Night Guard Maintenance

For people who suffer from bruxism, a night guard can be essential to oral comfort. Bruxism, or night time teeth grinding, puts strain on the temporomandibular joint and can erode or crack enamel. A custom-fitted oral appliance can keep the patient’s jaws parted, sparing them dental trauma and helping to keep their airways open if they have obstructive sleep apnea. But night guards need to be kept clean, and we at Dr. Joseph Dallessandro’s Midtown dental practice want to make sure patients are doing it right.

The specifics of how to clean an oral appliance will depend on its design and may be found on a manufacturer’s website. But the biggest variance is whether it should be kept wet or dry when not in use. After being removed in the morning, a night guard should be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Patients should not use toothpaste, as the fluoride could scratch plastic. Many manufacturers also sell cleaning solution which can improve a night guard’s smell and help kill lingering bacteria. But patients also need to remember to clean the container out daily, which can be done with antibacterial soap and water.

Patients should be careful to keep the night guard at room temperature and not subject it to hot water or prolonged sunlight. Like a denture, the oral appliance’s shape could become distorted in excessive heat. Patients should not attempt to fix a broken night guard on their own or wear one that is no longer fitting well.

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.

 

Smoking and Pulpitis

Smoking is harmful to a patient’s immune system. There are also several reasons why it is harmful to oral health, including that it causes oral cancer and bad breath, but recently, scientists found evidence of a new way in which its interactions with the immune system are harmful to teeth, specifically. We at the Midtown dental practice of Dr. Joseph Dallessandro want our patients to be fully aware of the health hazards they’re facing, so we thought we’d take a moment to talk about dental pulp infections.

Pulpitis is the condition in which the sensitive pulp of a tooth is swollen, resulting in soreness. Like other forms of inflammation, it is an immune system response that traps disease-spreading bacteria and concentrates white blood cells and antimicrobial peptides. The latter are acids which latch onto bacteria, allowing them to be killed, and they’re one of the body’s most important defenses against infection. But according to a new study, smokers lack antimicrobial peptides in their dental pulp, putting them at risk for longer, more severe, and recurring infections.

Dental pulp infections are a serious concern. If they progress, they can cause facial abscesses and blood poisoning. Root canal therapy, in which dental pulp is extracted and replaced with a sealant, can be effective at treating them. But patients who wish to avoid severe pulp infections would do well to abandon smoking. The study also found that after a patient quits, peptides can sometimes return.

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.

 

Digital X-Ray's

At Joseph Dallesandro, DDS we use digital radiography to take x-rays instead of traditional photographic film. Digital x-rays are more efficient, bypassing chemical processing and allowing us to transfer and view the photos of your mouth faster. Soon after we take your x-ray’s we will look for any potential uses that need to be fixed with your teeth. 

Digital radiography uses 80% less radiation than traditional films. At our practice, your health is the most important thing for us.

Digital x-ray allows us to detect bone loss, tumors, infections in the tooth nerve, tooth decay, and other abnormalities. Digital radiography provides you with the best care possible by being convenient, safer, and faster.

Remember to make an appointment with us so we can diagnose the source of your pain and treat it. The health of your teeth is our number one priority!

To learn more about the best toothbrush for your teeth and to learn about all of the services provided at our practice, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are placed over your natural teeth. These veneers allow you to transform your smile by reshaping and recoloring your teeth. Veneers can be used to fix issues like cracked teeth, spaces, misaligned teeth, chipped teeth, or discolored teeth. If you are interested in improving your smile, contact Dr. Joesph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S., located in New York, NY. Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. and Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S. are happy to help with any and all cosmetic dentistry.

 

Dental veneers take two to three appointments to complete. At your first appointment, you will meet with either Dr. Dallessandro or Dr. Choi to discuss your cosmetic goals. It is often recommended that you do some research before your appointment to get a better understanding of what you want your smile to look like. There are two major choices to be made in terms of your veneers: shape and color. For shape, both rounded and square are available. Many patients believe that rounded veneers are for women, while square veneers are for men. This is not at all true, and both shapes are available regardless of gender. For color, shades range from natural to Hollywood levels of brightness.

 

Once the decisions on the appearance have been made, the next part of the process begins. We will first clean your teeth in preparation for the veneers. The next step is to take an impression or mold of your teeth. This impression will be sent to a dental laboratory to create your custom veneers. This process takes between 10-14 days. In the meantime, you will be given temporary veneers to wear. At your final appointment, we will bond the permanent veneers to your teeth.

