People are Talking: NYC Financial District Dentist

Here's what people are saying about Dr. Becker at Maiden Lane Dental:

“I moved to New York and was worried who was going to take care of my dental work. No more, Dr. Becker is the best dentist I have dealt with. The in room movies are great, and his staff is always a joy to be around. He makes going to the dentist just a little bit less of a thorn in your side.”

“Dr. Becker is by far the best dentist you will ever encounter. He not only knows what he's doing he's also entertaining. You can watch a movie of your choice while he's working on your teeth or listen to his silly jokes. Either way I wouldn't go anywhere else. He has saved my teeth along with families. Choose dr. Becker & enjoy having your teeth worked on.”

“He does a terrific job with kids and adults. He has a wonderful approach and makes the visit really enjoyable.  I would recommend it to anyone that needs a really good dentist.”

“The service I have received at Dr Becker's office was excellent. The Hygienist they are excellent. Dr Becker is one of the best dentist. I have visited other dentist and no comparison yet. Traveling from Long Island to Manhattan is not easy but it worth the trip.”

Custom Mouthguards by a NYC Financial District Dentist

It’s officially back-to-school season, and you know what that means:
Fall Sports!  Many youth sports teams require a mouthguard in order to
participate.  Drug stores and athletic stores sell ill-fitting
versions, but the best protection against oral or facial injury is a
custom-fit athletic guard from Maiden Lane Dental, Dr. Lloyd Becker.

A custom mouth guard offers your child the most comfort, stability and
protection.  Unlike generic mouth guards, the customization allows for
almost no speech or breathing complications.  Because each is
tailored, it is the best defense against chipping, fracturing and
tooth loss.

Store-bought mouthguards are known for ineffectiveness.  Due to being
unstable in the mouth, they tend to slip and fall out during the most
inopportune times, like in the last seconds of a close game.  Plus if
worn incorrectly they can misalign your child’s teeth.   Boil-and-Bite
mouth guards don’t provide the same protection as a custom fit
mouthguard.

Dr. Becker offers mouthguards that are easy to wear and don’t slip
during competition.  Impact is less severe when the teeth are properly
protected.  In fact, custom mouthguards protect against concussions.
Maiden Lane Dental helps give your child the best protection against
injury, while offering the most comfortable fit available.  Because
Dr. Becker’s mouthguards are molded from the dimensions of your
child’s jaw and facial structure, it will protect more than just their
teeth.

Call today to schedule your child’s mouthguard appointment today!

My NYC Dentist is the Best!

There’s nothing better than visiting your Financial District Dentist.  Here’s what a few have said:

“I love absolutely everything about visiting Dr. Lloyd Becker's office.   Nice office, zero waiting time, amazing equipment, and a cherry on the top - special TV glasses that give you ability to watch your favorite movies and   I very much appreciate all terrific personnel, careful, kind and supportive, who really love their job and their patients.  And I am utterly impressed by magic work of Dr. Becker. His charming personality and the highest level of professionalism make all this magic. It was the first time in my live when I enjoyed visiting dentist and I did not feel any discomfort or pain after dental treatment.   I do not see or feel my new fillings. All I can see is beautiful and healthy teeth. And I am absolutely happy.   Thank you, Dr. Becker and your great team!”

"I have been going to Dr. Becker for over 10 years for all of my dental needs. Even when I changed my insurance, I had to be certain that his office accepted my coverage because seeing a different dentist was not an option for me. His work is outstanding and his personality is one you will definitely appreciate. Overall, I STRONGLY recommend Dr. Becker”

Maiden Lane Dental Lloyd Becker DDS

“I’ve been coming here for 2 years after switching over from my past dentist I had been with for over 10 years. They are great and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. They are extremely professional, have the latest technology, and are people you can call your friends when entering and leaving the office. Try them out and I couldn’t see any reason for using another Dental practice.”

Treat Gum Disease with Your NYC Financial District Dentist

Periodontal disease is infection or inflammation that destroys the supportive tissues of the teeth.  These include the gums, the periodontal ligaments, and the tooth sockets.  Gingivitis, or commonly called gum disease, is a form of periodontal disease.

