Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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.