 

Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. is located in New York, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. or Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S., visit our website or call 212-988-1089.

 

Teeth Whitening

At Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S., located in New York, NY., our staff is dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you deserve. Teeth whitening is an in-office procedure that can whiten your smile for up to a year. It is an affordable and painless process. If you want to achieve the appearance you’ve always hoped for, schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessadnro, D.D.S. or Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S.

 

There is a multitude of reasons that can cause teeth discoloration. What you eat is a major factor. Foods high in tannic acid, like grapes and tea, are common culprits. Coffee and cigarettes are another, with improper dental maintenance as well. Many patients find that cutting back on certain foods, or coffee and cigarettes, improves the whiteness of their smile. For some patients, this is simply not enough. If this is the case, then teeth whitening is the best solution.

 

At our practice, we utilize what is referred to as a tray whitening system. The teeth whitening takes two appointments to complete. At your first appointment, Dr. Dallessandro or Dr. Choi will walk you through the process. Together, you can pick a plan that works best for you. From there, an impression of your teeth will be made. This impression will be used to create your custom whitening trays. At your second appointment, the whitening trays will be fitted to make sure they are comfortable. If there aren’t any problems, you’ll receive the whitening trays to take home with you. Depending on the decided whitening plan, you will either insert the whitening gel into the tray and wear it twice a day or wear it overnight. This will continue for a few weeks to up to a month. Afterward, you will experience a smile that is 4-8 shades whiter!

 

To learn more about teeth whitening, or to learn if you would be an eligible candidate, contact Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. today. Our office is located in New York, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S., or Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S., visit our website or call 212-988-1089.

 

Mouth Guards

If you’ve ever played sports or watched any on TV, you may have noticed that athletes are often seen with see-through coverings on their teeth. These clear coverings are called mouth guards. Mouth guards are worn by athletes of all ages to protect your teeth from harm. At Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S., located in New York, NY., Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. and Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S. offer mouth guards to our interested patients.

 

Mouth guards are an essential piece of equipment in contact sports. They can be worn for football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer. Any other physical contact sports can use them as well. Wearing a mouth guard can help prevent structural damage to your teeth and jaw. It can also help prevent lacerations or bites to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. They’ve also been shown to decrease the risk of concussions.

 

Mouth guards can be purchased over-the-counter at most sporting goods stores, but are not recommended by dental professionals. These mouth guards are ill-fitting and uncomfortable, and only offer a very basic level of protection. Your teeth and mouth are a necessary part of your body. It is worth the cost of getting a professionally made mouthguard to protect your teeth from any lasting damage.

 

At your mouth guard appointment with Dr. Dallessandro or Dr. Choi, a custom mouthguard is created for the optimal protection of your mouth. Thin plastic is molded and then hardened to protect your teeth. The thinness of the mouth guard allows for easy breathing and communication.

 

Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. is located in New York, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. or Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S. visit our website or call 212-988-1089.

 

Bone Grafts

Bone grafting is where the jawbone is modified to receive a dental implant or restorative device. It can repair implant sites compromised due to previous extractions, structural damage, gum disease, and injuries. At Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S., located in New York, NY., Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. and Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S. are available by appointment.

 

When a tooth is missing from the dental arch, the jawbone associated with this tooth will begin to disintegrate. If this happens, the bone is left in very poor condition. It will not be strong enough or large enough for dental implants. At your appointment, Dr. Dallessandro or Dr. Choi will take an x-ray of your jaw bone. This will allow us to see how much bone is actually available. Depending on your results, a bone graft will be needed. The bone will be acquired from a tissue bank, where the necessary size and width is determined. From there, we will be able to guarantee the functionality and appearance of the graft.

 

At the procedure, you will be put under general anesthesia. An incision along the jawbone will open up the area for placement. The bone will be put into place and held using: pins, plates, screws, wires, and/or cables. Afterward, the incision will be stitched and bandaged. Recovery depends on various factors, including the size of the graft and health of the patient. Typical recovery can range from two weeks to a year. Make sure to follow any and all post-operative instructions given to you by our staff. Avoid vigorous activity while your body is healing.

 

If you are in need of a bone graft or oral surgery, contact Dr. Joseph S. Dallessandro, D.D.S., located in New York, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Josehp S. Dallessandro, D.D.S. or Dr. Jiah Choi, D.D.S., visit our website or call 212-988-1089.