Oral Pathology

The oral cavity refers to the mouth and consists of the lips, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the tongue, the upper and lower gums, the roof and floor of the mouth, and the small area behind the wisdom teeth.  Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care specializes in oral pathology which identifies and treats diseases of these tissues. Some of the diseases that Dr. Hakimzadeh diagnoses include mouth and throat cancer, mumps, salivary gland disorders, ulcers, and more. 

Research has identified a number of factors that increase the risk of developing oral cancers. To prevent oral cancer you should avoid tobacco use of any kind, keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid excessive sun exposure. You should schedule an appointment with Dr. Hakimzadeh if you experience a sore that doesn’t heal, loose teeth, tongue pain, and difficulty eating or speaking. If mouth cancer is detected, Dr. Hakimzadeh will work to determine the extent, or stage of cancer and discuss treatment options.

If you have questions about oral pathology, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Endodontics: Root Canal

If you have a tooth that is badly decayed or infected, you are likely a candidate for a root canal. The term root canal can scare any patient, but the procedure is similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in two appointments depending on the condition of the tooth. Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh guarantees a comfortable experience before, during, and after your appointment. Allow us to explain what to expect during a root canal.

To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to understand the anatomy of a tooth. Inside the tooth, under the enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains the blood vessels and nerves, so when this becomes infected it will lead to pain. Inflammation of the pulp can have a variety of causes, such as deep decay, or a crack in the tooth. Before a root canal is performed, Dr. Hakimzadeh will take X-rays to determine where the infection is stemming from. Special files will then be used to clean the infection and once the unhealthy pulp is removed, a material known as gutta-percha will fill the space. In the final step, a crown will be placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance.   

If you are experiencing a persistent toothache, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Consequences of Thumb Sucking

We’re very proud at Fresh Meadows Dental Care that parents rely on Dr. Hakimzadeh and our staff for information about their children’s oral health. Many first-time parents have heard that thumb sucking and pacifiers are bad for their child’s tooth development, but don’t know how much of a problem it is. We’ve provided them this guide.

Children under the age of four commonly suck their thumbs or a pacifier as a means of comforting themselves. Because their facial bones are more flexible than those of adults or older children, this isn’t usually a problem. But around the age of five, children lose their first baby teeth and permanent teeth start erupting. At this point, thumb sucking becomes a dangerous habit, as the pressure can cause children to develop overbites, misaligned jaws, and overcrowded bites.

If this habit persists when the child is over the age of four, try including them in positive efforts to change their behavior. Often, when children have a deep—seated source of anxiety which is motivating this habit, they will substitute thumb sucking with pushing their tongue against their teeth, which results in the same kinds of misalignment. There are orthodontic devices which can discourage children from tongue thrusting, but in these cases, we also recommend attention from a psychologist.

Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Mouth Guards

Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh and Fresh Meadows Dental Care take pride in serving the families from our community.  We want adults and children who are active in sports this season to know they may be overlooking an important safety precaution.  Athletes participating in any contact sport are advised to wear some kind of mouth protection. A mouth guard helps prevent damage to the teeth and jaw, and also helps prevent injuries to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.

You can find generic mouth guards in most sporting goods stores, but not in many sizes. These mouth guards often end up feeling uncomfortable, which leads to child and teenage athletes in particular not wearing the protection at all.  An ill-fitting or bulky mouth guard can even interrupt breathing and speaking. Have a dentist perform a custom mouth guard fitting and get a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic that protects your teeth and still fits comfortably.  This is an easy precaution to take for athletes, and you can go right back to playing your best.

To learn more about mouth guards and all the services we provide, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Snap-On Smile

Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh and Fresh Meadows Dental Care know patients are always looking for new cosmetic solutions, and Snap-On Smile is just one way we can help you obtain a total smile makeover. If you want to change the look of your teeth without a single dental procedure, Snap-On Smile is what you’ve been looking for.  A Snap-On Smile is made of dental resin that is thin but very strong. The result is a smile that fits right over your own teeth and looks like natural teeth. They can be made for both upper and lower teeth, and you can eat and drink with it on.  

Snap-On Smile is a great option for anyone with gaps between teeth, and stains or chips on teeth. Patients who currently use a removable partial denture are also good candidates for a Snap-On Smile makeover. You are able to get a Snap-On Smile in only two painless visits.  Once you choose a shade and style for your new smile the dentist takes an impression of your teeth. In about three weeks you have a second visit for a final fitting and can leave the office wearing your new Snap-On Smile!

To learn more about Snap-On Smile and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Night Guards

Most people are affected by bruxism, a fancy word for teeth grinding, and although people may do this consciously do this during the day, it is a larger problem at night when you are asleep. Many people clench their teeth to the point of destructiveness and Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care can suggest a night guard to prevent this from happening.

Night guards aren’t the most attractive devices, but they will keep you from sleeping on the couch. The night guard which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums. The noise from teeth grinding can also disturb your spouse's sleep if loud enough. Here at the office, all night guards are custom-fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing.

If your spouse is pestering you to stop snoring during the night, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.

Extraction Site Preservation

When removing a tooth, it is important to consider what will be done with the empty space after that tooth is removed. Wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth, so that site has the ability to heal on its own with no complications. However, if it is necessary for Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care to remove a tooth in a different part of the mouth, this is where extraction site preservation comes into play.

If a tooth is removed and nothing is done with the extraction site, the jaw bone will degenerate and change shape during healing. This can cause teeth to shift and can create problems in your bite that can affect the ability to speak and chew. Just imagine chewing food with no teeth and how uncomfortable that would feel. Options for filling the space include dental implants and bridges. What you choose to do with your extraction site is your choice, and our doctors are always open to a conversation on what to do with your extraction site before removing a tooth.

If you’ve recently had teeth extracted and have questions about the site preservation process, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.freshmeadowsdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh of Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, NY, call 718-224-7272.