100 N. Centre Ave. Suite 402
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Long Island Dental Excellence practices the highest infection control standards to protect our patients and ourselves. In the Rockville Centre, NY area, Dr. Michael Rechter and his staff strictly observe all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. All instruments are cleaned, disinfected and routinely sterilized as recommended by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control. Whenever possible, disposable, single-use items are used to ensure your safety.
Long Island Dental Excellence welcomes emergency appointments. We know that dental emergencies can occur at any time. Our 24-hour voice mail alerts Rockville Centre area dentist Dr. Michael Rechter to your need. We are here to help you at any time.
Long Island Dental Excellence offers natural-looking partial dentures. Rockville Centre area dentures dentist Dr. Michael Rechter uses the latest technology to produce materials custom-blended to your skin, hair and eye color. You'll look like you were born with perfect teeth.
For comfortable tooth cleaning in the Rockville Centre, New York area, Dr. Michael Rechter is known for having a gentle touch. The friendly team at Long Island Dental Excellence provides dental hygiene treatments for a whiter smile.
Maintaining good dental hygiene is the foundation for healthy teeth and gums. We're committed to helping you have a lifetime of oral health.
Dr. Michael Rechter is a trusted Rockville Centre area veneers dentist. Our professional team is dedicated to providing you with quality results in a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.
You won't have to feel embarrassed any longer by crooked, chipped or discolored teeth. With your new dental veneers, you'll be thrilled to show off your healthy teeth and beautiful smile.
100 N. Centre Ave. Suite 402
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Here at Long Island Dental Excellence, your comfort is our number one priority. We will do our utmost to put you at ease and keep you feeling relaxed and secure. Under the experienced leadership of Dr. Demetrios Tsiokos, our dedicated team of professionals is at your service to explain your treatment thoroughly and answer any questions you may have.
Rockville Centre area cosmetic dentistry at Long Island Dental Excellence can produce amazingly natural-looking results! You can have a bright, healthy new smile after just one or two sessions with Demetrios Tsiokos, D.D.S.. It's faster and more affordable than you may think.
Dr. Demetrios Tsiokos is a trusted Rockville Centre area veneers dentist. Our professional team is dedicated to providing you with quality results in a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.
You won't have to feel embarrassed any longer by crooked, chipped or discolored teeth. With your new dental veneers, you'll be thrilled to show off your healthy teeth and beautiful smile.
Rockville Centre area dentist Dr. Demetrios Tsiokos offers dental payment plans so you can afford the treatment you need. Just talk with our friendly team about your needs.
We'll be happy to work with you to find the solution that fits your situation. We're committed to making your oral health a reality.
For comfortable tooth cleaning in the Rockville Centre, New York area, Dr. Demetrios Tsiokos is known for having a gentle touch. The friendly team at Long Island Dental Excellence provides dental hygiene treatments for a whiter smile.
Maintaining good dental hygiene is the foundation for healthy teeth and gums. We're committed to helping you have a lifetime of oral health.
100 N. Centre Ave. Suite 402
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Would you like your smile to be a bit brighter than it is right now? We can make it happen at Long Island Dental Excellence, with professional tooth whitening for brighter natural looking teeth. Dr. Michael Rechter's Rockville Centre, NY area office can effectively lighten your stained or discolored tooth enamel. Whiter teeth not only look great, they improve your self-confidence.
New and safe sedation dentistry with Rockville Centre area sedation dentist Dr. Michael Rechter means you can have years of dental treatments done quickly while you're lightly sedated, with little or no discomfort. If you've been putting up with discomfort, hiding your smile, or delaying scheduling dental work because you're too busy, your life is about to change. Make a sedation dentistry consultation appointment today with Dr. Rechter.
Here at Long Island Dental Excellence, your comfort is our number one priority. We will do our utmost to put you at ease and keep you feeling relaxed and secure. Under the experienced leadership of Dr. Michael Rechter, our dedicated team of professionals is at your service to explain your treatment thoroughly and answer any questions you may have.
Rockville Centre area restorative dentistry at Long Island Dental Excellence can produce natural-looking results. If you have a damaged or missing tooth, we can help.
