Bone Grafting

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY., offer bone grafting services to our patients. Dr. Robert G. West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda are skilled and experienced professionals. Bone grafting is a common procedure used to prep the jaw bone for a restorative device. When a tooth is missing or extracted from the jaw, the bone starts to disintegrate. A bone graft will restrengthen the area.

 

At your first appointment, either Dr. West or VeyVoda will take an x-ray of your mouth. This shows us the condition of the jaw bone. Measurements are taken for the graft. In most cases, an appropriate bone graft will be ordered from a tissue lab. This tissue will match the length and width of your bone perfectly.

 

The procedure begins with the patient receiving general anesthesia. Once unconscious, one of our dentists will make an incision along the jaw. The bone graft will be inserted, held into place using pins, plates, screws, wires, and/or cables. The incision will be stitched and bandaged.

 

Recovery is entirely dependent on the patient. Their health and the size of the graft determine recovery time. Some recovery takes two weeks, while others can last up to a year. Avoid vigorous activity for as long as instructed. Follow any and all post-operative instructions given to you.

 

If you are in need of a bone graft or other dental services, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda, visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Avoiding Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

The oral surgeons at Oyster Bay are highly experienced providers of extractions and replacement teeth. In order to help patients better understand their options, we wanted to provide information about a rare but serious issue called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

Osteonecrosis refers to the death of bone tissue. It could happen to the jaw if it was exposed by something such as a severe infection, but in the modern world, it typically only happens as a result of tooth extractions. When teeth are extracted, the sockets usually close over the exposed jaw bone, but there could be complications if the patient is on bisphosphonate medication. This kind of medication is used to prevent bone resorption and is used to combat osteoporosis and the side effects of chemotherapy. Most ONJ cases occur in people who received bisphosphonates intravenously.

If ONJ is identified, the dead bone can be shaved and treated with an anti-bacterial rinse. But it can be avoided completely if patients fully disclose their medications and future treatment plans with all of their doctors, so oncologists will know not to start chemotherapy until after tooth extractions and oral surgeons will know not to recommend extractions to people on bisphosphonates.

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.

Post-Operative Instructions

Oral surgery is a complex process. First, you anticipate the procedure and fret about getting a tooth extracted, and secondly, you must render up the patience to heal over a course of several days. Whether you’ve recently undergone oral surgery for a tooth extraction or a restorative treatment such as dental implants, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists will give you strict instructions to follow post-operation.

Immediately following surgery, bleeding will continue. To reduce the amount of bleeding and to help stop it completely, damp gauze should be placed over the extraction site. Be sure to replace the gauze after eating soft foods, and never suck through a straw, as you risk the stitches coming undone. Swelling of the jaw is normal because this is the body’s natural reaction to pain. Swelling can be reduced by applying ice, but if it persists for more than seven days, please call our office.

If you have questions or concerns about oral surgery or post-operative instructions, 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.

Dry Socket Dangers

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are some of the best in the business of oral surgery. We not only are skilled in advanced techniques, we also care deeply about our patients’ recovery. As part of our prevention efforts, we want everyone undergoing extractions to be familiar with the dangers of dry sockets.

Although a dry socket is always possible, it is more likely to result from difficult extractions which require the surgeon to make incisions and leave sutures. It is necessary for a blood clot to form for the socket to be protected from infection and drying out. Therefore, patients are advised not to take birth control or other medication which is known to interfere with clotting, or to sip from straws, smoke, or otherwise create pressure in their mouths which could cause clots to come loose.

If a socket does dry out, a patient will know it by their severe pain. They should request an immediate emergency appointment so we can provide them with painkillers and antibiotics. One of our doctors will use a vacuum to clean the wound and dress it in gauze or paste. Dressings will be changed every few days until the socket closes to guard against further complications.

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 OysterBayDentists.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Notes on Novocain

When you think of the dentist’s office, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are almost certain that you’re wondering about your pain-free options. Depending on the procedure at hand, you will either be given a local or general anesthetic. Local anesthesia allows the patient to remain awake, while general anesthesia allows the patient to sleep. If you are told you’ll be receiving a local anesthetic, “Novocain” probably comes to mind. Novocain is commonly used to suppress pain in patients who remain conscious. During your consultation, our doctors will determine if Novocain is appropriate for your treatment plan as well as if it is the best option for you.

Novocain is normally injected into an area during oral surgery and other dental procedures to numb the surrounding tissues. Like any medication, however, side effects include numbness around the injection site that can last for several hours, a tingling sensation around the injection site, as well as minor swelling around or near the injection site. Novocain is a good option for some, but not for others. Be sure to provide us with as much information about your medical history as possible so that you and our doctors can make an informed decision.

If you would like to discuss sedation options, 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.