Night Guards

Night Guards

Here at Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we want our patients to have good oral health, and that starts with preventative care. One type of preventative care is through the use of night guards. Night guards are worn by patients who have a problem with grinding or clenching their teeth at night. While it may not seem like a serious problem, teeth grinding can lead to reduced tooth enamel, which weakens teeth. Teeth grinding may also cause severe headaches, jaw pain, and an irritation of the gums. Night guards help prevent these from occurring.

The benefits of night guards include the following:

• Protecting the patient’s teeth so they don’t weaken or crack from being worn down.


• Saving patients money on future dental procedures.


• Getting relief from headaches and jaw pain.


• Eliminating partner disturbance while sleeping and grinding teeth.

Our night guards are made custom to the patient, so they fit comfortable and do not interrupt their sleep. Dr. Denise VeyVoda starts by making impressions of the patient’s teeth and sending them to the lab. Once they arrive, patients are instructed to wear them every night while sleeping. Night guards last about 10 years with proper care. Contact our dental office in Oyster, Bay, NY to learn more about night guards.

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.

Canker Sore

What is a Canker Sore?

You may have heard the term, but may not be exactly sure what is a canker sore. Known in the medical community as aphthous ulcers, a canker sore is an open sore in the mouth (mouth ulcer) that can be quite painful, and make chewing, eating, and talking problematic.  The good news is that they can be treated.

Canker sores can develop due to a number of reasons, including:

• Brushing your teeth too roughly


• Biting your cheek or tongue


• Experiencing stress


• Changes in hormones


• Allergies to food


• Lack of some kinds of minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamin B-12, folic acid and iron

For many people, canker sores go away on their own typically within two weeks. However, if your canker sore does not go away after two weeks, is especially large, accompanies other symptoms such as skin rash, diarrhea, fever, or headache, or you tend to get canker sores more than three times a year, contact us here at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists for an evaluation.

Veneers vs. Crowns

Veneers vs. Crowns

Veneers and crowns are both reliable restorative solutions that protect the structure of a tooth while refinishing its surface to create a strong, reliable and beautiful smile esthetic. However, veneers and crowns have many differences with regard to their purpose, placement and function.

Veneers: Veneers are most frequently used as a cosmetic smile solution. They can be used use refinish the surface of a tooth and correct teeth that are too narrow or short, and cover-up stains, small chips and cracks. While a single veneer can be used to refinish an individual tooth, multiple veneers are most often used to refinish the most visible teeth and provide a smile makeover that’s fully customized and idealized. Like crowns, veneers are comprised of a thin porcelain shells that are fabricated from an impression of the existing tooth site. Veneers are usually much thinner than crowns, but the existing tooth structure will need to be slightly modified for permanent bonding and placement. 

Crowns: Crowns may be used for cosmetic purposes, but they’re most frequently used to restore the surface of a tooth due to a fracture, severe chip, deep cavity, or following a root canal or other procedure that calls for the modification of the tooth.  Like veneers, crowns are custom fabricated to perfectly restore the appearance of a tooth, in addition to protecting its structure.  Crowns are frequently created from porcelain or ceramic, but they may also be formed from gold, porcelain fused to metal or other material.

 

How Smoking Affects Post Op Extractions

How Smoking Affects Post Op Extractions

Following a tooth extraction, the mouth should be carefully protected to minimize any risk of complications or compromise in healing.  This is an especially important consideration for smokers. Smoking cigarettes within the first forty-eight hours of a tooth extraction could increase the risk of treatment site complications, including the development of a dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. The risk is greatly increased within the first few hours of the post op, so it’s best to avoid cigarettes for as long as possible.

While tobacco can be harmful to long term oral health, the immediate issue of smoking after an extraction is the inhaling and pressure in the mouth that occurs in the physical act of smoking.  This can worsen pain and complicate healing. If you cannot go for an extended time without a cigarette, it may be best to prepare for your extraction procedure and post op by using a nicotine patch several days prior to your appointment.

For complete information on how you can prepare for your extraction and ensure a speedy, healthy recovery, contact us directly by calling: 516-922-5730.     

 

How Smoking Affects Post Op Extractions

How Smoking Affects Post Op Extractions

Following a tooth extraction, the mouth should be carefully protected to minimize any risk of complications or compromise in healing.  This is an especially important consideration for smokers. Smoking cigarettes within the first forty-eight hours of a tooth extraction could increase the risk of treatment site complications, including the development of a dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. The risk is greatly increased within the first few hours of the post op, so it’s best to avoid cigarettes for as long as possible.

While tobacco can be harmful to long term oral health, the immediate issue of smoking after an extraction is the inhaling and pressure in the mouth that occurs in the physical act of smoking.  This can worsen pain and complicate healing. If you cannot go for an extended time without a cigarette, it may be best to prepare for your extraction procedure and post op by using a nicotine patch several days prior to your appointment.

For complete information on how you can prepare for your extraction and ensure a speedy, healthy recovery, contact us directly by calling: 516-922-5730.     

 

Zoom Whitening

Zoom Whitening

While there are a variety of professional teeth whitening options to choose from in the pursuit of a brighter smile, we offer one of the most effective and beautifying solutions. Zoom Whitening, developed by Philips, is a unique type of teeth whitening. Completed by applying a specialized gel on the surface of the teeth and activating its brightening effects with a specialized light, the Zoom Whitening process delivers results that are not only dramatic, but long lasting.  Zoom Whitening has provided our patients with a teeth whitening improvement of up to ten shades.

If you are seeking stunning teeth whitening results that are obtained through a single, one hour procedure, ask us how Zoom Whitening can help you. Call us directly at 516-922-5730.