Bite Checks

As prosthodontists, the doctors of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists often restore people’s bite function, allowing them to chew and speak without pain. One of the most important parts of the biannual dental examination for every patient is the bite check, during which we’ll assess the mechanical condition of a patient’s jaw and inspect their teeth for wear.

People with obstructive sleep apnea or temporomandibular joint disorder commonly develop bruxism. The word “bruxism” describes nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which causes attrition to enamel and puts it, as well as prosthetic teeth, at risk of cracking. People who grind their teeth are also likely to develop jaw pain and their natural teeth may be pushed out of position.

We’ll ask patients whether they’ve been suffering from headaches or neck pain that could be related to bruxism. Our hygienists will inspect the patient’s teeth for signs of wear associated with bruxism, and the digital x-ray machines in our office will help us to determine whether the jaws’ shape and tooth placement is healthy. If there is a problem, we can recommend the patient use a night guard to relieve bruxism and discuss orthodontic options for tilted teeth. We may also do restorative work on teeth that have been worn down and reshape artificial palates to accommodate changes in the patient’s facial shape.

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.

Sensitive Teeth

Do you dread your teeth coming into contact with something cold? If so, you don’t have to let dental sensitivity ruin anymore ice cream treats. At the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we restore patients’ teeth, protecting the nerves within, and we also educate patients about how to preserve their teeth’s natural protective tissues.

Our teeth have several layers. Surrounding the pulp is dentin, which is a porous substance. Covering it is cementum, and on the crowns, another protective layer called enamel. A crack in the outer layers makes the pulp vulnerable to infection and extreme temperatures, but more often, the problem is that the protective layers have slowly been worn away. This can be caused by exposure to acid.

Cavities are caused by caries, bacterial infections on the surface of teeth that secrete acid. Regular brushing and flossing is essential to preventing the development of caries. Acid might also enter the oral cavity from the stomach if the patient suffers from acid reflux or bulimia. The roots of the teeth are more vulnerable to sensitivity. Fluoride sealants can be used to bolster the teeth’s protective minerals, arresting the progression of wear. Avoiding soda and citric juice reduces direct contact of acid to enamel. We may also recommend that patients use extra-fluoridated toothpaste and get a gum graft if their tooth roots have become exposed.

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.

 

Acid Reflux and Tooth Sensitivity

As skilled prosthodontists, Dr. VeyVoda and Dr. West supply patients in the Oyster Bay area with replacement partial and full teeth. But as dentists who care deeply about their patients, they also want people to know how to avoid tooth damage in the first place. One source of enamel erosion which people often have less awareness of is acid reflux.

Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter that keeps hydrochloric acid in the stomach opens during swallowing. If this occurs at least twice a week, the patient is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux is commonly (but misleadingly) called heartburn because of the painful cysts it creates in the esophagus, but tooth enamel isn’t strong enough to withstand hydrochloric acid, either. People with GERD commonly suffer from pitted, discolored, sensitive teeth, particularly in their upper palate. If erosion reaches an advanced state, the patient could be at a higher risk for dental infections and find that their teeth back teeth’s grinding surfaces have lost their function.

Badly damaged teeth can be replaced with a number of methods, including partial and full crowns. But patients can prevent damage by reducing their intake of foods that are high in acid, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol, and by maintaining better posture.

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.

 

Root Canals

Root Canals

Root canals are performed when there is an infection deep within the nerves and root of a tooth. Our dentist, Dr. Denise VeyVoda, numbs the area with a local anesthetic, then drills a hole into the tooth to reach the canal. She then cleans out the infection and infected tissue, and fills up the hole with a material called gutta percha. It is not a difficult or long procedure, but one that is necessary to get rid of the infection and save the tooth.

The root canal procedure is over in about an hour, after which Dr. Denise VeyVoda recommends the following aftercare instructions:

1) The patient should avoid eating on the tooth for several days as it can be sensitive.

2) After one week, the patient should return to our office to get an impression of the tooth for a permanent crown. We will fit them with a temporary crown.

3) In 1-2 weeks, the patient should return to our office a final time to get the permanent crown bonded to their tooth.

4) Patients must reach us immediately if they notice excessive bleeding, severe pain or a high fever.

5) Patients should take all prescribed medications, including any antibiotics.

To find out more about root canals and how they are performed, call us here Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY at 516-922-5730.