Carla Schlissel, DDS

Dentist

500 Montauk Highway D West Islip New York, 11795 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Carla H. Schlissel, DDS, is a dentist who diagnoses and treats patients at her private practice in West Islip, NY. Services provided include general and cosmetic dentistry. As a dentist, she has dedicated training and unique experience specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. Dr. Schlissel has an impressive professional journey that spans thirty-five years and has expanse knowledge and unrivaled expertise in general and cosmetic dentistry.

Education and Training

State University of New York at Buffalo Doctor of Dental Surgery degree 1984

Provider Details

Female English

Carla Schlissel, DDS

Carla Schlissel, DDS's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What are the potential complications of wisdom tooth impaction?
It depends on several factors. Impaction means, basically, that your tooth is not "in your mouth." If it is poking out of the bone, but still submerged under your gums, it's a soft-tissue impaction. If it's still fully within the bone, it's a full-bony impaction. If it's poking part-way out of the bone, but still totally under the gums, it's a partial bony impaction. If it's angled toward the tooth in front of it, that can create a potential problem if it starts moving. It's possible that it can begin to "grow" into the tooth in front of it. Depending on the angulation, it could cause a situation similar to a cavity. At that point you would probably need the wisdom tooth removed, and the "hole" in the adjoining tooth filled. If the tooth is horizontally impacted, as it moved it could "eat" it's way into the adjoining tooth's roots, and you would then lose both teeth. On the other hand, the wisdom tooth may just stay where it is and not move at all. In that case, there are no complications. The problem is that we really can't predict which situation may play itself out. Let's assume for a moment that your wisdom tooth is horizontally impacted and it just sits there, so you do nothing. I'm assuming you're "young" yet. Now at age 80 or 85, the tooth begins to move into the roots of the tooth in front of it. Your ability to heal is significantly less than when you are in your 20s, 30s, even 40s. Your ability to build bone is decreased as you age, as well. So healing will take longer and will not be as easy as it is now.My suggestion is to speak to your dentist or get an oral surgeon consultation, and get their opinion. Your dentist will probably be the one who knows you best. Good luck. READ MORE
How often should I floss my teeth?
Brush and floss your teeth every night. Please note: message attached READ MORE
Do painkillers help with root canal pain?
Yes. If you're able, take 2 Ibuprofen and 1 "tylenol". First check with whoever is doing the root canal therapy for you. READ MORE
Can gingivitis be fixed?
Interesting way of posing a question. Yes, gingivitis can be"fixed." You need to keep your teeth and gums and mouth clean. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that's normally in your mouth, that every 24 hours it organizes and plops down on your teeth and gums. You have to make sure that you brush that plaque off of your teeth and gums thoroughly. In addition you have to clean between your teeth as well. And don't forget to brush your tongue and clean your pallet, because bacteria and plaque accumulates there as well. I find that a battery or electric toothbrush generally works better than brushing by hand, it is more effective as long as it's used properly. Do not scrub with it like you do with a regular toothbrush. Clean one tooth at a time for a couple of seconds on each tooth, at the gum line, so that the toothbrush can break up and remove the plaque. To clean between your teeth you can use dental floss or a WaterPik Water Flosser. Aim the pic at your gums, and go slowly along the gum line, and when it's between your teeth let it sit there for 3 seconds so it can gently flush out any plaque and debris. Use it at a low setting, for instance a 2 or 3. I often suggest an antibacterial rinse of some sort be put into the reservoir of the water flosser. Please note: message attached READ MORE
Does professional teeth cleaning prevent cavities?
No, not much. But it will prevent gum disease, as well as bad/putrid/disgusting breath. A professional cleaning will also remove plaque (biofilm/bacteria) from below the gumline if it's there. It is also an opportunity for your dentist to check your teeth for cavities, as well as your gums for gingivitis or periodontitis, as well as perform a head and neck oral cancer exam to be sure that you are looking good, head-and-neck-wise READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 implant for you. READ MORE
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
Will Invisalign get rid of black triangles?
Maybe. Check with an orthodontist. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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 hard. Also, moderate the extremes of hot and cold. Just like a sidewalk cracks, so does porcelain. Talk to your dentist. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE
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. Please note: message attached READ MORE
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 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 READ MORE
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. 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. READ MORE
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 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. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Dentistry

Awards

America's Top Dentists
Various Who's Who

Professional Memberships

Suffolk County Dental Society
New York State Dental Society
American Dental Association

Treatments

Family Dentistry

Professional Society Memberships

American Dental Association, New York State Dental Association, Suffolk County Dental Society

What do you attribute your success to?

Cares for and Treats her Patients Like Family

Hobbies / Sports

Needlework, Karate, Reading, Gardening

Favorite professional publications

Dental Town

Carla Schlissel, DDS's Practice location

Carla H. Schlissel, DDS

500 Montauk Highway D -
West Islip, New York 11795

Get Direction

New patients: 631-669-1866

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

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Media Releases

Get to know Dentist Dr. Carla Schlissel, who serves patients in West Islip, New York.

Dr. Schlissel is a dentist who is currently serving patients at her private practice – Dr Carla H. Schlissel Family Dentistry – located in West Islip, New York. There, she offers several dental services, including whitening, veneers, dentures, fillings, and more.

Dr. Schlissel truly enjoys the practice of dentistry and it shows. Her patients have excellent things to say about her, one stating “Dr. Carla is an outstanding dentist. Her gentle, sweet nature put me at ease. She is easy to talk to and I am very happy with her care.”

Born and raised in Valley Stream, Dr. Schlissel graduated from Valley Stream North High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. John’s University. After working as a lab technician for over a year, she “shuffled off to Buffalo” and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

In order to stay up to date in her field, she remains a member of several professional organizations, including the New York State Dental Association, the Suffolk County Dental Society, and the American Dental Association. She attributes her success to caring for and treating patients like family.

Dentistry, also known as Dental and Oral Medicine, is a branch of medicine that consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity. Dentists, like Dr. Schlissel, diagnose and treat dental issues, as well as help patients develop better oral hygiene regimens.

In her spare time, Dr. Schlissel enjoys embroidery, gardening, reading, spending time with her family, as well as being a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts.