What is a Prosthodontist?

As National Oral Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists wanted to say a bit about the importance of prosthodontics. Our office provides prosthodontic as well as general dental services, meaning that we are specialists in restoring teeth. Our Doctor Denise VeyVoda is also trained in plastic surgery facial reconstruction.

Although rates of natural tooth retention are much better now than they were generations ago, it is still common for people to lose or badly damage teeth throughout their lives. There are also people who are naturally missing some adult teeth. While many dentists are trained to place implants and artificial crowns, prosthodontists are able to handle more complex cases involving the restoration of a number of teeth and parts of the jaw bone. A person may require more extensive restoration if they have been without teeth for a long time and their jaw structure has deteriorated, or if they have been impacted by oral cancer.

Sometimes, tumors need to be removed from the jaw bone, or a section of the jaw bone needs to be cut away to access the tumor. Afterward, a portion of the face or the roof of the mouth will need to be replaced. Our doctors are able to provide reconstructive surgery using prosthetic appliances that will be carefully shaped and colored to fit the patient’s new face. These devices can also be used to help people who have suffered facial trauma, as can Juvederm facial contouring, restoring a patient’s confidence, comfort, and the functioning of their mouth and jaw.

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.

 

National Facial Protection Month

Did you know that April is National Facial Protection Month? As prosthodontists, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists frequently restore missing and broken teeth. We want to see our work protected, and we want to ensure that our general dentistry patients who have not experienced traumatic injuries continue to enjoy their natural teeth. To that end, we thought this would be a good month to remind our patients of mouth guard protocols.

Athletes may complain that mouthguards are bulky and interfere with breathing, but this should not be the case when they are fitted properly. A mouthguard may be fabricated for a particular patient by a dentist, or an athlete may purchase a boil-and-bite model from online retailers or sports stores. The mouthguard and its container will need to be regularly cleaned with antibacterial soap or a cleaning solution sold by the manufacturer and should be kept out of high temperatures.

Mouthguards are required for most organized sports, including wrestling if the wrestler has braces. Orthodontic aligners are not substitutes for mouthguards. However, a young person or orthodontic patient whose teeth are shifting position rapidly may need to have their mouthguard frequently updated. People who skate and ride bicycles are also advised to wear mouthguards. We’re happy to help patients determine whether theirs needs to be refitted and to answer any other questions they may have.

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.

 

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.

Zoom! Teeth Whitening

Zoom! Whitening is a new form of teeth whitening offered by Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. There are two forms of Zoom! Whitening available, Zoom! In-Office Whitening System and Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System. Both of these types of whitening offer an increase in at least 6 shades of brightness to your smile.

 

Teeth become discolored for a variety of reasons. Naturally, as we age, our teeth can start to lose their lackluster. Foods that are high in tannic acid, like grapes and tea, can have an effect. The most infamous teeth stainers are coffee and cigarettes. For some, cutting back on these items can bring their smile back up to where they want it. For others, Zoom! Whitening is the answer.

 

The Zoom! In-Office System takes about an hour to complete. It utilizes a light-activated whitening gel made out of hydrogen peroxide. The gel is placed onto your teeth and the light is turned on. This causes the hydrogen peroxide to break down. Oxygen is able to enter the teeth and whiten them. The entire procedure is completely painless. Many people just relax during the whitening, either sleeping, reading, or watching TV.

 

The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System consists of take-home whitening trays and gels for you to use. Over three days, you will wear the whitening gel for 4-8 hours. Our dentists will let you know how long you should be wearing them for exactly.

 

There is almost no difference between the two forms, besides the obvious: one takes place at the office while the other takes place at your home. The Take-Home system brightens your smile by six shades, while the In-Office system brightens about eight shades.

 

If you are interested in our Zoom! Teeth Whitening services or other dental work, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. We are located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Root Canal

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer endodontic services for our clients. Endodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the nerves or root of the teeth. When a tooth becomes infected, the cause is often in the roots. This results in what is known as the most common endodontic procedure, the root canal. If you are in need of a root canal, schedule your appointment with Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda.

 

If you suspect that your tooth is infected, do not wait to make an appointment. Left untreated, infections can spread and progress, including bone loss in the jaw. Modern technology makes root canals relatively straightforward and painless. At your appointment, a local anesthetic will be applied to the tooth. Then either Dr. West or VeyVoda will drill into the root canal. From here, the infected material can be spotted and removed. The tooth will then be filled with a sealant and a crown will be placed.

 

You may experience pain and soreness after the procedure. This is completely normal. Take over-the-counter pain medication to help. If you are worried that this isn’t strong enough, contact our office. Once your tooth heals you will be able to resume life as usual. You shouldn't experience any pain when eating or drinking.

 

To schedule your root canal at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, visit our website or call 516-922-5730. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. Appointments can be scheduled for both Dr. Robert G. West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda.

Occlusal Adjustment

If you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw or teeth or feel like when you bite down that your jaw is lopsided, then you need to make an appointment with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda are highly skilled dental professionals. If you experience these symptoms, you most likely need to get an occlusal adjustment.

 

An occlusal adjustment fixes the misalignment of the bite. This can be caused by loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. The result is an uneven pressure distribution throughout the entire mouth. An occlusal adjustment will rebalance your jaw, allowing your teeth to meet evenly again. The adjustment itself causes minimal pain and a small amount of discomfort. A dental drill is used with a fine filing stone. Removal mouthpieces are also used. These protect the surfaces of the mouth and help relax the jaw.

 

Patients with loose and shifting teeth are ideal candidates for an occlusal adjustment. Patients who grind or clench their teeth are also eligible. In certain cases, teeth sensitivity can be corrected this way as well.

 

Drs. West or VeyVoda will use a computer scan to take hundreds of images of your mouth. Once uploaded into the computer program, anomalies within your mouth and bite will be spotted. This assures total relief from your symptoms, along with addressing all areas of concern.

 

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule your appointment with Drs. Robert G. West and Denise VeyVoda, visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Dr. Robert West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda will listen to your concerns and questions while walking you through our cosmetic service options. Veneers are thin, durable porcelain shells that cover your individual teeth. They fix and cover issues such as staining, cracked teeth, spaces, misaligned teeth, and chipped teeth.

The process of having veneers placed requires two to three separate appointments at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY. The first visit will be a consultation with our staff. It’s recommended that you do some research beforehand to get a better understanding of what you’re looking for. Knowing what you want to change and achieve in your smile is crucial. Veneers are highly customizable. Shape and brightness are two of the most significant choices.

Once a decision has been made, the next step is to make a mold of your teeth. After cleaning the surfaces of the teeth, the impression is taken and sent to a high standard dental laboratory. It will take between 10-14 days for your veneers to be fashioned. In the meantime, you will be provided with temporary veneers. When we receive your permanent veneers back you will come in and have them permanently bonded to your teeth.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert G. West, D.D.S. or Dr. Denise VeyVoda, D.D.S. visit our website or call 516-922-5730.