Smile Restoration Services

At Park 56 Dental, nothing is more important than our patients’ oral health. If you have missing, discolored, decayed, or crooked teeth, we can help! Learn about our smile restoration services to find a solution that works for you.

Dental Implants

Missing teeth are among the most noticeable oral health problems. When decay or a traumatic injury results in tooth loss, dental implants are often the best restorative option available. An implant features a screw-like titanium body, which takes the place of the missing root. Then, a tooth-colored crown is cemented on top of the implant. The result is a functional, natural-looking replacement tooth that can last decades with proper care.

Dental Bridges

As another option for treating tooth loss, dental bridges “bridge the gap” between two teeth without implanting anything into the gums. Bridges can be placed more quickly and cost less than implants, but they require healthy surrounding teeth to prevent the gums and jawbone from degrading. We can help you decide if implants or bridges are best for your tooth loss scenario.

Dental Veneers

Do you have chipped, misshapen, or stained teeth? With veneers, you no longer have to hide your smile! Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that adhere to the front of your natural teeth. They can be whatever shape, size, and color you want to achieve the desired aesthetic effect. Thanks to their durable porcelain construction, you can expect veneers to last many years with proper care.

Root Canals

If one of your teeth has a deep cavity or diseased nerve, it may be possible to save the tooth with a root canal treatment. While root canals have a reputation for being painful, the intent is to remove pain and swelling. Our dentists can complete this procedure in one to three office visits. By the end of your treatment, you’ll be ready to show off a healthy, pain-free smile!

Invisalign

Have you always wanted straighter teeth but balked at traditional metal braces? Invisalign is the answer! This treatment uses a series of clear, plastic aligners to straighten your smile over an average of nine to 15 months. Invisalign is comfortable, removable, and BPA-free for your safety. Best of all, the aligners are virtually invisible, so no one will even know you’re wearing them!

Zoom! Whitening

Many at-home products claim to whiten your teeth, but only in-office Zoom! whitening can give you the results you want in a single, one-hour visit. Remove years of staining and brighten your smile by an average of eight shades with this safe, simple, and relaxing process. Our dentist will ensure your teeth are healthy and eligible for whitening before treatment begins.

Are you ready to fall in love with your smile like never before? The dentists at Park 56 Dental have the skills and experience needed to perform restoration services for our New York City patients. If you are dissatisfied with your smile for any reason, please contact us at (212) 826-2322 and schedule a consultation today!

Questions to Ask During Your Next Dentist Visit

Dentists advise most patients to schedule an oral exam and cleaning twice a year. Each visit is your chance to learn more about your oral health and the treatments available to keep your smile healthy. Write down anything you want to ask during your next dentist visit. You may choose to ask some of the questions we’ve compiled here.

• Why do my teeth hurt? If you are experiencing toothaches or sensitivity, tell your dentist right away. Potential causes include tooth decay, cracked teeth, exposed roots, whitening products, orthodontic work, and fillings. Such problems aren’t always apparent during an exam, and your dentist can only recommend treatment if you speak up.
• Is whitening treatment right for me? Tooth whitening treats surface stains caused by coffee, tea, and other dark-colored foods and drinks. It does not address intrinsic discoloration, however. Your dentist can help you determine if whitening or another procedure, such as bonding or veneers, is most appropriate.
• How can I strengthen my teeth? If you’re worried about weak enamel or cavities, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatment. You can also improve the strength, appearance, and functionality of your smile with cosmetic bridges, fillings, or implants.
• What toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss should I use? With so many dental products out there, it never hurts to ask your dentist which ones they recommend. If you have weak enamel, sensitive teeth, gum recession, or other oral health concerns, you can receive advice specific to your situation.
• Should I use mouthwash? Brushing and flossing get plenty of attention, but your dentist may also recommend a therapeutic or prescription mouthwash to treat gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, inflammation, excessive gum bleeding, chronic staining, or other oral health concerns.
• Do you recommend wearing a mouthguard? Many people grind their teeth at night without knowing it. An observant dentist should recognize the signs of tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, even if you don’t ask about it. These signs may include receding gums, damaged enamel, popping jaw, and complaints of morning headaches. Your dentist can fit you with a custom mouthguard to ease your symptoms and protect your oral health.
• Could I be at risk for oral cancer? Tobacco use, heavy drinking, excessive sun exposure to the lips, and a weak immune system all increase your oral cancer risk. Early detection is critical for successful treatment, so request screenings often, even if you don’t think you have cancer.
• Why do I need dental X-rays? Most dentists recommend bitewing X-rays once a year and a full-mouth series every four to five years. X-rays reveal what’s happening beneath the surface, which is vital for diagnosing problems and pursuing the proper treatment.

Looking for personalized answers to these and other oral health questions? Please contact Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 and schedule an appointment at our NYC dentist office today! Our knowledgeable team can address all of your concerns and help you make the best choices for your oral health.

