Dr. Gary D. Kitzis

Dentist

156 Plainview Road Woodbury New York, 11797 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Gary D. Kitzis, DMD, runs a private practice in Woodbury, New York, specializing in periodontics, prosthodontics and oral implantology. Dr. Kitzis graduated from the University of Florida in 1979. He earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Periodontology in 1984 and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Prosthodontics in 1986, both from Boston University. Dr. Kitzis is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association, as well as many other prestigious dental organizations. He also maintains a faculty position at Stony Brook University School of Dentistry.

Education and Training

University of Florida

Board Certification

American Board of Periodontology- Periodontics

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 45 years of experience

Dr. Gary D. Kitzis Other

Dr. Gary D. Kitzis Other's Expert Contributions

My Answers

How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants can last a lifetime of you take proper care of them. That means thorough daily brushing and flossing and regular visits with your dentist for professional care. If you don't take good care of them, they have all the same potential problems as teeth with the exception that the titanium will not decay. READ MORE
Can I get a crown without a root canal?
It depends on whether or not the nerve of the tooth is infected and/or if there is a lot of missing tooth structure and a post and core is needed to help retain the crown. You need to discuss this with your dentist making the crown. READ MORE
How can you protect your teeth from bone loss?
It really is quite simple. Brush twice a day and floss thoroughly once a day and see your dentist for professional cleanings every six months. Preventive care is your best insurance to maintain good periodontal health. You should definitely have your dentist or hygienist show you how to effectively brush and floss so you do it properly. READ MORE
What do sealants do?
Sealants are a composite resin material applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth. They are very effective in preventing cavities on the biting surfaces. They are especially helpful if the teeth have deep grooves which may trap plaque, causing decay. They are very beneficial for young people because of the protection they provide. Older people have less need for sealants if they have not had a history of cavities on the biting surfaces of their teeth because they are probably resistant to them. Carefully applied sealants can last over 20 years. On the other hand, they have a poor longevity if they are hastily done. They are an excellent preventive measure. READ MORE
Can an infected tooth spread the infection to the other teeth as well?
The answer depends on what the source of the infection is. If the tooth has a root canal infection caused by decay or trauma, the infection generally will not infect other teeth. If the source of the infection is a periodontal, due to the presence of deep pockets around the teeth, the source of the bacteria can infect other teeth in the mouth. You need to see your dentist to determine the source. Antibiotics and either root canal or periodontal treatment is needed to allow healing to take place. READ MORE
How can flossing help in maintaining the health of teeth and gums?
Daily flossing is absolutely essential to maintain good oral health. The ideal time to floss is before bedtime because while you are asleep, the flow of saliva slows down and bacterial plaque proliferates which can lead to decay and periodontal (gum) problems. Some people say they are too tired at night to floss. If that is the case, do it in the morning or any other time during the day that you can do it. Doing it every 24 hours is more important than the time of day you do it. READ MORE
Do I have to be numb?
There is tremendous variability between people on this. Some people can have fillings done and hardly flinch, others will be in pain. Most people will be much more comfortable if they are numb. I have had patients fall asleep with only local anesthetic while having work done because they are comfortable and don't feel like they have to hold onto the chair while treatment is being done. Being numb is also a bit of a safety factor because you might not be bothered too much while most work is being done, but there might be a surprisingly sensitive spot where you might jump at a delicate point in the procedure causing damage to be done. If your problem is that you don't like the injection, have your dentist use a topical anesthetic before the shot. It's really worth it! READ MORE
What are the most visible signs and symptoms of a gum disease?
The biggest sign of early gum disease is bleeding when brushing and flossing. If you see "pink" or "red" when you rinse your mouth after brushing or flossing, you have gingivitis--the earliest form of gum disease. You should see your dentist for a complete examination and oral hygiene instruction to you can take good care of your mouth. Once at your dentist, he or she should do periodontal probing-a measurement of the pocket depths around your teeth. Normally the depths should be less than three millimeters. If they are deeper than five millimeters, you should see a periodontist for more comprehensive treatment. Depths in excess of five millimeters usually indicate bone loss around the teeth. Also, if you have gum recession and can see the roots of your teeth, the yellower part of the tooth close to the gum line, that is also a sign that you have gum disease and bone loss. Get into the habit of flossing at least once a day and brushing at least twice a day and that should keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. READ MORE
Why do some dentists hurt during cleanings more than others?
The dentist you saw recently may have done a more thorough job cleaning your teeth by getting further under the gumline to clean out bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar) than the previous dentist. Cleaning below the gumline isn't always comfortable but it is necessary to maintain a healthy mouth. The bleeding you experienced is also due to inflammation in the gums. If you only clean above the gumline, you won't have any bleeding, but the plaque bacteria below the gumline will remain and cause further inflammation and bone loss around the teeth. You might ask your dentist to use a topical anesthetic on your gums to make the cleaning more comfortable READ MORE
Is it bad if a piece of an old filling falls out?
This is not OK. If part of a filling is missing, there may be decay in that area and the irregular surfaces where the filling is missing will collect more plaque and be susceptible to decay. Sensitivity is never a good sign and it must be addressed. READ MORE
Is the fluoride treatment at the dentist really worth it?
The fluoride treatment is definitely worth it. The in-office treatment after your cleaning applies a stronger than over the counter fluoride to coat your teeth right after they have been professionally cleaned and that gives you a very effective anti-cavity treatment. The home fluoride rinses only work well if you have thoroughly brushed and carefully flossed your teeth. READ MORE

Expert Publications

Data provided by the National Library of Medicine

Reimplantation of an avulsed tooth after prolonged storage.

Areas of expertise and specialization

Implant DentistryPeriodonticsProsthodontics

Faculty Titles & Positions

Clinical Associate Professor, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine -

Professional Society Memberships

American Academy of Periodontology, American College of Prosthodontists, Northeastern Gnathological Society, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Association, American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, Northeastern Society of Periodontists, Academy of General Dentistry, New York Academy of Sciences