General Dentistry
At Wasserman Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, our number one priority is your dental health. Our dentists in Riverdale, NY will make sure you and your family have healthy mouths. If there are concerns about cavities, sores, broken or missing teeth, or even oral cancer, our dentists will make sure you are knowledgeable about the options for treatment and prevention of further complications. We want to help you improve and maintain a beautiful smile…for life.
- We provide the following general and preventive dentistry services:
- Dental exams, teeth cleaning, and digital X-rays
- Sealants and fluoride treatments
- Oral cancer screenings
- Fillings and extractions
- Mouth guards for bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Nitrous oxide sedation for pain-free dentistry
- And much more
Dental Exams
The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months. It is recommended that children begin regular cleanings as early as one-year-old. Regular cleanings leave your mouth feeling clean and refreshed, and it is our opportunity to catch early signs of problems that may lead to costly dental work. Early detection of dental problems can prevent them from becoming major problems, which require more complex procedures.
Teeth Cleanings
During your cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. If you practice good oral hygiene at home, there should be minimal plaque and tartar build up. Your teeth will then be flossed to remove build up from between them, and finally, your teeth will be polished to make them shine.
Digital X-Rays
Once per year, the dentist or dental hygienist with take a series of digital X-rays, which allow the dentist to see the condition of your teeth. Digital X-rays use 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays, and the results are available immediately.
Sealants and Fluoride Treatments
Deep grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces, specifically the back teeth, are difficult to clean. Bacteria react with food causing an acidic reaction. The acids break down the tooth enamel causing cavities. Sealants and fluoride treatments protect these areas by making them less susceptible to cavities. The sealant lasts several years and is primarily designed for children, however, adults with deep grooves in their teeth may benefit from this treatment as well.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer can occur on the lips, tongue, and gums, but most commonly is found on the lower lip. People over the age of 40 who smoke or use tobacco products are at an increased risk. Your dentist will perform oral cancer screenings during your regular exam. If the dentist suspects you may have oral cancer, he or she will examine medical history, health and your mouth, and may even take a swab of the area to send for testing.
Fillings
Fillings are used to seal spaces where tooth decay has occurred, causing cavities. If left untreated, cavities can lead to serious tooth decay and tooth pain that needs to be treated with a root canal.
Composite Tooth-Colored Fillings
Traditionally, cavities were filled with silver-mercury amalgam, which were not very attractive. Advances in dentistry have made fillings less obvious with tooth-colored fillings. New and old fillings can match your natural tooth color for a metal-free smile. Tooth-colored fillings are made with a composite material that is stronger and lasts longer than the metal fillings.
Extractions
Although teeth are meant to last a lifetime, there are cases where a tooth may need to be extracted, or pulled. In these cases, the tooth may be too damaged to be repaired. Other times a tooth may need to be pulled due to overcrowding, infection, or to make room for orthodontia. At Wasserman Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we can make tooth extraction more comfortable with nitrous oxide sedation.
Teeth Grinding and Mouth Guards
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can happen during the day as an involuntary reaction to stress, but most often occurs at night during sleep. Bruxism may also be caused by a poor alignment of the teeth. The grinding motion can slowly wear away the tooth’s enamel, making them more prone to cavities and other dental problems. To prevent these problems, the dentist may recommend a mouth guard. Mouth guards are a molded, soft plastic that fits over your teeth.
Pain-Free Dentistry (Sedation Option)
It is very common for people to feel nervous or scared when visiting a dentist. For those patients, sedation dentistry may be the answer. Sedation dentistry makes you feel relaxed and less anxious during your visit. The most common form of sedation is nitrous oxide. It does not put you to sleep but relaxes you enough so that the dentist can correct your dental problems.
If you are overdue to have your teeth cleaned or you are experiencing other dental issue and pain, call the doctors at Wasserman Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at (718) 548-6900 to schedule your appointment today.
