• Invisalign During COVID Times

    Are you working toward a straighter, more beautiful smile with Invisalign? Perhaps you’re interested in pursuing this wire-free tooth-straightening method, but you’re not sure where to start. After all, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered dental practices and left many patients wondering what procedures are even available at this time.

    Rest assured that Park 56 Dental in NYC is open for business! We’ve made a few changes to ensure your safety and comfort while visiting our office. For instance, we provide a pre-visit health screening and contactless temperature check for all visitors and team members. We also offer masks and hand sanitizer upon request, and we maintain social distancing with staggered check-ins and zero wait times.

    Whether you’re interested in starting Invisalign or continuing your existing treatment during COVID times, we can meet your needs. Here’s what you need to know.

    Beginning Invisalign Treatment

    With the safety protocols in place at our New York City dentist office, now is a good time to begin Invisalign treatment. Visit our office for digital X-rays and a scan of your mouth. Thanks to advanced computer technology and your dentist’s expertise, you’ll receive a roadmap of your path to a straighter smile before leaving the office.

    Once the plan is finalized, custom aligners are made to fit your existing smile, along with 18 to 30 additional sets of aligners designed to gradually shift your teeth to the desired position over the next nine to 15 months or so. Pick up your aligners from us, and start wearing them to begin seeing a difference within a matter of weeks.

    Continuing Your Invisalign Treatment

    If you already have Invisalign aligners from before the pandemic, continue to wear them as usual. You should experience no delays in your treatment if you follow these tips:

    • Wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day.
    • If you lose an aligner, move on to the next one.
    • If you have any issues with loose or poorly fitting aligners, give us a call.

    With today’s heightened focus on hygiene and avoiding illness, you should be extra diligent about keeping your Invisalign aligners clean during COVID times. Here’s how:

    • Wash your hands before putting in or taking out your Invisalign.
    • Rinse your aligners whenever you remove them, and clean them thoroughly morning and night.
    • Never eat or drink anything except water when wearing your aligners.
    • Store your aligners in a protective case anytime you take them out.
    • Brush or floss before putting your Invisalign back in.

    The skilled dentists at Park 56 Dental are ready to help transform your smile with Invisalign. If you’re still working from home during these COVID times, you’re sure to make an impression when you return to work a few months from now with straight, gorgeous teeth!

    Want to learn more about the Invisalign process? Ready to schedule a consultation at our New York City dentist office? Call us at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online today.

  • Why our Teeth Shift or Become Crooked

    Have you noticed a shift in your bite? You might think that your teeth are firmly attached, but it’s actually very common for them to shift, becoming crooked or misaligned. What causes teeth to move around in your head? And what should you do about it?

    • Sometimes baby teeth become crooked. It doesn’t necessarily mean the permanent teeth will be crooked, but in some situations it does. Baby teeth may just be crooked because they’re too small for the available gum space. If a child sucks a thumb or pacifier for too long, the baby teeth may become crooked, and if there is trauma to the mouth or tooth decay that causes a baby tooth to fall out prematurely, the permanent teeth may grow in crooked. If the baby teeth are crowded, the permanent teeth probably will be too. Genetics and heredity play a role, and poor dental habits and poor nutrition are sometimes the problem.
    • Your jaw size may be to blame. Some scientists believe that our teeth often become overcrowded because our jaws have evolved to be smaller than they used to be. Interestingly, the lower jaw grows forward continually, throughout a person’s lifetime. This can cause the lower front teeth to bump into the upper front teeth, which either makes the top teeth spread out or the bottom teeth become crowded. On the other hand, the width of your lower jaw diminishes over the years, which also contributes to crowding of the lower teeth.
    • Teeth can lose enamel and change shape. Whether it’s because of an injury or acid erosion, sometimes enamel is lost from your teeth, changing their shape. This can cause them to move out of alignment. Grinding the teeth, a condition called bruxism, can change the shape of the teeth as well.
    • As you age, your teeth may shift. Aging causes bones, ligaments, and muscles to grow weaker. What’s more, the constant pressure of moving against each other can wear teeth down, causing them to shift and crowd.

    Sometimes, there’s no reason to do anything about teeth that have shifted. Your quirky, crooked smile may just be part of who you are, and there’s nothing wrong with that. There are some factors, though, that would make it a good idea to move your teeth back where they belong. If it’s hard to chew, to speak, or to keep your teeth clean, or your crooked teeth are diminishing your confidence, there are many options available for straightening them.

