General Dentistry in Port Jefferson Station

At the Smile Shack, we’re serious about preventative dentistry – the oral health care you need to prevent costly and painful dental issues down the line. Today, preventive medicine overall has become more important than ever, and preventing dental problems and keeping your teeth healthy preserves your overall health, too. 

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When you visit your dental team regularly, we’ll perform a visual inspection of your mouth, head and neck to detect any issues or abnormalities. This oral exam will include radiographs when needed, to allow a complete examination, detect cavities, any problems with existing dental restoration, and observe any issues with gum and bone recession or other conditions. 

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A dental cleaning, also called oral prophylaxis, removes dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from your teeth. We used specialized instruments to gently remove these deposits without causing any harm. The process starts with an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water. It loosens larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces are clean from tartar and plaque, your teeth are polished.

Mouth guards are often required by athletes to protect their teeth while practicing or playing. They are most frequently used in contact sports. A mouth guard covers the gums and teeth, providing protection for lips, gums, teeth, and dental arches. A properly fitted mouth guard can reduce the severity of dental injuries, keeping you safe when you practice and play.

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Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease with special instruments. During the scaling process, dental plaque and calculus are removed from beneath the gums. Planing smooths the tooth roots after the scaling process, helping gums heal and reattach to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

Root canals become necessary when decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected.  When root canal therapy is performed, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth chamber. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected; then it’s filled and sealed, limiting the possibility of future infection. After the root canal is performed, your tooth will be restored using either a dental crown or filling, whatever is necessary to protect the tooth and restore full, normal function.

If you have a tooth that can’t be saved with restorative treatment, it may need to be removed. The removal process, called extraction, starts with the area around it receiving a numbing anesthesia. Once it takes effect, the tooth is gently loosened from the jawbone and surrounding ligaments and tissues, using a rocking motion. When it is loose, it’s carefully removed. Stitches may be necessary after the extraction, and soft foods should be consumed for a few days afterwards.

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You should plan a visit every six months, or as directed by your dental team, for a routine examination and dental cleanings, which remove plaque and tartar, preventing dental health issues down the line.

While it may take a few days to fully heal from a root canal, discomfort is usually minimal. Your dentist will recommend an over-the-counter analgesic in most cases, or if necessary due to infection, antibiotics and prescription pain relief. Follow instructions for oral hygiene care and in a few days you should be back to normal!

Gingivitis is an early and fairly mild form of gum disease that we can effectively treat. It occurs when bacteria and plaque build up in the mouth and lead to gum inflammation and infection. Root scaling and planing is an excellent way to put a stop to this condition.

To learn more about General Dentistry, or schedule an appointment, reach out to us, today!