Help I’ve Lost My Kingdom...I lost my crown!

My crown has come off.  What will I do?   I am still the master of my universe but inside my mouth I don’t have a clue.  Yes some dentists say crowns are permanent but even your dental insurance carrier will pay for the same procedure every five years, so much for permanence.  Your crown should last for more than five years but crowns do come off.

 If you crown comes off the first thing to do is NOT to place it back in your mouth.  You need to call a dentist – maybe me and bring the crown and yourself to the office.  Hopefully when your crown came off it did not break the tooth which is supporting it.  

 In most cases we can clean the crown and the tooth and then reattach it back to how it was.  The reason you do not want to place it yourself in your mouth with temporary cement from the drug store is if you do not place it exactly correctly you may not be able to close your mouth.  Also sometimes the crown comes off due to decay and needs to be remade.

 The most important consequence of placing it back into your mouth on your own is that you might swallow it.  If it goes into your stomach it will probably pass through but you will have to look then next time you see a man about a horse.  If it drops into your windpipe you’ll be at the emergency room.

 At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we like people and the teeth connected to them.  Yes, only a dentist can love a tooth and we love teeth.  If your crown has decided to take a vacation give us a call.

We will look at your situation and give you alternatives and the costs involved allowing you to make an educated decision on what to do.

 Conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets in a five story brownstone on the second floor directly across from our very own Upper East Side Mickey Dees – that’s where you’ll find us.

Don’t delay call today at 212 517 9000.  You’ll be glad you did and once again you'll be the king or queen of your domain with your crown intact.

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

How can an FSA or HSA help with my dental care costs?

What is an HSA or FSA?

Both are employer- sponsored savings plans that allow you to put money away for your yearly healthcare expenses.  This is pre-tax dollars meaning you don’t have to pay income tax on any funds deposited into these accounts.  As an example if you are in a 30% tax bracket and you put one thousand dollars into one of these accounts you’ll save three hundred in federal taxes.  Usually your employer will provide you with a health savings debit card with the money you place already preloaded.

What can I use my HSA of FSA funds to pay for?

These accounts are used to pay for healthcare including dental care.  They can be used to cover the actual cost of any dental procedure or any co-insurance payments you are responsible for.

What is the difference between an HSA and FSA?

An HSA is a healthcare savings account.  They are not available for all individuals.  Generally they only pertain to insurance policies that have a high deductible and there are additional restrictions to its use.

An FSA is a flexible spending plan and has fewer restrictions for eligibility.

One big difference between an HSA and FSA plan is that HSA will follow you if you change employers while an FSA does not.  In addition any leftover funds in an FSA will not move forward to the following year.  If you do not use it you lose it.  With an HSA unused funds can be forwarded to next year.

If you need additional information your human resources department at your place of work will have all the details.   Many of our patients have these types of plans and successfully use them to cover part of their costs for dental treatments at our practice.

If you are in need of a dentist and the address of 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets are accessible to you, give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we are happy to meet with you.  At our practice we will listen to you and then diagnose your situation.  Multiple alternatives will be given and the price of each.  An informed patient can make a more accurate assessment of what dental choices work best for them.

We hope to meet with you in the near future to remedy your dental needs even if it’s just for an exam and cleaning.

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.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

What is good, what is bad and what is ugly?  The good is a healthy mouth which gives you a radiant appearance and the ability to enjoy your food.  The bad is being in pain with your teeth and not making an effort to correct the situation.  The ugly is having not caring at all with people looking and smelling odors coming from your mouth and running for the hills.

 At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit, DDS we like correcting the bad and ugly to the good.   No matter what your situation, dentistry has progressed so we are able to offer you multiple paths to the good.

Sometimes, if you have had bad experiences at the dentist you become the ugly because your brain says dentistry, bad.  If this is you we need to break this association and show you that dentistry can be good.

In addition to restoring your teeth we now have the ability to cosmetically improve your smile.  If you have a dental problem we can help you to resolve that.  There are multiple paths for most dental problems.  Here at our office we will advise of your options and the costs involved thereby allowing you to make an intelligent decision.

Once your basic dental health is achieved we also have the ability to modify your smile if you are not happy with what nature has provided.  Through orthodontics with clear aligners, whitening, veneers or bonding we can create the smile of your dreams.

