Dr Lewis Gross

Last week, we took an introductory look at a few of the minimally invasive dental procedures holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross offers at his Tribeca, New York dentist office. Today, Dr. Lewis Gross wants to take an in-depth look at one of these minimally invasive dental treatments: air abrasion.

What is Air Abrasion?

As one of the newest and most advanced forms of micro-dentistry, air abrasion is used to treat tooth decay and prepare teeth for restorations. To put it simply, air abrasion replaces the traditional dental drill that was once used by dentists to remove damaged dental tissue and prepare teeth for dental work. In compliance with Dr. Lewis Gross’ minimally invasive holistic dental approach, air abrasion removes the noise, heat, vibration, and smells associated with the traditional dental drill, making the procedure a much more comfortable experience overall.

What are the Benefits of Air Abrasion?

In addition to added comfort, air abrasion does the following:

• Removes the need for local anesthetic or sedation in most cases
• Leaves more of the natural tooth intact
• Allows for the treatment of more teeth or the completion of more restorative dental work in one appointment
• Removes the vibrations, noises, and pressure associated with the traditional dental drill
• Reduces the risk of further damage (chipping and fracture) to the surrounding tooth structure
• Leaves teeth dry and clean, which is necessary for placing fillings and other restorative dental work

Like many other dental procedures, air abrasion is not appropriate for everyone. Dr. Lewis Gross suggests air abrasion for patients who experience dental fear and anxiety, children, and those with minimal tooth decay. Patients who wish to have existing dental fillings—amalgam or composite resin—removed, patients receiving dental sealants, and patients who wish to have surface stains removed from their teeth are also good candidates for air abrasion.

To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross and to find out if you’re a candidate for air abrasion and other holistic dental procedures, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200 or visit us online at holistic-dentists.com.

Fear or phobia of the dentist and dental work is one of the most common fears among adults today. New York holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross takes a total wellbeing approach to all of the dental services he provides for his patients, and his approach to overcoming dental fear and anxiety is no different. Read on to find out more.

Dental Fear and Anxiety

If you ask a group of patients with dental phobia why they fear the dentist or dental work, you’ll probably receive a variety of answers.

Some of the most common dental fears include:

• Fear of embarrassment about the current condition of the teeth
• Fear of gagging
• Fear of injections
• Fear of loss of control
• Fear of not being numb during dental work
• Fear of pain
• Fear of the dentist as a person
• Fear of the “dental drill”

For most dentists, their main concern is the health of your teeth and gums, but most dentists also have their patients’ best interests at heart, and that includes addressing any fear or anxiety that is brought on by the thought of scheduling dental work or a routine dental appointment.

To ensure your comfort, confidence, and relaxation in the dental chair, Dr. Lewis Gross offers several patient comfort measures, as well as suggestions for how to make your experience in the dental chair a positive one.

Overcoming Dental Fear and Anxiety

The first step to overcoming dental fear and anxiety is knowing that you’re not alone. An estimated 35 million people do not see the dentist regularly because they’re too afraid. If you avoid the dentist, however, you’re not receiving the dental care you need and deserve, and you’re laying the foundation of some very serious oral and overall health problems, including gum disease, tooth loss, jawbone degeneration, oral cancer, and an increased risk of certain cancers, stroke, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and more.

To help you relax in the dental chair and receive the dental care you need and deserve, Dr. Lewis Gross suggests the following:

• Talk openly with Dr. Gross: As a dentist, Dr. Gross understands how real and debilitating dental fear is. Sometimes just scheduling and showing up for an appointment is a victory in and of itself. Open up to Dr. Lewis Gross so that he can take the necessary measures to meet all of your needs.
• Bring a portable music player: Music acts as a relaxant and can drown out any fear-inducing noises.
• Agree on a signal: To help Dr. Lewis Gross monitor your comfort level during your dental procedure, agree on a hand signal that you’ll show when the pain becomes too great. This will alert Dr. Lewis Gross to alter his treatment method or increase your level of sedation.
• Be informed: If you’d like, Dr. Gross can tell you what he’s doing during each step of the procedure so that you’re informed about what’s going on inside of your mouth. If you’d like, bring a mirror to watch what Dr. Lewis Gross does during your treatment.

