Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Detect Oral Cancer

Cancer is a scary word that no one ever wants to hear, especially when it involves a loved one. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, we work on preventing oral cancer in our patients through oral cancer screening. Preventing oral cancer before it appears could be life-saving. It is important to remember that just because Dr. Dallessandro may recommend oral cancer screening; it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer.

The oral cavity includes the lips, hard palate, soft palate, the tongue, gums, and inner lining of the lips and cheeks. Oral cancer usually appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away. As a preventive measure, Dr. Dallessandro may recommend oral cancer screening during a patient visit. Oral cancer screening takes less than five minutes and can help find cancer at an early stage when it is the easiest to treat. If a screen test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to confirm if you have cancer. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

If you are concerned about oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Dry Mouth

Do you constantly feel thirsty but no amount of water can quench your thirst? You may be suffering from a condition called xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Dry mouth refers to any condition in which the mouth is unusually dry and it is caused by the decrease of saliva flow in the mouth. This condition is treatable by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro.

Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria and also assists in washing food away from your teeth. Lack of saliva flow can have a major impact on your general health and the health of your teeth and can also make food less enjoyable. Common symptoms of dry mouth include a constant sore throat, burning sensation, trouble speaking, and/or dry nasal passages. Treatment of dry mouth depends on the cause, but Dr. Dallessandro may recommend various methods to restore moisture, such as sugar-free candy or a mouth rinse.

If you experience constant dry mouth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Losing a Permanent Tooth

Sometimes, when someone loses a permanent tooth, it is possible for the tooth to be saved. However, this depends on several factors, and we at Dr. Joseph Dallesandro’s Upper East Side practice want our patients to know what to do in case of an emergency.

After locating the tooth, hold it only be the crown, not the root. The American Dental Association recommends liquids to clean lost teeth with and containers to transport them, but if these are not available, rinse the tooth with milk or saltwater. If possible, place it back in the socket. If this cannot be done, the patient should hold the tooth in their cheek or submerge it in milk or a saline solution and bring it to our office.

A tooth has the best chance of being reinserted if it is seen by a dentist within an hour of being lost. However, a lost tooth may not be the patient’s most severe injury. Additionally, only permanent teeth can be saved. Reinserting a baby tooth may disrupt the growth of the permanent tooth behind it, though children will be given a spacer to ensure there is room for the permanent tooth to erupt. If an implant is knocked out, it must be replaced.

Joseph S. Dallesandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit JosephDallessandroDDS.com, and fill out a contact sheet.

Flossing

Regular flossing is essential to maintaining oral health. Cleaning between your teeth is just as important as cleaning the surfaces of your teeth like you do when brushing. You should floss once a day, either before or after brushing. A strand of dental floss about 18 inches long allows you to wrap the ends of the floss around a finger on each hand. This gives you excellent control over the portion of floss you are using. The proper technique to flossing is sliding the floss between the teeth and rubbing the floss back and forth up until you reach your gums.

Pushing at your gums too hard with floss can damage your gum line and isn’t necessary to floss properly. Think of a small swooping motion as you rub the floss up to one gum, then down and back up towards the other. As you move on to the next tooth, you can adjust the floss to expose an unused portion. Repeat this rubbing motion between each tooth and dispose of the floss once you are finished.

To learn more about flossing, dental hygiene, and all the services we provide, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dallessandro in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Bone Grafting

The term bone graft may sound more intense than a typical dental appointment, but bone grafting has become a routine procedure to help bodies heal. For dentists, the bone graft they perform is on the jaw to strengthen the future site of an implant. Dr. Dallessandro can advise when this procedure is necessary.

A bone graft consists of harvesting bone material from a healthy part of a patient’s body and transferring it to a site that needs reinforcement. This gives the injured or deficient bone a replacement and encourages the growth of new material around the site. There are synthetic options for bone grafts, but a dental graft is usually obtained from a different spot in the patient’s own mouth.
A jaw bone can weaken over time if tooth loss or gum disease has left a certain portion of the jaw vulnerable. When a patient needs a dental implant to replace a lost or damaged tooth, a jaw bone needs to be strong enough to receive the implant. This is when a dentist would perform a bone graft.  The healing process can often take several months, and your jaw is monitored by your dentist until it heals enough to handle the placement of an implant.

