Blog Archive

Quick, what’s the common name for your third set of molars? For those of you who didn’t go to dental school, your third set of molars is commonly known as your wisdom teeth. They usually don’t appear in your mouth until ages 17-21, although they can show up earlier or...

You have to go to the dentist, and you’re anxious. Maybe you had a bad experience as a child, maybe a dentist treated you badly, maybe an oral health issue caused you a lot of pain. Whatever the cause, you’re so worried that you’re considering canceling your appointment — until...

Root canals don’t have the greatest reputation, but at Smile Design Manhattan, they’re painless affairs. A root canal removes decay, infection, and damaged pulp from your tooth to prevent a more serious infection from spreading and requiring a tooth extraction. After the decay is removed, we fill the cavity with...

The popularity of veneers is on the rise. The dental veneers market in the United States is about $1 billion a year, and that’s only expected to rise in the next few years.  Veneers are thin porcelain shells that fit over your existing teeth to improve your smile. So what’s...

If your child has special needs, you already know there are plenty of aspects to their life that cause you to worry about them. Regular visits to the dentist’s office don’t need to be on that list. At Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City,...

By the time you get to the end of this post, you may realize you’re a serious candidate for a dental implant. If that’s the case, you’ll join 3 million others in the United States with at least one implant — a number that grows by 500,000 people every year....

Teenagers who need their teeth straightened are choosing clear plastic aligners (such as Invisalign®) instead of metal braces in increasing numbers. Aligners offer the significant advantage of not being nearly as noticeable or bulky as braces, but caring for them can be trickier, especially with teenagers. Here at Smile Design...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

If you’re due at the dentist for a filling, take comfort in this: You’re among the 90% of Americans ages 20-64 who have some form of tooth decay. That adds up to about 175 million fillings performed by dentists every year. Since tooth decay is such a common problem, the...

A dental abscess, also called an abscessed tooth, is a pocket of pus that forms near a tooth. A dental abscess looks like a red, swollen bump. It’s caused by a bacterial infection that can spread to your jawbone and surrounding teeth. There are three types of dental abscesses: Gingival,...

Dental anxiety involves a physical or psychological reaction to an anticipated visit to the dentist’s office. Something about the prospect of sitting in the dental chair evokes dread in up to 19% of the population. Kids are no exception. At Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown West neighborhood of New...

Just the name brings specific images to mind: the iconic sign in the hills, the Walk of Fame, and movie stars on the red carpet flashing brilliant, perfect smiles. Looking for a Hollywood smile yourself? At Smile Design Manhattan in New York City’s Midtown West neighborhood, we can make your...

Try this: Walk up to a friend and mention “root canal.” Then stand back and watch their face. Chances are, they’ll react with horror or fear at the thought of this supposedly painful procedure. In reality, it’s relatively painless. It’s the problem that necessitates the root canal that’s painful. That...

You’ve put it off as long as you can. You’re worried it’s going to be painful and difficult. But you realize you can’t procrastinate anymore — it’s time to visit the dentist. At Smile Design Manhattan in New York City, you needn’t worry about uncomfortable or painful appointments. Our team goes the...

Almost 90% of Americans ages 20-64 have experienced dental decay, which means they’ve had cavities and probably fillings too. When you get a filling, you’re probably not thinking about how long it might last — you just want to get out of the dentist’s office and back home as soon as possible....

We tend to take our teeth for granted. We don’t think about them that much — until something goes wrong. And 40 million Americans know just how wrong things can go: That’s how many are missing all of their teeth. If you’re in that group or are missing either your upper or...

When you were growing up, your parents and dentist always told you to brush your teeth, right? That’s because they knew something you didn’t: If you didn’t clean your teeth, bacteria would take over and cause oral health issues. Those issues are primarily due to plaque. Here at Smile Design...

Not happy with your smile when you look in the mirror? Chances are, veneers can fix your smile issues with minimal fuss. They’re less complicated to install than you might think, and once you have them, you may wonder why you waited so long. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that...

You have a problem. Your teeth look dull lately, even yellowish, despite the fact that you take good care of them. You tried a few at-home teeth whitening treatments, but those whitening strips just didn’t seem to make much difference. So, you’re ready for a professional teeth whitening treatment. The...

You’ve likely heard about root canals your entire life, and there’s a good chance you associate them with fear and pain — even if you’ve never had one before. What if the opposite was true? What if a root canal wasn’t a cause for nervousness but seen as a routine,...

Somewhere in the deep recesses of your mind, you know sugar is bad for you, and more specifically, bad for your teeth. But do you know why? What is it about sugar that makes parents tell their kids, “Sugar will rot your teeth!”? The experienced dentists at Smile Design Manhattan, in...

If you’re tired every morning because you’re waking up multiple times every night — especially if you’re snoring a lot — you might need to see a doctor to improve your sleep. Or maybe you need to visit the dentist. That’s right. If your dentist is anything like the experts...

