Michael Iott Dental Blog

Advantages of Dental Implants

2009-01-30T15:56:00.001-05:00

If you have one or more missing teeth, dental implants are the best option available for replacing those teeth. There are many advantages to replacing your teeth instead of leaving gaps, but dental implants have many more advantages over other tooth replacement options as well.

There are many good reasons to replace missing teeth in some way. Missing teeth is the most frequently cited characteristic of unattractive and unhealthy-looking smiles. When teeth are missing, gums can collapse and the jawbone can atrophy, making it more susceptible to fracture. In addition, gaps where teeth are missing allow other teeth to drift out of place, leading to orthodontic problems, difficulties with cleaning, gum disease, and other consequences. All of these contribute to the potential loss of more teeth.

If you are looking at your options for replacing missing teeth, dental implants have many advantages over the other options. While dentures and bridges can head off many of the above problems, they do have some disadvantages. Dentures, which are designed to be removable, can sometimes be uncomfortable, they can slip out of place when chewing or talking, and require extra care for cleaning. Dental bridges depend on the presence of healthy teeth adjacent to the gap, teeth that are then prepared and crowned to support the bridge. They are relatively good replacements for missing teeth, but they can present a special challenge for cleaning, since food can become lodged below the false tooth (pontic).

Dental implants have none of these disadvantages. Once the titanium root is in place and it is crowned with a permanent restoration, it looks and functions like a natural tooth. It requires no special cleaning, and if proper oral hygiene practices are followed, it most likely will last a lifetime.

To learn more about dental implants, schedule an implant dentistry consultation at Dr. Michael Iott & Associates today.

Bone Grafts

2009-01-22T15:53:00.000-05:00

If you suffer from periodontal disease or have missing teeth you may suffer bone loss. This bone loss around your teeth weakens the attachment of your teeth, and may eventually lead to tooth loss. Unfortunately, the process of bone loss is progressive, and in order to be stopped it often must be reversed.

At Dr. Michael Iott & Associates, we can correct bone loss to prevent the worsening of periodontitis and the loss of teeth.

In some cases, we may use guided bone regeneration to encourage the regrowth of bone around your teeth. In guided bone regeneration, a membrane is placed between your gums and your damaged bone. Normally, gum tissue, which grows faster than bone, would fill up these spaces, but with the membrane in place, the bone is allowed to grow at its own pace until it has completely filled in the gap. Growth-stimulating proteins and nutrition supplements may also be used to encourage the regrowth of bones.

Sometimes, a bone graft is used, either with or without a membrane. The grafted bone provides a framework for bone regrowth and is incorporated into the new growth.

Whether or not we use a bone graft depends on the shape, size, and location of the missing bone and whether further restorations--such as the placement of dental implants--are planned.

To learn more about treating and reversing the damage caused by periodontitis, schedule a periodontal treatment consultation with Dr. Michael Iott & Associates today.

Natural Dental Aesthetics

2009-01-19T15:50:00.000-05:00

When you have dental work done, you want people to notice your smile, not the work. In all the cosmetic dentistry we do, we ensure that the results look natural. No one will know about your restorations unless you tell them. To get the most natural results, we make sure every smile is:

Individual--everyone's face is different, and your smile should be different to match your face. Whether we are considering porcelain veneers, dental implants, dental crowns, or other restorations, we take into account the shape of your face, the style of your smile, the shape of your face, and other factors to ensure that the smile you get is matched to your unique character.

Proportional--in looking at teeth, there are certain proportions that tend to come up most often in smiles people consider attractive. Often, these proportions and relationships between teeth, gums, and lips are functional as well as aesthetic, and we maintain them in performing your restorations.

Holistic--it is important that your smile look like a single whole. People should not look at your smile and be able to tell the restorations from the unrestored teeth, and we give you a smile that looks like a single natural whole and not a patchwork of pieces.

