Dental Implants

Teeth are like a puzzle, they’re meant to come in a complete set. The puzzle doesn’t work without that missing piece. That’s why Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda offer dental implant services to our patients at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Located in Oyster Bay, NY, dental implants are a permanent and recommended solution for missing teeth.

 

The entire process takes over a few months to complete. It starts with your Oyster Bay dentist taking x-rays of your mouth and jaw. If your bone structure is looking strong, you’ll be eligible for implants. Otherwise, you may need to get a bone graft.

 

At the beginning of the procedure, the specific area receives a dosing of local anesthetic. This will minimize any pain or discomfort. Drs. West or VeyVoda creates an incision in the gums. The implant, composed of a titanium screw, is inserted. It’s then shut with a suture. The placement of a temporary dental crown restores everyday functions. This lets you continue to eat and speak normally. It takes between 3-6 months for the area to heal. A healing process called osseointegration occurs, where the bone grows around the screw.

 

Once the implant has healed, the next stage can begin. An abutment is placed onto the screw. It will serve as the base for your new restorative device. A permanent restorative device is created from the abutment. At your final appointment, it’s permanently placed.

 

To learn more about dental implants, 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, visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

 

Dental Restoration Options

Tooth restorations are defined as the various ways The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can replace missing teeth or repair missing parts of the tooth. At our practice, the goal of our staff is to improve self-esteem in patients as well as oral health. If you have missing teeth because of tooth decay, gingivitis or injury to the mouth, then a dental restoration may be an option for you.

These days, thanks to a variety of options for dental restoration, patients have many choices for repairing worn, decayed, damaged or missing teeth. Tooth structure can be missing due to deterioration of a previously placed restoration, or fracture of a tooth. Depending on the severity of the patient’s case, at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, a specialist will choose from a variety of filling options based on the type and location of the filling. Examples of dental restorations include fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures.

If you have questions or concerns about dental implants, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  The doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

To learn more about gum grafting and all the services we provide, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Bone Grafting For Dental Implants

A bone graft is the term for harvesting bone material from a healthy location and grafting it to a location that is broken or weakened.  The doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists use this method to strengthen jaw bones in preparation for dental implants.

Missing a tooth for an extended period of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure.  When a patient needs an implant for a permanent replacement tooth, a bone graft reinforces the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant. 

In one procedure, bone material is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted to the compromised area of the jaw bone.  This strengthens the weakened bone, and encourages growth of new bone material as it heals.  After the procedure, the bone graft will be monitored over the course of months.  When the jaw bone has strengthened enough to handle the placement of an implant, our doctors can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.

To learn more about bone grafting and all the services we provide, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Mini Dental Implants

The availability of mini dental implants is important because they make treatments possible for patients who previously could not benefit from dental implants. Mini dental implants are about half the diameter of a traditional dental implant, which allows them to be used in narrow spaces where regular implants were not an option. Oyster Bay Family Dentists

Other than replacing teeth in narrow spaces, mini implants are also used to install a full upper or lower denture. Four to six mini implants are placed along the gum line to serve as the base for securing the denture. Most mini implants can be placed without an incision. The small size makes it possible for them to be inserted right through the gums into the bone. No incision means no stitches, and eliminates the need for a recovery period. This means the restoration or denture can usually be placed right away or a short time after.  Mini implants are also less expensive than regular implants. A dentist can tell you if a mini implant is a good solution for you.

To learn more about mini implants and all the services we provide, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

How Smoking Affects Dental Implants

By now, mostly everyone knows about the endless list of ways smoking can harm your body. However, did you know that it can also affect the success of dental work like dental implants? Since the smoke enters your body first through your mouth, it can really have a major effect on your soft tissues. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY want our patients to understand the ways smoking can affect your future oral health. Keep reading to learn more.

Smoking physically changes the gum tissues in your mouth and the blood vessels surrounding them. The top layer of skin cells in the gums develops a condition called keratosis, which is the thickening of the tissues. The salivary glands within these tissues become blocked off and damaged, which creates dry mouth. The superficial blood vessels in the mouth begin to constrict, so they do not supply enough blood to the area. These effects create problems with healing, immune strength, and bacteria. When there is decreased blood flow, the area can take longer to heal after implant surgery. In addition, a dry mouth promotes gum disease. Over time, these issues will cause more bone loss in the jawbone around an implant, increasing the risk of the implant falling out.

Smoking wreaks havoc on the lungs, the circulatory system, oral health, among many other body systems. It is also a known cause of cancer. The best thing to do is to quit or never start. To schedule an examination, an oral cancer screening, or an implant consultation with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call us at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Bridges

Bridges

Broken or missing teeth can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, trauma to the mouth can fracture a tooth or knock it out completely. In addition, gum disease can cause tooth decay and possibly lead to tooth loss. The good news is at Oyster Bay Family Dentists we offer restorative services including dental bridges.

 

A bridge fills in the gap where the missing tooth was. It may be supported by dental implants or natural teeth. A conventional bridge includes two crowns on both sides of the gap. The bridge is attached to the crowns, which act as an anchor and hold the bridge in place.

 

Usually two appointments are needed in order to have a traditional dental bridge placed. The process of getting a bridge will involve preparing the adjacent teeth for the crowns. Preparation involves removing any decay and shaping and filing the teeth. An impression of the teeth is taken so the bridge can be made. While you wait for your permanent bridge to be made, a temporary one will be placed.

 

Bridges are made from durable materials, such as porcelain, gold or alloy. In some cases, a combination of materials will be used. Proper maintenance of a bridge is essential in order to prevent cavities from developing underneath. Regular brushing, flossing and professional cleanings are needed.

 

For more information on bridges or in order to schedule an appointment, please call The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 516-922-5730.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants

Replacing missing teeth used to be only done with temporary options, like dentures or bridges. But now there is advanced dental technology available to provide a permanent tooth replacement with dental implants. Dental implants act as the tooth’s root, by having a metal post implanted right into the bone. As it heals, the bone grows around the tooth, holding it there permanently.

Over the top of the post, a crown is placed after it has healed completely. This crown is made from impressions of the patient’s other teeth so that it matches the color, size, and shape perfectly. This makes it so the dental implants are not made obvious to others. Dental implants also have excellent function, allowing the patient to eat whatever they want and not worry about it falling out.

Patients who get dental implants benefit in a number of ways. They can eat what they want, as well as brush and floss their teeth like normal. They also have higher confidence and self-esteem with a restored smile. If you want to learn more about how dental implants work, call us here at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at 516-922-5730 to speak to Dr. Denise VeyVoda.

 

 

 

Diode Lasers in Dentistry

Diode Lasers in Dentistry

At our state-of-the-art practice, we are determined to provide our patients with a combination of advanced capabilities and personalized care. One way we accomplish this is the use of a diode laser. Diode lasers improve the efficiency, safety and experience of numerous procedures. By changing a few simple settings with the touch of a button, diode lasers can be used to complete biopsies, gingivectomies, implant recoveries, and many other services.

Since these procedures are completed with a laser rather than manual tool, the process is considerably less invasive, more comfortable and significantly more precise. As a result, our patients experience less gum trauma, virtually no bleeding and faster healing. In many causes only minimal aesthetic is needed during the procedure.

To learn more about how we use the diode laser and to find out how it could improve your upcoming procedure, please contact us directly.