FAQs

This varies with each individual, depending on the need. Sometimes, you can dramatically improve your oral health and appearance in just a couple of visits. Discuss your goals and concerns, so that we can develop the best plan for your individual situation. If you start today, a new smile can be yours sooner than you think.

Our dentist will work with you in choosing the right look for you. A smile enhancement can look both dramatic and natural. We can use photographs (in a process called cosmetic imaging) and models to show you what to expect. Sometimes, we can place trial material directly on your teeth to help you visualize the change.

With good home care and regular visits, modern materials can last for many years, and possibly decades. Like most things, excellent maintenance will extend the life of your dental restorations.

A wide variety of options are available to improve tooth function and how your smile looks. Ask us about what options are available.

Like most services, the cost varies on the amount of time necessary and the difficulty of the procedure(s). Generally, improving a smile requires a combination of treatment options such as bleaching, reshaping gums, and using bonded materials (resin or porcelain) to improve the appearance of the teeth. A great way to start is by having a consultation with our dentist to determine how you can reach your goals.

Most dental insurance has very low total benefits per year. Most insurance companies may offset the cost for regular checkups but probably will not pay toward cosmetic services. We will work to maximize your benefits and may have suggestions for alternative methods of financing so you can obtain the treatment of choice. Learn more about dental insurance and financing.

A great smile should improve your self-confidence, which can have a positive impact on the social and professional aspects of your life. Cosmetic dentistry is not just about pretty smiles though. New techniques and materials are available for back teeth as well as those seen when you smile.

When you come in for a consultation, we can provide you with a good idea of when we can attach your new tooth. For the most part, we wait until the process of osseointegration takes place and the titanium post integrates into the jawbone. This provides the most durable base to attach your new crown to. Typically, this process can take anywhere from three to six months to complete. However, there are other options we can explore if you are on a tight timeframe. To ensure your smile is intact while you wait, we can provide you with a temporary denture to wear. We will attach the denture using wires, similar to a retainer. You can remove the denture whenever you want to. This way, your smile will appear intact until we are ready to secure your new tooth (crown) in place. We will schedule you for a follow up visit to inspect your implant and give you a better idea of how the healing process is going at that time.

Yes, at Woodside Dental Care, we place implants on a regular basis. Patients who are tired of wearing removable dentures and want something more permanent can benefit from dental implants. Since dentures can easily slip out of place, switching to implants can make it easier to eat, speak, and engage in normal daily activities. If you have worn dentures for some time, you may be suffering from resorption. If this is the case, your jawbone may not have sufficient density to support an implant. When this happens, we may recommend a bone graft prior to beginning. To discuss this further, call (718) 682-7559 and schedule an examination. After physically examining your teeth and taking X-rays, we can create a full treatment plan for you.

Before you can begin, we need to examine you and take X-rays to determine the density of your jawbone. This appointment will be non-invasive and comfortable. We can present you with all of the options available to you and discuss the ins and outs of each treatment solution. This will allow you to ask questions and select the option that is best for you. To begin, call our Queens dental office at (718) 682-7559.

We recommend you eat foods that are soft and easy to chew or that require no chewing at all. A perfect example would be yogurt, warm soup, ice cream, smoothies, and steamed vegetables. We can provide you with a more detailed list during a consultation. Also be sure to avoid foods that are difficult to chew, like steak, or things that are sharp, like tortilla chips, since they can further irritate your gum tissue.

Most patients report feeling normal within a week of dental implant surgery. The first couple of days will be the most uncomfortable, but every day you should feel slightly better. Ibuprofen or Tylenol can usually be enough to increase your comfort.

When you visit our dental office, we will discuss pain management with you. We will give you anesthesia during the actual procedure so you can relax and feel comfortable during the entire process. Afterward, you can take over-the-counter medication to manage your pain. By following the directions, you will remain fairly comfortable. The key is to stay ahead of your discomfort, so if the bottle says that you can take two pills every four hours – take them every four hours. As long as you do so, you will be able to go through your day without any severe discomfort.

