East Hills Dental Associates Blog

A toothache can be an uncomfortable annoyance or a pulsating, throbbing menace. For some people, the symptoms are very subtle making it difficult to know a root canal is needed until a visit to your dentist makes that determination.

A root canal is a process in which the nerve and pulp contained in the root of the tooth are removed. A tooth can have one to four canals within the roots of the tooth and each one contains the pulp and nerve that will be removed during the endodontic procedure. At the completion of a root canal, the area is completely cleansed and filled with an infection fighting material to aid in the healing process.  The opening is then sealed to prevent further damage or infection, often with a dental crown.

The primary reason for a root canal is to save a tooth that is either severely decayed or infected, but enough of the tooth is salvageable to undergo the process. Once a tooth has matured and erupted through gum tissue, the nerve inside the root of the tooth does not serve any needed specific purpose except to detect hot or cold. So removing the nerve does not impact the value of saving the tooth.

When a tooth gets to a point where a root canal is recommended, it is usually because there is infection present or there is a crack or break in the tooth that is allowing food, beverages or air to reach the nerve causing a zinging sensation.

Before starting a root canal, the dentist will prepare the area by sealing off the tooth with a rubber dam. This is to keep the area dry during the procedure and to prevent any fluids used during the procedure from being swallowed.

Generally the patient is given an anesthetic to “freeze” the area. Depending on which tooth and how many canals are involved, a root canal can be a quick procedure or can take an hour or longer. Keeping the patient comfortable and calm during the procedure allows the dentist to work as quickly as possible.

The dentist wants to make sure all canals are treated because leaving one canal of the tooth untreated can result in root canal failure and the need to retreat.

Root canal therapy allows a patient to keep a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted, so although no one wants to experience a root canal, the value of this treatment to save a tooth is priceless.

If you are in need of a root canal in the Long Island area, please contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa at 516-484-6600.

TMJ is the abbreviated term for temporomandibular joint. This joint is present on each side of the head just in front of the ear above the jaw. Discomfort in this area can be attributed to many things. But a visit to your dentist can provide a diagnosis as well as the treatment available to bring relief.

TMJ Disorder can cover a wide spectrum of problems, but usually the discomfort attributed to TMJ disorder is due to inflammation of the joint itself. And because we are dealing with a joint, many other issues such as arthritis, breaks or trauma can add to the possible causes and how to treat the problem.

Symptoms can vary widely when discussing TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joint is surrounded by muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, bones and tissue. Because there are so many working parts that are affected by the motion of these joints, finding one specific cause for discomfort can be a long process.

Earache, headache, neck and shoulder tenderness, chewing difficulties or a popping sound when you open and close your mouth might all be associated with TMJ disorder. So one might ask why you should see your dentist if you’re suffering with a stiff neck or an earache? If TMJ disorder is at the root of your discomfort, your dentist can help you determine the cause and suggest treatment options to resolve the problem.

Bruxism has long been thought of as a primary contributor to TMJ disorder. Bruxism is the term given to the consistent grinding of your teeth or clenching your jaw. For many this is an unconscious habit done during sleep. Quite often stress is the trigger for bruxism and many people catch themselves doing the same thing throughout the day.

Having an uneven bite can lead to issues involving the TMJ. Shifting teeth due to tooth loss or the addition of a new restoration that has not been adjusted properly are possible contributors to jaw discomfort.

One of the first things your dentist will do is a total assessment of your condition. A thorough dental exam testing your bite and reviewing the level of grinding on your teeth will provide clues to your dentist as to the cause of the problem.

Adjusting your bite by leveling the biting surfaces of your teeth is one option your dentist might consider. Or if your dentist feels bruxism is at the base of your TMJ discomfort, a night guard might be suggested which should help to curtail or eliminate the subconscious grinding and clenching done during sleep.

For temporary relief, acetaminophen or any product that reduces inflammation might also be recommended. For more persistent problems, more extensive testing will be done. But the first step toward relief is a visit to East Hills Dental Associates in Roslyn NY for a professional diagnosis and treatment plan. Call 516-484-6600 and schedule your appointment today.

Many Nassau County patients are turning to dental implants to replace teeth that are missing due to injury or tooth disease. However, implant dentists note that not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant.

