Desert Smiles Blog
Archive for June, 2010
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Friday, June 18th, 2010
The majority of people who suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea are not aware they have this dangerous condition. They may wonder why they wake in the morning with headaches, feeling groggy and sleepy throughout the day. The condition poses many dangers including the increased risk of accident because sufferers may fall asleep at work or while driving.
Accidents are not the only risk to your health from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The condition results in breathing stoppages which may occur up to several hundred times each night, robbing the body of oxygen and damaging the heart and lungs. Studies have proven links between untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea and stroke, heart disease, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and early death.
Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is made following a sleep study, either in a sleep lab using a Polysomnogram or with a more convenient take-home sleep device such as the Watch PAT-200, which allows testing in the comfort of your own home. These testing options all monitor your breathing and oxygen levels during sleep to arrive at a diagnosis.
Once diagnosed, there are various treatment options ranging from surgery to easy-to-use oral appliances. The gold standard of treatment for many years has been the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. The CPAP machine uses pressurized air administered through tubing and a face mask to keep your airway open while sleeping. Most people, however, find sleeping with the device uncomfortable and cannot continue using the device for the long term.
In contrast, oral appliance therapy has been proven to be effective, and recent studies have shown that patients continue to wear their oral appliances for many years quite comfortably. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine now “recommends oral appliances for managing snoring and sleep apnea in patients with mild and moderate sleep apnea and those severe cases where a patient refuses to use CPAP or is CPAP intolerant”. Additionally, they state that “oral appliances should be fitted by qualified dental personnel who are trained and experienced in the overall care of oral health, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), dental occlusion (the bite) and associated oral structures (muscles of chewing).”
Donald Wilcox, D.D.S., your Phoenix sleep apnea dentist, has received extensive training in neuromuscular dentistry which includes the working of the jaw joint and related muscles. As your Phoenix Dental Sleep Medicine practitioner, Dr. Wilcox is uniquely qualified to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea using oral appliance therapy.
If you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea or suspect that you may suffer from this condition, please contact our Phoenix, Arizona sleep apnea dentist without delay. Diagnosis and treatment of your obstructive sleep apnea will improve your health and quality of life.
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Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Snoring is very common in the United States. An estimated 30-50% of the population snores at one time or another. While snoring is usually the basis for jokes in movies and television shows, it can cause serious problems such as:
- Marital Issues
- Sleep Disturbances (from your spouse keeping you up all night)
- Waking at Night (from your own noisy snoring)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring may be a social problem, but Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious, life threatening condition that is characterized by prolonged interruptions of breathing during sleep. Over 20 million Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and the vast majority of them have not been diagnosed.
Patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea stop breathing during sleep because tissue in the mouth and throat relax, blocking the airway. These breathing disturbances happen many times each night. In some severe cases, it may occur as many as 60 to 100 times each hour. Often, the patient does not realize it is happening. The noticeable symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
- Falling Asleep at Work
- Headaches
- High Blood Pressure
- Brain “Fog” (inability to focus well)
New research has linked Obstructive Sleep Apnea to heart disease, stroke, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and early death. Fortunately, it is easily diagnosed and treated.
While the gold standard for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea has been CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), most patients find they cannot tolerate sleeping with a mask and tubing each night. An alternative offered by your dental sleep medicine practitioner, Dr. Donald Wilcox, is oral appliance therapy.
This approach uses a custom made oral appliance to gently move the jaw forward, preventing the airway from being blocked during sleep. Studies have shown that most patients remain compliant using the appliance each night.
Not everyone that snores suffers from obstructive sleep apnea; however, if you suffer from very loud snoring, you should review the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and discuss testing with Phoenix sleep apnea dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox.
Please contact our Phoenix sleep apnea dentist today to arrange your appointment with Dr. Wilcox and start your journey toward a good night of sleep. Desert Smiles serves patients in Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area.
