Dental Implants

 

Dental implants have created a revolution in dentistry over the past 30 years. There has been a large body of both scientific and clinical research that has proven their long-term success.

 

Initially, dental implants were used only for people who had lost all their teeth and were experiencing great discomfort and difficulty eating with full dentures. Scientific advances have now allowed dental implants to be used to comfortably replace single or multiple teeth in the jaw, even in highly esthetic positions.

 

 

Modern dental implants come in many different sizes and shapes which allows them to accurately replace any tooth in the mouth. When expertly placed, dental implants will look, feel and function like natural teeth.

 

High quality dental implants in a healthy mouth have a success rate of 90% to 95% over 25 years.

 

Check out our photo gallery page for pictures of beautifully restored dental implants.

 

 

We are fortunate to have an exceptional clinician, William Kotkin, DMD,  join our team. While attending the prestigious dual admission program at Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Kotkin provided dental care for the needy in Community Heath Clinics, in Broward and Miami-Dade County. At North Shore University Hospital, in Manhasset, he worked alongside leading specialists treating complex cases in the areas of cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, geriatric and special needs individuals. 

Dr. Kotkin’s calm and engaging demeanor, along with his extensive experience treating complicated dental problems, enables him to provide his patients with outstanding dental care. Welcome Dr. Kotkin!

Dental implants are perhaps the greatest advancement in dentistry during the past 50 years. They are an ideal way for many individuals to replace one or even all missing teeth. Implants are secure and comfortable and become a natural part of your mouth.

Those that have suffered from chronic dental issues are often in pain, have difficulty eating and may lack confidence in their ability to smile. Dental implants can transform an individual’s life by giving them a healthy mouth, making eating a joy again and allowing them to feel self-assured in a public setting.

Studies have shown that, when expertly placed, high quality dental implants have a 95% success rate over 20 years.

For more detailed information check out our Dental Implants page. Some examples of our outstanding dentistry can be seen on the Photo Gallery page.

If you would like a comprehensive consultation please call our office. We would love to help you!

We are thrilled to announce that our new state-of-the-art facility will be opening Tuesday, April 18, 2017. It was designed from the ground up with your comfort and optimum healthcare in mind. The location is 2565 Beverly Road, Merrick, conveniently at the intersection of Merrick Rd and Babylon Turnpike, across from Levy Lakeside Elementary School.

Dr Levy and Team will be able to provide for all your needs including cosmetic dentistry, implant prosthetics, root canal therapy, conservative periodontal (gum) treatment, holistic dentistry, TMJ – TMD, general dentistry, dentures and more.

The last day in our present facility is Friday, April 7. During our move Dr. Levy will be available, as usual, 24/7 as an emergency dentist should his help be needed. Our phone number shall remain the same.

Should you have any questions please call our office at 516-378-8600.

Today’s complex and hectic world is taxing on our bodies physically as well as emotionally. Short term, stress is not necessarily a bad thing, but long term chronic stress is detrimental to one’s overall health. The mouth is truly a window into what is happening to rest of our bodies.

Quite often, stress manifests itself as bruxism, a term used to describe grinding and clenching of the teeth. Most individuals who have bruxism are unaware of their habit. Grinding and clenching tend to be most severe when sleeping. Symptoms may include headache, sore or broken and chipped teeth and jaw pain. Often a custom night guard (mouth guard) is helpful in minimizing or eliminating the effects of this condition.

Long term teeth grinding can lead to displeasing fractured, chipped and shortened front teeth. Fortunately, this unesthetic appearance can be corrected by Dr. Levy’s expertise in cosmetic dentistry.

Temporomandibular disorders, often referred to as TMD or TMJ, is a group of disorders that affect the jaw joint and associated muscles. Most frequently it is caused by overuse of the jaw muscles due to bruxism and musculo-skeletal disorders of the upper neck, back and shoulders. TMJ/TMD may also be triggered by an injury to those areas or a recent fall.

The severity of gum infections, known as periodontal disease (gum disease, gingivitis) is often increased due to emotional factors. Stress decreases the body’s ability to fight infection and in the mouth this can lead to painful, sore and bleeding gums. Some individuals may also experience canker sores (mouth sores), especially students during exam time. Other people may also experience very uncomfortable dry mouth.

Dr. Levy believes in taking a holistic, conservative and natural approach when treating the dental manifestations of stress. Please feel free to call Dr. Levy directly, at 516-378-8600, to answer any concerns you might have regarding your oral health.

