Are you ready to take your dental health to the next level? The pandemic doesn’t put a halt to staying fit and well. If anything, it puts even more focus on staying healthy. Westchester’s highly experienced dentists share insights into the latest dental care trends, technologies, and techniques.
Get ready for your close-up with a smile makeover
Q. When I see myself on Zoom, I notice that my teeth have become worn and old-looking. How can I bring back my youthful smile?
A. Although wearing a mask in public hides your smile, the Zoom get-togethers show every imperfection. If you are concerned about worn and discolored teeth, gaps, and chipped teeth, a smile makeover not only addresses all of these issues, but can make you look 15 years younger. Using a range of techniques from bleaching to porcelain veneers, we create beautiful and natural-looking smiles. Before any work is done, a photograph is taken and revised to reveal how your new smile will look. Once you love the look of trial veneers, the porcelain veneers are created, and you leave with the smile you’ve always wanted. We also share our approach to esthetics with other dentists through the classes we teach and our articles and chapters on cosmetic dentistry.
Kenneth Magid, DDS
Advanced Dentistry of Westchester
163 Halstead Ave
Harrison
914.835.0542
www.adofw.com
Experience pain-free dentistry
Q. Is pain-free dentistry actually possible?
A. Imagine pain-free dentistry. For the patients in our practice, this is the reality they experience. Instead of the needle used to provide anesthesia and the familiar sound of drilling, we use a Solea laser that is virtually pain and anesthesia free, which also helps free our patients from anxiety and fear. In addition to the latest equipment and technology, patients can expect high-level expertise in family and cosmetic dentistry, ranging from CEREC porcelain crown restorations and teeth whitening in one visit to Invisalign braces and BioHorizon dental implants. All of our dental treatments are performed in-house with our staff of multi-specialists, including an orthodontist, oral surgeon, and periodontist.
Anthony DeBenedictis, DDS, PLLC
51 W Grand St
Mount Vernon
914.665.1121
www.debenedictisdds.com
Transform your smile with full mouth rehabilitation
Q. What can I do if all my teeth are completely worn down and broken?
A. Tooth wear and acid erosion are a very serious problem. Severely broken and worn teeth can lead to joint problems (TMJ), premature aging, and a sunken and collapsed lower third of the face. In many cases, a solution can be reached through careful planning and computer-generated projections, where a patient’s worn-down teeth can be crowned and restored to their original height. This type of dentistry is called full mouth rehabilitation and should be performed by a dentist with special training in this area of expertise.
Robert L Rioseco, DMD, FAGD, AAACD
Accredited Member, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
The Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
147 Underhill Ave
West Harrison
914.761.8229
www.zendentist.com
Keeping the youngest patients fearless
Q. How do you keep your young patients comfortable and unafraid?
A. Everyone on the Main Street Pediatric Dentistry team is known for their uncompromising care. We use the “Tell, Show, Do” method so that nothing is scary. Toddlers, teens, and young adults — patients who are now bringing their own children to the practice — reflects generation after generation of kids who love coming to the dentist. I, along with my associates, Dr. Emelie, Dr. Danya, and Dr. Fatina, and the nurturing team at MSPD, love working with children and it shows. The office has compassion for all patients and everyone on staff is trained to work with special needs children.
Penny Resnick-Graulich, DDS
Main Street Pediatric Dentistry
115 Main St, Suite 302
Tuckahoe
914.633.4440
www.mainstreetpediatricdentistry.com
Q. I normally visit the dentist annually but have been putting it off due to COVID-19. Is it important I go back right away?
A. Simply put, it’s safe and important, now more than ever, to visit the dentist for your bi-annual check-up. In fact, clinical literature demonstrates that poor oral heath can contribute to many serious chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Recent studies indicate that delaying or skipping dental appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic can place unintended risks on patients’ overall health — COVID-19 patients with gum disease can experience an increased severity of symptoms. This is one of the reasons we are so passionate about our mission to educate our communities so that they understand the importance of good oral health as an important element of their overall health and well-being, especially during these challenging times.
Bruce Valauri DDS, FACP, Chief Dental Officer
WestDental (a part of the ProHEALTH Dental family)
244 Westchester Ave, Suite 401
White Plains
914.344.5899
194 Market St, Suite 2180
At Ridge Hill, 2nd Fl
Yonkers
914.825.5655
www.phdental.com
Weigh the benefits of dental implants
Q. What are the benefits to getting dental implants?
A. I always help my patients weigh the pros and cons before deciding to proceed with dental implants. Several factors should be considered. For instance, a bridge requires sacrificing two natural teeth that are on either side of the space you are filling, while no adjacent teeth are impacted with a dental implant. A dental implant is made from durable titanium that does not decay. A bridge, which is built on natural teeth, carries the risk of possible decay over time. Dental implants also are able to last 25 years or more, a much longer time than a bridge. Finally, the costs of a dental implant versus a bridge are relatively comparable.
Timothy Leung, DMD, MD
Scarsdale Oral Surgery
1075 Central Park Ave
Scarsdale
914.722.5252
www.scarsdaleoralsurg.com
Tips for preventing cavities
Q. What causes cavities in children and how can cavities be prevented?
A. The combination of bacteria, food, and acid that sticks to the teeth is the main cause of cavities. Over time, the acids made by the bacteria eat away at the tooth’s enamel (the outer layer), causing cavities. Starting good oral habits early on in life is the key to prevention. Using fluoride in moderation regularly is also important to help harden enamel. Eating a well-balanced diet, low in sugar, and monitoring the frequency of how many times a caloric substance is ingested all play a role in maintaining a healthy oral cavity. A Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, such as the Westchester Pediatric Dentistry practice, has the knowledge to help you create a plan for your child/children.
Minerva Patel, DDS
Westchester Pediatric Dentistry
95 Church Street, Suite 308
White Plains
914.683.9389
www.wcpediatricdentist.com
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