Top-rated Cosmetic Dentistry in Brooklyn Heights, NY

Top Dental Implants in Brooklyn Heights, NY
A dental implant is, generally speaking, the best option for replacing a lost tooth or a tooth that is no longer viable. Millions of dental patients across the United States are currently enjoying the benefits of dental implants and the strength and jawbone support that they offer. Our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care is experienced in providing this popular tooth replacement option. There are two components of the dental implant: the dental implant itself and the implant crown. The implant itself is a titanium fixture that goes into the jaw. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jawbone grows into the titanium implant (known as osseointegration). Titanium is used as the material of choice for dental implants as this metal has the unique ability to fuse to the jawbone, creating an incredibly strong and permanent hold for new replacement teeth. Once the implant is osseointegrated, an implant crown is placed. The implant crown is attached to the titanium implant via a connector piece called an abutment.

The Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process begins by consulting with our team regarding different tooth-replacement options and how strong of a candidate you might be for dental implants. Candidacy for dental implants depends on several different factors, one of the most vital being bone density – dental implant patients must have a dense enough jawbone to be able to support dental implants and hold them securely for years to come. If a patient is missing teeth and could benefit from dental implants but does not have the jawbone density required for them, a bone graft may be recommended in order to safely and securely place dental implants.

A dental implant procedure is the surgical component of the dental implant process where a titanium implant itself is placed into a patient’s jawbone. After the implant is placed, it will take 3-6 months for the body to heal around the implant. After the healing period, the dentist takes an impression, and two weeks later we receive the implant crown back from the lab ready to insert. Sometimes if multiple teeth are missing, the process following the implant impression may take slightly longer. At the beginning of your case, our dentists will carefully discuss the timeframe and exactly what to expect.

When placing implants, we use the same numbing anesthesia that we use for routine cavities or crowns. Most patients do not find implants to be a difficult procedure. They are surprised at how easy it is.

The Healing Process and Dental Implant Care
After the titanium implant is placed into the jaw, we wait for the body to form new bone around the implant. The mandible (bottom jaw) takes 3 months to grow enough new bone around the implant while the maxilla (top jaw) takes 6 months to grow enough new bone around the implant. During this time, patients may be given replacement teeth until their jawbone is completely healed, in which case the final crowns are placed on top of the implants, completing the dental implant process.

Caring for dental implants is as simple as brushing and flossing as normal. Be sure to see our team every several months so that we can monitor your dental implants.

If you have questions regarding dental implants, speak with our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care today to learn more about this reliable tooth replacement solution and how dental implants may help you.

Dental Veneers – Making for A Fuller and Bolder Smile
Veneers are a highly cosmetic procedure that we use to give our patients the ideal smile that they desire. Patients may require dental veneers if they develop spacing in between the teeth, tooth discoloration or yellowing, tooth decay, or other aesthetic imperfections that affect the visual appearance of their teeth. Placing veneers is a minimally-invasive procedure where we bond porcelain laminates to the teeth in order to improve their size, shape, color, and orientation. One of the best aspects of dental veneers, particularly when they are provided by a team that is highly skilled in veneers manufacturing and selection, is that they offer natural-looking results that look and feel just like real teeth. 

Check out our Smile Gallery for examples of veneers!

Manufacturing and Placing Dental Veneers
Our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care is highly skilled in creating and placing dental veneers that offer beautiful, natural-looking results that give patients their ideal smile. The first step in the veneers process is to take photos and discuss the aspects of your smile that you’d like to improve. For some patients this may be small chips or cracks in the teeth, discoloration, spacing, or other cosmetic concerns. Next, our team will begin to study a hand-sculpted model from the dental lab that closely resembles how the veneers will look on your teeth. This way we make sure that you will be very happy with the final outcome.

Dental veneers are a highly convenient cosmetic dentistry solution, often requiring only two appointments to complete. During the first appointment, we prepare your teeth and take an impression to send to the lab. During the next appointment, about 3 weeks later, we bond the permanent veneers and you leave with the smile you’ve always wanted.

Speak with our experienced team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care today to learn more about dental veneers and if they’re the best cosmetic dentistry solution for you! 

PROFESSIONAL  TEETH WHITENING
Teeth whitening is one of today’s most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments. Millions of patients in the United States have relied on professional teeth whitening to remove years worth of stains and discoloration, enhancing the appearance of their smiles. Teeth whitening is a process that results in a brighter smile by applying whitening gel to your visible teeth. Why is professional teeth whitening effective compared to over-the-counter whitening kits? Professional whitening systems like those that we offer at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care go beneath the tooth surface in ways that over-the-counter whitening kits can’t match, removing tough stains and discoloration that brushing alone cannot remove and leaving the tooth structure unchanged. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look. Our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care provides both in-office and at-home whitening options depending on which is most convenient for you. Both of these options are effective in removing tough stains.

TEETH WHITENING BENEFITS AND SAFETY 
Dentistry patients often ask if teeth whitening is safe and if there are any short-term or long-term side effects of teeth whitening. Thankfully, teeth whitening is currently an extremely safe treatment option that is unlikely to cause any serious side effects. Occasionally, a patient’s teeth temporarily may become more sensitive or experience mild gum irritation. However, if these mild symptoms occur, they are expected to last for a few days after you receive professional teeth whitening.

