Cosmetic Dentistry

Lumineers
by Joseph Preziosi Jr., DMD

Lumineers are the trade name for DenMat’s revolutionary new no tooth preparation veneers. Lumineers allow smile makeovers to be done with no anesthetic needles, or shots, no sensitive tooth reduction, or drilling, and therefore no pain.  Lumineers are the most significant breakthrough in cosmetic dentistry since technology has allowed teeth to be restored through bonding procedures. Lumineers allow patients who were once too phobic to seek the care they need and want to have their entire smile redone in the image they desire in complete comfort and relaxation. So Lumineers eliminate the fear barrier to treatment that millions of patients can’t otherwise overcome.
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Snap-On Teeth
by Marc Liechtung D.M.D., P.C.

New Snap-On Teeth Prove to be an Instant Smile Fixer

Money can buy just about anything these days, including a movie star smile. But that mouthful of pearly white caps and veneers loses some of its shine if it costs tens of thousands of dollars. Now there’s an aesthetic and cost-effective alternative, Snap-On Smile! Once snapped into place, the device can correct the look of tooth flaws to straighten, fill-in, and whiten a smile. Snap-On Smile can even be created to emulate Hollywood’s million-dollar A-listers.
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Tooth Colored Fillings
by Joseph Preziosi Jr., DMD

Today there are a variety of tooth colored restorations (fillings) that restore not only the tooth’s form and function but also its cosmetic aspect. Tooth colored fillings allow you to maintain or even improve the cosmetic qualities of your smile and enable you to achieve the esthetically pleasing smile that just a short time ago was unthinkable. Don’t settle for nineteenth century technology that looks dark gray and contains mercury and other heavy metals when today’s technology allows you to have tooth colored fillings that are almost undetectable.
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Not Your Average Trip to the Orthodontist
by Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, D.M.D.

Exotic flowers, aromatherapy, scented candles, soothing music…Think you’re visiting a luxurious spa?  No, you’re at the dentist.  The notion of a ‘drill-free’ and ‘aesthetically pleasing’ dental practice is part of an increasing trend which is brushing over America.  The new state-of-the-art orthodontic center in both New York City and Woodbury, NY is taking patients to new heights of stress-free, relaxing orthodontic care. Every patient is pampered from the moment he/she enters the inviting space.  If a patient is relaxed then I can focus more on providing the high quality dental care which my patients have come to expect.  As a specialist in orthodontics and the national spokesperson for INVISALIGN, I also partner with cosmetic dentists and plastic surgeons to create the ultimate ‘beautiful smile.’
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Keep That New Smile Pearly White
by Bruce G. Freund, D.D.S.

From childhood on, our teeth go through a metamorphosis from bright to blah.  A variety of factors are involved, both environmental and genetic. Use of antibiotics such as tetracycline in utero or in early childhood, when teeth are still developing, can cause permanent gray, black, or green stains to the teeth.  In addition, as people age, their teeth risk exposure to stains based on eating and social habits.  Certain foods and beverages, such as coffee and tea, are common elements which can be manifested as dark brown to yellow stains on the teeth. Smoking and even genetic factors can ultimately cause discoloration of teeth.  The aging process is responsible for the loss of enamel over time.  Brushing causes the enamel to wear away and exposes dentin, the yellow, under-layer of the teeth. The older you are, the greater the likelihood of yellowing teeth. 
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Crowns and Bridges
by Joseph Preziosi Jr., DMD

Crowns are a long term treatment for replacing missing tooth structure when there is no longer sufficient tooth structure remaining to support a filling. This can be caused by caries (tooth decay), tooth fractures, lost fillings, traumatic injuries, or a combination of these and other factors.
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Braces - Once upon a time, only preteens or teenagers were getting braces. Not so anymore. Now, adults can also have the option of using braces to correct crooked teeth. Younger children are also getting braces- even as young as 7 or 8 years old. Orthodontists have learned that they can expand the soft palate of a young child before it fuses. This early intervention can negate the need for the pulling of adult teeth down the road. Advancements have also been made in how braces look. Now people can choose metal, clear, multicolored, or invisible braces. Children and teenagers now enjoy changing the look of their mouth each time they go to the orthodontist for adjustments. Much has been done to ease the awkwardness of having braces.

Dental Bonding - A composite plastic resin is applied to the front surface of teeth. Layers of the resin are applied which dry into a hard protective covering. The cost for tooth bonding ranges from $90 to $600 per tooth, and results should last for 7-11 years.

Teeth Contouring & Reshaping - This procedure is used to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one session. During the procedure teeth are actually "sculpted" by the dentist by removing a tiny bit of tooth or building the tooth a little by using a small amount of tooth-colored laminate. The procedure may take several visits to achieve the desired results. Average cost for this procedure ranges from $50 to $350 per tooth.

Teeth Whitening - There are mainly two types of teeth whitening procedures used by cosmetic dentists. The first involves home use of whitening gel and custom fit trays. The cost is approximately $500. The second type of teeth whitening involves laser treatment with whitening gel. This procedure is done in the dentist's office and costs approximately $1000. The gel and custom fit bleaching tray system will take any where from two to four weeks to reach maximum while the laser and gel system will give maximum results in one office visit. The laser and gel system can lighten teeth up to 7-8 shades while the tray system can only lighten to 4-5 shades.

Veneers - Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic that are glued over the front of your teeth. They can be used for people that have teeth that are severely discolored, chipped, have small holes or pits, crooked, or have uneven spaces. Veneers do not require the dentist to remove a large portion of the tooth as with crowns, and veneers will not stain. Veneers usually cost less than crowns and will last anywhere from ten to fifteen years. Porcelain veneers typically cost between $900 and $1,500 per tooth. Plastic veneers only cost $150 per tooth but usually only last 5-7 years compared to 10-15 years for porcelain veneers.

Dental Implants - Dental implants may be used if one or several teeth are missing. The procedure is a surgical one and ,therefore, is done under general anesthesia. Once the implant is grafted into the jaw bone, the area must heal for at least 3-6 months before the attachment (tooth) above the gum line can be attached. This allows the bone to grow around the implant. Implants are usually made of titanium, and there is a rejection rate of 1-2%.A basic implant may cost $1,250 while an extensive implant for the entire upper or lower jaw may cost between $15,000 and $30,000.

Dental Bridges - A dental bridge consists of a false tooth that is fused between two porcelain crowns. The purpose of this procedure is to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns holding it in place are attached onto your teeth on each side of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge, and it can't be taken out of the mouth like dentures. Dental bridges cost between $500 and $900 per bridge and can last ten years or more.

Dental Crowns - Dental crowns completely cover the tooth surface giving the tooth added strength and stability. Crowns usually cost between $500 and $900 per tooth, depending on what substance the crown is made of (i.e. porcelain or gold). The procedure will take at least two office visits. The dentist will take an impression of the tooth during the first visit. This impression will be used to make the crown, which usually takes approximately two weeks.

Cosmetic Gum Surgery - This type of surgery is often used to correct a "gummy smile". A "gummy smile" is a smile in which a great deal of gum is exposed causing the teeth to look short. The dentist can use a laser to remove some of the excess gum tissue. Gum surgery is also used to correct gums that have receded making the teeth look longer than normal. In this procedure, the dentist takes tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafts it into the gum line. Cost for either of these procedures drastically varies depending on the extent of work that needs to be done.