In addition to following these principles, we also work to give you the smile you desire. There are many possible subtle variations that can affect the way your smile looks, variations that can make a big difference in how your smile looks. You will be allowed to influence the final appearance of your smile by bringing in pictures that you think represent an ideal smile or selecting a smile from a smile catalog.

To learn more about the principles of natural dental aesthetics, schedule a smile design consultation with Dr. Michael Iott & Associates in New York, New York, today.

Bone Grafting – The Sinus Lift

2009-01-10T15:21:00.000-05:00

In order for a dental implant to be successful, there must be adequate bone volume available to support the implant. Factors such as periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene, hereditary issues, and trauma often cause the loss of a tooth and if this is not addressed promptly, bone grafting is often necessary to supply a foundation for an implant.

However, there are occasions when another force comes into play that can necessitate a bone grafting procedure: the sinus. Sinuses are air cavities within the human skull. Its role is to lighten the head to allow the neck to support it. Occasionally, sinuses become enlarged and intrude upon the upper jaw, making a dental implant procedure impossible, as we would be placing the implant into a hollow cavity.

If a patient’s sinus has intruded into their jaw, we must perform a “sinus lift” in order to provide space for the implant. This is a fairly simple technique accomplished by placing artificial, allograft, or bone taken from your own body and placing it into the sinus. Occasionally, synthetic material is used to stimulate bone growth.

Although this is a quick procedure, the recovery time can take up to nine months, delaying your dental implant.

Learn more by reading our Dental Implants Frequently Asked Questions.

If you need dental implants and live in the Manhattan area, please contact the cosmetic dentistry office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates.

Why See A Neuromuscular Dentist?

2008-12-31T13:01:00.001-05:00

If you’ve suffered jaw pain for years and/or migraine headaches without any physician diagnosing the source of your pain, it’s possible that you’re suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. A neuromuscular dentist can examine your jaw and the muscles, tissues and nerves that allow it to function and relieve the pain you’ve endured for years.

It’s vital to seek immediate treatment for jaw pain as delaying it could cause extensive damage—not to mention a significantly decreased quality of life as you’ll experience pain in even the simplest of jaw motions, such as chewing, swallowing, yawning and speaking.

In addition to a sore jaw, a misaligned temporomandibular joint can result in:

Headaches
Insomnia
Loose and/or painful teeth
Unending and inexplicable earaches
Neck and shoulder pain
Tinnitus
Jaw clicking, locking or popping
Localized pain behind your eyes
Chronic migraines

While a general dentist will simply evaluate and clean your teeth, bones and gums, a neuromuscular dentist can diagnose and treat conditions of the temporomandibular joint, thus relieving you of the above pains and other symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder.

Our Manhattan office is equipped with advanced imaging equipment that can examine your jaw’s alignment and allow us to suggest the best treatment options for re-aligning your temporomandibular joint.

If you experience jaw pain or suffer from migraines and headaches in New York City and cannot find a cure, please contact our office today and schedule a consultation with one of our neuromuscular dentists.

ADA Statement On The Safety And Effectiveness Of Tooth Whitening Procedures

2008-12-25T12:58:00.001-05:00

The American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs released a statement to set uniform standards and regulations on teeth whitening procedures.

Teeth whitening techniques fall under two categories: bleaching and non-bleaching. Non-bleaching techniques will remove only surface stains, while bleaching changes your tooth’s color and will remove both intrinsic and extrinsic stains.

Home bleaching kits are emblazoned with the ADA Seal and contain ten percent carbamide peroxide. While this is viewed as a safe level, home bleaching does carry its fair share of side effects, such as:

Tooth sensitivity
Gum irritation

Since this procedure takes several weeks, the success rate relies on your daily habits. Read our Tips to Make Your Teeth Whitening Last to understand the fundamentals of a successful home bleaching procedure.