Dr. Gross also offers sedation and laser dentistry to ensure the comfort of his patients throughout their dental procedures. Depending on your comfort and dental needs, Dr. Gross will suggest possible laser and sedation treatments that you might benefit from.

To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.

Staying true to his holistic philosophy, Tribeca dentist Dr. Lewis Gross also practices minimally invasive dentistry. Just as its name implies, minimally invasive dentistry is a systematic respect for the original tissue, meaning that with minimally invasive dentistry, Dr. Lewis Gross will perform all necessary dental work and procedures while keeping the largest amount of your natural teeth and tooth structure intact as possible. In addition to helping you keep your natural teeth for life, what else is involved with minimally invasive dentistry?

What’s Involved with Minimally Invasive Dentistry?

Focusing on prevention, remineralization, and the conservation of healthy tooth structure, minimally invasive dentistry is a highly technical and scientific course of treatment that allows the dentist to perform the least amount of dentistry needed while never removing more of the tooth structure than is required to restore the teeth to their normal condition. Additionally, Dr. Lewis Gross uses long-lasting and safe dental materials to reduce the need for future maintenance, maintain an attractive all-white appearance in your mouth, and promote total-body health.

Minimally invasive dentistry techniques include:

• Remineralization: As the process of restoring minerals to the teeth, remineralization can help to repair tooth enamel. In most cases, fluoride treatment plays a large role in the remineralization process.
• Air abrasion: When a tooth is past the point of remineralization and decay is present, Dr. Lewis Gross can use air abrasion to remove the decay. Air abrasion replaces the need for the traditional dental drill and often eliminates the need for anesthesia.
• Sealants: Usually made of clear plastic resin, dental sealants form a barrier between hard-to-clean teeth (molars, wisdom teeth, etc.) and decay-causing bacteria. Sealants do not require any alteration to the natural tooth structure, so Dr. Lewis Gross can place them on teeth that might be susceptible to decay at any time.
• Inlays and Onlays: Dental crowns are traditionally used to restore strength, durability, and appearance to a tooth that has been damaged, but crowns tend to require a good portion of the natural tooth be altered or removed. To avoid this, Dr. Lewis Gross places inlays and onlays to provide substantial reconstruction conservatively.
• Bite splints: Bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding, can cause serious damage to your teeth and contribute to TMJ (temporomandibular) dysfunction. Dr. Lewis Gross can provide you with a bite splint to wear at night or during times of high stress to limit your teeth grinding.

What are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Dentistry?

In addition to keeping the maximum amount of your natural tooth structure intact, minimally invasive dentistry by Dr. Lewis Gross can allow for the following:

• More dental work completed in a single dental appointment, limiting the amount of time you take off from work and spend in the dental chair
• Less healing time post-procedure
• Less future dental work to maintain restorative dental measures
• More attention paid to total-body health and a working relationship between your dentist and other healthcare providers
• A new level of comfort during your procedure, decreasing the need for sedation and local anesthesia

To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.

Last week, we discussed the connection between periodontal disease and heart health. In the same blog, we defined what periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is. To refresh your memory, Tribeca holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross wants to remind you what periodontal disease is, and he wants to tell you about possible treatments for this serious oral health problem that adhere to his holistic philosophy.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is a serious condition in which the gingival (gum) tissue surrounding the teeth becomes infected by built-up plaque and harmful bacteria. This colonization of bacteria causes the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth, forming deep periodontal pockets. When left untreated, gum disease can destroy your gum tissue, your teeth, and the jawbone underneath.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated Holistically?

Sticking to his holistic dentistry philosophy, Dr. Lewis Gross offers several professional treatment options for patients with periodontal disease.

For patients with mild gum disease, medically referred to as gingivitis, scaling and root planing are usually the first treatment options. During this procedure, Dr. Lewis Gross will clean between the gums and teeth—all the way down to the dental roots, if necessary—to clear the infected gum tissue. If effective, root planing and scaling should give the periodontal pockets the chance to heal. Following this procedure, Dr. Lewis Gross will advise on future professional dental care and dental hygiene to maintain a healthy oral environment.

For patients with moderate gum disease, more extensive scaling and root planing is often required. This procedure is usually performed using a high-tech dental laser for added precision, comfort, and effectiveness.

