What Tools do Dentists Use?

As prosthodontists, we at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists have a wide variety of tools in our office. They allow us to handle just about every problem a patient might come in with, but to our patients, they may seem mysterious. We want our patients to feel comfortable with their dental care, so we thought it would be a good idea to briefly describe what the most commonly used dental instruments are and what names we might use for them.

Dental explorers are metal wands with hooks at the end. You’ve doubtlessly seen hygienists use them to break up tartar. Explorers in different shapes might be called probes or scalers when they’re being used to test the depth of gum pockets and remove plaque from beneath the gum line. They’re also used to test the hardness of each tooth’s enamel, which helps us to determine if there’s an active infection. We use explorers in combination with handheld mirrors to see the backsides of patients’ teeth and move their cheeks out of the way. As we break up tartar, we’ll suction it out with a tube called an evacuator or an ejector.

Larger evacuators are used when we need to drill away decayed enamel. The drill emits water so it won’t overheat the patient’s mouth, and the patient is numbed with medication delivered through a syringe. Fillings are applied with pluggers and polished with burnishers. When a tooth needs to be extracted, we’ll use a flat spoon called an elevator to loosen it by rocking it back and forth. We may also use reverse-action forceps to lift a tooth out once it’s loose enough to avoid harming the surrounding soft tissues..

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.

 

What is Pericoronitis?

We don’t take tooth extractions lightly at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Although we are expert prosthodontists, providing extensive dental and facial restorations, we only recommend tooth extractions when a patient’s health would be endangered otherwise. One of the situations that may necessitate a tooth extraction is pericoronitis. A fancy word for inflammation around a dental crown, pericoronitis is one of the main reasons dentists commonly remove people’s wisdom teeth, so let’s take a closer look at what it is.

Dentists say that a tooth is “impacted” when it is unable to fully erupt. This happens most frequently to the wisdom teeth, which are the largest teeth, and which erupt long after the others. Most people do not have enough room in their mouths for them, and the wisdom teeth often get stuck partially exposed and partially underneath a flap of gum tissue called an operculum. Food debris can easily get caught under the operculum, where it will be difficult for a patient to dislodge it. There, it will fuel the growth of infectious oral bacteria, leading to inflammation. Pericoronitis is often painful and may lead to discharges of bad-tasting pus. The infection might also spread, causing the airways to become swollen, as well.

The first step of treating pericoronitis to clean out the operculum and apply antibiotic rinse. Unfortunately, this does not prevent more food debris from being trapped under the operculum later. We may recommend surgically cutting the operculum away. But if the tooth is no longer erupting and we don’t think orthodontics could help to align it, we might advise the patient that the tooth should be removed. In those cases, we would extract it in as uninvasive a way as possible and provide the patient with guidance to ensure a quick recovery.

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.

 

Sjogren's Syndrome

The Oyster By Family Dentists provide patients in Oyster Bay, NY, with quality dental care. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda can help you with the oral symptoms of certain systemic conditions, like Sjorgren’s syndrome. This is an autoimmune condition that targets that salivary and tear glands. The results are a chronically dry mouth. If you notice this happening to you, schedule an appointment with us today.

 

Sjogren’s syndrome, because it is a systemic autoimmune condition, affects the entire body. Your dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY, have sorted out the symptoms specifically related to your mouth. Here are a few of them:

 

-Scratchy or sore voice

-Constant oral infections or cavities

-Dry lips, mouth, and throat

-Chronic cough

-Difficulties swallowing

-Swollen glands in the neck and face

 

There is no known cause for the development of Sjogren’s syndrome. Your general practitioner or primary care provider can provide you with certain medications. This helps curb your immune system’s response.

 

Your Oyster Bay, NY, dentist can make a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome during a dental appointment. Drs. West or VeyVoda evaluates your salivary glands, along with checking for other secondary conditions like dry mouth or cavities.

 

It’s possible to increase your body’s production of saliva. Artificial Saliva keeps your mouth moist and fresh. Certain over-the-counter products like mouthwash and toothpaste can also increase your salivary flow.

 

If you or a loved one are struggling with dry mouth, and are concerned it could be Sjogren’s syndrome, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists today. Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are available at their office in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment, call 516-922-5730. You can also visit their website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.

Receding Gums

Dental problems don’t develop overnight. They progress over time, often due to neglect. This is the case with Receding Gums. The gum tissue surrounding the teeth starts to pull back, exposing more of the tooth structure and sensitive areas. When this happens, it’s important that you contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists right away. Located in Oyster Bay, NY, Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda are here to help.

