Research into Filling Failure

We work hard to stay up-to-date on new medical research at the Upper East Side dental office of Dr. Joseph Dallessandro. Recently, scientists examined data on people who had suffered from premature filling failures to look for common features, and they were surprised by what they found.

The bonding used to secure dental fillings has an expected lifespan of ten years, but the people in the study required replacements after five years, at most. The researchers found that they were likelier than people with successful fillings to be smokers or to use alcohol. They also found a strong correlation between filling failure and a particular DNA sequence. The possibility that people could be more predisposed toward filling failure because of their genetics merits further investigation, but in the meantime, people whose relatives have struggled with poor oral health should be especially vigilant about maintaining their regular check-ups.

Another major finding was that resin bonding is just as successful as amalgam fillings. This is significant because resin is the same color as natural teeth and lacks mercury, making it a more popular option. Knowing that it is not prone to higher failure rates will contribute to its increasing popularity.

Joseph S. Dallessandro, 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 Joseph Dallessandro DDS and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity in Children

Dr. Dallessandro’s Midtown office is fully equipped to diagnose the causes of tooth sensitivity in all our patients, including the youngest. In adults, sensitive teeth are usually due to enamel erosion, and while that is possible in children, there are a few other reasons why children get tooth aches which need to be investigated.

Children are the people most likely to get cavities (also known as caries), which is why regular brushing is the focus of most dental education materials aimed at them. But it is possible to overdo it; people who brush too hard bruise their gums, and as the gum line recedes, the teeth’s sensitive roots are exposed to air as well as hot and cold. Likewise, permanent teeth that are newly erupted from the gums will be sensitive for a little while.

It is possible for tooth sensitivity to indicate a problem elsewhere. Sinus infections often cause children’s upper teeth to feel sore. If a child clenches or grinds their jaws in their sleep in response to stress, sleep apnea, or tooth misalignment, they may also feel aches throughout their head and neck area.

Joseph S. Dallesandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72^nd 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.

 

What is a Tooth Abscess?

When a tooth persistently throbs and keeps you up at night with pain, it could be more worrisome than a simple tooth ache. An abscessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It occurs when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, dies and becomes inflamed after being left untreated. If an abscessed tooth has you bothered, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS can usually resolve the problem with endodontic therapy.

The abscess itself is a pocket of pus that’s caused by a bacterial infection. The most common symptom is an ache in the bone around the tooth, but you may also experience pain when chewing. Other causes of a tooth abscess are trauma to the tooth, such as when broken or chipped, and periodontal disease. The goals of treatment for an abscessed tooth include strategies to eliminate the infection, preserve the tooth, and prevent further complications.

If you are experiencing inflammation of your gums, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in our New York, NY office, give us a call at 212-988-1089 or visit our website, www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information about the services we provide.