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.

Post-Op Tooth Extraction Care

There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. Tooth decay, gum disease, or even for orthodontic purposes name a few. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches and you will need to follow strict instructions that Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office will give you. After the surgery, you will need to rest and you should expect the extraction site to bleed a little following extraction. In addition, here are a few things to remember during post-op care.

If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call our office immediately. Once you return home after the surgery you should rest, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. One of our doctors will prescribe you pain medication, as well as cleaning solution for the extraction site, so if you become sore take as directed. It’s important to limit yourself to soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. so that the stitches are not punctured. When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw, because the sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process.

If you are experiencing tooth discomfort or have questions about post-op aftercare, 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.

Dental Anxiety in Patients

It is one thing for anxiety to affect your daily relationships, but when it starts to impact your overall health then it becomes a problem. Dental anxiety, or dental phobia, is much more serious than just getting sweating palms and sleepless nights before an appointment – it’s a paralyzing fear of dentists or dental treatment. Luckily Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro has the tools, techniques, and gentle touch to help make regular dental visits as comfortable as possible for you.

The key to coping with dental anxiety is to discuss your fears with your dentist. Once your dentist knows what your fears are, he or she will better be able to work with you to determine the best ways to make you less anxious and more relaxed. In addition, ask your dentist what’s happening at every stage of the procedure. This way you can mentally prepare for what’s to come.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, give us a call so we ease your fear. 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.

Extraction Site Preservation

When removing a tooth, it is important to consider what will be done with the empty space after that tooth is removed. Wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth so that site has the ability to heal on its own with no complications. However, if it is necessary for Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro to remove another tooth, plans must be made and this is where extraction site preservation comes into play.

If a tooth is removed and nothing is done with the extraction site, the jaw bone will degenerate and change shape during healing. This can cause teeth to shift and can create problems in your bite that can affect the ability to speak and chew. Just imagine chewing food with no teeth and how uncomfortable that would feel. Options for filling the space include dental implants and bridges. What you choose to do with your extraction site is your choice, and Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro is always open to a conversation on what to do with your extraction site before removing a tooth.

If you’ve recently had teeth extracted and have questions about the site preservation process, 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.

Do You Need a Night Guard?

During the day, a person who is concentrating on a task will often place his or her teeth together and apply force through a contraction of the jaw muscles. This is commonly associated with the daytime tasks of lifting heavy objects, driving, reading, and writing. During sleep, it presents as clenching and rhythmic contractions. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache or tooth pain, you may want to ask Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro if you are suffering from a condition called sleep bruxism.

Bruxism can erode enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to tooth sensitivity. The best way to protect your teeth and prevent tooth wear and fracture is to wear an occlusal appliance, such as a night guard. Here at the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro we can provide you with a custom night guard. Wearing a custom night guard provides a tough protective layer between your teeth which prevents the destruction of your irreplaceable tooth enamel which also cushioning your jaws to ease daily muscle pain.

If you are waking up every morning with pain around the cheeks, 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.

Oral Cancer Facts

Oral cancer is a malignant growth that affects any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, upper or lower jaw, tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Understanding the causative factors of cancer will contribute to the prevention of the disease. Your health is important to us and you should schedule regular dental checkups with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro to detect oral cancer early when it is the easiest to treat.

The most common symptom of oral cancer is a sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal. Another common sign of oral cancer is developing pain in the mouth that does not go away. In New York, NY, Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro can examine the mouth and throat as part of a routine checkup if you are concerned about developing oral cancer. During regular checkups, abnormal tissue changes and oral cancer can be detected at its earliest stage when there is a greater chance for a cure.

If you have questions about oral cancer don’t hesitate to 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.