expert type icon EXPERT

Carla H. Schlissel

Dentist

Dr. Carla Schlissel is a Dentist practicing in West Islip, New York. Dr. Schlissel specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
40 years Experience
Carla H. Schlissel
  • West Islip, New York
  • State University of New York at Buffalo
  • Accepting new patients

How should I clean my partial dentures?

Double check with your dentist. I generally suggest soaking them, as directed, in a denture cleaner such as Polident or Fixodent. Then, with a denture toothbrush, you dip the toothbrush READ MORE
Double check with your dentist. I generally suggest soaking them, as directed, in a denture cleaner such as Polident or Fixodent. Then, with a denture toothbrush, you dip the toothbrush in the solution and use that to brush the entire denture. Don't use the denture toothbrush on your teeth. Using your own toothbrush, then brush your own teeth. Be sure to get everything clean. Good luck and use your new teeth in good health.

Is it okay to have pain two days after a root canal?

Yes, it is. Frequently, the ligament that holds the tooth in the bone gets irritated, at that's frequently what is actually sore. And a tooth that's just had root canal therapy READ MORE
Yes, it is. Frequently, the ligament that holds the tooth in the bone gets irritated, at that's frequently what is actually sore. And a tooth that's just had root canal therapy can be sore for up to a year. If you're able to take an anti-inflammatory (like Ibuprofen or Aleve), please do so according to the instructions on the bottle. If you have any concerns or questions, please ask the dentist who did it.

What causes sudden bleeding gums?

I don't know. Did you check with your primary care physician to rule out a systemic cause? Did you just start using a battery or electric toothbrush after brushing by hand for READ MORE
I don't know. Did you check with your primary care physician to rule out a systemic cause? Did you just start using a battery or electric toothbrush after brushing by hand for years? Did you just start brushing along your gumline after avoiding it because your gums bled when you brushed your gums? Check with your physician to rule out systemic problems or vitamin and mineral deficiencies and then check with your dentist.

How long does veneers procedure take?

If an office does a one day procedure, yes it's one day - about an half hour to prepare the tooth, maybe, and then they make the veneer and a little later they try it in and cement READ MORE
If an office does a one day procedure, yes it's one day - about an half hour to prepare the tooth, maybe, and then they make the veneer and a little later they try it in and cement it. If it's a two day procedure, it's about an hour to prepare and take the impression and make a temporary veneer. The impression is sent out to a lab and about 2 weeks later you go back to have the veneer, also called a laminate, tried in and cemented - about 30-45 minutes appointment. Ask your dentist for his or her timing.

Veneers or invisalign?

Yes, it is worth the patience and the wait. To place veneers, often teeth have to be cut smaller. If your teeth are "crooked" some may need to be cut more than others, to start READ MORE
Yes, it is worth the patience and the wait. To place veneers, often teeth have to be cut smaller. If your teeth are "crooked" some may need to be cut more than others, to start the straightening process. Do you really want that. I grant you, without actually seeing you it's hard to say much of anything, so I am assuming much here. However, first get a consultation from an orthodontist, or someone who does braces of different types, including Invisalign. Get the procedure, the time involved, the cost, and the expected results, and any negative side effects. Then get a dentist consult for veneers, asking the same questions. Then compare the two (or more) consultations. Good luck.

Can I take pain medications after a dental implant?

Most definitely. Probably a version of Tylenol. NSAIDS, such as Motrin or Advil, can actually slow down the healing of implants. Talk to your surgeon or whoever is placing the READ MORE
Most definitely. Probably a version of Tylenol. NSAIDS, such as Motrin or Advil, can actually slow down the healing of implants. Talk to your surgeon or whoever is placing the implant for you.

Can I use a Waterpik with a crown?

Please do. Use it gently, on 2 or 3, with an antibacterial rinse in the reservoir to keep everything clean and healthy. Don't forget to brush along the gumline twice a day, too. READ MORE
Please do. Use it gently, on 2 or 3, with an antibacterial rinse in the reservoir to keep everything clean and healthy. Don't forget to brush along the gumline twice a day, too.

Will Invisalign get rid of black triangles?

Maybe. Check with an orthodontist.

Is bone grafting for dental implants painful?

I don't know. If teeth are being taken out at for an implant to be placed, the bone graft is done at the same time as the extraction, so there's no additional discomfort. If the READ MORE
I don't know. If teeth are being taken out at for an implant to be placed, the bone graft is done at the same time as the extraction, so there's no additional discomfort. If the tooth (teeth) are already out and now the bone graft is being done, I assume it's as uncomfortable as an extraction. But, again, I don't know. I've never had one done. Ask your dentist.

Is a ceramic crown strong?

Yes, a ceramic crown is strong, but they can still break. Depending on the type of ceramic used, it would probably not be a good idea o chew on bones, or ice, or anything really READ MORE
Yes, a ceramic crown is strong, but they can still break. Depending on the type of ceramic used, it would probably not be a good idea o chew on bones, or ice, or anything really hard. Also, moderate the extremes of hot and cold. Just like a sidewalk cracks, so does porcelain. Talk to your dentist.

