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.

 

Incipient Lesions

If you see strange white spots lingering on your teeth, that’s not just a cosmetic issue. It’s the sign of an incipient lesion, meaning a developing cavity. We at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists specialize in replacing damaged teeth, but we want our patients to be able to exercise preventive care and see us early in the tooth decay process. To that end, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss the development of white spots.

When enamel is being chemically eroded, it takes on a glazed appearance. This can be observed on the upper back teeth of people with chronic acid reflux, but is more often seen in people experiencing the early stage of tooth decay. As bacteria consume sugar, they produce acid as a by-product of their metabolization process. The acid gets stuck in the biofilm covering teeth, causing breakdown of the nearby enamel’s mineral structure and recession in gum tissue. If the demineralization goes on for as few as thirty days, a cavity will develop.

Incipient lesions are likely to appear in places where patients have difficulty brushing, such as the sides of teeth and around orthodontic brackets. Doing a better job of brushing can usually kill the infection, although the demineralized tooth may still look chalky afterward. We can help patients by assessing whether the infection is still active and by covering up the scar with bonding or a veneer. Our hygienists can also demonstrate brushing techniques to patients during regular check-ups, so that lesions will be less likely to develop.

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.

 

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Dr. Robert West and Dr. Denise VeyVoda will listen to your concerns and questions while walking you through our cosmetic service options. Veneers are thin, durable porcelain shells that cover your individual teeth. They fix and cover issues such as staining, cracked teeth, spaces, misaligned teeth, and chipped teeth.

The process of having veneers placed requires two to three separate appointments at Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY. The first visit will be a consultation with our staff. It’s recommended that you do some research beforehand to get a better understanding of what you’re looking for. Knowing what you want to change and achieve in your smile is crucial. Veneers are highly customizable. Shape and brightness are two of the most significant choices.

Once a decision has been made, the next step is to make a mold of your teeth. After cleaning the surfaces of the teeth, the impression is taken and sent to a high standard dental laboratory. It will take between 10-14 days for your veneers to be fashioned. In the meantime, you will be provided with temporary veneers. When we receive your permanent veneers back you will come in and have them permanently bonded to your teeth.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists is located in Oyster Bay, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert G. West, D.D.S. or Dr. Denise VeyVoda, D.D.S. visit our website or call 516-922-5730.

 

Cosmetic Dental Services

Cosmetic dentistry services are very popular, from whitening, and shaping to closing spaces and replacing teeth. Common procedures include bleaching, bonding, crowns, and veneers. Also, these improvements are not always just cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as your bite. If you wish to enhance the appearance and health of your smile, schedule a consultation with The Oyster Bay Family Dentists.

The Oyster Bay Family Dentists use cosmetic dentistry to preserve as much of a patient’s natural teeth as possible. As a team, they make cosmetic dental procedures such as smile makeovers comfortable and convenient for you. Cosmetic services range from teeth whitening to dental bonding, to veneers. We offer state-of-the-art dental care to all of our patients and promise to give each one of them the smile they’ve always dreamed of.

If you have questions or concerns about cosmetic dental 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.

Causes of Gap Teeth

As prosthodontists and providers of Invisalign treatment, we at the Oyster Bay Family Dentists repair a lot of gap teeth and overbites. But what causes these sorts of malocclusions to form in the first place? Today we’re looking at the origins of diastema (spaces) between the upper front incisors and what a patient’s treatment options are.

Diastema may be the result of something preventing the teeth from drawing together. In the upper front teeth, this would likely be the labial frenum, the strip of tissue connecting the inside of the lip to the jaw. When this tissue is too thick, there are surgical options for reducing it, including the use of our diode laser. Once the frenum is reduced and if there are no other bite issues, it may be possible to close the gap simply by applying veneers.

A more common reason for gap teeth is tongue thrusting. This habit can also result in an overbite and can push the teeth at an angle, requiring the patient to get orthodontic treatment. Tongue thrusting may be due to psychological stress, but it could also be an involuntary reflex triggered by throat obstructions. The assistance of an ear, nose, and throat doctor may be required to tell for sure. In children, sucking on a thumb or pacifier also increases the risk of gap teeth or an overbite developing.

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.

 

Benefits of Veneers

If you have teeth that are gapped, chipped, broken, or fractured, our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists would like to tell you about veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. Veneers are an irreversible process, so it’s important to have all of your questions answered before moving forward. Allow us to explain more about this cosmetic procedure.

Veneers are used to recreate the natural look of teeth while also providing strength and resilience that resembles tooth enamel. The process of veneers takes one or two appointments. During your first visit, our doctors will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by placing the veneers. Afterward, an impression of your teeth will be taken and sent to our laboratory where the veneers will be created. During your second visit, your veneers will be placed and you will be able to show off your new smile.

If you have questions or concerns about veneers, 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.

Veneers vs. Crowns

Veneers vs. Crowns

Veneers and crowns are both reliable restorative solutions that protect the structure of a tooth while refinishing its surface to create a strong, reliable and beautiful smile esthetic. However, veneers and crowns have many differences with regard to their purpose, placement and function.

Veneers: Veneers are most frequently used as a cosmetic smile solution. They can be used use refinish the surface of a tooth and correct teeth that are too narrow or short, and cover-up stains, small chips and cracks. While a single veneer can be used to refinish an individual tooth, multiple veneers are most often used to refinish the most visible teeth and provide a smile makeover that’s fully customized and idealized. Like crowns, veneers are comprised of a thin porcelain shells that are fabricated from an impression of the existing tooth site. Veneers are usually much thinner than crowns, but the existing tooth structure will need to be slightly modified for permanent bonding and placement. 

Crowns: Crowns may be used for cosmetic purposes, but they’re most frequently used to restore the surface of a tooth due to a fracture, severe chip, deep cavity, or following a root canal or other procedure that calls for the modification of the tooth.  Like veneers, crowns are custom fabricated to perfectly restore the appearance of a tooth, in addition to protecting its structure.  Crowns are frequently created from porcelain or ceramic, but they may also be formed from gold, porcelain fused to metal or other material.

 

Porcelain Laminates

Porcelain laminates are one of the best ways to achieve that red carpet-ready, movie star smile. As they’re able to address multiple cosmetic issues efficiently and reliably, porcelain laminates, or veneers, are regarded as a highly efficient means to a gorgeous cosmetic smile makeover. If you’re not familiar with them or you’re shopping around for a way to successfully renew your smile, here are some advantages to consider when choosing porcelain laminates:

• Porcelain laminates can be used to address staining, chips, gaps, fractures and other cosmetic surface issues. They are a multipurpose solution in one.


• Porcelain laminates look real because of specialized translucent porcelain that captures light like natural tooth enamel. They are totally indistinguishable from a naturally beautiful smile.


•  Porcelain laminates retail their pearly, white beauty through staining resistance. If you enjoy red wine, tea, coffee, or use tobacco products, you can still rely upon veneers to stay bright.


• Porcelain laminates can close gaps and eliminate the need for minor cosmetic orthodontic treatments.


• Porcelain laminates can last a lifetime. Provided you brush, floss, stay consistent with professional exams and cleanings, and do your part to retain the structural integrity of your teeth, you shouldn’t need to replace or update your veneers as you would with bridges and crowns.

If these advantages sound favorable to you and you’re ready for the ultimate in cosmetic smile improvements, we look forward to answering your questions on porcelain laminates, veneers and Lumineers.