Gum disease is due to plaque deposits that remain on the base of the teeth for prolonged periods of time.  Plaque buildup is a major cause of tooth decay.  If not removed properly, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar.  Tartar can irritate and inflame the gum due to the bacteria and toxins present in the tartar, which cause the gums to become infected, swollen and tender.  Another cause is any sort of injury to the gums.  This includes overly harsh brushing and flossing.  Those more prone to Gingivitis include those with an illness, pregnant women due to hormonal changes, individuals with poor oral hygiene and untreated diabetics.

Symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, bright red or purple gum tissue, painful gums, mouth sores, gums that appear swollen or gums that have a shiny appearance.

The goal of treating Gingivitis is to reduce the gum inflammation.  Dr. Becker will thoroughly clean your teeth to loosen and remove tartar deposits from your teeth.  Dr. Becker will then show you how to maximize your brushing and flossing.  Severe cases may require more frequent professional cleanings until inflammation can be controlled with good oral hygiene at home.  Antibacterial mouth wash is also recommended.

Good oral hygiene is, of course, the best prevention against gum disease.  Regular brushing and flossing gently removes plaque that causes gingivitis.  Teeth should be flossed once each day and brushed at least twice a day.  For those that are prone to the disorder, Dr. Becker recommends brushing after every meal. 

Call Maiden Lane Dental Associates if you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, especially if you have not had you routine professional cleaning in the last six months.

TMJ Treatment with Your Financial District Dentist

TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction), refers to a chronic, degenerative condition of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the skull to the mandible, or jaw.  This painful condition can easily be treated by Dr. Lloyd Becker at Maiden Lane Dental.

Common Symptoms of TMJ:

Clicking is common, but pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscle is the most common indicator.  Earaches, headaches, migraines, hearing loss and neck pain are also common symptoms.

Causes of TMJ:

Repetitive, unconscious clenching or grinding teeth, trauma, malalignment of teeth due to crowns, jaw thrusting, excessive gum chewing or nail biting, lack of an overbite and degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis can cause TMJ.  Disorders of the teeth can also contribute to TMJ.  The most common cause is the way the teeth meet together, which may be altered after the wisdom teeth are extracted.

Treatment:

It is best to treat TMJ when it is in early stages.  See Dr. Becker if you are in severe pain or if the pain does not go away.  First, he will determine the optimal position of the jaw by measuring the relaxed position of the head and neck muscles, and then reposition the jaw to achieve exact measurements.  Treatment options include adjusting the bite, orthotics, orthodontics, or restoring the teeth to their correct positions.  The point is to correct the bite and realign the jaw, which relieves the pain associated with TMJ.

Financial District Invisalign

Invisalign is a great choice for adults that would like to straighten their teeth without the “metal-mouth” look of traditional braces.  Invisalign aligners are completely transparent and removable, so they offer the results of orthodontics while offering freedom from treatment when you need it.  Besides this cosmetic advantage, your teeth will be easier to clean. Traditional braces cannot be removed, so food particles can remain lodged between the metal brackets and your tooth enamel, which can be impossible for a toothbrush to reach.  This is the cause of demineralization, which leaves a permanent discoloration on the tooth. Invisalign eliminates this orthodontic risk.  Another advantage of Invisalign not being a fixed appliance is that it permits a diet that is not limited to certain types of food.  Simply remove the aligners at meal time and enjoy. 

The Invisalign process involves computerized treatment planning, which allows you to learn your estimated treatment time.  After receiving you first set of aligners you will return to Dr. Lloyd Becker’s Financial District Dental Office every two weeks for the next aligner in your series.  Traditional braces are adjusted every six to eight weeks with greater force, which causes more pain than Invisalign.  The average treatment time is one year depending on the cases complexity.  Simple treatments such as relapse from childhood braces, minor crowding or spacing may be as short as five months.  Call Dr. Becker today to schedule your Invisalign consultation at Maiden Lane Dental in the Financial District.

