Invisalign vs. Metal Braces

When a patient wants straighter teeth, the two most common available treatments are Invisalign and metal braces. Each of these options offer different advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to discuss your individual case with your dentist.

The biggest difference between Invisalign and traditional metal braces is that braces are fixed in place and cannot be removed for the duration of treatment. The orthodontist will remove them once teeth have been moved into their correct positions. On the other hand, Invisalign is removable, making certain daily activities, such as eating and brushing your teeth, easier.

Traditional braces use metal wires attached to individual brackets in order to move teeth. The orthodontist positions and tightens the wires in order to control the straightening process. On the other hand, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that are fitted over the teeth. The aligners are part of a series that are switched out every few weeks, with each aligner moving teeth a little more.

The fact that Invisalign aligners are removable is a significant convenience factor, but it carries with it a particular risk. If patients remove the aligner too often throughout the day, they can hinder the straightening process. Consequently, Invisalign requires a greater amount of daily commitment from the patient.

However, the biggest draw for most adults is that Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic. This makes them far less noticeable than braces, which means you can get treated discreetly. In fact, unless people are looking closely, they might not even notice you’re using them. On the other hand, traditional braces are hard to hide, so people are going to know you have them.

Some people find braces to be bulky and uncomfortable when compared to Invisalign, but metal braces can be more effective at realigning teeth with severe dental problems. Braces handle vertical movement and tooth rotation better, so it might be the best choice for patients with significant bite misalignment.

Contact Lublin Dental Center for More Information!

Invisalign and metal braces offer distinct pros and cons, but both of them have proven to be effective at giving patients straighter and more attractive teeth. Contact our Brooklyn dental office so we can answer your questions and make an appointment.

Dental Implants and Bone Grafting: What You Need to Know

Dental implants have significantly impacted the field of restorative dentistry and are currently the closest option to having natural teeth. Although dental implants produce natural-looking results, obtaining them may become an obstacle. Particularly for those who have worn removable dentures for some time, patients may need pre-operative treatments before receiving dental implants.

Bone grafting is a way for patients with insignificant jaw bone density to strengthen the bone and increase the chance of success for dental implant placement.

Why Would You Need a Bone Graft?

Our jawbones are only able to retain their strength due to the amount of teeth present in our mouths. So when teeth go missing, it’s only natural that our jaw bone loses some density. This is especially true for traditional denture wearers, who may not have had natural teeth in their jaws for years. However, many denture wearers – as well as others who are missing one or more teeth – are interested in receiving a fixed and durable solution for their smiles and opt for dental implants.

Bone Grafting and Dental Implants

In order to place dental implants in the jaw, your oral surgeon will need at least 6mm of bone density to work with. If you have less than 6mm worth of bone density, your dentist may recommend a bone or tissue graft. There are a variety of bone grafting materials available, but overall the purpose of a bone graft is to regenerate the bone you have lost over time so that you are able to withstand dental implant placement. Depending on the procedure used, a bone graft can take anywhere from four to twelve months to heal. Afterward, you will be able to proceed with regaining a healthy and beautiful smile.

Contact the Brooklyn Dentists at Lublin Dental Center for More Information

If you are interested in receiving dental implants, contact Lublin Dental Center and find out whether you are qualified for implant placement. To determine whether you are a candidate, your dentist will assess your medical history and take digital x-rays or perform a CT scan in order to determine the density of your jaw bone.

For more information about dental implant placement, contact Drs. Adam and Theodore Lublin today and schedule an appointment.

6 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth on Your Own

Now more than ever, a white smile has become an important asset. White teeth are associated with good oral health and have been known to make better first impressions socially and professionally. If you are considering whitening your teeth, there are a few tricks you can try before scheduling an appointment with your local dentist.

Brush and floss: Neglecting to keep up with an oral hygiene routine will lead to a plaque-ridden and dull smile. Make sure to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy and bright.

Keep your gums healthy: Although brushing your teeth will eliminate plaque from the tooth’s surface, flossing targets the spaces in between teeth and keeps your gums healthy. Pink gums make your smile appear whiter, so make sure you keep them healthy by flossing.

Stay away from staining liquids: If you are serious about whitening your smile, you should refrain from drinking beverages such as coffee, black tea, and red wine. These drinks will stain your tooth enamel, so keep your distance or drink them through a straw.

Munch on fruits and vegetables: Eating fruits and vegetables helps clean the surface of your teeth and also produces saliva, which works to eliminate additional bacteria.

Try over-the-counter whitening kits: Contrary to popular belief, over-the-counter-whitening methods do work. Although they usually only target the front-facing teeth, they can work for a quick whitening fix.

Schedule an appointment at Lublin Dental Center: The best and most efficient way to whiten your teeth is to opt for a chair-side whitening procedure with your local dentist. A professional whitening procedure targets all of the teeth and whitens better than any other method available.

At Lublin Dental Center, we provide a variety of teeth whitening methods based on your desired outcome. Professional whitening procedures such as GLO Science Teeth Whitening, Zoom! Teeth Whitening, and BriteSmile in-office whitening are proven to create bright and beautiful smiles, and are available in our office.

For more information, contact our Brooklyn, NY dental office today!

5 Thing You Didn’t Know about Cosmetic Dentistry

Many people think that receiving a cosmetic procedure is purely narcissistic, but what people don’t know is that cosmetic dentistry has many restorative oral health benefits as well. If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, you should know that you’re not only improving your appearance, but your health and quality of life as well.

Here are some facts about cosmetic dentistry you may not have heard about.

You will look better: This may seem obvious, but an improved appearance can make you feel more confident. With a cosmetic dentistry procedure, you’ll no longer have to shy away from smiling or showing off your teeth!

Your oral health will improve: Along with enhancing your appearance, certain cosmetic procedures can improve your oral health as well. Treatments such as composite fillings and dental implants will restore missing or damaged teeth while doing so with your appearance in mind.

Any dental pain is eliminated: With crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, a lot of jaw, head, and neck pain can result. Certain cosmetic procedures can help alleviate TMJ issues and leave you pain-free!

You will get a self-confidence boost: When you look better, you feel better. Cosmetic dentistry can improve the aesthetic of your smile so that you can show it off for years to come. You’ll be smiling constantly with the confidence boost you get from cosmetic dentistry

You will make a better first impression: White and straight teeth are associated with good oral hygiene and overall better oral health. With a cosmetic procedure, you can create better professional and social interactions with a healthy, beautiful smile.

Call Us Today!

Located in Brooklyn, NY, Lublin Dental Center offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures for patients looking to improve their smile’s appearance and restore their oral health. For more information about the services we provide, or to schedule a consultation, contact us today!