Home Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water and it helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. Every day, minerals are added to and lost from your teeth’s enamel layer through demineralization and remineralization. Minerals like fluoride, calcium and phosphate are redeposited to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. Fluoride is important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. However, adults benefit from fluoride, too.  

While there is fluoride in our foods and water, it can also be directly applied through fluorinated toothpastes and mouth rinses. In most cases, fluoride is administered by the dentist during your appointment. During your appointment, the doctor will apply the fluoride to the teeth in gel, foam or varnish form that contain much higher levels of fluoride than the amount in mouth washes or toothpaste. Because it’s been difficult to find effective, affordable fluoride treatment at a drug store, Dr. Nina Kiani has decided to offer take-home fluoride treatments.

 

This take-home fluoride treatment provides complete coverage and helps protect your teeth from harmful plaque bacteria. When you get your home fluoride treatment, it is quite simple to use:

• Brush your teeth thoroughly.
• Place the fluoride gel in the tray. 
• Place the tray completely over your teeth and gently press the tray to move into place.
• Leave trays in your mouth for 5 minutes.
• Use the tray with the fluoride gel in your mouth at least twice a day.
• Once after breakfast and once before bedtime.
• Do not rinse your mouth after each use. Expectorate the gel residue completely. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes.
• Do not eat or drink with your tray in place.
• Do not use any chemicals or hot water to clean your tray. Use antibacterial soap on a toothbrush to clean your tray and rinse it out.

If you are interested in take-home fluoride treatments, set up a consultation with Dr. Nina Kiani at our New York, NY office!

Dental Implants

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, patients have a lot of options. None of those options, however, are permanent like dental implants. Implants are widely considered the modern-day solution to missing teeth because they provide an aesthetically pleasing, permanent answer to a serious problem. We provide dental implant procedures to help our patients restore their smile and fix their bite after implant surgery.

 

When a patient loses a tooth, it is important to act quickly to fill the space. Apart from the cosmetic issues, patients who have missing teeth will often suffer from compromised chewing efficiency and tooth drifting. The space left behind from a missing tooth causes the other teeth to drift into that space which can lead to misaligned teeth. When teeth become misaligned, they become more difficult to clean, leaving unreachable pockets in the teeth that will collect bacteria. This will almost certainly lead to periodontal issues that will eventually lead to additional tooth loss if left untreated.

 

Receiving a dental implant is a surgical procedure and patients are put under a general anesthetic. A dental surgeon will make an incision into the patients gum line where they will insert the implant. The implant will be secured into the jawbone where it will need to sit for three to six months so the bone can grow around it, this process is called osseointegration. After the surgery, patients will visit us to receive a crown over the implant. This is done so the patient’s teeth do not drift and they can eat normally. Once the implant is secured, your dentist will place an abutment on top of the exposed implant that will support a permanent crown.  Dental implants are the only completely permanent solution to missing teeth.

 

Dental implants are a great way to fix a common problem, permanently. If you would like to have a consultation regarding dental implants, give us a call at 212-279-8770 or visit us at www.ninikianidds.com. 

Scaling and Root Planing

If your teeth are sensitive or your gums bleed when you floss or brush, you might be suffering from gingivitis or gum disease. Patients who come in for regular cleanings are much less likely to suffer from periodontal disease.  If you’re not taking care of your oral hygiene, the bacteria and plaque can advance to gum disease and it becomes more difficult to treat. While gum disease sounds like a scary thing, the good news is that there are treatment options available.

 

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. There are many different forms of periodontal disease but all of them can cause serious damage to the mouth. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. The biggest cause of gingivitis is lack of a regular oral hygiene regimen. Preventative measures, such as regular brushing and flossing, go a long way when it comes to preventing periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral health practices at home.

 

We offer a non-surgical, non-invasive option known as scaling and root planning for those who have gum disease. This deep cleaning procedure is a great alternative to surgical options. Scaling involves removing built-up plaque below the gum line using either manual scraping instruments or an ultrasonic tool. When we do your root planing, we essentially gently sand your teeth, removing rough spots on the tooth surfaces and roots, which tend to harbor bacteria.

 

If you fear that you might be suffering from gingivitis or gum disease, set up an appointment with one of our skilled dentists at our New York, NY dental practice so we can go over treatment options.