Lincoln Square Dental Arts of Manhattan

Splint

2011-10-21T08:27:00.001-07:00

Splint is a well known technique in the field of dentistry. It is used as a treatment for loose teeth.

In this technique the loose teeth or the weak teeth is bonded with the adjacent teeth which are fine and thus it gets the required support or sustainability.

It finds its usage in the case of patients who are suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder or bruxism so that the teeth damage which normally happens at night can be prevented.

It also finds its application in case of sleep apnea and snoring as it stops the movement of loose teeth.

Though it seems to be a simple treatment but it requires precaution to be taken while the splint is applied as if the splint gets dirty it may spread the infection.

It is strongly suggested to consult a dentist as there may be many other alternatives available for the case specific treatment.

Black hairy tongue

2011-10-21T08:26:00.001-07:00

Black hairy tongue is the name of disease that happens due to lengthening of papillae which is present in form of bumps on tongue. It is also believed that it is due to excessive growth of fungi that normally live in the mouth. Another reason could be excessive chewing of tobacco as it gives rise to the number of bacteria present in the mouth.

Though black hairy tongue is a harmless problem but it may lead to thrush or other tongue related problems.

As a treatment it usually does not require any special attention and following proper oral care guidelines such as brushing flossing and tongue cleaning normally resolves the problem within a few days, however if the problem still persists please consult it with an oral care specialist so that the right treatment may take place timely.

Dentigerous Cyst

2011-10-20T06:06:00.001-07:00

Dentigerous cysts are normally smooth, firm, and soft tissue growths that may get developed on any tooth or teeth that has not grown properly. They are made up of follicular sac, that is a membrane that surrounds the crown part of every tooth before it fully gets erupted in the mouth. They have slow growth rate and are usually painful when they become infected.
Dentigerous cysts may also be connected with skeletal abnormalities, or basal cell carcinomas, and other types of dental tumors.
it is most common in the area of the lower third molars i.e. near or underneath wisdom teeth or the upper cuspids. it can be caused to anyone who is older than six years of age, but mostly happens to those in their twenty's or thirty's. Usually, dentigerous cysts are found surrounding the crown of an unerupted(healthy) tooth, however it may also grow laterally from the crown. In case if the cyst is large, it can cover up the entire tooth. Though its growth rate is slow , this sort of cyst may has the potential to grow so large that it may cause swelling to the whole face.It may also pressurize adjacent teeth so they get tilted.
It can usually be detected in a dental x-ray which is a part of periodical dental visit to ensure 100% oral health.

Cellulitis

2011-10-20T06:05:00.001-07:00

Cellulitis is a chronic and fast-spreading infection that is caused due to uncontrolled bacterial infection in the gums, tooth pulp or gumroot(apex). It usually gets initiated close to the source of the original infection, but rapidly spreads over large areas of face and neck. It can be easily identified by swelling, redness, heat and pain near the affected gums. Normally its Symptoms includes painful, tender swelling that increases in size as the infection spreads, and a stretched, shiny appearance to skin. It may also be accompanied by fever, fatigue and muscle aches, swollen lymphs in the neck, nausea, vomiting, joint stiffness, and hair loss near the affected area.
Cellulitis is difficult to cure, and may require hospitalization. The first aim of the treatment is to stop the infection's spread, then establish the drainage, and stop its further development. It is also important to diagnose the the type of bacteria causing the infection. Once the diagnosis are completed, you can easily cure cellulitis after 7-10 days of treatment, except in those with suppressed immune systems.
It can be prevented by a periodical visit to your dentist so that it can be diagnosed and cured at an early stage.

Hyperemia

2011-09-27T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hyperemia is the state when the blood flow is increased in a specific type of tissues. In context with dentistry it could happen with the tooth pulp as increased blood flow can cause numerous problems. The first issue could be that of increased sensitivity as the sensitivity increases it becomes difficult for the patient to have anything too hot or cold as it cause immense pain in teeth. The second could be related to periodontal diseases such as gingivitis due to the quick accumulation of bacteria and other harmful parasites that may not only cause the problem to the infected teeth but also the normal teeth can be impacted.

