Comprehensive Dentistry for Park Slope Families

Patients of all ages should visit the dentist at least every six months, as recommended by the American Dental Association and Dr. Sapienza. During this preventive visit, your dentist in Park Slope and his team will rid your teeth and gums of the plaque, tartar, and bacteria that cause oral issues. Then, your dentist will examine your mouth for tooth decay, gum disease, worn dental work, and other problems requiring treatment.

Did you know that periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States? Dr. Sapienza and his team at The Dental Spa of New York® in Park Slope will assess your gums for signs of this silent destroyer, and then we’ll offer non-surgical therapy in our dental spa. After all, gums are an important part of your healthy smile!

A crown is suggested when a tooth is compromised by damage or extensive decay. A ceramist hand makes the dental crown to fit as a snug covering over the existing prepared tooth. During an initial dental visit, Dr. Sapienza will examine the tooth or teeth that may require a crown. If you do need to have a crown placed, we will treat the existing tooth in preparation for the crown, and take an impression of you bite. This impression will be used by the ceramist to mill your custom prosthesis.

One of the most confusing dental procedures is receiving ceramic inlays and onlays treatment. Unlike in years past where big fillings needed full crown therapy in order to restore your tooth health, things have changed. A more conservative and highly successful option is inlays and onlays – they both fit into a tooth similarly to a filling, yet they are milled restorations. Dr. Frank Sapienza and his team of experts offer ceramic inlays and onlays, as well as additional general and cosmetic dentistry services in our Brooklyn, NY office.

If you have experienced tooth loss, then you know the consequences are physical, emotional and psychological. Physically, even one missing tooth can impact your ability to enjoy a well-balanced diet, because you may be unable to eat healthy foods such as raw fruits and vegetables. Emotionally and psychologically, simply knowing that others are noticing the gap in your mouth can impact you in professional and social situations. You may be reluctant to speak, smile or laugh. Therefore, the importance of replacing missing teeth cannot be overstated. And while you do have options when choosing a tooth replacement, a dental implant is probably the most natural in form and function.

Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? The sound is rather unmistakable, so if you’ve heard this then chances are you do. Actually, all of are susceptible to teeth grinding and clenching—also called bruxism—every now and then. When stress, anxiety or anger hit, then one of our natural responses is teeth grinding. Problems begin, however, when bruxism becomes a habit. And because this habit most often occurs while you’re asleep, breaking the habit can be difficult if not impossible. Nightly grinding and clenching can negatively impact tooth enamel, gum tissue, your jaw and the bone structure that supports your teeth. Furthermore, this destructive habit can even lead to broken or fractured teeth.

Surgical extractions -- often used for wisdom teeth -- are performed when the tooth is only partially visible, has come in at an angle, or is completely trapped beneath the gumline. Dr. Sapienza cuts open the surrounding gum tissue and removes the tooth in multiple pieces. The gum tissue is then closed with stitches.

Let’s say several different cosmetic flaws mar your smile. Perhaps you have a few teeth that are permanently stained. A few are chipped or broken, while still others are crooked or have unsightly gaps between them. Repairing each flaw would require a number of procedures… unless you choose porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers, Dr. Sapienza can cover up your bothersome teeth and give you a completely new and beautiful smile. Veneers are micro-thin layers of dental porcelain that are expertly crafted in a dental lab. Dr. Sapienza carefully bonds the veneers to your teeth to give you a smile that is better than you ever imagined.