Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

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.