So even if you are in need of just a cleaning or more substantial treatment don’t delay call today.  You’ll be glad you did.

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.

Dental Implants

Implant as in placing.  You implant a seed into the ground and eventually a plant arrives.  We plant an implant into your jaw and eventually a new tooth arrives.  What is a dental implant?  Well, it is a piece of titanium which most people can tolerate that is placed into your jaw to simulate the root of a missing tooth. 

Life happens and sometimes a tooth needs to be removed.  Most people do not want the picket fence look in their mouth.  When a tooth is missing since there is no light inside your mouth from the outside you see a black hole.  For a very long time in dentistry the main way a missing tooth was replaced was by doing substantial work on the adjacent teeth so that the missing tooth could be replaced by attaching it to the adjacent teeth. 

The adjacent teeth generally do not want to participate in this procedure.  They are happy just being left alone.  But sometimes the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.  I sense Mr. Spock here.  Today we can place a single crown without disturbing the adjacent teeth.

So, we place a piece of titanium into your jaw after removing the broken or infected tooth and we let it sit there for some time.   After a period of four months the implant has taken up residence in your jaw and is ready to be restored.  At this point we can place a crown which resembles the missing tooth into your mouth and you’re good to go.

Give us a call at the dental practice of Glenn Reit, DDS and we can go more into depth of what is involved in placing and restoring a dental implant.   At our practice we will give you several alternatives to your situation and the costs involved so that you can make an intelligent decision on what is best for you.

We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028 zip code at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.  Even if all you are interested in is a dental cleaning and check up, give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Happy patients with healthy teeth are the goal of our practice.  So don’t delay call today.  You’ll be glad you did.

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.

When your teeth come a knocking you won’t be rock in

Nobody wants the dreaded toothache but things happen. If you find yourself with an aching tooth you need to see someone. Getting you out of pain is one of our goals.

Most time pain occurs by not visiting the dentist on a regular basis. If you go to the dentist only when you are in pain this creates a negative cycle. If you are in pain we can help to relieve the situation and then move you in the right direction.

What causes dental pain; trauma from an accident or biting on a very hard substance or dental decay that has progressed into the nerve of your tooth.   Both decay and trauma can injure your tooth’s nerve.  Once injured the body is unable to repair the damage without intervention by a dental professional.

For you the patient the details may not be important rather get me out of pain.  Once comforted we can instruct you on how to keep your mouth and teeth healthy.

If you have just moved into the area or have resided on the Upper East Side for some time and are in need of a dentist we are here for you.  We have been doing dentistry for decades and have seen it all.

Your situation may be unique but your pain is universal.

So, if you need a dentist we are here for you. Located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th street directly across from our own Upper East Side McDonalds is where you’ll find us.  Conveniently located adjacent to the 4,5,6 and Q subway lines and the Third and Second Avenue bus lines.

So don’t delay, call today 212 517 9000 you’ll be glad you did

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.

Let's Get You Out of Tooth Pain

Eastside, Westside all around the town.  You could live anywhere in the Big Apple.  10021, 10075, 10028, 10128, 10023 and get a toothache.  And oh when your tooth aches you want relief.  So what can be done to treat an aching tooth?

If you have been reading my blogs you know a toothache can be caused by decay or trauma.  When you come into the office we will listen to what you have to say.  Most people have a pretty good idea of what is going on.  If they’re in pain they have been looking to determine the cause.

We will then examine the area and take some pictures to confirm the diagnosis.  Next we will advise you of the options to resolve the problem and the advantages, disadvantages, risks and alternatives to treatment.  Finally we will clearly explain the procedure and costs involved so you can make an educated decision.  Finally we will treat the situation or refer you to a specialist if that’s what your situation entails.

Nobody wants a toothache but if you experience one, we will be there to take action.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th street directly across from our own Upper East Side’s McDonalds.   We pride on treating our patients on time with as little discomfort as possible.

No one really likes going to the dentist including me so we understand where you are coming from.

We have been performing dentistry for decades so we have a good idea of what may be happening in your mouth.  If you are in need of a dentist even if only for a cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000. 

We will be happy to see and take care of 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.

Do You Have a Tooth Ache?

