Crowns Restore Smiles

Dental crowns are a common way to restore damaged teeth.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists use crowns to repair teeth that have been chipped or have a significant amount of decay.  Our natural-looking crowns fit right over a damaged tooth like a little cap. These crowns restore function to a patient’s teeth and blend perfectly with their smile. 

The process for installing a crown can usually be completed in two visits.  To prepare the tooth your dentist will remove any decay, and may need to reshape the remaining tooth to ensure a great fit for the new crown.  Once the tooth has been prepared, your dentist will take an impression of the area.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where the crown is fabricated.  Ask us about temporary options to wear while your new crown is being made.  Once your custom crown is made, the crown will be cemented into place by your dentist at a second appointment.  Our crowns blend right into your natural smile and can last a lifetime!

To learn more about restorative crowns 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.

Night Guards

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists see plenty of patients dealing with negative side effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is defined as any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw. This is usually the result of an incorrect bite or crooked teeth, but stress will intensify bruxism.  Some teeth grinders only do so at night and may not even realize it.  If you ever wake up with a stiff or sore jaw, this could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored. 

Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up requiring crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists fit patients with custom night guards to protect their teeth from the negative effects of this habit. When a patient needs a custom night guard, the process begins by taking an impression of the mouth.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where a final custom product is fabricated.  The durable product then protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth and aligns the jaw.  At night this protects teeth and can even help improve sleep!

To learn more about night guards 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.

Manage Tooth Sensitivity

To treat sensitive teeth, you first have to get to the root of the problem and believe it or not, the root is where it begins. Tooth sensitivity is common and it can come and go over time. If hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods make you cringe, you may want to discuss your treatment options with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists.

You can reduce tooth sensitivity by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. When teeth are sensitive, it could be painful to perform these actions but remember to be very gentle on your gums. Pain after consuming hot or cold beverages can be due to decay or a cavity, so it’s important to visit us for a dental checkup to ensure that your mouth is in a healthy state. Letting tooth sensitivity go untreated can lead to oral health complications so it’s best to seek treatment immediately.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth sensitivity, 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.

Diet and Dental Health

Oral systemic health and diet go hand-in-hand. A poor diet can lead to periodontal disease, tooth decay, and can even cause enamel to wear down over time. Foods that contain sugars of any kind accelerate the tooth decay process and though most foods contain sugars, certain foods are part of a healthy diet and need to be consumed. If you need a refresher on what foods to eat for your oral health, The Oyster Bay Dentists are here to inform you.

Added sugars are often present in junk foods, like cookies, candy, and pastries. To maintain a balanced diet, you should consume foods from each of the five major food groups and limit the number of snacks you eat. Wise choices include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products like cheese and milk. These foods will keep the mouth clean, and help protect it from dental disease.

If you have questions or concerns about diet and dental health, 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.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenulum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists perform frenectomies to correct a number of issues patients may have with their teeth, lips, and tongue.

We each have a frenulum in between the font teeth (both upper or lower) that connects the inner surface of the lip to the gums. Removing this attachment is called a labial frenectomy. Patients who have receding gums can benefit from this procedure, because a strong frenulum from the gum to the lip can cause extra pulling on the gums and lead to further recession.

Another frenulum is located underneath your tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  Patients that have an enlarged frenulum underneath their tongue will not be able to move their tongue freely.  This interferes with speech and is often called ‘tongue tie’. Lingual frenectomies are typically performed on young patients, who can recover quickly and continue to develop their speech.

To learn more about frenectomies 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.

Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  The Oyster Bay Family Dentists take pride in serving the families from our community, and we offer sealants for young patients to start protecting teeth early.  We want to see your whole family set up for a lifetime of great oral health!

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early.  In children and teenagers, most tooth decay occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars where the pits and grooves can trap food and bacteria.  Dental sealants are applied to the surface of these back teeth much like paint.  When the plastic resin is brushed on, it fills any pits and grooves on the surface and then hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, and bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  Sealants also protect tooth enamel from plaque and acids, and can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years.

To learn more about sealants 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.

Reducing Children's Dental Anxiety

At the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we are attentive to the needs of patients of all ages, including children. Although children can feel anxious about seeing the dentist, it is important for them to have regular check-ups. We want to work with parents to make these visits as comfortable as possible.

Children should start making dental visits as soon as their first tooth comes in, so hopefully, the experience won’t seem strange to them by the time they’re school-age. Let children know that the dentists and hygienists are friends who want to help clean their teeth and make sure they’re growing right. It’s not necessary to describe procedures you don’t know your child will need. We can provide children with more detailed explanations of what we’re doing when they arrive and demonstrate our tools to them.

If one parent feels anxious about visiting the dentist, it may be better for a different one to accompany the child. Children will pick up on implications that the parent expects the visit to be painful or scary, such as if they are offered a reward for good behavior, which is why it’s best to treat the visit as routine and casual.

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.