So your dentist has determined that you’re a candidate to replace missing teeth with dental implants, whether due to decay or injury. You have healthy bone that is the proper height and thickness necessary to support the implant, and you’re ready to improve your smile! Now what?

If you’re a candidate for dental implants, you must undergo surgery for the implant to be placed in the jaw, and then wait for the area to heal to place the crown. Before placing the crown, your dental implant must be stable enough. Measuring dental implant stability is crucial to determining when to place the crown. As dental technology continues to advance and evolve, the Smile in the City team makes sure to use up-to-date, accurate techniques in measuring your implant’s stability.

How We Measure Dental Implant Stability

The New York dentists at NY Dental Specialists use Osstell ISQ instruments, which allow us to measure dental stability by using resonance frequency analysis. The value used to measure implant stability is called the implant stability quotient, or ISQ. A higher ISQ means a more stable implant. By attaching the Osstell wireless SmartPeg device to the implant, we can determine an accurate reading of the ISQ through magnetic stimulation. The results are quick and efficient, and your final crown may be placed in as early as three weeks!

Sit Back and Relax

If you’re nervous about the dental implant procedure, you don’t have to worry any longer. As certified experts in sedation dentistry, New York Dental Specialists at Smile in the City can make sure you’re relaxed and at ease during your surgery. IV sedation uses a combination of sedatives and pain relievers administered intravenously. You’ll feel completely relaxed, and you dental implants will be placed before you know it – you probably won’t even remember the procedure at all!

According to a March article from BusinessWeek.com, successful periodontal treatment for pregnant women who suffer from gum disease may reduce the chances of giving birth early. Evidence has linked periodontal disease with premature births, and a new study by experts at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Washington University in St. Louis revealed that pregnant women with gum disease who receive successful treatment are less likely to have premature babies.

After studying 872 women, 160 of which who were treated for gum disease, the results showed that 7 percent of women who did not have gum disease gave birth prematurely, compared to 23.4 percent of women with gum disease who gave birth early. Women with failed periodontal treatment were also more likely to give birth early.

What does this mean for you? Take care of your teeth!

Whether you are pregnant or not, flossing and brushing on a regular basis will not only make your teeth strong, healthy and beautiful, but you’ll be healthier all-around. Visiting your dentist regularly can help catch dental problems early on, before they become serious concerns. Your diet can also affect your dental health – try to cut back on frequent snacking and sweets to reduce the chances of tooth decay.

If you have periodontal disease, contact Smile in the City right away at (212) 203-0875, and set up an appointment for our effective and advanced laser periodontal treatment. As experts in laser dentistry, New York periodontal specialists at Smile in the City can improve your smile without the painful drills and long healing periods of traditional periodontal treatment.

To read the entire article about the link between periodontal disease and premature births, visit BusinessWeek.com.

What was next for Keith? Hockey championship or not, a trip to the dentist’s office is still a must after experiencing an injury like that. For people who have lost their teeth due to a major sports injury, dental implants or full mouth reconstruction may be necessary to restore their smiles. The New York dentists at Smile in the City specialize in using the most advanced technology to give patients the healthy, beautiful smiles that they deserve.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are used to replace the roots of missing teeth. The implants are placed within the jawbone to feel like natural roots, and they hold crowns, bridges and dentures in place to improve the appearance of your smile. Smile in the City dentists use Conebeam 3D imaging for accurate examinations of the patient’s mouth. With this advanced technology, we can assess whether you are a good candidate for New York dental implants and create a dental plan that works best for your mouth.

Crowns

A crown is designed to match the appearance and shades of your natural teeth, and is often placed over the dental implant to improve your smile. At Smile in the City, we use CEREC technology to transform a digital image of your tooth into a 3D virtual model, which is then used to create a ceramic restoration of your tooth in less than an hour. You can receive a crown and improve your smile in one simple appointment.

IV Sedation

If you are nervous about receiving dental implants, crowns, full mouth reconstruction or any other treatment at Smile in the City, let us help put you at ease with safe, effective IV sedation. With IV sedation, our Smile in the City sedation expert administers a combination of sedatives and pain relievers intravenously so that you are completely relaxed during your dental procedure.

