Risks and Risk Factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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risks & risk factors of obstructive sleep apneaNot all sleep disorders are obvious to the one who experiences them. For instance, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can deprive you of deep, restful sleep even if you don’t realize what’s happening. What typically hints at the condition is the loud, distinct snoring pattern that often marks its presence. Yet, patients who are not disturbed by the snoring may not realize that they should seek treatment for it.

Obstructive sleep apnea means your airway becomes clogged by oral tissues as you sleep, causing increasingly-loud snoring until the airway closes completely and you stop breathing. The nature of sleep apnea makes it a significant risk factor in a variety of systemic health issues.  (more…)

filed under: Dental Health, General Dentistry, Services

Important Things to Know About Gum Disease

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important things to know about gum diseaseIf you’ve ever visited the dentist, or seen a mouthwash commercial, then you’ve probably heard of gum disease and its predecessor, gingivitis. Did you know, though, that the dental condition is one of the most widespread chronic diseases in the nation? As a progressive illness, gum disease affects nearly 80% of adults in America in varying stages, the most severe of which (periodontitis) is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Despite its destructive power, however, gum disease is highly treatable, although once it develops beyond gingivitis, it is no longer curable. (more…)

filed under: Dental Health, Preventive Dentistry

Could You Benefit from Dental Implants?

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could you benefit from dental implantsJust because you’ve lost a tooth, or more, doesn’t mean your days of confident smiles are over. You have several options for tooth replacement, depending on your specific needs, and most provide lifelike cosmetic results that make them indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Only one option, though, is able to replace all that you lost, including the roots that supported your missing teeth from within your jawbone. Dental implants are made from biocompatible materials, like titanium, so your jawbone bonds to them, supporting the implants like it does your teeth’s roots. (more…)

filed under: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry, Services

Is It Possible to Prevent Cavities?

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is it possible to prevent cavitiesTooth decay, the reason why we develop cavities, may be the most widespread chronic disease among adults and children alike, but it’s also among the most preventable diseases in the world. In fact, knowing how cavities form can grant you the power to prevent them, even if you’ve already had one. If a cavity appears, then restorative dentistry can save your smile by eliminating the infection and restoring your tooth’s structural integrity. Before it becomes a factor, however, you can prevent cavity development by addressing the issues that cause them in the first place. (more…)

filed under: Dental Health, Preventive Dentistry

Invisalign vs. Braces: Which is Right for You?

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Closeup of Invisalign TraysDid you know that crooked, gapped, or protruding teeth can harm your smile in more ways than one. You already know that crooked teeth can mar the overall look of your smile making it look unhealthy and unattractive. Second, crowded and overlapping teeth create a teeth cleaning nightmare and can increase the risk for gum disease and tooth decay. Traditional metal braces are the most conventional option for straightening a crooked smile, but Invisalign clear aligners, with their shorter average treatment time and discreet appearance might be just the right solution for you. (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Smile Improvement

3 Helpful Uses for Dental Crowns

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Business Woman Showing Three Ways Dental Crowns Can Help Her SmileThe ancient Etruscans used gold crowns to protect damaged teeth in addition to using them as a flashy way of showing off one’s wealth. For thousands of years, gold was the crown material of choice, but over the last 100 years or so, porcelain, zirconia, and porcelain-metal hybrid crowns have become more popular, due to their ability to blend in subtly with the surrounding teeth. Dental crowns are the second-most frequently placed dental restoration after dental fillings and with good reason: these simple dental restorations have a wide range of different applications in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

3 Common Hurdles to Porcelain Veneers

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Woman Ready to Jump Hurdles (that Could Metaphorically Prevent Her from Getting Porcelain Veneers_Porcelain veneers provide an ideal way for your cosmetic dentist to correct a number of cosmetic smile flaws, like severe stains, chipped teeth, gapped teeth, or oddly shaped teeth, and help you achieve the kind of beautiful smile you’ve always felt lacking. Unfortunately, patients with certain oral health problems do not make good candidates for this procedure. Become a more informed dental patient with this guide to three common obstacles that interfere with qualifying for porcelain veneers. (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry

Options for Denture Wearers

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Old Man Happy to Hear About His Denture OptionsExperts report that as many as 35 million Americans have no remaining natural teeth and that over 20 million Americans wear dentures. Whether you’ve worn dentures for many years or you are expecting to be fitted for dentures in the near future, you might be surprised to learn that you have a number of options when it comes to the look, fit, and feel of your dentures. Before making this life-changing decision, you should take the time to do some research and learn which denture option best fits your lifestyle needs. (more…)

filed under: Dental Implants

3 Reasons To Treat Sleep Apnea

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Couple Dealing with the General Cruddiness of Sleep ApneaAccording to the American Sleep Apnea Association, as many as 22 million American live with obstructive sleep apnea. Even more unsettling, as many as 80% of those people have moderate or severe sleep apnea that is undiagnosed (and, as a result, untreated). Since current research strongly suggests a close link between untreated sleep apnea and serious physical, neurological, and psychological health problems, getting an official diagnosis and seeking out treatment is essential. Whether your prescribed treatment plan includes an oral sleep apnea appliance from your dentist or a CPAP machine from a sleep doctor, sticking with your treatment will help you enjoy these benefits. (more…)

filed under: General Dentistry

3 Ways Lasers Can Help Your Smile

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Handheld Dental Laser Held by Female DentistIn one of those ironic twists of scientific history, lasers were created before anyone had quite figured out how to use them. However, after the first recorded use of laser technology in 1960, scientists from many fields were discovering new ways to use these concentrated beams of intense light energy. It wasn’t too long before the medical field and eventually, the dental field, began using them as adjuncts to certain procedures. Your family dentist may even use laser dentistry to treat a number of commonplace oral health problems.  (more…)

filed under: Dental Health