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For many years when your dentist detected dental decay, dental amalgam or gold were the products used to fill the tooth after the dentist removed the actual decay. Amalgam is silver metallic in appearance and contains mercury. With the option of a composite resin material to repair dental decay, your cosmetic dentist can now offer you dental repairs that are virtually undetectable.

The primary reason that so many patients select composite resin for dental fillings is the aesthetic beauty they provide. Your cosmetic dentist can match the shade of the filling material so closely to the natural color of your tooth, a filling can be completed in your smile line and go entirely unnoticed.

In addition to dental fillings, this same material can be used to cover stain or uneven tooth discolorations due to medication, diet or lifestyle habits. Minor cosmetic repairs are also suitable to being restored with cosmetic resin such as correcting gaps between teeth, reshaping teeth to even out a misshapen smile or covering an exposed root due to gum recession.

Besides its aesthetic value, composite resin will offer durability and strength to the tooth that is treated. This is due to the material being placed on the tooth in small increments and hardened in stages with either a curing light or a laser. The composite resin is placed in or on an area that has been treated with a coating of a bonding agent which prepares the tooth to accept the material and adhere securely. This application process also results in the reduction of sensitivity to hot or cold.

Another advantage to composite resin fillings over amalgam is much less of the tooth is impacted using the composite material. Also, over time the silver amalgam can become even more discolored giving it a darker appearance than when first put in.

As previously mentioned, dental amalgam contains mercury. The material used in making tooth colored fillings is a plastic resin, and there have not been any health hazards associated with the use of composite resin making it the completely safe choice for dental repairs.

Once your cosmetic dentist has finished your restoration, it will be adjusted for utmost comfort levels and polished to most closely match the surrounding teeth. In one visit you will have a completed dental repair that rivals the appearance of your natural teeth.

Composite resin is the most logical and aesthetically pleasing product available today to correct minor cosmetic issues and repair dental cavities. Contact our experienced dental team serving Nassau County to learn of all the options available to satisfy your dental needs.

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.