Financial District Endodontist

The dental specialty of Endodontics deals with the tissue surrounding the root of the tooth as well as the tooth pulp and requires two to three additional years of training beyond dental school.  The most common Endodontic procedure is a root canal.  The purpose of a root canal is to save a tooth that is badly decayed, broken or infected.  During the procedure, the Endodontist will clean the center chamber, or the root canal of the tooth that contains the infected roots and pulp.  In order for the tooth not to form a painful abscess, all of the decaying tissue must be removed, which will not affect the primary function of the tooth. However, the ability to sense hot and cold with the tooth after a root canal procedure will not be possible.  The tooth is then cleaned and sealed to prevent further infection. 

In recent years the occurrence of tooth decay has significantly diminished due to the availability of fluoride as well as patient awareness.  Even with the better oral hygiene of the last thirty years, teeth are still susceptible to infection and breakage.  Dr. Lloyd Becker at Maiden Lane Dental provides excellent Endodontic services in the Financial District.   

Sugar and Your Teeth

We all eat sugar.  Whether it is from cookies, grapes or pasta, carbohydrates affect our oral health.  Each time you eat a snack containing simple or complex sugars, your teeth are attacked for up to 20 minutes.  These attacks are intensified by the amount of sugar you eat and actually when you eat.  Foods that are eaten during a meal pose less of a threat to your teeth because of the additional saliva produced.  Saliva helps to clean food particles away from your teeth, which reduces the damage from the sugar acids.  

Of course there are foods that help protect your teeth as well.  All food that is made from milk, like yogurt and cheese, are rich in calcium.  You can feel good when eating any of these because calcium is an essential nutrient for the development of bones and teeth.  Cheese has even been proven to help protect your teeth from demineralization, or the loss of calcium in your teeth.

The best way to protect your teeth is good oral hygiene and regular visits to Dr. Becker at Maiden Lane Dental.  Toothbrushing is important to maintaining a healthy smile and should be done at least twice a day.  By not flossing, you miss cleaning up to 35% of your teeth.  Good oral hygiene in conjunction with your bi-annual cleanings can keep your teeth in optimum condition your whole life.

ViziLite Plus, Oral Cancer Detection at your Financial District Dentist

ViziLite Plus is an important device in the fight against oral cancer.

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases, but early detection is key to survival. ViziLite Plus is a tool used by Dr. Lloyd Becker at Maiden Lane Dental that identifies soft tissue abnormalities with light detection.  These absolutely painless, yearly exams are particularly important for those at increased risk for developing oral cancer.

The American Cancer Society recognizes tobacco (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) as the most common causes of oral cancer.  Those who combinetobacco use with heavy drinking are at increased risk.  Extensive exposure to the sun is also recognized as a cause of the disease on the lips.  If you or someone you know develops a lump or sore on the lips, throat or mouth that does not heal, call Maiden Lane Dental for a ViziLite exam. 

In this exam, Dr. Becker will begin by examining your mouth for any surface abnormalities.  Next, he will have you rinse with a solution, before scanning your mouth with ViziLite Plus.  The device will emit a light which will detect abnormalities and mark them with a blue dye.  This important appointment can save your life.

KöR Whitening with Dr. Becker at Maiden Lane Dental

The KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System is now at Maiden Lane Dental.  This cutting-edge whitening system is different from other whitening gels because it enables your teeth to absorb oxygen.  This approach to teeth whitening is less harsh than other gels, which is good news for anyone that has experienced the pain and sensitivity associated with older whitening products.  KöR actually produces low to no sensitivity. Studies found that the few patients that felt some sensitivity only felt 10% of the sensitivity they’d felt from other whitening gels, making this system the most comfortable whitening system available.

The process is easy, too.  First, Dr. Becker will take impressions of your teeth in order to create your own, unique KöR Whitening Trays.  These trays are comfortable not only because they are ultra-thin, but because the design locks in the bleach, which prevents the gel from leaking from the tray.  Simply wear the trays at night while you sleep for two weeks to reveal your whitest smile.

