Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry
July 26th, 2010
This lovely lady’s smile makeover of porcelain veneers and crowns was done three years ago. She feels like it is one her best investments ever – a beautiful smile she can enjoy every day with frequent compliments. For more information regarding cosmetic and sedation dentistry in Phoenix visit our Glendale cosmetic dental office – DesertSmiles. To learn about the life saving oral appliance treatments for snoring and sleep apnea patients in Scottsdale and Peoria, AZ., visit www.DesertSmiles.com.
Posted in Before and after cosmetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentist Arizona, porcelain crowns, veneers | No Comments »
July 20th, 2010
Dental lasers are used in many aspects of modern dentistry. Lasers re-shape “gummy” smiles and are used to harden many of the advanced materials that are used in restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures. One of the most exciting uses for laser technology at Desert Smiles is the soft tissue laser for deep cleaning of diseased gum tissue.
Periodontal or gum disease affects millions of Americans and is the number one reason that people lose their teeth. While poor oral hygiene contributes to periodontal disease, other risk factors can contribute as well. Smokers, pregnant women, and individuals with poor nutrition are at a greater risk. Diabetes and gum disease are closely linked, and untreated gum disease has been proven to affect blood sugar levels.
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, it needs to be aggressively treated. Untreated gum disease not only causes tooth loss, but it can also lead to deterioration of the jaw bone.
The condition is treated by deep cleaning the gum tissue. Pockets of infected tissue are cleaned using the Nd:YAG laser, which removes the diseased tissue and seals the area. There is no bleeding or swelling following your procedure. The infection is controlled, and there is much less discomfort than following traditional deep debridement.
If you suffer from bleeding, red, or swollen gums, you probably have gum disease. Please contact our Scottsdale cosmetic dentist today to discuss your treatment options, including the Soft Tissue Laser. Desert Smiles serves patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, Arizona.
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July 19th, 2010
Last year, a study in an issue of SLEEP showed a clear association between averaging five hours or less of sleep each night and weight gain. Now in SLEEP May 2010 a Japanese study suggests eating habits are only part of the reason short sleep duration is interconnected with obesity.
People categorized as short sleepers tended to weigh more and exercise less.
They also preferred fatty food, snacked more frequently and ate out more often.
Those dietary habits were also associated with a high BMI, a characteristic of obesity.
Snoring and sleep apnea can be factors in having enough quality sleep to keep your metabolism in balance through a variety of biological pathways that can run amok when you do not get enough quality of sleep. If you are having trouble with weight gain or feeling rested, have yourself tested. Airway obstructions can prevent profound and much needed deep sleep.
For more information about snoring and sleep apnea devices in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, visit www.DesertSmiles.com.
Posted in Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Sleep Apnea, Weight gain and sleep | No Comments »
July 19th, 2010
In a recent posting on The Insomnia Blog by Michael J. Breus, PhD, (www.thesleepdoctor.com) research at Missouri State University shows links between sleep deprivation and migraines in rats.
About 12 percent of the population, or 36 million Americans, suffer from migraine headaches. Sleep disruption is one of the most important migraine triggers. Making sure you get enough quality sleep is important, but even more so it seems keeping the same sleep schedule can be a key to avoiding triggering migraines.
Sometimes a bad bite can also be a trigger for different types of headaches. It can cause excessive tension in the jaw muscles leading to referred pain in other areas of the head and severe headaches. Neuromuscular dentistry which evaluates the condition of the jaw muscles and determines the proper jaw position of jaw comfort can eliminate may headaches including some migraines.
For more information about snoring and sleep apnea treatment with oral appliances in Phoenix and Peoria AZ visit www.DesertSmiles.com. For the finest in sedation and neuromuscular dentistry see Glendale cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox.
Posted in Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Sleep Apnea | No Comments »
July 10th, 2010
The Zoom! tooth whitening system works fast – just like the name implies. This remarkable procedure for in-office teeth whitening works so fast that you will have whiter teeth in a little over an hour. Zoom! is the perfect whitening choice for busy professionals that want a younger looking, brighter smile but don’t want to wait days or weeks for results.
The procedure itself is very easy. While seated comfortably in a dental chair, your lips and gums are coated to protect them. The Zoom! whitening gel is then applied to your teeth and activated using a special light. You remain under this light for a short time while your teeth become whiter.
Following your whitening procedure, Phoenix cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox will treat your teeth with fluoride for a few minutes. You may notice that your teeth will continue to whiten for a few days following the procedure. This amazing procedure can make your smile six to ten shades whiter. You can easily keep your smile bright by using teeth whitening trays every few months for touch ups.
Dr. Wilcox asks you to remember that teeth whitening procedures always work best on freshly cleaned teeth, so you may want to schedule your whitening treatment immediately following your next dental cleaning.
Please contact our Phoenix cosmetic dentist today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Wilcox, serving patients in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, Arizona areas.
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July 5th, 2010
In the June 15, 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a new study reported a decrease in overall sexual satisfaction in men associated with OSA. OSA has been found associated with lower testosterone levels in men compared to controls, which may play a role in ED. One investigation found that severe OSA is a risk factor of ED. Moreover, ED associated with OSA may improve with CPAP or oral appliance therapy, or co-therapy especially for severe OSA.
