When a dental concern goes beyond a routine cleaning or filling, the right provider can make all the difference in your outcome. Conditions like advanced gum disease, failing teeth, or a deep infection in the root of a tooth require a level of training and precision that general dentistry alone may not be able to provide. For residents across Rockland County, finding a team of dental professionals who focus solely on these complex cases means receiving care that is thorough, targeted, and built around long-term results.
At Rockland Dental Specialists, our periodontists and implant specialists, along with our endodontic team, deliver focused care for patients dealing with gum disease, tooth loss, root canal infections, and more. Led by Dr. Shalom Mintz, who is board-certified in periodontics and implantology, our team provides a full scope of advanced dental services from our New City office, serving communities throughout Rockland County, NY.
What Makes a Dental Specialist Different From a General Dentist?
General dentists handle a broad range of everyday oral health needs, from cleanings and fillings to basic restorations. The difference with a dental specialist is that they complete additional years of residency training in a focused area of dentistry. This concentrated education allows them to treat more complex conditions with a higher degree of proficiency. For patients in Rockland County, choosing a practice that brings multiple disciplines under one roof means fewer referrals and a more seamless treatment experience.
Our team includes periodontists, implant providers, and endodontists who collaborate closely to manage even the most involved cases. Dr. Mintz and Dr. David Peto bring years of advanced training in periodontics, treating conditions ranging from early-stage gum inflammation to severe bone loss. Dr. George Ilenikhena and board-certified endodontist Dr. Lisa Nava Cohen focus on endodontic care, performing root canal therapy, retreatments, and other procedures designed to save compromised teeth.
Periodontal Care for Gum Disease and Bone Loss
Gum disease remains one of the most widespread oral health challenges in the country. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 42.2% of adults aged 30 and older in the United States have some form of periodontitis, with prevalence increasing significantly with age. Left untreated, the condition can lead to receding gums, deteriorating bone, and eventual tooth loss.
Our periodontal services address every stage of gum disease. For patients in earlier stages, scaling and root planing can remove harmful bacteria below the gumline and promote healing. When the condition has progressed further, we offer surgical options including pocket reduction, osseous surgery, and soft tissue grafting. We also perform LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure), a less invasive technique that uses laser technology to target diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum and bone.
Regenerative and Cosmetic Periodontal Procedures
Beyond treating active disease, our periodontists perform procedures that restore both function and appearance. Ridge augmentation rebuilds areas of the jaw where bone has been lost, creating a stronger foundation for future restorations. Cosmetic periodontal surgery can reshape the gumline for patients who feel self-conscious about a gummy smile or uneven tissue. Each treatment plan is developed around your own unique anatomy and goals.
Dental Implant Solutions
Tooth loss certainly affects your smile, though it goes much further than that. Missing teeth can shift your remaining teeth out of alignment, weaken the jawbone over time, and make chewing exceedingly difficult. Dental implants offer a permanent, durable replacement that functions and feels like a natural tooth.
Our team places and restores implants for patients missing a single tooth, several teeth, or a full arch. For those who have experienced significant tooth loss, All-on-4 implants can support a complete set of teeth using just four strategically positioned posts. We also perform bone grafting, sinus lifts, and socket preservation to ensure the jawbone is strong enough to support implant placement. Since our periodontists and implant providers handle these procedures in-house, patients benefit from a coordinated process from start to finish.
Endodontic Treatment to Save Your Natural Teeth
A severe toothache, lingering sensitivity, or swelling near the root of a tooth often signals an infection deep inside the tooth’s pulp. Endodontic treatment, commonly known as a root canal, removes the infected tissue, cleans the inner chamber, and seals the tooth to prevent further damage. The goal is always to preserve the natural tooth whenever that’s possible.
Dr. Ilenikhena and Dr. Cohen use 3D imaging and advanced instrumentation to perform root canal therapy with precision. In cases where a previous root canal has not resolved the issue, our endodontists also provide retreatment and root amputation to give the tooth a second chance. Saving a natural tooth through endodontic care avoids the need for extraction and the more extensive restoration work that follows.
Additional Services for Patients of All Ages
Our scope of care extends beyond periodontics, implants, and endodontics. We offer myofunctional therapy to address improper tongue posture, breathing habits, and swallowing patterns that can affect oral development and sleep quality. For infants, children, and adults dealing with restricted oral tissue, we perform tongue-tie and lip-tie releases to improve feeding, speech, and overall function. Our team also provides:
- Sleep apnea evaluations and oral appliance consultations for patients struggling with disrupted rest
- Oral surgery services including wisdom tooth extractions, biopsies, and socket preservation
- Oral cancer screenings to detect abnormalities in their earliest stages
- Comprehensive periodontal maintenance programs designed to protect your results after treatment
These services allow us to manage a wide range of conditions without requiring patients to visit multiple offices across Rockland County.
Schedule a Visit With Rockland Dental Specialists
Our team at Rockland Dental Specialists shares one vision: to earn each patient’s trust and provide the highest quality personalized care. With over 24 years of combined experience in periodontics, implants, and endodontics, Dr. Mintz, Dr. Peto, Dr. Ilenikhena, and Dr. Cohen bring advanced training and genuine compassion to every appointment. Our high-end office in New City is designed for comfort, featuring large dental chairs, complimentary Keurig coffee, and in-room entertainment.
We also make treatment accessible by offering complimentary insurance verifications and custom payment plans tailored to your needs. Whether you are facing gum disease, considering implants, or need root canal therapy, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.