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Everything You Need to Know About Dental Crowns | New York Dentist

When you damage your teeth, it is important to let your dentist examine them for any problems that may arise in the future. Because you may not realize this, but a damaged tooth can lead to many other issues down the line if you don’t get it looked after. Worry not – chances are, a dental crown will be the suggested fix. Crowns are placed on top of damaged teeth or implants to restore the tooth’s shape, function and structure. Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect from this very common dental procedure:

The procedure for fitting or installing a dental crown typically takes two separate dental visits, with usually a week or two of interval in between each appointment. During the first appointment, you dentist prepares the tooth by filing it down, but it there is significant damage, the tooth may need to be filled in so a crown can be applied. After preparing the tooth to the proper shape, your dentist will take an impression of it and the surrounding teeth, then send it away to a dental lab. It is there at the lab that a dental technician will create the permanent crown. But in the meantime, your dentist will have to place a temporary crown to protect the damaged tooth during your first visit until the final crown is ready.

Once ready, you will return for a second visit where your temporary crown is removed and replaced by the new crown using a special adhesive to bond it to the tooth. Once the procedure is done, the dentist will then explain what you should expect afterwards and how to take better care of your crown.

If you have questions or concerns about dental crowns, make an appointment today with Dr. Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Fighting Gum Disease at Home | New York Dentist

When we think about dental hygiene, most of us are thinking we are keeping our smiles bright and shiny – we never really stop and think about the damage we are preventing by brushing, flossing and rinsing each and every day. But in reality, that should be our main focus. Because if we ignore our dental health, it can lead to a number of dental issues in the future.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems Americans face – as many as half of American adults have some level of periodontal disease, and that percentage increases at higher ages. Periodontal, or gum, disease can take many forms – from mild gingivitis, with symptoms like red inflamed gums to severe periodontal disease, where pus from infections can push teeth from their socket.

Fortunately, there are things you can do at home to help prevent periodontal disease. Controlling harmful bacteria in the mouth can be done with a few home remedies. Saltwater rinses (1/2 tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water, swirled in your mouth for up to 60 seconds) and hydrogen peroxide (food grade, equal parts 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water, swirled in your mouth for a few seconds and then spit out) can help combat bacteria in your mouth, while chewing sugar-free gum with Xylitol has antibacterial properties, in addition to producing saliva, which helps wash food particles from your mouth.

While there’s no substitute for professional dental visits, taking good care of your mouth at home will help keep periodontal disease at bay. If you see red, inflamed, or bleeding gums, it’s time to make an appointment to visit a professional – it’s best to treat periodontal disease before it becomes a serious problem.

If you have questions or concerns about gum disease, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Living with Dentures | New York Dentist

From accidents to various health problems, people can lose their natural teeth for so many different types of reasons. If you’ve lost teeth, your dentist has probably mentioned dentures to you as an option. Dentures are artificial replacements for missing teeth that can be removed and put back into your mouth. Although dentures may take some getting used to and won’t ever feel exactly like your natural teeth, they have become more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable than ever before.

For those individuals who are missing all of their teeth on the upper and lower jaw, complete dentures may be perfect for your dental situation. Conventional dentures will allow you to achieve your ideal smile eight to 12 weeks after your visit. If only missing a few teeth, partial dentures will give you a natural smile by inserting a metal bridge in the vacant area and securing the bridge with metal clasps.

Implant-supported dentures are a type of denture which involves the process of getting implants in the mouth to help fully support the denture. This type of denture is made mostly for individuals who don’t have any teeth in the jaw but have enough bones in the jaw to support the implants. There are a series of steps in which an individual considering implanted supported dentures must go through before they can begin this process.

There will be two surgeries that take place for the implants to be screwed in and fully healed before the dentures are actually fitted and placed in the mouth. Once the dentures are fitted for the mouth, you will be able to snap them in and take them out whenever you please.

If you have questions or concerns about dentures, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Bright Smiles for the Holidays | New York Dentist

It’s the holiday season and while there are different rules this year, pictures will be taken and we all want to look our best. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the smile we would like. Lots of times, a simple whitening treatment would do the trick. But keeping up a bright white smile isn’t exactly easy. Most of us don’t keep up the greatest diets and lifestyle choices, and that can hinder our teeth being their whitest. You can brush & floss every day, but your teeth will eventually lose its natural sheen. And being smack dab the holiday festivities, we need a bright smile. So, what do we do? Try these whitening options:

Kitchen items. DIY toothpaste can be made with a little hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, but did you know that strawberries and bananas can produce similar results? Strawberries contain stain-fighting malic acid, so crush a couple of berries with some baking soda. Even simpler, rubbing a potassium-filled banana peel over your teeth like a toothbrush will also shine up your smile.

