Thursday, December 7, 2017

Implants are the Superior Dental Prosthetic

If you are missing a tooth or need one replaced, the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia’s Center City is your place for implants. While our Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. David Azizyan are highly skilled in providing a number of prosthetic tooth replacements, implants stand out by repairing some of the damage to the patient’s facial structure and by allowing them to return to a normal lifestyle.

Endosteal implants are called that because they are inserted into the endosteum, a thin layer inside bones. Dental crowns, including bridges, replace the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line, and in some cases, this is sufficient. But the tooth roots play an important part in strengthening the jaw bone and providing support to the surrounding teeth. When a tooth root is diseased or has to be removed, the jaw bone begins losing mass, weakening the other teeth. Crowns alone cannot fix this, but an implant inserted into the jaw bone stimulates the growth of new bone tissue. Once the implant and jaw bone have fused together through a process called osseointegration, the crown supported by the implant will be stable and the surrounding teeth will be at less risk of shifting and becoming loose.

An implant looks like a small metal screw and is attached to the jaw bone through a surgical incision. Osseointegration will usually take between six to twelve weeks. While recovering, the patient will wear a temporary artificial crown to enable them to chew and keep the gap between their teeth open for the permanent crown. Once the implant and bone are fused together, another incision will be made and an abutment will be put on top of the implant. The permanent crown is made in a dental laboratory from an impression of the patient’s mouth. It will be durable and the same color as the patient’s natural teeth.

There are several advantages to having an implant. The prosthetic is long-lasting and often does not need to be replaced for more than ten years. The reinforcement of the jaw bone not only strengthens the other teeth, it also helps the patient’s face to retain its shape, preventing lop-sided, withered appearance. Unlike dentures, implants can be cleaned in the same way as natural teeth, with regular brushing and flossing. Artificial teeth cannot be whitened, but at our cosmetically-focused dental center, we take pride in helping patients to select shading which is pleasing to them (and we can remove stains from their natural teeth).  Implants are one of the surgical procedures with the highest success rate, so if you need a second chance with your oral health, they’re one of the best options to consider.

Dr. Shireen Malik and Dr. David Azizyan operate the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, conveniently located downtown at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit us online at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Smile makever with Dr Shireen Malik at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center!





Dr Shireen Malik explaining how a smile make over is planned Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center


#Smile #smilemakeover #drshireenmalik #Philadelphia #centercityphiladelphia #dentist #cosmetidentist #invisalign #teethwhitening #Botox #juvederm #fillers #veneers #cosmeticdentist

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Holiday season is here!

Get your smile festival and Holidays ready at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center #Veneers #cosmetidentist #philadelphiadentist #teethwhitening #philadelphia #invisalign #shireenmalik #drshireenmalik

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Go to the Gym-Your gums will thank you!

When you’re sweating it out on the treadmill or sidewalk, you’re probably thinking about how all that exercise is going to make you look fitter or help your heart run a bit better. But what if there was another rather unusual benefit? What if going to the gym was also good for your gums?
This statement comes from a study published this past May in the journal Oral Diseases:

OBESE PEOPLE ARE SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN IDEAL-WEIGHT FOLKS TO DEVELOP SEVERE GUM DISEASES.

In the study of 160 people in Thailand, researchers found an increased likelihood of oral diseases, especially gum disease, in those who were overweight or obese, which they defined as having a body mass index greater than or equal to 23 and 25, respectively.The study also found increased leukocyte counts, which usually happens when the body is fighting an infection, in obese and overweight participants as compared to ideal-weight participants.
WE’RE ONLY JUST GETTING TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND OTHER DISEASES.
The connection? One expert blames our fat cells. They “produce many chemical signals and hormones, and many of these substances lead to inflammation throughout the body,” says Dr. Terrence Griffin, president of the American Association of Periodontology. The inflammation, in turn, leads to decreased immunity, making us more susceptible to periodontal diseases, he adds. Fat or any foreign material will trigger or activate inflammatory cells — such as macrophages or neutrophils — and this results in the production of cytokines that will destroy soft and hard tissues, explains Dr. Salomon Amar, a professor of molecular and cell biology at Boston University.
When you’re brushing your teeth, you’re doing much more than just getting rid of bad breath or removing that piece of spinach that your dinner date didn’t mention. In 2006, Dr. Amar did a study on how periodontal health relates to complications during pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and osteoporosis. The link to cardiovascular diseases, in particular, is emerging as a substantial threat, he says. Meanwhile, the association with diabetes has been found to work both ways, meaning if you have severe periodontal disease, you should probably get checked for diabetes.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Testimonial from our Patient!


