Inlays and Onlays: Durable and Attractive Alternatives to Dental Fillings

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Of all the restorative dental procedures available, inlays and onlays tend to be the least known about among my patients. In a restorative world ruled by dental fillings and crowns, inlays and onlays offer an equivalent restorative option.

In fact, most dentists prefer to use inlays and onlays when more than half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged.

Inlays and onlays can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, gold, and composite resin. While they are often grouped together, inlays and onlays are used for different reasons. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of your tooth. An onlay, on the other hand, extends out over at least one cusp of the tooth and extends down the side of the tooth, making it a more substantial restoration.

Inlays and onlays require two appointments to fully prepare and place. During your first visit, your tooth will be prepared for your restoration by cleaning and removing the damaged or decaying area of your tooth. To ensure proper fit and bite function of your restoration, I will take an impression of your tooth and then send it to the dental lab for fabrication. I will place a temporary filling that you will wear until your next appointment.

At your second appointment, I will remove your temporary filling, check the fit of your inlay or onlay, and bond your restoration to your tooth using a strong resin. Your restoration will be polished to give it a natural look and a smooth texture.

Because traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent, inlays and onlays are great, durable, and natural-looking alternatives. In fact, these restorations can increase the strength of your damaged tooth up to 75 percent and last for at least 10 years when cared for properly.

I’m Dr. Richard  Kobak, a cosmetic and restorative dentist in the North Shore area of Long Island, New York, and I have placed inlays and onlays on countless patients and have seen quality results. If you have a damaged or decaying tooth, I invite you to call Syosset Dental at (516) 433-2211.

filed under: Restorative Dentistry Syosset LI NY

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Get a Brand New, Beautiful Smile with Porcelain Veneers

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Take a look at a picture of your favorite celebrity. Chances are, one of the first things you notice will be the star’s “perfect” teeth. While you may be envious of the Hollywood lifestyle, there’s no reason to lust after a great grin.

You can have one of your own with porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers, also known as the smile makeover procedure, can give you your own version of a perfect smile in just one cosmetic dental procedure.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells made from high-quality ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of your teeth. This creates a natural looking, visually appealing smile that is sure to help you exude confidence, look years younger, and give off a stellar first impression.

If you have misaligned, permanently stained, chipped, broken, or unevenly spaced teeth, porcelain veneers can give you results that no other dental procedure can. Because they are just as strong as natural teeth, veneers can last for at least 15 years with proper care. They are also stain resistant, so you will never have to worry about whitening your smile, even if you are a smoker or coffee drinker.

The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to give you a healthy, beautiful, natural looking smile, so I will work with you to design a smile makeover plan that best fits your needs and appearance. I will take into account several factors, including your natural tooth structure, face shape, coloring, and age to ensure that your smile blends well with your overall appearance and your cosmetic procedure can remain your best-kept secret.

I’m Dr. Richard Kobak, and I invite you to call (516) 433-2211 to schedule a consultation appointment to see if veneers are the right cosmetic dental procedure for you. My brand new state-of-the-art dental office will be complete soon and, once it is, we can embark on the journey to the smile of your dreams together.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry

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Take Years Off of Your Appearance with Teeth Whitening

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Thanks to the endless technology available in the dental field, it’s easy to achieve the smile of your dreams from a number of cosmetic dental procedures.

I know, however, that cosmetic dentistry can require a leap of faith. It’s an investment of your time, your money, and of your physical appearance. Sometimes, all you need to update your smile is teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening is the most-requested smile makeover procedure for a reason: it works. This safe, quick, and inexpensive procedure can take years off of your appearance and breath new life to your smile.

If you wish to try teeth whitening, just let use know at any appointment or call our dental office at (516) 433-2211 to schedule a consultation. I will take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and your custom bleaching trays will be ready for you in just a day or two.

I will provide you with 100 percent safe bleaching gel that you put into the clear trays and wear for an hour per day or while you sleep. This at-home teeth whitening system allows you to lighten your teeth at your convenience in the privacy of your own home.

The entire process takes only 10 to 14 days, and, once you’ve reached the desired brightness, only occasional touchups are needed to maintain your brand new smile.

