Dental Services in Massapequa

An oral examination is a visual inspection of the mouth, head, and neck, performed to detect abnormalities.  Radiographs allow for a more complete examination, helping the doctor to detect cavities, problems in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession or other abnormal conditions within the mouth, head and neck area.

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand instruments are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During this process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. The root surface is left smooth. Sometimes a numbing agent is used to keep the procedure comfortable. Scaling and root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

Teeth over time will darken and stain. ZOOM!® Whitening, a form of bleaching, is an in-office procedure used to remove much of this stain and brighten your smile. It uses a specialized LED light to activate a whitening agent on the surface of the teeth, helping to lift the stain out of the enamel surface. This results in a whiter, brighter more youthful smile. Most people will lighten 6 to 8 shades with a single session.

Learn more about teeth whitening.

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth. Veneers can be used to change the size, shape, color and position of teeth. To place a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed. Afterwards, an adhesive layer is placed between the slightly prepped tooth and the veneer. The adhesive layer is then hardened with a curing light.

All our fillings are done using a tooth colored composite material (metal and mercury free). These fillings are more aesthetic, tend to be less sensitive and they better adhere to the tooth’s surface than conventional amalgam fillings.

A dental crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a severely decayed or broken down tooth. While crowns can be made of a variety of materials, most of the crowns we place in our office are all porcelain (metal free) and computer milled, which provides for the most aesthetic look and the best possible fit. Dental crowns can be completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepped (shaved down) and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is carefully fitted and then cemented into place for a permanent restoration.

Learn more about dental crowns.

A dental bridge replaces missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A false tooth is held in place by being attached to a neighboring tooth. In order to fabricate a bridge, crowns are made for the teeth on either side of the space and a false tooth is placed in between the crowns, which act as supports.

Learn more about dental bridges.

Dental implants are the replacement of tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants, which are placed in the jawbone, are small anchors made of a biocompatible metal called titanium. The anchors begin to fuse with the bone over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, abutment posts are inserted into the anchors to allow for the permanent attachment of the replacement teeth.

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures: Complete (Full) and Partial Dentures.

Complete (Full) Dentures are made after all the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. The denture includes replacement teeth that are attached to an acrylic base that is custom made in a dental laboratory. The denture sits over the gums or can be anchored to dental implants for additional comfort and support. If multiple teeth need to be removed, an immediate dentures can be made ahead of time so that our patients are never without teeth.

Removable Partial Dentures are made when only a few teeth need to be replaced. They most commonly consist of teeth that are attached to either a metal or acrylic base. Often there are clasps, which are disguised or hidden for cosmetics, that hook on to the patient’s own teeth.

Regular cleanings help keep gums healthy and teeth cavity-free. A dental cleaning includes removal of tartar and plaque. The teeth are then polished to remove stains that are not removed when regular tooth brushing is performed.

Fluoride is a natural substance that helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Fluoride treatments are administered at the office and are applied to the teeth in a gel, foam or varnish form.

During a regular pediatric dentistry check-up, oral hygiene instructions are given to both patient and parent to reduce the risk of plaque and tartar build-up, as well as cavities. Instructions include, but are not limited to proper brushing techniques, flossing, and using mouth rinses.

Sealants are placed on the biting surfaces of premolars and molars to seal the grooves and pits of the teeth, protecting your child’s teeth from decay. Once the teeth have been prepared, the BPA free sealant is then painted directly on the chewing surface of the teeth and then hardened with a specialized light.

Root canals involve treating tooth decay that extends into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. If the pulp is damaged it may lead to discomfort and possibly infection. The process involves removing the pulp, cleaning out the root canals, and packing the canals with material that will help restore the tooth until it is time for it to exfoliate (or fall out on its own naturally).

We offer Nitrous Oxide in every treatment room. Nitrous oxide, sometimes referred to as “laughing gas,” is an effective and safe sedation agent that is inhaled through a mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. Mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide allows you to breathe normally through your nose and within minutes you should start to feel the effects. Ultimately, you should feel comfortable and calm. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly after the small mask is removed.

We understand many patients experience feelings of anxiety or fear when visiting the dentist. However, this isn’t something that should hinder you from achieving and maintaining a beautiful smile. Sedation dentistry (dentistry while asleep) performed in our office allows patients to receive dental care while under general anesthesia administered by a board certified anesthesiologist. This allows maximum comfort for the anxious patient and is available regardless of the type of dental procedure being performed.

Lasers in dentistry allow for many dental procedures to be performed with no noise, minimal pain, faster recovery times and often fewer appointments. All lasers work by delivering energy in the form of light. When used for surgical and dental procedures the laser acts as a cutting instrument. The procedures performed with dental lasers are minimally invasive and preferable to conventional surgery.

Nightguards (occlusal guards) are often used to help control damage to the teeth as a result of bruxing (grinding) and clenching. They are custom made in a dental lab out of hard clear material meant to withstand the forces that occur in the mouth. Nightguards are usually worn overnight when most people grind their teeth.

Sportsguards are worn to help prevent damage to the teeth and gums while participating in physical activity. Unlike store bought versions, custom sportsguards are made specifically to fit each patient. They offer a greater amount of protection to the teeth and are more comfortable to wear than their one-size-fits-all counterparts. These sportsguards greatly reduce the risk of getting a sports related dental injury.

Root canals are most often necessary when decay has reached the nerve (pulp) of the tooth or if the tooth has been traumatized to the point of nerve damage. When root canal therapy is performed, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth chamber. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed to limit the possibility of future infection.  Soon after the root canal is performed, the tooth is most often restored with a dental post and crown to protect the tooth and restore normal tooth function.

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. It is often necessary to replace extracted teeth so that the remaining teeth do not shift or move.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is similar to a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. It is often caused by the bruxing or grinding of teeth.

To treat TMJ disorders, first the cause has to be identified. In less severe cases TMJ disorders can be treated with self-managed care (soft diet, moist heat, anti-inflammatory medications, and avoiding extreme jaw movements). Often a lab made night-guard is indicated. This allows the teeth to glide smoothly and free up stress on the joint. In extreme cases, a surgical correction to the joint may be indicated.

Learn more about TMJ treatment.