    At Park 56 Dental Group, we provide personalized, quality dental care in a spa-like environment. We offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, in a patient-centered practice with hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

     

  • The Stages of Invisalign Treatment

    Do you want straighter teeth without having a mouth full of brackets and wires? Invisalign could be right for you! This innovative technology gives you the smile you have always wanted in a discreet, comfortable way. Three simple steps are all that’s standing between you and the smile of your dreams.

    Step 1: Plan Your Invisalign Treatment

    Whether you have mildly crooked teeth or a severe bite problem, Invisalign may be an option for you. The first step is to visit a dentist for digital x-rays and a scan of your mouth. Powerful technology and your dentist’s expertise combine to create a digital roadmap of your path to a straighter smile.

    Once your plans are finalized, you can sit down with your dentist and view your virtual treatment plan. You’ll see exactly what your bite looks like now and how it will gradually shift, with each successive aligner, until your smile is flawless. Most patients agree to a treatment plan lasting nine to 15 months.

    Step 2: Wear Your Aligners

    Invisalign aligners are made using an advanced printing process that ensures a comfortable, streamlined fit. Once they’re ready, you’ll need to schedule a time to pick them up at the dentist’s office. You’ll try them on, have any questions answered, and receive specific instructions for wearing your aligners.

    Rest assured that Invisalign fits your life—it doesn’t interrupt it. You can keep eating all your favorite foods, play the sports you love, and brush and floss without pesky brackets and wires getting in the way. The removable aligners are easy to clean, and with proper care, they don’t increase your risk of tooth decay.

    Most patients wear each pair of aligners for two weeks before moving onto the next set. For your Invisalign treatment to stay on track, you must wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day. This leaves time to remove them for eating, but you should wear them at all other times.

    To make sure your teeth are progressing the way they should, you should schedule periodic checkups with your dentist. This is also when you receive your next batch of aligners.

    Step 3: Wear a Retainer

    While your aligners are a crucial step for straightening your smile, a retainer is what makes the results last a lifetime. Vivera retainers are made with the same advanced technology as Invisalign, meaning they are custom to your mouth and less likely to crack than other clear retainers. You may only need to wear your Vivera retainers at night, so you can continue smiling with complete confidence during the day.

    Park 56 Dental is a certified Invisalign provider in NYC. We can help you plan your smile transformation in our spa-like office, where you’ll receive patient-centered care during hours that fit your schedule. To learn more about Invisalign, please contact us online or call (212) 826-2322 and schedule a complimentary consultation. We serve Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and the surrounding Manhattan and NYC areas.

  • Invisalign: Know Before you Go

    If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign, you probably already know it’s a pretty amazing dental advancement. That being said, you probably also have some questions that you’d like answered before you commit. Here, we hope to answer your questions, and maybe some questions you hadn’t even thought to ask.

    As you probably already know, Invisalign is a method of straightening teeth using nearly invisible aligners, made from impressions taken of your teeth. These impressions are scanned, and these digital scans are used to create a digital model that will tell your dentist how long your treatment should last and how your final results will look. Your dentist can modify the plan, based on your, and some dentists discuss the plan with their patients before modifying it so that the patient’s expectations and preferences can be considered.

Invisalign has many benefits over conventional braces.

  • The clear aligners are more aesthetically pleasing than braces.
  • Invisalign often works more quickly than conventional braces, because they move many teeth at once, and fewer dental visits are required.
  • Because they have no wires or sharp corners, Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than braces.
  • Invisalign can move teeth differently than braces can, using less force so there’s not as much risk of shrinking of tooth roots.
  • It’s easier to clean your teeth when you can remove your aligners, so your breath will be better.
  • When worn 20 hours each day, Invisalign can help relieve TMD symptoms and myofascial pain.
  • After your treatment is complete, you can use your aligners as whitening trays or a mouthguard.

With all those positive marks, are there any downsides to Invisalign? Actually, yes, but not many.

