Impacted Canines

Teeth have predetermined tracks that they follow to emerge successfully through the gum line. When certain circumstances keep them from erupting, they become impacted. Most of these cases involve the third molars or wisdom teeth. The second is the maxillary cuspids or upper canines. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer treatment and post-operative instructions for impacted canines. Visit our office in Oyster Bay, NY, to learn more.

 

Your canines will do everything they can to reach their proper spot on the dental arch. The cuspids are needed for biting. They are the first teeth to touch together when you bite down. This guides all other teeth into place. They are the last teeth to come in but the most important.

 

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends all patients receive a Panorex x-ray and dental examination by the age of seven years old. Your Oyster Bay dentists identify and determine any possible issues with the adult teeth. Eruption pathways should clear by ages 11-12 years old. Otherwise, interventive actions are needed.

 

Treatment requires a mixture of orthodontic treatment and surgery. Surgery can remove a blocked baby tooth and reveal the impacted tooth. Orthodontic devices guide the tooth into the correct place. Altogether, it can take close to a year for the full eruption.

 

Following post-operative instructions is necessary for a full recovery. For impacted teeth that require removal, expect swelling and discomfort. Use ice or a cold compress to keep the swelling down. Drs. West or VeyVoda will either advise you to use over-the-counter medication or prescribe pain medication for you. It’s important to avoid any hard or hot foods during this process. Talk to your dentist about modifying your diet.

 

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To learn more about our services, visit our website. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert West or Denise VeyVoda, call 516-922-5730.

Alzheimer's Disease and Gum Disease

As specialists in dentures, it’s no surprise to us at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists that gum disease is closely tied to disease throughout the body. Dentists have long known that there appears to be a correlation between periodontal infections and Alzheimer’s disease, but it was thought that people with memory problems simply struggled with oral hygiene. Within the past few months, new studies have been published that shed more light on this issue and the importance of prevention.

One of the bacteria species that causes gum disease is Porphyromonas gingivalis. It secretes toxic enzymes called gingipains as a defense against white blood cells. Gingipains are found at elevated levels in the brains and spinal fluid of people with Alzheimer’s disease. We also know that P. gingivalis causes the production of components of the plaque that disrupt Alzheimer’s patients’ neurons. Another recent study established that P. gingivalis is able to move from the gums to the brain in living humans.

Scientists caution that it is too soon to say that gum disease is the sole cause of Alzheimer’s and that there are likely other factors, as well. But there is good reason to believe that gum infections and Alzheimer’s exist in a feedback loop. New research is being done into whether treating gum disease can break that loop, but it is a good idea in the meantime for everyone to stay vigilant in their brushing.

Drs. Denise VeyVoda and Robert G. West operate The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 123 South Street, Oyster Bay, New York, 11771. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Instructions after Tooth Extractions

We don’t remove teeth without a good reason, but extractions are a routine procedure that can usually be completed without a problem. To ensure that patients understand the importance of following instructions, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists wanted to explain a little bit about why we take certain precautions.

Our main concern after removing a tooth is that the socket does not dry out. After a tooth is removed, healthy blood will form a clot that seals off the socket and the exposed jaw bone. But if the clot does not form or does not stay in place, not only will the socket become painfully dry, it will also become a way for bacteria and other harmful substances to enter the body. In the worse cases, tissue of the jaw bone could become necrotized.

Patients are advised to avoid sucking on straws or eating sticky foods after getting an extraction, because these could dislodge the clot. Smoking could also prevent a clot’s formation or create a suction that would dislodge it. Some medications also interfere with clotting, which is why patients should make sure to disclose all of them to us. A dry socket is a greater risk when removing the lower wisdom teeth, so those patients especially should be on guard against the bad taste and smell that could indicate a problem. If a dry socket does develop, we’ll be able to treat it with a pain-relieving, antibacterial dressing.

Drs. Denise VeyVoda and Robert G. West operate The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 123 South Street, Oyster Bay, New York, 11771. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730 or visit Oyster Bay Dentists and fill out a contact sheet.