Protecting Your Smile

Paul J. Guerrino has been a professional in the dental industry for many years. As a dental implantologist, Paul J. Guerrino deals largely with dental implants, dental prosthesis, tooth bonding, and beyond. While Guerrino specializes in these areas, he also has a strong knowledge of basic dental practices that every healthy child and adult should follow to prevent dental issues in the future.

One of the most overlooked health practices by people today is good oral hygiene, which coincidentally enough, can also be one of the easiest to put into practice. As children, we are all reminded to brush after meals and floss daily. However, how many people actually continue to follow these practices into their adulthood?

Studies have shown that one in three Americans are said not to be brushing enough. This can lead to undiagnosed dental disease and uncomfortable trips to the dentist. Even the simplest routines, such as maintaining a good diet, can positively impact your overall oral hygiene, leading to a healthy, happy, mouth.

Here are some very basic practices everyone can follow to protect your smile and ensure that your trips to the dentist are always painless and worry free.

Brushing

It’s simple to remember - always brush twice a day. Most dentists recommend brushing just after waking up and again before going to bed. Are you looking to go the extra mile? Brushing after a mid day meal can positively impact your oral health, while leading to a clean smile and avoiding bad breath throughout the day. The type of toothpaste you use can also impact the effectiveness of your brushing. Dentists recommend fluoride based toothpastes, which help protect teeth and fight against tooth decay. This is typically marked clearly on the front of the package. Also, always remember to brush long enough during each session as well. Two minutes is the recommended minimum for adults, and today there are even toothbrushes available with sensory feedback to let you know you’ve brushed long enough, each time you’re at the sink. Don’t forget to be kind your gums as well - brushing too vigorously can lead to gum injuries and bleeding. Apply a gentle, yet firm motion when brushing - if you think your brushing is not effective, it may actually be time for a new toothbrush. Typically a replacement every three months or so is recommended to get the most out of every brushing session.

Flossing

You already know - floss daily. However, if you find the inconvenience of using floss is keeping you from practicing this extremely important oral hygiene habit, consider a floss pick. These literally handy devices allow you to get the benefits of flossing in an easy to use pick. These make it extremely easy to floss and are excellent at removing food and plaque from the hardest to reach places.

Regular Dental Checkups

While going to the dentist can be an anxiety inducing trip for some, simply making regular checkups with your dentist and significantly improve your oral hygiene and ensure that future visits are much less stressful. At a minimum, you should be seeing your dentist for a checkup and cleaning once per year. However, if you suffer from any current or past dental diseases, you might consider increasing your visit frequency to a few times per year. Don’t forget - your dentist isn’t only catching if you’ve been following mother’s instructions and brushing and flossing daily - your dentist can also look for signs of oral cancer - a high risk for smokers or those who consume alcohol on a regular basis.

To learn more about the services offered by Paul J. Guerrino and what others are saying about his practice, check out his profile on Certified Consumer Reviews: http://certifiedconsumerreviews.com/paul-j-guerrino-dds/.

Dental Implants vs Dentures

Paul J Guerrino DDS PC has many years of experience as a dentist and implantologist. He is the owner of Guerrino Dentistry and Associates and has a wide knowledge of a variety of dental procedures. One area that Dr. Paul J Guerrino specializes in is dental implants. Using his experience and professional knowledge, Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC explains the pros and cons of dentures as well as the potentially more beneficial option, dental implants.

Missing teeth and broken teeth can be an uncomfortable issue. Not having a full set of beautiful white teeth not only limits what you are able to eat but can have a negative impact on your confidence. Missing teeth can cause more damage to your jaw lines and health in a number of ways. Luckily you have options to get back the full set of teeth you need and want. But which so you choose? Dental implants or dentures?

Pros and Cons of Dentures:

Dentures are removable teeth replacements that have been the most common choice for individuals who have lost a lot of their top or bottom teeth.

Dentures, however, do have their drawbacks. In order for them to stay in place, you need to use a paste or adhesive which can often be a messy and inconvenient process. This needs to be reapplied each and every time the teeth are taken out. These paste and adhesives are also not very secure and the dentures tend to slip out of place or remain feeling losing in the mouth. This is especially true for lower dentures.

Dentures also require a significant amount of maintenance. They must be properly cleaned and cared for on a daily basis that requires more than just brushing. They can also wear out which means you will need to replace them regularly, which can be a costly process.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants:

Unlike dentures, dental implants are a more permanent alternative. They are not removable and function just like your natural teeth. They are secured with a metal post that is inserted into the jaw and then covered with a natural looking crown. Dental implants tend to be more secure and comfortable because there is little chances of them becoming loose or shifting out of place. Dental implants also help keep the jaw bone strong. They offer support to the jaw which reduces the risk of bone deterioration and even facial collapse. Without the additional support, the jaw lines weakens and can result in additional health issues.