In some cultures, a gap between teeth is a sign of good luck. The reality isn’t quite as fun — gaps between your teeth can cause problems for your oral and overall health. At Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City, our dental experts want...

When you’re pregnant, you no doubt have a long list of things to take care of, so it’s natural that you may not give too much thought to your oral health. The problem is that the changes in your body due to pregnancy can also cause issues with your oral...

Getting a root canal sounds about as fun as, well, getting a root canal. Wait, so what do you compare a root canal to when you’re talking about something that’s not fun? We know that getting a root canal isn’t high on anyone’s list of fun things to do. But...

You know the drill: You’re on the phone with your dentist’s office, trying to schedule your next appointment. Your options include squeezing it in over your lunch hour, or maybe going early in the morning and then rushing to work, late again. But what if there’s another option? What if...

Chances are your parents taught you how to brush and floss your teeth when you were a child. But maybe that’s the last time anyone talked to you about how to brush and floss. It’s worth taking another look to make sure you’re doing both properly, though. If you aren’t,...

According to the Journal of Dental Hygiene, 50% to 80% of Americans feel some degree of dental anxiety when they think about going to the dentist. So, if you’re feeling anxious about a trip to the dentist’s office, you’re not alone. Maybe you had a bad experience as a kid or as...

If you’ve ever thought something didn’t look quite right about your smile, but your teeth are in good shape, you might have a “gummy smile.” A gum lift can help. Also known as gum contouring or a gingivectomy, a gum lift is a cosmetic dental procedure where your dentist uses a laser...

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. Teeth replacement options used to be fairly limited, but advances in dentistry have led to a new technique called All-on-4® dental implants. Thanks to this implant technology, you can replace all of your upper or...

Cavities are holes in your teeth formed when the tooth begins to decay because of acid and bacteria that attack the tooth’s enamel.  If you’re thinking that sounds bad, you’re right. The goal is to keep cavities from forming so you don’t have to fill the cavities at your dentist’s...

You’ve been imagining the moment for so long: You take out your last set of Invisalign® trays, look in the mirror, and celebrate your brand-new, dazzling smile. It’s a great moment to look forward to, but once your treatment is finished, you may wonder what you need to do to...

If you’ve been diagnosed with receding gums and you’re ready to treat the problem, pinhole gum surgery is a revolutionary new option that gets great results with minimal downtime and fuss. Our expert team of providers at Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City has...

Your first two sets of molars are usually no problem. It’s the third set that can get you into trouble. This set of molars, better known as your wisdom teeth, generally appear in the back of your mouth in your late teens or early 20s.  If your wisdom teeth come...

Unless you’ve sat in the dentist’s chair recently, you probably haven’t given much thought to what the fillings in people’s teeth are made of. But if you’re about to head to the dentist, or if you’ve just been told you need a filling, it’s important to understand the different types...

Let’s take a moment to appreciate an underrated staple of any dental practice: the humble root canal.  Root canals over the years have gotten a bad reputation, but with today’s technology, a root canal likely won’t cause you pain beyond any initial discomfort. At Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown...

Maybe you haven’t fully smiled for a picture in years, or you always put your hand up to hide your mouth when you speak.  If these situations (or countless others like them) feel familiar, it may be time to fix those crooked teeth. And Invisalign® might be just the solution...

Even if you’ve been reluctant to show your smile for years because your teeth aren’t picture-perfect, all hope isn’t lost. Even if you’ve considered getting veneers but thought they looked too fake, all hope isn’t lost. Even if you think veneers might work, but your problems are too severe, all...

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your smile bright and your breath fresh while also improving and supporting the overall health of your body, regular teeth cleanings are an important but often overlooked way to accomplish this. At Smile Design Manhattan in New York City’s Midtown West...

According to the numbers, dental anxiety (or dental fear) affects about 36% of the population, with another 12% suffering from extreme dental fear. That’s almost half of Americans who are uneasy about going to the dentist. Beyond the numbers, though, these are real people with real fears. If you’re one...

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million people in the United States have a dental implant, with 500,000 more being added to that list every year. Given that more than 36 million Americans don’t have any teeth, and 120 million are missing at least one tooth, the...

Flaws in your smile aren’t just detrimental to your appearance. Did you know that it may be important for your long-term dental and oral health to fix your smile? At Smile Design Manhattan, our team of dental experts, under the leadership of founder Lee Gause, DDS, can help you plan...

Dental implant surgery is the new standard of care for missing teeth. While dentures have been used for centuries, these teeth restorations only replace the portion of the tooth above the gumline. There’s no replacement for the roots of your teeth, resulting in the loss of an important biological interaction....

Supersized foods are trending these days, but no one wants oversized gums that hide their teeth. If you see more of your gums than your teeth when you look in the mirror — commonly called a gummy smile — it’s time to consider a gum lift. Smile Design Manhattan can...

