Regularly attending preventive dentistry appointments is one of the easiest ways to preserve your oral health for the long-term. At CityZEN Dental in Midtown Manhattan, Dr. Mandy Kouroshnia offers various preventive dentistry services on-site, including dental cleanings, periodontal care, fluoride therapy, and bite evaluation.
Preventive Dentistry
What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry uses preemptive measures such as screenings and exams to catch oral health problems early on.
Many conditions including oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay present few obvious symptoms in their early stages. Preventive dentistry can alert you of potential issues before they worsen and when they are most responsive to treatment.
What services does preventive dentistry include?
Dr. Mandy offers various preventive dentistry services, including:
Dental cleanings
Getting a professional dental cleaning every six months can significantly lower your risk of cavities and gum disease. This treatment involves a dental hygienist carefully removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and underneath your gum line. After cleaning your teeth, your hygienist polishes and flosses them.
Periodontal treatment
If you have a gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis, Dr. Mandy might recommend periodontal treatment. Some of the most common periodontal treatments include scaling and root planing, flap surgery, gum tissue grafts, or antibiotic therapy.
Fluoride therapy
If you have weak or decaying tooth enamel, Dr. Mandy may recommend fluoride therapy. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps build strong teeth and helps prevent cavities.
Bite evaluation/occlusion treatment
If you grind your teeth or have a misaligned jaw, you may benefit from a bite evaluation (occlusion treatment). During occlusion treatment, Dr. Mandy observes the way your teeth fit together when you bite or speak.
If your teeth rub against one another in a way that increases the risk of damage, she might prescribe a nightguard or custom retainer to ensure tooth health.
Oral cancer screenings
More than 50,000 Americans receive a diagnosis of oral cancer each year. Dr. Mandy recommends you participate in an oral cancer screening at least once each year to alert you early about abnormal growths or cysts.
Treatment for tooth sensitivity
Some people have sensitive teeth that become painful when eating hot or cold foods. To address this common problem, Dr. Mandy provides fluoride treatment or dental bonding.
How often should I schedule a preventive dentistry appointment?
In cases where the restorative dentistry cannot provide a predictable and definitive treatment Dr. Mandy might recommend extraction.
Dr. Mandy has a very conservative approach to dentistry, so rest assured if there is any chance she can treat a tooth with predictable results (filling, root canal or crowns) she will try.
Dr. Mandy will anesthetize the tooth, gum and bone before removing the tooth. She cleans the socket and irrigates it with cleansing solution. In most cases, she then placed bone grafting material to make sure the area is ready to receive a dental implant.
Rare occasions when patients have a severe dental abscess with severe swelling, Dr. Mandy will drain the infection to alleviate any pain. Patient is then placed on appropriate antibiotics and will return for follow up appointment within 6-7 days.
If you want to keep your teeth and gum healthy for years to come, you should schedule a preventive dentistry appointment once every six months. This applies even if you think your mouth is in relatively good shape.
Don’t wait to schedule your next preventive dentistry check-up at CityZEN Dental.
Book a consultation online, or call the office today.