Whitening products. Over the counter in the form of strips, trays, or paste work by using the oxidizing agents to remove pigment on the surface of the enamel. The products are effective at removing surface stains but make sure to follow the instructions. Overuse will wear down enamel making your teeth look yellowed.

In-office visits. When all else fails, it may be time for you to make a dental appointment. A ZOOM! whitening treatment that can either be applied by your professional, or customized so you can do it yourself. Ask your dental professional which whitening options will work best for you.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening treatments, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Wake Up! It’s National Coffee Day | New York Dentist

It’s the beginning of the day for many. It’s the pick-me-up some need in the afternoon to make it through the day. And even during a pandemic, we are still lining up for a hot cup of coffee. But did you know today was National Coffee Day? It’s true. America’s favorite morning elixir has its own day to celebrate and today is that day.

And while coffee is the perfect beverage to wake us up, it is terrible for our teeth. The more we drink, the quicker our smile are affects. But this spans further than just tinging your smile – but it can also contribute to the buildup of plaque and tartar, while accelerating the progression of gum disease.

Gingivitis, or an inflammation of your gums caused by plaque, and periodontitis, a more advanced version of gingivitis that results in a gap between your teeth and your gums. When caught in the beginning gingivitis stage, it can be treated and, hopefully preventable in the future. Periodontitis, on the other hand, is more difficult to treat and, due to the gap between the teeth and gums, may cause your teeth to become loose and fall out.

When you drink coffee, it is affecting your mouth by lowering the temperature of your mouth and gums while reducing the blood flow to your gums, which does not allow your gums to get all of the necessary oxygen they need to continue functioning properly.

When it comes to gum disease, saliva plays a major role in prevention. It contains oxygen and specialized enzymes which help prevent gum disease by killing the unnecessary bacteria in your mouth. Drinking coffee can cause dehydration and reduce the amount of saliva you produce, thus increasing your chances of developing gum disease.

If you have questions or concerns about the affects of coffee, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Give It to Me Straight | New York Dentist

When we have a flawed smile, it can become an issue to do certain things. It could affect our speech, our bite, even our self-esteem. And since social media is all about photos, and we all maintain some type of online presence, having these flaws fixed is a must. It’s time to make a dental appointment…

One great way to fix a crooked smile is with orthodontics. Believe it or not, having braces can fix a number of dental issues. Fixing your crooked teeth with a set of braces – traditional or otherwise – will improve your mouth’s alignment, speech and/or chewing difficulties. The following are various dental issues and how getting braces can repair them:

Gapped teeth. Gaps in between teeth can occur from the abnormal continued growth of the jawbone or missing teeth causing teeth the shift to adjust to the empty space, creating gaps.

Overbites. When the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth, you have an overbite. Much like teeth gaps or spaces, overbites can eventually lead to gum problems and add unnecessary stress on the lower teeth and jaw.

Underbite. The opposite of overbites, an underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth. Having an underbite causes unnecessary tooth wear, in addition to causing pain and other issues in the jaw joints.

Teeth crowding. Crowded teeth occur when there’s not enough room in the jaws for teeth to fit normally as they would. If left untreated, expect severely crooked teeth, which causes various dental issues, such as plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased risk for gum disease.

If you have questions or concerns about braces, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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What to Expect when You’re Expecting a Dental Cleaning | New York Dentist

You brush, floss and rinse your mouth twice a day, the way you have been for as long as you can remember. Your teeth are looking good, so naturally you think everything is kosher when it comes to your oral health. Having to go to the dentist to have them cleaned is completely unnecessary, right? Wrong. You may be doing a fabulous job cleaning your teeth, but you still have to get a good scrubbing done by a professional. Not because you aren’t doing a good job, but because teeth cleanings with your dentist are more thorough than the type of cleaning you do at home. They can get into smallest of crevices a normal toothbrush and floss just can’t. Dental cleanings also help to prevent many other health problems.

Gum disease is an infection in your gums that breaks down the bone and soft tissue in your mouth. If left untreated, will eventually leads to tooth loss. Not only that, but gum disease has been proved to cause heart disease, strokes and even a low birth rate. Keeping a bi-yearly dental checkup and cleaning will help to prevent these health issues.

