Dental Implants- What To Do If You Lose a Tooth and You Miss It

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

Only a dentist can love a tooth but most individuals love their smile. Sometimes due to trauma or failure of a dental restoration a tooth will need to be removed. Unfortunately teeth are unable to repair themselves when injured. A minor incident can lead to a filling or if a filling fails to a crown. Now you’re royalty. I wonder how many crowns Queen Elizabeth has? Dental crowns, that is. Sometimes the nerve in your tooth decides to check out. In that case a root canal may be needed. But, even root canals can fail and if that happens and the tooth is lost you may want a replacement. Back in the day if you lost a tooth you had three options: Do nothing, replace it with a tooth permanently connected to your adjacent teeth or with a tooth you could take in and out of your mouth. Today, if you lose a tooth we can replace it with one that is most like your original tooth and not compromise any of your existing teeth. This is accomplished by placing a dental implant. A dental implant is a biocompatible piece of titanium which looks like you own dental tooth’s root. It is placed into your jaw basically right into the hole where your original tooth resided. Several months later the bone of your jaw will grow into the implant allowing the piece of titanium to become part of your jaw. At this point a crown can be placed on the implant which resembles your own original tooth. Since the implant mimics your own tooth in appearance and function you will believe it is your own. The implant surgery is done right here in the office. you will be able to function normally the next morning. Since the treatment is spread out over several months, so is the cost. Dental insurance companies will cover this procedure if the tooth involved was taken out while the insurance policy is in effect. For those with flexible spending plans this is a qualified expenditure. Even if you lost your tooth several years ago we may still be able to replace it with an implant with an additional procedure done at the time of implant placement. Realize when you lose a tooth you begin losing bone which supports the tooth. The loss of bone can lead to a dimple expression on your face. Most adults are not into the Shirley Temple look. If this situation sounds like you or if you have friends or loved ones who have that gap tooth look come on in for a consultation to see if this is a solution for them or you.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets we care about you and your teeth.  With decades of experience we’ve seen it all.  Our vision is to educate you about your dental health, give you alternatives for any treatment you may need and discuss what it will cost before we begin so you may make an educated decision on how to proceed.

We want to instill confidence and create a bond with you while performing your dentistry in a stress free environment.  We realize going to the dentist is not on most people’s top ten list so our goal is to give you more in service value than what you pay for your dentistry.

Call us today at 212 517 9000.  You and your teeth will be glad you 

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Go for the gold

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

In the Olympics the goal is to go for gold. In dentistry you can also go for gold. With a gold filling or if you're brave a gold crown. Obviously, the gold crown would need to be on one of your back teeth unless you’re going for the bling.

Most individuals today will not accept gold due to its color. In fact, most people prefer not to have yellow teeth to begin with and will undergo bleaching or cosmetic dentistry to lighten the shade of their teeth. In fact, today the demand for gold dentistry is predominantly by dentists.

That should tell you something. Just like you, dentists do not like going to the dentist. They may like performing dentistry but not having dentistry. When it comes to dentistry women are a lot stronger than men. Something about lying on your back with a stranger working a couple of inches from your brain can cause men to panic.

Back to gold. The reason dentists choose gold is that it lasts the longest. Gold has the same expansion and contraction as enamel. Meaning, gold is the closest to what the outside of your tooth is made of. Gold is very biocompatible with your mouth. It is easy to clean and its edges can be very closely adapted to your tooth structure. In fact, most dental restorations are wide open. Meaning the armies of bacteria in your mouth are marching en mass into the interior of your tooth. Since cementing mediums contain huge amounts of fluoride this helps to keep your teeth protected.

The great drawback to gold is that it is yellow and you can see it and in today’s esthetic conscious society Moi is perfect in every way. Sort of like: Only your hairdresser knows for sure. Here at the practice, we still do gold crowns and gold fillings. If the need arises this alternative will always be presented and then promptly rejected.

The cool thing about gold is when you melt it. It looks like mercury except it is gold in color. You can actually see your reflection in it and before it becomes liquid it has a reddish golden sheen. Just magnificent and it makes you realize why it has been in use since antiquity. However, at 1948 degrees Fahrenheit you certainly don’t want to touch it for then you’ll definitely be singing, but not in a good way. But even today it continues to remain the gold standard in finance and in dentistry.

At the dental practice of Dr. Glenn Reit we realize you will probably not be going for the gold but that’s ok.  We are just informing you of the option. If you are only in search of a dental cleaning we are here for you.  We always like meeting new people and addressing their dental needs.

