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How IV Sedation Can Help With Dental Anxiety | Central Park West Dentist

woman receiving dental work

If you experience a physical reaction to the idea of certain stimuli being triggered by going to the dentist, you may have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is common among kids and adults alike. Continue reading to learn if IV Sedation may be right for you.

When dentists perform restorative procedures, there are typically a variety of sedation options available to the individual. The two main ones are nitrous oxide and intravenous (IV) sedation. The inhalation of nitrous allows a patient to relax, but IV sedation can guide the patient into a deeper relaxation and in some cases, lull them to sleep.

The following are the benefits of utilizing IV sedation for sleep dentistry

  • Administration of the drug is tailored to the patient’s needs
  • The results of IV sedation are reliable and the most effective means of sedation
  • If you are particularly sensitive to your gag reflex, IV sedation will relax the reaction, but your dentist may recommend nitrous oxide
  • In contrast to general anesthesia, IV sedation is safer and allows you to retain consciousness.
  • Due to the amount of control, your practitioner has with the dosage of IV administered, your recovery time is shorter than with oral sedation.

Remaining consistent with your oral health in your daily life, as well as with regular check-ups, are the best way to avoid unfavorable experiences at the dentist. If you do enter into a restorative process, discuss your concerns with your dentist to see if IV sedation may be right for you.

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

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.

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What Is a Dental Bone Graft? | Central Park West Dentist

When you have jaw issues and there needs to be a reconstruction done in order to return your smile back to beautiful, a dental bone graft may be necessary. Once complete, it will allow your jaw to regenerate bone tissue, making your jaw stronger. Yes, it does sound quite overwhelming, but it is actually quite common. Here are the four variations of bone grafts, based on the condition of your smile:

Socket preservation. Sometimes called ridge preservation, this type of graft is placed in the socket immediately after a tooth extraction to fill the void and prevent the socket from caving here.

Ridge augmentation. Ridge augmentation increases the width and volume of the jawbone so it can provide a stable foundation for implants or other restorative options.

Sinus lift. If the upper back teeth are missing, the sinuses can drop down and invade the space once occupied by the teeth roots. To address this problem, your oral surgeon or periodontist can perform a sinus lift, raising the sinus back to its proper position. A dental bone graft is then placed underneath the sinus, creating a solid foundation for dental implants later on.

Periodontal bone graft. Infection from gum disease can erode the bone that supports the teeth. This can cause the teeth to become loose. A periodontal bone graft is placed around an existing tooth to reduce mobility and provide additional support.

In most cases, bone grafts for dental implants must heal completely before the actual implant is placed. Because each person is unique, recovery times vary. In rare instances, your dentist may be able to place a bone graft and a dental implant at the same time. But this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

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

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.

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Root Canals: What to Expect | Central Park West Dentist

Proper dental care is imperative if you want a good dental checkup. We all know this. It’s ingrained in our heads as children – brush your teeth twice a day if you don’t want cavities. And as adults, we realize this is very true, because you’ve landed yourself a root canal. But what can you expect from this dental experience?

A root canal is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth, rather than remove it. The procedure involves removing, disinfecting and filling the affected area of the tooth or the pulp. The most common reasons for the pulp to be damaged is a cracked tooth, or the development of a very deep cavity, as well as repeated dental treatment to the tooth, or trauma. Below is a list of steps of what you can expect from top to bottom.

X-ray. After a thorough check-up of your teeth, the dentist will take a few x-rays to double check if you really need a root canal and to see where the decay is located.

Anesthesia. Once you’re found to need a root canal, the endodontist or dentist will then administer local anesthesia to the affected tooth.

Pulpectomy. The dentist or endodontist then makes an opening to remove the diseased tooth pulp.

Fillings. Once the diseased pulp has been removed, the dentist then fills it with a gutta-percha material and finishes it off by sealing it with cement to prevent further bacterial growth.

After your procedure, your dental professional will give you some tips to a smooth recovery. Make sure to take them all to heart to avoid infection and other issues as it heals.

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

Dr. Philip Schnall proudly serves Central Park West and all surrounding areas.

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Fixing Your Smile vs. Keeping Your Smile Healthy | New York Dentist

We all think that if we want something fixed inside our mouth, we go to a dentist. But that isn’t always the case. The dental profession is broken up into many different segments, each having their own specialty inside your mouth. We all want a fantastic smile, but how you want your smile to look will define which dental specialty you will likely focus on – aesthetic or cosmetic.

There is a difference between cosmetic procedures and aesthetic procedures, and this is why – cosmetic dentistry will improve the look of your teeth, one of the bits that creates your smile (i.e., whitening or veneers). Aesthetic dentistry, on the other hand, deals more with your smile and the way it looks on your face. Think of cosmetic dentistry like playing college ball, aesthetic like going pro.