 

Receding gums is a progressive condition, meaning that it doesn’t happen all at once. You probably won’t notice that anything is different right away. Many Oyster Bay, NY, patients have symptoms but don’t connect them. The first of these is that your teeth suddenly look longer. In reality, your teeth are the same size, it’s the amount of gum tissue covering them that has shrunk. Patients also report a sudden onset of teeth sensitivity. This directly correlates to how much more tooth is shown. Lastly, be on the lookout for any teeth that seem loose or wiggly. Without the secure attachment from the gums, the teeth are prone to looseness.

 

Knowing how receding gums develops helps you prevent it. The biggest cause for it is neglecting your oral health. You need to brush and floss properly multiple times a day. If you don’t, you are at risk for periodontal (gum) disease. This is also a good moment to evaluate your brushing habits. You don’t want to brush so hard that you damage the gums. Grinding your teeth is also detrimental. An appointment with your Oyster Bay, NY, dentists can work that out for you.

 

The best thing to do is to start taking better care of your teeth. Remember to brush twice a day and floss at least once. It’s also important that you see your dentist for a professional cleaning every six months.

 

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are located right here in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert West or Denise VeyVoda, call 516-922-5730 or visit their website at http://www.oysterbaydentists.com/.

Diabetes and Implants

As specialists in prosthodontics, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists have used implants to help hundreds of people gain new teeth. This technology has made great strides since it became popular about thirty years ago and can now be adapted to people in all sorts of situations. But people with diabetes still experience some particular oral health challenges that require them to take special care of their implants, which is why we wanted to share a recent scientific review with our patients.

People with diabetes suffer from damage to their blood vessels. As a result, it often takes them longer to heal from wounds, and they have a harder time fighting off infections. Although dental implants have very high success rates, dentists were long concerned that the need to create incisions to place them would be a problem for diabetic patients. But the review found that, although it tends to take longer for diabetic patients’ jaw bones to integrate with the implant posts, they nearly always heal successfully when their blood sugar is well-controlled. The mini-implants used with dentures do not require large incisions to place, and are also a good option for people who heal slowly.

An implant will have to be removed if a patient’s gum disease causes it or the bone it integrates with to deteriorate. Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of this when their blood sugar is not controlled, but the study found that when they’re well-cared for, their implants have the same rate as success as non-diabetic people's for the first six years. After that, people with diabetes can significantly extend the life of their implants by maintaining good oral hygiene.

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.

 

Diet and Tooth Decay

Regardless of whether you have your natural teeth or artificial ones, you’ll want to protect them from erosion. Although teeth can lose enamel due to mechanical wear, it is more common for them to decay as a result of acid exposure. What a person eats and drinks has a major impact on the integrity of their teeth, so we want to make sure our patients understand how to eat for a healthy mouth.

Food and drink commonly contain acid as well as sugar, which feeds oral bacteria. The longer bacteria have to feed on sugar, the more acid they’ll produce. Citric juices, such as orange juice and tomato juice, are high in both acid and sugar, as is soda. Citric acid is also a frequent flavoring in sour candy and energy gels, making these products even more dangerous to the teeth than sweet candy and energy bars. Alcohol, red meat, and garlic and onions can also cause acid reflux, which means that stomach acid is able to enter the mouth and cause further damage to enamel and the gums.

A person with natural teeth will suffer sensitivity as their enamel decays, and tooth sensitivity should be taken seriously in patients of every age. But if a person has prosthetic teeth, they may not notice their crowns being damaged. Patients can prevent tooth decay by removing food debris quickly after eating. Besides regular brushing and flossing, they should drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum. They may also want to sip sugary or acidic drinks through straws and avoid eating large meals before lying down.

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.

 

Gum Abscesses

Periodontal disease is one of the most common reasons for people to need replacement teeth. We at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer the most advanced prosthodontic technology for our patients’ dental restorations, but they will also need treatment for gum disease. A particularly worrisome aspect of gum disease is the potential for an abscess, so we want our patients to understand why abscesses matter and how they’re treated.

Pus, a liquid made up of bacteria, acid, and dead tissue, develops as a result of infections. It accumulates in hollow spaces called abscesses, which are opened up by bacterial damage to tissue. In a person with gingivitis, the lesser form of gum disease, an abscess might form near the gum line. This is called a gingival abscess. In a person with more advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, an abscess might form between the gum wall and the root of the tooth. This would be called a periodontal abscess. The recession of gum tissue is what would allow the tooth to come loose, and if the infection is not halted, it could also cause recession of bone tissue. Warning signs of a periodontal abscess include a bad taste in the mouth, soreness, and fever.

