Prevention is our first priority at Dental West. We’re here for you when you need a filling or a crown, but we always want your own teeth to be as healthy as they can be. From thorough exams to laser gum cleaning and no-drill cavity treatments, we are a minimally invasive dental clinic in NYC.
Prevention is our first priority at Dental West. We’re here for you when you need a filling or a crown, but we always want your own teeth to be as healthy as they can be. From thorough exams to laser gum cleaning and no-drill cavity treatments, we are a minimally invasive dental clinic in NYC.
Exams and Cleanings with PerioLase
Dental West in Upper West Side Manhattan is passionately focused on prevention, because Dr. Walter and Dr. Moncrieff want their patients to keep their teeth. To that end, they provide thorough exams and offer state-of-the-art laser cleaning procedures in NYC. The doctors are both trained in full-mouth rehabilitations and surgery, but it is because of their expertise beyond standard dentistry that they’re focused on maintaining their patient’s original parts.
When you become a new patient at Dental West, the very first thing we will want to do is get to know you and your dental goals.
What are you currently doing to maintain health and what can you be doing to prolong it? X Rays are only taken when needed and we use the most up-to-date radiography to ensure minimal exposure.
When you come for a cleaning, we’ll use a PerioLase Nd:YAG laser for laser pocket disinfection (LPD) to kill the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Next, we’ll clean and polish your teeth to pearly white.
Things start to get more in-depth if you have bloody gums, periodontitis, or halitosis. The laser can be used for more extensive procedures such as LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure), where we can grow new gum tissue and bone. When other dentists might take out teeth, we keep them.
Laser Pocket Disinfection
LPD (laser pocket disinfection) is revolutionary for dentistry. You may also hear this procedure called Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR) or Laser Periodontal Therapy (LPT). LPD is a laser procedure that kills gum-disease-causing bacteria more completely than manual instruments could ever do.
Laser pocket disinfection penetrates to the bottom of the sulcus (space between the gum and tooth), neutralizing bacteria for the next 11 and a half weeks. The traditional cleanings that you’ve had before cannot reach the bacteria that sits beyond 3mm in the sulcus. As such, the bacteria is never completely eliminated. This revolutionary laser procedure goes even beyond what a deep cleaning can do.
LANAP
If you’ve been slated for surgery because your pocketing is too deep to clean manually, the laser treatment called LANAP can accomplish even better results. LANAP is the only FDA-approved laser for periodontal bone and tissue re-growth. Whereas osseous surgery cleans the pockets and potentially leaves behind spacing in between your teeth, LANAP cleans the pockets while also growing bone and tissue, leaving you with a much more esthetic result. Furthermore, with other surgical treatments, teeth may need to be extracted. With LANAP, on the other hand, teeth are only extracted as a last resort. No cutting means better and faster healing.
Dental Exams with Dental West
As we begin your exam, we take a holistic approach, appreciating that the mouth is part of a whole body. Like most practices, we’re taking a look at your teeth, gums, tongue, and palate. But we go even further to examine the chewing muscles, the temporomandibular joint, and the head, neck, and lymph nodes. We pay attention to signs and symptoms of TMJ disease like headaches, migraines, and overall tension in your upper body. Together, you and your doctor will address any issues that they have identified and discuss a treatment plan.
If there is anything cosmetic that interests you, we can discuss how to achieve your goals in the most minimally invasive manner, whether that’s with Invisalign or bonding or composite veneers. We will let you know all about the importance of fluoride, what thorough brushing and flossing can accomplish, and the necessity of regular cleanings. All of this will help you maintain dental health for years to come!
Gum Disease Treatment
Dental West on NYC’s Upper West Side offers gold-standard laser treatments to help our patients maintain their best-possible gum health.
Elderly Preventive Care
Preventivedentistry is crucial for maintaining oral health in elderly individuals. As we age, our teeth and gums become more susceptible to decay, gum disease, and other oral issues. Regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and screenings for conditions like oral cancer are vital for early detection and effective treatment. Implementing good oral hygiene practices, such as daily brushing and flossing, alongside a balanced diet, plays a pivotal role in preventing dental problems. Dr. Walter and Dr. Moncrieff at Dental West can provide personalized advice on specific concerns like dry mouth or teeth sensitivity that are common in the elderly population. Prioritizing preventive dentistry not only preserves natural teeth, but also contributes significantly to overall health and well-being in later years.
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