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Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disease, as common as diabetes. Unfortunately, most of the patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are unaware that they have this dangerous condition. There is no blood test, there is no red flag seen by your doctor at your annual physical. The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are more commonly pointed out by a spouse. The most common signs of OSA include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of breathing stopping during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath or gasping
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep
Consult your doctor if you experience, or if your partner observes the following actions:
- Snoring loud enough to wake you or your partner
- Shortness of breath or gasping that awakens you from sleep
- Pauses in your breathing during sleep
- Extreme daytime drowsiness. This may cause you to fall asleep while you’re working, watching television or even driving
Many people don’t think of snoring as a sign of something potentially serious, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. But be sure to talk to your doctor if you experience loud snoring, especially snoring that’s punctuated by periods of silence. A definitive diagnosis will require a referral to a sleep center for evaluation.
OSA is a dangerous disease that can cause heart attack, stroke and even death. Chronic diseases such as diabetes are also affected by obstructive sleep apnea.
Following a diagnosis by a sleep physician your prescribed treatment may include sleeping with a CPAP machine. A very large number of patients with OSA cannot or will not tolerate sleeping with the masks and tubes that accompany CPAP therapy. While considered the standard therapy it is not for everyone.
Another option that has been approved for treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea is the oral appliance. Oral appliance therapy is only available through your dental sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Donald Wilcox. Utilizing a custom fitted oral appliance that moves the jaw forward, thus keeping the airway open, many patients are able to achieve a good night’s sleep at last.
If you suffer from OSA or if you or your partner exhibit the symptoms of OSA, please contact Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry serving the Arizona area immediately to schedule your consultation. Your overall health is our most important concern.
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Tray Teeth Whitening Gives Full Control
Sunday, June 13th, 2010
Whiter, brighter smiles are one of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures. Coffee, wine, various foods all stain teeth and take away the beautiful white teeth we had as youngsters. While there are many options for achieving this, the favorite procedure for most dentists remains professionally supervised Tray Teeth Whitening. Also called night-time whitening or at-home whitening the process begins with a visit to your cosmetic dentist.
Whitening your teeth always works best when your teeth are clean. The perfect time to schedule your appointment for Tray Teeth Whitening is immediately following your regular dental hygiene appointment. Your Desert Smiles hygienist has created the perfect, clean surface for optimal tooth bleaching success.
The office visit will include impressions taken of your upper and lower teeth. Thin, custom bleaching trays will then be created using the impressions of your teeth to ensure that the bleaching material is in contact with your teeth and does not touch your gums and cause irritation.
An education session outlining how to place the bleaching material in the trays, how long to wear them, what to do to avoid sensitivity, and what to expect is detailed for each patient. The beauty of the Tray Teeth Whitening system is that the patient has complete control of the final outcome. The teeth are whitened day by day utilizing a professional strength peroxide gel and once the perfect shade of white is achieved the patient can stop bleaching.
If staining from food or drink reoccurs, which it most probably will, then touch-ups are easily done at home. Remember the following advantages of teeth whitening using the tray method:
- It is the simplest cosmetic dental procedure
- It is relatively inexpensive
- Your smile becomes permanently whiter.
- Maintaining maximum whiteness requires only minor touch up treatments.
In the Phoenix area, please contact Scottsdale, Arizona cosmetic dentist, Dr. Donald Wilcox, to discuss your options for whiter, brighter smile.
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Pure Power Mouthguard®
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
The PPM® or Pure Power Mouthguard® offers both professional and amateur athletes clinically proven improved performance in a wide variety of sports. Clinical trials at Rutgers University have proven that using this custom fitted appliance (called a PPM or Pure Power Mouthguard) provides significant improvement in strength by 15% to 30%. Flexibility, range of rotation and endurance are all enhanced. How does it work? By placing your jaw in its physiological rest position, the tension in the muscles is released allowing better balance and muscle alignment. The results are immediate and amazing.
During the 2010 Superbowl many members of the New Orleans Saints wore PPM’s during play.
If you are a candidate for Pure Power Mouthguard, your neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Wilcox will use computerized jaw tracking equipment to determine your optimal bite. Impressions of your teeth will be made and your PPM will be fabricated at a special lab. Your final fitting and delivery will be completed during your second appointment.