If we suspect a patient has an abscess, we’ll conduct x-ray tests to determine its location. We can pierce and drain a gum abscess and remove the dead tissue while a patient is under local anesthetic, but we may also have to deal with infections in the tooth’s pulp or at the tip of its root. After the infected material is removed, we may smooth down the tooth root, which is known as planing, in order to make it easier for hygienists to clean in the future. This will also deprive bacteria of a place to hide in between dental visits.

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.

 

 

Partial Crowns: Inlays and Onlays

If you have decayed or broken teeth, don’t wait any longer to schedule an appointment with the Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Although we provide general dental services, our speciality is prosthodontics, the placement of prosthetic teeth. Sometimes, a tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a simple filling, but when large parts of it are still intact, we may give it a partial crown.

Partial crowns are usually placed on molars or premolars, the wide teeth in back. These teeth grind food and have deep indentations in between their pointy bits, called cusps. It is easy for food debris to get trapped in the indentations, where it would become infected and decay. The acid produced by oral bacteria would damage the enamel, causing the patient pain, and if it continues, the infection may reach the pulp chamber. The cusps surrounding the indentation may also be damaged, whether through decay or being broken off in an accident.

When a patient is suffering from tooth decay, we’ll remove the damaged enamel after numbing them with a local anesthetic. Once the infected material has been removed, we can take an impression of the patient’s mouth that will be used to mill the partial crown. A partial crown that nestles into the indentation is called an inlay, while a partial crown that substitutes for cusps is called an onlay. The custom-fitted partial crown is cemented onto the tooth, allowing the patient to eat normally again. It will need to be cared for through regular brushing and flossing, but can last for over a decade.

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.

 

Dry Mouth

Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, located in Oyster Bay, NY, provide quality care for their patients. They treat a variety of conditions, including Xerostomia. This is commonly known as Dry Mouth. As the name suggests, patients suffering from this problem don’t produce enough saliva. They struggle with chewing, speaking, and swallowing. It lowers your quality of life while also putting your oral health at risk. Schedule an appointment with our staff right away if you notice any alarming symptoms.

 

You may not realize it, but saliva plays an important role in your life. Besides everyday tasks like eating and speaking, it keeps your mouth clean. Saliva is necessary for washing your teeth of food debris. Without properly working salivary glands, you’re at risk for plaque and tooth decay.

 

The first step at your appointment with your Oyster Bay dentist is to determine the cause of your dry mouth. Treatment depends entirely upon the source. Talk to your dentist about your medical history, along with any medications you are taking. There are over 500 different medications that result in negative dry mouth symptoms. Do your research when starting any drugs. If the pharmaceutical is the trigger, you should talk to your prescribing physician about switching to another type. Certain autoimmune disorders also put you at risk. Another possibility is certain medical treatments. Chemotherapy is infamous for creating dry mouth.

 

Once the cause of your dry mouth is determined, the treatment can begin. Here are a few general tips for reducing negative symptoms:

 

-Reduce your sugar intake. Sugar naturally dries out your mouth. That means cutting out or back on tea, soda, alcohol, and coffee.

-Water is necessary for your health, including your dental! Water keeps your mouth moist. Increase your water intake for a wetter mouth.

-Invest in over-the-counter dry mouth treatments. These are sold at your local grocery store or supermarket. They are available in mouthwash, gel, and toothpaste form.

 

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, located in Oyster Bay, NY, are available for all your dental needs. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda, call 516-922-5730 or visit their website.

Dental Emergencies

No matter how careful you are in your everyday life, accidents always happen! You and your family must be prepared for all dental emergencies. At Oyster Bay Family Dentists, Drs. Robert West and Denise VeyVoda offer emergency dental services. Call our Oyster Bay, NY, office right away when an accident occurs. Whether you hurt yourself playing sports, you fell or received facial trauma, we are here for you.

 

You must contact us as soon as your injury occurs. The quicker you do, the faster we can treat you. If you can’t get in contact with us for some reason, consider going to your local emergency department. Here is a basic guide while you wait for dental services:

 

-Dental crowns: whether they are missing or loose, you must locate the crown itself. If possible, try to place it back on the tooth. If it fits, try keeping it in place temporarily with over-the-counter denture cream.

-Missing filling: similar to a dental crown, it’s important to find it. Cover the area with sugarless gum for temporary protection.

-Toothaches: before scheduling an appointment, clean the area thoroughly. In certain cases, food or debris can get trapped between the teeth. This might be what’s irritating your mouth. If cleaning doesn’t work, see us right away.