Jaw Pain in Women

Individuals can suffer from chronic or acute jaw pain. This may be due to a severe tooth or gum infection or a condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), also known as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

Severe gum infections, or periodontal disease, may sometimes be treated conservatively in our office or need to be seen by a board certified periodontist. A tooth infection, also know as an abscess, can comfortably be treated with root canal therapy by Dr. Steven M. Levy.

Those with TMJ / TMD may experience pain in their jaws and teeth upon awakening or at other times during the day, facial pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, neck and upper back pain, and more.

Jaw pain can also be a sign of a heart attack, especially in women. Intermittent jaw pain that worsens with exertion might be a signal of a heart attack.

If you are in discomfort and are experiencing significant jaw pain, please call our office, and we will get you in immediately. It is a priority for us to see a dental emergency patient the same day.

We’ve named our office “Progressive Dentistry” as a concise means of expressing our Mission Statement, which is: To exceed expectations by delivering exemplary care with courtesy, warmth, professionalism and state of the art knowledge and technology.

Our office is equipped with the most up-to-date equipment from digital x-rays, iTero digital laser impressions, complimentary VELscope oral cancer screening, intraoral cameras, fiber optic transillumination, painless laser periodontal (gum) treatment and more.

We have designed our procedures and our facility with your comfort, convenience and optimum dental health in mind.

In late summer, early fall we will be opening our new modern Progressive Dentistry facility at 2565 Beverly Road, Merrick, located on the northeast corner of Merrick Road and Babylon Turnpike. We will have ample parking and a handicap lift for those with physical disabilities. It will be equipped with more technology and further amenities all designed to give you an exceptional experience and exquisite dentistry in a relaxed and warmhearted atmosphere.

For updates on our new building, reviews and happenings in our office check out Steven Levy, DMD on Facebook.

Many patients come to us for smile makeovers. Often, they are embarrassed by discolored, broken, missing or crooked teeth. This may cause them to avoid smiling and even cover their mouths when they speak. Some people are insecure and avoid or sit quietly in social situations. Others won’t eat out at a restaurant due to difficulty chewing or the embarrassment of teeth that won’t stay in place.

This is a truly heartbreaking situation to us and that is why we offer cosmetic dentistry, whitening specials and consultations to new and existing patients. Dr. Steven Levy is the cosmetic dentist that people go to for smile makeovers. We offer virtually painless treatments and revolutionary state-of-the-art techniques that make cosmetic dentistry accessible to almost everyone who is unhappy with the appearance of their teeth.

If you are unhappy with your smile and would like to discuss your concerns with someone with whom you can feel comfortable please call our office at 516-378-8600 for a consultation. You have our assurance you will be cared for in a caring, nonjudgmental manner.

Each year, nearly 50,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer. This statistic includes cancers that occur in the mouth itself, on the lips and in the very back of the mouth, an area known as the oropharynx. The number diagnosed yearly has been increasing for he past decade.

Smokers have an 8 times greater risk than the average individual of developing oral cancer, and those who drink alcohol regularly have an 8 times greater risk. For those who both smoke and drink that number jumps to a 16 times greater chance of developing oral or oropharyngeal cancers!

The HPV-16 virus, human papilloma, is a major cause of cervical cancers in women. It is now known to be a growing cause of oral cancers in women 18 years of age and older.

At a young age I was taught to help others and to give back to the community that had given me great opportunity. As a senior at JFK High School, in Bellmore, NY, it culminated with my becoming president of the Key Club, the oldest and largest community service organization in the U.S..

The goal of my office is to give each and every patient better care than they have ever received in any other dental office. Therefore, as a way of giving back to my community, I have for years performed free oral cancer screening on our patients 18 years of age and older as part of their yearly, thorough oral exams. This offer also extends to their family, friends or anyone in the surrounding towns.

For more information on oral cancer, please refer to one of our technology pages on the VELscope by clicking the above free oral cancer screening link.

Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) is a painful disorder of the jaw muscles, nerves and sometimes the joint itself. It is caused by injury to the joint due to trauma or repetitive overuse. This can lead to pain upon chewing, clicking or popping of the jaw, headaches and more. Individuals with upper back and neck problems may also suffer from TMJ disfunction (TMD), as it is also sometimes called.

To prevent TMJ – TMD it is often beneficial to practice stress reduction and relaxation techniques, eat soft foods, cut your food into small pieces, avoid chewing gum or opening your mouth excessively wide, don’t rest your chin on your hand or hold the phone between your neck and shoulder and practice good posture.

Bruxing and clenching are also primary causes of this disfunction. Dr. Steven Levy can make a comfortable custom night guard for you which will help to alleviate grinding and clenching and thus your symptoms too. Over the counter, store bought, night guards can actually tend to make your clenching worse and exacerbate the pain.