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.

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.

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.

Why Dental Implant Timelines Are Important

If you’re missing the teeth you wish you had, one solution is the placement of one or several dental implants.

Accomplished over several appointments your missing tooth will be replaced with a dental restoration that simulates and acts like your original tooth.  Over a short period of time you will have a new functioning tooth.

The first step is a consultation to see if a dental implant is right for you.  We will examine your mouth and take x-rays to see if you are a candidate for a dental implant.  Sometimes you may not have enough bone to support the implant and an additional procedure to increase your bone level will be needed.

The next step is actually placing the implant.  A piece of titanium will be placed into your jaw.  The procedure sounds difficult and painful but it is not.  Generally less than one hour will be necessary to place the implant using local anesthetics.  Over the counter pain medications are sufficient  for any discomfort you experience and you will be able to return to work the following day.

It takes some time for the implant to become attached to your jaw.  During this period there will still be a space remaining where your tooth was missing.  If this is objectionable we can create a removable temporary restoration for you to wear during this period.

The final step occurs several months later where we prepare your implant to receive a crown.

Patients are generally very happy with the end result.

Looking for Dental Implants in the Upper East Side?

Call us today at 212 517 9000 to see if this is right for 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.

Go For The Gold

With the Olympics coming to Beijing, China in February 2022 the goal is to go for gold. In dentistry you can also go for gold. With a gold filling or if you’re brave a gold crown. Obviously, the gold crown would need to be on one of your back teeth unless you’re going for the bling.

Most individuals today will not accept gold due to its color. In fact, most people prefer not to have yellow teeth to begin with and will undergo bleaching or cosmetic dentistry to lighten the shade of their teeth. In California, you can never be too-blond, too-tan and have too-white teeth.

In fact, today the demand for gold dentistry is predominantly by dentists. That should tell you something. Just like you, dentists do not like going to the dentist. They make like performing dentistry but not having dentistry. When it comes to dentistry women are a lot stronger than men. Something about lying on your back with a stranger working a couple of inches from your brain can cause men to panic.

Back to gold. The reason dentists choose gold is that it lasts the longest. Gold has the same expansion and contraction as enamel. Meaning, gold is the closest to what the outside of your tooth is made of. Gold is very biocompatible with your mouth.
It is easy to clean and its edges can be very closely adapted to your tooth structure. In fact, most dental restorations are wide open. Meaning the armies of bacteria inyour mouth are marching in mass into the interior of your tooth. Since cementing mediums contain huge amounts of fluoride this helps to keep your teeth protected.

The great draw back to gold is that it is yellow and you can see it and in today’s esthetic conscious society Moi is perfect in every way. Sort of like: Only your hair dresser knows for sure. Here at the practice, we still do gold crowns and gold fillings. If the need arises this alternative will always be presented and then promptly rejected.

The cool thing about gold is when you melt it. It looks like mercury except it is gold in color. You can actually see your reflection in it and before it becomes liquid it has a reddish golden sheen. Just magnificent and it makes you realize why it has been in use since antiquity. However, at 1948 degrees Fahrenheit you certainly don’t want to touch it for then you’ll definitely be singing, but not in a good way.

But even today it continues to remain the gold standard in finance and in dentistry.

Looking for a Crown Treatment in the Upper East Side?

Contact us today (212) 517-9000 or info@reitdds.com to schedule your dental appointment.

Are Your Teeth Foundations Strong?

For those of us who cared the end of Game of Thrones was a disappointment. However our crowns continue to serve and when you smile we want you to have healthy and happy teeth.

You may not be aware but just like a beautiful building you would not see it without a strong foundation. The same is true with your teeth. Teeth are maintained in your jaw due to healthy bone and surrounding gum tissue.

You could have a full set of teeth without any filings or decay and lose them to a poor foundation. Periodontal disease or gum disease which attack the foundations of your teeth is preventable and also amendable to treatment. The good news is that you control the extent of gum disease in your mouth.

The easiest way to prevent gum disease is through daily brushing and flossing. Ideally you should floss and brush twice per day. Once in the morning upon waking and a second time at night before retiring.

You want to decrease the amount of bacteria in your mouth especially before going to sleep where bacteria thrive in an environment that is warm, dark and without air. Failure to brush and floss at night leaves excess food in your mouth. Upon waking you need to brush and floss to remove any overnight buildup. Also morning mouth can be disturbing to your friends.

Realize all the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning without oxygen. When you brush your teeth you bring air into your mouth which contains 20% oxygen. Your teeth are squares or cubes and when you brush you clean the top, back and front but do not get in between. However when you floss you bring air inbetween your teeth reducing the levels of bacteria.

All teeth have a cuff surrounding them which in health is 3mm in depth. When you eat, food accumulates in these pockets and if not removed breaks down releasing acids. In the first phase of gum disease called gingivitis the ligaments holding the teeth in your mouth are attacked. Once the pocket gets greater than 5 mm in depth you are no longer able to reach the base of the pocket through flossing since the floss would have to cut your gums to reach the bottom of the pocket.

If food continues to accumulate in the second phase of gum disease called periodontitis the pockets
will increase in depth. This leads to bone loss and eventual tooth mobility and tooth loss. Periodontal surgery is then necessary to save your teeth which is expensive and slightly painful.

The good news is daily flossing and brushing with bi-yearly dental exams and cleanings will prevent this situation from occurring. So let the floss be with you for continued dental health.

Looking for Dental Exam in the Upper East Side?

Contact us today (212) 517-9000 or info@reitdds.com to schedule your dental appointment.