Our office also offers in-office bleaching. According to the ADA’s statement on the safety and effectiveness of tooth whitening procedures, all professionally applied bleach whiteners contain fifteen to thirty-five percent hydrogen peroxide. Our office provides patients with two in-office bleaching options, both of which take approximately an hour:

BriteSmile will whiten your teeth up to nine shades
LumaArch can whiten teeth three to four shades

Learn more about teeth whitening by reading our Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions.

Please contact our New York cosmetic dentistry office for a Teeth Whitening consultation with Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Iott.

Tooth Bonding

2008-12-18T12:55:00.001-05:00

If you have gaps between your teeth, desire spots and discoloration removed, and an enhanced smile that will send your confidence soaring, tooth bonding might be for you.

While porcelain veneers is the best route for those needing an entire smile makeover, composite tooth bonding can fix more minor issues, such as:

Spots on your teeth
Chipped teeth
Gaps between teeth
Lengthen smaller teeth

Also, unlike other procedures that are fairly intensive, tooth bonding is a quick and easy solution, allowing you to have a restored smile in just one visit. The process is simple:

We isolate the tooth to prevent moisture from interfering
Our staff will roughen the damaged area to create minor crevices in your tooth’s enamel. This is done by applying a mild phosphoric acid for fifteen seconds
A composite resin that matches the color of your teeth is sculpted to fit
A safe, ultra-intense light hardens the material

The materials used for tooth bonding look and feel completely natural. You won’t notice any difference when eating, chewing, biting, or drinking. Although the composite material used is not as durable as ceramic, if you only need minor corrections, compositely bonding your teeth is a simple, painless and quick fix.

Learn more by reading our Aesthetic Restorations Frequently Asked Questions.

Please contact our New York City cosmetic dentistry office to learn more about Manhattan tooth bonding and how the procedure can help you achieve the smile you always dreamed of.

TMD: Where It Comes From and How To Deal

2008-12-11T12:46:00.001-05:00

Approximately 40 million Americans are currently suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. But because the symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder are so elusive, it’s easy to misdiagnose TMD, which causes only 5-15% of those afflicted to seek treatment.

TMD is an acronym for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Sometimes it is referred to as TMJ though, which stands for temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is located at the front of each ear and connects your lower jaw to your skull. If you are diagnosed with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder it means that your temporomandibular joint is displaced and your jaw misaligned.

While most temporomandibular joints become displaced due to a patient grinding their teeth, other sources include:

Trauma from a heavy contact sport
Whiplash from a car accident
Bad dental work
Poor daily habits, including gum chewing, jaw clenching and poor posture
Genetics

If you are suffering from a misaligned temporomandibular joint, simple jaw motions such as chewing, speaking and yawning can cause you pain. While it’s important to seek medical treatment immediately before the condition worsens, there are some at-home remedies you can do to relieve your pain:

Change your diet to consist of soft foods that don’t require extensive chewing
Place hot and cold pads on your temple and jaw to relieve your pain
Restrict your overall jaw movement
Place a fist under your chin when you yawn to prevent excessive jaw movement

Learn more by reading our Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Frequently Asked Questions.

If you suffer from headaches and migraines in Manhattan and cannot find a cure, please contact the New York City Cosmetic Dentistry office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates to schedule a TMD consultation to determine if your headaches are a result of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

Teeth Whitening Options For You

2008-11-30T11:27:00.001-05:00

Our Manhattan cosmetic dentistry office provides our patients with a diverse selection in teeth whitening procedures. Whether you want to remove intrinsic stains that have accumulated from aging and trauma, or surface stains from dark beverages, cigarettes and other staining elements, our cosmetic dentistry staff can point you in the best direction to achieve the whitened smile of your dreams.

Dr. Michael Iott & Associates was one of the first New York City offices to offer New York BriteSmile, and it has quickly become one of our most popular teeth whitening methods. Using state-of-the-art technology, we’re able to whiten your teeth up to nine shades in under an hour!

LumaArch is a procedure that takes approximately 60-90 minutes and can brighten teeth three to four shades. All we do is simply apply a gel and use a special halogen light to activate its peroxide.