Smiling patient after getting temps placed for Lumineers! Stay tuned for the final photo op!


Testimonial from our Patient!


Testimonial from our Patient!


Long-term gum disease linked to Alzheimer's disease

(Reuters Health) - Chronic gum inflammation, known as periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, researchers from Taiwan report.
Chronic periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth loss, is also associated with increases in markers of inflammation throughout the body. Some recent studies have suggested that chronic periodontitis might contribute to a decline in thinking ability, the authors note in Alzheimer's Research and Therapy.
Dr. Yu-Chao Chang’s team from Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung City used data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to examine whether patients age 50 or older with chronic periodontitis had an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
They found no overall link between periodontitis and Alzheimer's, but people who had the chronic gum inflammation for 10 or more years were 70 percent more likely than people without periodontitis to develop Alzheimer's disease.
The link between long-term periodontitis and Alzheimer's was present even after researchers adjusted for other factors that might influence the development of Alzheimer's, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and urban environment.
"Our findings support the notion that infectious diseases associated with low-grade inflammation, such as chronic periodontitis, may play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease," the study team concludes.
"These findings highlight the need to prevent progression of periodontal disease and promote healthcare services at the national level," they add.
"In fact, it is believed that the association between periodontitis and Alzheimer´s disease may be bi-directional,” said Dr. Yago Leira Feijoo from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain who wasn’t involved in the study. “Currently, with the scientific evidence that is available, we cannot be sure if the risk factor is either periodontal disease or Alzheimer´s disease,” Leira Feijoo said by email.
“Because periodontitis is a preventable and treatable disease, periodontal patients should be aware of the potential risks of gum infection and the systemic impact that could have,” he added.
Dr. Ingar Olsen from University of Oslo in Norway, who also wasn’t involved in the study, told Reuters Health, “Dental care of old people should not be neglected.”
“Brush your teeth carefully to prevent development of periodontitis," Olsen added.
Dr. Chang did not respond to a request for comments.
SOURCE: bit.ly/2vMA0hd Alzheimer's Research and Therapy, online August 8, 2017.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

"Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary." - Chinese Proverb


A note from the Oro Facial Pain Specialist



After the end of a long tiring day-its a good idea to often indulge in a soothing cup of peppermint tea.
Not only does it have a soothing and refreshing taste it also offers several health benefits.
For example peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities,strong antioxidant and antitumor actions,and some antiallergenic potential.


Animal model studies demonstrate a relaxation effect on gastrointestinal(GI) tissue,analgesic and anesthetic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system,immunomodulating actions and chemopreventive potential.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Some Things to Know About Root Canals



Does the sound of a root canal make you squirm? A lot of people feel this way as it sounds like a very daunting dental procedure. But a root canal doesn’t have to be a negative thing. It’s a dentistry method that can save your tooth from extraction. Most dental offices that specialize in endodontic procedures can make it as quick and painless as possible for you. Some people see an endodontist specifically but most dentists offer this service, too.

Dental Reviews Can Help

Doing a search of dental reviews for your city and the type of service you are looking for can help you gather information about various dentists who are known for good service in dentistry and in the area of root canals, you’ll find dentist reviews that can help you make a decision about which professional to call.

You should be prepared for the fact that root canals need a few appointments to be completed. They can generally be done in 2 or 3 appointments (a temporary filling after drilling and medication insertion is often done before the final filling) and afterwards, your dentist will recommend a crown be created for your tooth and then applied.

Do I Need a Crown ?

A customized dental crown after a root canal is a good way to preserve your tooth as it’s a porcelain shell that covers the tooth and protects it. Without the crown, your tooth is at risk for cracking or chipping because the original tooth is just a shell. Some people avoid the crown because it can seem expensive but it is an investment in the protection of your tooth.

Your dentist may prescribe something for pain for you but most people find that they recover quickly from a root canal.

If you are looking for a dentist to perform a root canal, doing a thorough check of local dentists can help you determine which one might be the best fit for you from a scheduling perspective, from a financial perspective (some dentists offer financing and will bill your insurance company directly for whatever amount is covered by dental insurance), and from the perspective of determining whether or not you’d like to find a new dentist to take care of both your proactive and reactive needs. Root canal dentist reviews can help you get well informed about the procedure, too.

A root canal may become a necessity at an inopportune time but finding a good dentist to take care of it for you can help you open the door for a long term relationship with that oral health care professional. After the root canal is finished you can work on some preventative care to help preserve your other teeth and /or repair any issues.