When it comes to the detection of oral cancers, you can never be too proactive. When you get your teeth cleaned, you are screened for oral cancer. Like any health issue, early detection is extremely important and getting your teeth cleaned is an easy way to kill two birds with one dental stone. No matter how often you do it, regular dental visits helps keep your oral health on track and any problems you have had in the past, or are currently experiencing, can continue to be monitored.

If you have questions or concerns about dental cleanings, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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Prevent Tooth Decay in Five Steps | New York Dentist

We all try to maintain a healthy smile, but tooth decay can sneak up on us if we aren’t careful. But are you doing everything you can? When it comes to our smiles, a dentist is the expert when it comes to keeping it healthy, but it is our duty to keep our smiles healthy in between dental check-ups. Here are five dentist-approved ways you can prevent tooth decay:

Brush your teeth. Brushing and flossing properly every day, along with a good dental rinse can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day actually makes your teeth stronger.

Dietary snacks. It is good to limit sweet snacks in general, but an excessive intake of sweets will alter your blood sugar and cause cavities, especially if you don’t practice good dental hygiene on the daily. Good snacks should be nutritious and include healthy proteins and fats.

Regular dental checkups. It is very important to seek the help of a dentist since they know a lot more about your mouth and the issues that can arise because of your lifestyle.

Fluoride therapy. By definition, fluoride therapy is the delivery of fluoride to your teeth either topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay, and eventually, resulting in cavities. Fluoride therapy delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

Dental sealant. Dental sealants are a dental option done during your check-ups and are basically plastic material covering your teeth in order to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth decay, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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What Type of Bridge Will Bridge the Gap? | New York Dentist

There are many gorgeously constructed bridges in the world. Not only do they look beautiful, but they serve a beautiful purpose – to connect two things far apart together. When we have spaces in our teeth, it can cause us to feel self-conscious about our smiles. Luckily, there are plenty of treatment options to choose from when deciding to fix it. One of these options will be a dental bridge.

A dental bridge is a false tooth or set of false teeth held in place by abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. They come in a variety of styles, from gold to a natural-looking porcelain. But did you know there are different variations? Here is a quick rundown:

Traditional. The more traditional, this style of bridge is held in place by crowns that have been cemented to the abutment teeth on either side of the gap.

Cantilever. The teeth on a cantilever bridge are held on by a dental crown, but unlike the traditional version, only one crown as you only need one natural tooth.

Maryland. The Maryland bridge is closer to the traditional version, as it needs two natural teeth, but this particular bridge is bonded onto the natural teeth, not crowns.

Implant-supported. The strongest and most stable variation is based on dental implants. The bridge is supported by dental implants on either side. The only real downfall is that it takes multiple visits to complete.

If you have one or more missing teeth and think it’s time to get it fixed, make sure to ask about dental bridges as possible treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns about dental bridges, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.

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What Do You Know About Dental Sealants? | New York Dentist

It’s a new year and a new train of thought. But when you think about life improvements, do you ever think about your dental health? It’s something to think about, since our mouths are the first line of defense against lots of general health issues. So, when we are maintaining our dental hygiene routines, we need to realize that how we brush our teeth is important. After all, no one wants to have a cavity. The best way to prevent them from developing is to practice proper dental hygiene, keep your dental checkups regular and consider dental sealants.

What is a dental sealant? Dental sealant is a thin coating that is painted onto the crevices of your premolars and molars in order to prevent cavities from forming in the areas it is difficult for toothbrushes to reach. While it is available to everyone, dental sealants are a great way to prevent cavities while your tiny human is learning to properly brush.

The process is quick, painless and economical, as sealants are less expensive than a filling. The tooth is cleaned and dried, then a low-acidic solution is applied so the sealant can adhere to the tooth. The sealant is painted onto the respective tooth and dried with a curing light. Start to finish, the process takes less than a minute.

Once the sealants have been applied, the upkeep is simple – look after your teeth like you would normally. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, floss at least once, and swish some mouthwash around. You’ll be pleased to see a great report card at your next dental visit.

If you have questions or concerns about dental sealants, make an appointment today with Dr. Philip Schnall at 212-247-7059 or visit our website at www.philipschnalldmd.com.

Dr. Schnall proudly serves New York and all surrounding areas.