Invisalign

At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, our doctors want to give every patient a great smile.  Invisalign is the invisible alternative to traditional braces for adults and teens. Invisalign is recommended to correct mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  Any severe misalignment may require another method, so always consult with us to see if Invisalign will be effective for you.

An Invisalign treatment plan consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth.  To begin your treatment, impressions or scans of your teeth are used to create a full set of aligners customized to your teeth and your treatment plan.  Depending on your individual treatment plan, each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks for at least 20 hours a day.  Most patients can complete treatment in less than a year, and aligners should be removed to eat and to brush and floss.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the orthodontic 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.

What Is An Apicoectomy?

At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, our doctors perform many root canals to save and repair teeth that are badly damaged or infected.  A root canal procedure involves removing any inflamed or infected tissue, and thoroughly cleaning the root canal system.  In most root canal cases, the tooth heals and doesn’t require further treatment. When an infection won’t go away or the canals become re-infected, our doctors can perform an apicoectomy.

An apicoectomy removes damaged tissue and seals a tooth’s root from any further infections.  The procedure involves a small incision in the gums, followed by removal of any infected tissue and finally the end of the root tip itself.  A root-end filling is placed there to act as a seal, preventing reinfection. The gum is sutured, and most patients only feel slight discomfort or swelling during healing.  If you have a tooth infection lingering after a root canal gone wrong, please contact us to discuss your treatment options.

To learn more about the apicoectomy procedure 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.

Drink More Water

The best thing you can do for your smile is to keep your mouth clean. In addition to brushing and flossing on a daily basis, it’s important to stay hydrated to keep your mouth moist. Water replenishes saliva, our body’s natural defense against dry mouth and tooth decay. Sugary beverages may wash down your food, but as we’ve previously mentioned, they provide no nutritional benefits to tooth enamel. Our doctors at The Oyster Bay Dentists are here to encourage you to drink more water to protect your teeth.

Water cleans the mouth with every sip, keeping teeth cavity-free. Water washes away the sugars that food and beverages leave behind to attack tooth enamel. Additionally, when saliva runs low, the mouth becomes dry. The frequent dry mouth can lead to tooth decay. Next time you reach for a sugary drink, try replacing it with water, or if you decide to consume the sugary beverage regardless, wash it down with a refreshing glass of water.

If you have questions or concerns about 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.

Hygiene with Bridges

Oyster Bay’s Dr. Robert West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda are highly skilled prosthodontists, providing patients with long-lasting replacement teeth. But to ensure lasting oral health, patients need to know how their hygienic routines will change to accommodate structures such as a fixed bridge.

In the same way that patients slide floss along the sides of their teeth, they should also slide floss along the underside of the bridge. Some companies manufacture specialty floss with stiffened tips that can be threaded through the gap between the bridge and the gum. But patients can also use a threader, which is like a soft, flexible sewing needle, to loop normal floss.

Bridges that are secured with implants instead of resting on natural teeth may have a bit more space for patients to work with. Electric toothbrush and water pick manufacturers are now designing adjustable heads for their devices that can be used on implants. Patients also get good results from using a proxy brush, also known as a Christmas tree brush, to push away food debris.

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.