New Year’s Resolutions for Better Oral Health

Welcome to the new year! Have you set any resolutions yet? Consider adding oral health to the list of things you want to improve in 2021. Here are the strategies that will help you achieve a brighter, healthier smile in the coming year.

Load Up on Fruits and Vegetables

Eating well is important for healthy teeth and gums. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can help protect you against gum disease. Crisp, crunchy options such as apples, carrots, and celery also scrub your teeth to help fight plaque. Besides produce, other mouth-friendly foods include dairy, nuts, legumes, and tea.

Eat Less Sugar

While you’re loading your plate with fruits and vegetables, remember to lessen your sugar intake as well. This simple resolution can improve your health in many ways, including dramatically reducing the risk of tooth decay. The change can be simple—reach for sugar-free seltzer water instead of soda, and chew sugar-free gum instead of munching on candy.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is incredibly harmful to your oral health, increasing the risk of cavities, tooth discoloration, gum recession, gum disease, and oral cancer. Smokers are also twice as likely as non-smokers to experience tooth loss. It isn’t just smoking—tobacco use of any kind can be detrimental.

Brush Twice a Day

It’s easy to skip brushing, promising yourself that you’ll brush “extra well” the next day. However, going to bed with unbrushed teeth invites bacteria to eat away at your enamel and cause cavities to develop. It’s equally important to brush your teeth in the morning—not just to freshen your breath, but to eliminate acid and bacteria that build up overnight. Otherwise, a hard, tooth-staining substance called tartar is likely to form.

Commit to Flossing

Arguably more important than brushing, flossing removes plaque and debris from between your teeth and along the gum line that your toothbrush leaves behind. It also stimulates the gums to help prevent recession and gingivitis. If flossing once a day isn’t already a habit, implement it into your new oral health routine.

Visit the Dentist at Least Twice a Year

While all of these at-home tips help keep your smile bright between dentist visits, they can’t replace professional cleanings and dental exams. After all, only a dentist can remove plaque, scrape away tartar, and treat developing problems early before they threaten your long-term oral health.

Whiten Your Teeth

There’s no better time than the new year to brighten your smile! In-office Zoom! whitening lightens your teeth by an average of eight shades in a single, one-hour visit. The treatment is a safe, simple, and relaxing way to help you look and feel your best in 2021.

Park 56 Dental is proud to offer preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to improve the health and appearance of your smile. Visit our spa-like, patient-centered dentist office to receive the personalized, quality care you deserve. Contact us online or call (212) 826-2322 today to learn why we’ve been voted Top Dentist in NYC!

How pH Affects Your Teeth

Your body’s pH level can affect your overall health. Lower (more acidic) pH levels increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Conversely, higher (more alkaline) pH is linked to improved memory, reduced pain, and lower risk of stroke and hypertension.

Did you know that pH levels also affect your teeth? On the pH scale, anything above 7.0 is alkaline, while anything below 7.0 is acidic. The goal is to keep your mouth at 5.6 or higher. Consider the connection between pH and oral health, as well as how to balance pH levels in your mouth.

Oral Health Risks of an Acidic Mouth

Acidic foods and beverages lower your pH, which can negatively affect your oral health. Here’s what can happen if your mouth experiences long periods of low pH:

• Mineral loss: Acidic snacks deplete your teeth of minerals, leaving them more vulnerable to damage from harmful bacteria. Once the ideal pH of 5.6 is restored, minerals return to your teeth.
• Enamel erosion: Acid wears down enamel, the hard outer coating of your teeth that protects the more sensitive layers underneath. Enamel doesn’t grow back, so it’s vital to care for your teeth before this occurs.
• Tooth decay: Temporary mineral loss and permanent enamel erosion leave your teeth vulnerable to destructive bacteria. The resulting tooth decay and cavities may require restorative dentistry—including fillings, crowns, or root canals—to avoid tooth loss.
• Bad breath: If you struggle with bad breath, this could be a sign of unbalanced pH levels in the mouth.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold: Enamel loss can make your teeth more temperature-sensitive. Since acidity can cause enamel erosion, balancing your pH levels may help treat sensitive teeth.

How to Increase the Alkalinity of Your Mouth

If you want to stop bad bacteria from wreaking havoc in your mouth, create an environment that prevents mineral depletion and supports healthy enamel. Here are some ways to maintain a balanced pH level in your mouth:

• Adopt a more alkaline diet: This consists of eating more vegetables, beans, and seeds while limiting your intake of white bread, sweeteners, condiments, soda, fruit juice, sports drinks, alcohol, tea, and coffee.
• Limit snacks: Every time you eat or drink, your pH level fluctuates. Avoid consuming anything besides water between meals to help the pH remain stable.
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals: Gum chewing stimulates saliva flow, the key to neutralizing acids and protecting your oral health.
• Maintain good dental hygiene: Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss once a day. Remember to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush so your saliva has time to replenish tooth minerals. Schedule a professional dental cleaning twice a year as well.

If you have concerns about managing your pH levels, or it’s been more than six months since your last dental cleaning, contact Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 to schedule a visit to our NYC dentist office.