Eastside, Westside all around the town.  You could live anywhere in the Big Apple.  10021, 10075, 10028, 10128, 10023 and get a toothache.  And oh when your tooth aches you want relief.  What causes a tooth to ache?  It could be that you have a hole in your tooth.  You have a holey tooth but what you feel will only inspire you to seek treatment.

If you do not brush or floss your teeth the outside of your tooth made of enamel can be compromised.  As food in your mouth breaks down acids are released.  If not removed these acids can leach and obtain access to the inside of your tooth.

The inside of your tooth is made of dentin which is not as strong as the enamel covering.  Once inside decay looks for areas that are warm, dark and have a continual source of food.  Your mouth is warm, dark and food is continually being consumed.

In the initial phase of decay you may not feel anything.  Over time you may become sensitive to cold.  If left untreated the decay will finally reach the nerve and then the infamous tooth ache will arrive.

We have been treating teeth for decades and when pain comes a knock in we’re here to get you back in tip top shape.  So if you’re howling and need relief give us a call.  We’ll get you right in and take care of your situation.

Over the next couple of blogs we will discuss other dental pain situations that can occur.  We are conveniently located in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets.

The Q, 4, 5, 6 subway lines have stops one block away from the office.  The M86, M79 and M101, M102, M103 and M15 bus lines also have stops very close to the practice.  Of course Uber and Taxi service will bring you right to our door.

We always run on time and will see you at the time of your appointment.  We like doing dentistry and meeting fellow New Yorkers.  If you are in need of a check up or have a dental emergency give us a call at 212 517 9000.  You’ll be glad you did.

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.

When You’re Smiling the Whole World is Smiling At You

Most people realize you lead with your smile.  If your smile is pleasing you’ll be smiling.  If your smile is not quite up to par you’ll be smiling with your lips closed.  A well known cosmetic dentist I know in LA who has upgraded the smiles of many celebrities and does good work was showing me pictures of the famous he has transformed.  The funny part was no one was showing their teeth in the pictures.

But, seriously in a youth conscious and competitive world everyone is looking for an edge.  Having a great smile builds self confidence and believing in yourself is essential to long term success.  Today in dentistry we are able to manipulate what nature has given you to achieve a more pleasing appearance.

Crooked teeth can be moved into a more pleasing and functional position.  Stained teeth can be corrected to a more enlightened appearance.  Spaces and gaps can be closed.  Sometimes all a person needs is a good cleaning and maybe some teeth whitening.  Other times clear aligners can be used to move teeth into a better and more pleasing alignment.  Some people like to look like David Letterman’s teeth while others do not. Breakage and wear of your teeth can be rehabilitated through cosmetic bonding of a material which matches the shade of your teeth.

Here at the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we are happy to meet with you and discuss any cosmetic concerns you may have about your teeth.  In addition we are able to afford you most traditional dental services.  We will present you alternatives and price points for any services we provide before you begin treatment so you can make an educated decision on what to do.

Here’s a thought. At our practice we run on time. Meaning if you have a 1PM appointment you will be seen at 1PM. We pride ourselves on running on time all the time. So if you are in need of a dentist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan we are located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets directly across from our very own Upper East Side McDonalds. We’d love to see you soon.

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.

To Fill or Not to Fill and With What Material

One of the sad parts of life is that your teeth can decay.  Tooth decay occurs when a person does not clean their teeth on a regular basis.  The tooth decay happens when a small hole occurs on any surface of a tooth.  The outside of your teeth are made of enamel which is a very hard substance.  The inside of your teeth are composed of dentin which is not as hard.  On the surface of your teeth there are grooves which if not kept clean can develop into a hole or cavity which leads to tooth decay.

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning they live without oxygen.  For decay to occur when you eat you leave residue of food on your teeth.  If not removed the remaining food breaks down and becomes acidic which attacks the surface of your teeth.  The bacteria in the decomposing food prefer warm, dark places without oxygen.  Your mouth is warm at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and dark when you close your mouth and when the decay gets into your tooth there is no oxygen present.   

Once the decay is within your tooth even with brushing and flossing you cannot remove it.  The decay continues to expand and if left alone will eventually lead to a root canal of the tooth where the nerve of the tooth needs to be removed for you to retain your tooth.

