• Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for You?

    Happy patient after having cosmetic dentistry services.

    It’s no secret that a captivating smile leaves a lasting impression. However, not everyone is born with perfect teeth. Cosmetic dentistry offers a solution for crooked, damaged, or not-so-pearly whites, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of an impeccable smile.

    Why Do People Seek Out Cosmetic Dentistry?

    Cosmetic dentistry provides a path to flawless teeth, improving your appearance and self-esteem. Still, people often seek cosmetic dentistry for more than just aesthetic purposes. By addressing a range of dental issues, cosmetic dentistry can enhance the functionality of your teeth, leading to improved oral health and overall well-being. You may want to seek out cosmetic dentistry if your teeth are:

    • Misaligned
    • Decayed
    • Gapped
    • Chipped or cracked
    • Small or misshapen
    • Stained or discolored

    Cosmetic Dentistry Options

    Numerous cosmetic dentistry procedures are available, depending on your unique needs:

    • In-office Zoom! whitening is a popular option to instantly brighten your smile, effectively tackling discoloration in just three 15-minute applications within one hour.
    • Tooth contouring reshapes teeth that don’t look quite right, which is perfect for making minor corrections.
    • Bonding is when a tooth-colored material is bonded to a damaged tooth, filling in chips and cracks.
    • Veneers are custom-made shells that cover the front of your teeth, perfect for tackling various cosmetic concerns, including gapped, chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth.
    • Bridges replace missing teeth, bridging the gap and restoring your smile.
    • Implants provide a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth, enhancing functionality and aesthetics.
    • Metal-free fillings match your tooth color, fixing decay invisibly for a completely natural look.
    • Complete smile makeovers take a comprehensive approach, combining various cosmetic procedures for a total transformation.

    What You Should Know

    Before embarking on your cosmetic dentistry journey, consider the following:

    • Assessment: A thorough dental evaluation is the first step. Your dentist will help you identify the best cosmetic dentistry options for you.
    • Timeline: Some procedures require multiple visits or recovery time, so plan accordingly.
    • Cost and insurance: Cosmetic dentistry is an investment in your appearance and health, but not all procedures are covered by insurance. Discuss your options with your dentist and insurer.
    • Expectations: Cosmetic dentistry can significantly improve your smile, but it’s essential to set realistic expectations.
    • Maintenance: Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle are recommended to extend the life of your cosmetic dentistry work.

    Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist in NYC

    Finding the right dental practice to perform your cosmetic procedure is critical to ensuring a pleasant experience and successful outcome. At Park 56 Dental, we know you expect personalized, quality dental care. That’s why we offer a relaxing, spa-like environment right in the heart of New York. We’ve been voted the top dentist in NYC, and with good reason. Specializing in general dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, sedation dentistry, and more allows us to focus on treating each patient’s individual needs.

    Are you ready to enhance your smile? Contact us at (212) 826-2322 to schedule your cosmetic dentistry assessment. The smile you’ve always dreamed of is within reach!

  • How Fixing Your Teeth Can Make You Look More Youthful

    When we think of looking more youthful, we often think of anti-aging products, makeup or wardrobe changes, and diet and exercise. However, one key aspect of looking youthful is often overlooked–our teeth. Our teeth can greatly impact our appearance and how we are perceived by others. Whether it’s fixing crooked or chipped teeth, whitening discolored teeth, or replacing missing teeth, getting the perfect smile can make you look years younger. In this blog, we’ll explore how fixing your teeth can make you look more youthful and confident.

    Straight Teeth

    One of the most common ways fixing your teeth can make you look more youthful is by straightening them. Straight teeth not only look more aesthetically pleasing, but they also give the impression of youthfulness. Crooked teeth can make you look older, whereas straight teeth can make you appear more vibrant and lively. Additionally, straight teeth are often associated with good dental hygiene, which reflects positively on your overall health. Invisalign is a popular method for straightening teeth without the visual distractions of brackets and wires.

    Whiter Teeth

    Another way to achieve a youthful smile is to whiten your teeth. As we age, our teeth naturally become less white due to wear and tear, diet, and lifestyle factors. Whitening your teeth can instantly lift years off your appearance and give you a more youthful glow. A brighter smile can also improve your self-confidence, leading to a more youthful and outgoing personality.

    Fixing Chipped Teeth

    Chipped, cracked or broken teeth can also make us look older than we actually are. When we have missing or damaged teeth, we may avoid smiling or try to hide our teeth, which can make us seem less approachable and friendly. Fixing chipped teeth can restore our confidence and make us look more youthful and polished.

    Replacing Missing Teeth

    Missing teeth affects our speech and eating habits and can also make us look older. When teeth are missing or not properly aligned, it can make our face appear sunken or sagging. Replacing missing teeth can give us fuller, younger-looking faces and boost our confidence when smiling and speaking.

    Health Benefits

    In addition to the aesthetic benefits of fixing your teeth, there are also numerous health benefits. Straightening teeth can improve your bite and chewing ability, making it easier to digest food properly. Whitening teeth can remove harmful bacteria and improve overall oral health. Fixing chipped or broken teeth can prevent further dental problems such as cavities or infection, leading to improved overall health.

    Park 56 Dental’s Cosmetic Treatments Can Make You Look More Youthful Today!

