Some people bite their fingernails. Others grind their teeth, clench their jaws, and gnaw on the insides of their cheeks. All of these nervous habits can indeed affect your smile. Talk to your dentist about any lifestyle issues that could affect your oral health. If you can’t kick the habit, you may find yourself calling for emergency dental care because of broken crowns or chipped teeth.

Watch this video to hear a dentist explain how nervous habits can damage oral health. Gnawing on your cheeks can cause canker sores. Nail biting, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching can all damage the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), potentially leading to TMJ disorder.

If you ever require emergency dental care in NYC, you can call Park 56 Dental any time of the day or night at (646) 783-3529. We also offer general dentistry services, like mouth guards to protect your pearly whites.

Park 56 Dental has long been known for our enduring commitment to patient safety. It’s why so many New Yorkers trust our sedation dentistry team. Our dentists are certified and licensed to administer intravenous (IV) sedation. This means we’ve undergone intensive training and examination by the state Board of Dental Examiners.

This is significant because, in the hands of an untrained, uncertified dentist, IV sedation can be risky. All administering clinicians must have a keen understanding of the actions, dosage, and side effects of sedatives, as well as their appropriate antidotes. Patients receiving sedation dentistry must also be closely monitored by a competent clinician. At Park 56 Dental, our patients’ safety and well-being are our highest priorities, which is why only certified and licensed practitioners administer IV sedation in our practice.

If you’re curious about sedation dentistry and live in NYC, give us a call today at (646) 783-3529. Park 56 Dental works with most insurance plans and offers flexible payment arrangements.

For years now, Invisalign has been the preferred choice for adolescents and adults of all ages who want to straighten their crooked teeth. This system of clear plastic aligners is an effective way to correct many types and degrees of malocclusion. Since the aligners are made of smooth plastic, they’re much more comfortable than conventional braces. Many people also prefer Invisalign because it’s a discreet treatment choice, regardless of whether or not buttons are necessary.

Understanding Invisalign Buttons

Invisalign buttons, also called Invisalign attachments, are tiny dots of dental bonding material affixed to the teeth. They’re made of the same composite resin material that your cosmetic dentist uses to fill in cavities and repair minor chips. Since the resin is tooth-colored, it’s virtually invisible. It’s important to note that buttons aren’t necessary for every Invisalign patient. Your dentist will develop a customized treatment plan designed to give you the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.

Figuring Out Whether You Need Buttons

Your dentist can determine whether you’ll need Invisalign attachments when you have your consultation. The purpose of the buttons is to increase the effectiveness of the aligners. Essentially, they act like an anchor to grip the aligner. In doing so, the buttons help to strategically apply the gentle force needed to shift the teeth. Throughout the years that Invisalign has been on the market, its makers have realized that some cases of malocclusion are too complex to be adequately corrected by aligners alone. By introducing Invisalign attachments, they’ve opened the door to Invisalign for dental patients with complex malocclusions who otherwise would be forced to try conventional metal braces. Thanks to these clever and unobtrusive buttons, you won’t have to deal with unsightly metal brackets and wires, even if your teeth prove stubborn to move.

As a certified Invisalign provider, Park 56 Dental is a top choice among residents of NYC who are interested in Invisalign. Call our comfortable dental clinic at (646) 783-3529 to request our next available appointment. You deserve a beautiful, straight smile you can be proud of!

Babies are born with a natural sucking reflex. It’s what allows them to feed. But even when they aren’t drinking milk or formula, sucking on the thumbs helps babies feel calm and secure. To accommodate the sucking reflex and to soothe a fussy baby, most parents provide pacifiers. It’s your decision (and your baby’s) whether to provide a pacifier or not. You can always talk to the pediatrician for guidance. And if you’re at all concerned that your child is using a pacifier for too long, don’t hesitate to speak with the dentist . Remember that kids need to see a dentist for a first visit no later than their first birthday, or as soon as their first tooth erupts.

Pros of Pacifiers

There are definitely many advantages to giving your baby a pacifier. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is highest from birth until six months. Pacifier use during this time may help reduce the risk of SIDS. Additionally, pacifiers can help calm down a crying baby, distract babies while they’re getting shots, and help babies equalize ear pressure during air travel.