Wisdom teeth are thought to be vestigial, parts of our body that are no longer necessary due to our evolution, just as the coccyx is a reminder of the tail our ancient ancestors once had. Because of the wear and tear on teeth created by prehistoric diets, a third set...

Your smile is often the first thing others notice. To ensure yours properly represents you, follow these 5 tips for keeping your teeth and gums feeling and looking fabulous. 1. Brush - but not too hard  You already know that brushing at least twice a day is a must. Be...

Some 7.5 million Botox treatments are performed annually, accounting for about half of all minimally invasive cosmetic treatments for both women and men for that year. At Smiles Design Manhattan, we’re proud to offer this tried and true treatment to our patients. Look older than you feel? If so, Botox...

Though adult teeth are designed to last a lifetime, 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. What’s more, some 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. Add in the fact that 92% of adults and 42% of kids ages 2-11 have at least one cavity, and...

If you’re like most Americans, you spend a lot of time and money trying to lighten and whiten your teeth and undo years of yellowing and staining. Yet, there are some white spots that aren’t desirable. Not only are they unsightly, but they may mean that you’re at risk for...

If you snore, you know how annoying it can be to you and your sleep partner. Snoring is loud — loud enough to wake you (and your partner) from a good night’s sleep. Over time, a lack of quality sleep can take a major toll on your lifestyle and your...

There’s an old saying that cautions against throwing the baby out with the bathwater, which means we should do what’s necessary to accomplish our goals without discarding something valuable in the process.  And veneers, especially no-prep veneers, are a perfect example of this. If you’d like to give your smile...

Now that we’ve been living with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for a few months, we’re learning how to take precautions and minimize the risk of contracting the virus. You may be wondering if it’s safe to pursue elective medical procedures or resume routine dental care. Our team at Smile Design...

Is what happens while you sleep causing damage to your teeth? A custom-designed mouth guard could be the treatment solution you need to keep your smile happy and healthy!  At Smile Design Manhattan located in Midtown West, New York City, our team of experienced dental providers custom design mouth guards...

Few people list going to the dentist as one of their favorite activities. But there are three good reasons you should get regular dental cleanings: your overall health, your oral health, and preventive care. It’s about more than your teeth Although you probably think of a dental exam as an...

If you have one or more problematic or missing teeth, dental implants may be just what the doctor ordered. One of the most effective, healthy, and comfortable tooth-replacement options available today, they look and function like natural, healthy teeth. In fact, no one will likely know you have a dental...

Getting a tooth knocked out is a painful experience, but it’s often followed by something even worse: the realization that you’ve lost a tooth forever! Fortunately, modern dentistry makes it possible to save your tooth as long as you act fast. To increase your chances of saving your tooth, you...

When you get a sliver in your finger, you quickly try to remove it to alleviate pain and prevent infection in your finger. So, when you have an infected tooth, doesn’t it make sense that to stop the pain and discomfort, you should remove the source of that irritation, as...

Although dentures are the most popular choice for missing teeth because of their affordability, they aren’t without faults. If you’re tired of shifting and slipping dentures, but want to prevent bone loss in your jaw, you can now opt for a better way to replace your missing teeth. Our team...

When your jaw or teeth aren’t aligned, you can experience tense muscles in your jaw, mouth, and neck. The condition can affect your bite and cause clenching and/or grinding, called bruxism, at night. The stress of tensing your muscles or grinding your teeth for an extended period of time can...

All teeth darken over time, even teeth that have been whitened. Lifestyle, hygiene, and even food habits play an important role in this process. Teeth whitening has many advantages, like giving your smile a youthful and healthy appearance. That’s why it can be disappointing to see the bright results fade...

Are you dissatisfied with your smile? Have you ever considered a cosmetic fix to help improve your confidence?  In New York, New York, our staff at Smile Design Manhattan specialize in veneers. Veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment for both men and women to improve their smiles. While many people...

Are discolored, stained, or dull teeth taking the confidence out of your smile? Have you thought about using a teeth-whitening system to tackle your less-than-pearly teeth?   There are many choices when it comes to teeth whitening, from over-the-counter (OTC) products, like whitening toothpaste, charcoal treatments, and whitening strips to in-office...

Does the dentist make you nervous? Don't worry, you’re not the only one. In fact, that's why sedation dentistry exists. This option eases patients' nerves so they feel calmer during their appointment. Our team of doctors at Smile Design Manhattan understand the fear some patients have for the dentist, which...

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects more than 20 million adults in the United States. This chronic condition refers to sleep interrupted by periods of non-breathing, either due to an obstruction in your airway or to central signals sent by your brain. These instances of slow or non-breathing...

In times past, convenience and quality tended to be mutually exclusive, but the burgeoning world of online shopping and home-delivery services is changing the way we do business. Now consumers can purchase quality goods without the hassle of in-person shopping. Joining this revolution are at-home services, which provide everything from...