While the above two methods are ideal for removing surface stains, only take home bleaching kits can eliminate the intrinsic stains on your teeth. These stains result from the wear and tear and tooth trauma. While more difficult to remove, if you adhere to bleaching instructions for an extended period of time, you can successfully whiten your teeth to the level you desire.

Learn about our New York City teeth bleaching procedures or read our Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions.

Please contact our New York City cosmetic dentistry office for a Teeth Whitening consultation with Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Iott.

Dental Implants – Pure Titanium or Alloy?

2008-11-24T11:22:00.001-05:00

For decades, pure titanium screws were the only option available to you for your dental implant. Recently, dental implant technology has vastly improved and it was discovered that a titanium alloy implant osseointegrates as well as pure titanium, leading to a recent spike in the percentage of titanium alloy implants. This begs the question, which is better, pure titanium or a titanium alloy?

Basic chemistry knowledge proves that a blend of metals is stronger than one single metal. Thus, a titanium alloy screw provides you with many advantages over a pure titanium:

Less likely chance of the implant breaking or stripping
A higher resistance to deformation
Can endure greater and more repetitive stress

By having an alloy titanium dental implant placed by a specially trained implantologist, the likelihood of further complications drastically decreases.

However, there are murmurs regarding the safety of alloy titanium screws. The alloy is comprised of titanium aluminum and vanadium, causing some to worry about the aluminum level in grade five titanium screws. Some claim the aluminum will work its way into the blood stream and cause the body harm; yet this claim is unsubstantiated, as no evidence has come to light backing this concern in the decade that alloy titanium screws have been used.

Learn more about dental implants by reading our dental implant frequently asked questions.

If you are considering dental implants and live in the Manhattan area, please Dr. Michael Iott & Associates today to schedule a consultation where we can answer any of your questions regarding dental implants and address your concerns about alloy titanium.

The Dental Implant Process

2008-11-16T11:18:00.001-05:00

If you have a fractured tooth, are missing teeth, or want to replace your antiquated bridges with more natural looking and feeling implants, the time has come to consider dental implants. While the dental implant process often takes numerous months, our offices can provide you with a same-day dental implant immediately after the tooth is removed.

However, if you don’t qualify for a same-day dental implant, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into with dental implants.

First, the jaw must be prepared. We do this by drilling a pure titanium or an alloy titanium screw into the gum. If there’s inadequate jawbone or if it’s too soft, you might need bone grafting to supplement the bone
Your gum will heal around the screw for approximately three to six months
The gum tissue is lifted and a healing collar is placed. For two weeks, your gums will close around the healing collar
The healing collar is removed and a post attached to the screw. Impressions of your mouth and teeth are made and sent off to a lab. In the meantime, we provide you with a temporary crown for aesthetic purposes
Finally, the temporary crown is removed and your new tooth attached

So long as you adhere to appropriate oral hygiene in between surgeries, your dental implant will be a success and can last you fifteen to twenty-five years.

If you need an implant dentist in Manhattan, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates to schedule your consultation.

Financing Your Visit

2008-11-10T11:08:00.001-05:00

At Dr. Michael Iott & Associates, we provide our patients with a dental financing program that will allow you to receive the treatment you need without delay due to financial concerns. We accomplish this through a Dental Fee Plan that establishes a line of credit, which can be applied for all our professional services.

Our dental financing program includes numerous benefits, including:

No start-up payment
Low, pre-arranged monthly payments
Low, fixed interest rates
You will suffer no penalty for prepayments

Regardless of your cosmetic or general dentistry desires and needs, your first dental visit to our Manhattan office will be for a comprehensive oral evaluation to assess your current oral health condition. The fees you will incur for this include all or some of the following services:

An oral hygienist and dentist examining your oral health
Full or partial digital imaging. If high-quality, recent digital images are available from your last dentist, this step will be bypassed
Thorough dental cleaning and scaling
Depending on your oral health and potential conditions, we will have our specialists consult with you

Prior to your appointment, we will review all costs, services and the dental financing program we have designed for you, so don’t fear about hidden fees or pop-up costs.