-Tooth Injuries: when it comes to any injury directly to the tooth, try to save as much of the tooth as possible. If you break or chip a tooth, wash your mouth out while saving any of the fragments. Then apply an icepack to your face to reduce the swelling. For teeth that are only partially knocked out or dislodged, avoid touching the area at all costs. Reduce the swelling with anti-inflammatory medication. Lastly, we come to teeth that are completely knocked out. Find the tooth and try to place it back in its spot. If it won’t fit, get a cold glass of milk or salt-water, placing the tooth within it. This keeps the tooth alive while you wait for reattachment.

 

Your family should always be prepared for a dental emergency. When one happens, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists right away. We are conveniently located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule your emergency appointment with Drs. Robert West or Denise VeyVoda, call 516-922-5730. You can also visit their website.

Denture Stomatitis

As prosthodontists, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists have provided many people with new sets of teeth. When properly cared for, dentures will help to maintain a patient’s facial structure and can last for years. But they do require a patient to make changes to their oral hygiene routine, which is why we wanted to discuss the dangers of denture stomatitis.

Yeasts of the Candida genus are normally present in the mouth, but they aren’t usually harmful. Saliva contains antimicrobial enzymes that keep their population under control and washes away food debris, depriving them of a nutrition source. However, if a person wears an upper denture, the roof of their mouth may be covered and kept out of contact with saliva. This could allow Candida to rapidly multiply, creating the red sores that are commonly regarded as symptoms of stomatitis, or a yeast infection.

Yeast infections can be prevented by removing the upper denture and brushing it every day. Patients should brush the entire denture, not just the teeth, and they should use specialty toothpaste that won’t scratch soft plastic. (They may want to keep a separate toothbrush for this.) They should also brush the insides of their mouths before inserting the denture each morning. Stomatitis is not always painful, so patients will have to regularly inspect themselves for it visually.

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.

 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Your wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that emerge in the back of your mouth. When wisdom teeth emerge, they will either come in naturally or crowd your gums. If your wisdom teeth protrude your gums, they need to be extracted at your local dentist. At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we can tell you if your wisdom teeth need to be removed through routine x-rays.

In most cases, wisdom teeth will grow in on an angle which can cause crowding for your teeth and possible damage to your jawbone or nerves. Wisdom teeth that develop that only partially impact your gums increase the chance for bacteria to build which leads to more cavities and gum disease.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or there appears to be an infection, please give us a call. We. The earlier you remove your wisdom teeth, the less chance your teeth will shift and cause further problems.

To learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, please visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Cracked Teeth

The prosthodontists at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists provide patients with lots of options for repairing damaged teeth. Sometimes a crack is merely a cosmetic issue, and sometimes it is painful and puts the tooth at risk for infection. Regardless, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment and implement a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing solution.

The smallest cracks are known as “craze lines.” These can be bonded over or covered with veneers, which are also common solutions when a small portion of enamel has chipped off. They are not usually indicative of a major health concern. However, a large crack creates an avenue through which bacteria may enter the dental pulp. In these cases, a patient would require root canal therapy, which would conclude with the crown being sealed. If a crack goes deep into the tooth’s inner layers or is wide, it may necessitate the replacement of the crown. When a vertical crack reaches the root of a tooth, the tooth will have to be extracted and replaced.

If a person frequently develops cracks in their enamel, they may be grinding their jaws in their sleep. These patients can benefit from the use of custom-fitted night guards. Patients are also advised to never use their front teeth for chewing or as tools, and to refrain from chewing ice.

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.

 

Asthma and Oral Health

When people have chronic dry mouth, they are at greater risk for oral health problems. For this and other reasons, people with asthma need to be especially vigilant about maintaining their oral hygiene. We treat a lot of patients at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists whose oral health is compromised by limited saliva production (called xerostomia), so we wanted to provide asthma patients with some hygiene pointers.

Saliva is crucial to controlling oral microbes. It neutralizes acid, removes food debris, and contains enzymes that restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus. People with asthma commonly breathe through their mouths, particularly at night, causing them to be more vulnerable to microbial growth. This can cause them to have bad breath, tooth decay, and gum recession. Furthermore, asthma patients are often on medications that relax the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus, causing them to suffer from frequent acid reflux.

Asthma patients shouldn’t change medications without oversight from their doctor, but they should request changes when they are suffering recurrent dryness. We can assist them by prescribing stronger throat moisturizers, and they can stimulate additional saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum. Asthma patients should also brush their teeth at night after using inhalers, since inhaler medication often contains sugars which will be dispersed throughout the mouth.

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.

