Sleep disorders affect millions of people, but unfortunately, many sufferers don’t realize that one of the most common disorders — sleep apnea — can be helped by your friendly neighborhood dentist. (more…)

Many people face some anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist. Even those who make dental health a priority might not visit the dentist quite as often as they should, due to cost concerns or other obligations. (more…)

When it comes to the overall health of your mouth, many dentists feel that your gums — the “periodontal” area of your mouth surrounding your teeth — may be even more important than teeth themselves.

This might seem like an amazing statement, but think about the importance of your gums: (more…)

One of the least talked about disorders that people can face in relation to their dental health is bruxism. Yet, this issue — which most people have never even heard of before — can cause lasting damage even to very healthy teeth. (more…)

The obsession with a perfect smile is not an altogether unenviable status. This is primarily because a good looking smile is also a healthy smile. Proper care such as brushing and flossing as well as regular dental visits an even corrective procedures can do more than just enhance appearance. All of this leads to better dental health which ultimately leads to better quality of life throughout any age.

One common practice to get a straight and white set of teeth is to employ the addition of porcelain veneers. This process has been modernized to replace what was traditionally referred to as capping, and is a far less invasive and healthier manner of addressing imperfections and even potential hazards.

Protection (more…)

While current economic times are beginning to look up, concerns over budgeting for healthcare needs are a perpetual concern in many households. This can include regular checkups and cleanings at the dentist’s office, but can also extend to emergency situations where care cannot physically afford to be put off. At Island Dental Associates, we understand all of these issues, and in serving the Long Island community for nearly twenty years, we also make sure that we take care of all of our neighbors in the most feasible and viable manner for everyone. (more…)

Everyone seems to know that accidents can happen, but many service providers are not as understanding in ensuring efficiency when it comes to correcting an accident. If something should happen to your dentures, such as dropping them or stepping on them as you are getting ready for work in the morning or bed at night, there is an understandable panic that can occur regarding setting your teeth back in order. Waiting an inordinate amount of time for denture repair is simply unacceptable. This setback is not an impediment to convenience, but rather to your lifestyle and your livelihood. (more…)

When many people consider oral health, they immediately think of concerns regarding the teeth. This can be anything from cavities to lost fillings, as well as cracked and chipped teeth. Concerns about gum disease are increasing in the public awareness, but the extent of damage that can occur from poor gum health also extends to the structure of the jaw. Once bone begins to deteriorate, serious issues may arise. (more…)

There are many reasons why a tooth may be lost, and there are an equal amount of reasons to choose getting a dental implant to replace it. Dental implant surgery may sound scary at first, but the procedure and process used to receive a dental implant is very simple, and the benefits these implants bring to your smile and jaw structure are numerous!

When a tooth is lost due to decay, injury, or extraction, the root that once held that portion of jaw both structure in place is now gone, and this absence can cause the bone surrounding the root to change shape and effect other teeth. What dental implant surgery does is creates an artificial root to fuse to the jaw bone structure to allow it to keep its shape as well as save the health of other nearby teeth.

Dental implant surgery is a process that usually is made up of 3 very important steps:

1. Burying the implant – The first step of the dental implant surgery process is burying the implant. The dental implant itself is a small post typically made of a titanium metal that is placed where the root of a tooth once was in the jaw bone structure. Under the gum and protected from impact due to chewing or biting, this implant is left to rest in this space until the bone surrounding the implant has fused to the material as it would fuse to a natural tooth root.

2. Attaching the abutment – After the implant has healed under the gum and fused to the jawbone area, an abutment will then be placed on top of the post to allow for a prosthetic tooth to be placed on the implant by way of a sturdy anchor. This abutment will sometimes be placed during the placement of the implant post itself, however this 2 step process ensures better healing.

3. Placing the tooth – After the implant and abutment have fully healed and integrated into the jaw bone, it is then time to place the tooth structure. This prosthetic tooth will perform and look just like a natural tooth, and it is anchored into the jaw by its synthetic root implant structure!

During each step of this process, a local anesthetic will most often be used to ensure the patient feels no pain during any part of the procedure. At Island Dental Associates, we perform dental implant surgeries to all types of Franklin Square Long Island residents to ensure their teeth remain healthy and sound after a loss or extraction. If you are in need of dental implant surgery, call us at Island Dental Associates today!

When a dental visit involves more than a check-up and cleaning, and there are procedures involved, this can spell something of a stressful situation to patients! The best way to avoid needing any extensive dental procedures, and to save your natural teeth, is by practicing good oral hygiene each and every day. While many will brush their teeth at least twice a day, there are certain other steps that should be taken to ensure that good oral hygiene is always being practiced! Some of these steps include:

• Brushing – A person should brush their teeth at least twice a day, although it is recommended to brush after each meal. When brushing, it is also important not to brush too hard or scratch the enamel on the teeth as this can lead to tooth damage later on down the road. Each time you set up to brush, use a soft bristled toothbrush and spend about 30 seconds focusing on each quadrant of the mouth, resulting in 2 minutes of healthy brushing time!

• Flossing – Flossing is very important, and this is a step that many skip! Quality time spent flossing the teeth is one sure way to make sure that healthy oral hygiene processes are being kept up with, and flossing properly helps to get any tough to reach food particles out from between teeth which may lead to decay. During the brushing process, no toothbrush is able to reach each and every section of tooth, as the spaces between teeth are often neglected from the brush. When you floss, however, you can dislodge any stuck on particles or food debris from between teeth and protect these areas from developing cavities. If you have crowns or fillings, also make sure to floss gently within these areas to avoid damaging any dental work!

• Mouth wash – Although this is optional, there are many mouthwashes available that can greatly improve the health and look of your teeth. Mouthwashes with fluoride, and those with antibacterial properties, can help to strengthen teeth and eliminate bacteria which may cause bad breath or tooth damage.

At Island Dental Associates, we fully support good oral hygiene, and we want to help all of those living in the Franklin Square Long Island area to adapt great oral hygiene practices! To learn more about taking good care of your teeth through proper oral hygiene, visit us at Island Dental today!