While we do not accept insurance as a form of payment, if you come prepared with all the necessary insurance information, we will provide you with all the necessary documents to help in maximizing your insurance refund. These include:

Digital photographs
X-rays
A detailed letter of explanation
Study models

To learn more about our Manhattan dental financing program, please contact our offices today.

Should You Get Lumineers?

2008-10-31T13:01:00.000-04:00

It’s impossible to open a beauty magazine or website these days without seeing an advertisement for lumineers. Hailed as a quick fix, painless porcelain veneer, marketers would make you believe they are right for everyone. However, there are many similarities between porcelain veneers and lumineers that marketers don’t want you to know and the downsides to this veneer might outweigh the benefits.

First, the similarities:

General lumineers are made of the same ceramic material as porcelain veneers
They’re glued to the surface of your teeth

Lumineers are fantastic as they’re the quickest of all instant orthodontics. The can be glued to your teeth without any drilling or shaving off of painful tooth enamel. Also, since you won’t suffer any pain, no local anesthetics are required. If you experience dental anxiety, lumineers are an option you should consider.

However, lumineers also are only viable under specific circumstances:

Numerous gaps between teeth
Inwardly angled teeth that provide room for outward growth

If these circumstances aren’t present, then lumineers can leave you with a bulky smile. Even if your current oral health conditions provide you with an opportunity to pursue lumineers, they have numerous downfalls that aren’t present with porcelain veneers:

Veneers are able to best bond with a prepared surface. Porcelain veneers provide this while lumineers do not
Lumineers are more susceptible to fractures and stains
Coloring possibilities to compliment your hair, skin and eye tones are limited

If you are considering getting lumineers in Manhattan, please contact our Manhattan cosmetic dentistry office or schedule an appointment for a consultation. We’d be glad to have our experienced cosmetic dentistry staff answer all your Porcelain Veneer questions.

Lumineers vs. traditional veneers

2008-10-30T13:04:00.000-04:00

Modern dentistry has several correction options available for cracked, chipped or worn teeth. These include traditional porcelain veneers, a newer type of veneer called Lumineers, and dental bonding.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers, sometimes also referred to as porcelain laminates or dental veneers, are thin porcelain shells which your dentist bonds to the front side of your teeth to correct their appearance. Your dentist must shave down a small portion of your teeth to allow space for the veneers.

Dental Bonding
If dental bonding is selected as your treatment, this procedure works to eliminate gaps between teeth, make poorly shaped teeth longer, or brighten and whiten discolored teeth. Bonding employs a composite resin that bonds to your teeth, rapidly facilitating healthy chewing, biting, brushing, etc. Dental bonding is not an extremely complex procedure and typically requires only one office visit.

Lumineers
Lumineers are derived from a substance called Cerinate porcelain which has a consistency that is a bit like contact lenses. A benefit of Lumineers is that your dentist does not need to shave down a portion of your original tooth to accommodate the veneer.

If you live in the Manhattan and would like to explore the possibilities of porcelain veneers, bonding, or Lumineers, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates at 212-686-2907.

Periodontal Therapy: Relieve Your Periodontitis Pain

2008-10-25T12:57:00.001-04:00

Periodontitis, or more commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most common causes of tooth loss and decay. Luckily, you have numerous periodontal therapy options available to you that can stop and reverse tooth and gum damage.