Before that occurs, regular visits to the dentist can confirm visually or through x rays if any of your teeth is developing a cavity.  Once a cavity due to decay is observed it needs to be repaired with a filling.  Today there are several types of fillings we can place into your tooth to restore it to function.

The best material is gold.  However, gold is yellow in color so in today’s cosmetic culture for most individuals this is not an option.  Why is gold the best?   It wears the same amount as enamel which covers the surface of your teeth.  It also expands and contracts the same as enamel to hot and cold.

Gold can also form a very tight seal to your tooth and is strong since it is a metal.

A metal alternative to gold is silver.  Silver is strong and over time chemically bonds to your tooth; meaning an old silver filling is actually better than a new silver filling.  Once again the drawback to silver is that you can see it.  Gold fillings can last a life time while silver fillings can last decades.

We now have the ability to place a tooth colored or white filling into your tooth.  A white filling is made of composite.  Its advantage is you will not see it.  Its disadvantage is that it is not as strong as a metal filling but for most patients metal is no longer acceptable.

If a filling grows in size by not being addressed in a reasonable time a lab processed filling can be made.

These types of fillings are available in gold and tooth colored materials.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the area of Yorkville we like meeting new people and to help them have a healthy, happy mouth.  We can tell you if you have any developing problems with your teeth and give options to restore these areas to health.

We have Saturday and evening appointments available to fit your busy schedule.  We participate with the major dental insurance companies.  Before any treatment we will tell you your options and the costs involved.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets and within reach of the Q, 4, 5 and 6 subway lines and the third avenue bus.   Even if you know it’s only time for a cleaning, give us a call today.  You’ll be glad you did!

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.

Are You Missing a Missing Tooth?

Life happens and teeth depart.  A failed root canal, an olive or cherry pit, a collision with your head.

Teeth come and sometimes they go.  For some a missing back tooth is not a big deal.  A trip to Disneyland might be more advantageous.  However, if it is a front tooth, it could be a problem.

In the past a missing tooth could be replaced by either connecting it to adjacent teeth like a bridge; think George Washington but this entails damaging the adjacent teeth by grinding them down to stubs for the bridge to work.  Not the greatest!

You could have a removable device called a flipper which you glue into your mouth.  Place in the morning, take out at night and place in a glass of water.  This is the 21st century.  Kind of shabby.

 Fortunately we can now place a replica of your original tooth without damaging the adjacent teeth.    We do this by placing a dental implant.  You may ask; what is a dental implant? Good question.  It is a small piece of titanium placed into your jaw which resembles the actual root of your previous tooth.  Titanium is very biocompatible and will not be rejected by your body.

Once the implant is placed elapsed time 30 minutes it remains there for several months during which time the bone of your jaw attaches to the implant.   An abutment and crown are then placed which restores your missing tooth to its original condition.  The new tooth looks natural and is fully functional.

No one likes going to the dentist and dentistry can be intimidating.  For the past 15 years we have been placing and restoring missing teeth with dental implants at the practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located on third avenue and 84Th street in Yorkville.

If you reside on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028, 10128, 10075 or 10021 zip codes we are in your neighborhood.  Stop on down and we can tell if you’re a candidate for a dental implant.  Replacing missing teeth can only improve your appearance and make you feel a whole lot better.

If you’re just in need of a cleaning we are still happy to see you.  Our practice participates with most PPO dental insurance carriers.  Give us a call and we can scope out your benefits before you come in.

A beautiful and healthy smile gives confidence and leads to longevity.

Give us a call today.  

You'll be glad you did!

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.

It's Not About Vanity

You lead with your smile.  Rightly or wrongly people make judgments about you based on your appearance.  When your teeth and smile look great they disappear and you just appear healthy.  When something is wrong either consciously or subconsciously this has an effect on the person you are interacting with.

It is a competitive world and most individuals care about their appearance.  If your smile looks good there is a strong chance that your mouth is healthy.  A healthy mouth helps to contribute to a healthy body.  Ongoing dental decay and inflamed gums can be painful but also allow toxins to travel through your body by using your circulatory system.