Normally it is caused due to habits such as smoking and high levels of liquor consumption. There could be several other reasons such as improper care of teeth or chewing.

It can be cured by mild doses of antibiotics and pain killers however if you see any of the symptoms please consult a dentist immediately to avoid more complications as it may also lead to an abscess.

Oral Irrigation

2011-09-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

It is a very effective technique which can be used at home to clean up teeth on regular basis. In this procedure a pulsating water stream is applied near the gums using a nozzle and hence cleaning out all the plaque and tartar sticking to the gums and teeth.

Also there are a few precautions for first time users. User should not keep the pressure too high in the beginning as that may inflate the gums and cause a problem. Later on you can increase the pressure level according to your comfort.

Apart from that a regular dental check up will ensure healthy teeth.

Osseointegration

2011-09-18T20:42:00.001-07:00

Osseointegration of Dental Implants is the process in which bone grows right up to the implant surface. There are no soft tissues connected directly between the bone and implant. It can easily be verified via a microscope. This kind of implants are time taking and may take from 4 to 6 months for complete reconstruction.

It is an important stage of implant as it ensures long and stable life of dental implant and at the same time it also ensures that bone healing will be done properly without any hindrance.

Fistula

2011-08-28T22:14:00.003-07:00

It is formation of sores and moles on the gum tissues and are filled with pus. Sometimes the pus keeps draining out of it causing damage to the tissues of surrounding teeth. Fistula is caused due to abnormal growth of bacteria and plaque over teeth which can be avoided by following the regular dental care tips. Since it is a crucial stage and if not treated with immediate attention it may cause teeth loss as well.

In early stages it can be treated with the help of antibiotics and regular cleaning process which clears up the pus on the gum and antibiotics helps speedy recovery. It is always recommended to consult this matter with your dentist before consuming any antibiotic. A dentist first diagnose the problem and then moves up with suitable remedial actions such as the use of antibiotics or tooth extraction if needed.

Pontic

2011-08-28T22:14:00.001-07:00

It is used in context with restorative dentistry and in more particular it is a part of dental bridge.

While restoring the root or edentulous space with the help of fixed partial denture that eventually crown the teeth adjacent to space and fills the gap with pontic or dummy teeth. Its purpose is not only to fill the gap or missing teeth but also ensure that the adjacent teeth are not left alone as they will be more vulnerable and increase chances of falling of those teeth too. Now a days pontic is made up of composite material and looks exactly like a natural teeth, thus maintaining the structure of teeth cage and your smile at the same time.

Sedation Dentistry

2011-07-23T08:17:00.002-07:00

Sedation dentistry is born to fight against a major problem called dental anxiety.

Dental anxiety means the fear of patient to visit a dentist due to a number of reasons. It generally includes the fear of pain feeling of machines working inside the mouth. Few patients are afraid of bearing much pain as they went through while the fall of their premature or baby teeth and want the teeth fall in natural manner. It is also seen that sometimes people don't want to be operated due to some personal or in words emotions related reasons.

Sedation dentistry has answers to all these fear factors using simple techniques like medical counseling, hypnotism, and use of mild sedatives and thus making the patient more comfortable for any activity that needs to be performed in order to treat the related disease.

Now days, medical practitioners avoid use of medicines and use medical counseling, hypnotism and other such techniques which are more based on interaction and are more convenient for the patient to understand the whole procedure. It also adds to the knowledge of the patients making them more comfortable to be treated successfully.

Preventive Dentistry

2011-07-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

As we all know "Prevention is the best cure", prevention dentistry target those problems or patients where small activities such as dental filling, polishing, teeth cleaning, flossing can prevent large set of problems like, gum disease, tooth fall, bad breath, tooth decay etc.

