Crown Lengthening in Oyster Bay, NY

When teeth have decay or damage below the gum line, the gums must be altered so that dental work can be performed to save the tooth. This procedure, called crown lengthening is a routine procedure performed here with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY.

A crown lengthening procedure begins with the dentist making an incision to the gums and removing the amount necessary to reach the lower part of the tooth. The gums are then stitched into place to heal. Since gum tissue tends to shrink as it heals, if a crown is being placed on the tooth, the healing process will need to be fully completed before the crown can be placed.

For instances where a patient has excess gum tissue in their smile, crown lengthening may also be utilized for cosmetic purposes. The process is the same; the gums are cut and stitched down so that more of the tooth is showing. The gums will then heal into a natural-looking, healthy line.

If you are unhappy with your “gummy smile”, or are in need of dental work below the gum line, trust in our skilled and experienced dentists. To schedule a consultation in our Oyster Bay, NY dental practice, call The Oyster Bay Family Dentists at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Many of us have heard of a friend or family member who has had their wisdom teeth removed. It is a very common procedure, but it makes you wonder what wisdom teeth are for and why they are taken out so often. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY want to inform their patients of why wisdom teeth are around and the benefits of removing them.

Wisdom teeth are thought to have had a purpose around 20,000 years ago, but not so much now. Back then, humans may have needed an extra set of teeth to chew through the hard items in their diet like roots and uncooked meat. Since then, the sizes of our jaws and face have gotten smaller; explaining why many of us do not have enough room for wisdom teeth.

Since wisdom teeth create an overcrowded mouth for many of us, this creates several problems that are solved when we extract them. When the teeth do not have enough room to grow in correctly, they can damage other teeth, create hard-to-reach places, or become impacted; meaning they are completely or partially stuck in the jaw. Impacted teeth can cause gum disease by trapping bacteria under the gum tissue that is still present over the chewing surface.

While wisdom teeth may have had a purpose in the past, problems with them are frequent these days. If you are experiencing issues with your wisdom teeth growing in, schedule an examination with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY by calling (516) 922-5730 or by visiting our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com. 

Night Guards for Protection Against Teeth Grinding

Grinding teeth can lead to damaged teeth, worn down teeth, sensitivity, and jaw pain. To protect teeth from damage during the night, a night guard should be worn. The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer night guards for their patients who need protection from grinding and clenching their teeth at night.

During the day, teeth grinding and clenching can still be present, but it is easier to recognize the behavior and stop it. At night, you almost have no control over doing it. Teeth grinding will wear down enamel, causing sensitivity and making teeth prone to cavities. The sound of grinding at night can also be disturbing to any sleeping partners.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists create a custom night guard to wear while sleeping. The night guard puts a barrier between the upper and lower teeth so night grinding cannot cause harm. We take impressions of your teeth so that the night guard created is a perfect fit. Night guards are durable and may last for up to ten years.

Grinding teeth can damage teeth, wear them down, and cause pain and sensitivity. Protect your teeth by putting a shield between them. If you would like to try a night guard, or if you suspect you are grinding your teeth at night but do not know for sure, schedule an appointment with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in their Oyster Bay, NY dental practice. To schedule, call (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.

ZOOM! Whitening for Powerful Whitening Results

Stained, yellow, or otherwise discolored teeth can really hurt your self-esteem. It is not a very healthy-looking smile, either. When a stained smile is bringing you down, it’s time to do something. For patients who want dramatic whitening results, the dentists of The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY offer ZOOM! Whitening.

ZOOM! Whitening is a professional teeth whitening system only accessible by dentists. With ZOOM! Whitening, you will no longer have to buy whitening kits from the store that are messy and offer little results. ZOOM! Whitening can provide a smile six to ten shades whiter in about an hour! The procedure is performed in-office. The secret to the fast and powerful results is in the specialized light that reacts to the whitening gel. The whitening gel is placed on the teeth and the light is placed to activate and accelerate the whitening process.

The whitening gel reaches deep down in the tooth; below the enamel. Teeth become discolored when stains penetrate the enamel and discolor the dentin. The whitening gel lifts the color out of the dentin to reach a dramatically whiter smile.

If you have tried store-bought whitening kits without luck, or simply want to try whitening for the first time, ZOOM! Whitening may provide exactly the results you desire. To schedule a consultation with The Oyster Bay Dentists of Oyster Bay, NY, call us at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.

Mini Implants for Smaller Replacements and More Stable Dentures

When looking for a permanent tooth replacement, it is nice to have options. This is why The Oyster Bay Family Dentists choose to offer mini dental implants to our patients in the Oyster Bay, NY area who need alternative options for permanent tooth replacement.

Mini dental implants are about half the size of a full-sized dental implant. This means several things. They fit into smaller places, they are faster to install, and they can be used to stabilize dentures.

Because of their small size, mini implants are great for narrow spaces where a full-sized implant would not fit. Their small size also allows a faster installation and faster healing. While full-sized implants need several months to heal before the permanent crown can be attached, mini implants can often be completed in the same day. The implant does not require an incision to place it, so healing time is much shorter. This is great news for patients who cannot wait several months for a permanent tooth replacement.

Mini implants also work as a more stable platform for dentures. Dentures can be made to clip onto mini implants that are placed along the gum line. Four to six implants are placed and the dentures clipped right in for a tight and perfect fit.

Options are always great to have. To learn more about the mini implant option, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists here in Oyster Bay, NY. Call us at (516) 922-5730 or visit our website, www.oysterbaydentists.com.