  • You may lisp for a few days, as you get used to having your teeth covered in plastic. If it’s a problem, though, you can always remove the aligners for a little while if you need to be heard clearly.
  • Even though they’re more comfortable than braces, the aligners can still irritate your tongue, gums, and lips.
  • Rarely, someone has an allergic reaction to Invisalign. When that happens, the patient receives a full refund.
  • At the beginning of your treatment, you may have trouble removing your aligners when it’s time to eat.
  • Some providers may charge more for Invisalign than traditional braces.
  • You might lose weight, because you’ll have to stop and remove your aligners before eating or snacking. Of course, this may be a mark in your positive column!

If you have questions about Invisalign or are looking for a dentist in New York, consider Park 56 Dental Group, where we provide personalized, quality dental care in a spa-like environment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

  • Invisalign FAQs

     

    Invisalign is a popular treatment for gradually straightening teeth, using clear, removable aligners. It doesn’t involve brackets or wires and isn’t as restrictive as metal braces. If you’re interested in Invisalign, you probably have some questions about how it works, so we’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions to help you decide whether Invisalign is right for you.

    • What is Invisalign, and how does it work? Invisalign uses aligners made of a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack®, which is FDA-approved and contains no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten. These aligners are virtually invisible, because they’re thin, clear, and fit over your teeth snugly. Using a unique, digital treatment plan created by your doctor, the Invisalign aligners are designed to apply force at exactly the right place and time, and your progress will be closely monitored by your doctor.
    • Why should I choose Invisalign? The aligners’ near-invisibility is a major benefit, primarily because people might not even notice you’re wearing them. Unlike traditional braces, the aligners can be removed when you eat, drink, brush, and floss, and for special occasions. There are different aligners on the market, but Invisalign aligners are the only ones made of SmartTrack, which fits better and is more comfortable.
    • Can anyone use Invisalign? Invisalign is a great way for both adults and teens to improve their smile without the hassle of traditional braces. Almost all common teeth-straightening and bite issues can be fixed using Invisalign’s innovations and technological advancements. There’s even a blue dot on the outside of teen aligners, to help parents make sure their teens are wearing their aligners enough.
    • How many hours a day must I wear Invisalign? You’ll need to wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours each day, changing to a new set of aligners every week or two, under the guidance of your doctor. You’ll have regular appointments with your doctor, typically every four to six weeks, to monitor your progress.
    • How long does Invisalign treatment take? The length of Invisalign treatment varies from patient to patient and depends on a variety of factors. Your doctor will evaluate the complexity of your case to determine how long your treatment should take, but how conscientious you are about wearing your aligners will have an impact on your progress as well. The average treatment time is 12-18 months, but many patients begin seeing results in just a matter of weeks.
    • Can every dentist and orthodontist provide Invisalign treatment? Doctors who want to offer Invisalign treatment to their patients must complete specialized training and become certified Invisalign providers.

    Park 56 Dental Group is a certified Invisalign provider, offering personalized, quality dental care in a spa-like environment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

  • Invisalign® versus Braces

    Are you trying to decide between Invisalign® and braces? The first modern braces were invented early in the 19th century, and since then, there have been great strides in the field of orthodontia. Invisalign® is one of those strides, offering people the opportunity to correct their teeth without the look of traditional braces. Which method is better? The answer depends on many factors, from the severity of your issues to how quickly the teeth need to be shifted. How do you make the decision?  

    • Invisalign® is more than just invisible aligners. There will also be “attachments” glued onto the teeth, which will be either opaque or tooth-colored and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you have crowding, you’ll have to have interproximal reduction (IPR), which is a type of shaving of the teeth. Be prepared for this IPR to remove .1-.5mm or more of your tooth enamel, permanently.  
    • The Invisalign® aligners are a big draw. Not only are they less noticeable to other people than traditional braces because of their transparency, but they’re also removable, which is convenient. You can remove them to eat your meals or clean your teeth, and it’s much easier to thoroughly brush and floss with the aligners out of your mouth. You will change your aligners every week or two, essentially treating your own misalignment.  
    • Braces move teeth more quickly than Invisalign®. The fastest way to move teeth is with low, continuous force, providing constant stimulation to the ligaments around the roots of your teeth. This is best accomplished with Nickel-Titanium (N.T) arch wire, especially when it’s a type that’s high-grade and treated in a way that allows them to work continuously in a low force, at body temperature. High-tech, self-litigating braces move the teeth fastest, while at the same time using the least amount of force.  
    • With traditional braces, you’ll also have pieces glued to your teeth. They’ll either be stainless steel, clear polymer or ceramic, and they’ll serve as connectors for the arch wire that will move your teeth into position. Except in rare circumstances, IPR is not used with traditional braces.  
    • The big drawback of traditional braces is that they cannot be removed. You won’t be able to take them out to eat or clean your teeth, because they’re glued on with a fluoride-infused resin. Good dental hygiene is vital when you have braces, and you will need to see your hygienist every four to six months for your gum health.  

