Long Island Center for OMS Blog

New Technology for Rebuilding Bone

pbhs — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:07:55 +0000

The news may be shocking for some but bone regeneration for implant dentistry is a routine procedure in periodontal and oral surgery. With new technology, grafting materials are able to regenerate lost bone with predictable results. This ability is critical for patients who need to replace missing teeth but lack enough bone for anchoring implants. Learn more about the process of guided bone regeneration plus some questions to ask our office should you find yourself lacking sufficient bone volume for an implant in this article, “Can Dentists Rebuild Bone?”

Do You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

pbhs — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:10:26 +0000

If you suspect you or a family member may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), you should consult our office. While treatment options are available, a proper diagnosis is the first step. It is also important to note that the risks of undiagnosed OSA include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In addition, it can cause daytime sleepiness that results in accidents, lost productivity, depression, and problems in your relationships with others. If you feel you may have sleep apnea, answer the following questions and then share your responses with our office. This simple action could save your life.

Are you a loud, habitual snorer?
Do you regularly feel un-refreshed, even after waking from 8 to 10 hours of sleep?
Has anyone ever witnessed you choking, gasping, or holding your breath during sleep?
Do you find yourself falling asleep easily throughout your day at home or at work?

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The Right Time for Removing Wisdom Teeth

pbhs — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:27:16 +0000

When it comes to your wisdom teeth, the old adage, “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it,” does not hold true. Many times your third molars or “wisdom teeth” can be negatively impacting your mouth even though they are not causing you any pain or discomfort. For example, having a tooth press on the roots of another tooth beneath the surface presents a problem that if left untreated may develop into an even bigger issue. And the reality is that the best time to remove a wisdom tooth is prior to it causing problems. Learn more by reading, “Removing Wisdom Teeth.”

Dental Implants – Your Third Set of Teeth

pbhs — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:12:03 +0000

While implants were introduced into dental practices in the late 1970s, you may be surprised to know that the earliest recorded attempts of their use date back to the Mayan civilization around 600 A.D. Needless to say, dental implants have undergone giant leaps in improved design, success, and overall patient satisfaction since those ancient times! In fact, today’s dental implants actually integrate or fuse to the jawbone for the teeth they replace. And once integrated and functional, they can easily last a lifetime. Today’s implants are so successful they’re often referred to as your third set of teeth! Learn more in the article, “Dental Implants—Your Third Set of Teeth.”

The Latest Trailblazer in Dentistry-Lasers

pbhs — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:18:12 +0000

No longer reserved for science-fiction movies, lasers have revolutionized medicine and are now blazing new trails in dentistry. Ever since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of lasers in dentistry in 1991 for soft tissue surgery, their acceptance and use continues to grow. Now lasers are used for disease diagnosis; soft tissue (gums, lips, and tongue) procedures such as biopsies, reshaping gums, and removal of benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) lesions; and hard tissue (enamel, dentin, and bone) procedures such as decay removal and cavity preparation of enamel and dentin of the teeth. Learn more about this revolutionary tool in “Lasers Shine a Light on Dentistry.

Lifesaving Facts About Oral Cancer

pbhs — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 02:20:46 +0000

Cancer is a disease that shows no discrimination. What makes oral cancer so scary is that it is often not diagnosed until a late stage, In fact, only one-third of all oral cancers are diagnosed in an early stage. While typically thought to affect older people, it’s now more prevalent in younger age groups. These facts make it crucial that you maintain good oral health, live a healthy lifestyle (including diet, proper exercise, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol), and have oral cancer exams during your routine dental checkups.

Oral cancer can often mimic a harmless mouth sore. If you notice any unusual sores or ulcers anywhere in your mouth that do not heal within 2-3 weeks, contact our office or a physician to make an appointment as soon as possible. To learn more about the causes and treatment options for oral cancer, read the article “Oral Cancer.”

The Importance of Replacing Back Teeth

pbhs — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:29 +0000

While they may not be the first thing people see when you smile, your back or posterior teeth are key to maintaining good oral and physical health. And just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean you can forget about them! By not replacing missing back teeth, you will also lose the bone that supports them. You run the risk of bite collapse as well as a decrease in your chewing efficiency thus impacting your dietary choices. Losing back teeth causes your face, cheeks, and lips to sag—in short you look old. To make matters worse, you can also experience excessive wear or erosion of remaining front teeth because they are receiving more stress as fewer teeth are handling the workload. Once you’ve decided to replace your missing teeth, your options include implants or fixed bridgework. Learn the pros and cons of each and more in “Replacing Back Teeth.”

Understanding Your Immediate Implant Options

pbhs — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:28:23 +0000

You’ve broken or severely damaged a tooth and need an implant…do you know your options? Chances are you don’t which could cause needless worry. We can provide you with all the education you will need to be confident in your decision. In a consultation with our office, you will learn the basics about implant dentistry and the fact that as surgical techniques and technology have improved, so have your tooth replacement options. And once your implant is in place, you will be well on your way to good oral health as your new implant is not susceptible to decay or periodontal (gum) disease in the same way as a natural tooth! Learn more in “Immediate Implants.”

Efficiency for Implant Success

pbhs — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:06:22 +0000

For years, stories have circulated about how much more efficient it is to restore missing teeth with dental implants vs conventional crown and bridge. My own experience has proven to me that well-done implants are better for patients than questionable teeth. It has also shown that failures in crown and bridge prothodontics are the leading cause of situations requiring implant restoration.

I have sat through many eight-hour presentations on the advantages and disadvantages of various implant body designs. Over the course of 20 years, I have used a variety of implant systems in a wide range of clinical conditions and have reached my own, tested conclusions about what works where and when it works best.

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Happy New Year!

pbhs — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:31:28 +0000

Happy New Year! The doctors and staff at The Long Island Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are excited to begin year 2012!