We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets in Yorkville.  We are one block away from the 4,5,6 and Q subway lines.  So, give us a call today at 212 517 9000. You and your teeth will be glad you did.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Tooth Wars- Suspect a Bite Problem?

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

It’s tough being a tooth.  You are always in demand especially when the body you’re in is hungry.  If your teeth are out of alignment then they are even more traumatized.  Think of the gears of an engine.  If the gears are out of alignment they will experience more pressure and tension and eventually fall apart.  If the gears of the motor are not kept lubricated more problems will also occur.

Your mouth or masticatory system consisting of your jaws, gums and teeth are your engine for the consumption of foods, necessary to keep you alive.  In addition to the forces placed on your teeth through chewing of food if you are under stress there are increased forces placed on your teeth through clenching and grinding.  If decay is present then the integrity of your tooth is compromised leading to a greater chance of decline while if your gums are infected then there is a greater chance of your teeth leaving your body.

Fortunately many of these problems can be corrected.  If your teeth are out of alignment they can be moved back into place through the use of clear aligners or metal wires.  If a tooth is malformed we can correct the malformation through selective grinding and replacement of lost tooth structure.  For destructive habits we can make tooth guards which will protect your teeth.

If you are experiencing any of these problems give us a call at 212 517 9000.  At the dental practice of Dr. Glenn Reit DDS located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets here in Yorkville we have been treating patients with these maladies for decades.

Maybe all you need or want is a dental exam and cleaning.  We are still here for you.  No one really likes going to the dentist but an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.  Being proactive vs reactive on your dental care is always better choice.

Call Today:  You and Your Teeth Will Be Glad You Did

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Did you have a Spring Break with a Broken tooth?

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

Spring Break NOT

I have a broken tooth, what will I do, what will I do?

Well, you’ll likely call a dentist. Maybe you’ll call us.  I’m Dr Glenn Reit and have been doing dentistry for decades.  Nobody likes going to the dentist, including me.  But, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and just go.  Most importantly nobody wants to feel any pain.  So I have taken additional training to make sure you are comfortable during treatment.  Yes, it is possible to give a painless dental injection.  Once you are numb and not able to feel anything the procedures are a whole lot more comfortable.

So maybe that hard pretzel was a little too hard, or that jawbreaker is a jaw breaker or that taco shell was just a little bit too crunchy and suddenly your tongue notices that part of your tooth has gone the way of the Dodo.  You look in the mirror and low and behold part of your tooth has left the building.

When you come in we will calm you down and look inside your mouth and tell what has happened.  Then the good part we will tell you your options on how to correct the situation and the costs involved.  If you have dental insurance it is better for you because they will cover a percentage of your treatment.

Maybe you just need to have your tooth smoothed; possibly a filling or maybe you’ll become a king or queen with your very own crown.  Maybe it’s a veneer, maybe an onlay or if the tooth has to be removed we will tell you how to replace it.

Hopefully, you will not find yourself in this situation but life happens and if you do we are here for you.  Located in Yorkville at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85thStreets you can reach us at 212 517 9000.  After many years I have seen it all so whatever your situation we have seen it and treated it.

So call today even if it’s just for a routine dental exam and cleaning, you and your teeth will be glad you did.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

Solving Dental Dilemmas- Dental Crowns

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

My kingdom for a crown or my tooth has lost its head and needs to be crowned.  Life happens and teeth can come upon hard times and fall apart.  Due to clenching, grinding or long ago placed dental fillings your teeth can become tired and break apart.

When that happens you’ll find yourself in a dental office with a dental problem that needs resolving.  If your teeth need to be crowned you might ask what a dental crown is.  A dental crown is a strong, natural-looking permanent tooth restoration that covers the top of your damaged tooth.

Why might you need a crown?  A broken tooth with decay or possibly an ill-fitting existing crown in your mouth.  You have a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy and will now become brittle leading to fracture.  You have a small or misshapen tooth or your tooth is interfering with your bite.

 The procedure involves preparing your tooth to receive the lab created crown which is done under local anesthesia so you’ll be comfortable during the procedure.  An impression is taken of your tooth and sent to the cosmetic lab we use in Beverly Hills, California.  During the time the permanent crown is being made we will fit you with a temporary crown.  Then before you know it your new crown will arrive and be cemented onto your tooth.

There are multiple types of crowns we can perform for you.  Each has their pros and cons and will be discussed in full before treatment.  We also will explain all costs involved and any insurance reimbursement to allow you to make an educated decision.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS at 1498 Third Avenue in Yorkville we like meeting new people and resolving any tooth issues they might have.  If you are looking for a dentist give us a call today at 212 517 9000.  It will be one less problem in your life.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!