     

    At Park 56 Dental Group, we provide personalized, quality dental care in a spa-like environment. We offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.  

  • Caring for Your Braces

    If you have invested in braces to straighten your teeth, it’s clear that having a healthy, beautiful smile is important to you. The trouble is that traditional braces make dental hygiene a bit trickier than usual. To help ensure your teeth don’t succumb to cavities while you’re straightening your smile, follow these tips to care for your braces. 

    Brush with Care 

    Food particles and plaque tend to accumulate under and around the brackets and wires of your braces. With the following brushing techniques, you can sweep away debris to help keep your mouth clean and cavity-free: 

    • Remove elastics, bands, and any other removable parts of your braces. 
    • Clean around the wires and brackets with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Start by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from the gum line. Then, tilt the bristles as needed to sweep away even the most stubborn particles. 
    • Brush for two minutes twice a day. Aim to spend 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth. 
    • Rinse with tap water, and examine your teeth and braces in the mirror. Check for any lingering food particles that require a little more attention. 
    • If you don’t feel like your manual toothbrush is doing a thorough enough job, consider investing in an electric toothbrush. Look for one with a round head and V-shaped bristles designed for use with braces. 

    Remember to Floss 

    Flossing once a day is important for everyone, including people with braces. Unfortunately, the wires make it difficult to floss between your teeth along the gum line. 

    One solution is to use a floss threader. This makes it easier to feed the floss under each wire. We also recommend using waxed floss, which is less likely to get caught and shredded up in your braces. You can also use self-threading floss, which features a stiffened tip that speeds up the process of flossing with braces or permanent retainers. 

    No matter which method you use, thread the floss carefully under the main wire of your braces before passing it through your teeth. Be careful not to snap the floss—simply move it up and down slowly against each side of the tooth. Then, remove the floss and re-thread it through the next wire. Repeat this process until you have flossed between all your teeth. 

    Schedule Follow-Up Appointments 

    Visit your orthodontist for routine checkups and adjustments to your braces. This is what allows your teeth to continue shifting into the ideal position. Also, keep up with regular cleanings and oral exams with your regular dentist to keep your mouth healthy and catch cavities early. You may also receive more useful tips for brushing and flossing with braces. 

    Traditional braces aren’t right for everyone. If you’re interested in finding out what Invisalign has to offer, please contact Park 56 Dental in NYC at (212) 826-2322. We’ll help you get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted without metal braces! 

  • Answers to Common Questions About Invisalign

    If you want to straighten your teeth, you will be pleased to learn that there’s an alternative to brackets and wires called Invisalign. This treatment uses a series of virtually invisible aligners to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. Learn more about Invisalign to see if this is the solution you’ve been looking for. 

    How does Invisalign work? 

    Invisalign aligners are made using 3D computer imaging technology. You wear each upper and lower aligner for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Each new set of aligners shifts your teeth ever so slightly until, by the end of your treatment, they have moved into their final straight position. Most patients need between 18 and 30 aligners for a total treatment time of nine to 15 months. 

    How much does Invisalign cost? 

    In most cases, the cost of Invisalign is comparable to traditional braces. The total cost depends on your insurance coverage and the complexity of your case. Many dentists offer flexible financing options to help make your dream of having straight teeth a reality. You can also use money from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for Invisalign with tax-free dollars. 

    Why should I put my confidence in Invisalign? 

    Since Invisalign was first invented in 1997, over six million people worldwide have used this technology to straighten their teeth. Advancements to the Invisalign system, including the introduction of the patented SmartTrack material, allow treatment times to be up to 50 percent faster than other clear aligner treatments. SmartTrack is made from medical-grade, high molecular weight, thermoplastic polymers that are BPA-free and FDA-approved.  

    How will Invisalign affect my life and appearance? 