Professional athletes and amateurs have discovered that using a PPM improves their games – golf, basketball, baseball, hockey, running, yoga, weight training – almost any athletic effort is improved by using a PPM. Only a small number of elite dentists with significant neuromuscular dentistry experience are certified and qualified to fit patients with the PPM. Dr. Donald Wilcox is the only PPM certified dentist in Glendale, Arizona. For more information on Pure Power Mouthguard and how it can enhance your game contact us today to schedule a consultation with your Glendale neuromuscular dentist.
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The Advantages of Whiter Teeth
Friday, June 11th, 2010
Getting your teeth white and bright has become the most popular service rendered in a dental office as a cosmetic service. Reasons for bleaching range from wanting to look good for a big day such as a wedding or reunion. Looking more youthful for job interviews is becoming a more popular reason than ever for patients wanting a bright, young smile. The good news about the technology of tooth whitening is that you have choices on how to achieve your white goals! To decide which method is best for you discuss what you hope to achieve with tooth whitening and your schedule and lifestyle with your cosmetic dentist. Together you can decide which method would be most appropriate for you.
Teeth whitening options begin with over the counter whitening products are found in every grocery store, drug store and megamart. The active ingredients in these products are different form those that you would obtain in a dental office and thus the results may not be as good as one may want. This is a less expensive approach to getting white teeth but unpredictable due to the nature of the product.
For patients who want a white smile immediately, whitening systems like ZOOM! are a perfect choice. The ZOOM! system is performed in the dental office. A special bleaching gel is placed on your teeth and then subjected to a special light. This process is repeated through a series of treatments that last approximately two hours. The results are immediate and in most cases exactly what the patient wants. Because there is not exact control of the bleaching method some smiles may be whiter or less white than the patient’s goals.
For complete control over the whitening process the choice is professional teeth whitening at home using custom trays and gels provided by your Scottsdale cosmetic dentist. This method takes a little longer, the trays are worn each day for a specific period of time and the teeth are a little whiter each day. The results are completely under the control of the patient and much more predictable. This method does require diligence and patience to be effective. It also it provides the patient with the opportunity to periodically give the teeth a whitening boost.
Your experienced Scottsdale cosmetic dentist, Dr. Donald Wilcox and his team of dental professionals at Desert Smiles will be happy to answer all of your questions about dental bleaching. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation to see which method of teeth whitening can give you the smile you have always dreamed of having.
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Preventing Gum Disease
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Each week it seems that new research is announced that connects gum disease to other diseases in the human body. We know that gum disease is connected to heart disease, that it affects blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and the bacteria from periodontal disease has been found in the amniotic fluid of premature babies. Gum disease is easily preventable with regular dental hygiene visits and good brushing and flossing habits.
Gingivitis is the earliest form of periodontal disease. The disease begins when we fail to adequately remove plaque that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque is a colorless sticky deposit of bacteria and their byproducts. The plaque acts as an irritant, think of how a pebble might irritate your foot if it is stuck in your shoe. Remove the pebble the sore on your foot heals, likewise remove the plaque and the gums heal and return to a healthy state.
If the plaque is not removed, however, it will begin to form tartar. Tartar or calculus (as it is called by dental professionals) is a hard calcified substance that can not only affect the gums but also the jaw bone.
Periodontal disease is, for the most part, asymptomatic. If you are experiencing pain from periodontal disease then the disease has become chronic and much more difficult to resolve. Fortunately, modern dental science offers better treatment options for gum disease than in the past.
The best treatment for gum disease is prevention. Maintain good home care, brushing and flossing each day. Visit your dental hygienist at least twice each year. If you are experiencing the early stages of gum disease you may be placed on a 90 day recall schedule. This is not a random time frame but rather because at approximately 90 days the bacteria that causes gum disease begins to re-colonize when tested in a lab.
Your total health and well being is important to us at Desert Smiles. Scottsdale cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox and his experienced team will answer all your questions about gum disease and your overall health. Please contact us today to schedule your next dental cleaning.