Contact Smile in the City for more information about our mouth reconstruction and cosmetic dentistry treatments. And when you’re playing aggressive sports on the ice or on the field, be sure to wear the proper head, face and mouth protection!

Two months ago, we became the proud owner of Galileos, the 3D imaging machine that allows better diagnosis for implants and periodontal conditions. Technology is addictive! Last week, we purchased the Cerec, the in-office crown-maker. We are thrilled with this new addition to our office.

Last Friday, we traveled to the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, to be trained in our newest toy. The Cerec device will allow us to create full porcelain (metal-free) crowns in less than an hour! It uses digital imaging technology to capture an image of the teeth and gums – eliminating the need for messy impressions or temporary crowns. Gone are the days where patients would have to wait 2-3 weeks for their crowns to be made in a lab. Dr Schmidt, our prosthodontist, now has complete control over the entire crown making process. She can fully utilize her training in oral aesthetics to synthesize beautiful crowns, using materials that are ideal for each individual patient, right here in the office!

The training course was an intense 2 days of 8-5pm lectures.  We felt like we were back in dental school again! But we fully mastered the machine, and can’t wait for it to arrive next week!

About Dental Implants: If you are missing teeth due to decay or injury, you may be a candidate for dental implants, which are devices placed into the jawbone to support crowns, bridges and dentures. The surrounding bone eventually accepts the titanium as part of the body, bonding with the implant. However, each patient is unique, and may require a modification of the surgical technique or implant size and specifications. Because of this, we examine each patient’s dental structures to identify any potential problems or concerns. Traditional X-rays provide a flat image of teeth that often require some guesswork on the part of the implant surgeon, because traditional x-rays cannot give a 3D rendering of the dental structures. That’s why we’ve upgraded our system to utilize Sirona Galileos conebeam 3D imaging – to save time and money and to plan implants for quicker, more accurate results. Smile in the City is the third dental office in New York to utilize Sirona Galileos technology.

About Conebeam 3D Imaging: In contrast to traditional X-rays, conebeam 3D imaging is a quick and easy process that doesn’t require the patient to sit for extremely long periods of time. Instead, the patient can remain comfortable and relaxed for just a matter of seconds, helping to limit movement and providing clearer, more accurate results. The high-quality images lead to better diagnoses and treatment planning, and our dentists can get a clear view of the patient’s dental structure. From there, we can evaluate thickness and height of the bone to determine which implant will work best, or identify any abnormalities that might deter dental implants.

To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, contact the New York dentists and experts at NY Dental Specialists by calling (212) 203-0875 or visit http://www.nydentalspecialists.com. Ask about our new conebeam 3D digital technology, and improve your smile today!

What Are Dental Crowns?
A crown is designed to match the shade and appearance of your natural teeth, then placed over a damaged or decayed tooth for protection, support and aesthetics. Permanent crowns can be made of metal, such as gold alloy, nickel or chromium, or they are often made of porcelain fused to metal. Many patients receive a temporary crown while the permanent crown is being fabricated, then come back for a second appointment for the final crown.

How CEREC Works
By using advanced CEREC software, Smile in the City dentists can create a ceramic restoration of the patient’s tooth in a single appointment. CEREC allows dentists to turn a digital image of the tooth into a 3D virtual model, which is then used to create the crown in just a matter of hours. With CEREC technology, you can enjoy expert, accurate results with convenience and ease, so that you can receive the smile you deserve.

The Dallas Morning News has recently compiled a list of different types of food that can have a negative effect on your teeth. Watching out for these types of food and eating them in moderation can help in your fight against disease and decay. Many of these foods contain sugar or carbohydrates that break down into sugar, which can form acid in your mouth when coupled with bacteria. This acid attacks your teeth.

Some of the foods included in the list are sticky foods (such as breads, raisins and cookies) and liquid foods (such as soft drinks, sports drinks and ice cream). When eating these types of foods, it helps to eat them during meals, when other food and the excess of saliva production can clear them away easier. Eating them frequently throughout the day means the acids are constantly attacking your teeth, without a chance for your mouth to recover.

