Should You Get Veneers?

Are you considering veneers? If you’ve ever felt the need to hide the imperfections in your smile, veneers might be the perfect solution for you. A natural-looking option, veneers are an excellent way to adjust your smile and help you feel more confident.

A veneer is a thin shell made of tooth-colored porcelain and customized to match your existing teeth. It fits on the outside-facing portion of your tooth and blends seamlessly into your natural smile. Veneers are a discreet option for improving your smile and can conceal imperfections without causing unnecessary damage.

To start the process, your dentist creates a model of your teeth, which the dental technician will use to create your veneers. Each tooth will be prepared by cleaning, polishing, and etching it slightly to remove a little bit of enamel so the veneer will adhere correctly to the tooth’s surface. Once it’s in place, it will be evaluated to make sure it’s functional and aesthetically pleasing. If necessary, the dentist will make adjustments to create a natural fit, feel, and look.

Using veneers, dentists can address issues that include:

• Crooked teeth: Veneers aren’t a replacement for orthodontia but can be used in some cases to improve the look of crooked teeth.
• Gaps: If your teeth don’t fit together as they should but have gaps between them, it can detract from the look of your smile. However, a more pressing concern is that gapped teeth can be more vulnerable to cavities and gingivitis. If your teeth are poorly aligned, you probably need braces or a retainer. However, if your teeth are gapped because they’re small, veneers might solve your problem.
• Discoloration: If you’ve tried tooth whitening and are not getting the look you want, veneers can give you a sparkling white smile.
• Imperfect teeth: Maybe some of your teeth are smaller than others, or perhaps your teeth are worn down or oddly shaped. If your imperfect teeth are making you self-conscious, veneers can fix the problem.
• Chipped teeth: Most people chip a tooth at some point in their lives. A veneer applied to a chipped tooth can make the chips invisible.

If you need more persuading, consider the benefits of veneers. First, they look and feel just like your natural teeth, so no one will even know they’re there. They’re also stain resistant, so your teeth are likely to stay white once they’re in place. Veneers are also strong and durable enough to protect your smile for up to 15 years.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to get veneers, choose the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC! At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Why it’s Important to Clean Your Tongue

You brush at least twice a day and floss at least once, but what about cleaning your tongue? If you’re like most people, you probably neglect this important part of dental hygiene. While people are taught from childhood about the importance of brushing and flossing, tongue care is an often neglected subject. It’s vital to oral health, though, and here are some reasons why.

• Your tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, most of the bacteria your mouth can be found on the rough surface of your tongue. When you brush your teeth, you remove bacteria from your teeth. However, saliva carries bacteria from your tongue back to your teeth in just a few hours.
• Neglecting to brush your tongue leads to bad breath. All the bacteria hanging out on your tongue can cause odor. Cleaning your tongue can prevent halitosis.
• Cleaning your tongue reduces your risk of periodontal disease. Gum disease is a real problem that can lead to illnesses throughout the body. When you remove the bacteria from your tongue, there’s less of a chance that it can lead to gum infection.
• Your taste buds will thank you for cleaning your tongue. Bacteria on your tongue can coat your taste buds and mute the flavors of your food. Want to enjoy more rich flavors? Clean your tongue.
• Regularly cleaning your tongue makes you less likely to develop oral thrush. An infection caused by overgrowth of yeast in the mouth, oral thrush can be the result of excessive bacteria in your mouth. You may develop white patches on your tongue that require treatment with an antifungal medication. You can keep this infection at bay, however, by regularly cleaning your tongue.
• Your immune system benefits from a clean tongue. The health of your mouth has a major impact on the health of your body and your tongue works to boost your immune system. Toxins build up on your tongue, and when you clean them off, you’ll prevent them from being absorbed into your body. You’ll have better overall health and stronger immune function.

So, what’s the best way to clean your tongue? Rinsing won’t do the trick; you’ll have to use your toothbrush. Beginning at the back of your tongue, work your way towards the front of your mouth, brushing back and forth, side to side, over the entire top surface of your tongue. Brush firmly but gently enough to avoid breaking the skin. To keep a healthy mouth, brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day, floss daily, and keep regular appointments with an experienced, well-qualified dentist.