Aesthetic restorative dentistry can replace teeth lost and restore damaged teeth to improve the function of your teeth and the glitter of your smile
Laser surgery techniques such as gingivectomy can trim unhealthy gums, while lengthening your crowns can reshape excess gum and bone tissue to show more of your natural tooth, providing you with a healthier, broader smile
If periodontitis is caught early enough, non-surgical periodontal therapy is often all that’s necessary to remove plaque and restrict the growth of harmful bacteria

There are additional periodontal therapy strategies that are less invasive but equally as effective. These include:

Scaling to remove plaque
Root planning, which permits tissues to reattach to the surface of your teeth
Antibiotics in the form of an antibacterial mouthwash to control and eliminate bacteria growth
Correcting your bite will reduce tooth decay

The best way to prevent periodontitis is to maintain a healthy, oral hygiene. However, sometimes other factors catalyze gum disease, such as hormonal changes, teeth grinding, poor saliva flow, or medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.

If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontitis such as bleeding or sore gums, loose teeth, or bad breath, please contact our Manhattan office today for an initial gum treatment consultation.

Lumineers

2008-10-17T13:02:00.001-04:00

While traditional porcelain veneers are still an incredible way to quickly and effectively create a dramatically improved smile, a second option has become available that also offers amazing smile improvement. This option—called dental Lumineers—has some advantages to offer.

Corrects the Same Problems
Lumineers can make the same kind of changes as traditional porcelain veneers. What this means is that if your teeth are cracked, crooked, chipped, or stained, Lumineers offer a more pain-free route to fix them. Iott & Associates can help you figure out the benefits and drawbacks of Lumineers during a personal consultation.

Involves Less Pain
Cerinate porcelain is the material from which Lumineers are made, and unlike porcelain veneers, their consistency is similar to contact lenses. Differing from porcelain veneers for which your dentist must shave down part of your original tooth to make room for the veneer, Lumineers require no removal of any part of the tooth that is already there. Because of this, a part of the process that is somewhat painful is no longer necessary. Lumineers are also put right over existing dental work.

Completely Reversible
Lumineers are completely reversible since the original tooth has not been shaved down. Your dentist can remove them at your discretion.

If you live in the Manhattan and would like to explore the possibilities of Lumineers, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates at 212-686-2907.

TMD: The science behind the bite

2008-10-08T12:56:00.000-04:00

TMJ is an abbreviation for the part of your facial and jaw anatomy referred to as the temporomandibular joint. This is the joint that attaches your lower jaw, or mandible, to your skull. The joint’s movement allows you to close and open your mouth and accomplish side-to-side chewing motions.

The acronym TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. The temporomandibular joint is located at the front of each ear, and with the mandible, pivots against a pad of cartilage in the upper jaw. Several jaw muscles actually work together to close and open the mouth and allow chewing, swallowing and speech to occur.

Problems occur when there is a misalignment of the lower and upper jaw. Headaches are one of the most common and severe conditions that we treat in our office that results from TMD.

Other symptoms of TMD that are clears signals that this complicated jaw design is not doing its job correctly are the following:

A clicking or popping noise as the mouth opens
Ongoing neck or shoulder pain
Wear on the surface of the teeth
Stiffness in the jaw as the mouth is opened or closed
Tingling fingers

If you live in the Manhattan area and are afflicted with headaches or other TMD-related symptoms, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates at 212-686-2907.

Dental Implants - Implant Rehab

2008-09-17T12:50:00.002-04:00

The dental implant procedure is a state-of-the art process, but as with any surgery, a period of discomfort is likely in the few days immediately afterwards. The following suggestions will help make your recovery period more comfortable:

Use ice on the affected area (20 minutes on/10 minutes off) for the first 24 hours.
Avoid ice water or ice chips for the first 24 hours.
Eat only soft food for one week; avoid chewing in the affected area.
Use a new toothbrush after surgery.
Rinse your mouth with water after every meal to clean the surgical area.
Avoid hot liquids for 24 hours after surgery.
Do not drink alcohol for one week after surgery.
Brush your teeth without toothpaste until stitches are taken out.
Do not exercise for three days after your surgery.
Keep dentures out until your dentist you may insert them.

