Causes of Gap Teeth

As prosthodontists and providers of Invisalign treatment, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists repair a lot of gap teeth and overbites. But what causes these sorts of malocclusions to form in the first place? Today we’re looking at the origins of diastema (spaces) between the upper front incisors and what a patient’s treatment options are.

Diastema may be the result of something preventing the teeth from drawing together. In the upper front teeth, this would likely be the labial frenum, the strip of tissue connecting the inside of the lip to the jaw. When this tissue is too thick, there are surgical options for reducing it, including the use of our diode laser. Once the frenum is reduced and if there are no other bite issues, it may be possible to close the gap simply by applying veneers.

A more common reason for gap teeth is tongue thrusting. This habit can also result in an overbite and can push the teeth at an angle, requiring the patient to get orthodontic treatment. Tongue thrusting may be due to psychological stress, but it could also be an involuntary reflex triggered by throat obstructions. The assistance of an ear, nose, and throat doctor may be required to tell for sure. In children, sucking on a thumb or pacifier also increases the risk of gap teeth or an overbite developing.

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.

 

Dentures

Teeth are meant to last a lifetime, but sometimes accidents happen and they go missing. Whether you’ve lost teeth to dental trauma, decay, or an injury, it’s important to know what your replacement options are. Dentures are a non-invasive way to restore teeth, because they are natural looking, comfortable, and can restore regular function to your chewing and speaking habits. Here at Sun Family Dental, the denture process begins with a consultation from The Oyster Bay Family Dentists.

To place dentures, the first step involves removing the teeth that are being replaced. Once the teeth are removed, the soft tissues will need to heal, and this could take a couple of weeks to accomplish. Once this part of the process is complete, one of our doctors will take X-rays, as well as a mold of the gum and jaw so that the dentures can be sent to the lab. Once they return, the final step is to see how they fit. Some adjustments might need to be made along the way to ensure that they fit properly and are not causing any pain or discomfort on a long-term basis, but in the end, you will be left with the smile you’ve always dreamed of. 

If you have questions or concerns about dentures, 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.

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.

Back-to-School Check-Ups

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are not only specialists in prosthodontics. We also provide general dental care to people of all ages. Everybody should get their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. For children, check-ups are especially important because they allow us to monitor their development and plan interventions. If they’ve missed an appointment, the beginning of the school year is a great time to make up for it.

Children get dental infections more often than adults. While baby teeth are not permanent, pain can still be severely detrimental to a child’s well-being, and it is good for them to learn good oral hygiene habits early. Gingivitis or toothaches in a child may also be an indicator of another issue, such as diabetes or sinus infections, so children’s complaints should always be taken seriously. A check-up provides us with a chance to administer a fluoride sealant, which will provide additional protection against tooth decay.

Our office is particularly well-equipped to carry out dental extractions. During a child’s appointment, we’ll use x-rays to determine whether their adult teeth are coming in correctly, or if the wisdom teeth or others need to be removed. If necessary, we can also refer children for orthodontic work to ensure a healthy, attractive smile.

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.

 

When to Replace Fillings

Nobody should put up with a toothache. Sensitive teeth require the attention of a dentist, and if the problem is related to a filling, it will not get better on its own. At the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we want our patients to be aware of when a filling needs to be replaced.

Before placement of a filling, the decayed portion of the tooth is drilled away. This may cause discomfort for the patient for a few days, but the pain should not be severe or last for long. The patient also should not have any difficulty closing their teeth together. If they do, the filling is “high” and needs to be contoured. If the filling seems to be leaking, the material must have changed shape while setting and needs to be removed to prevent infection.

The bonding used to cement teeth is not permanent. The upper lifespan of a filling is about ten years. After that, the bonding may crack, creating a place for bacteria to hide in. During regular dental appointments, a dentist will check to ensure the stability of the patient’s fillings and remove ones that are at risk of failure.

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.

 

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.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a great solution for patients that are looking to literally “bridge the gap” created by one or more missing teeth. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists use dental bridges to restore smiles, improve talking and chewing ability, and in some cases help improve patient speech. Missing teeth can make it more difficult for patients to produce certain sounds when speaking, and the replacement of those missing teeth can help the patient form those sounds more effectively.

The process of creating a bridge begins by reshaping the anchor teeth (abutments) to which the bridge will be attached. After the anchor teeth are prepared, an impression of the teeth is taken and sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the impression to create a model of the teeth as they appear in the patient's mouth. Then a bridge is custom-made to properly fit and feel as close to natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of crowns that cover the anchor teeth and a pontic (or pontics), which look like and act as the replacement tooth or teeth.

If you have questions or concerns about cosmetic dental services or restorative dental services, 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.