Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Sedation Options

Sedation dentistry is beneficial to patients who don’t want to feel a thing during a dental or an oral surgery procedure. Whether you wish to take the edge off during a cleaning, or are having wisdom teeth removed, or dental implants placed, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists offer a sedation option that is right for you. Allow us to explain what types of sedation we offer.



  • Oral Conscious – With oral conscious sedation, the patient remains awake but is left in a heightened state of mind. For this option, you will need someone to drive you home after your procedure.

  • Nitrous Oxide – Nitrous, also known as laughing gas, leaves the patient in a euphoric state feeling completely relaxed. All feelings of fear and anxiety will fade away and you will be able to respond to the doctor if need be. Nitrous wears off once the procedure is complete, allowing you to return to your daily activities.

  • Anxiolysis – This light sedative is not as strong as oral sedation but is recommend for those who have mild to moderate anxiety. You will be able to drive yourself home after anxiolysis is administered.


If you have questions or concerns about sedation options, 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.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

As dentists who offer prosthetic teeth and body parts to those suffering from cancer, we are observing Oral Cancer Awareness Month. This disease is treatable if caught in time, but can do incredible amounts of harm. We want our patients to know what they need to watch out for and why it matters.


The most recent statistics indicate that almost 50,000 people in the United States get diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Among people who are newly diagnosed, 40% do not live for more than five years. However, dentists can often find oral cancer before it spreads by searching for red and white spots or lesions in the patients’ mouths. We can also use a specialized light to examine soft materials below the surface of the oral cavity. If something suspicious is found, a sample of the tissue can be sent to a laboratory for diagnosis.


Besides the signs dentists look for, patients should also know to seek help if they experience ringing in their ears, pain on one side of their head, or feel as if there is persistent a lump in their throat they are unable to swallow. Smoking and alcohol use are highly correlated with mouth and throat cancer, and the later can also be caused by HPV.


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.


 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  The doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 


A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.


To learn more about gum grafting 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.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Bone Grafting For Dental Implants

A bone graft is the term for harvesting bone material from a healthy location and grafting it to a location that is broken or weakened.  The doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists use this method to strengthen jaw bones in preparation for dental implants.


Missing a tooth for an extended period of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure.  When a patient needs an implant for a permanent replacement tooth, a bone graft reinforces the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant. 


In one procedure, bone material is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted to the compromised area of the jaw bone.  This strengthens the weakened bone, and encourages growth of new bone material as it heals.  After the procedure, the bone graft will be monitored over the course of months.  When the jaw bone has strengthened enough to handle the placement of an implant, our doctors can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.


To learn more about bone grafting 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.