DENTURES
SUPPORTING YOUR GENERAL DENTISTRY HEALTH
General Dentistry
Family Dentistry
Our Goal is to improve your well being and give you and your family a comfortable and enjoyable dental experience. At Smiles of Lindenhurst, we provide comprehensive oral health care to people of all age group. Your first visit with us, Dr.Bansal will guide you towards better oral health after performing
- Comprehensive intra oral and extra oral checkup
- Full mouth X rays/radiographs
- Cleaning and polishing
- Fluoride treatment
family friendly kids dentistry
Child Dentistry
Start your Children’s Dental Visits Early
Parents frequently ask us when they should first bring their young children to the dentist. Dr.Bansal recommend the first visit for children’s dentistry be around the age one. It is vital that children start their early dental experiences with fun, easy, non-threatening visits. Our dental hygienists and doctor are great with the little ones. Children learn about the suction (“Mister Thirsty”), the water squirter, the bright light that they get glasses for, and if they are ready for it, the tickling toothbrush.
Sealants?
Sealants are thin, protective coatings made of a special type of plastic painted on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Importantly, they work to seal off the grooves and pits on your teeth where bacteria tend to collect.
Furthermore, sealants prevent the most cavities when applied soon after permanent molars come into the mouth, specifically around age 6 for 1st molars and age 12 for 2nd molars. You might wonder, “Will it hurt to get a sealant?” Fortunately, getting a sealant is easy and does not hurt. Initially, the tooth is cleaned, and a gel may be placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds.
Treating Cavities With Sealants
Clean / etch / sealing / curing
Step 1: Clean
Cleaning the tooth is crucial for proper sealant application. This process ensures that the bacteria are completely eliminated before the sealant is applied. Moreover, sealants offer a quick, easy, and painless way to prevent cavities. Notably, a tooth without a cavity is stronger and healthier than a tooth with a filling or untreated decay. Additionally, sealants are less expensive and easier to apply than fillings.
Step 2: Prep/Etch
Etching doesn’t hurt. This step involves scraping the tooth or teeth to roughen them slightly, which prepares the surface for the sealant coat by making the tooth porous enough to accept the sealant coating.
Step 3: Seal
Afterward, it’s worth noting that sealants have shown to still be effective 9 years after placement. However, they can sometimes fall off, so it’s crucial they be checked at regular dental appointments. If a tooth loses a sealant, the protective shield is gone, and the tooth is at risk for a cavity. Luckily, replacing missing sealants is an easy process.
Step 4: Cure
Lastly, sealants are an integral part of a child’s total preventive dental care. The CDC’s Children’s Oral Health section provides additional ways to prevent cavities. Once cured, sealants protect against 80% of cavities for 2 years and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years.
How To Protect Your Teeth
General Dentistry
Caring For Your Teeth
General Dentistry: What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in oceans, rivers, and streams. It plays a crucial role in dental health by helping to replace lost phosphorus and calcium in the enamel layer of your teeth, a process known as remineralization.
Interestingly, your teeth are constantly undergoing a cycle of demineralization and remineralization. This cycle weakens and then strengthens the hard, protective layer of enamel. Various factors, including exposure to acidic elements like soda, citrus fruits, stomach acids, and certain infections, can increase your mouth’s acidity. This, in turn, leads to enamel weakening, a process known as demineralization.
Consequently, for many individuals, including children, women, and men, fluoride treatments or medical-grade fluoride products offer significant benefits. When integrated into a robust dental hygiene routine, fluoride treatments not only strengthen your teeth but also provide a protective barrier against decay.
Benefits of fluoride
Treating Calculus / caries / gingivitis
Got Fluoride?
There are numerous ways to get fluoride either topically or systemically, including:
- Municipal water supply (not all areas add fluoride to the water)
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwashes or gels
- Some dental floss
- Certain foods
Some Statistics
Statistics reveal that communities with fluoride added to their water supply experience 20% to 40% lower rates of tooth decay compared to those without such supplementation. Notably, children in these communities tend to benefit the most, showing significant improvements in dental health.
Evaluation
Given these findings, your dentist is well-equipped to assess your teeth and overall health to determine if fluoride treatments are suitable for you. It’s crucial to strike the right balance, as excessive fluoride can lead to complications. Fortunately, our expertise allows us to accurately diagnose your needs and recommend the appropriate clinical treatment.
Treatments Vary
Incorporating treatments with low to middle medical-grade fluoride products into your dental care routine is an effective strategy to bolster dental health.
Depending on individual needs, the fluoride treatment may come in various forms, including gels, rinses, foams, or varnishes.
General Dentistry
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in oceans, rivers, and streams. It works to help replace lost phosphorus and calcium in the enamel layer of your teeth (remineralization).