Dental implants will, however, take longer to heal and put into place. It can take much longer to get your permanent implants put in because you need to allow the area to heal properly after any extractions. Since dental implants do require surgery this can be painful and more costly alternative.

While dentures have been the go to alternative for teeth replacements, dental implants can be a much better option. Not only do they look and function like your natural teeth but the provide the additional support our jaw bones needs to remain strong. The process may take longer you will not have to worry about your dental implant wearing down as you do with dentures so the cost of the surgery could cancel out the additional cost of having to have the dentures replaced. Both options provide you with a healthy and fully function set of teeth but they each have their drawbacks.

To learn more about the specializations of Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC, check out his professional website: http://pauljguerrinoddspc.com/.

Tooth Bonding

Before and after images of dental problems

corrected with tooth bonding.

At Guerrino Dentistry &Associates, patients have a number of options when they want to improve the look of their smiles. One service offered by Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC and our other dental specialists is tooth bonding.

Tooth bonding is used to repair a stained, chipped, decayed, or widely spaced tooth.  This service can also make teeth appear longer, protect the tooth’s root when gums recede, and change the shape of teeth. In short, the procedure has cosmetic and health applications. Our dentists deliver results by applying a tooth-colored material onto the tooth surface and then hardening the material.

When a patient requests tooth bonding services, Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC will start by consulting a shade guide to determine the resin color that matches patient teeth. The dentist can then get started right away on the bonding process. First, he or she will roughen the surface of the tooth by etching it. A conditioning liquid, which will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth’s surface, is then brushed on.  Once preparation is complete, the dentist then applies color-matched resin to the tooth surface. To ensure the bonding is shaped properly, our dentist smooth out the resin before proceeding to the next step. Finally, an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin material. Our dentist waits for hardening to be completed and then polishes the material to match the sheen of the patient’s other teeth. We advise patients to wait 48 hours before eating or drinking substances such as tea and coffee that can stain the resin.

There are many advantages to correcting cosmetic and health issues with tooth bonding. This process rarely involves drilling or anesthetic, making it one of the least expensive ways to improve your smile. Additionally, tooth bonding procedures can be performed for multiple teeth in a single visit. The entire process takes between 30 minutes and one hour, although it can take longer when several teeth are being bonded at once.

For more information on tooth bonding, and other services provided by Dr. Paul J. Guerrino, check out his website: http://pauljguerrinoddspc.com/.

Thanks for reading,

Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC

Porcelain Veneers

Welcome back to the dentistry blog by Paul J Guerrino DDS PC. The four Westchester County clinics, Guerrino Dentistry & Associates, provide a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures. Today’s blog focuses on porcelain veneers, which are used to recreate the natural look of teeth and offer strength comparable to the natural enamel.

A veneer is a thin layer of material placed over a tooth to improve the aesthetic appearance of the tooth. Dentists at Guerrino Dentistry &Associates such as Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC, utilize dental porcelain to craft these veneers whereas some other dentists fabricate a veneer using composite materials. Porcelain veneers are usually preferred because they are more stain-resistant than composite veneers and also do a better job of reflecting light in the same way as natural teeth. Dentists will recommend veneers to correct the following dental problems:

• Teeth discoloration from medication, root canal treatment, excessive fluoride, or age
• Front teeth wear
• Chipped front teeth
• Gaps and unsightly spaces in between teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Irregularly shaped teeth

If you are interested in obtaining porcelain veneers, speak with your dentist about the procedure. Be sure to communicate what your goals are for treatment to help determine whether porcelain veneers are the best solution. The porcelain veneers dentist will then examine your teeth to confirm that veneers are an effective solution and also provide more information about what to expect. In some cases, he or she will take x-rays or make impressions of your teeth.

Next, the porcelain veneers dentist chooses which veneers will be used and works with you to pick out the right color. Once it is time for you to undergo the procedure, the dentist will prepare teeth for veneers and then bond them to the teeth using resin cement. From start to finish, porcelain veneers typically require 2-3 office visits.

For more information about Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC and Guerrino Dentistry, check out his latest video on vimeo: https://vimeo.com/91452725.

Thanks for reading,

Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC

Invisalign Teeth Straightening

At the Westchester County Dental Clinic, Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC employs a wide range of specialists under one roof. Our patients can seek unique cosmetic and surgical dental procedures without having to travel to an unfamiliar location. Patients who require orthodontic work can turn to our Invisalign dentist for Invisalign teeth straightening.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to teeth straightening. There are no metal brackets to attach and no metal wires to tighten, making Invisalign the only treatment that is removable and comfortable. Best of all, others will not even know that you are straightening your teeth. This process is carried out using a set of customized, plastic, transparent trays.

