Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD)

Each of us has a temporomandibular joint. This joint is a hinge that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull which lay in front of each ear. Without this joint, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the foods that we love, yawn when we are tired, or speak. If you’ve ever woken up in the morning with jaw pain, or notice a clicking or popping noise when you chew, Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS may need to evaluate you to rule out a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Though there is no known cause of TMD, specialists have some guesses. An injury to the face, grinding the teeth because of bruxism, or stress on the joint can lead to problems. TMD often causes discomfort and pain and may make eating or speaking seem like a difficult task. Once you have been diagnosed with TMD, Dr. Pandya will likely suggest a mouth guard or a night guard to wear during sleep to prevent further complications.

If you have questions or concerns about TMJ/TMD, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com. 

Crown Lengthening

Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS loves to help every patient experience their best smile.  Even when patients take great care of their teeth, they may think their gums keep them from their perfect smile.  It is normal for some people to have more gum tissue than others and when it results in a gummy smile, we can correct it by a procedure called crown lengthening.  

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the surface of the teeth and sculpting the gum line.  Dentists often do this in order to expose more of a tooth and affix a restoration like a crown. We also offer crown lengthening for cosmetics so that any patient can have their perfect smile.  Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  The procedure only comes with minor discomfort afterwards, and result is a pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile.  Contact us if you think your smile would benefit from crown lengthening!

For more information about crown lengthening, visit www.goinggrin.com. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135.

Invisalign Treatment

If you are an adult who thinks the window of orthodontic treatment has passed, Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS is here to debunk that idea with Invisalign. Invisalign is a teeth-straightening method that uses virtually invisible aligners to shift the teeth slightly, moving them horizontally and vertically, and even rotating them when necessary. Invisalign doesn’t use wires or brackets which make your oral care routine and eating, a breeze.

Invisalign treats a wide variety of malocclusion problems from overbites to underbites. Once you and Dr. Pandya decide that Invisalign is right for you, he will map out a precise treatment plan that shows the exact movement of your teeth and be able to assess how long treatment will be.  You will be given a series of aligner trays that you will swap out every two weeks, seeing your progress in between. You will need to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours for optimal results, taking them out to brush and floss.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic options, please give us a call. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com. 

Caring for Invisalign

Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS has helped transform many smiles with Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces.  Other perks of clear aligners are that they require less maintenance and don’t prevent you from eating any particular foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners.  You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

For more information about Invisalign, visit www.goinggrin.com. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135.

Sensitivity with Fillings

At Dr. Amit Pandya’s New Hyde Park Dental practice, patients needing relief from tooth decay are supplied with naturally-colored, expertly crafted fillings. When properly cared for, fillings can last for as long as ten years. However, there are some situations in which they would require a dentist’s attention, which is why we want to provide our patients with information about what to look out for.

After decayed enamel has been drilled away and filled in, it is normal for teeth to be sensitive for about two days. But sensitivity should not last longer than this, and the filling should not seem to be leaking or prevent the patient from closing their teeth together. In either of these cases, the filling would need to be reshaped, which is a simple enough process, but one which should be handled quickly.

When a filling is about ten years old, the bonding holding it together will start to disintegrate. It is important at this point for the filling to be replaced, or else the cracks in the bonding will provide a new home for bacteria. By maintaining regular check-ups, patients can ensure that old fillings will be replaced in time.

The office of Amit Pandya, DDS, is at 1575 Hillside Ave, Suite 207, New Hyde Park, New York, 11040. To schedule an appointment, call 516-233-2135, or visit his website at Going Grin and fill out a contact sheet.