With dental implants, your implant dentist will place a small titanium rod into your jawbone where the missing tooth is. Then the post needs a few months to heal and fuse with the bone. Because young children and teenagers are growing and their jaws are still developing, they may not be successful candidates for dental implants. The reason? There is a possibility that the implant could move or change as the jaw continues to develop.

There are special circumstances when the dentist may recommend a dental implant for a child or teenager, such as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. A dentist can examine a young patient’s mouth and jaw structure to determine if their growth and development is advanced enough for an implant.

For adults, there really is no cut off age; as long as there is enough healthy bone structure to support the implant, you could be a candidate well into your 80s or 90s.  Many senior patients choose dental implants over dentures for the convenience and more natural-looking results.

Factors other than young age that may make a patient an unlikely candidate for a dental implant are advanced gum disease or smoking. These factors can increase the risk of implant failure since they interfere with healing.

If you’re considering dental implants, be sure to consult with our implant dentistry team for a complete examination to see if you have any pre-existing conditions that might interfere with the implant’s success. Our experienced team can then develop a treatment plan to help bring your mouth back to optimum health.

If you want to replace one or more missing teeth, consider dental implants in Long Island NY 11577 to help you realize the smile of your dreams. One of the major benefits of dental implants is that they provide greater structural support to your mouth. And because they’re permanent, they also last longer than other alternatives like bridges, removable partials or dentures.

Many people consider dental implants to help prevent facial bone loss. When you’ve lost a tooth or had one extracted, there’s no longer anything there to stimulate bone growth in your mouth and you can begin to develop a hollow, sunken look. Dentures or partials will fill in the lost spaces, but won’t work to generate bone growth.

Dental implants are perfect whether you are missing one tooth or need a complete dental makeover. Here’s how the dental implant process works:

• Your implant dentist will thoroughly evaluate your mouth and gums to see if you’re a good candidate for implants. You’ll need to have sufficient bone in your jaw to support the implant, as well as healthy gums.
• Tiny posts made of titanium are then placed into your jaw where the missing tooth is.
• In three to six months the posts will heal and become bonded to your jaw bone.
• Your implant dentist will place a temporary crown on the post.
• Finally, the temporary crown will be replaced with a permanent, natural-looking implant tooth.

Unlike dentures, which can slip and become misaligned, dental implants allow you to eat and chew normally, smile with full confidence, and floss and brush your teeth without special instructions. The best thing is that no one will know you have implants — your replacement teeth will look just the same as your natural teeth.

For a healthy, sparkling smile, consider dental implants. Contact East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600. We are happy to explain all of your options and create a customized treatment plan.

Porcelain veneers can give you the glamorous smile of your dreams for a very affordable price. If you’re looking for a Hollywood smile in Long Island porcelain veneers can let you achieve it in as little as one visit to your cosmetic dentist.

Porcelain veneers, also known as dental veneers or porcelain laminates, are very thin shells of porcelain that are bonded over your natural teeth. If you have stained, yellowed, misaligned or chipped teeth, porcelain veneers can give you a very white and uniform smile. Additionally, at a price that may be more affordable than braces, porcelain veneers can immediately make crooked teeth appear straight. As a result, you can look and feel more confident, as well as more professional when you have a radiant, healthy smile.

Porcelain veneers can correct:

• Crooked teeth
• Too much gum when you smile
• Teeth that are too small or too large
• Stained or yellowed teeth
• Teeth that are too sensitive to temperature
• Teeth that are worn down from grinding
• Minor misalignments

The key to a glamorous smile lies in the technical skill and artistic eye of your cosmetic dentist. While any dentist can perform the porcelain veneer procedure, not every dentist has the training or experience as an experienced cosmetic dentist to produce excellent aesthetic results. Before making a decision about porcelain veneers, ask to see before and after pictures of patients.

One of the greatest advantages to porcelain veneers is that they are highly resistant to staining agents such as coffee, tea or even cigarette smoking. Even better, they are long-lasting and can give you a beautiful, natural smile for many years to come.

Porcelain veneers can transform your life, take years off your appearance and truly give you something to smile about. Dr. Richard Sousa, you experienced Long Island NY cosmetic dentist, can advise you on the best options available to improve your smile.

Bruxism, a common dental condition in which patients clench or grind the teeth, can be caused by a wide range of factors. The most common trigger, stress, can be emotional or physical. For some patients, clenching and grinding can be the result of a nervous habit. The condition can also be observed when patients are deep in concentration, completely oblivious to the damage that may be occurring.