Most individuals do not like going to the dentist but everyone is happy with a healthy mouth.  Sometimes people avoid going to the dentist due to traumatic experiences earlier in their life.  This creates a relentless cycle.  The person does not go to the dentist due to previous trauma and thereby lets minor problems turn into serious ones.

When the pain finally comes they are forced to go to the dentist and they are terrified.  Tooth pain can be debilitating.  If this is you we want to break this cycle before it can reoccur.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit we are here to meet with you and tell you what is going on.

If nothing is going on great.  Maybe all you need is a cleaning.  If something is brewing although ignorance may be bliss eventually it will put the bite on you.

Give us a call today at 212 517 9000. We always like to meet new people.  Open Saturdays and evenings accommodating your busy schedule.  We are conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets. 

CALL NOW your teeth will thank 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.

Teeth Restoration in Upper East Side

You have a hole in your tooth

What will you do, what will you do?

Obviously you will want to get it filled with something.   Think of a pothole on the street.  If the pothole is not fixed and traffic continues to go over it, the hole will just get bigger.  But, if the hole is filled in then traffic will continue to move on without causing additional destruction.

This is the same situation in your mouth.  If you get a hole in your tooth and continue to eat which most of us need to do to survive, then the hole if unfixed will get bigger.  The bigger it gets the more it will cost to fix and the greater the chance of experiencing pain and nobody wants tooth pain.

Here at the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville, conveniently situated within 10028 zip code and in walking distance of 10128, 10075 and 10021 we have been fixing holes for decades.  That is holes in teeth not on the street.  We will take a look and confirm what you see is real.  Then we will give you alternatives to restore your tooth to health.

You may want to get a hole in one on the golf course but you do not want to have a hole in your tooth.  Call us today to make your tooth whole again and make that hole go away.

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.

Fillings, Fillings, Fillings

You have a cavity and you need to restore your tooth to health.  What are your alternatives?

Your teeth are pretty tough.   Their outside is covered with a layer of enamel which is so hard that we need industrial diamonds on a high speed turbine to cut through it.  Think of a jet engine with a diamond attached to it and spinning around and that is what is needed to get into your tooth.

Bacteria are tenacious and they thrive in a dark, warm environment without air and a source of food.

Your mouth is dark and under the gums and between your teeth there is little air present.  Since you eat there is plenty of food and it is quite warm, approximately 100 degrees.

The bacteria look for little defects within your teeth to deposit themselves and then drill into the interior of your tooth.  Once inside you are unable to remove them with a toothbrush or floss.  At this point you need a dentist to get inside of your tooth and remove the decay.

Once removed the hole created needs to be filled.  There are several options.  The gold standard is gold.  Gold has the same expansion and contraction as your tooth and wears evenly with the opposing tooth.  However, today most people will not tolerate gold due to its yellow color.  On the other hand gold fillings last longer than any other procedure we can perform on you.

Back in the day when there was only gold or silver if you were in the limo you were choosing gold but if you were in the bus or subway then silver was for you.   The advantage of silver is it is also a metal and very strong.  Most people who have silver fillings have had them for decades.  The fillings rarely ever break but after decades the teeth holding them usually break.  At that point a crown is necessary.  Once again most people will not tolerate silver due to the silver color.

Today we now have white fillings made of a composite plastic type material.  The advantage is that after being placed no one will know that you have a filling.  The down side is since the filling is made of plastic it is not as strong as gold or silver but esthetically there is no comparison.  As time goes on this will be the standard of care since dental schools are no longer teaching dental students how to do gold or silver fillings.

If your filling is large and you want a white filling then as an alternative we can have a white lab processed filling.  This is made of porcelain and is stronger than a white composite filling but takes two appointments to fabricate and is more expensive.  The filling will also be invisible when you smile.

Sometimes there is no cavity but just a discoloration of your tooth.  If whitening cannot correct the situation then we can make a cosmetic veneer to cover the discoloration.  Since this is a cosmetic procedure your dental insurance will not cover it.  However the final result achieved can be dramatic making your smile much more attractive.

Here at the Dental Practice of Glenn Reit DDS conveniently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan we have the ability to restore your teeth with the material of your choice.  If you find yourself in Yorkville or the adjoining zip codes of 10028, 10128, 10075 or 10021 come on down we will be happy to meet with you.   We are conveniently located within a three minute walk from the 4, 5, 6 and Q subway lines.