To learn more about bone grafting, dental implants, and all the services we provide, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dallessandro in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

A bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. Bridges span the space where the teeth are missing and are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent one. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth.

A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth – and a false tooth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials to ensure they are strong and durable. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

If you have missing teeth and are considering dental bridges, schedule a consultation with our doctors to discuss your options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, our staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our team would not only like to thank Kam for this five-star review, but we would like to thank him for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!

“I've lived in New York for almost four years now. Dr. Dallessandro and his associate, Dr. Choi, are the first dentists I've seen since I moved here. They are both very friendly and exceedingly competent, and I felt right at home in their office. Dr. Dallessandro went out of his way to schedule my treatment in a way that maximized my insurance benefits while preserving the health of my teeth. I'm so glad that I called them – If you're hesitating, don't wait!”

If you would like to leave a review or are interested in learning about the services we provide at the dental practice of Joseph S Dallessandro, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Warning Signs of a Failing Implant

Implants have become one of the most popular and effective means of tooth restoration since they started becoming common thirty years ago. However, they can fail. To spare themselves unnecessary pain and possibly save an imperiled implant, patients should know the warning signs when an implant is failing to integrate or is at risk. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro is here to discuss them.
Sometimes problems will immediately become evident if a patient is allergic to the metals most implants are made from or if the implant is placed into a nerve. This will result in severe pain which will not get better and may be accompanied by persistent bleeding. If a surgical wound fails to heal after a few days, patients should seek help.

A complete implant may also fail due to periodontal disease or a traumatic injury. The most obvious sign that an implant needs to be examined is if it moves. Damage to the jaw bone can shake an implant loose, and gum disease can spread to corrode the implant itself. Dentists will use x-rays to monitor a patient’s jaw bone tissue for the years following placement of an implant. Loss of two much bone requires intervention.

If you are concerned about dental implant failure, give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

Receding Gums

People commonly seek help from cosmetic dentists for receding gums. Exposed tooth roots not only look unattractive to most people, they also are very sensitive. But people may not have known that receded gums are usually the result of periodontal disease. If Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro determines that is the case, there are some interventions she may recommend which vary in intensity depending on the severity of the gum loss.

Teeth are surrounded by gum pockets which are supposed to secure them snugly. But there is always room for some bacteria and plaque in the space between the gum and the tooth root, and if healthy tissues are being eroded by acid, that space will only get larger. More plaque-causing bacteria fill the void, accelerating the decay process.

At a normal deep cleaning, Dr. Dallessandro or a hygienist will remove the bacteria colonies, but the problem remains of what to do with the enlarged pocket and exposed roots. Sometimes a simple incision can be made into healthy gum tissue, which is then folded and sutured to cover the roots. This can be done under local anesthetic. Serious cases might require the consultation of a specialist in gum grafts. There is no shortage of strategies for fixing receded gums, but patients should maintain regular oral hygiene to improve their chances of avoiding the trouble.

If your gums are causing you pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

Denture Pain Can Cause Problems

Denture pain typically stems from poor fitting or poorly adjusted dentures. It may also be a result of new dentures, worn over soft tissues that have not developed thick, toughened layers of protective keratin. If you are experiencing gum and mouth irritation, problems eating and speaking, develop mouth infections, and/or dentures that move around in your mouth, give Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS a call to discuss your treatment options.

If you wear dentures, it is very important you keep your mouth clean and healthy. In addition, you should never experience pain when wearing your dentures. If you do experience pain from your dentures and this discomfort is not treated by speaking slowly, eating soft foods or using an adhesive, your dentures may need an adjustment or you may need a replacement. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS we have plenty of tooth-replacement options for you to choose from if dentures aren’t working out.

If you have dentures that are causing you pain, please give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

Arestin for Fighting Gum Disease

When battling gum disease, if careful measures are not taken, the gum disease can become difficult to fully get rid of. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS offers Arestin here in our New York, NY office to increase the success of clearing away gum disease.