If you’re looking for the perfect dentist, choose the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC! At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Do Whitening Toothpastes Actually Work?

Could your teeth stand to be whiter? Most people would answer yes, which is why there are so many whitening toothpastes on the market. But do these toothpastes actually work? Read on to learn more about whitening toothpastes and additional treatments you might want to consider.

What do whitening toothpastes actually do? They work, using special abrasives and peroxide or other chemicals, to polish the teeth and dissolve stains. If you’ve got noticeable stains from things like coffee, cigarettes, or soda, whitening toothpaste will remove these stains and make a difference in the look of your teeth. Some whitening toothpastes use a chemical called blue covarine, which creates an optical illusion by adhering to the surface of the teeth and making them appear less yellow. It’s important to note, though, that whitening toothpastes can’t lighten stains under the surface of a tooth or change the tooth’s natural color.

Another fact to keep in mind is that the results of whitening toothpaste aren’t immediate. You’ll need to use your whitening toothpaste twice a day for two to six weeks in order to have teeth that look whiter. If you decide to go this route, make sure you’re using a brand of toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance or a similar endorsement from a reputable organization. Remember, though, that whitening toothpastes use abrasives, which can wear down the enamel as they’re removing stains.

Whitening toothpastes are not the only at-home options for tooth whitening. An over-the-counter tooth bleaching product or kit is a more effective option for lightening your teeth than toothpaste. These bleaches must stay in contact with the teeth for a longer time than toothpaste, and you’ll have to use this type of product regularly for two to four weeks.

Professional whitening is a much more effective alternative to anything you can do at home. One great option is Zoom!®, a whitening treatment that takes only an hour and whitens your teeth significantly. In fact, most people achieve about eight shades of whitening in the Zoom! process. After examining your teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy, the dentist will cover your lops and gums with material to protect them while your teeth are being treated. The whitening gel is applied and activated by the Zoom! light source to gently break up stains and whiten your teeth. You’ll receive three 15-minute applications within the one hour treatment time, then you’ll rinse, and your treatment will be complete. It’s easy and painless, and the results are immediate.

If you’re looking for Zoom!® teeth whitening, we provide that and much more at the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Signs it’s Time to Switch to a New Dentist

Change can be difficult, but sometimes it’s necessary. Is it time for you to change dentists? It can be a hard decision to make, especially if you’ve been with your dentist for a long time. Still, there are some clear signs that it’s time to move on.

• Maybe your needs have outgrown your dentist. If you’ve been going to a pediatric dentist and you’re now an adult, it’s definitely time for you to move along. If you have children, it’s smart to choose a dentist who offers both pediatric and adult dentistry.
• It could be that someone has moved. Maybe it’s you, or maybe it’s your dentist. Whether your favorite dentist has moved away from the practice, or you’ve relocated to a new town, a change in location can warrant a change of dentist. It’s important that the dentist you trust is in a location that’s convenient for you.
• Sometimes, your dentist won’t take your insurance. They may have changed their policies, or your may have switched providers. If your dental office is no longer in-network for your insurance plan, it’s time to switch.
• You might have noticed some red flags. If your dentist pressures you to use their practice for services for which you should consult a specialist, if the environment has changed to something that doesn’t feel hygienic or safe, or if you feel uncomfortable with the dentist or staff, move on. If you’re constantly having to dispute billing or the dentist discourages you from seeking a second opinion, those are also reasons to switch.
• If you’re not happy, that’s reason enough. If the dental practice you’re using is no longer meeting your needs, you have the right to find one that will. Whether it’s a lack of services provided, poor customer service, or another reason, look for a dentist where you’ll be happy.

Once you’ve decided to switch, what’s the next step? Do some research and find a practice that will be the right fit for you and your family. Look at the services offered, check out reviews, and research the dentist’s background and certifications. Beyond that, read up on the practice to determine their values, philosophy, and level of technology. Once you’ve done this, visit the office to see if it lives up to your expectations and meets your needs.

At Park 56 Dental Group, we are committed to meeting each patient’s specific needs. We’ve been providing top-quality care and treating each patient individually since 1997, making it comfortable and easy to visit the dentist. We accept many different insurance plans and welcome you to visit us so that you can make an educated decision about your dental care.

If you’re looking for the perfect dentist, choose the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC! At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.