Mostly preventive dentistry includes activities like brushing, flossing, mouth rinse which is performed by an individual in day to day life to have healthy teeth and a good smile. At the same time it includes a periodical dental visit which is an essential event twice a year. Normally during a visit, dentists examine the teeth and try to see if there is any gum disease or a cavity that can lead to further problems.

It also includes general cleaning, flossing and if required some mild medicines to ensure teeth health.

Oral biopsies

2011-07-20T22:36:00.002-07:00

Oral biopsy is a method of diagnosing various mouth diseases which are controversial and may point to two or more diseases at a time. It is due to the fact that some of the diseases show same anatomical signs and are required to be reconfirmed.

Few of the problems which may require biopsy are swelling, red patches on the cheek walls. Ulcers or mouth sores that frequently occur at the same location etc.

It can be done using two techniques namely excision and incision. In excision, the whole patch is removed from the location and is valid for small areas like mouth sores. In incision technique, only a small piece of affected area is removed for the studies so that rest of the problem can be treated accordingly.

Cosmetic dentistry - Teeth or dental Jewelry

2011-07-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

Dental jewelry is growing in popularity all across the globe. It not only looks beautiful but also it adds a wonderful look to your smile.

Dental jewelry is available in various forms and shapes made up of different materials like gold, diamond, solitaire and other non-reactive and safe material. Some of the salient features of dental jewelry are as following:

1. Its removable

2. Harmless

3. No dental modifications are required

4. No pain

Besides the description above, it is recommended to consult your dentist before wearing any dental accessories as dentists can suggest you if there are any changes or precautions required to be taken before adding jewelry to your teeth.

CLASP

2011-07-17T11:45:00.001-07:00

Clasp is a removable device used to hold a denture in conditions where not much support is offered by surrounding teeth of the operated tooth. Since dental clasps are removable in nature it can be easily removed the patient when not in use and can be worn during the activities such as eating food or drinking.

Also its availability at a low price makes it affordable by the people who are looking for economic treatment. In this treatment the clasp is fabricated according to the size of one's mouth and the position of operated teeth. Before jumping on to the clasp it is recommended to meet dentist for more information on proper usage to avoid any side effects.

ing a simple procedure in which veneers are applied to the patient's teeth and are glued to the teeth with a help of bonding material which again depends upon the type of veneers used.

Veneer

2011-07-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Veneers are artificial objects used to cover the fractured tooth or to add whiteness and beauty to the teeth. Usually two types or veneers are available which are described by the material they are made up of namely, composite and porcelain. Veneers are quite useful after surgery or a dental operation as it provides the required protection and at the same time it hides remaining signs of a dental operation.

Veneers can be applied using a simple procedure in which veneers are applied to the patient's teeth and are glued to the teeth with a help of bonding material which again depends upon the type of veneers used.

Open bite

2011-07-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

Open bite refers to the dental problem where the teeth do not form a perfect cage and have gap in canines and incisors where as the rest of the cage consisting of premolars and molars is locked successfully. This problem is quite common in youngsters.

Due to prolonged duration of thumb sucking or use of pacifiers the front teeth i.e. incisors and canines get misaligned and thus leading to over-biting. As per the result of previous discussion open bite case can be easily identified by the gap in the front upper and lower teeth (maxilla and mandibular).

Its treatment may vary from use of braces to dental surgery depending upon the degree of severity of open bite. In most of the case it can be treated simply by braces, but if the gap is large it requires an oral surgery to get the teeth aligned and needs to be discussed in detail with the dentist.

Flipper

2011-07-12T13:30:00.001-07:00

A flipper is a temporary alternate to the teeth after a dental implant or it can also be seen as the cheapest way to replace the missing tooth, however the later is not advisable as it is not a standard solution to the problem.

In some cases after a dental implant it takes some time to heal all the damaged roots, therefore as a solution a flipper is placed to ensure that the exposed area is well covered during the healing process.