When gum disease causes the irritated gums to pull away from the tooth and develop deep pockets, bacteria can reach down deep, by the tooth’s root. A scaling and root planing is performed to remove the hardened tartar from the tooth and the tooth root. The tooth is then smoothed out to remove any hiding spots for bacteria. This is where normally, the process would end. However, we add Arestin, an antibiotic made of microspheres. We place this into the gum pocket will help clear up any bacteria left over. The tiny microspheres are not visible to the naked eye, and they will dissolve on their own, so there is no need to go back to the dentist to have them taken out. Arestin is time-released, so it works for a long time after it is placed.

If you suspect you have gum disease, be sure to set up an appointment with us. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth

Imagine, after weeks of hearing your baby fuss and moan you finally spot that first little tooth bud popping up through the gums. Baby teeth may be small, but they act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child will have trouble chewing and speaking clearly. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS wants to ensure a healthy smile down the road, and since your baby can’t hold a toothbrush, they rely on you to maintain their oral health care.

Starting from the day you bring your newborn home until your baby’s first tooth appears, usually around six months, rub a damp, clean washcloth over his or her gums (front and back) at least once per day.  This allows your child to get used to an oral cleaning routine while removing lingering plaque and food. You should brush your baby’s teeth until he or she is old enough to hold a toothbrush. Meanwhile, keep on the lookout for any signs of baby tooth decay.

If you have questions about pediatric oral care, please give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

How to Reduce Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates, such as milk, soft drinks, cakes, etc. are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS wants patients to know how they can reduce dental plaque to avoid advanced dental procedures in the future.

To prevent plaque you must first pay attention to your diet. Since plaque needs carbohydrates to form, the fewer carbs you eat, the better. Avoid candy, cookies, and other sweet things as much as possible in order to prevent plaque build-up. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit or raw veggies. Vegetables such as celery help remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque causing acids.  In addition, the best thing you can do to reduce dental plaque is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth, while flossing removes food particles and debris from between your teeth.

If you are overdue for a dental appointment, please give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

Overbite Complications

If you have been diagnosed with an overbite, this simply means that your top teeth extend beyond your bottom teeth. It is a common dental problem that Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS may recommend correcting with dental braces. Overbite teeth are considered a type of “bad bite.” It can either be noticeable or unnoticeable, but it some extreme cases it can make your jaw look significantly larger or your bottom jaw look much smaller.

Most often, overbites are inherited as traits just as the color of your eyes or the freckles on your cheeks. Other causes of misaligned bites may result from an early loss of baby or adult teeth, gum disease, or common oral health problems in children, such as thumb sucking. Once one of our doctors confirms your overbite with X-rays, he or she may take regular photographs of your face to further examine the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and head. From there, an individualized treatment plan will be developed to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

If you would like to discuss malocclusion treatment options, please give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS of New York, NY, call our office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

Toothbrush Care

Brushing your teeth plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. You may not give much thought to cleaning your toothbrush; however appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are important considerations for oral hygiene. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, we want you to know how and when to replace, clean, and store your toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush approximately every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed. However, toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. It is also important to never share a toothbrush because this practice could be a concern for people with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases. If your toothbrush comes in contact with another, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm tap water to remove any remaining toothbrush and debris. When you are done using the toothbrush, store it in an upright position and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again.

If you have further questions regarding toothbrush care, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Thank You For Your Testimonials!

At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, our staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our team would not only like to thank Ron M. for this five-star review, but we would like to thank him for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know! 

“Dr. Dallessandro and staff always put the interest of their patients first and consistently perform service of the highest regard. The staff does not try to "over treat", and truly takes into account your wishes. The Dental skills of Dr. Dallessandro and Dr. Choi are top flight, and the Hygienist is probably the best around. I heartily recommend this practice for all of your dental care needs.” – Ron M. (Patient since 2004).

If you would like to leave a review or are interested in learning about the services we provide at the dental practice of Joseph S Dallessandro, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Occlusal Adjustments for Misaligned Bites

When a person’s bite is misaligned, it can cause pain, sensitivity, and abnormal wear-down of teeth. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS is able to correct this problem with a simple occlusal adjustment here in our New York, NY office.

