Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the recommended frequency for dental cleanings?
A. We recommend a thorough exam, bitewing radiographs, and a cleaning every six months to prevent any condition from developing inadvertently. Some patients with atypical conditions might require more frequent visits.

Q: Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?
A. Most people are. As long as your teeth are natural and have no periodontal conditions you will be a good candidate for this treatment. The doctor will evaluate your case, determine the source of your pigmentation, your oral health condition, and present you with all the options available to you. The whitening gel removes external stains from crowns, veneers or bonded teeth; however, no treatment can change the intrinsic value of your restorations. The doctor will always address these issues with the patient prior to starting a whitening treatment.

Q: What whitening options do you offer?
A. We offer one-hour treatment options from Rembrandt© and Zoom©. We also offer home whitening with several brand gels to choose from according to your case, taste, and lifestyle. We also offer one-year memberships for those looking for the best whitening results with the least amount of effort.

Q: How white will my teeth get? Will my teeth look too white?
A: Patients are expected to get dramatic results; however, it is impossible to predict exactly how much whiter your teeth will get. The whitening process removes pigmentation; it does not add pigmentation. The results are always natural looking.

Q: Will my teeth get sensitive after the treatment?
A. Some people experience from low to high sensitivity after the treatment ends; some people do not. The sensitivity is caused by dehydration of teeth during the process, gum recession, exposed dentin, among other factors. The usual sensation after the procedure is transient and should disappear within 24 hours.

Q: How long do results last? How much is the whitening treatment?
A. Long term results depend on commitment, maintenance, and personal habits. The use of coffee, tea, dark sodas, red wine, and dark sauces, etc. all work against your results. The doctor will customize a maintenance program based on your individual profile. The one-hour bleaching is $399, home bleaching is $249. and the one year membership is $1299.

Q: What causes bad breath? Do I have bad breath and nobody is telling me?
A. Bad breath can be a condition or a symptom. As a symptom we can address it by a process of elimination by dealing with all the causes of transient bad breath including bad oral hygiene habits, bleeding gums, some foods or diets, smoking, etc. As a condition it is also treatable but requires a series of tests in our office and a more committed patient. We will customize a treatment based on your VSC (volatile sulfur compounds) levels registered in your mouth.

Q: I am clenching my teeth at night and wake up with pain in my jaws and have chipped my teeth. What can I do?
A. Bruxism is a very common condition especially in highly stressful environments like New York City and other large cities. It is a defense mechanism response to stress, but it is not harmless. This behavior can end up grinding your teeth to unhealthy levels and/or chipping away the enamel of your teeth. This might consequently promote heightened sensitivity and loss of important tooth structure.
We fabricate custom-made mouth guards to protect your teeth. We recommend them to be worn while you sleep. This appliance will function as a shock absorber when your body is releasing that stress. It is also recommended for most contact sports; this appliance works as protection against most damaging accidents.

Q: I have several metal fillings that don't bother me but would like them changed for tooth-colored; do I have to wait until they need to be replaced?
A. The tooth-colored filling is a beautiful restoration because it does not show, when done properly, that a cavity has been filled. These materials are fairly new in the market and a lot of people still have the "old" metal fillings from years ago in their mouths. Even though there might not be other than esthetic reasons for replacing a filling, there are no negative consequences for doing so. They can last for years just as any other metal filling, and they can be shaped just as well to mimic the natural anatomy of any tooth.

Q: What is a crown and why do I need one?
A. A crown is best described as a helmet that protects a weakened tooth. Endodontically treated teeth are weakened due to the fact that some of its structure has been removed to treat it. A post and crown are needed to protect the remaining structure from fracturing and to preserve the function of the tooth. A crown can also be placed on some virgin teeth that want to be esthetically enhanced.

Q: What is the difference between a crown and a laminate?
A. A laminate is a thin layer of porcelain that covers the facing of a tooth while a crown involves or wraps a tooth from all its sides. A laminate requires less removal of tooth structure to accommodate the restoration. Both are permanently cemented to your own teeth and require the same care and maintenance.

Q: What is the difference between a porcelain laminate and a chair-side laminate?
A. A chair-side laminate is done with a composite resin in one visit while a porcelain laminate is of solid porcelain and is fabricated in a laboratory. They are both effective to correct many conditions with advantages and disadvantages to each one of them. Sometimes only one of them is the right alternative; sometimes either one can be used. The cost of a chair-side laminate is a quarter to a third of a porcelain laminate.

Q: Am I a candidate for laminates?
A. Most people that want to enhance the esthetics of their teeth are candidates for laminates. There is a wide range of corrections that can be accomplished with these techniques. A consultation with a cosmetic dentist will help you establish the options and limitations of these treatments for your specific case.

Q: Can I change my smile with laminates? Can I close my gaps with laminates? Can I straighten my teeth with laminates?
A. Yes. However, cases vary widely and must be judged on their own needs. A cosmetic dentist is the person to judge your particular case and design a treatment plan for you.

Q: How much do laminates cost?
A. Our prices start at $750 per laminate.

Q: I lost a tooth and now I need a bridge, what are my options? Will it look natural?
A. The advancement of technology allows us to replace a single lost unit with a surgically implanted prosthesis better known as an implant. A second alternative is the fabrication of a bridge, using both adjacent teeth as abutments to replace the unit or units missing. Bridges have been made for decades making the outcome very predictable, and can mimic nature very well. Implants have been done for many years, and have a very high percentage of success as well. They require the involvement of an oral surgeon and require more healing time from the patient before the final restoration. The implant restoration can match your teeth perfectly after the final crown is inserted.

Q: Bridge or implants?
A. A consultation with the dentist will inform you of the course of action best suited to your particular case. The doctor will inform you about length of treatment, costs, and results expected after a one-on-one consultation.

Q: What is a root canal treatment?
A. Sometimes a tooth has been damaged to an extent that the nerve (inside the tooth canals) must be removed to prevent pain, infections, and the loss of the piece. This is also called an endodontic treatment. If left unattended it can complicate further into even fatal consequences. After the nerve is removed the canals are filled permanently and eventually sealed after no signs of infection. A post and crown are needed to protect the integrity of the tooth.

Q: Can I go to work immediately after a root canal treatment?
A. When done properly this treatment should allow you to continue with your normal life. After the treatment you can expect only the minor discomfort of the healing process. You will be given antibiotics to prevent or subside an infection as well as pain medication for the first few immediate hours.

Q: Why do I need a perio-surgery?
A. Many reasons may require the dentist to have to go under the gum line to remove plaque and tartar that is accumulating there. If left unattended it might cause irreversible damage to your gums, tooth mobility, and/or cavities. It is done one quadrant at a time to minimize discomfort and allow function in the rest of the mouth.

Q: Who needs oral surgery and why?
A. Some of the surgeries we perform involve the removal of wisdom teeth, gum grafts, apicoectomies, and the insertion of implants.

Q: What options do I have to straighten my teeth?
A. From traditional to the most innovative, we offer several options based on your specific case, your lifestyle, and financial considerations. Invisalign© has revolutionized the orthodontic industry with its minimally invasive appliances. The typical length of treatment time is 9-12 months and offers many advantages over traditional braces. Tradtional braces are used on more challenging cases where Invisalign© appliances will not work, and/or when a patient wants to save some money since they cost less than brand products. Another alternative new to the market is OrthoClear. These are also a series of removable clear appliances that are replaced every three weeks producing the desired teeth movement. A consultation with the doctor will help you determine which alternative is best suited for your specific case.