Root Canal Treatment

A root canal treatment is used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. It is necessary when the pulp (soft tissue inside your teeth containing blood vessels, nerves and connected tissue) becomes inflamed or diseased. During root canal treatment, Dr. Joseph Dallessandro removes the diseased pulp, leaving you feeling relieved and pain free.

When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down, and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of a tooth’s root.  Causes of an infected pulp could include a deep cavity, a cracked or broken tooth, and injury to the tooth. Root canals have a bad reputation, but the treatment is very similar to having a routine filling and can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances.

If you are suffering from an inflamed tooth, give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the root canal procedure and other services that we offer visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Dangers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breathes while you sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This can lead to problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, diabetes and depression. In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school. This is why Dr. Joseph Dallessandro and Dr. Thomas Chung offer a non-surgical treatment to patients who suffer from a type of apnea called obstructive sleep apnea.  

Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common of the two forms of apnea. It is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Dr. Dallessandro and Dr. Chung can custom fabricate a dental appliance which allows air to move through the throat more easily when you breathe during sleep, reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.

Even if you do not suffer from sleep apnea this type of dental appliance is very effective in significantly reducing snoring allowing a more peaceful night sleep for both you and your partner.

 Sleep apnea is diagnosed by the patient’s symptoms and by a sleep study test. If you have been told that you have sleep apnea or simply want to stop snoring, give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about sleep apnea procedures that we offer visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Causes and Prevention of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is preventable and Dr. Joseph Dallessandro can offer you a variety of services to keep your gums healthy. Dental plaque and bacteria are major villains of periodontal (gum) disease. Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.

 

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in dental plaque. Plaque is the sticky substance that forms on your teeth soon after you have brushed. In an effort to get rid of the bacteria, the cells of your immune system release substances that inflame and damage the gums, periodontal ligament or alveolar bone. This leads to gingivitis (the earliest stage of periodontal disease) and when left untreated can cause severe periodontitis which causes tooth decay.

 

You can prevent periodontal disease by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dental office regularly. Most people should see a dentist about once every six months, but if you already have gum disease you may need to visit more often.

If you suffer from mouth, give us a call so we can discuss treatment options. To learn more about periodontal disease, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Stop Snoring with Night Guards

Most people are affected by bruxism, a fancy word for teeth grinding and although people may do this consciously do this during the day, it is a larger problem at night when you are asleep. Many people clench their teeth to the point of destructiveness and Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro can provide you with a night guard to prevent this from happening.

Night guards aren’t the most attractive devices, but they will keep you from sleeping on the couch. The night guard which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums. The noise from teeth grinding can also disturb your spouse's sleep if loud enough. Here at the office, all night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing.

If your spouse is pestering you to stop snoring during the night, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about night guards, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Dental Hygiene Affects Your Overall Health

To ensure that you maintain great oral health, Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro and Dr. Thomas Chung want to make sure that your personal oral hygiene routine is at its highest quality.

Most of us are aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay, but not brushing your teeth may also lead to more serious illnesses.

Like many areas of the body, your mouth is flooded with bacteria – most of them harmless. Normally, the body’s natural defenses can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, including abcesses, gingivitis and periodontal disease. This in turn may lead to episodes of "bacteremia," where bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream and may spread to other parts of the body.

Bacteremias may cause serious consequences. The immune response to the bacteria in the bloodstream can cause inflammation, sepsis and septic shock. Bacteria can also use the blood to spread to other parts of the body, causing infections away from the original site of infection. Examples include endocarditis or osteomyelitis.

While still under study, more and more research suggest significant links between poor oral health and such systemic conditions as cardiovascular disease, stroke,and diabetes, in additon to adverse affects on pregnancies.

Several studies have found that gum disease is associated with an increased risk for heart attack. It may be that oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, attach to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries, increases inflammation and plaque buildup, and cause clots to form.  A 2007 study showed that periodontal disease (associated with bleeding gums and bacteremias) increased the risk of heart disease in men by one third and doubled it in women, even after controlling for smoking.

To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene every day and utilize these tips: brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks, replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed and last but not least, schedule regular dental checkups.

 

 

If you wish to improve your dental hygiene routine, or you are due for a checkup, give us a call so we can assist you! To learn more about dental hygiene, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro or Dr. Thomas Chung, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.