Alternatives to Root Canals

If you want to know what else can be done other than a root canal that has been recommended, the two major options are extraction and extraction, then dental implant. A dentist will be able to tell you how likely a root canal is to be successful but it’s important to note that complications could happen. If you’re nervous about the idea of a root canal you can also look into sedation dentistry to take the stress out of the experience, too.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Training Cups and Your Toddler’s Teeth

Training Cups and Your Toddler’s Teeth

Baby girl holding a sippy cup
It’s a milestone worthy of celebration: your baby is graduating from bottles! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your toddler should be ready to move on from the breast or bottle between 12 and 24 months.

While your child may not be ready for a regular cup right away, there are a number of training cups you can use to help them move from baby to big kid. Here are three things to consider.

What Type of Training Cup to Use

While it’s tempting to purchase a “no spill” cup, these are essentially baby bottles with a different design.  The aim is to shift from sucking to sipping.  No-spill cups have a valve that stops spills and the only way your child can drink from a no-spill cup is to suck, not sip.

To help your child learn how to sip, look for training cups with the following:
  • A cup with a snap-on or screw-on lid that has a spout, but no valve
  • Training cups with two handles
  • Training cups with weighted bases to keep them upright and to cut down on spills

What Goes In Your Child’s Cup

Know which drinks are best to give your child. Water with fluoride is the best beverage for your child’s teeth, so always offer water first. Milk is also a great option to offer during meals.

If your child does drink juice, make sure to serve the recommended, age-appropriate limits at mealtimes only and don’t let your child carry it around in a training cup throughout the day. Sugary drinks like fruit juice increase your child’s risk for cavities, especially if your child is drinking it between meals. The act of chewing during meals gets saliva flowing, which can help wash away any leftover sugar from juice or food on your child’s teeth.

Where and When Your Child Is Using Training Cups

Like any new skill your baby works on, learning how to use a regular cup will take time, practice and patience on both of your parts! To help ease them into the habit, use a training cup with water between meals or when you’re on-the-go.

Mealtimes are a good time to start working with your child on sipping from real cups. Limit spills by starting with small amounts of water or milk in cups your child can comfortably hold. Cups with two handles or small paper cups can be great starter tools.

And toddlers are called “toddlers” for a reason, so don’t let your child walk and sip at the same time to avoid a mouth injury.

Once the day is done, don’t let your child go to bed with any kind of cup unless it’s filled with water. Letting sugary drinks pool in your child’s mouth overnight can lead to cavities.

Thursday, April 20, 2017


Lumineers are No prep Veneer.No Anaesthetic is required for this smile makeover.





Clear Correct



Completed case of Clear Correct Braces.




Thursday, April 6, 2017

'90s Tooth Gems Are Making a Comeback and We're Here for It From Halsey to beauty vloggers.

MAC's Spice lip liner and crimped strands were cool and all—but we think the most impressive beauty trend of the '90s was actually hidden from plain sight. If you wanted a "tooth gem" sighting, you'd have to get someone to *smile*.
The tongue-in-cheek accessory, which is making a comeback, consists of a small gold, silver, or crystal gem that is bonded to the tooth using a special adhesive that can keep it attached for years. Typically they're worn one at a time—like an accent nail for your teeth—but you can wear more than one, or pack 'em in, if you want. However, dentists will advise you not to try this at home as you can damage a tooth's natural enamel.
The accessory has been on the rise for a couple of years thanks to some major celebrity endorsements: Katy Perry rocked the Nike "check" logo on one of her pearly whites back in 2015, and as of January of 2017, Halsey is sporting a gold star emblazoned on one of her canines.
But it's not just pop stars getting in on the fun, thanks to pro-tooth-gem outposts—which tend to be a step up from the offerings you'll find at the dentist—many are using the tiny accents to express themselves. In fact, it was L.A. 's Tooth Kandy that gave badass model Adwoa Aboah a crystal-studded Chanel logo gem, which would eventually appear on the cover of i-D magazine.
What's more is that beauty bloggers are getting in on the action, too. Not just applying them to the teeth, but even pressing them into the lips and sealing with a gloss. And given that we're in the midst of a lip art renaissance of sorts, we're bound to see more tooth gems cropping up. So you may want to schedule a teeth cleaning and get ahead of the trend...

Friday, March 17, 2017

Happy StPattys

Lumineers


Lumineers:

These are no prep or minimal prep veneers which do not require any shots.The procedure takes 2 visits with no discomfort.On the first visit you get temporary veneers so you can have a preview of the kind of smile you will get.

