I am missing one tooth, How should I replace it?

If you are a suitable candidate then implants are the best solution. They are fixed replacements that do not involve irreversably preparing adjacent natural teeth. Their draw backs involve the time and money involved, but assuming they a patient is a suitable candidate they have a very high success rate!

After a patient has an extraction, but has not had an implant restored, their dentist often makes them an interim denture, either made of accryllic or vinyl. If accryllic goes around the arch this is called a 'flipper' and if the appliance replaces just one tooth and the missing tooth is on the side or the back, a nesbit partial is commonly usually used.

What should I do if my Onlay comes out?

If your Onlay comes out please save it and bring it as soon as possible to your dentist. The same applies to a crown or an inlay that comes out. Your dentist will need to inspect both the tooth and the onlay to see if it should be re cemented or not. If there is no decay on the margins and it still fits , often it is possible to re cement the Onlay.

While waiting to see the dentist, it is not the best idea for the patient to try and place the Onlay back them selves. This could result in damage to the onlay or the tooth. Do try and see a dentist within a week.

Is Zoom Bleaching Safe for Everyone?

Zoom Bleaching appears to be safe, especially when the patient is properly protected during the procedure. All soft tissues that could receive exposure to the Zoom light, should be covered. The Zoom light uses the U.V. light and prolonged exposure of skin to UV light can be harmful. In my opinion, if the skin is properly masked, there does not seem to be a problem. The Discus company encloses, in each Bleaching kit, a list of medications which can cause patients to be "photoreactive" and possibly may cause a reaction when exposed to prolonged sunlight or UV light. I have published the list of medications on http://www.lspindeldds.com/rapid_tooth_whitening_without_light_assistance If you are taking any of these medications, Discus suggests you check with your physician about whether you should use the Zoom Bleaching system on your teeth.

Are You offering any Holiday Specials?

This year we are extending a special offer to New Yorkers. Between now and December 23, 2008 we are lowering our fee by $150 for Nupro White Gold in office chair side whitening. This is an easy to use an effective in office teeth whitening system that we have found to be equally effective as the Zoom Advanced System. Since no UV light is used the set up is simpler because less protection of soft tissues (from potential UV rays)is required.

It is our hope that this offer will allow New Yorkers a more affordable option for having a whiter and brighter holiday season!

What is the best toothpaste?

I get this question asked all the time. The answer is there is no one best toothpaste. I will attempt to give some general information that might be helpful.

First it should be pointed out that in terms of preventing plaque build up and gingivitis the differences between different toothpastes is very small. Mostly it is the toothbrush and our technique that makes the difference!

When choosing a toothpaste use common sense. Aside from the obvious fact that it is not the best choice to buy one made in China at the moment, I believe that less is more. I believe in using toothpastes with fluoride. Choose one that doesn't make multiple promises. A Whitening, tarter control toothpaste with other special properties sounds like a great idea, but the truth is that people have sensitivities to some of the ingredients and the more that are included, the greater the likely hood that you may have a reaction.

When I purchase toothpaste for myself I find a 'basic' version, that doesn't promise whitening or tarter control. It can be hard to find on the supermarket shelf, since the 'fancier' toothpastes cost more and the supermarket makes a bigger profit from them. Do not get roped into thinking that spending more for a product promising additional benefits will actually get you a better toothpaste!

I Just finished with braces. How long do I have to wear my retainer?

Although this is not what most people want to hear, retention should be 'for life'. After having your teeth straightened, the only way you can be certain that they do not shift is to wear a retainer at night or have a fixed retainer installed.

Although it used to be common for Orthodontists to answer this question with a time period(two years for example), It really isn't true. Many of my patients who had braces when they were teenagers need to have re treatment by the time they are 30 years old because they stopped wearing their retainers.

The only way to be certain not to have tooth shifting as we age, is to wear a retainer for life!