When the periodontal disease is in the advanced stages, with periodontal pockets measuring more than 6mm, bone loss and/or gum recession tend to complicate the treatment process. Scaling and root planing will be performed to eliminate as much of the infection as possible, and Dr. Lewis Gross may suggest surgical options to reduce pocket depth and keep any remaining healthy gum tissue intact.

Other holistic treatments for periodontal disease include: oral antibiotics, topical gels and strips, homeopathic dentistry, herbal remedies, and periodontal pocket irrigation.

To find out more about treatment for periodontal disease, or to reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, contact Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200 or online at holistic-dentists.com.

As we’ve said before, holistic dentistry is the dental practice that takes into account the effect of dental treatment and materials on the overall health of the individual. What Tribeca holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross wants to explain to his patients is the difference between this dental philosophy and traditional dentistry.

Traditional Dentistry

Most people are familiar with the techniques involved with traditional dentistry. Although treatment, philosophy, and specific techniques vary from dentist to dentist, the goal of traditional dentistry is the same: to keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime.

To do this, most traditional dentists treat tooth decay by removing the diseased part of the tooth, prevent further decay with fluoride treatment, control gum disease by brushing and flossing away the irritating bacteria, and maintain oral health with professional dental cleanings and exams every six months. To alter the appearance of the teeth, most traditional dentists use orthodontic treatments, as well as procedures that change the structure of teeth, such as root canals, dental crowns, and porcelain veneers. At times, teeth are surgically removed for improved aesthetics, function, and health.

Of course, the techniques of traditional dentistry are tried and true, and most traditional dentists are in tune with the changing face of the dental world, but a great majority have not adopted the holistic way of thinking.

Holistic Dentistry

Dr. Lewis Gross, on the other hand, fully believes in the holistic philosophy, which, at times, can seem completely disconnected from the practices of traditional dentistry. The best way to think of holistic dentistry is that you can achieve the results of the most tried-and-true traditional dentistry by means of holistic practices in which the totality of the patient is considered.

By keeping in mind the patient’s total body health, as well as his or her dental, bodily, and emotional needs, more comprehensive, complete, and personalized dental care is achieved, and the patient is happier and healthier in the long run.

Also known as biologic dentistry, organic dentistry, integrative dentistry, and green dentistry, holistic dentistry by Dr. Lewis Gross can restore health and function to your teeth and gums and give you the beautiful smile you desire in the least invasive, safest, and most bodily-conscious way possible.

To learn more about holistic dentistry, or to reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200 or visit us online at holistic-dentists.com.

Most people think of orthodontics as traditional braces and headgear, but holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross approaches the topic much differently. Read on to learn more about the holistic approach to orthodontic treatment.

What is Holistic Orthodontics?

To define holistic orthodontics, let’s break it down; “holistic” refers to a dental practice that takes into account the effect of dental treatment and materials on the overall health of the individual, and “orthodontics” is a branch of dentistry specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of jaw, face, and bite irregularities.

Just like traditional orthodontics, holistic orthodontics can help you have a healthy and straight smile while helping you reach your goal of total body health.

Who Can Benefit from Holistic Orthodontics?

Anyone with a bite or jaw dysfunction, also know as a malocclusion, is a candidate for holistic orthodontics. Typically, Dr. Lewis Gross treats the following malocclusions with holistic orthodontic treatment:

• Overcrowding: In an overcrowded mouth, there is not enough space for all of the adult teeth to fit in an aligned fashion. Over time, overcrowding can lead to displaced, rotated, or completely misaligned teeth.
• Overbite: An overbite occurs when the upper jaw extends too far over the lower jaw, giving the smile a “toothy” appearance and causing the chin to look receded. Over time, an overbite can lead to excessive wear on the bottom teeth.
• Underbite: An underbite occurs when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. As one of the more severe dental and bite conditions, and underbite can cause excessive wear on the teeth, a misaligned bite, and serious TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction.

How Does Dr. Lewis Gross Treat Orthodontic Problems?

Once he has diagnosed your orthodontic condition through a series of dental X-rays, bite impressions, and traditional exams, Dr. Lewis Gross will partner with you to determine the best course of treatment.