The result will be a smile that is a natural shade of white.  KöR offers results up to sixteen shades whiter with no worry of relapsing back to a darker shade.  This is true for coffee or red-wine drinker, too.  The trays are yours to keep for easy, periodic home maintenance, allowing your results to be permanent.

Call Dr. Becker at Maiden Lane Dental today.

NYC Dentist for Cosmetic Dentistry

It's no surprise that the number one feature people notice most it your smile.  It says a lot about who you are, the level to which you care for yourself, and above all else, the amount of confidence you have.   Our smile is key to expressing our feelings to those around us.  If we walk into a room with a big grin on our face, others are immediately relaxed and happy to hear what’s on our mind.  Alternatively, if we walk into a room keeping our pearly whites hidden, then we become either a source of negative interest or are unnoticed altogether.  So, how do you enter a room?

If you shy away from showing your smile, then you may consider cosmetic dentistry with your NYC dentist.  Cosmetic Dentistry has come a long way in the last twenty years, and is more affordable than you think.  Whether you are interested in teeth whitening, vaneers, natural tooth colored filling, or dental implants, your Financial District dentist, Dr. Lloyd Becker can give you the smile you have always dreamed of at Maiden Lane Dental.

Lumineers with New York's Financial District Dentist

Dr. Becker can transform your entire appearance with Lumineers. 

Lumineers differ from traditional vaneers.  Commonly called "caps" or "crowns," traditional vaneers can be a painful and long process that is stretched out over many months.  Lumineers allow you to eliminate the multiple, timely office visits that traditional vaneers require.  

These ultra-thin, porcelain restoratives are smaller than a contact lens and are placed directly over your existing teeth.   Unlike traditional vaneers, Lumineers require no shots or drilling, making the process is absolutely painless. 

Lumineers offer the luxury of eliminating long and painful orthodontic treatments that require years of retainer wear long after the braces are removed.  Lumineers can be completed in just two office visits, so you can have the best smile of your life in no time at all with results that last for twenty years and remain permanently white.  They are even durable enough to have no food restrictions. 

Ask Dr. Becker about Lumineers at your next visit to Maiden Lane Dental!

Dental Cleanings with your NYC Financial District Dentist.

One of the best feelings in the world is a fresh-from-the-dentist clean mouth.  Cleanings are general maintenance that we all get to do twice a year to ensure that our teeth will stay in the best possible shape for our future.  In a cleaning, or prophylaxis appointment, you will enjoy a comfortable and thorough examination of your oral health.  This simple, but important procedure is your best ally to guard against cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.  By being proactive with preventative treatment, you can save time and money by catching any oral problems early.  This early-detection can knock-out costly dental procedures like root canals and gum disease treatment, not to mention the the time out of our lives that these dental visits will demand.

Dental Cleanings are quick and easy at Dr. Lloyd Becker's office.  Convieniently located in the Financial District in downtown New York, Maiden Lane Dental offers the most comfortable, spa-like dental services around.  Your cleaning will not only freshen your mouth, but will leave you feeling relaxed rejuvenated to take on the rest of your day.  You will look forward to your sixth month cleaning like never before.

Dr. Lloyd Becker is your Lower Manhattan Dentist

Dr. Lloyd Becker has been giving outstanding service to Lower Manhattan for the past seventeen years.  His practice, Maiden Lane Dental is conveniently located on historic Maiden Lane and is a short walk from the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, N, R, J and Z trains.  

At Maiden Lane Dental you can expect gracious, spa-like service.  On your first visit, Dr. Becker's team of dental professionals will greet you with a smile before offering you coffee, tea, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, or cold drinks.  You will then get your pair of personal Movie Glasses and choose a movie or television show from a list of over 250 selections to view during your chair-time.  After a short office tour and team-member introduction, you will be escorted to your chair, where you will enjoy the comfort of a Tempurpedic pillow for the best experience your neck can have.  At Maiden Lane Dental, we pride ourselves on offering the most comfortable and friendly dental experience in Manhattan.

We look forward to hearing from your for all your general dentistry needs.