Your teeth are constantly going through a cycle of demineralization and remineralization that weaken and strengthen the hard layer of protective enamel. Exposure to acidic elements like soda, citrus fruits, stomach acids, and certain infections are just a few factors that can increase the acidity of your mouth and weaken your enamel (demineralization).
For many children, women, and men, fluoride treatments or medical-grade fluoride products are a great way to enhance dental health. Integrated into a solid dental hygiene routine, fluoride treatments can strengthen your teeth and protect against decay.
Got Fluoride?
There are numerous ways to get fluoride either topically or systemically, including:
- Municipal water supply (not all areas add fluoride to the water)
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwashes or gels
- Some dental floss
- Certain foods
Some Statistics
Statistics show that communities, where fluoride is added to the water supply, have 20% to 40% lower rates of tooth decay than those where supplementation is not available. Children in those communities seem to show the most significant improvements in dental health.
Evaluation
Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and overall health to determine if fluoride treatments are right for you. Too much fluoride can cause problems, so getting the right amount is important. We know how to identify your condition and make the clinical recommendation for treatment.
Treatments Vary
Treatments of low to middle medical-grade fluoride products are a great way to enhance dental health.
The fluoride may be in the form of a gel, rinse, foam, or varnish.
Bleeding / Infection / Solutions
General Dentistry
Gum disease
Gum Disease Treatment Options
One of the most important reasons to keep up with your oral health and continue good hygiene habits is to prevent your mouth from becoming infected with gum disease. However, nearly 75 percent of American adults are affected by this progressive condition due to lack of knowledge, fear of the dentist or improp er home care. Our goal is to catch and perform gum disease treatment before it spreads or develops into advanced periodontitis, an incurable condition that can cause tissue and tooth loss.
Gum Disease Diagnostics and Treatment
Treatment Options are varied and depend on the severity of your case
Scaling and Roots Planing
The first option for gum disease treatment, our doctors will use ultra-small tools to access the area below the gumline. We can then scrape away plaque, tartar and bacteria buildup that is gathering around the tooth roots.
Laser Therapy
A minimally invasive form of gum disease treatment, laser therapy uses gentle laser light to disintegrate disease while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Many patients prefer this method because there is no cutting or sutures involved and the procedure can often be performed quickly.
Arrestin
This is an antibiotic gum disease treatment that is added to the gum pockets to reduce how deep they are, which minimizes the location for bacteria to thrive. Commonly, Arestin is used in conjunction with scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance gum disease treatments.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal Maintenance – After gum disease treatment has cleansed the mouth of disease, many patients require follow-up care to ensure the disease does not return. Periodontal maintenance involves scaling and root planing treatment as well as a thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums. We recommend periodontal maintenance occur every three months for optimal results.
General Dentistry
Gum Disease Treatment
One of the most important reasons to keep up with your oral health and continue good hygiene habits is to prevent your mouth from becoming infected with gum disease. However, nearly 75 percent of American adults are affected by this progressive condition due to lack of knowledge, fear of the dentist or improp er home care. Our goal is to catch and perform gum disease treatment before it spreads or develops into advanced periodontitis, an incurable condition that can cause tissue and tooth loss.
Scaling and Roots Planing
The first option for gum disease treatment, our doctors will use ultra-small tools to access the area below the gumline. We can then scrape away plaque, tartar and bacteria buildup that is gathering around the tooth roots.
Laser Therapy
A minimally invasive form of gum disease treatment, laser therapy uses gentle laser light to disintegrate disease while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Many patients prefer this method because there is no cutting or sutures involved and the procedure can often be performed quickly.
Arrestin
This is an antibiotic gum disease treatment that is added to the gum pockets to reduce how deep they are, which minimizes the location for bacteria to thrive. Commonly, Arestin is used in conjunction with scaling and root planing and periodontal maintenance gum disease treatments.
Periodontal Maintenance
A minimally invasive form of gum disease treatment, laser therapy uses gentle laser light to disintegrate disease while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Many patients prefer this method because there is no cutting or sutures involved and the procedure can often be performed quickly.
Infection / Pain / Comfort
General Dentistry
Root Canal
What is a Root Canal?
A “root canal” is a term used to describe the natural cavity in the center of a tooth. This area contains a soft area known as the pulp chamber that houses the nerves. Secondly, if it becomes irritated or infected due to cavities, trauma or decay, root canal therapy is necessary. Furthermore, if left untreated, the infection can cause an abscess, which can lead to swelling of the face and neck, and bone loss around the roots of teeth.
- Severe tooth pain and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Tooth becomes discolored
- Swollen, tender gums
- A reoccurring pimple that forms on the gums
Root Canal Treatment
Exam , Open, Fill, and Restore
Step 1: Exam
The dentist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the dentist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.
Step 2: Open
The dentist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.
Step 3: Fill
The root canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material, which is in turn placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.