Another big difference between cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry is the end goal. Aesthetic dentistry uses techniques available to modern medicine to give you a more natural, healthy look. Aesthetic dentists use techniques like regular cleanings, root canal removal, and the restoration of teeth with fillings or bridges to make your teeth look normal and healthy. The goal is to give you healthy teeth that function properly so that you can look your best and eat and talk normally.

Cosmetic dentistry is a little different from aesthetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry uses more advanced and invasive methods to make your teeth look a little better than what is considered perfect. Cosmetic dentistry includes techniques like teeth whitening, braces, veneers and a wide variety of other techniques. The idea is to give you bright, white, straight teeth that are picture perfect.

If you have questions or concerns about improving your smile, 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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Eating After You’ve Gotten a Dental Filling | New York Dentist

Now that we are enjoying the summer sun, we are becoming surrounded (and tempted) by so many frozen delights and sugary treats. And if we aren’t looking after our teeth, this can become an issue when it comes to our next dental appointment. Because if you don’t, it is likely that you will have yourself a cavity. And while it isn’t the end of the world, it isn’t something we want because it can lead to sensitive teeth. We need a filling.

A dental filling is a minor procedure but should be taken quite seriously. Dental fillings tend to necessitate a local anesthetic, so your teeth will be incredibly sensitive for a while. Here are some things to keep in mind while you’re healing:

Hot and cold foods. Because your filling is a sensitive area, stay away from foods that are too hot or too cold. It will be easier, less painful, and more comfortable for you to eat your food at a neutral temperature. Say yes to salads and sandwiches, no to soups and milkshakes until your mouth feels better.

Avoid gum and sticky foods. This tip not only applies to all dental work but avoiding sticky foods is safer for your teeth altogether. And yes, that includes the Halloween favorites, like caramel or taffy. After your filling, the material used to fill in the tooth will still be somewhat malleable. In that case, you want to avoid chewing excessively for the sole purpose of making sure your filling stays right.

Getting a filling isn’t a life-altering issue, but it will take a few days to heal. You can avoid this altogether by practicing good dental hygiene after the spooky times have subsided.

If you have questions or concerns about dental filling aftercare, 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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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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Getting Dental Appliances: The Aftermath | New York Dentist

When discussing your treatment options for a new smile, it is important to know that this may lead to the use of removable dental appliances, like dentures or bridges. If this is the case, you need not worry – your smile won’t look artificial like they did in the past; today’s dental advancements can now give you the most natural-looking smile possible. But once you receive this new smile, you are in charge of maintaining that it in between dental checkups. It isn’t your dentist’s job to maintain your smile – it’s yours.

After everything is done, you will receive a set of do’s and don’ts to follow – pay attention. These words of advice are not only going to ensure that your new smile is going to last as long as possible but will also prevent future issues due to the development of pathogens that can lead to oral thrush, pneumonia and other systemic diseases.

Many will soak their appliances in an over-the-counter solution dissolved in water. This is fine for aesthetic maintenance, but they do nothing for the harmful pathogens. Best solution is a nice soak in an all-purpose antimicrobial cleanser.

We know that toothpaste is necessary for proper dental hygiene, but it isn’t for removable dental appliances. Most toothpastes are too abrasive and can cause tiny scratches, and these tiny scratches are the perfect hiding place for bacteria and other fungal colonies.

In order to maintain your dental health while using dental appliances, make sure to thoroughly disinfect your appliances and clean the areas they are placed. No sense in keeping pristine dentures if you plan on placing them in an unclean mouth. Keeping both clean and disinfected will keep your renewed smile around for years to come.

If you have questions or concerns about dental appliances, 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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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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Teeth Whitening Treatments at Home | New York Dentist

Now that we are slowly getting closer to returning to a “normal” way of life, it’s time we give up our quarantine appearances for a more public look. Here some teeth whitening techniques you can do at home while you wait, in case you’re interested.

The version most people are used to hearing about is a classic hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste. If you want to do it DIY style, just drop a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a little bit of baking soda to make a paste.

This may sound strange, but how about strawberries and banana peels? Grab a couple berries, add about a teaspoon of baking soda & rub on your teeth for 5-7 minutes. After you brush your teeth, peel a ripe banana and rub a piece of the inside on your teeth for two minutes. They each have their own scrubbing agents in their chemical makeup.

If you have apple cider vinegar, dilute it with some water (3:1 water to vinegar) and mix it with an all-natural toothpaste for an efficient tooth whitening solution. If you have discovered the many uses for coconut oil, you may also know that swishing it around in your mouth for 20 minutes is a possible solution to dingy teeth. Heat a cup of coconut oil, add two teaspoons of baking soda & five to ten drops of natural spearmint essential oil. The spearmint adds antimicrobial benefits for your gums.

You’ve seen this one all over social media – activated charcoal. And just like the others: mix with a little bit of water, gently apply it to your teeth, leave to set in your mouth for two minutes, then rinse.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening, 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.