 

Incipient Lesions

If you see strange white spots lingering on your teeth, that’s not just a cosmetic issue. It’s the sign of an incipient lesion, meaning a developing cavity. We at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists specialize in replacing damaged teeth, but we want our patients to be able to exercise preventive care and see us early in the tooth decay process. To that end, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss the development of white spots.

When enamel is being chemically eroded, it takes on a glazed appearance. This can be observed on the upper back teeth of people with chronic acid reflux, but is more often seen in people experiencing the early stage of tooth decay. As bacteria consume sugar, they produce acid as a by-product of their metabolization process. The acid gets stuck in the biofilm covering teeth, causing breakdown of the nearby enamel’s mineral structure and recession in gum tissue. If the demineralization goes on for as few as thirty days, a cavity will develop.

Incipient lesions are likely to appear in places where patients have difficulty brushing, such as the sides of teeth and around orthodontic brackets. Doing a better job of brushing can usually kill the infection, although the demineralized tooth may still look chalky afterward. We can help patients by assessing whether the infection is still active and by covering up the scar with bonding or a veneer. Our hygienists can also demonstrate brushing techniques to patients during regular check-ups, so that lesions will be less likely to develop.

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.

 

Oral Cancer Check-Up

At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we offer oral cancer screenings to our patients to look for signs of oral cancer.

During the exam our doctors will look for any lumps and spots in different areas in your mouth. Besides looking for lumps and abnormalities, our doctors might use their finger to feel the skin and tissue underneath your jaw for possible signs of cancer.

When possible, we advise our patients to avoid using tobacco as it increases your chance of developing oral cancer. If you consume alcohol regularly you have a higher chance of developing it. Our patients that have a family history of oral cancer or have previously been diagnosed with oral cancer are encouraged to have an exam at least once a year.

Don’t forget to ask for an oral cancer screening the next time you see us or if you notice any abnormalities in your mouth.

To learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, please visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Preventing Gum Disease

Periodontal, better known as gum disease, is an inflammatory condition of the gums and bone support around your teeth. Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda encourages our patients to practice good oral health care to prevent gum disease from forming. Gum disease begins when bacteria grows in your mouth and causes you to loose teeth if not treated properly. When bacteria in plaque builds up on your teeth, your gums turn red or inflamed when brushing and flossing.

Some symptoms of gum disease includes swollen or bleeding in your gums, loose or shifting teeth, and persistent bad breath. Our doctors can diagnose the early stages of gum disease by examining your gums and the sensitivity of your teeth.

When possible, we encourage our patients to take the proper precautions to prevent gum disease. A few steps to ensuring your gums don’t become inflamed is to not use tobacco of any kind, brush and floss regularly, and follow a healthy diet.

To learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, please visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Dental Phobia

If you have a fear of going to the dentist or people working in your mouth, you likely suffer from dental phobia. Dental phobia is a serious condition that leaves patients with a fear of the dentist panic-stricken and terrified in the days leading up to their appointment. Our staff at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists advises patients with dental phobia to let us know prior to their visit with us about their fears.

Studies have shown that about 9% to 15% of people avoid going to the dentist every year due to dental phobia. We don’t want your fear of the dentist to deter you for getting your teeth cleaned and getting a checkup twice a year. People who suffer from dental phobia are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease.

Remember to give us a call a couple of days before your appointment with us so can accommodate you the best we can and make you feel comfortable.

To learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, please visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

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.

Periodontal Splinting

Having a loose permanent tooth doesn’t bring the same amount of excitement that it did when you were a kid. As an adult, it’s often a sign of injury, lost gum tissue, misalignment, or orthodontic treatment. Trying to eat or speak becomes uncomfortable. Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer a solution. Periodontal splinting attaches your weak teeth to strong ones, creating a single, stable unit. Contact our office in Oyster Bay, NY, to learn more.

 

Schedule an appointment with your Oyster Bay dentist as soon as a loose tooth is noted. Otherwise, it can damage other dental structures. Trauma is the biggest culprit for a loose tooth. Grinding or clenching your teeth is also a probable reason. Some patients even experience a combination of the two. Periodontal disease is also a likely cause.

 

By splinting your loose teeth, Drs. West or VeyVoda are able to correct your misaligned bite. This relieves the pressure behind the looseness. Temporary and permanent splints are offered. For temporary splints, there are extra-coronal and intra-coronal. The placement defines the kind needed. Extra are bonded to the enamel while intra requires a channel in the teeth. For permanent splints, a splint fuses the crowns of each tooth together.

 

Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda are located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, visit our website or call 516-922-5730.