Our highly skilled team will assess your need for a crown, bridge, implant or other procedure to restore or improve your smile. Our goal is to provide quality dental care for your life-long oral health.
Rockville Centre area dentist Dr. Michael Rechter offers dental payment plans so you can afford the treatment you need. Just talk with our friendly team about your needs.
We'll be happy to work with you to find the solution that fits your situation. We're committed to making your oral health a reality.
Dr.Robert E. Wolfe
1 Rockefeller Plaza,Suite 22208
New York, NY, 10020
(212) 688-8151
Dr. David L. Brisman
31 Washington Square W
New York, NY, 10011
Notis Emmanouilidis, D.D.S.
45 Tudor City Place Apt.# 505
New York, NY, 10017
Dr. Alan Mintz D.D.S.
119 West 57 Street
New York, NY, 10019
It is well established that the main cause of gingivitis, or periodontal disease, is bacterial plaque. But not everyone responds the same to the same bacterial infection. There are many factors that can contribute to making someone more or less susceptible to the progression of periodontitis. These factors are called risk factors. They can increase the risk, severity, and speed at which the disease develops. Some risk factors can be modified. If they are, gum disease and tissue destruction can be controlled and maybe even prevented with periodontal treatment.
There are several factors that can put individuals at greater risk for gingivitis or periodontal disease.
1. Poor Oral Hygiene: The bacterial plaque that continuously forms on the teeth is the main cause of periodontal infections. Without bacterial plaque there cannot be periodontitis. But as the amount of plaque increases, so does the risk for the disease. There is a shift in the bacterial population of plaque from one that is compatible with health, to one that is responsible for the disease. The best way to help control or prevent the progression of periodontal diseases is to follow a diligent plaque control program that includes daily brushing and flossing.
2. Crowded Teeth: Crowded teeth can contribute to plaque retention and interfere with oral hygiene. If this becomes a problem, it may be necessary to reshape the teeth or move them to a better position with the use of dental appliances or braces.
3. Poor Fitting Dentures, Fillings, or Crowns: These factors also may contribute to plaque retention and interfere with oral hygiene methods. If this is the case, the restorations may need to be reshaped, polished, or even replaced.
4. Occlusion (the way the teeth bite or come together): The forces created by an unbalanced bite, by clenching, or by grinding of the teeth, can accelerate the progression of bone destruction and periodontal disease. These forces can also contribute to excessive wear of the teeth, fractures, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, or root canal problems. People who clench or grind their teeth may not be conscious of it, but may experience sore jaw muscles, TMJ problems, headaches, and neck or shoulder pain. Most people are more susceptible to clenching or grinding during periods of high stress. These habits can be controlled and treated with specially made dental appliances (night guards), braces, reshaping of the biting surfaces of the teeth, exercises, medications, or a combination of the above.
5. Tobacco: People who smoke or chew tobacco are more likely to have periodontitis. They also are more likely to have a poorer and slower response to periodontal treatment. The risk of acquiring periodontal disease decreases after smoking cessation and former smokers and non-smokers respond the same to treatment from a periodontist. Smoking cessation is beneficial to periodontal and overall health.
6. Poor Nutrition: Although periodontal disease is not caused by nutritional deficiency, a diet low in nutrients can diminish the effectiveness of the body's immune system. This reduces the resistance to infections such as periodontitis. To aid in the body's capacity to fight infections, maintain a well-balanced diet and avoid fad diets that exclude entire food groups and limit nutrients.
7. Stress: Stress reduces the immune response and makes it hard for the body to fight infection. A study has shown that people who are under financial stress and have poor coping ability have a two-fold increase in the incidence of periodontal disease.
8. Pregnancy and Female Hormonal Changes: The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, puberty, and menstruation can make the gums more sensitive to bacterial plaque and increase the risk for periodontal disease. Pre-existing periodontal problems can become more severe if plaque is not controlled. So an efficient and consistent plaque control program is essential in maintaining periodontal health through pregnancy and all stages of life.
