your teeth continue to sparkle for as long into the future as possible.

Most teeth tend to absorb regularly consumed substances like coffee, wine, or cigarette smoke because they are porous. If you know you have any of the major causes of yellow teeth below, consider looking for teeth whitening in Bronx treatments.