Cosmetic Dentistry

Gum Contouring

Gums can make a big difference in how your smile looks. A crooked or inflamed gum line can make your teeth look too short or even crooked. If this is the case, you may be a candidate for gum contouring. After determining you are a candidate that could benefit from gum contouring, Dr. Giraldo uses a laser to remove excess gum tissue after which she finishes sculpting your gum line to create a more even smile.

Gum contouring will create a more attractive and balanced gum line, in addition to giving you a healthier mouth. Dr. Giraldo’s skill with a laser will lead you to a painless and more attractive smile.

Invisalign

Dr. Giraldo uses Invisalign, which is nearly undetectable. Invisalign aligners are created with 3-D computer technology to straighten your teeth for an overall aligned smile without the hassle of permanent braces. You’ll receive a new set of aligners every few weeks until your smile has reached your desired goal. Invisalign can straighten your smile, close gaps in your teeth and correct movement after you’ve had braces.

Teeth Whitening

A simple and time effective way to brighten your smile is to try a teeth whitening treatment. Dr. Giraldo’s whitening technique removes stains and discoloration by using non-toxic chemicals. This simple process from beginning to end only lasts about two hours, making it a fast way to give your smile and quick lift. You and Dr. Giraldo will decide how “white” you’d like your teeth to be before adding chemical teeth whitener. This process is faster and less invasive than other dental procedures to fix discoloration such as veneers, making it a great, cost effective way to brighten your teeth and improve your smile.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

White, tooth colored fillings, are a better looking alternative to the more common silver amalgam fillings. Tooth colored fillings are made from a special resin compound that Dr. Giraldo will customize to match your teeth making the filling less visible and hard for others to see.

Although silver and white fillings are applied the same way, white fillings are a cosmetic step to making your smile look smoother and more natural. Before getting these fillings, you may want to consider having Dr. Giraldo whiten your teeth so she can match your fillings to your newly brightened smile.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Your smile is not only a form of expression, it can also change the look of your entire face so there are many pros to improving your smile and raising your confidence in your teeth. Some things that lead to changing your smile could be injury, illness, disfigurements or crooked teeth. Even if it isn’t any of those things, you may just want to change it slightly for an improved overall look. Either way, Dr. Giraldo can help your quality of life by making you more excited and confident about showing your smile to the world. You’re wellbeing and self confidence is worth it, so let us help you feel great about your smile. Learn more about full mouth reconstruction.

Porcelain Veneers

If the issues you want to fix in your mouth are mostly cosmetic, Dr. Giraldo can design a custom set of fitted porcelain veneers that go right over your teeth to create an instant perfect smile! Veneers are a good way to improve the overall look of your teeth by covering cosmetic imperfections such as chips, stains, discoloration and broken or misaligned teeth. Veneers are low profile, non removable, tooth colored sleeves of porcelain that are designed to slip over your teeth. They are created specifically for your mouth and fitted to ensure your comfort. Veneers can be an attractive option to fix all these problems at once.

General Dentistry

Dental Bridges

If you have missing teeth, a dental bridge can be a good solution. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth or set of teeth that Dr. Giraldo uses to replace a missing tooth or hide a gap where more than one tooth is missing. This is a good solution if the tooth is beyond repair and can’t be filled. This simple solution will give you a complete smile without any gaps. After Dr. Giraldo examines your mouth and decided a dental bridge is a good, long term solution for your missing teeth, she will fit your mouth with the dental bridge. She’ll adjust and anchor the bridge until it fits in seamlessly with your intact teeth.

Dental Crowns

Dr. Giraldo uses dental crowns to cover teeth that are misshapen in order to restore function and a seamless look to your teeth. A crown acts as a cap that covers and protects your tooth. These are most commonly made from gold or silver metals but can be made from porcelain and composite resins to create a crown that blends in with your natural teeth. The tooth is smoothed down and fitted with a molded crown. These are a great solution when the damage to the tooth has interfered with its integrity.

Dentures

Dentures, prosthetic devices used to complete gaps from missing teeth, come in many different designs. The traditional design is removable, but some stay in place by binding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. Dr. Giraldo will determine the best kind of dentures for your smile before creating and fitting them to your mouth. This process ensures they fit well and are comfortable in your mouth.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions can be important to accomplish positional, structural or economic issues. The most common reasons Dr. Giraldo removes teeth is because they’re growing out of their normal position, which is a common reason wisdom teeth are removed. Extraction or tooth removal is also used to remove teeth that are beyond repair. Patients sometimes use this as an economic solution for patients who can't afford a filling or dental crown on a decayed tooth. Our office can also offer IV sedation by Dr. Suzanna Yu for tooth removal.