9. Systemic Diseases: Certain systemic (general body) diseases, such as AIDS and diabetes, may decrease the body's ability to fight infection and can result in more severe periodontal disease. Always keep your dental care provider informed of changes in medical status.
10. Medication: Drugs such as birth control pills, immunosuppressants, anti-depressants, and some heart medications can also increase the risk for periodontal disease. Patients should inform their dental care provider of any changes in the medications that they may be taking.
11. Genetics: Up to 30% of the population may have a gene that is linked with an increased susceptibility to periodontal disease. Although genetics is not modifiable, knowing one's genetic profile puts individuals in a proactive position regarding dental health. Through proper home care, periodontal maintenance visits, modification of known risk factors, and early intervention, individuals have an excellent chance of keeping their teeth for a lifetime.
By Laura Minsk, DMD
As the bacteria that cause periodontal disease release toxic substances, they trigger the breakdown of gum and bone. The gum then separates from the teeth, forming gaps that are called periodontal pockets. Bacteria settle in these pockets and because they cannot be removed by the patient's daily oral hygiene, they continue to accumulate and reproduce. Without proper treatment, the bacteria will continue to populate these pockets, creating further gum and bone destruction.
The first step in the treatment of periodontal disease involves the removal of the bacteria that inhabit the periodontal pockets in the form of plaque and tartar. The removal of the pocket irritants, scaling and root planing is combined with oral hygiene instructions that are aimed at improving the patient's ability to control plaque and avoid bacteria from re-infecting the periodontal pockets. Several weeks after completion of scaling and root planing, a periodontal re-evaluation should be completed to assess the healing response. If the periodontal pockets do not reduce to below 4 mm and the gums are still unhealthy, surgical treatment may be indicated.
Pocket depth reduction is a term used for a series of different surgical procedures (gingivectomy, flap surgery, osseous surgery). The purpose of these procedures is to gain access to the root surface to effectively remove calculus and to reduce the size of the pockets to help prevent bacteria from settling in.
What to Expect
Pocket depth reduction is done in the dentist's office with local anesthesia (lidocaine). After lifting the gum back, the bacterial plaque and tartar are removed from the root surfaces. It also may be necessary to remove the infected gum tissue and to smooth the bone surface. Stitches (sutures) are placed to aid in healing. The stitches are usually removed five to ten days after the surgery. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as necessary to evaluate healing and plaque control.
Post-surgical discomfort may last a few days and is usually minimal. It can be easily managed with commonly available over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Patients can expect to follow their normal routine the day after surgery. A dentist will provide special instructions related to diet, exercise, and medications.
After pocket depth reduction, patients may experience heightened tooth sensitivity. This is temporary and usually resolves within a few weeks. There are chemical aids available that help reduce sensitivity.
Some people also may experience looser teeth after periodontal surgery. This also is a transient finding that occurs as part of the normal healing process. With proper plaque control and bite adjustment, the teeth usually tighten up in a few weeks.
Another concern after pocket depth reduction is that the teeth may appear longer and that there are spaces in between the teeth. Actually, longer teeth are the result of periodontal disease, not of periodontal surgery. As periodontal disease infects and destroys the bone that encases the roots, the root surfaces become exposed. They do not appear exposed because they are covered by the inflamed, swollen gums that form the periodontal pocket. Without proper treatment, the periodontal pockets continue to deepen, giving way to more infection, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss and systemic complications.
There are treatments that can help improve esthetics after periodontal treatment. In addition to periodontal plastic surgery procedures, orthodontic tooth movement (braces) or restorative treatment (crown and bridges) can help create a more pleasing smile line.
Benefits
If periodontal pockets do not resolve after scaling and root planing, a dentist may recommend pocket depth reduction. Whether a dentist performs a gingivectomy, periodontal flap surgery, or osseous surgery, the patient will benefit from the reduction in pocket depth and the reattachment of the gums to the root surface. Pocket depth reduction, when followed by supportive periodontal treatment, is a predictable procedure that can help keep teeth healthy and reduce the risk of serious health problems related to periodontal disease. If a general dentist does not frequently do surgeries, he or she may refer the individual to a periodontist that specializes in this technique.
By Laura Minsk, DMD
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