Other things to anticipate post-surgery include:

Bleeding - If bleeding occurs, stop it by gently biting on a gauze soaked in cold water.
Swelling - Swelling may peak 48-72 hours following surgery. If you are swollen after the first 24 hours, heat may be used. A moist heated towel or a hot water bottle should help.
Medications - Mouthwash (Chlorhexidine) should be used twice a day for 30 seconds, after breakfast and at bedtime. If you have only mild discomfort, take medications that do not contain aspirin, such as Tylenol.

If you feel you may be a candidate for dental implants and live in Manhattan, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates at 212-686-2907.

Dental Implants-Bone Grafting

2008-09-10T12:48:00.001-04:00

Dental implants are artificial devices used by dentists to replace missing teeth. Implants come in many different sizes and shapes. They typically rest on top of the bone or are placed within the bone.

Addressing Insufficient Bone
Sometimes, patients do not have enough bone to support the new implant. In these cases, some type of bone grafting procedure is in order. This may mean gathering bone when getting an implant site ready and then using the bone to graft a supportive area. Whenever the patient’s own bone can be utilized, the best outcomes will be achieved.

Harvesting Bone
In the most extreme instances, bone can be gathered from other areas of the body. Typically the resource area will be the hip. In this kind of graft, a surgeon is required to perform the procedure in a hospital setting.

Other Bone Sources
Another type of bone is made available for dental grafts from cadavers or other sources; this procedure is employed so the patient’s own bone will begin to grow at the site. Sometimes synthetic materials can be used to stimulate bone formation, and occasionally factors from the patient’s own blood can be used to speed up and generate bone growth in the implant area.

If you need dental implants and live in the Manhattan area, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates at 212-686-2907.

TMD: What is the trigeminal nerve?

2008-09-03T12:46:00.000-04:00

Migraine is an affliction that causes many of us to lose days from work and miss out on significant events in our lives. Yet few of us have explored the connection between Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and this unfortunate condition.

The explanation for TMD’s influence on cranial pain and other head and neck pain problems can be traced back to the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is perhaps one of the most sophisticated and powerful nerves in the human body. The trigeminal nerve is the nerve than manages jaw and tooth functions. It fuels feeling and allows jaws, tongue, face, sinus, palate, teeth, eyes, and lips to do their jobs properly.

Amazingly, the trigeminal nerve makes up more than 40 percent of the brain's processing. It is closely connected to facial, hypoglossal, and vagus nerves that also control feeling and operation of nearly every other head, throat and neck muscle. These facial nerves are intimately connected to TMD and migraine-like headaches. The trigeminal nerve has endings on blood vessels that are situated on the outer surface of the brain. Specific triggers may aggravate these nerve endings so that a sequence of chemical events occurs, causes the blood vessels to dilate and leak. Migraine-like headaches are the regrettable outcome.

If you live in the Manhattan and suffer from TMD-related symptoms, please contact the office of Dr. Michael Iott & Associates at 212-686-2907.

Dental Crowns

2008-08-28T11:52:00.000-04:00

Dental crowns are effective for teeth that have been badly damaged. The can also be used to anchor a dental bridge or to cap a dental implant. The procedure involves using tooth-shaped coverings to restore and strengthen damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be made of metal or ceramic (porcelain).

Types of Dental Crowns
The type of dental crown that your dentist uses during your procedure depends on your needs and preferences, as well as your dentist's recommendations. Typically, you have the following materials to choose from:

Metal
Porcelain fused to metal
Resin
Ceramic (porcelain)

Replacing Old Dental Crowns
You also have the option of replacing old dental crowns if you so choose. Patients prefer to do this for many reasons such as concern for the appearance of their metal crowns on prominent teeth. Or, in some cases, older crowns may have suffered enough wear to warrant replacement.

Dental crowns may also be replaced due to a poor fit or added decay in the crowned tooth. At any rate, patients should expect to need dental crowns replaced after 10-15 years because they typically do not last longer than that.