Also listed in the article are more healthful foods, such as carrots, apples and milk. Read the entire article at The Dallas MorningNews for more details on how foods can affect your dental health.

IV sedation is an effective treatment that involves a combination of sedatives and pain relievers administered intravenously by an IV sedation expert. With IV sedation, you are completely relaxed, and the dental procedure goes by quickly. When all is said and done, you will likely have no memory of the treatment at all!

At Smile in the City, we’ve got specialists on hand who are experts in New York sedation dentistry, which can keep you relaxed and help you improve your smile. We’ve put together several reasons why IV sedation may be right for you:

1. Overcome Your Dental Fears. Dental anxiety and dental phobia are common conditions and nothing to be embarrassed about. We understand that certain dental procedures can be intimidating, so we take great care in making sure that you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible. IV sedation keeps you at ease, allows you to forget about all your fears, and before you know it, the procedure is over!

2. Rely on the Experts. In order to administer IV sedation, your dentist must be specially trained and certified in IV sedation. Dr. Zelig is a Board Certified periodontist with a permit in intravenous conscious sedation from the New York State Board of Dentistry. As an expert in IV sedation, Dr. Zelig understands that every patient reacts differently, and so he is qualified to administer the exact amount of sedation that is right for each patient.

3. Improve Your Smile … and Your Attitude! Once you’ve overcome your dental anxiety, you’ll start to see major improvements in your smile. Not only will your teeth and gums be healthy and strong, but you’ll find a newfound confidence in your step wherever you go. When your grin is bright and healthy, you’ll discover that there is a lot to smile about.

For more information on IV sedation procedures at Smile in the City, visit our IV sedation page.

The Waterlase laser system allows dentists to set aside invasive dental tools, which have been shown to actually remove healthy tissue rather than improve it, and use lasers for a more accurate and gentle procedure. Because Waterlase is minimally invasive, it is able to treat the disease without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.

The Waterlase Experts

The NY Dental Specialists team has stood behind the effective results and benefits of Waterlase long before the technology became FDA-approved. Dr. Zelig is the first Board Certified periodontist in the Manhattan area to offer laser periodontal treatment, and NY Dental Specialists is the first and only periodontics specialty practice to provide the groundbreaking treatment in Manhattan, as well. Since 2008, Dr. Zelig has been using Waterlase procedures to improve smiles, taking master level courses to become the foremost authority on the Waterlase system.

Something to Smile About

What does this mean for our patients? Well, at NY Dental Specialists, you’ll know you’re getting the very best in laser dentistry. New York specialists at our Manhattan office are here to make sure you receive effective treatment in a relaxing and comfortable environment. And when you leave our office, you’ll have a whole lot to smile about.

IV sedation is an effective treatment that involves a combination of sedatives and pain relievers administered intravenously by an IV sedation expert. With IV sedation, you are completely relaxed, and the dental procedure goes by quickly. When all is said and done, you will likely have no memory of the treatment at all!

At Smile in the City, we’ve got specialists on hand who are experts in New York sedation dentistry, which can keep you relaxed and help you improve your smile. We’ve put together several reasons why IV sedation may be right for you:

1. Overcome Your Dental Fears. Dental anxiety and dental phobia are common conditions and nothing to be embarrassed about. We understand that certain dental procedures can be intimidating, so we take great care in making sure that you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible. IV sedation keeps you at ease, allows you to forget about all your fears, and before you know it, the procedure is over!

2. Rely on the Experts. In order to administer IV sedation, your dentist must be specially trained and certified in IV sedation. Dr. Zelig is a Board Certified periodontist with a permit in intravenous conscious sedation from the New York State Board of Dentistry. As an expert in IV sedation, Dr. Zelig understands that every patient reacts differently, and so he is qualified to administer the exact amount of sedation that is right for each patient.

3. Improve Your Smile … and Your Attitude! Once you’ve overcome your dental anxiety, you’ll start to see major improvements in your smile. Not only will your teeth and gums be healthy and strong, but you’ll find a newfound confidence in your step wherever you go. When your grin is bright and healthy, you’ll discover that there is a lot to smile about.

For more information on IV sedation procedures at Smile in the City, visit our IV sedation page.