What Tools do Dentists Use?

As prosthodontists, we at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists have a wide variety of tools in our office. They allow us to handle just about every problem a patient might come in with, but to our patients, they may seem mysterious. We want our patients to feel comfortable with their dental care, so we thought it would be a good idea to briefly describe what the most commonly used dental instruments are and what names we might use for them.

Dental explorers are metal wands with hooks at the end. You’ve doubtlessly seen hygienists use them to break up tartar. Explorers in different shapes might be called probes or scalers when they’re being used to test the depth of gum pockets and remove plaque from beneath the gum line. They’re also used to test the hardness of each tooth’s enamel, which helps us to determine if there’s an active infection. We use explorers in combination with handheld mirrors to see the backsides of patients’ teeth and move their cheeks out of the way. As we break up tartar, we’ll suction it out with a tube called an evacuator or an ejector.

Larger evacuators are used when we need to drill away decayed enamel. The drill emits water so it won’t overheat the patient’s mouth, and the patient is numbed with medication delivered through a syringe. Fillings are applied with pluggers and polished with burnishers. When a tooth needs to be extracted, we’ll use a flat spoon called an elevator to loosen it by rocking it back and forth. We may also use reverse-action forceps to lift a tooth out once it’s loose enough to avoid harming the surrounding soft tissues..

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.

 

What is Pericoronitis?

We don’t take tooth extractions lightly at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Although we are expert prosthodontists, providing extensive dental and facial restorations, we only recommend tooth extractions when a patient’s health would be endangered otherwise. One of the situations that may necessitate a tooth extraction is pericoronitis. A fancy word for inflammation around a dental crown, pericoronitis is one of the main reasons dentists commonly remove people’s wisdom teeth, so let’s take a closer look at what it is.

Dentists say that a tooth is “impacted” when it is unable to fully erupt. This happens most frequently to the wisdom teeth, which are the largest teeth, and which erupt long after the others. Most people do not have enough room in their mouths for them, and the wisdom teeth often get stuck partially exposed and partially underneath a flap of gum tissue called an operculum. Food debris can easily get caught under the operculum, where it will be difficult for a patient to dislodge it. There, it will fuel the growth of infectious oral bacteria, leading to inflammation. Pericoronitis is often painful and may lead to discharges of bad-tasting pus. The infection might also spread, causing the airways to become swollen, as well.

The first step of treating pericoronitis to clean out the operculum and apply antibiotic rinse. Unfortunately, this does not prevent more food debris from being trapped under the operculum later. We may recommend surgically cutting the operculum away. But if the tooth is no longer erupting and we don’t think orthodontics could help to align it, we might advise the patient that the tooth should be removed. In those cases, we would extract it in as uninvasive a way as possible and provide the patient with guidance to ensure a quick recovery.

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.

 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Your wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that emerge in the back of your mouth. When wisdom teeth emerge, they will either come in naturally or crowd your gums. If your wisdom teeth protrude your gums, they need to be extracted at your local dentist. At The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we can tell you if your wisdom teeth need to be removed through routine x-rays.

In most cases, wisdom teeth will grow in on an angle which can cause crowding for your teeth and possible damage to your jawbone or nerves. Wisdom teeth that develop that only partially impact your gums increase the chance for bacteria to build which leads to more cavities and gum disease.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or there appears to be an infection, please give us a call. We. The earlier you remove your wisdom teeth, the less chance your teeth will shift and cause further problems.

To learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, contact The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Our office is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Robert G. West or Denise VeyVoda, please visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

Cracked Teeth

The prosthodontists at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists provide patients with lots of options for repairing damaged teeth. Sometimes a crack is merely a cosmetic issue, and sometimes it is painful and puts the tooth at risk for infection. Regardless, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment and implement a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing solution.

The smallest cracks are known as “craze lines.” These can be bonded over or covered with veneers, which are also common solutions when a small portion of enamel has chipped off. They are not usually indicative of a major health concern. However, a large crack creates an avenue through which bacteria may enter the dental pulp. In these cases, a patient would require root canal therapy, which would conclude with the crown being sealed. If a crack goes deep into the tooth’s inner layers or is wide, it may necessitate the replacement of the crown. When a vertical crack reaches the root of a tooth, the tooth will have to be extracted and replaced.

If a person frequently develops cracks in their enamel, they may be grinding their jaws in their sleep. These patients can benefit from the use of custom-fitted night guards. Patients are also advised to never use their front teeth for chewing or as tools, and to refrain from chewing ice.

