Root Canal Treatment vs. Placement of a Dental Implant

My belief is that although we try to duplicate nature, nature always wins.  The science and art of dentistry can help to restore or replace defects to your teeth.  Your own natural teeth with no dentistry are the best solution but life happens and decay and tooth loss occur.

If a tooth becomes traumatized or decay spreads too far the nerve of the tooth can become infected.  At this point either the nerve has to be removed from the tooth or the tooth has to be removed from your jaw.  Root canal therapy is the process whereby the dentist is able to retain the tooth in your mouth.  One of the problems with root canal therapy is that the salvaged tooth is not as strong as a tooth which has not been treated with a root canal.  The tooth is still in your head but is now non vital and starts to dry out.  A root canal treated tooth needs a crown or cap to serve as a girdle to hold the tooth together.

In the past root canal therapy was the preferred alternative vs removing or extracting the tooth.  Now there is an additional option.  The tooth can be removed and an implant which is a piece of titanium can be inserted into your jaw which simulates the root of the tooth.  Then a crown can be made to resemble your original tooth.

For a time, the swing to extracting and placing implants vs root canal therapy was becoming the norm.  Now the pendulum is swinging the other way where root canal therapy if it can be performed is the treatment of choice to save your tooth.  The cost of a root canal is much less than the cost of an implant.

A root canal is done on your own tooth so technically your own tooth is still in your head.  The time to do a root canal and then restore the tooth can take up to three weeks while an implant can take more than six months to achieve a similar result.

A problem with implants is not the implant nor the crown but the abutment which replaced the lost tooth structure in your mouth.  The problem is that the abutment is attached to the implant with a screw.  All screws desire to unscrew and this is a problem with implants.  If the screw becomes loose additional treatment is necessary to save the implant and crown.

At our practice we will always give you the advantages, disadvantages, risks and alternatives for all treatments we perform before beginning along with the costs involved.  This way you can make an intelligent choice on the treatment we provide you.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Is It Dentistry or Is It Art Work?

Dentistry is a science.  In restoring teeth you need to follow biologic guidelines for your teeth are part of your body.  You use your teeth in chewing food and they in turn support the bone structure of your jaws. Sometimes nature can be cruel.  You may not like the look of your smile or the shape of your teeth.  You may want to change your appearance and teeth play a big part.

A truly good sculptor can look at a block of marble and see the sculpture inside.  For the artist it already exists and needs only to remove the excess pieces.  Dentistry can also be artistic.  Following the science and being artistically creative a dentist can transform the unacceptable to a work of art within your mouth.

Today dentistry has the materials and techniques to transform your mouth into something beautiful and functional.  If you are not happy with your smile give us a call and see what cosmetic dentistry can do for you.  Remember you lead with your smile.

Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Bleeding Gums Not Good For You

Do you ever notice after brushing your teeth, a red tinge in your sink on spitting out?  If you do and look into the mirror you will see bleeding from your gums.  This is the beginning of gum disease.  Your gums are inflamed and the act of brushing or flossing causes them to bleed.  Since your gums probably do not hurt this condition will worsen and eventually bite you.

Your gums support your teeth.  Strong gums lead to healthy teeth and a healthy mouth which contributes to a healthy body.  How can gum deterioration or gum disease happen?

When you eat most of the time food remains in your mouth.  If you do not remove the food it starts to break down releasing bacteria into your mouth.  Bacteria like warm dark places with a food supply.  Your mouth is at 98.6 degrees, is dark and as you continue to eat there is always a source of food.  As the bacteria increase they produce acids which attack your gums.

All teeth have a cuff or pocket around them.  The bacteria like to reside in these pockets.  In the first phase of gum disease the pockets become ulcerated and when you brush or floss the action of the floss or toothbrush causes your gums to bleed.

Failure to floss or brush on a continual basis allows the bacteria to continue to increase and if left long enough can lead to actual destruction of the bone that supports your teeth.  In the final phase this can lead to tooth loss.

Coming in to see us on a regular basis will prevent this scenario from occurring.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Today Everyone Wants to Look Younger

People dye their hair, get Botox, and lose weight to appear more youthful.  Some people even undergo optional plastic surgery to turn back time.  Another way to melt away the years is to rehabilitate your smile.  Dentistry can give you a more youthful appearance.

Time wears on all of us.  Your teeth are under a lot of pressure and challenges.  Chewing foods and drinking liquids can discolor and wear down your teeth.  Your gums can recede leading to the phrase long in the tooth.

Not to worry dentistry has evolved and we now have several ways to make you appear younger.

The quickest and least invasive is to whiten your teeth.  Products are now available to safely whiten your teeth which immediately will improve your looks.  The cost for these procedures has come down over the years so that everyone can afford to whiten their teeth.

Many older individuals have silver fillings which should be left alone.  This is one dental restoration that can last for decades.  However if the dark color is objectionable they can be replace with white fillings.

If your teeth have a shape that you find annoying they can be readily changed sometimes by just a quick adjustment which can be done without anesthesia.

