When Dental Bonding Breaks

Unfortunately, no one is immune to dental problems nor are they impervious to dental accidents. When a tooth has been damaged by injury, it may chip, crack, or fracture.  Fortunately, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can repair the tooth with dental bonding. Dental bonding provides the same aesthetic appearance as tooth enamel, but not the same strength. Therefore, like a natural tooth, it can chip too.

Weakened tooth enamel can be repaired, but once tooth enamel is broken, it will not grow back. Dental bonding is putty like resin that is applied to the tooth, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. Like enamel, dental bonding can take a beating. If your diet consists of highly acidic foods, the acidity can damage bonding over time. With proper oral care, dental bonding can last for up to seven years. Call us immediately if you notice sharp edges, or if your teeth feel strange when you bite. This is a sign that dental bonding needs a touch-up.

If you have questions or concerns about dental bonding, 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.

Extrinsic Tooth Stains

Tooth discoloration can make even the healthiest smile look undesirable. We’ve previously discussed intrinsic stains in a previous post, but now our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists would like to discuss extrinsic stains. Extrinsic tooth stains occur on the outer surfaces of the teeth and can range in color from yellow to dark brown. Though extrinsic staining isn’t detrimental to your oral health, it may affect your self-esteem. Fortunately, we offer whitening services to fix that.

If you regularly drink beverages like coffee, tea, soda, or wine, your teeth may eventually develop a dark hue. Additionally, lifestyle habits such as smoking may also cause extrinsic stains on the tooth. Most often, extrinsic stains can be removed with professional whitening treatment. Not everyone is a candidate for whitening, so to discuss if this treatment method is right for you, schedule a consultation with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening 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.

Fixing Loose Teeth

As prosthodontic specialists, we at Oyster Bay Family Dentistry regularly help patients who have suffered trauma to their teeth. When permanent teeth come loose slowly over time, it is usually due to periodontal disease, which we classify as secondary occlusal trauma (primary occlusal trauma is damage without infection). Fixing weak teeth requires a combination of periodontal and reconstructive therapy.

Periodontal disease doesn’t just destroy gum ligaments. It also causes the jaw bone to erode. When patients lose their back teeth, they sometimes try to compensate by chewing with their incisors. But the front teeth are not suited for that task and the bite forces they are subjected to further loosen them, and can also cause them to be pushed outwards, forming an open bite.

Antibacterial treatments and removal of dead tissue are necessary to prevent periodontal decay from getting any worse, and splints are commonly used during the reconstructive process. Whether the splint is permanent depends on the individual case. Teeth that have migrated may require orthodontic correction. Lost jaw tissue can be replaced with a bone graft, which can then be used as the basis for implants to replace any teeth that have been lost. But it’s much better for a patient to maintain their oral hygiene and come in at the first sign of trouble.

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.