A bite can become uneven due to grinding, clenching, crowded teeth, or shifting teeth. Basically, an uneven bite is when the top teeth do not match up correctly with the bottom teeth. This can leave the patient feeling like they have a lopsided jaw. It can cause pain and pressure that not only is disruptive to one’s life; it can also harm other teeth.

An occlusal adjustment is simply altering how your top and bottom teeth meet. We take a very fine file with a dental drill to reshape areas of the teeth. Our dental technology allows us to detect very small disturbances in the bite, so we can make very minor but very accurate adjustments. Our computer program scans your mouth to find these tiny irregularities. We then use the dental drill and file to reshape the irregularities so that they will meet up with the rest of your teeth properly. In the end, you will have teeth that fit comfortably together.

If a misaligned bite sounds like something you are dealing with, an occlusal adjustment may be what you need. To set up an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS, call our New York, NY office at (212) 988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.
You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:
  • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
  • Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.
  • Visit us for professional cleanings and oral examination.
If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

What are Lumineers?

Lumineers are unique in that they are ultra-thin and highly translucent, allowing them to replicate the natural appearance of enamel. While traditional veneers are much thicker, requiring the grinding down of your original tooth structure, Lumineers are so thin that little to no tooth reduction is necessary. At his dental practice, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro can place either veneers or Lumineers depending on patient candidacy.

After your initial consultation, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth, and send the mold to an authorized Lumineers laboratory along with photos and other records that ensure the very best case for you. Unlike traditional veneers, with Lumineers there is typically no need for extensive drilling, shots or unsightly acrylic temporaries.  On your next visit, generally a few weeks later, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro will place your Lumineers. Before Lumineers are bonded in place, it is important to try them on to ensure a good fit. Teeth are then moderately etched to prepare for placement and then bonded one by one. Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro will then check your bite to make sure your contacts are balanced to avoid chipping your Lumineers through the course of daily function.

If you want to aesthetically enhance your smile give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Basics of Bruxism

If your teeth are worn, damaged, or sensitive, or if you have pain in your jaw, face, or ear, it may be time to visit Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office. These are common symptoms of bruxism, a condition in which you grind, gnash, or clench your teeth and the condition can have a variety of causes. Some experts view this issue as nothing more than a habit, but this habit can wreak serious havoc on your teeth, provoking you to endure invasive dental procedures in the future.

People with severe bruxism can break dental fillings or damage their teeth. Rubbing the teeth together can cause the outer layers of enamel to wear away, exposing dentin, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. Severe bruxism can also be the result of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders as well as unexplained facial pain. If Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro determines that you’re a “bruxer” he will discuss the best way to treat it. The treatment of bruxism depends on the cause.

If you notice yourself grinding or clenching your teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Apicoectomy after Root Canal

A root canal is a treatment that is used to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. During root canal treatment, your dentist cleans the canals using special instruments called files to remove inflamed or infected tissue. When an infection develops or won’t go away after root canal treatment, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro may suggest an apicoectomy.

Root canals may become re-infected for a variety of reasons. These include new or recurrent decay, previously undetected accessory (extra) canals branching from the primary canal at the root end of the tooth, and occasionally, calcification of canals. An apicoectomy is done only after a tooth has had at least one root canal procedure and retreatment has not been successful. It is a minor surgical procedure in which the very tip of the tooth’s root is removed and sealed.

If you have a tooth infection related to a root canal gone wrong, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Scaling and Root Planing

Bacteria causes periodontal disease and when plaque and calculus provide an irregular surface that allows these bacteria to attach easily, scaling and root planing are done to remove it. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. At his dental practice in New York, NY Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro utilizes the scaling and root planing procedure to stop gum disease in its tracks.

Root planing and scaling are done when gums have either started to pull away from the teeth or the roots of the teeth have hard mineral deposits (tartar) on them. Dental scaling occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments or both. Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. This involves Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro scaling the root surface to smooth out rough target areas, eliminating plaque and biofilm development.

If you suffer from gum inflammation, please call us to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.