To holistically correct your orthodontic condition, Dr. Lewis Gross will employ one or more of the following treatments:

• Fixed dental braces: These braces, made of metal of ceramic, are fixed to each tooth and connected by an archwire. They can be used to gradually move even the most severely misaligned teeth to the desired position.
• Removable appliances (headgear, retainers, expanders, etc.): To combat a number of orthodontic conditions, including overcrowding, underbites, and overbites, Dr. Lewis Gross may prescribe a removable or temporarily permanent orthodontic appliance.
• Invisalign: Invisalign orthodontic treatment consists of a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually move the teeth to the desired position while maintaining the integrity of an otherwise attractive smile. For image-conscious individuals with only minor orthodontic woes, Invisalign may be the clear choice for a straight smile.

The goal of holistic dentistry is to keep your natural teeth healthy and functional for as long as possible, and that’s a goal Dr. Lewis Gross strives to meet with holistic orthodontics. To reserve an appointment at Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, call (212) 732-2200.

As an expert of holistic dentistry, the connection between oral and overall health is nothing new for Tribeca dentist Dr. Lewis Gross. Today, Dr. Lewis Gross would like to focus on the connection between your oral health—specifically periodontal (gum) disease—and heart disease.

Gum Disease and Heart Problems: What are They?

Periodontal (gum) disease is a serious condition in which the gingival tissue surrounding the teeth becomes infected by built-up plaque and harmful bacteria. This colonization of bacteria causes the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth, forming deep periodontal pockets. When left untreated, gum disease can destroy your gum tissue, your teeth, and the jawbone underneath.

Heart problems, specifically coronary heart disease, occur when fatty proteins build up enough to thicken the artery walls. This causes the heart to suffer from a lack of oxygen, which forces the heart to work considerably harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This condition is the main cause of heart attacks.

The Connection

So now that you understand what gum disease and heart problems are, Dr. Lewis wants to tell you how these two very specific health conditions are related. There are several theories when it comes to this link, which include the following:

• Inflammation: Inflammation is the name of the game with gum disease. Periodontal disease causes severe inflammation of the gum tissue. This, in turn, raises your white blood cell count and protein levels, both of which have been linked to heart disease.
• Oral Bacteria and the Heart: Just like with any virus or disease, there are many types of periodontal bacteria. Some of these strains can enter the bloodstream and attach to the fatty proteins in the coronary arteries. This attachment contributes to the formation of masses and increases your risk of blood clots.
• Susceptibility to Infection: Gum disease doesn’t only affect your mouth and heart, it affects your entire immune system, and individuals with gum disease often have weaker immune systems. This may contribute to the onset of certain forms of heart disease, as well as other serious health problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment

As with all dental and oral health conditions, your best protection is receiving quality professional dental care. On the same note, if you’re already experiencing warning signs of gum disease—bleeding, tender, swollen gums, and chronic bad breath—don’t delay treatment.

Once diagnosed, Dr. Lewis Gross can treat your condition with antibiotics, scaling, and root planing to remove hardened tartar deposits from the periodontal pockets and fight the infection. To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.

What does the health of your teeth and gums have to do with your blood sugar? If your answer is “nothing,” Montauk dentist Dr. Lewis Gross encourages you to think again. The truth is that diabetes and dentistry go hand in hand.

Protect Your Mouth to Prevent Diabetes

Like with several other serious health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, stroke, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, your risk of diabetes is increased by the presence of oral health problems. For example, untreated periodontal (gum) disease has been directly linked to a heightened susceptibility to diabetes.

With obesity at an all-time high, diabetes is quickly becoming a widespread health problem, and most patients want to do all they can to protect themselves. Dr. Lewis Gross urges you to think not only about your diet and exercise habits, but also about your teeth and gums. By sticking to a thorough dental hygiene routine at home, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash, you’ll set the stage for good oral health.

Still, daily dental hygiene is only half of the battle. To fully protect yourself from gum disease and other oral health problems, professional dental care is necessary. The American Dental Association and Dr. Lewis Gross recommend that everyone attend routine dental checkups and cleanings at least every six months. These dental appointments will allow Dr. Gross the opportunity to screen your mouth for warning signs of disease and problems, then clean your teeth with the techniques and thoroughness only professional dental care can offer.