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.

 

Instructions after Tooth Extractions

We don’t remove teeth without a good reason, but extractions are a routine procedure that can usually be completed without a problem. To ensure that patients understand the importance of following instructions, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists wanted to explain a little bit about why we take certain precautions.

Our main concern after removing a tooth is that the socket does not dry out. After a tooth is removed, healthy blood will form a clot that seals off the socket and the exposed jaw bone. But if the clot does not form or does not stay in place, not only will the socket become painfully dry, it will also become a way for bacteria and other harmful substances to enter the body. In the worse cases, tissue of the jaw bone could become necrotized.

Patients are advised to avoid sucking on straws or eating sticky foods after getting an extraction, because these could dislodge the clot. Smoking could also prevent a clot’s formation or create a suction that would dislodge it. Some medications also interfere with clotting, which is why patients should make sure to disclose all of them to us. A dry socket is a greater risk when removing the lower wisdom teeth, so those patients especially should be on guard against the bad taste and smell that could indicate a problem. If a dry socket does develop, we’ll be able to treat it with a pain-relieving, antibacterial dressing.

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.

 

Infections and Impacted Crowns

As permanent teeth push their way into the mouth, they sometimes fail to completely clear the gum line. When this happens, the patient is at risk for pericoronitis, an infection surrounding a crown. This situation is relatively common in teenagers, so we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists want our patients to be able to recognize when they need help.

The wisdom teeth are the largest molars and the last to erupt. They emerge in late adolescence, when the rest of the teeth are already in place and the jaw bone has solidified. The lower wisdom teeth can easily become impacted, meaning that they are blocked from emerging fully. A flap of gum tissue, known as an operculum, is likely to still be partially covering the impacted tooth. Bacteria can build up in between the operculum and the impacted tooth’s crown, resulting in infection. The longer it lasts, the more painful and swollen it can become.

Professional hygienists can clean an operculum and rinse it with antibiotics. The patient may also try cleaning their mouth with a saltwater rinse. But the problem is likely to persist until the impacted tooth is extracted or the operculum is removed. We recommend regular dental check-ups so that we can determine whether a tooth is likely to be impacted and strategize preventive treatment.

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.

 

Reasons for Extractions

With the advanced imaging tools available in our office, The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are well-prepared to do routine dental extractions as well as prosthodontic work. In general, we would rather save a tooth than remove one, but there are times, particularly in adolescence, when extractions are the best choice.

Overcrowding is the most common reason for extractions in young patients. Permanent teeth start erupting in childhood, but the back molars, or wisdom teeth, often do not emerge until the end of the teen years. Orthodontic work has usually already been completed by this point, so the wisdom teeth may disrupt other teeth’s alignment, and they are likely to get caught themselves. The wisdom teeth are not the only teeth that can be impacted; baby teeth may need to be extracted if they do not fall out on their own because they create a risk of the adult teeth getting stuck. Premolars are also frequently removed to prevent overcrowding.

It’s rarer for teeth to be extracted due to infection, but it can happen if repeated root canals fail. It was formerly common for dentists to remove patients’ teeth when supplying them with dentures, but we can now fabricate partial dentures that have room for a patient’s natural teeth. When patients come in for regular cleanings, our x-rays will help us determine whether a tooth is infected or at risk of being impacted.

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.

 

Post-Operative Swelling

We do a lot of restorative work and extractions at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists. Some of our procedures can get pretty involved, but tooth extractions are usually a simple process. Following any kind of surgery, some swelling is expected, which is why patients should know what to expect and how to handle it.

The body’s inflammatory response rushes white blood cells and nutrients to the site of an injury. It will usually be more severe following complicated procedures. However, even a simple extraction will result in noticeable swelling within twenty-four hours. Patients should minimize this by using cold-packs. A cold pack can be held against the skin for fifteen minutes at a time, and then removed for fifteen minutes. If all goes well, swelling will peak within thirty-six hours, and patients can then work to reduce it by applying the same procedure with hot packs.

If the swelling continues to get worse forty-eight hours after the procedure, the patient should inform us. We also need to know if the skin turns black or white, as that could indicate infection. For many procedures, patients’ lips are anesthetized. Biting down on them when they are in this state could lead to a lot of swelling, but swollen lips will usually get better on their own unless the skin is broken and they become infected.

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.

