expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Angela P. Abernathy

Dentist

Dr. Angela Abernathy is a Dentist practicing in New York, NY. Dr. Abernathy 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.
Dr. Angela P. Abernathy
  • New York, NY
  • BS in Mathematics at Alabama A&M University
  • Accepting new patients

Veneers or invisalign?

Thank you for your question. It really depends on the amount of crowding you have and how your teeth come together, but orthodontics (such as Invisalign) is most likely best and READ MORE
Thank you for your question. It really depends on the amount of crowding you have and how your teeth come together, but orthodontics (such as Invisalign) is most likely best and more conservative. If after the teeth are properly aligned and you still don't like the appearance of those teeth, you can also look into getting veneers.

How long after tooth implant surgery can I get crown?

It can vary based on the situation, but it most cases it takes about 3-6 months for the bone to heal around the implant before the crown is placed

What is the alternative to a dental bridge?

The alternative to a dental bridge is either an implant or a partial denture. The implant in placed inside the bone and a false tooth is placed.

Are veneers bad for gums?

Thank you for your question. Well-done veneers are not bad for gums. If veneers are done properly they should not irritate the gums and look natural. If veneers are too bulky READ MORE
Thank you for your question. Well-done veneers are not bad for gums. If veneers are done properly they should not irritate the gums and look natural. If veneers are too bulky and are not positioned around the gums the correct way this can lead to the gums receding or cause them to be irritated and bleed.

How do you know if a cavity has reached the nerve?

If you are experiencing pain, it is very likely that the decay is very close to the nerve. The only way to truly know how big the cavity is, you must make a dental appointment READ MORE
If you are experiencing pain, it is very likely that the decay is very close to the nerve. The only way to truly know how big the cavity is, you must make a dental appointment for an exam and X-rays, then have the tooth treated.

Can a gap in front teeth be fixed?

Yes! A gap can absolutely be fixed. The options are braces or Invisalign, veneers, and bonding.

Can a root canal be done through an existing crown?

Yes, a root canal can be performed through an existing crown. This can, however, make the existing crown weaker and a new crown may be needed.

What to do if a piece of tooth breaks off?

Broken teeth happen for various reasons. They can also be a nuisance because they don’t look good or the sharp edges bother your tongue. Additionally, you may have pain due to READ MORE
Broken teeth happen for various reasons. They can also be a nuisance because they don’t look good or the sharp edges bother your tongue. Additionally, you may have pain due to nerve exposure. Either way, you don’t want to wait too long to address the problem as the tooth may fracture more, cause damage or may become more painful. You should visit your dentist as soon as possible to have the fractured tooth fully evaluated and treated.

What are the disadvantages of dental bridges?

Bridges are a great alternative for replacing missing teeth, however, there are some disadvantages. When preparing for a bridge, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth/teeth READ MORE
Bridges are a great alternative for replacing missing teeth, however, there are some disadvantages. When preparing for a bridge, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth/teeth will have to be shaved down. If the teeth have never had fillings before then this means cutting on perfectly okay teeth. Additionally, these teeth may end up needing root canals in the
future if they become hypersensitive after they are prepared. Cleaning under the bridge is a bit of a challenge as well. You will need to use either floss threaders or SuperFloss to properly clean under the bridge and around the teeth holding the bridge. If something happens to one of the teeth holding the bridge on, the entire bridge may need to cut off to address that one tooth.

When deciding on how to replace missing teeth, make sure you speak with your dentist regarding all options and what will work best for your individual needs.

Does tooth decay in baby teeth affect adult teeth?

If the decay is allowed to get bigger and causes more damage to the baby tooth, then the adult tooth can be affected. A lot of people think it's a waste because the baby tooth READ MORE
If the decay is allowed to get bigger and causes more damage to the baby tooth, then the adult tooth can be affected. A lot of people think it's a waste because the baby tooth will eventually be lost. However they may not happen for several years. The decay will continue to spread and can cause the tooth to abscess. If this happens, the adult tooth that is growing
beneath the baby tooth can become infected. That is why it is extremely important to have cavities in baby teeth filled before it gets to this point.

Are cavities possible in baby teeth?

