With more than 20 years in private practice, Alan Kratenstein, DDS, provides general dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation, and implants. He is board certified in New York State and New Jersey. While away from his dental practice, Alan Kratenstein, DDS, enjoys physical workouts.Being physically active not only transforms your physical appearance, but it also benefits your mind. Engaging in regular physical activity can reduce stress by improving self-confidence and sleep patterns. Studies reveal that physical activity can improve mental clarity, leading to overall cognitive function improvement.In addition, exercise can help decrease depression. Science has proven that individuals who are sedentary have higher rates of anxiety and depression. Psychologists recommend taking a 10-minute walk to relieve a depressed mood, as exercise is a fast-acting technique. One study revealed that people who engaged in intense workouts were about 25 percent less likely to experience anxiety or depression over a five-year period.
As the owner of A Caring Dentist on Staten Island, New York, Dr. Alan Kratenstein builds on three decades of experience. Dr. Alan Kratenstein performs a comprehensive range of treatments, including the traditional filling.When bacteria in the mouth combine with food particles, they create a sticky plaque that coats the surface of teeth. This acidic plaque eats away at the tooth and ultimately creates a cavity. Left untreated, these cavities continue to grow and can ultimately destroy a tooth. Because the body is not able to repair a cavity in the same way that it repairs a cut on the skin, a dentist must intervene. Fillings allow the dentist to replace the decayed material, thus saving the tooth. Before the dentist applies the filling, however, he or she must remove the decayed material. This involves the injecting of a numbing agent, which prevents the patient from feeling pain as the dentist drills out the decayed portions of the tooth. If necessary, a patient may also receive a sedative to decrease anxiety.When the cavity is clean, the dentist introduces the filling material. Most dentists today use either composite resin or amalgam, the latter of which is made from a combination of clinical-grade metals. The dentist mixes the amalgam into a pliant material and introduces it to the tooth, where it hardens into its permanent state. Those who prefer a more natural appearance may choose the tooth-colored composite filling, made of silica and a resin coating. Clay-like in its original form, the resin hardens after the dentist places it into the cleaned cavity and applies a special blue light.Some dentists may also offer specialized filling options, including gold and ceramic. Patients should consult with an experienced dentist to determine whether a filling is necessary and helpful, while also considering what type of filling may be the most appropriate.
Alan Kratenstein practices general, family, and cosmetic dentistry at A Caring Dentist, his dental clinic located in Staten Island, New York. A supporter of several nonprofit organizations, Alan Kratenstein regularly donates to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC).The world’s oldest private cancer center, MSKCC has dedicated its services to patient care, cancer research, and education for over 130 years. It is one of 45 National Cancer Institute-designed Comprehensive Cancer Centers, recognized for its advances in clinical studies and cancer treatment. To fund its initiatives and increase cancer awareness, the center organizes a number of fundraising events, including Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer. Kids Walk for Kids with Cancer is a walkathon and a fundraising activity, donating every single dollar from the proceeds to the pediatric cancer research of MSKCC. This event began in 2001, when a young woman named Sophie and her classmates from Packer Collegiate decided to organize a walkathon for her brother, Simon, who was a patient at MSKCC. The first Kids Walk raised over $35,000. Encouraged by the success of the walkathon, Sophie and classmates continued the event in the succeeding years, until it grew into a major event that has raised a total of $4 million.