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Nitrous Oxide – An Accidental Discovery
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Modern dentistry has removed the “ouch” from dental procedures. However, in 1799 there wasn’t even a word for “anesthesia”. When surgery was performed, the doctors of the day actually believed that pain was good – they believed that it helped the body heal faster.
Dental patients the world over can thank a young chemist named Humphry Davy who accidentally discovered nitrous oxide and gave the world its first true anesthetic. The story of Mr. Davy and 18th century medical science is described in the book Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes.
The young Mr. Davy was actually seeking a cure for tuberculosis by experimenting with inhaling different types of gases. Unlike experimentation today which occurs in a lab, he usually experimented on himself and his friends. Nitrous Oxide, he soon discovered, was not a cure for lung diseases but fortunately Humphry Davy had a tooth ache one day while he was experimenting with nitrous oxide and he noticed that the pain temporarily disappeared after inhaling the gas. Mr. Davy wrote an article suggesting that the gas might help patients undergoing surgery but it was another 40 years before the concept of pain-free procedures took hold.
Nitrous Oxide has remained a popular, safe and highly effective anesthetic for dental treatment for many years. While there are more modern forms of dental sedation there is nothing else that enables the patient to recover from the anesthetic effects so quickly.
To ensure that our patients are free from anxiety and discomfort while undergoing treatment, Desert Smiles offers a wide range of anesthetics and sedation dentistry. If you have questions regarding your options for anxiety-free dentistry in Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area, please contact us today.
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The Importance of Patient Education
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Here at Desert Smiles we realize that an educated patient is our best partner in achieving and maintaining your optimal dental health. Your dental patient education will include lessons in proper brushing and flossing when you arrive for your regular dental hygiene appointment.
Patient education is important for many reasons. First, the examination that Dr. Wilcox gives new dental patients may also be more comprehensive than those you have received from other dentists. Don’t worry. Dr. Wilcox will explain each step, including oral cancer screening, testing for cavities using the newest technologies such as DIAGNOdent, the intra-oral camera and digital dental imaging instead of old-fashioned x-rays. As an experienced neuromuscular dentist, Dr. Wilcox understands the importance of healthy jaw joints and musculature and will be happy to share this information with you. Your screening will also cover potential medical conditions such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
As a member of the Desert Smiles family of patients you will learn why dental hygiene appointments are scheduled at 3 month or six month intervals depending upon the patients’ periodontal health. All of the dental jargon and multi-syllable scientific terminology will be explained so you fully understand treatments that are required and any options available to you.
Being an educated consumer is important in all areas of life, and is especially important when dealing with your health. Join us at Desert Smiles “University” and become the most educated dental patient you know!
Please contact our Glendale area office today to schedule an appointment and begin your journey as an educated dental consumer in the Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry family.
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Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Monday, June 7th, 2010
If you have been living with chipped or discolored teeth then dental cosmetic bonding may be for you. Dental bonding is a very common cosmetic procedure that is easily done in just one office visit.
Very often a front tooth becomes worn or chipped over time leaving a smile that is less than perfect. Dental bonding by your LVI trained cosmetic dentist, Dr. Donald Wilcox, uses the most technologically advanced dental resins to repair the chipped area. Extensive training in cosmetic dentistry is important so that color matching of the resin to the natural tooth is perfect. Once the repair is in place it is hardened in place using a special laser. The restoration is then refined, polished and complete.
Dental bonding is not limited to chipped teeth. Teeth that have uneven length or areas of receding gums are also candidates for cosmetic dental bonding. It is important to remember that dental bonding can stain and discolor due to smoking or drinking coffee or red wine. Cosmetic dental bonding is sometimes chosen as an alternative to porcelain veneers. While both type of restoration can repair chips and cracks, the porcelain veneer is typically more durable and long lasting although more expensive.
The experienced team of dental professionals at Desert Smiles will be happy to answer all of your questions about dental bonding in Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale or the greater Phoenix area. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation to see if dental bonding can give you the smile you have always dreamed of having.
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