Yes, Invisalign® was created for adult teeth. While braces are traditionally associated with children, the process of using clear aligners is better suited for adult teeth. This is because Invisalign® works using a series of clear aligners. Before the treatment starts, an impression will be taken of your teeth, along with measurements and pictures. These will then be used to create 3D images and project what your teeth will do when pressure is applied to certain teeth. The entire treatment plan will be created using high-tech computer software and input from our team of professionals. The Invisalign® lab will then make the aligners. Each aligner is designed to move specific teeth and to be worn for two weeks at a time before being switched out for the next one in the series. Since the aligners are created at the beginning of the process, it works best on adult teeth that are fully mature. Some older teens can also benefit from straightening their teeth with Invisalign®.

At Woodside Dental Care, we use Invisalign® to straighten teeth and to align the bite. It is a misconception that braces are the only way to address an overbite or underbite. While they are traditionally the most effective, aligners can correct a bite, as well. In order to find out if this process will work for yours, we recommend that you visit our Queens, NY dental office. Call (718) 682-7559 to schedule a consultation so we can examine you, take X-rays, and determine whether or not Invisalign® is right for you. If your bite needs more adjustment than what aligners can offer, braces may be necessary or even oral surgery.

For the most part, yes. There are some cases where aligners are not able to address all of the issues with the teeth. In such a situation, we will let you know if Invisalign® can work to straighten teeth, but something else is needed to complete the process, or if you should try a different procedure altogether. In some situations, oral surgery may be necessary mid-way through. A perfect example is if your jaw is too far out of alignment to be corrected with either braces or aligners. In this case, patients start straightening their teeth and then have their jaw treated before finishing the procedure. These details are entirely dependent upon the position of your teeth and jaw, so we will let you know what to expect after your examination.

While removable, you must be careful to keep them in place for as long as possible in order to keep your treatment schedule on track. They need to come out while you eat, so they do not become damaged or warped. You should also remove them when drinking anything hot since that can also warp them. However, as soon as you are done eating and brushing your teeth, the aligners need to be replaced.

In our Queens, NY dental office, we recommend that you put your aligners in a special container we provide, so they are not accidentally thrown away. Too many people have put their aligners in napkins, only to find that they are gone after lunch. Replacing them quickly is important, so be sure to keep their case with you instead of taking them out at home and waiting until you come back to replace them. This will help you to stick with the 22 hours a day requirement and keep your straightening plan on schedule. Doing so will take your teeth from crooked to straight in a short period of time.

Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap — use only water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva or water. Get to the Emergency Dentist immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Contact your emergency dental office as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.

Contact your Dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dental office.

You need immediate medical attention. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team might be able to reach you faster than you can get to the hospital. A severe head injury can be life-threatening.

Call our office immediately. Over-the-counter children's pain medication, dosed according to your child's weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Resin fillings match the shade of your natural teeth while providing the necessary level of protection. While many refer to a composite resin as a "white" filling, the actual shade may be more of a crème, if that is what is necessary to blend in. Composite resin fillings function in the same way amalgam ones do, so they are still effective for restoring teeth that have suffered from decay or fracture. However, they can blend in and become more discreet for other patients.

The biggest advantages of composite vs. amalgam fillings is that composite tooth-colored fillings do not stand out. If you have a cavity and need a filling, you can select a restoration that stands out when you smile or one that blends in. Patients do not have to worry about other people noticing the tooth-colored fillings. Another advantage is not having any mercury in the filling and decreasing the risk of other health risks. To learn more about this option, call (718) 682-7559 and schedule an appointment with our Queens, NY dental office.

In our dental office, we use composite fillings to restore tooth structure after removing the pieces of tooth that have decay. In other cases, we will use composite fillings to restore tooth damage. For example, if a tooth is chipped or loses some of the enamel, a filling may be the appropriate restoration.