Although you may be unaware of the extent of your bruxism habit, discussing your symptoms with Dr. Richard Sousa, your dentist serving Old Westbury, can still be a major step toward the appropriate treatment. According to your specific signs and symptoms, Dr. Sousa may recommend a variety of treatment options, ranging from conservative to surgical. These treatments may be recommended to prevent clenching and grinding from occurring, or to correct any damage that may have occurred as a result of the habit.

For most patients, bruxism happens at night during sleeping hours. Though many patients are not aware that they are clenching or grinding the teeth, waking up with headaches, neck pain, or tenderness in the jaw joint can be a significant clue. Determining whether these symptoms occur every day or once a month can help to determine the treatment method.

A protective mouthguard , known as a biteguard or nightguard, is a common treatment for bruxism. The guard is custom-molded to the shape of the upper or lower teeth and serves multiple purposes. It provides a physically protective barrier that can prevent excessive wear or damage to the teeth. The guard can also be designed to properly position the jaw joint in order to reduce strain and joint damage.

For patients who clench or grind the teeth regularly, the mouthguard may be worn daily. For patients who only occasionally experience bruxism, the guard can be worn as needed. Your dentist may also recommend relaxation or meditation as a preventative measure against clenching and grinding.

Bruxism is a common dental condition that should not be ignored. If you believe that you may be clenching or grinding the teeth, call East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600 and schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms right away.

Choosing a dental restoration that can meet your particular needs can be challenging. Most likely, you desire an attractive, natural-looking restoration that is also strong and comfortable. When you are missing one or more teeth, these criteria become even more important. After all, the tooth replacement that you select will become a part of your daily life.

Dr. Richard Sousa, your dentist serving Brookville NY, is available to help you in selecting the most appropriate solution. In terms of replacing a missing tooth, the more stable, permanent option tends to be the most satisfying choice for most patients.

A fixed bridge is often the recommendation of choice by your dentist as a permanent solution for replacing a missing tooth. The fixed bridge is securely anchored to at least two natural teeth and does not have to be removed for eating, drinking, or routine care. The bridge is suspended slightly above the gumline, depending upon the adjacent teeth for support, rather than resting on the gum tissue.

In comparison to the fixed bridge, the removable bridge or partial must be removed after each meal for proper brushing and flossing. It is not advisable to sleep with the partial in place, and patients are encouraged to remove it each night during the sleeping hours. This recommendation poses a challenge for many patients who may feel self-conscious about being seen without their teeth, even by family members.

The fixed bridge is generally a more conservative tooth replacement solution since it involves only the teeth on either side of the missing teeth. The removable bridge is typically a larger, bulkier option, made of a metal or acrylic base which spans to width of the upper or lower jaw. The removable bridge is also designed to clip or clasp onto multiple teeth on the left and right sides of the mouth, even when used to replace only a single tooth.

Your dentist will be glad to review the risks and benefits of each option in order to provide you with the restoration that is best for your health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sousa today to find out which one is right for you.

Whether your beautiful smile is all-natural or you’ve invested in state of the art cosmetic dentistry, there’s a lot riding on your smile. Your confidence, your overall health, and even your finances are directly influenced by the status of your smile.

Dr. Richard Sousa, your dentist serving Manhasset, is dedicated to helping you protect your smile. With proper care and the appropriate use of preventative dentistry, you can expect to enjoy your smile for a lifetime. Gone are the days when adults could expect to lose their teeth to gum disease and cavities. Today, a dental philosophy centered on prevention can help to preserve your teeth for the entire duration of your life.

Essentially, preventative dentistry is the use of minimally invasive dental practices designed to prevent or reduce the risk of various dental diseases. Some of these measures can be implemented as early as the childhood years. The introduction of fluoride, both systemic and topical, can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay in children. Studies have shown that fluoride plays an important role in tooth development as well as remineralizing weakened enamel.

Sealants, a protective coating that seals the grooves and crevices on the biting surfaces of the back teeth, can prevent decay for both children and adults.

Routine dental visits and oral hygiene instructions are also critical components of preventive dentistry. Appropriate patient education, dental x-rays, and periodontal examinations can effectively identify and treat various dental conditions as soon as possible, preventing them from progressing to the point of damage or discomfort.