To learn more about dental crowns and which type is right for you, please contact the dental offices of Dr. Michael Iott and Associates today.

Endodontics

2008-08-20T11:47:00.001-04:00

Endodontics is a specialty field of dentistry that deals with the pulp of a patient's teeth and the tissues surrounding the roots of the teeth. The pulp of a person's tooth contains nerves and tissues that can become inflamed or infected due to disease or injury. In most cases these nerves and tissues are incapable of repairing themselves. If they die, an endodontic treatment, also known as a root canal, is needed.

An endodontist is a dentist that has specialized training in the field of endodontics. This usually requires another two to three years of schooling beyond general dental school.

Many endodontic residents perform original research in order to obtain a Master's degree and a specialty certificate in the field of endodontics. They focus their careers on specializing in treating difficult endodontic cases.

Most of their cases are referred to them by general dentists. Some of these may include:

Teeth with blocked canals
Teeth with narrow canals
Patients with unusual or problematic tooth anatomy
Drainage incisions
Internal tooth bleaching
Abscesses
Root fractures

Endodontics involves the use of advanced technology such as operating microscopes, digital imaging and ultrasound equipment to perform specialty services that most general dental practitioners are not capable or equipped to perform.

To learn more about endodontics, please contact Dr. Michael Iott and Associates today to schedule a consultation.

White Fillings

2008-08-12T11:45:00.001-04:00

White fillings or composite fillings are used when the patient has a small cavity and they want the restoration to look natural. White fillings can be made right in the dentist's lab and are placed and completed in just one visit.

How It's Done
Your dentist will numb the area in your mouth to be worked on. Then your tooth will be prepared by removing any decay that is present. The composite is applied to fill the cavity, and once it cures, it will be shaped for fit and comfort and polished.

There is no special technology needed for the placement of white fillings. They were developed as an option to traditional metal fillings and to provide more natural looking fillings for the patient.

Complications
Following receiving a filling, the patient may experience some mild discomfort or tenderness in the area in which the filling was placed. Ibuprofen will usually relieve these symptoms. Any other complications are unlikely aside from possibly needing a minor adjustment to accommodate your bite, or slight sensitivity for the first few days.

To learn more about white fillings or to have one placed, please contact Dr. Michael Iott and Associates today.

Dental Crowns

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Metal
Porcelain fused to metal
Resin
Ceramic (porcelain)

Instant Orthodontics

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Today's technology has provided cosmetic dentists with the ability to improve the appearance of a patient's teeth in just one day. The advancements in adhesives has provided the means by which dentists can now bond ultra-thin porcelain shells to teeth to mask many of the following imperfections:

Discoloration
Deformities
Cracks
Chips
Breaks

The use of porcelain veneers, which are bonded to the front of the patient's teeth to hide these imperfections, is known as instant orthodontics. No longer does the patient have to suffer through weeks or months of repairs, or even braces to obtain a smile they can be proud of.

So, how do you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for instant orthodontics? If you are unhappy with or embarrassed by your smile, or you have teeth that are crooked and uneven with gaps between them, you are likely a good candidate for instant orthodontics.

How It's Done

The method your dentist uses to create and place your porcelain veneers depends on the technology available. Some dentists have upgraded their technical equipment to include CEREC technology. CEREC allows your dentist to record images of your teeth which are then sent to a computer. Your dentist uses special software to alter your teeth on the computer screen.

Once you and your dentist have agreed on how the results should appear, the information is sent to a milling unit that is part of the CEREC machine. Your dentist alters the color of a small block of ceramic material to match the color of your natural teeth. Then the milling unit shapes your new porcelain veneers according to the information it has been given by the computer software.

The process is complete and your new veneers are ready for placement. Your dentist uses a special bonding material to attach them to the front of your teeth and the process is complete. You have a new smile to show the world and it was all completed in one visit to your dentist's office.

To learn more about instant orthodontics, please contact Dr. Michael Iott and Associates today.