Step 4: Restore
Finally, your dentist will place the crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
What is a Root Canal?
A “root canal” is a term used to describe the natural cavity in the center of a tooth. This area contains a soft area known as the pulp chamber that houses the nerves. If it becomes irritated or infected due to cavities, trauma or decay, root canal therapy is necessary. If left untreated, the infection can cause an abscess, which can lead to swelling of the face and neck, and bone loss around the roots of teeth.
- Severe tooth pain and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Tooth becomes discolored
- Swollen, tender gums
- A reoccurring pimple that forms on the gums
Step 1: Exam
The dentist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the dentist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.
Step 2: Open
The dentist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.
Step 3: Fill
The root canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material, which is in turn placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.
Step 4: Restore
Finally, your dentist will place the crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
emergencies / wisdom teeth / night guard
General Dentistry
Extraction
Tooth Extraction
At Smiles of Lindenhurst, we do everything in our power to save your natural teeth. Luckily, if a tooth cannot be saved, we make extraction our last option. Mostly, patients only require local anesthetic during tooth extraction. Our local anesthetic blocks sensations of pain in a specific area. Lastly, a patient will only feel a light pressure at the extraction location. Additionally, for most tooth extraction cases, we will perform socket preservation bone grafting to fill the empty socket with sturdy natural bone. In some cases, Dr.Bansal can perform a tooth extraction and replace it immediately with a dental implant, cutting down on the need for multiple appointments, Procedure and additional costs.
- Wisdom teeth
- Partially and completely Impacted teeth
- Severe Tooth Pain
- Damaged or broken Teeth
- Severe Tooth Infection
- Advanced Gum disease
- Orthodontic requirement
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth are molars that begin to develop in the back of the mouth during the late teenage years. Most often wisdom teeth do not have the adequate space to grow in properly. As a result, they become impacted. More importantly, impacted teeth can damage your surrounding teeth, easily become infected, or cause your bite to shift as teeth become crowded. It’s important to remember that our team is experienced in wisdom teeth extraction. Moreover, we have the technology and surgical suite to perform the tooth extractions in-house. Also, we offer advanced sedation options. This means we can make your surgery comfortable and anxiety-free. Ultimately, choosing an experienced and educated team is vital to ensure the wisdom teeth are removed successfully. Crucially, we want to remove them without damage to the jaw or nerves and to improve healing.
Clenching / Pain / Comfort
General Dentistry
Night Guards
When Do You Need A Night Guard?
- Do you experience persistent headaches or jaw joint pain?
- Have you broken one or more teeth or chipped the edges off your front teeth or crowns?
- Do you experience migraines and ringing in your ears?
These could be signs that you grind your teeth while you sleep at night. Doing so can cause significant dental concerns and health problems. At Smiles of Lindenhurst, we have a solution to help protect your teeth while you sleep from teeth grinding and teeth clenching—a dental night guard. A night guard is a custom-fitted appliance that you wear over your teeth to protect them from nighttime teeth grinding or clenching.
Simple / Affordable / Dentures
General Dentistry
Dentures
Dentures
Custom dentures are more than artificial teeth, they are one of the most cost-effective ways to restore both your smile and your confidence. From the preliminary consultation to completed dentures, or denture relining and repairs, you can trust us to deliver nothing but the best. Your denture options include:
- Traditional Removable Complete Dentures
- Metal framework partial dentures
- Acrylic partial dentures
- Denture relines
- Implant-supported dentures
Emergencies / Option / Fast Service
General Dentistry
Emergency Dental
If you have a dental emergency please call Dental arts of Lindenhurst to schedule virtual consult with Dr.Bansal. We will try our best to get you in as soon as possible and provide necessary treatment.
Toothache
Taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) (if you are not allergic) can help alleviate pain. You can apply ice 10-20 minutes every hour for severe pain.
Mouth sore
Applying an over-the-counter medicine, like Orajel or campho-phenique, will pose as a bandage-like film over the sore.
Bleeding after an extraction
If bleeding is substantial, you can place a thick gauze pad over the extraction site, while applying pressure. If bleeding still ensues, you can soak a tea bag in water, put it inside a thin gauze pad, and apply pressure for one full hour.
Bitten tongue or lip
Applying ice or pressure to the area will most likely decrease swelling or bleeding. If the laceration is deep (larger than ¼ inch) or if the pain persists, please call our McKinney dentists.
Fractured jaw
Do not move your jaw. Seek immediate medical help at a hospital emergency room.
Tooth knocked out
If you cannot put the tooth back in place and hold it there while rushing to come see us, then you can put it in a cup of milk or water, and come see us immediately.
Fractured tooth
Place a piece of soft wax where the chipped area is, and then schedule an appointment with us. Place the pieces of your chipped tooth in a cup of milk, or in water with a pinch of salt.