Usually flippers are made up of acrylic. This technique is implemented in two phases:

1. Dentist takes an impression of structure so that the flipper can be made of exact or nearest size and can perfectly fit in the teeth cage.

2. In second phase acrylic is poured in the mould and then allowed to cool down so that it can take the shape of the mouth structure and can be easily placed in the effected region.

Chlorhexidine and teeth

2011-07-08T13:20:00.001-07:00

It is an antiseptic that has many applications and implementations. One of its classic applications is to kill bacteria in mouth. It cleans the teeth and kills the bacteria which can become the root cause for many dental and gum diseases such as gingivitis.

Due to its property of adsorption in enamel, quick results can be seen.

It is available readily in the form of toothpaste, mouth rinse and other dental products. however it is suggested to discuss with your dentist prior to use any such products as it may cause allergy as happened in few cases.

Apart from a few allergy cases it is considered as a wonderful antiseptic to help healthy and smiling teeth.

Orthognathic surgery

2011-07-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

The term orthognathic surgery stands for reconstruction of jaws and facial bones for the proper alignment of jaw bones. Orthognathic surgery is a planned procedure conducted by a team of experts including a maxillofacial expert, orthodontist and other specialist to ensure that every bit can be conducted successfully.

The facial irregularities can be because of various reasons. It is could be genetic i.e. the child got it from the parents as the posture and facial structure resembles to either of its parents or it can be due to an extreme impact or accident, could be a car accident or an injury in sports like boxing etc.

Orthognathic surgery takes place in following phases:

1. Planning and discussion: In this phase various consultant doctors sit together and discuss about the structure. Some CAD/CAM simulations also happen to ensure or draw a rough picture of post operation structure. In this phase an important consideration is the functional part of patient i.e. would the mouth or bite will function as it should. It includes every thing starting from chewing of food to smile.

2. Operation: In this phase the procedure is applied as per the discussion done in first phase. The operation may include the cutting and reconstruction of jaw bones to get them in proper alignment and make sure the face part are arranged in right proportion.

3. Post operation procedures: After the operation is complete, condition of patient is re-analyzed to ensure if everything worked according to the plan as per decided in first phase. If some minor corrections are required, they are resolved by applying braces or medicines.

Paresthesia

2011-07-05T11:26:00.001-07:00

Paresthesia

Paresthesia is also called as temporary or permanant loss of sensation. This is a state in which due to the damage or pressure applied to the nerves person loses the sensation on temporary basis.

It is caused after the extraction of teeth, mostly the wisdom teeth and is quite a common thing as wisdom teeth are near the alveoler nerve canal and hence applies a lot of pressure to the nerves while being removed. Other possible causes could be clenching of teeth.

Since this is a temporary stage, it takes a few days to get normal without any medicinal treatment. If it is a chronic case and it persists after a few days, it should be consulted with a dentist as it may take surgery in some cases to repair the damage done to nerves.

Whoopi Goldberg talks about Gum Disease - It can kill you!

2010-09-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

"Pain free" approach.

2010-09-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

At Lincoln Square Dental Arts of Manhattan, located in the magnificent Chrysler Building and Lincoln Towers, we take pride in running practices where our patients receive outstanding dental care and exceptional service.

From the relaxing atmosphere in our reception area to the adoption of technologies in our operatories, Lincoln Square Dental Arts is the place where comfort takes center stage.

We are committed to honest and open communication to establish long-lasting relationships built on mutual trust and respect. Through comprehensive individualized treatment plans, we seek to assure the wants and needs of every patient are recognized and fulfilled, and instill a desire for achieving and maintaining optimum oral health.

Please visit our main website at www.212midtowndentist.com for more details.

Lincoln Square Dental Arts of Manhattan
The Chrystler Building Tower
Lexington Avenue at East 42 St.
69th Floor
New York, NY 10174
Phone: (212) 697-4400