    Fixing your teeth can be a simple and effective way to look more youthful and confident. Whether it’s through straightening, whitening, fixing chips or breaks or replacing missing teeth, achieving a perfect smile can do wonders for your appearance and overall health. At Park 56 Dental in New York, we offer a variety of dental services to give you the perfect smile you deserve. Schedule an appointment today and start your journey towards a more youthful and confident you!

  • How to Care for Dental Veneers

    If you’re looking to improve your smile, dental veneers are a great way to do it. But like anything else, proper care is essential to get the most out of your dental veneers. Park 56 Dental in New York can help you understand how best to take care of them so that they look their best and last as long as possible. Here’s what you need to know about taking care of your dental veneers.

    What Are Dental Veneers?

    Dental veneers are small pieces of porcelain or composite material that are custom-made to fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. They can be used to cover chips, discoloration, gaps between teeth, or other minor issues with your smile. Veneers can also help improve the alignment and shape of your teeth while providing a natural-looking result.

    Avoid Grinding and Clenching Teeth

    Veneer-related tooth damage is most often caused by grinding or clenching the teeth excessively. This type of wear-and-tear is often caused by stress and can cause damage to both natural and veneered teeth if left unchecked. If you have been grinding or clenching your teeth, it’s important to visit Park 56 so one of our dentists can assess the situation and come up with a plan for treatment.

    Use Veneer-Friendly Toothpaste

    It’s also important that you use toothpaste that’s specifically designed for people who have veneers on their teeth—these products are specially formulated not to damage dental work like composites or porcelain restorations. Our team at Park 56 can recommend specific products that won’t damage your veneers while still delivering excellent cleaning power!

    Daily Maintenance

    The best way to extend the life of your dental veneers is to practice good oral hygiene every day. This means brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing at least once a day, and using an antiseptic mouthwash when needed. Make sure to use gentle strokes when brushing and avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes that may scratch the surface of your veneers.

    Regular Checkups

    It’s important to visit Park 56 Dental regularly for checkups, cleaning, and maintenance—at least twice a year—to ensure that your teeth are healthy and that your veneers look their best. During these visits, our professionals will check for signs of decay or damage and provide advice on how you can continue caring for your dental veneer investment.  In addition, they can also repair or replace any damaged or worn-out veneers if necessary.

    Avoid Certain Foods

    You may still be able to enjoy some unhealthy foods such as candy or chips after getting dental veneers, but there are some foods that should still be avoided whenever possible to protect them from staining or cracking. Hard foods like nuts and apples should be chopped into smaller pieces before eating; sticky treats like chewing gum should be avoided altogether; acidic drinks such as coffee or soda should be consumed with caution; and darkly pigmented foods like blueberries can leave stains behind if not properly rinsed away afterwards.

    Schedule an Appointment with Park 56 Dental Today!

    With proper maintenance and regular checkups at Park 56 Dental in New York City, your dental veneers will stay looking beautiful for years to come! Taking just a few simple steps each day can extend the life of your investment significantly while helping you maintain a healthy smile overall. So don’t hesitate—contact us today if you have any questions about taking care of your dental veneers!

  • Should You Get Veneers?

    Are you considering veneers? If you’ve ever felt the need to hide the imperfections in your smile, veneers might be the perfect solution for you. A natural-looking option, veneers are an excellent way to adjust your smile and help you feel more confident.

    A veneer is a thin shell made of tooth-colored porcelain and customized to match your existing teeth. It fits on the outside-facing portion of your tooth and blends seamlessly into your natural smile. Veneers are a discreet option for improving your smile and can conceal imperfections without causing unnecessary damage.

    To start the process, your dentist creates a model of your teeth, which the dental technician will use to create your veneers. Each tooth will be prepared by cleaning, polishing, and etching it slightly to remove a little bit of enamel so the veneer will adhere correctly to the tooth’s surface. Once it’s in place, it will be evaluated to make sure it’s functional and aesthetically pleasing. If necessary, the dentist will make adjustments to create a natural fit, feel, and look.

    Using veneers, dentists can address issues that include:

    • Crooked teeth: Veneers aren’t a replacement for orthodontia but can be used in some cases to improve the look of crooked teeth.
    • Gaps: If your teeth don’t fit together as they should but have gaps between them, it can detract from the look of your smile. However, a more pressing concern is that gapped teeth can be more vulnerable to cavities and gingivitis. If your teeth are poorly aligned, you probably need braces or a retainer. However, if your teeth are gapped because they’re small, veneers might solve your problem.
    • Discoloration: If you’ve tried tooth whitening and are not getting the look you want, veneers can give you a sparkling white smile.
    • Imperfect teeth: Maybe some of your teeth are smaller than others, or perhaps your teeth are worn down or oddly shaped. If your imperfect teeth are making you self-conscious, veneers can fix the problem.
    • Chipped teeth: Most people chip a tooth at some point in their lives. A veneer applied to a chipped tooth can make the chips invisible.

    If you need more persuading, consider the benefits of veneers. First, they look and feel just like your natural teeth, so no one will even know they’re there. They’re also stain resistant, so your teeth are likely to stay white once they’re in place. Veneers are also strong and durable enough to protect your smile for up to 15 years.

    If you’re looking for the perfect place to get veneers, choose the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC! At Park 56 Dental Group, 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.