This picture is of a case where the patient has short teeth due to bruxism habit,I have put temps on him and even with the temps you can see that he has a more fuller smile.I will be posting the final outcome soon.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. It’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly because if left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis and you might lose your teeth to decay. The most common cause of gingivitis is practicing poor oral hygiene. If you are not maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center are here to assist you and provide you with routine dental cleanings.


Gingivitis commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth (plaque). Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, which means that it can be prevented. Generally, gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene – longer and more frequent brushing, as well as flossing. If the condition is left untreated, gum disease can spread and affect tissue, teeth, and bones, leading to periodontitis which can eventually lead to tooth loss.


If you show symptoms of gingivitis, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Inlays and Onlays

The Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center provides patients with many types of restorations to keep their teeth beautiful and working correctly. One type of restoration which other people may not see very often but which makes a huge difference is the partial crown. Known as an inlay or an onlay, this kind of restoration repairs the grinding surface of a molar or premolar.


The difference between an inlay and an onlay is how much of the tooth surface it replaces. The back teeth have several raised, pointy bits, called cusps, with indentations in between. Inlays fill in the indentations, while onlays cover indentations and damaged cusps. If the patient needs a partial crown because of tooth decay, Dr. Malik will remove the decayed material before making an impression of the patient’s mouth. This impression is then sent to a lab where a custom-fitted partial crown will be milled out of porcelain.


Placing the inlay or onlay only takes a single trip, once it’s been made. Patients will soon be chewing comfortably again.


Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Friday, February 24, 2017

Orthodontics before Implants

The Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center of Philadelphia is equipped to provide for a wide range of patients’ cosmetic and orthodontic needs. But patients who need extensive work done may not know what to get first. Implants are an incredibly effective type of restoration but they nearly always need to be placed after orthodontic work has been completed.


If the orthodontics are needed to correct overcrowding, there may not be room for the implant, let alone a new crown. But the main reason orthodontics don’t work on implants is the way in which implants need to fuse with the patient’s jaw bone. Endosteal implants get their name from the endosteum, a layer of tissue inside bones. An implant is inserted into this layer and if the osseointegration process goes correctly, new bone tissue will grow around it. The bone and titanium matrix won’t be pushed out of place by any orthodontic device, nor would a patient want it to be.


Because implants cannot be moved, it is important for the arches of a patient’s teeth to already be in the right shape if the artificial tooth is to align properly. However, patients who already have implants may still be able to undergo orthodontic treatment. It depends on which teeth need to be moved and to where. In some cases, an implant can actually provide helpful anchoring to the jaw ridge.


Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Wisdom Tooth Decay

As we age, we acquire wisdom, and the same goes for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-21 and are known as the third set of molars. When they erupt correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chomp your food a little faster.  However, if they start to cause you pain and discomfort, you may need to schedule a consultation one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center to discuss extraction.


If you bite on a piece of food that is too hard or you experience a mouth injury, wisdom teeth may become troublesome. They can also become cracked, broken, and decayed. When this happens, the risk of infection increases, because if a tooth becomes broken, it could leave a hole that makes the tooth vulnerable to bacteria and decay. Decay can form on any tooth surface, but when the decay begins to attack the wisdom teeth, depending on the position of the tooth it becomes difficult to clean. Depending on the individual case, one of our doctors may be able to fill the tooth, but even in cases where a filling could be successfully placed, if the wisdom tooth cannot be adequately maintained, recurrent decay can occur. Though many patients tend to procrastinate through the process, extraction is always best to avoid infection.


If your wisdom teeth are still intact and you have questions about removal, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

A Deep Cleaning for Your Gums

Deep cleaning your teeth is not something you do after eating a messy meal. A deep cleaning is required to treat gum and periodontal disease. If you haven’t been to the dentist in quite some time, you not only increase your chances of developing gum disease, you risk needing costly procedures to reverse the damage. The treatment that our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center utilize is called scaling and root planing and we are going to explain when it’s necessary.


Deep cleanings are offered when dental X-rays show some bone loss and a full-mouth exam reveals one or more gum pockets greater than 4 millimeters deep. Ideally, normal healthy pockets will be no more than 3 millimeters deep. If the pockets are greater than 5 millimeters, our doctor might prescribe a deep scaling and root planing appointment. Severe periodontal takes some time to develop, therefore, to prevent it you should practice proper oral hygiene at home and schedule regular cleanings twice a year.


