The Wisdom of Wisdom Teeth

Well they are not actually wisdom teeth but third molars.  Why do we have third molars? Evolutionarily they were there to give us an additional tooth at 15 years of age to aid in chewing due to the wear and tear on our other teeth.  Back then the food supply was a lot grittier containing dirt, sand and rocks.  After all, it was the caveman age.

Today our food is much less coarse and our teeth generally last longer.  The problem is for many individuals there is not enough room in their mouth for the third molars to come in.  This could be caused by genetics like dad is six feet tall and mom is four feet.  The combo can produce big teeth in a small jaw or vice versa.

Back in the day dentists would tell patients to keep their wisdom teeth because later in life they might be needed to support dental restorations.  Today with the advent of dental implants this is not necessary.

Third molars generally cause problems.  They are so far back in your mouth it is hard to keep them clean which can lead to decay or gum disease. Sometimes they only partially come in leading to more problems where an infection can develop between the partially exposed tooth and your jaw.

If an individual is on blood thinners and needs to have the wisdom tooth removed their cardiologist will generally refuse to take them off their medication. The extraction could cause real problems as the area will not stop bleeding after the procedure.

The morale here is that wisdom teeth in the vast majority of cases should be removed when you are around 16 years of age.   At this point your skeleton is still forming and not fully hardened.  Also the wisdom teeth have not developed legs or roots and are therefore smaller in size.

If the extractions are difficult it is easier to take a few days off when you are still in high school.  Leaving the wisdom teeth in can cause major problems if as they grow they decide to reside next to your mandibular nerve in your lower jaw or go into your upper sinus.

If you feel a little pressure in the back of your mouth or your bite suddenly appears to be off, or there is a rotten smell in the back of your mouth come on in and we’ll tell you if your pesky wisdom teeth are about to cause you problems.

Here at the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit in Yorkville on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028 zip code we are always happy to meet with new patients and inform you what is going on in your mouth.   Give us a call today at 212 517 9000. You’ll be glad you did.

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.

Fun Floss Facts Worth Knowing

Floss is strong. You’d be hard pressed to break it with just your hands.  Waxed floss is easier to use since it remains in a single strand.  Unwaxed can fray apart.  Flossing can be frustrating since you need to coordinate your fingers with the floss.  If you have a small mouth and big fingers, flossing is more challenging.  Flossing is good for your teeth and good for your gums.  Hard to get a tooth brush between your teeth – it just won’t fit.

If you have braces or a fixed wire in your mouth after orthodontic treatment flossing will be problematic.  For those individuals two to three in office cleanings per year are required to keep your gums healthy.

Here at the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located conveniently on the Upper East Side in good old Yorktown we are flossing fanatics.   We can teach you how to floss and thereby how to keep your gums healthy and decrease the incidence of cavities in your teeth.  Happy mouth equals a happy life.Fun

We are easy to find.  Head up Third Avenue to 84th street.  You’ll see our Upper East Side McDonalds.

We’re right across the street at 1498 Third Avenue in the heart of the 10028-zip code.  New Yorker’s generally do not like to travel far but if you’re living in the 10128, 10075 or 10021 zip codes you’re our neighbors also.

The new Q subway line and the 4, 5, 6 lines have stations one block away.  Third avenue bus stop is also one block away and you can always walk right up to our door.  We look forward to meeting you and taking care of all your dental needs.

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 Your Smile Camera Ready?

In the industry we like to say are you camera ready before the actor comes onto the set.  Generally this entails that make up and costume details are completed and of course the actor needs to be emotionally ready to go.  In real life when going out in public everyone wants to be camera ready.  You want to look your best and since your body is covered with clothes your real asset is your face.  One main component of your visage is your teeth.

When your teeth look good you look better.  Good looking teeth generally belie a healthy body.  In fact if your teeth are good most people do not actually concentrate on them.  Good looking teeth just look natural and give a radiant appearance.

However life happens and over time your teeth can appear dated.  Since you lead with your smile this can be a concern.  Do you notice that when pictures are taken you never give a big smile?  Is one of your hands covering your mouth when photos are taken?  These are signs that you may not be happy with your smile. 

For some there just comes a point when enough is enough and you want a smile rehab.

Here at the dental practice of Glenn Reit DDS we can help you achieve the smile you are looking for.

There is no perfect smile but just what you desire your smile to look like.  Having practiced in Los Angeles for twenty three years, the capital of good smiles we have seen the transformation when a so so smile becomes a beautiful smile.

Even if you only want to clean your teeth or possibly whiten them give us a call today at 212 517 9000 and come on up to Yorkville on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and we will be happy to meet with you and transform your look.  We are conveniently located adjacent to the 4 5 6 and Q subway lines.

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.

We Can Fix That Gap Between Your Teeth

Most people don’t have gap between their teeth but David Letterman, Madonna, and Dan Blocker of Bonanza do. Today most individuals would rather eliminate space.

So what can be done?  The first choice is braces.