More substantial changes can be done with dental restorations such as cosmetic veneers which are placed on the front of your anterior teeth to quickly change the color and shape of your teeth.  We are also able to realign the position of your teeth with clear aligner therapy commonly known as Invisalign where no one will be aware of the treatment while it progresses.

In today’s world where everyone has a camera and you’re online doing zoom conferences, looking young is a passion and every help you can get is a plus.  Cosmetic dentistry is a plus and we can offer it to you.  If this is something you are interested in then give us a call and we can show and tell you what we can do for you to achieve the smile and look you desire.

When you look good, you feel good and when you feel good life’s problems become more solvable.

Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

Pain is Pain

No one wants to experience any pain and tooth pain can be quite challenging.  When you feel pain your body is telling you something is happening.  When it comes to teeth the pain can range from mild to severe.  One thing is sure when your teeth are aching you need to see a dentist.  Mouth pain rarely subsides and progressively becomes more bothersome.

The mouth is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  Bacteria like warm, dark places without air and a source of food.  Meaning you mouth is a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.  Maintaining regular oral hygiene and trips to the dentist is a good way to prevent the bacteria from taking over.

What causes tooth pain?  It could be from stress in which you grind or clench your teeth.  It could come from a cold as in when your sinuses fill with liquid and put downward pressure on your upper teeth.  Most of the time pain is due to trauma or decay.  A sharp bite on a cherry pit, of piece of bone can crack your tooth.  A cavity can develop from inadequate oral hygiene and if left untreated can lead to dental pain.  If left alone long enough the bacteria can enter your tooth’s nerve giving you the classic tooth ache. 

Your gums hold your teeth into your head.  It is important to maintain healthy gums to prevent pain and increase the longevity of your teeth.  This can be easily accomplished by daily brushing and flossing of your teeth.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

If you are or even if you are not experiencing any dental pain we are here to help you maintain a healthy mouth.  Call today 212 517 9000 we are always happy to meet with you and help you achieve dental health.

How Long Can A Dental Crown Last?

Dental crowns or sometimes called caps by the general public are used to restore teeth with large decay or larger broken fillings.  The crown helps to strengthen the damaged tooth and allow it to return to normal function.  Crowns are also used after a tooth has a root canal procedure wherein the nerve of the tooth has been removed due to infection leaving the tooth vulnerable to fracture.  The crown helps to keep the pieces of the tooth together.  If an individual loses a tooth and undergoes an implant which is a way of totally replacing a missing tooth the crown restores the part of the tooth you see in your mouth. Crowns can also be used for cosmetic reasons such as to replace the color of yellowed or stained teeth or teeth which are too small or misshapen.

Dental crowns are made of different materials.  In the past crowns would be made of gold.  Gold is very biocompatible with the mouth and wears the most similar to your actual teeth.  This prevents the tooth opposing the crown from wearing evenly over time.  Today most individuals will not accept the yellow color of gold so most crowns now contain porcelain which can be matched to the color of the patient’s teeth. Porcelain fused to metal gives the esthetics of porcelain with a metal substructure to support the tooth.  This is especially useful in teeth which have undergone root canal therapy and need additional support.  Today there are also crowns that have porcelain on the outside but instead of metal core a ceramic one is used to support the porcelain.  The advantage of this combination is that the crown can be even more esthetic and is a good choice for patients who have metal allergies.

Crown treatments require two appointments.  The first is when the actual tooth is put back together and an impression is taken to send to the lab which makes your final crown restoration.  On the second appointment your new crown is bonded onto the prepared tooth structure remaining in your mouth.  During the period between the two appointments which is generally several weeks a temporary restoration is placed in your mouth that allows you to continue to function normally.

So how long does a dental crown actually last?  Most crowns will last for many years.  A gold crown could last a lifetime.  The problem with crowns versus your own tooth is that your own tooth is a complete structure while the crown is like a hat on your head.   There is a crown margin all around your tooth where the crown ends and your tooth begins.  This area over time can develop decay causing the crown to fail.  Your part in this scenario is to brush and floss your teeth twice a day every day.

You need to keep this crown margin clean.  Also since porcelain is glass and you will apply a tremendous pressure to it when chewing there is the possibility of the porcelain breaking.  A crown prep is a large restoration on your tooth and sometimes the nerve within the tooth will die or become infected.  If this happens a root canal will be needed which can reduce the longevity of your tooth.

Insurance companies which do not want to pay for re-treatments believe if a crown lasts five years it is a success.  However crowns can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years.   At this point the crown may still be successful but from an esthetic standpoint the patient may want to replace it.

Looking for a Dentist Who Does Crowns in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment.  Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs.  We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.

What Are Cavities

Sometimes even with the best intentions cavities still occur. You can brush and floss till the cows come home and yet a cavity still occurs.  Cavities or tooth decay happens when bacteria get into the inside of your teeth.  One way to cosmetically restore your tooth to health is with a white filling consisting of a plastic glass mixture of material which replaces lost tooth structure caused by the decay.  We can also use this material for cosmetic improvements of your smile such as fixing chips or gaps in your teeth.

Need Cavity Treatment in the Upper East Side?

Call us today (212) 517-9000 to schedule your next dental appointment where we can help you to achieve a healthier and brighter smile.