Preventive Dental Care in Manhattan
Our Upper West Side Dentist, Dr. Shirley strongly believes that preventive care is the best way to maintain oral health. It is our goal to help you maintain a beautiful smile and to prevent dental decay, gum and periodontal disease. At Upper West Side Dental a preventive visit includes a full mouth examination, gentle Ultrasonic cleanings, check-up digital radiographs as well patient education. Your preventive care education starts at our Upper West Side Manhattan dental office and is practiced at home. Our office staff maintains a highly active recall system to ensure the highest degree of oral health for you and your family.
Exams
Our Upper West Side Preventive Care Dentist, Dr. Shirley recommends visiting his Manhattan Dental Office for a dental exam every 6 months. Having an dental exam every 6 months can catch problems in their early stages when they are easier and less expensive to treat. In addition to examining your teeth, Dr. Shirley will screen for Gum Disease, Periodontal Disease, Oral Cancer, TMD and problems with your bite.
X-Rays
At Upper West Side Dental, we pride ourselves in offering the latest technology in dentistry. Digital x-rays are the newest technology in dental radiography. Not only are these type of x-rays more comfortable, but once they are taken they are immediately uploaded to our computers. Another quality patients appreciate is that we are able to adjust the dosage of exposure per radiograph. If you experience gag reflex when x-rays are taken, we accommodate by using our panoramic x-ray machine. The panoramic is a full mouth x-ray that captures an image of all your teeth and sinuses. Depending on your risk level, digital x-rays are recommended every six months to one year. Visit our Upper West Side Dentist, Dr. Shirley to evaluate your carries risk level.
At Upper West Side Dental, your comfort is our top priority. If you are looking to have a cleaning that is thorough and efficient but dislike traditional hand scalings, book your dental cleaning with our Upper West Side Dentist, Dr. Shirley. We offer cleanings using the Cavitron, a new and quick alternative to hand tools. Cleaning teeth with the Cavitron is superior to hand scaling because the ultrasonic energy of the Cavitron actually kills the bacteria that causes periodontal disease. We recommend you visit our Upper West Side Manhattan Dental office for dental cleanings every 6 months. Having cleanings every 6 months ensures less plaque accumulates your teeth thus making your dental cleanings more comfortable. Those that stay away from the dentist may require a deep cleaning, which can be verified by having an exam by our Upper West Side Dentist, Dr. Benjamin Shirley. Book your dental cleaning today!
Do you wake up in the morning with jaw pain? You may be experiencing Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. It typically occurs unconsciously, either while asleep or as a response to being nervous. Some may clench or grind their teeth while they are working out. Bruxism can potentially lead to serious long term tooth damage if not treated. Our Upper West Side dentist, Dr. Shirley offers appliances that help the prevention of teeth grinding. Our custom-fit mouth guards come in either soft or hard and can be fabricated in one visit. The mouth guard fits over either the upper or lower teeth and acts like a shield to protect the teeth. Along with having a custom made mouth guard, Dr. Shirley encourages patients that have bruxism to take yoga or meditation classes. This may lower stress levels and help with bruxism. Dr. Shirley also fabricates athletic mouth guards for patients who want to protect their teeth from damage during sport activities. Whether you grind your teeth or play sports, Our Upper West Side Manhattan office offers may options to protect your teeth.
At Upper West Side Dental we believe prevention is the best method of treatment. We offer two preventive procedures, Sealant and Fluoride treatment. A dental sealant is an extra-thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces on teeth. Fluoride prevents tooth decay in adults and children by strengthening the tooth enamel. After your dental exam and cleaning, Dr. Shirley may recommend either a fluoride rinse or a topical application.
Snoring happens occasionally, but if it happens frequently it can affect the quality of not only your sleep but of others in your household. Approximately one-third of the population snores. Snoring can lead to poor sleep which causes fatigue, irritability and increased health problems. It can also cause a rift in your relationship. The common causes of snoring are age, sleep posture, nasal/sinus problems and being overweight. Snoring could indicate Sleep Apnea, which can be life threatening. According to a UCLA School of Dentistry study: “The struggle for breath can result in soaring blood pressure, which can damage the wall of the carotid arteries and increase the risk of stroke”. Snoring is a serious condition that should not be ignored or overlooked.At Upper West Side Dental we provide devices such as the Silent Nite SL which will allow for a comfortable nights rest.
Dr. Shirley recommends a dental cleaning and exam every 6 months to maintain optimal oral health. Regular visits allow us to detect and treat issues like tooth decay and gum disease early, before they become more serious.
Digital x-rays are a modern, low-radiation alternative to traditional x-rays. At Upper West Side Dental, we use digital and panoramic x-rays to get high-quality images instantly while keeping you comfortable and minimizing exposure.
Yes! If you suffer from bruxism or clench your teeth at night, Dr. Shirley can create a custom night guard to protect your teeth and relieve discomfort. We also offer stress-reducing recommendations like yoga or meditation to help reduce grinding triggers.
🚗 How to Get to Upper West Side Dental by Car
Taking the first step toward long-term oral health? Find us here:
992 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10025
📞 (917) 261-7555
- Our dental office is located near Columbus Avenue and West 109th Street, in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
- Use your preferred navigation app and search for Upper West Side Dental or enter our full address.
- Street parking is available nearby, and parking garages can be found on Amsterdam Avenue and West 110th Street.
🚆 How to Get to Upper West Side Dental by Subway
We’re easy to reach via public transit—ideal for your regular 6-month dental cleanings or exams.
- B or C Train: Exit at Cathedral Parkway – 110 St Station, then walk west on 110th St to Columbus Avenue — just 2 minutes away.
- 1 Train: Get off at 110 St / Cathedral Pkwy, walk east to Columbus Ave, then one block south to 992.
Whether it’s your first visit or a routine checkup, we’re just a few steps from major subway lines.
🚌 How to Get to Upper West Side Dental by Bus
Multiple MTA bus lines serve our area, making it easy to stay on top of your preventive dental care:
- M7 Bus: Stops right on Columbus Avenue — get off at W 109th St.
- M11 Bus: Use the stop on Amsterdam Avenue and W 109th St, then walk one block east.
- M104 Bus: Get off at Broadway and 110th St, then head east toward Columbus Avenue.
😁 Keeping Your Smile Healthy Has Never Been Easier
At Upper West Side Dental, we make preventive care simple and stress-free — from your personalized exam and digital x-rays to gentle ultrasonic cleanings.
And getting here? Even easier.
📞 Call (917) 261-7555 or book online to schedule your preventive care visit today.