COVID-19 UPDATE

Dear Patients,

As per update provided by the New York State Governor Cuomo, during the conference on 05/11/2020, New York CIty and surrounding boroughs and counties did not meet the guidelines needed to re-open.

We are therefore going to remain closed until June 6th 2020 as per order from Gov. Cuomo, pending further updates from the governing bodies.

OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as well as the CDC has recommended that dentists stay closed during the pandemic. We are awaiting further instruction from these governing bodies in order to comply with the new regulations in order uphold the highest standards in infection control. Our main objective is to provide our patients with the quality dentistry in the most safe environment. Our staff will need to undergo additional training to comply with new regulations and use of PPEs. This will require time and additional investment into both our facilities infrastructure, training, as well as other resources.

If you have any questions please call us at 718-424-7100. We have limited phone hours, but if you leave a message we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Sincerely,

Alliance Dental Center & Staff

Have you been told you have gum disease?

The first symptoms of periodontal disease may not be easy for you to recognize. It isn't too difficult to overlook your bleeding gums and bad breath— especially if you're a smoker — because these symptoms often come and go for long periods of time. But these early warning signs may indicate bigger problems ahead.

Periodontal disease often starts as gingivitis, a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the gum tissues. If left untreated, this condition can progress to periodontitis, which results in loss of the bone that surrounds the teeth. When bone tissue is lost, the teeth and gums begin to separate, forming pockets that provide an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Ultimately, the disease may cause tooth loss, painful abscesses, and even systemic inflammation.

Brushing and flossing daily, and having regular professional cleanings are the best way to prevent periodontal disease. If it does develop, a number of treatments are available. Evaluating your oral hygiene techniques and seeking to improve them is a first step at control. Your dentist can also remove plaque and tartar with special tools, in the cleaning technique called “root planing” or “root debridement.” In some cases, periodontal surgery may be necessary.

Zoom Advanced In Office Whitening

The Zoom whitening Treatment

Teeth Whitening works by exfoliating stains from inside your teeth to bring them back to their natural color.  Zoom teeth whitening is a process that uses a 25% hydrogen peroxide gel, the gel is activated via a special UV light.  Your eyes, lips and gums are completely covered and protected throughout the entire procedure.  Whitening is considered one of the safest procedures available in dentistry.  The procedure consists of three 15-minute sessions.  A fresh layer of whitening gel is applied after each session as the old gel is removed from your teeth.

Results

Whitening results can not be predicted. The process can give different results for different patients. That being said, in our recent office study of all patients who had the whitening procedure in 2013, we have seen an 8.5 shade difference after three 15-minute sessions.
Before the procedure is started, we will measure your initial shade, and at the end of the procedure  Our most successful whitening sessions resulted in 15 shades difference, while our least successful cases (very small number of patients) only got 4 shades lighter.

Zoom Advanced Whitening Results at Alliance Dental Center

Zoom Advanced Whitening Results at Alliance Dental Center

Natural Looking Results

Have you ever seen someone with teeth that look like chiclets? Since the whitening process removes stains to bring out the natural tooth color, the results after in-office whitening will always look natural. Your smile will look natural and healthy.

Crowns, bonding and veneers will not change color

Crowns and veneers are made of porcelain, bondings are made of curable resins the shades of which can not be changed. If you have had any previous cosmetic dental work, please know that the color of these restorations will not change.  
This does not necessarily mean that all is lost and you should not whiten your teeth. On the contrary, don't forget that these restorations were probably done some time ago when your teeth were lighter. Years of drinking coffee, red wine, tea, as well as eating foods that stain the enamel have darkened your teeth and your restorations are probably lighter than your current shade anyway.
You always have the option of stopping the whitening after each 15 minute session. If you are unsatisfied with the color of your previous restoration, you may consider replacing it after your whitening.

Zoom Whitening is for everyone, except....

Although zoom teeth whitening is a very safe procedure.  Doctors in general do not recommend any elective cosmetic procedures for pregnant women.  Even if the risk is just 0.000001% it’s still something that’s not worth taking.  There has not been any harm ever reported, it’s just not a risk worth taking.  Additionally, because whitening uses a UV lamp to activate the whitening gel, whitening is not recommended for patients who use photo-reactive medications.

For a limited time save $100

For a limited time, put one of these back in your pocket.  Call before May 31st to book your appointment.

What are the consequences of delaying a root canal?

Having tooth pain can be debilitating. Even though some tooth discomfort can be caused by sensitivity to hot and cold, a toothache is more often a sign there's a problem, like a cavity, that needs attention. Although there are over-the-counter medications that can mask tooth pain, delaying a trip to the dentist when there are indications of a problem is never a good idea.

Anatomy of a healthy tooth

Anatomy of a damaged tooth that requires a Root Canal Treatment

There's a difference between a simple cavity and the kind of infection that requires endodontic (root canal) treatment, though. In the old days before modern advancements in dental care, it was the difference between keeping a tooth and having it extracted. Today, diseased teeth can often be saved, but not always. Before we talk about the consequences of delaying a root canal, let's take a look at the type of infection that requires endodontic treatment [source: ADA].

The exterior of a tooth is hard and looks pretty indestructible, but deep inside it has a spongy core made up of soft tissue called pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp extends down to the base of the tooth. In a perfect world, the pulp should be safe inside its enamel reinforced exterior, but because the human diet can be high in foods that attract and nurture bacteria, the pulp can sometimes become compromised. When the pulp becomes infected or injured, it has no way to protect or heal itself. This means that if a dentist recommends a root canal procedure, there's no upside to postponing treatment. An infection in the pulpy core of a tooth won't get better. It will only get worse.

The destruction of the pulp inside a tooth can result in tooth loss. Delaying treatment can also lead to an abscess near the root or tip of the tooth that can be excruciatingly painful, cause swelling of the face or neck, lead to bone loss in the jaw, or actually create a hole in the gum or cheek area that will leak pus and other fluids.

There's something else to consider, too. Postponing a root canal procedure can also lead to a serious condition called septicemia, a localized infection (like an infection inside a tooth) that spreads to other areas of the body like the heart, brain or lungs. Although rare, septicemia can be life threatening.