General Dentistry in West Coxsackie

New Baltimore Family Dentistry provides general dentistry in West Coxsackie, NY. Call 518-731-2797 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Along with daily brushing and flossing at home, regular professional cleanings and exams keep your teeth and gums healthy; helping to protect you from cavities and periodontal gum disease. A regular cleaning removes tartar buildup, bacteria and gets rid of food, beverage and tobacco stains on the surface of your teeth. Your smile deserves fresh breath, clean teeth and healthy gums... that's some great reasons for scheduling and keeping regular six month hygiene appointments!

Another very important reason is having a regular dental exam. Your hygienist and doctor are trained to detect potential problems so they can be treated diagnosed and treated immediately. This can help catch a dental issue in its early stages before it becomes a bigger problem requiring a more extensive treatment. And since cleanings and exams are considered preventative treatment, most insurances will cover your cleaning and exam every six months at 100%.

An oral examination is a visual inspection of the mouth, head, and neck, performed to detect abnormalities. Low radiation digital imaging allows for a more complete examination, helping the doctor to detect cavities, problems in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession or other abnormal conditions within the mouth, head and neck area.

Learn more about Dental Exams

A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.

Many sports require athletes to use a mouth guard to protect their teeth while practicing and playing. Frequently used in contact sports, the mouth guard covers the gums and teeth to provide protection for lips, gums, teeth, and arches. A properly fitted mouth guard can reduce the severity of dental injuries.

Learn more about Custom Mouth Guards

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure used to treat gum disease. During the scaling process, specialized dental instruments are used to remove dental plaque and calculus from beneath the gums. Planing is the procedure used to smooth the tooth roots after the scaling process. Root planing helps the gums heal and reattach themselves to a cleaner and smoother root surface.

Root canals are most often 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 then cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed to limit the possibility of future infection.  Soon after the root canal is performed, the tooth is restored with a dental crown or filling to protect the tooth and restore normal tooth function.

A tooth that can not be saved with restorative procedures may need to be removed. Before removal of the tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is loosened from the jawbone and surrounding ligaments and tissues with a gentle rocking motion. Once it is loose, it is gently removed. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.

Learn more about Extractions

Call 518-731-2797 to schedule an appointment.