If you experience an emergency, as in breaking a tooth, give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we will see you and treat your emergency.  We have evening and Saturday hours available.  At our practice, making you smile again is our goal.

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.

Nobody wants Cavities

Everyone wants to be healthy.  Luckily today concerning your teeth with fluoride in the drinking water the amount of tooth decay is way down, especially if you make the effort to brush and floss your teeth.

How do cavities occur?  Sometimes you can be predisposed to decay due to your genetics but most of the time it is due to eating sugary, sticky foods and not removing the remaining residue by not cleaning your teeth.

The outside of your tooth is made up of enamel which is a very hard substance.  The inner part of your tooth is made up of dentin which is technically millions of little straws pressed close together.  For decay to inhabit your tooth it has to break through the enamel layer.  Think of decay as looking like an upside down or right side up pyramid depending if you are on your upper or lower teeth.

The top point is the entry point into your inner tooth.  Most people have grooves and lines on the surface of their teeth so if food remains there it disintegrates giving off acids which attack the surface of your teeth.

Once the decay forms that little hole into the interior of your tooth it now has an ideal environment to cause mayhem.  For decay to grow it is looking for a dark, warm area without oxygen and a continual source of food.  Inside your mouth it is dark, approximately 100 degrees and once the decay is inside your tooth there is no oxygen.  As you continually eat there is a constant source of food.

Since the decay is within your tooth you are unable to remove or clean it with your toothbrush and it continues to grow.  The only way to remove it is to see your dentist who will excavate it out and replace the missing tooth structure to restore your tooth to health.  You can also get decay between your teeth by not flossing to remove any impacted food remaining there after eating.

Here at Dr Glenn Reit’s dental practice we do not want you to have decay.  If you do we will remove it and restore your tooth to health. So if you are looking for a dentist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan or you are visiting the Yorkville, New York City area give us a call.

We are happy to meet with you and restore your health.

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.

Porcelain Veneers - Achieving the Hollywood Smile

Do you want that Hollywood look?

Maybe you do and maybe you don’t. But there is a process to get your teeth super white. The procedure is porcelain veneers. If you have tried whitening and you are still not happy. We can transform your teeth into pearly whites.

The procedure is expensive and permanently changes your teeth. So for most people you have to really want the change. If so we remove approximately 1mm of the outside of the teeth and then bond a small cosmetic chip of porcelain to the front of the tooth. The porcelain can be modified to achieve the color you are looking for.

The advantage is now your front teeth are the color you desired. The disadvantage is that you have permanently changed your teeth. No treatment we do in dentistry lasts a lifetime and the procedure will eventually need to be redone to return to the original change you desired.

 Sometimes people have very dark teeth which can be due to heredity. For these individuals the placement of veneers can be a life changer. Others have anterior teeth which are out of alignment and do not want to have braces. Braces are generally the first choice to reposition out of align teeth with clear aligners or wires. Some will not want to go through orthodontic treatment and want the result achieved quicker. Porcelain veneers can accomplish this.

If this is something you are interested in give us a call and we can determine with you, if you are a candidate for this type of procedure.   There are no right or wrong answers here.  This is a cosmetic decision which can help you achieve the look you desire as long as your dentition can support the veneers.

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.

Make every day a happy day but when you have a toothache your day will be challenging

What do you do when your tooth is biting?  For most the best answer is to find and call a dentist.

Fortunately today we have procedures to quickly get you more comfortable.  Sometimes trauma happens and you just have to respond.  Previous dentistry will eventually fail and need to be remedied.  Some fail to brush or floss and develop new areas of decay and finally others have had bad dental experiences earlier in their lives so they avoid the dentist until an emergency happens.

What causes tooth pain?  A trauma to the jaw like falling down or being hit or new dental decay which progresses around or under a previous dental restoration.   When the decay or trauma reaches your tooth’s nerve the only response a tooth can give is pain.

Oil of cloves, ice and a pain Rx can help to temporarily relieve the pain but ultimately dental treatment is necessary to resolve the situation.   When a patient’s tooth is hurting first we need to determine the cause of the pain.  