How Treatment Works

The average total treatment time for Invisalign patients is 9-15 months and patients use between 18 and 30 aligners during that time period. Our Invisalign dentist custom crafts each tray to be used for two weeks. You will only remove the tray to brush, floss, eat, and drink. After two weeks of wearing the tray, you will replace it with the next tray in the series. Each replacement causes teeth to move little-by-little, week-by-week, until they have straightened into their final positions. You will meet with our Invisalign dentist roughly once every six weeks to ensure that teeth are progressing as planned.

An Alternative to Traditional Braces

Traditional braces use metal wires and brackets that rub against the gums and cause cheek abrasions. Individuals with braces also have difficulty brushing and flossing around braces, which causes teeth to become permanently stained. Invisalign trays, on the other hand, are pain-free and completely removable. Since Invisalign trays are also invisible, nobody will know that you are undergoing these treatments.

Learn more about the benefits of Invisalign teeth straightening services and other services on my website: http://pauljguerrinoddspc.com/guerrino-dentistry-dds-pc.

Thanks for reading,

Paul J. Guerrino DDS

To read more dental care blog posts about dental research, check out this Wordpress blog from Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC.

BriteSmile Teeth Whitening

Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC performs a wide range of cosmetic and surgical dental procedures. When patients want to achieve a perfect smile by making teeth visibly brighter, we recommend BriteSmile teeth whitening treatments.

Over time, teeth become yellow based on the patient’s eating, drinking, smoking, and dental hygiene habits. There are a number of teeth whitening products available today, including whitening toothpaste; gel and trays; strips; and laser whitening. Of all of these treatments, BriteSmile is the fastest way to visibly whiten teeth. Our BriteSmile dentist needs just one hour to perform this service. On average, patients report that teeth are nine shades whiter following the one-hour appointment.

When a patient asks about BriteSmile treatments, Dr. Paul J. Guerrino begins by scheduling a complimentary consultation to provide some background on the procedure and answer any questions. The BriteSmile dentist then makes sure the patient wants to proceed with the service and examines his or her teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy enough for treatment. Once the patient has been approved, he or she can sit back and relax or watch television as the BriteSmile dentist applies procedure gel to the teeth. The gel is then activated by a gentle blue light for 20 minutes. The BriteSmile dentist adds and activates the gel for two more 20 minute sessions before the patient is ready to go home and show off his or her bright new smile.

BriteSmile has proven safe and effective in a number of clinical studies. Researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey concluded that BriteSmile whitening produces no structural damage in teeth, does not soften tooth enamel, and has no unwanted effects on fillings. Senior researchers at my alma mater, New York University, were able to confirm these results and the study was then validated by the Journal of the American Dental Association.

For more information about BriteSmile and additional services offered by Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC check out his website: http://pauljguerrinoddspc.com/.

Thanks for reading,

Paul J. Guerrino DDS

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Dental Prosthesis

Welcome back to my blog. My name is Paul J. Guerrino DDS. I founded my dental practice, Guerrino Dentistry & Associates, more than two decades ago to provide Westchester County residents with complete dental care. My practice currently employs experts in a wide range of specialized surgical and cosmetic dental procedures, including dental prosthesis.

Prosthodontics is the dental specialty related to the diagnoses, treatment, and maintenance of oral comfort and appearance. A prosthodontist, or restorative dentist, is an expert in this branch of dentistry. He or she utilizes biocompatible substitutes to address clinical conditions associated with missing teeth. Some patients missing an entire set of teeth on the top and/or bottom of the mouth opt for dentures, a prosthetic device that bonds or clasps into the mouth. Dental prosthesis works in conjunction with dental implants to offer an alternative to the traditional, complete denture. Depending on the number of missing teeth a patient has, the restorative dentist will determine which type of prosthesis to recommend. Patients at Guerrino Dentistry & Associates can choose from one of two types of dental prosthesis: removable and fixed.

Removable Prosthesis: A removable prosthesis is one the patient is able to take out of his or her mouth, such as for cleaning. This device requires 4-6 dental implants per jaw and connects to the implants with a clip and bar.

Fixed Prosthesis: A fixed prosthesis cannot be removed and is instead fitted to a frame secured to the dental implants. Patients will need at least five dental implants along the contour of the jaw to ensure the prosthesis is fixed in place.

As I mentioned above, you should consult with one of our restorative dentists to determine which type of prosthesis meets your needs. To learn more about Dr. Paul J. Guerrino and his services, check out his Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/91452725.

Thanks for reading,

Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC

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