No. At Woodside Dental Care, we place fillings on a frequent basis, but in order for this type of restoration to work, you need to have a certain amount of healthy tooth structure remaining. If you are missing too much of the tooth's structure, a dental crown may be the better solution. In this case, a crown surrounds the tooth like a cap, providing a stronger and more protective restoration.

Composite dental fillings are just one type of tooth-colored fillings available. While professionals can use the alternate types of tooth-colored fillings interchangeably, there is more than one way to receive a tooth-colored filling. Natural-looking fillings typically consist of resin, ceramic, plastic, or glass ionomer; the most common material being composite resin. While all materials are effective, glass ionomer lasts the least amount of time since the material is more fragile.

There is no set expiration date, but we warn patients that fillings can deteriorate and wear down just like normal teeth. This makes it important to practice good oral hygiene and to brush with a soft or electronic toothbrush while avoiding biting down on anything inedible like a pencil.

No, you need to care for your fillings just like you do your other teeth. You need to brush at least twice a day and floss on a daily basis. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste, since this can help to further strengthen your teeth and prevent further decay. In some cases, we may even recommend a fluoride treatment in our dental office. You should also be careful to avoid doing anything that could damage your teeth and wear a mouthguard if applicable. Keep in mind that a filling is there to restore your tooth structure both in appearance and in functionality. This means we are not trying to restrict your activities or even what you can eat. Instead, we place fillings to ensure your life is not interrupted and you can return to your normal daily activities quickly.

If you need to have a filling placed, we will first need to remove the decayed portion of your tooth and complete a thorough cleaning. Next, we will place the composite resin filling material on your tooth and shape it before the hardening. The shape needs to be just right so your bite will fit together correctly. It can take a couple of days to get used to eating on the tooth. Thus, while it will not be particularly uncomfortable, you may have one day where you feel as though you are adjusting. For more specific information, call (718) 682-7559 to schedule an appointment.

There are both aesthetic and health reasons why people restore their smile. Certain conditions can be embarrassing and make a person want to avoid social settings. Crooked teeth, discolored teeth, or missing or broken teeth can make a person feel ashamed or even depressed. The dentist can repair these problems.

There are oral health effects from these issues too. Crooked teeth can be difficult to clean, which can lead to decay and gum disease. Broken or cracked teeth can be painful and lead to infections. If a person is missing teeth, it can be difficult to eat. Bone loss can also occur.

Discoloration may be a cosmetic problem, but it is one that can trouble many patients. Sometimes, brushing alone cannot remove yellow, brown, or gray stains. Fortunately, the dentist can give the person a smile makeover. In-office teeth-whitening treatments can give almost immediate results. With one or two visits, the patient can have teeth several shades whiter.

The patient sits or lies in the dental chair while the dentist prepares the whitening solution on a mouthpiece. The dentist places the apparatus on the person’s mouth for 30 to 60 minutes. The solution, which contains hydrogen peroxide, penetrates the enamel layer and breaks down the stains. There is also a take-home whitening gel that the patient can apply nightly.

Losing a permanent tooth is a serious concern. Not only will this require a smile makeover to restore the person’s appearance, but it poses health risks. To reduce the chances of bone loss, the dentist will recommend dentures, a bridge, or implants. Dentures can replace a few or all of a person’s teeth. A bridge typically replaces one or two teeth. Implants are made of titanium and are a durable, long-lasting solution.

Dentists can recommend these restorative procedures to any patient who needs them. A good candidate must have good dental health. This will enable the candidate to go through any procedure suggested by the dentist. The candidate may even receive a combination of procedures to correct the main dental problems.

Young patients can receive these procedures. The dentist can discuss other possible makeover treatments at this age range. The patient or parents can relay the current dental problems. Checking the patient will follow. Formulating the proper treatment plan will be next.