Learn more about the benefits of professional teeth whitening by speaking with our knowledgeable team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care! 

INVISALIGN – A RELIABLE AND CONVENIENT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT SOLUTION 
Among today’s most popular orthodontic solutions, Invisalign offers patients the beautiful final results that are expected from traditional orthodontics but with the added convenience and discretion of clear aligners. The Invisalign system works with a series of custom-made clear aligners that gradually move your teeth into the correct final position. They can be worn to correct crowded teeth, spacing, and general aesthetic issues. An added benefit of straighter teeth is that they are easier to clean and therefore less likely to suffer from gingivitis or periodontal disease. Two of the largest benefits of Invisalign are the comfort they offer, as there is no metal hardware placed in the mouth, and the discretion that clear aligners offer, which are far less noticeable than traditional metal braces.

HOW DOES INVISALIGN WORK?
The Invisalign process begins with a consultation in our office where our team will assess your candidacy for Invisalign. Typically, Invisalign candidates present with many of the same symptoms that traditional braces patients may be experiencing, such as tooth spacing, crowding, and other orthodontic concerns. Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired final position. Each aligner is worn 20-22 hours a day, but since the trays are removable, you can take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss. Every 2 weeks you receive a new aligner, which continues to gently guide your teeth into the correct position.

Especially in the first days and weeks of wearing Invisalign aligners, some patients may experience slight pain or discomfort as a result of wearing these new appliances. Typically, this discomfort will only last for the first few weeks of wearing Invisalign as your teeth begin moving toward their final positions. Patients can take Ibuprofen or other over-the-counter medications to help ease the discomfort associated with wearing Invisalign.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR INVISALIGN?
Typically, Invisalign candidates experience the same orthodontic complications as traditional orthodontic patients, such as tooth spacing or crowding. The best way to determine if Invisalign is a good match for you is by coming in and meeting with our knowledgeable team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care. Our team has been providing Invisalign treatments since 2014 and is excited to discuss your treatment options with you at no cost. Call us at 718-855-7545 or send us a message!

What are dental crowns and what benefits do they provide?

Dental crowns, or “caps” as they are often called, are a reliable restorative and cosmetic dentistry solution that dental patients have relied upon for years to help protect their teeth. A crown is a dental appliance that is placed on a tooth to support the tooth when it has suffered significantly from decay. Dental crowns cannot only restore the full use and function of teeth but can also serve to restore or enhance the aesthetic appearance of teeth that have decayed or that have otherwise lost volume on the top of the tooth. Dental crowns are fabricated in a specialty lab and, once placed, can help protect a tooth from future decay. 

How long does it take to place dental crowns?
Dental crowns are a convenient dental option that can be completed in two visits. During the first visit, our team will prepare your tooth to receive a crown, which typically involves removing some tooth material to make room for your crown and taking an impression. This impression is sent to a lab where the permanent crown is fabricated. During the second visit 2-3 weeks later, your final crown will be placed. Between your first visit and when your final crown is placed, a comfortable, temporary crown is placed on your tooth to keep it safe between visits. One of the best aspects of dental crowns is that they look and feel like a natural tooth. Dental crowns can also be manufactured from different materials depending on your individual needs. 

What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
A filling “fills” a small portion of the top of the tooth surface, while a crown covers the entirety of the tooth surface.

What is a dental bridge and why might I need one?
A dental bridge is an appliance that is used when a patient is missing one or more adjacent teeth and may require more than one dental crown. The dental bridge serves to connect these teeth together by resting on surrounding teeth.

For patients who prefer or require a more permanent treatment option, dental bridges may be supported by dental implants. 

Learn if dental crowns and bridges are the right dental solution for you by speaking with our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care today! 

WHAT ARE FILLINGS?
A dental filling is a routine dental treatment that is among the most common dental treatments given to patients every year in the United States. A filling is required when small holes are made in the tooth surface due to decay. Our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care offers cosmetic, tooth-colored fillings. To repair the cavity, the cavity and underlying damaged tooth structure are removed. Next, a natural tooth-colored filling is placed. These same tooth-colored fillings, also known as dental composites or composite resins, can be used for cosmetic bondings on front teeth.

HOW LONG DO FILLINGS LAST?
Fillings can last for a long time if properly maintained. Proper care means brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. However, no filling is ever as strong as the original tooth structure. Many factors will affect the lifetime of a filling, such as its location in the mouth (back vs. front), the affected surfaces of the tooth (top, in between teeth, or side of the tooth), your occlusion (how your teeth come together when you bite), teeth grinding, or your salivary response.

WHY DON’T FILLINGS LAST FOREVER?
The second a dentist does a filling or crown, saliva and bacteria immediately try to undermine our hard work. Every bite of food, every second we spend grinding our teeth puts more stress on the beautiful bonding or crown that was just completed.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT WILL CAUSE A FILLING TO FAIL?
The same things that cause a cavity in the first place will cause new cavities to form under an existing filling. This is called recurrent decay. Our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care will recommend tooth fillings when decay in the tooth surface is identified, typically at a routine exam and hygiene appointment. This goes to show the importance of coming in and seeing our team for routine visits and exams every six months to spot signs of decay which can typically be resolved with simple and routine dental treatments such as fillings.