Decades prior, traditional braces were the go-to solution for patients looking to address crooked or gapped teeth. Although effective, the metal brackets and wires left much to be desired. Fortunately, Invisalign debuted in the late 1990s, completely revolutionizing the field of orthodontics. Now, career-driven individuals don’t have to feel self-conscious on their journey to their new and improved smile. In fact, there are a few specific professions where Invisalign can be beneficial!

Over the past few decades, cosmetic dentistry has exponentially grown in popularity. What has been the driving force behind the increased interest in this form of dentistry? As you continue reading, a local cosmetic dentist explains why more and more people are taking steps to improve their smile!

After weeks of social distancing, businesses across the community are reopening their doors to the public, including your trusted dental team. At Island City Dental, we understand you might have some apprehensions about your safety when coming into our office for your routine cleaning and checkup. We understand your concerns. We’re committed to keeping our patients and our team safe. As a result, we’ve implemented new protocols to prevent spreading COVID-19. Here are 4 things you can expect when coming back to our office.

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There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night with a bad cough. It hurts, it’s uncomfortable, and it distracts you from living your life. One of the first things that most do in this situation is reach for a bottle of liquid cough medicine. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, not to mention the persistence of the seasonal flu, more people may be taking this route. However, liquid cough medicine may have consequences on your oral health.

If you’re familiar with dentistry, you may know that there are many different specialties within the field, all of which focus on different areas of the mouth. The term “prosthodontics” is the area of dentistry focused on dental prostheses. The terms “prothesis” commonly refers to dentures, but that doesn’t mean prosthodontists exclusively provide dentures to patients. In fact, their expertise is a great asset for anyone who cares about maintaining good long-term oral health. To learn why, keep reading!

Every year, millions of Americans lose billions of dollars in dental insurance benefits without even knowing it. This is because most insurance plans run on a “use it or lose it” system, meaning if you have leftover benefits at the end of the year, they do NOT roll over into the next year. In order to save money and stay healthy, it’s important to maximize your dental insurance benefits before the end of the year. Keep reading to learn how.

Life without a full set of teeth is not your ideal picture of existence. Not only does it leave you feeling less confident about the appearance of your teeth, but it also makes the simple task of chewing food a challenging chore. There’s a remedy, though: the placement of dental implants. Considered the gold standard for tooth replacement, this process requires patients to have an adequate amount of existing jawbone. If you fall short in this area, is it still possible for you to receive dental implants? Read on for the answer!

When you leave missing teeth unreplaced, it doesn’t just impact your self-confidence, it also affects your oral health—all the more reason to get them replaced. With so many restorative options out there though, how do you know which one is best for you? No matter what option you choose, leaving a gap in your smile can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. All-on-4 implant dentures can provide you with a laundry list of benefits in addition to a natural-looking and functioning restorative solution. Read on to learn if you’re a candidate for this procedure and how it can impact your day-to-day life. 

Roughly half of adults in the United States suffer from some form of periodontal (gum) disease. In most cases, the condition is relatively minor. All it takes to correct the issue is a few adjustments to a person’s oral hygiene routine. In more advanced cases, however, it may be necessary for a dentist to remove the diseased tissue to stop the infection and give the gums and the surrounding areas a chance to heal. That’s where periodontal laser therapy comes into the picture. This remarkable, minimally invasive procedure has the potential to save a suffering smile.

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Did you know that your dentist can help you with more than just a cleaning every six months? Yes, they can help you prevent and treat cavities and other oral problems, but they can also help you in other ways to promote your oral and overall health. One major example is night guards. This little oral appliance, which is custom made through your dentist, can make a huge difference in your quality of life. With a night guard you may have fewer headaches or get better sleep. Do you need to consider talking to your dentist about a night guard? Check out these two reasons why you may want to. (more…)