If you want to correct brown, yellow, or mottled tooth staining, and are looking for a near permanent solution for a dull smile, I invite you to call Syosset Dental in the North Shore area of Long Island, New York, at (516) 433-2211. I’m Dr. Richard Kobak, and I’ve seen teeth whitening work many of my patients. I’m confident it will give you the results you’re looking for.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry

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Setting Your Foundation for a Lifelong Healthy Smile

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Dr. Kobak checks out the new Syosset Dental office

The Syosset Dental team always welcomes new patients, and opening our new state-of-the-art dental office sometime late this summer gives us a fantastic opportunity to expand our dental care family.

As a patient, your initial office visit is the first step to building a strong patient-doctor and patient-office relationship. Your initial appointment will consist of a complete evaluation of your mouth and oral health, including any necessary X-rays, periodontal exam, thorough tooth exam, TMJ and bite evaluation, and head and neck evaluation. Dental cleanings are not always done at this visit, however, your periodontal status needs to be addressed at every visit to decide which type of cleaning best suits your needs.

At Syosset Dental, our philosophy is to spend as much time as needed learning about every new patient’s oral health and needs prior to making treatment decisions. The hygienists and I will spend time talking to you about yourself, your dental and health history, and your dental and smile goals. We encourage you to voice your concerns and questions at this time so that they can be addressed and you can be as comfortable as possible in our office.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your examination:

  • Any duplicate X-rays, if applicable
  • A list of medications you are currently taking
  • Dental insurance and necessary forms and documentation, if applicable

It is important to know that all patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation appointment. Also, please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to surgery, such as diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure, and if you are on any medication.

I’m Dr. Richard Kobak, and I hope you find a home at Syosset Dental. My team and I are dedicated to giving you a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles, so I encourage you to call my dental office, located in the North Shore area of Long Island, New York, at (516) 433-2211.

filed under: General Dentistry Syosset LI NY

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Your Smile Makeover Begins Here

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With modern dental technology and techniques, achieving your dream smile is easier than ever. If you look in the mirror and are disappointed with the smile staring back you, you have come to the right place!

Cosmetic dentistry is any dental treatment that improves the beauty and health of your smile. As a cosmetic dentist in the North Shore area of Long Island, New York, I offer a number of smile makeover options to my patients.

These procedures include:

  • Metal-Free Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Crowns
  • Bridges
  • Dental Implants
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Teeth Whitening

Almost any flaw in your smile can be corrected with the help of cosmetic dentistry. Crooked or overlapping teeth can be straightened without the discomfort or time commitment that accompanies traditional metal braces. Gaps between teeth can be closed, and chipped or worn teeth can be repaired and made even. Even missing teeth can be replaced.

Cosmetic dentistry can give you a total smile makeover, but the benefits don’t end there. In addition to giving you a beautiful, natural-looking, complete, and fully functional smile, a smile makeover can renew your self-confidence and create lasting, positive first impressions. You smile is the first thing people notice about you, so why not wow them with one flash of your pearly whites?

I’m Dr. Richard Kobak of Syosset Dental, and I know that deciding to have a cosmetic dental procedure is a big decision. That’s why my team and I are here to help you. My dental office will open in just a few months, and, when it does, I invite you to schedule a cosmetic consultation by calling (516) 433-2211. Your new smile is waiting for you.

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry

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Welcome to the Syosset Dental Blog

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I’m Dr. Richard Kobak, a general and cosmetic dentist in the North Shore area of Long Island. My new, state-of-the-art dental office, Syosset Dental, will open in approximately July 2011.

My team and I are proud to offer patients a number of contemporary dental services. We can provide you with general dentistry, like routine checkups and dental cleanings, as well as restorative dentistry, such as dental crowns, bridges, and implant restorations. But dentistry is no longer confined to general and restorative procedures. As a cosmetic dentist, I offer full smile makeovers with  porcelain veneers, as well as teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, and white fillings and crowns.

The Syosset Dental team is dedicated to giving you the best care possible. One way we do this is by making sure that you are informed about what’s going on in your mouth. I encourage you to use this blog as a resource for learning about oral health, overall health, and the link between the two. Our philosophy for great dental care also includes keeping patients comfortable and confident during dental visits.

Interacting with my patients is the best part of my job, so I encourage you to call and schedule an appointment for whatever you may need, from a general exam to a consultation about a cosmetic dental procedure.

My entire team is here for you, and we are more than happy to assist you in any way. Our goal is to build and maintain smiles for a lifetime. To find out more about Syosset Dental, or to schedule an appointment, call 516-433-2211.

filed under: General Dentistry Syosset LI NY

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