The good news is we can now move your teeth with clear plastic aligners- Invisalign meaning only you will know you are wearing braces.  Cosmetically this is a big improvement from the metal wires and brackets that were traditionally used to close spaces.  Some people want a quicker solution since orthodontics or tooth movements take more time to accomplish.

If this is you sometimes we can close the space with cosmetic bonding.  Here we are adding a composite type of material that matches the color of your teeth.  If the space is somewhat larger a lab processed bonding called a veneer can be placed on your front teeth. For back teeth we are able to make lab processed restorations which either covers or fits into the tooth to close the space.

The advantage of correcting the spaces is it makes it easier for you to clean your teeth and it is better for the health of your gums and bones which support the teeth in your mouth.

Here at the Dental Practice of Glenn Reit DDS located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in Yorkville’s own zip code of 10028 we are here to service your dental needs.   Call us today at 212 517 9000 to schedule your routine dental exam and cleaning.   We are also here if you have a dental emergency.

So if you need a dentist near me or can travel on the 4,5,6 or Q subway lines we are still in your neighborhood.

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.

Your Teeth and Heart Connection

Cleaning your teeth should make you feel better.  A clean mouth is a healthy mouth and feels better.  Did you know that in addition to making your mouth feel better your teeth cleaning habits helps to keep your heart healthy?

Failure to brush and floss your teeth allows food to remain and build up around your teeth.  The food breaks down in your mouth due to the bacteria present and releases acids.  The acids irritate your gums and lead to toxins.  If your gums are inflamed they may bleed.  This bleeding provides direct access or a highway into your inner body.

The bacteria then travel through your circulatory system and eventually transverse through your heart.

Your heart pumps blood throughout your body and is basically a series of chambers with muscle attachments.  The chambers are connected together by valves.  Bacteria from the mouth like to attach themselves to these valves and over time can cause deterioration of the valves.

Your effort to brush and floss your teeth decreases the bacterial count within your mouth.  This leads to a healthier oral environment and prevents the development of gum disease which is the cause of bleeding in your mouth.  If you are not bleeding then you are not providing a pathway for the oral bacteria to enter your circulatory system and you are helping to maintain the health of your heart.

At the Dental Practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS we are here to help you achieve a healthy mouth.  If it has been some time since your last dental exam and teeth cleaning give us a call at 212 517 9000 and we will be happy to take a look and make you feel better.

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.

Mouthwash- What’s All the Fuss?

If you’ve ever traveled down the toothpaste aisle at Duane Reade or CVS you’ll encounter multitudes of mouthwash products. Some claim to be germ killing, while others tout their fluoride content, or their teeth whitening abilities and all state they will freshen your breath.

Should dental mouthwash be part of your daily dental hygiene routine?  The most important aspect of keeping your teeth clean and healthy is to brush and floss twice per day upon waking and before going to sleep. 

When you wake up in the morning do you have morning mouth?  What is morning mouth?  It’s that feeling that your mouth is not clean, maybe bad breath, maybe sticky but just not right.  Actually bacteria have been growing in your mouth all night long.  Time to get out your toothpaste and floss and restore your mouth to a more clean environment.   If you think about it, why would there be any other condition present? 

In addition to brushing and flossing in the morning you should be brushing and flossing before you go to bed.  This helps because you are cleaning your mouth before going to sleep making less morning mouth when you wake up.  So if flossing and brushing are essential where does mouthwash come in.

If you follow the directions on the bottle it may slightly help especially if it contains fluoride but brushing and flossing is what you should be doing and of course making biyearly visits to the dentist for professional cleanings and exams.

It is preferable to use mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol since this causes your mouth to dry out.  Many people use mouthwash to control bad breath but if your mouthwash contains alcohol this could worsen the situation.  However mouthwashes without alcohol can aid in freshening your breath.

If you have chronic bad breath then you should come to visit us since this may be due to gum disease or tooth decay.  Mouthwashes may make you feel better when you have a sore throat from a cold but your best defense is still to brush and floss twice per day.

At the dental practice of Glenn Reit we want you to be healthy, happy, look and feel your best.  We are located in Yorkville on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 10028 zip code.  If you are in the area on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets we would love to meet with you and make your teeth and mouth healthy and happy.  Call us today at 212 517 9000 to schedule your dental check up appointment

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.

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.

Flossing for Healthy Gums and Teeth

Do you floss your teeth?

You should.

You probably brush your teeth but brushing only cleans the top, front and back of your teeth.

The only way to clean in between your teeth is with dental floss since your toothbrush will not fit between your teeth.  Also dental floss cleans the area between your teeth and the adjacent gum tissues.

All the bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning living without oxygen.  When you brush and floss your teeth you bring air into your mouth which contains oxygen.  The oxygen helps to prevent the multiplication of the bacteria.  Bacteria thrive in areas without oxygen, that are warm and without light.  Bacteria need a source of food to survive.  This is exactly the situation present in your mouth.

No one wants tooth decay.  If that’s you brushing twice per day and flossing is the best way to prevent dental decay and gum disease.  If you are in need of a check up or cleaning give us a call today.

Looking for a Dental Cleaning 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.