Potential Problems with Pacifiers

Pacifiers can indeed cause problems with oral development when they’re used too late in a child’s life. Some dentists recommend trying to wean kids off their pacifiers by the second birthday. If they give up the pacifier by age two , oral development problems can usually self-correct. After this point, self-correction is harder, and problems can persist or worsen. In addition, prolonged pacifier use can increase the risk of recurrent middle ear infections. Very early pacifier use can interfere with healthy breastfeeding behaviors. And if your baby becomes too dependent on pacifiers to fall asleep, he or she may be unable to get back to sleep after awakening when the pacifier falls out.

The friendly team at Park 56 Dental is always excited to welcome new pediatric patients to our dental office in NYC. It’s our mission to help kids feel at ease in the dentist’s chair so that they are encouraged to pursue lifelong oral health! You can get in touch at (646) 783-3529 to schedule your child’s dentist appointment.

Root canals have an undeserved reputation for being painful procedures. In fact, they allow dentists to save a failing natural tooth, rather than having to extract it. They’re also pain-free, thanks to local numbing medications. But many people still have anxiety about dental treatments in general and root canal procedures in particular. That’s why dentists often recommend sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is definitely appropriate for root canal patients. Different medications can be used to achieve a mild, moderate, or deep level of sedation. Your dentist will work with you to identify the most appropriate option for you. You’ll also need to disclose your full health history to make sure the medications are safe for you to use.

You’ll find a full menu of services at Park 56 Dental, including comfortable, pain-free root canals with sedation dentistry. If you’ve been told you need a root canal procedure and you live in NYC, give us a call today at (646) 783-3529.

Nitrous oxide is a compound of nitrogen and oxygen. When inhaled through a nose mask, it induces a calm, relaxed feeling. This is why dentists often recommend it to patients who struggle with dental anxieties or phobias.

You can learn more about nitrous oxide by watching the accompanying video. The dentist featured here explains that nitrous oxide is safe for patients of all ages. Although nitrous oxide is a form of sedation dentistry, it doesn’t cause patients to lose consciousness. Plus, its effects are short-lived, which means patients do not require any recovery time after receiving nitrous oxide.

Park 56 Dental is committed to providing a comfortable, pleasant experience for our patients by offering sedation dentistry in our NYC office. You can reach our dental clinic at (646) 783-3529 to request an appointment.

There are a few different types of malocclusion, which refers to the misalignment of the teeth. An open bite is among the most severe. It can cause undesirable consequences for a person’s health and quality of life. Fortunately, an open bite is also correctable. Consider visiting a dental office that offers Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is a system of clear plastic aligners that shift the teeth into their proper positions. It’s very effective for many types of malocclusion, including open bites.

Definition of Open Bite

The ideal bite pattern allows the upper and lower teeth to align neatly with each other when the jaws are closed. The chewing surfaces of the bottom molars should align with the chewing surfaces of the upper molars. Additionally, the upper front teeth should rest just a little bit ahead of the lower front teeth. But most people don’t naturally have a perfectly aligned smile. If your dentist diagnoses you with an open bite, it means that there is a gap between your upper and lower teeth when your jaws are fully closed.

Causes and Risk Factors of Open Bite

There are a few potential causes of open bite patterns . One is an inherent problem with the jawbone. Open bites are also caused by habits. For example, children can develop an open bite early in life if they used pacifiers excessively and for too many years. Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and chewing on objects other than food can also be culprits of open bites. It’s also possible for patients to develop an open bite later in life, particularly if they develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ disorder is a painful problem involving the jaw joints.

Complications of Open Bite

In the case of an open bite, getting Invisalign treatment isn’t just a matter of aesthetic appearance. It’s also necessary to correct open bites because they can cause health issues. Open bites can cause difficulty with normal biting and chewing, which means patients may avoid eating nutritious foods like apples and nuts. Patients with open bites may also engage in unbalanced chewing, causing additional stress on the jaw joints. Furthermore, the teeth can develop uneven wear patterns, and the underlying structures may be adversely affected by the unbalanced force.

Invisalign is one of the many premier treatments we offer here at Park 56 Dental . Our mission is to improve both the health and the appearance of your smile. Call our office at (646) 783-3529 to request an Invisalign consult in NYC.