The Link Between Diabetes and Dental Health

Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar is key. Just as your oral health affects your bodily health, your bodily health can affect your oral health, and, in this case, being a diabetic can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Why?

Your mouth naturally contains many types of bacteria, some of which are responsible for creating plaque and acid that harm teeth. These bacteria consume sugars and starches. The higher your blood sugar, the greater the supply of sugar and starches the bacteria have access to, putting you at a higher risk of tooth decay.

Diabetes also reduces your ability to fight bacteria, which can cause more plaque to accumulate at your gum line. Unremoved plaque calcifies into tartar and can lead to gum disease, which is infection of the gum tissue. Redness, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding gums are characteristic of early gum disease (gingivitis). If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can escalate into a more serious condition, periodontitis.

As you can see, you need quality dental care to prevent gum disease, and you need quality dental care to control your diabetes and protect your dental health. Dr. Lewis Gross has helped countless patients overcome their diabetes-related dental problems. To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200.

According to medical-dictionary.com, holistic dentistry refers to the dental practice that takes into account the effect of dental treatment and materials on the overall health of the individual.

Tribeca dentist Dr. Lewis Gross is a holistic dentist, which means that he seriously considers your health and wellbeing throughout every step of your dental treatment. Read on to find out more about holistic dentistry and Dr. Gross’ practice philosophy.

Holistic Dentistry as a Specialty

In addition to providing top-notch preventive and general dental care, Dr. Gross offers several holistic dental procedures and treatments. These services include:

Holistic Smile Makeover and Cosmetic Dentistry

• 3i Dental Implants
• Holistic Implants
• Lumineers
• Porcelain Onlays

Holistic Orthodontics

• Braces for Children and Adults
• Invisalign

Holistic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

• Holistic Plastic Surgery
• Oral Pathology and Chemical Sensitivity
• Cranio-Sacral Massage

More Than Your Average General Dental Care

As you can see, Dr. Gross can provide you with the same tried-and-true dental services that have been around for years, but with a much more advanced, well-rounded, and health-conscious touch. Using his expertise, Dr. Gross has helped countless patients not only achieve a healthy, fully functional, and beautiful smile, but also a healthier, higher-quality life with holistic dentistry.

Watch this video to find out more about holistic dentistry from Dr. Gross.

Dr. Gross has seen holistic dentistry work for a variety of patients with a variety of needs, but he especially urges patients with complex medical situations to consider this unique form of medical care. For more information about holistic dentistry, or to reserve an appointment with Dr. Gross, call our Tribeca dentist office at (212) 732-2200 or visit us online at holistic-dentists.com.

Preventive Dentistry

Dr. Gross and the team at Holistic Dentists believe in preventing problems before they start. Any of our staff members will be happy to answer questions about proper oral hygiene and caring for your smile at home. We can also offer recommendations for oral care products designed to fit your unique needs, like floss threaders to clean around dental restorations. We offer dental sealants to help prevent cavities in children and adults. Regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line, keeping them from contributing to gum disease. Your six-month checkup includes screening for oral cancer, which can be aggressive and spread quickly if not detected early on.

Restorative Dentistry

When dental problems do occur, it’s best to fix them as quickly as possible. Damaged teeth can be repaired with Empress^® ceramic crowns, inlays, or onlays. Dr. Gross places non-metallic zirconium oxide ceramic dental implants to replace lost teeth. When implants are not an option, Dr. Gross creates porcelain bridges to restore missing teeth and fill the gaps in your grin. We use tooth-colored composite fillings that contain no mercury or BPA. We also provide minimally invasive treatment for gum disease.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Beyond the basics of dental care, we offer cosmetic dental services to give you the beautiful, brilliant smile you’ve always wanted. For teeth with surface staining, we provide professional whitening to restore your smile to its full brilliance. Gaps, chips, and stains beneath the surface can be addressed with porcelain veneers. Crooked, misaligned, or crowded teeth benefit from Invisalign^® clear braces that slowly and gently straighten your smile. We are happy to provide information about each procedure and discuss which cosmetic treatment is right for your case.

We’d like to be your provider for all your dental needs. For more information about any of the services we offer, or to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Gross, call Holistic Dentists today at (212) 732-2200.