If it is simple decay we will remove the decay and replace the damaged tooth structure.  If the decay has entered the nerve then a root canal treatment where the nerve is removed from the tooth is needed or the tooth needs to be removed.   If the tooth due to trauma has cracked sometimes we can repair the crack while other times the tooth will need to be removed.  If the gums are swollen then a thorough cleaning and medicinal rinses may be necessary.  In the worst cases we will look to see if a systemic disease is causing the problem.

The intelligent person establishes a relationship with a dentist and is a known patient.  The dentist will already have a relationship with the person and x-rays on file.  Then if an emergency situation occurs the preexisting conditions in their mouth are already known.  In addition a patient having a relationship with an office will less likely experience an emergency unless it is due to trauma.

At our office we want to keep you healthy and help prevent you from ever experiencing dental pain.  Call today to schedule your appointment for a check-up and cleaning.   We look forward to meeting you.

Looking for a Emergency 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.

Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush Your Teeth?

Bleeding gums can be a sign of periodontal disease or the degradation of the tissue which holds your teeth in your jaws.  When you brush your teeth you should see no bleeding in a healthy mouth.  How do you obtain a healthy mouth?  Some people are lucky. Their genetics lead to a condition where it is hard to develop tooth decay or gum disease.

However, for most of us this is not the case.  For this group going to the dentist for routine cleanings and restoration of diseased teeth is the answer.  When you brush your teeth you bring air into your mouth.  The air has 20% oxygen and oxygen causes bacteria to break down.  The bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning living without oxygen.  This bacteria desires warm, dark places without air.  Your mouth is a perfect environment for this

It is warm around 98.6 degrees, it is dark inside – no light here and there is limited oxygen around the teeth.   When you brush your teeth you bring air and oxygen into your mouth.  You can brush the top, front and back of your teeth but you cannot get in between your teeth.  Dental floss that thin waxed string has the ability to move between your teeth and bring oxygen into this area.  More importantly there is a cuff around each tooth.  In a healthy situation this cuff is one to three mm in depth.  You can therefore wrap the floss around each tooth and move into this cuff or sulcus to aerate the area and remove any food residing there.

When you eat, food begins to break down in your mouth and produce acids.  If you do not remove these acids on a regular basis it will lead to tooth decay and gum breakdown or gum disease.  You notice the beginning of the breakdown when you brush or floss your teeth and you begin to bleed.  

If your gums are not 100% healthy they are ulcerated so when touched they open up and bleed.  You can ignore this situation since it usually does not hurt but it will progress into a worse situation where you begin to lose bone called periodontitis.

By coming in for regular exams and cleaning we can check your mouth for decay and if found restore your tooth to health.  If your gums are bleeding we can do a thorough cleaning and resolve the issue.  If your gum condition has already progressed to a direr situation we have procedures to resolve that.

Your gums, teeth and breath will thank 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.

Trends in Dentistry

Over the decades dentistry has changed.  When I first started practicing there was more dental decay present in every patient.  The main culprit was the lack of fluoride in the public water system.  It was routine to see patients with cavities in almost every posterior tooth.  At that time the choices were silver or gold.   For most patients gold was too prohibitive in cost so silver was the only option.

Many other patients had severe periodontal disease necessitating the removal of their teeth and the placement of full or partial denture or plastic teeth to restore the missing spaces.  Alternatively fixed bridges or connected crowns or caps could be made to replace missing teeth.

Today things have changed.  Due to the presence of fluoride in the drinking water and better hygiene by the general public the level of decay has decreased.  Also advancements in dentistry have led to the creation of more esthetic alternatives to fix your teeth.  White fillings have replaced silver or metal fillings and implants can restore a missing tooth without damaging the adjacent teeth.

Periodontal procedures can be applied to strengthen the gums holding your teeth into your jaws.  Whitening and cosmetic procedures can enhance your appearance.  The saying you lead with your smile is readily apparent.  If you are not happy with your smile you will probably not smile.  Smiling helps to improve your outlook and positivity.

With many of us now online due to video conferencing people can really get a good look at your teeth.  A pleasing smile is appreciated, one that is not is definitely seen and commented upon even if unconsciously.  If you are concerned about your smile or you just want your teeth cleaned please give us a call to schedule an appointment.  Your teeth will thank 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.

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.