Back-to-School Check-Ups

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are not only specialists in prosthodontics. We also provide general dental care to people of all ages. Everybody should get their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. For children, check-ups are especially important because they allow us to monitor their development and plan interventions. If they’ve missed an appointment, the beginning of the school year is a great time to make up for it.

Children get dental infections more often than adults. While baby teeth are not permanent, pain can still be severely detrimental to a child’s well-being, and it is good for them to learn good oral hygiene habits early. Gingivitis or toothaches in a child may also be an indicator of another issue, such as diabetes or sinus infections, so children’s complaints should always be taken seriously. A check-up provides us with a chance to administer a fluoride sealant, which will provide additional protection against tooth decay.

Our office is particularly well-equipped to carry out dental extractions. During a child’s appointment, we’ll use x-rays to determine whether their adult teeth are coming in correctly, or if the wisdom teeth or others need to be removed. If necessary, we can also refer children for orthodontic work to ensure a healthy, attractive smile.

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.

 

Avoiding Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

The oral surgeons at Oyster Bay are highly experienced providers of extractions and replacement teeth. In order to help patients better understand their options, we wanted to provide information about a rare but serious issue called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

Osteonecrosis refers to the death of bone tissue. It could happen to the jaw if it was exposed by something such as a severe infection, but in the modern world, it typically only happens as a result of tooth extractions. When teeth are extracted, the sockets usually close over the exposed jaw bone, but there could be complications if the patient is on bisphosphonate medication. This kind of medication is used to prevent bone resorption and is used to combat osteoporosis and the side effects of chemotherapy. Most ONJ cases occur in people who received bisphosphonates intravenously.

If ONJ is identified, the dead bone can be shaved and treated with an anti-bacterial rinse. But it can be avoided completely if patients fully disclose their medications and future treatment plans with all of their doctors, so oncologists will know not to start chemotherapy until after tooth extractions and oral surgeons will know not to recommend extractions to people on bisphosphonates.

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.

Tooth Sectioning

We hate for patients to lose their natural teeth, but at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we ensure they are extracted safely. Typically, teeth are removed by rocking or them back and forth while pulling or elevating them, but this is sometimes a risk with larger ones, especially wisdom teeth. In those cases, we may section them.

The wisdom teeth are held in place by thick ligaments. Pulling or levering them could require a lot of force and risk damaging the surrounding tissue, which includes major nerves. Additionally, a common reason for wisdom teeth to be removed is that they are trapped below the gum line, and there is not enough room for them to move. When this happens, we use a dental drill to cut the tooth into pieces. The patient is numbed before this happens and the surgical site is kept under a stream of water so the patient’s oral tissues will not be harmed by the drill’s heat. The smaller sections of the tooth can be moved with less force and through smaller openings in the gum pocket. This procedure is safe and common, but we provide nitrous oxide sedation to patients who are worried about undergoing it.

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.

 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Everyone has a set of wisdom teeth, but this set of ‘final molars’ often stays impacted.  Some patients experience these teeth beginning to erupt, usually between the ages of 17 and 24.  Even when that happens, there is not enough space in the mouth for these wisdom teeth to grow, which is why the Oyster Bay Family Dentists typically recommend extraction. 

Keeping wisdom teeth too long can cause oral discomfort and headaches, as well as damage the surrounding teeth and put a patient at risk for infection. If you experience swollen or tender gums around the wisdom teeth, jaw pain, or facial swelling, give us a call. We can determine if you need your wisdom teeth removed, and discuss sedation options and procedure with you.  The procedure will include stitches and some down time, but following instructions, a patient’s recovery shouldn’t take more than a week.

To learn more about wisdom teeth extraction and all the services provided 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.

Dry Socket Dangers

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are some of the best in the business of oral surgery. We not only are skilled in advanced techniques, we also care deeply about our patients’ recovery. As part of our prevention efforts, we want everyone undergoing extractions to be familiar with the dangers of dry sockets.

Although a dry socket is always possible, it is more likely to result from difficult extractions which require the surgeon to make incisions and leave sutures. It is necessary for a blood clot to form for the socket to be protected from infection and drying out. Therefore, patients are advised not to take birth control or other medication which is known to interfere with clotting, or to sip from straws, smoke, or otherwise create pressure in their mouths which could cause clots to come loose.

If a socket does dry out, a patient will know it by their severe pain. They should request an immediate emergency appointment so we can provide them with painkillers and antibiotics. One of our doctors will use a vacuum to clean the wound and dress it in gauze or paste. Dressings will be changed every few days until the socket closes to guard against further complications.

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.