Root Canals

Root canals are a procedure used to save badly decayed or otherwise damaged teeth. If not taken care of, the area surrounding the tooth can also become infected, possibly forming an abscess. If you experience tooth pain, it could be because there is bacteria in your tooth canals and Dr. Giraldo will determine if a root canal is necessary using x-rays. If she determines from the x-ray that a root canal is the best course of action, she will perform the procedure to clean out the infected area, removing all harmful bacteria.

Restorative Dentistry

Bone Grafting

If you’re looking for a dentist in Midtown Manhattan that provides bone grafting, we can certainly assist. This is a surgical procedure that is designed to fix problems with joints or bones. If you want dental implants, but you don’t have enough bone, this procedure will be needed. Whether or not this is required is something that Dr. Giraldo will be able to advise you on during the consultation phase.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

Traditionally, dental inlays and onlays have been used to replace a small amount of tooth structure that has been lost because of decay - just like fillings do. In the past, they were only made from gold, and they fit inside the tooth. However, the dentistry has progressed considerably since then, and you have many more options available to you. Nowadays, inlays are made from a material that is tooth-colored, for example, a special dental composite or porcelain/ceramic. This means that unsightly or defective fillings can be replaced with inlays that are tooth-colored and bonded to the tooth, creating a much more natural appearance. Not only this, but it can actually result in the strength of the tooth improving too due to the bonding process. We can also fit onlays, which go on the outside of the tooth. They can also extend to the back of the tooth, on the chewing surface, to replace one or more cusps.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are widely considered to be the best option for replacing missing teeth and ensuring that they look as natural as possible. A titanium screw replaces the root of your tooth and is implanted into the jawbone. Given how this process works, no one will know that you’ve got implants. The first step when you’re considering dental implants is to schedule a consultation in order to determine if this form of tooth replacement is right for you. We will assess your jawbone to ascertain how much bone is left to support any implant(s) and how the procedure will be beneficial to you. It’s even possible, for example, for the bone to be rebuilt; or artificial bone can be inserted to enhance your jawbone if necessary.

Soft Tissue Grafting

We also have many years of experience when it comes to soft tissue grafting. A gum graft could be necessary to repair damage caused by gum recession. It may also be that you have decided to have this treatment because you want to enhance the appearance of your smile. Gum recession occurs when the tissue that surrounds your teeth starts to pull away from the tooth. This can lead to the root of the tooth being exposed, as well as causing damage to the supporting bone. It’s a common issue, impacting between four and 12 percent of adults. A gum tissue graft is often required to repair the damage and stop further dental problems in the future.

Preventive Dentistry

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is a problem many parents worry about. There are a number of different things that you can do to reduce the chances of your child suffering from this, including substituting water for milk, formula, or juice in your child’s bottle, as well as limiting acidic foods. Our team is experienced in the prevention and treatment of baby bottle tooth decay and can help you to prevent your child from experiencing this. Fluoride treatments are typically used. However, if your child has severe decay, scheduling a dental appointment for treatment is imperative. Signs of this include bad breath, irritability, swelling, fever, swollen or bleeding gums, and black or brown spots on the teeth.

Bruxism/Night Guards and Sports Guards

Bruxism is a term that is used to describe teeth grinding. This is a condition a lot of people experience for different reasons, however, stress is commonly attributed to it. Aside from broken teeth and fillings, this can cause worn-down teeth, which can cause increased sensitivity and even tooth loss. Other symptoms include disrupted sleep, pain and stiffness in the jaw joint, earache, headaches, and facial pain. If this is something you experience, it is advisable to get mouth guards fitted so that you do not grind your teeth while sleeping. Mouth guards are recommended because they will ensure that the pressure across your jaw is evened out, as well as creating a physical barrier between your lower and upper teeth, therefore, preventing any further damage from occurring. They can also make your partner a lot happier too by lowering the grinding noises you make during the night. Learn more about bruxism treatment.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

We also have a number of different treatment options available for anyone who is suffering from periodontitis, which is otherwise known as gum disease. This is a common type of infection, which damages the soft tissue, as well as the bone that supports your teeth. If you do not have treatment, the alveolar bone that is around the teeth will progressively and slowly disappear. Not only does untreated periodontitis cause tooth loss, but it can actually heighten your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or another health problem. The most common cause of gum disease is the build-up of plaque that is not removed. There are lots of different treatments we can offer, which is why it is important to schedule an appointment for gum disease treatment.