Can gum graft stop gum recession?

A gum graft will, basically, repair gum recession. It will cover the root so the softer cementum is no longer exposed to the oral environment. This will help to cut down the risk READ MORE
A gum graft will, basically, repair gum recession. It will cover the root so the softer cementum is no longer exposed to the oral environment. This will help to cut down the risk of cavities developing on the roots and sensitivity, as well as you wearing the root down further. However, having said that, it also depends on why your gums have receded. Is your bite off? Then your dentist needs to adjust your bite, in addition to the graft. Are you scrubbing your teeth too hard? Then you need to relearn how to brush your teeth properly and gently. Perhaps use an electric toothbrush with a pressure indicator and do not scrub your teeth with it. Put it on your teeth at the gumline and hold it on each tooth for 3 seconds each, going one tooth at a time and let the brush do its job. Talk to your dentist. Good luck.

How many implants does it take to hold a denture?

Generally, it takes four to six implants to support a denture. I've seen it done with two, but that person had a very tiny little mouth. Your best bet is to talk to your dentist. READ MORE
Generally, it takes four to six implants to support a denture. I've seen it done with two, but that person had a very tiny little mouth. Your best bet is to talk to your dentist. Please note: message attached

Anxiety with health

First, a question. What would possess you to pick up your toothbrush from the floor of a Public Bathroom and then put it in your mouth? If your mouth needed brushing and you dropped READ MORE
First, a question. What would possess you to pick up your toothbrush from the floor of a Public Bathroom and then put it in your mouth? If your mouth needed brushing and you dropped your toothbrush - on the floor, let alone of a public bathroom, why did you not just call it a day and Rinse Your Mouth With Plain Water? Assuming you actually did this, hopefully you rinsed your mouth well with water afterwards. If you've had no symptoms this far, you will probably suffer only extreme embarrassment. Don't do this again. Please note: message attached

When can I eat crunchy food after crown?

As soon as the cement used to attach the crown to your tooth is dry you can eat crunchy stuff. If you are getting a porcelain crown you have to watch the temperature differences. READ MORE
As soon as the cement used to attach the crown to your tooth is dry you can eat crunchy stuff. If you are getting a porcelain crown you have to watch the temperature differences. Just like a sidewalk cracks when it goes from really hot to really cold, so does porcelain. So don't have, for instance, hot coffee with ice cream, or hot food with an ice cold drink. Moderate the temperatures. Also, do NOT chew ice.

Are zirconia crowns stronger than real teeth?

It almost sounds as though you want to crown teeth that don't need it. This would not be a good idea, in general. Zirconia crowns are quite hard - harder than teeth with no cracks READ MORE
It almost sounds as though you want to crown teeth that don't need it. This would not be a good idea, in general. Zirconia crowns are quite hard - harder than teeth with no cracks or fillings in them? I'm not sure. It would depend on the circumstances. Talk to your dentist about this, but please don't do anything that is not necessary.

Can gum infection be healed with salt water rinse?

You should really see a dentist for this. Your gum infection could be caused by a number of things, including gum disease, which would need to be treated if you wish to keep your READ MORE
You should really see a dentist for this. Your gum infection could be caused by a number of things, including gum disease, which would need to be treated if you wish to keep your teeth. I always tell my patients that I would rather check them out and find it's minor or nothing rather than have them try to treat something themselves and find out it's a problem.

How do you keep your zirconia teeth white?

With any crowns, whether porcelain or zirconia or any other material, what you see is, basically, what you got. They might pick up stain, but that can be generally polished off, READ MORE
With any crowns, whether porcelain or zirconia or any other material, what you see is, basically, what you got. They might pick up stain, but that can be generally polished off, if need be. Keep them white by brushing your teeth and keeping them clean. And try to avoid things that might stain your own teeth, like a lot of blueberries, cherries, tea and coffee, among other things. If you have any questions, please ask your dentist.

Does Invisalign work as good as braces?

As far as I've seen, yes, depending on the case and complexity. Your best bet is to discuss your options with an orthodontist.

Should I change my toothbrush if I have gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an ongoing, chronic problem. Rather than change your toothbrush pretty much every day, switch to a battery or electric one and use it correctly every night before READ MORE
Gingivitis is an ongoing, chronic problem. Rather than change your toothbrush pretty much every day, switch to a battery or electric one and use it correctly every night before bed. Also brush each morning, being sure to brush gently next to your gums. And be sure to floss, use an interdental cleaner, or WaterFlosser with an anti-bacterial, non-alcoholic rinse in the reservoir. You can disinfect your toothbrush, or toothbrush head, in the microwave, or in a small amount of water with a 1/8 teaspoon of bleach in it. Soak for about 15 minutes.