The patient can have as many treatments in the custom-fit makeover plan. At least two procedures can address a patient’s makeover needs. The dentist may recommend specific treatments. The suggestions can help achieve the patient’s aesthetic and functional goals. Receiving these procedures in a specific order can give better results.

The patient must understand that setting aside time for each treatment is necessary. Discussing each procedure can give the patient an idea about how many dental visits each treatment would take. It will also determine the total time it would take for the patient to complete the makeover. Getting dental implants or orthodontic treatment will take several meetings and more than a month to finish.

Alignment problems can hamper a smile. This is one of the most common reasons why a person will seek a smile makeover. Traditional metal braces have long been the way to fix crooked teeth. The brackets and wires put pressure on the person’s teeth, causing them to move into the right spots. Today, clear braces are becoming popular. Clear aligners are also a viable alternative because of the discreet way they move teeth.

Generally, this is not a good idea. We find that it is generally much better not to attach implants to teeth. We frequently attach implants to each other, which can improve strength and works well. So in a case like this, although it may be more expensive in the short term to place two implants instead of one, the long-term success is likely to be much better with the two implants.

In a large majority of people who are missing their upper back teeth for a long period of time, is the increasing downward growth of the maxillary sinus. At birth, it is the size of a pea and progressively grows as the skull matures. This growth is at the expense of the surrounding bone. If you are considering replacing those upper back teeth with fixed teeth that stay in all the time, it may be necessary to perform a sinus elevation procedure to allow room for placement of dental implants into this area to support those teeth. This involves placement of bone and/or bone substitutes into an area which was previously occupied by the lower part of the maxillary sinus. Most importantly, this procedure increases the available bone use to place implants and restore the missing back teeth.

In most cases, with the new options available today in the field of dental implants, some form of treatment is possible. We encourage people to get help as soon as possible if they are already having some problems with their current situation. These problems include excessive use of denture adhesives, chewing only soft food, unable to taste some foods, constant mouth sores, unhappy with the appearance of one's teeth and bite position (in some cases the nose and chin getting closer together). The sooner we correct the problems with dental implants, the more choices one has available for treatment. If you have any or all of the above symptoms, implants can very well be the answer for you.

It is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth that is being replaced. The number of implants necessary to provide support depends on the type of implants used and the type of teeth (removable vs. non- removable) that will be attached to the implants. A thorough oral exam and panoramic x-ray is all that is necessary in most cases, to determine which implant can be used and how many must be used. Sometimes additional X-rays or CT scans are used in more complicated cases.

Teeth that have root canals can fracture more easily than other teeth because they are weaker and somewhat dehydrated. They can sometimes be as brittle as glass. In the past, the best available treatment was to remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth to make a bridge - caps on the adjacent teeth with an attached "dummy" tooth between. Sometimes this still is the only way. However, in many cases an implant can replace the fractured tooth and we will not need to grind down a tooth to at all.

The length of the immediate dentures procedure will vary on the patient's teeth, structure of the mouth. There are three phases, preliminary back teeth extraction (if necessary), the fabrication phase, and insertion phase. Altogether, this process can take four to five appointments. In many cases though, we will be able to place the immediate dentures in the same appointment we pull the teeth.

Yes. We will need to ensure the dentures fit properly and make adjustments as necessary. We will also need to re-fit the dentures as the jaw recedes with age. However, these follow up appointments are crucial to ensure the patient remains healthy and does not have any other issues with his or her dentures.

Through the natural process of resorption, the body leaches calcium from the jawbone to distribute to the rest of the body once there are no more teeth to stimulate the bone. While this process does not happen overnight, it can take about six months for people to really notice the changes. Thus, scheduling appointments at our office will help to ensure the dentures are the correct fit. For more information, give us a call today.

Yes. The process of resorption, the jawbone receding, can lead to sagging cheeks and other facial changes that make the patient look older. However, we can help with various forms of dentures that fill out the face to build a full appearance.