    Because the aligners are virtually invisible, most people won’t even notice you’re undergoing treatment—that is, until you reveal your new smile in a few months! Until then, you’ll enjoy the freedom of removing your aligners at suitable times. This allows you to eat and drink whatever you want, brush and floss like normal, chew gum, play woodwind instruments without added difficulty, and smile with complete confidence at weddings, in photos, or during job interviews. Just remember to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day to avoid delays in your treatment. 

    How do I clean my aligners? 

    The Invisalign Cleaning System is the best option for keeping your aligners clean. You can order this online or from your dentist. An alternative is to brush your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You will also need to brush your teeth after every meal before putting your Invisalign back in. Otherwise, your teeth could become stained by residual food trapped under the aligners. 

    If you still have questions about Invisalign, Park 56 Dental in NYC can answer them for you. We are a Certified Invisalign Provider with years of experience fitting our patients with this advanced tooth-straightening product. To schedule an Invisalign consultation in New York, please contact us today at (212) 826-2322. 

  • Everything You Need to Know About Invisalign Buttons

    For years now, Invisalign has been the preferred choice for adolescents and adults of all ages who want to straighten their crooked teeth. This system of clear plastic aligners is an effective way to correct many types and degrees of malocclusion. Since the aligners are made of smooth plastic, they’re much more comfortable than conventional braces. Many people also prefer Invisalign because it’s a discreet treatment choice, regardless of whether or not buttons are necessary.

    Understanding Invisalign Buttons

    Invisalign buttons, also called Invisalign attachments, are tiny dots of dental bonding material affixed to the teeth. They’re made of the same composite resin material that your cosmetic dentist uses to fill in cavities and repair minor chips. Since the resin is tooth-colored, it’s virtually invisible. It’s important to note that buttons aren’t necessary for every Invisalign patient. Your dentist will develop a customized treatment plan designed to give you the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve.

    Figuring Out Whether You Need Buttons

    Your dentist can determine whether you’ll need Invisalign attachments when you have your consultation. The purpose of the buttons is to increase the effectiveness of the aligners. Essentially, they act like an anchor to grip the aligner. In doing so, the buttons help to strategically apply the gentle force needed to shift the teeth. Throughout the years that Invisalign has been on the market, its makers have realized that some cases of malocclusion are too complex to be adequately corrected by aligners alone. By introducing Invisalign attachments, they’ve opened the door to Invisalign for dental patients with complex malocclusions who otherwise would be forced to try conventional metal braces. Thanks to these clever and unobtrusive buttons, you won’t have to deal with unsightly metal brackets and wires, even if your teeth prove stubborn to move.

    As a certified Invisalign provider, Park 56 Dental is a top choice among residents of NYC who are interested in Invisalign. Call our comfortable dental clinic at (646) 783-3529 to request our next available appointment. You deserve a beautiful, straight smile you can be proud of!

  • Is Invisalign Right for Your Smile?

    If you have ever considered taking steps to achieve a straighter smile, you have likely compared traditional metal braces to Invisalign . When making the decision, you are not only basing your choice on how your smile will look, but also your lifestyle. Invisalign offers a better choice for some when it comes to corrective dentistry. Read on to learn more about whether or not Invisalign might be right for you.

    Appearance Best Dentist in NYC

    Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign works through a series of custom fit plastic trays that slowly move your teeth over time. Since they are made of a clear plastic material, Invisalign is virtually invisible . Metal braces have brackets that are affixed to the front of your teeth and are visible from the time they are put on until they are taken off. Invisalign blends in so well, no one will be able to tell you are wearing them. If appearance is a concern for you when making your decision, Invisalign may be the better choice.

    Life Style

    Since Invisalign works by wearing aligner trays, they can be removed. This means with Invisalign, you don’t have to make any changes to your daily routine of brushing and flossing. You can maintain your oral health care regimen; all you have to do is remove your trays. Additionally, you don’t need to make any adjustments to your diet. With braces, there are certain foods that need to be avoided. Invisalign trays can be removed at mealtime, meaning fewer restrictions. With Invisalign, you don’t have to make big changes to your everyday life.

    Dental Needs

    A big factor in determining if Invisalign is right for you is what kind of dental correction you need. Invisalign works best for individuals who are looking to achieve a straighter smile. If you can get your desired results by making easily predictable movements, Invisalign is the solution for you.

    When you are ready to talk to your dentist about Invisalign in NYC , look no further than Park 56 Dental. To schedule a consultation, call (646) 783-3529.