Oral Cancer Screenings with VELscope

Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth. These include the lips, gums, tongue, inside lining of the cheeks, throat, roof of the mouth, and/or the floor of the mouth. Oral cancer occurs when cells on these tissues develop mutations in their DNA. These mutations allow cancer cells to grow and divide when healthy cells would die. Fortunately, Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. provides patients with oral cancer screenings to diagnose the problem early when it is most treatable.

At Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. we utilize VELscope technology to visualize abnormalities that may spot oral cancer in the mucosal tissues of your lips, mouth, and upper throat. In just two minutes, with no rinses, stains, or discomfort, a VELscope examination lets Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD improve his assessment of your overall oral health to make sure your mouth is as healthy as it can be. It’s important to remember that if the doctor recommends an oral cancer screening it doesn’t mean you have oral cancer.

If you have further questions regarding oral cancer or oral cancer screenings, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. called our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888.

Advantages of Dental Sealants

Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. wants his patients to know that the most important reason for getting dental sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Tooth decay is damage that occurs when germs (bacteria) in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. If not treated, tooth decay can not only cause cavities, but it can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss. Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities, so you may want to discuss them the next time you are in the office.

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are the top candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants. In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth. This is because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it’s important to keep them healthy from the very beginning.

If you are cavity prone and would like to discuss dental sealants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. called our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888.

The Invisalign Straightening Process

If you are an adult looking to improve your smile for business or social reasons, at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. we can assist you by offering the Invisalign technique. Invisalign uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you to gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the movements Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD plans out for you.

During the consultation, you and Dr. Richter will discuss your case in detail to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. He will then take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which the Invisalign lab will use to create a 3D image of them. From these images, Dr. Richter will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth, and tell you the approximate length of treatment. Once you receive your smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic aligners, you will swap them out every two weeks, each aligner advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually begin to shift into place.

If you are searching to straighten your smile, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about Invisalign as well as the services we provide, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. call our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888. 

Benefits of Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance as well as your health. At Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental P.C. we provide our patients with several denture options, but the two most common are complete or partial dentures. Complete dentures replace all the teeth while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position.

While dentures may take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as one’s natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth.  When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile as well as improve the look of your smile. Another added benefit is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

If you would like to inquire about replacing missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about dentures as well as other services we provide at the practice, visit www.phfamilydentalpc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Richter, DMD, FAGD at Patchogue and Hampton Family Dental, P.C. call our Patchogue, NY office at 631-475-1191 or our Hampton, NY office at 631-653-5888.