If you think you may benefit from a deep cleaning, please give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Electric Toothbrush Apps

At the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, we strive to help patients understand the wide variety of dental products available to them. Among these are the new smart phone apps that manufacturers such as Oral B and Kolibree are creating for their electric toothbrushes. These apps are designed to make electric toothbrushes more useful to children and people with disabilities, so we thought we’d provide a run-down of them.


A manual toothbrush is as good as an electric toothbrush when used for two full minutes during each brushing session. Many kids struggle to do this, which is why the reduced time an electric toothbrush requires is advantageous to them. However, they still have to use it for a certain amount of time and in the right way. New apps provide users with a reward system, games and videos which last the length of time for which they are supposed to brush, and educational content to provide encouragement. Some apps also provide feedback on which tooth surfaces the patient is overlooking and whether the toothbrush’s settings need to be adjusted. This could potentially help users correct mistakes they’re not aware their making.


Whether to get an electric toothbrush depends greatly on a patient’s situation, but manufacturers are constantly producing new products which may be useful to some people.


Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Gum Pocket Reduction

At the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental center, Dr. Shireen Malik provides treatments which can improve the health of patients’ gums as well as their teeth. One of the restorative treatments she provides which patients also report significantly improves the appearance of their smiles is a gum pocket reduction.


Healthy tooth roots fit snugly into gum pockets, but some plaque inevitably creeps in. This is why deep cleanings and planings are necessary. When patients go too long without a deep cleaning, gingivitis can develop in response to bacteria colonies producing acid-causing plaque in the pockets, which the leads to periodontal disease. As bone and gum tissue decay, the empty space they leave behind become a home for more bacteria, and trap even more plaque.


Once an enlarged gum pocket has been cleaned, Dr. Malik may want to close it off. This may be as simple as making an incision and pulling a flap across a pocket, which would then be sutured. In some cases, it may require a full gum graft. However, once the pocket is reduced, the patient’s tooth root will no longer be exposed, making is much less painful and making their smiles more attractive.


Shireen Malik, D.D.S, operates the Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center at 1128 Walnut Street, Ste 500, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191078. To schedule an appointment, call 215-279-1193 or visit NicholasCosmeticDentalCenter.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Snoring may seem comical, but obstructive sleep apnea is no joke. It can increase your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes – and even make you more dangerous on the road. Although sleep apnea has many dangers, we’ll discuss a few. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, scheduling a consultation is the first step in treating this sleep disorder.


Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure in people who have it. The frequent nighttime awakenings that plague people with sleep apnea cause hormonal systems to go into overdrive, which results in high blood pressure levels at night. People with obstructive sleep apnea are also more likely to suffer heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes may be low oxygen or the stress of waking up often during sleep. Weight gain plays another role in the hidden dangers of sleep apnea. Adding weight raises your risk of sleep apnea, and up to two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are severely overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can often be cured if you lose enough weight, but that can be tough to do.


If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with us to discuss your treatment options. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

How Teeth Become Yellow Over Time

As humans, our teeth consist of four types of tissues: dentin, pulp, enamel, and cementum. The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth followed by dentin and the outer layer which is enamel. The cementum portion of the tooth is located at the base of the tooth, which holds the tooth in place along the jawline. When these parts of your teeth become yellow in color, our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center can make them a little brighter using a variety of cosmetic options.


Dental enamel coats each tooth and acts as a protective shield. When the enamel erodes from too much acidic exposure, it causes yellowing to occur. Dentin which is the middle layer of the tooth naturally gives teeth a yellowish color. Dentin makes up most of the tooth and is a hard, yellow substance. Environmental factors can also cause teeth to turn yellow and so can different medications, smoking, and age. Smoking not only yellows teeth but it can do the same to fingernails. Age can factor into teeth yellowing because, over time, our enamel wears off, exposing dentin. Excessive tartar buildup can lead to yellowing of the teeth.


If your teeth are yellow, give us a call to discuss your whitening options. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

The moment has arrived, your child is one-year-old and it’s time to schedule their first dental visit. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we want to preserve your child’s teeth and gums for years to come and we start this process by first introducing them to our staff to assure they feel comfortable in our dental chair. Here's what to expect! 


During your child’s first visit, one of our doctors will examine his or her mouth, teeth and gums, as well as evaluate adverse habits such as thumb sucking. They will also check to see if your child needs fluoride treatment and teach him or her all about cleaning their teeth and keeping their gums healthy. If your child has well surpassed the age of one, you will need to limit their sugar intake as a method of cavity prevention. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care and can offer dental sealants as a way to protect your child’s teeth. Once the oral exam is complete and you are satisfied with your experience, we will suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.


If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.