Yes, it is VERY possible to get cavities on baby teeth. If the cavity is relatively small, a filling can be done. If it remains untreated, it can get bigger and cause pain, infection, READ MORE
Yes, it is VERY possible to get cavities on baby teeth. If the cavity is relatively small, a filling can be done. If it remains untreated, it can get bigger and cause pain, infection, and swelling and may need to have the nerve removed from the tooth and a crown placed on it or the tooth may need to be removed. Some people are concerned with having these types of treatments done because “the tooth is going to fall out anyway,” however, it is important to treat these teeth because they won’t “fall out” for a long time, in some cases (children start to lose baby teeth from the ages of 5 to about 13 in a specific sequence).

I am bleeding after 6 hours of my tooth extraction. What should I do?

You need to immediately contact the dentist that extracted your tooth...

How should I maintain my gum health?

I highly recommend that you floss every day, ideally after each meal. Make sure you're changing your brush every 3-4 months and only use a soft bristle brush. Never brush side READ MORE
I highly recommend that you floss every day, ideally after each meal. Make sure you're changing your brush every 3-4 months and only use a soft bristle brush. Never brush side to side. You either want to brush using small, circular strokes or up and down. Make sure you brush the backs of your teeth and the biting surfaces. Don't forget to use a tongue scraper as well. You also want to use mouth rinse.

Another good habit is to drink plenty of water and especially drink a glass of water after each meal. A lot of the foods we consume are acidic and can weaken he enamel of your teeth. The water will help neutralize the pH in your mouth and rinse away some of the food debris. You want to wait 30-45 mins after that to brush your teeth.

What should I do for my chipped tooth?

Hello! It really depends on the size of the chip. The treatment can either be simply buffing the tooth to make it smooth, bonding or placement of a veneer or crown.

I underwent a root canal treatment and it is paining again. What could be the reason?

Teeth can be very complex on the inside. There are several things that can be happening. There can still be nerve tissue left in an extra canal or the tooth can be re-infected. READ MORE
Teeth can be very complex on the inside. There are several things that can be happening. There can still be nerve tissue left in an extra canal or the tooth can be re-infected. The best thing to do is to go back to the dentist that did the root canal for an evaluation.

Do dentists offer services to the uninsured?

Yes. You do not have to have insurance to see any health care provider (though it is a huge help). You will have to pay out of pocket. Some offices do offer patient financing READ MORE
Yes. You do not have to have insurance to see any health care provider (though it is a huge help). You will have to pay out of pocket. Some offices do offer patient financing as well as discount programs.

Brushing too hard?

I do prefer electric brushes for various reasons, but with either an electric or manual brush, it is important to use one with soft bristles. You do not have to use a lot of hard READ MORE
I do prefer electric brushes for various reasons, but with either an electric or manual brush, it is important to use one with soft bristles. You do not have to use a lot of hard force with brushing. Also, do not use a side-to-side motion. Either brush up and down or use small circles and make sure you are brushing all of your teeth and brush for at least 2 minutes.

Front tooth cavity

You may want to consider veneers or crowns.

Very swollen and red gums after routine dental cleaning

That's hard to say. Was this cleaning a little more aggressive than normal? Have you recently switched oral care products (toothbrush, toothpaste, rinse, etc)? Has something READ MORE
That's hard to say. Was this cleaning a little more aggressive than normal? Have you recently switched oral care products (toothbrush, toothpaste, rinse, etc)? Has something changed with your diet and/or general health? Were there any issues or changes in your oral care habits before this particular cleaning? These are all things to consider, but you should also speak to the dentist and hygienist that you last visited to alert them as to what happened.

What is a dry socket?

After a tooth has been removed a clot forms during the start of the healing process. If the clot is disturbed and comes out of the socket, then you have what is called "dry socket", READ MORE
After a tooth has been removed a clot forms during the start of the healing process. If the clot is disturbed and comes out of the socket, then you have what is called "dry socket", or alveolar osteitis. The precautions that should have been taken to prevent this are to avoid disturbing the area as well as to avoid any type of sucking (using a straw, smoking, spitting, etc) for up to 3 days after the tooth has been removed. Your friend needs to see the doctor that extracted the tooth ASAP to have this addressed.