Mouthguards bite splints, and night guards are useful for protecting your teeth from excessive forces such as clenching or grinding, as well as damage from contact sports like football, basketball, or boxing. These appliances are highly effective for preventing chipped teeth, fractured restorations, and other trauma to the teeth. Reducing these unnecessary forces can also prevent bone loss and gum recession, two irreversible signs of gum disease.

Your dentist cares about your health and is committed to protecting your smile. By providing a variety of preventive procedures, your dentist is able to customize your preventive dental regimen to meet your individual needs.

To discuss the methods of prevention that are best for you, call the office of Dr. Sousa at 516-484-6600 and schedule your next exam.

You deserve the highest level of esthetic value from your dental restorations, regardless of the type of restoration that you choose. Patients who have chosen, dentures, partials, crowns, bridges, implants, or fillings all desire the same result—a beautiful, dependable smile.

Based on this concept, patients who are seeking dentures in Nassau County can really appreciate a dentist who can deliver customized, natural-looking smiles.

Only a dentist with extensive experience in both the clinical and laboratory aspects of denture fabrication can truly understand the importance of each step in the denture process.

The ability to partner with the patient during the planning phase is perhaps the most important step in the denture process. Understanding the needs of the patient, and then translating those needs into a customized denture requires a unique level of expertise. Considering the patient’s expectations of the denture and anticipating the steps that will take place in the lab are responsibilities that our dentist does not take lightly.

The same principles of smile design that apply to other esthetic procedures are also important principles for designing a custom-designed denture. Key artistic details such as the shape, shade, and size of the denture teeth can transform an ordinary denture into an extraordinary smile. Other anatomic characteristics like the shade of the gums or the amount of gums visible in the smile are also critical components to the end result.

Delivering a custom-designed denture can require minor adjustments and modifications. With the benefit of an in-house dental laboratory, these adjustments can be completed on-site. Our dentist can communicate directly with the lab regarding the specifics of your denture. You can be assured that our dentist and laboratory professionals will work together to create a denture that is simultaneously beautiful, comfortable, and functional.

Consulting a dentist who possesses an in-depth understanding of both the science and the art of denture design is your first step towards a confident new smile. Call East Hills Dental at 516-484-6600 to schedule your appointment today to learn more about the advantages of a custom denture.

Would you know what to do in the event of a dental emergency?  First, and foremost, always carry the name and telephone number of your dentist serving Roslyn.  Make sure your dentist has after-hours coverage (many emergencies happen at night or on week-ends).   Secondly, we should define what constitutes an actual emergency.

Breaking a tooth:  Teeth can be knocked out or chipped due to a traumatic event or something as benign as chewing on a piece of ice, candy, popcorn, etc.  If a tooth is knocked out, your next actions are very important and can make the difference between saving or losing your tooth.   Trying to see your dentist within an hour or two is critical.  Rinse the tooth off (do not remove any tissue that may be on the tooth, and try not to touch the root).  If you can replace the tooth back into the socket, hold it in place with a damp cloth.  If you cannot replace the tooth, place the tooth in milk, saliva or warm water, and get to your family dentist immediately.

Chipped tooth:  Trying to determine whether or not your chipped tooth is an emergency or not is a little trickier.  A chipped tooth where there is no pain, swelling or discomfort is probably not an emergency.  However, if a tooth is chipped and there is pain or sensitivity in the chipped tooth, see your dentist immediately because the nerve might be injured.

Lost filling or crown:  Get into your dentist as soon as you can.  But in the meantime, a little sugar free gum can protect that lost filling area.  If you can replace your crown, clean it off first and replace using over the counter dental adhesive until you can see your dentist.

Object caught between teeth:  Gently try to floss the affected area being sure not to cut the gum tissue.  If you can’t remove the object, contact your dentist.

Soft tissue injuries:  Biting your tongue or lip can be very painful.  Apply a cold compress – if the bleeding will not stop, you should not wait to see your dentist – proceed to the emergency room.

Toothache:  Rinse your mouth with warm water.  Gently floss the tender area.  If the pain persists, see your dentist.

Prevention is very important.  A mouth guard can be worn when playing sports to prevent a dental emergency.   Toddlers have a tendency to fall down or bump into things.  Child proofing your house could prevent a traumatic event like a child knocking out a tooth.

To learn more tips and to schedule your next exam, contact East Hills Dental Associates today!