General Dentistry
Nightguards/NTIs
A Nightguard, or an NTI, is a customized bite appliance that is worn while you sleep. Many patients grind and clench their teeth at night, resulting in headaches, migraines, neck pain, and other ailments. This condition is called bruxism. Additionally chipped, cracked, or broken teeth may occur, as well as periodontal (gum tissue) breakdown.
The Greater Long Island Dental team specially designs your Nightguard, or NTI, so that it will allow your jaw to relax and rest while you slumber, eliminating the issues that stem from clenching and grinding. If you think you may suffer from the effects of nighttime clenching and grinding, ask us to place you on the path toward relief today.
Root Canals
Damage to the nerve tissue inside of a tooth sometimes requires a root canal procedure. Despite the tales you may have heard regarding the procedure, most root canals are minimally uncomfortable — especially compared to the pain and discomfort you may be feeling prior to the procedure. Greater Long Island Dental takes advantage of advances in technology and dental techniques that make root canal procedures more effective while taking less time.
A root canal involves removing the soft tissue within the tooth (the pulp) when it has become infected and inflamed. Your dentist gently cleans the infected tissue out of the root canals of the tooth (this is where the procedure gets its name) and fills the void with an inert material. The procedure is completed with the placement of a filling, or in some cases, a crown. You can experience relief from the pain and discomfort you may be feeling because of damage to a tooth, and root canal treatment is more comfortable than ever before!
PerioTherapy
Many Americans experience some form of periodontal disease, often without realizing it. Periodontal disease is chiefly responsible for adult tooth loss, bleeding gums, bad breath, and receding gums. But, did you know that periodontal disease has also been associated with a variety of general health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, blood clots, premature birth, low birth weight, and more? 400+ types of bacteria live in your mouth; it is these bacteria that can enter the bloodstream causing severe health problems. These germs multiply at a very rapid rate, requiring constant care to reduce their numbers. The acidity of your mouth can also affect the harm these bacteria can do.
The truth is, periodontal disease is easily prevented with proper hygiene, home care, and professional treatment. If diagnosed in its early stages, gum disease treatments are easier, less invasive, and more effective. Your visit to Greater Long Island Dental includes a complete evaluation of your gums and supportive tissues.
Periodontal Supportive Therapy
If you are diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease, regularly scheduled supportive therapy is vitally important to your success in management of disease progression. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, "Following a course of active periodontal treatment and periodic ongoing care at regularly prescribed intervals" is essential.
Because periodontal disease or infection can recur, continuous maintenance is absolutely necessary in preventing this periodontal infection from becoming active once again and destroying what healing has occurred.
The following treatment is included in your periodontal maintenance appointment:
- Evaluation of oral health to detect subtle signs of disease recurrence.
- Appropriate debridement of teeth and gums (professional cleaning and polishing).
- Antimicrobial therapy to destroy difficult-to-reach bacteria, as deemed necessary by the doctor.
- Evaluation of homecare regimes and aids.
- Oral health evaluation, including oral cancer screening, necessary dental films, and decay detection.
- Recommendations based on individual needs as a result of medical and dental histories review.
Tooth Extraction
Every effort is made to keep all your teeth, as this is always the best and preferred solution. However, in the instance where a tooth cannot be saved, it may be recommended to extract it. With advances in dental technology and techniques, you may be surprised at how comfortable this procedure can be. And, the extraction can be done here in our office instead of your being referred to a specialist in the area.