Hey guys, if there aren’t enough critical health reasons to be tested for sleep apnea, especially if you are a snorer, here is another one to consider. For more information on Phoenix sleep anpea dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox and the testing and treatment options we have for snoring and sleep apnea in Glendale, visit www.DesertSmiles.com. For the finest in cosmetic and sedation dentistry in Scottsdale and Peoria, call 602-978-1790 to visit DesertSmiles.
Posted in Erectile dysfunction (ED), Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Sleep Apnea | 1 Comment »
July 5th, 2010
Dr. Donald Wilcox spent three days last week at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies for advanced training in Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Medicine. The course was conducted by Dr. Brian Allman DDS, DABDSM, DAAPM, FAACP, FASGD. Dr. Allman is one the foremost authorities and pioneers in Dental Sleep Medicine and the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliances. Dr.’s from all over the United States, Canada and Australia were present for this seminar. Dr. Wilcox, Glendale sleep apnea dentist, will be returning in November for three more days of comprehensive instruction.
Even though we have treated many cases of snoring and sleep apnea successfully, we are constantly updating our techniques and knowledge based upon the latest research in Sleep Medicine. In addition to extensive courses such as this, Dr. Wilcox is a member of three email forums with Dr.’s from around the country where information is shared on a daily basis. It is this commitment to continuing education that provides us the ability to provide the best to our snoring and sleep apnea patients from Glendale, Phoenix and Peoria, AZ. For more information about the finest in cosmetic and sedation dentistry in the Phoenix and Glendale areas visit www.DesertSmiles.com.
Posted in Continuing Education, Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Sleep Apnea | No Comments »
July 3rd, 2010
Tooth bleaching is the most common cosmetic dental treatment performed today. There are several options for whitening your teeth, including those available only from your dentist and a variety of over-the-counter options.
Before beginning any bleaching procedure, it is important to understand why the teeth have become discolored. Tooth enamel is discolored by aging as well as staining substances such as coffee, cigarettes, wine, and food. Some types of medication cause staining of the teeth, and certain types of discoloring from medications will not respond to any type of bleaching. In those cases, porcelain veneers can be placed on the stained teeth to give you a bright, white smile.
Scottsdale cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox often uses the ZOOM! tooth whitening system with his patients. This system will bleach your teeth by using a gel that is activated by a special light. The entire procedure can be completed in a one hour office visit.
Another tooth whitening option offered by Dr. Wilcox involves the use of custom fitted trays that are filled with bleaching gel and worn for a short time each day. This system of dental bleaching allows for total control over the final result. If your teeth are not the shade of white that you want, you simply wear the trays for a few more days. This method is usually less expensive than using the ZOOM! whitening system.
Many people think they will save money by purchasing over-the-counter bleaching strips or kits. However, you will get what you pay for. Over-the-counter products are not nearly as effective as professional tooth whitening products, and they also result in greater tooth sensitivity.
Please contact our Scottsdale cosmetic dentist to discuss your options and tooth whitening costs. Dr. Wilcox serves patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, and Glendale, Arizona.
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July 1st, 2010
Many people are candidates for sedation dentistry. Some choose to undergo sedation because they possess a terrible fear of the dentist or have had a previous bad experience with a dentist. Others may seek out sedation dentistry because they hate the noise of the drill and the tastes and smells that accompany dental work. The ability to accomplish a significant number of dentistry treatments in one or two appointments appeals to patients who have very busy schedules and lack the time to return to the dentist’s office for repeated small procedures.
Unfortunately, there are some people who cannot take advantage of sedation dentistry. These individuals include people who are pregnant or nursing, have allergies to benzodiazepine medications, have severe medical conditions, suffer from psychosis, are taking MAO inhibitors, are alcoholics, or have severe asthma, emphysema, or acute narrow angle glaucoma.
Scottsdale sedation dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox estimates that 90 to 95 percent of the adult population may be candidates for oral sedation dentistry. If the idea of relaxed, anxiety free dental treatment or the possibility of having many needed dental procedures performed without discomfort in just one or two visits is appealing to you, we may be able to help.
Please contact our Scottsdale sedation dentist today to find out if you are candidate for sedation dentistry. Desert Smiles serves patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, Arizona.
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June 28th, 2010
Extreme anxiety and fear of the dentist is more common than you might think. Many people delay or avoid dental treatment for years due to anxiety. Reasons for dental fear vary: family stories about bad experiences, a painful procedure in the past, a fear of getting numb, or a claustrophobic feeling in the dental chair. Whatever the reason for your anxiety, Scottsdale sedation dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox can help.
Putting off dental treatment only leads to higher expense and additional treatment requirements because the existing problems only get worse over time. Fortunately, sedation dentistry enables you to enter a semi-conscious state so that you can make it through your appointment without anxiety or fear.
Dr. Wilcox is a member of D.O.C.S., the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. He also completed a hospital program following dental school which included training in various types of anesthesia. The vast majority of dental sedation patients seen by Dr. Wilcox use an oral sedative that allows them to completely relax. While a form of IV anesthesia is available, most patients find that the oral sedation method works perfectly for them. While sedated, years of dental neglect can be repaired during just one visit.
Please contact our Scottsdale sedation dentist today to schedule your appointment with Desert Smiles, serving patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, Arizona.
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