Desert Smiles Blog

Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Oral Appliance Therapy Reduces Blood Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

Dr. Donald Wilcox, Phoenix sleep apnea dentist, has personally experienced the results from a study published in Sleep Magazine. In this study from Australia, oral appliances, like those we construct at our Glendale Center for Sleep Dentistry, resulted in reduction in blood pressure, similar to that reported with CPAP. For more information about snoring and sleep apnea in Peoria, or the finest in cosmetic and sedation and guided surgery implants visit www.DesertSmiles.com.

Posted in Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Sleep Apnea, Uncategorized, Weight gain and sleep, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea, sleep problems, snoring, somomed | No Comments »

Radio Communication to Better Serve You

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

One of the things you will notice when you visit the Dessert Smiles office is the technology we use in all facets of your care. Intra oral video cameras that allow you to see what the dentist sees, lasers that detect cavities, more lasers that treat gum disease, even more lasers that help harden your new tooth colored filling – technology is an integral part of how we treat our patients.

Technology has also been put to use to ease our office communications. By utilizing small headsets attached to radio communication devices our staff can stay on top of every phase of your visit without having to leave your side. The team members at Desert Smiles are not running back and forth or shouting for information during your treatment. This calm, peaceful environment allows for a more relaxed dental appointment for you and for our team.

For more information on technology and dentistry in the Phoenix area please contact your cosmetic dentist, Dr. Donald Wilcox. Let us show you how technology in dentistry can help you achieve a beautiful healthy smile and a more relaxing appointment.

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Intra Oral Dental Camera

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Understanding why your dentist is suggesting certain procedures is sometimes difficult. The intra oral dental camera makes it much easier by allowing you, the patient, to see what the dentist sees.

The intra oral camera is a small video camera that projects the images from inside your mouth to the television screen. Using this device your Scottsdale cosmetic dentist can show you problems such as cracked teeth, leaking margins in old restorations, large mercury fillings that are beginning to break down, problems with gum tissue or suspicious areas on other tissues in the mouth. The intra oral camera magnifies these problem areas allowing you to easily see the reasons for the treatments being suggested.

Dentistry today can help patients avoid many painful and expensive treatments by preventing existing problems from getting worse. The old, broken down mercury filling can be replaced by a tooth colored composite resin thereby avoiding additional decay and perhaps a root canal or crown. You cannot feel these ongoing problems, because they do not cause pain or discomfort until much, much later – therefore many people put off having the treatment needed until it is too late.

The intra oral camera gives a magnified, full-color picture of your mouth allowing for a full discussion of the obvious problems and treatment options with Scottsdale dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox. Please contact Desert Smiles today to discuss how technology such as the intra oral camera can help you achieve your optimal dental health.

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Patient Statistics for Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist Donald Wilcox and Desert Smiles | Looking for the best dentist?

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

In a continuing effort to increase customer satisfaction here at Desert Smiles, we do customer surveys after their appointment. We have included these reviews and testimonials in other blog posts. Here we will include the actual statistics from these surveys.

We ask our patients six different questions, all meant to improve their experience.

1. How would you rate your overall visit?

89% of patients answered: Excellent.

9% of patients answered: Very Good.

2. When your appointment was over did you have a good understanding of your dental situation?

98% of patients answered: Yes.

3. Were your financial options explained to you?

51% of patients answered: Yes.

46% of patients answered: I already understood my financial options.

4. Did you have to wait past your appointment time to be seated? If so how long?

90% of patients answered: No.

5. Did our team greet you properly?

99% of patients answered: Yes.

6. Would you refer your family and friends to us?

99% of patients answered: Yes

If your looking for the best dentist in Phoenix, you should consider these statistics and customer satisfaction in your decision.

Donald Wilcox is a Cosmetic Dentist in Phoenix Arizona. He also is a sedation dentist in Glendale and is a member of the IACA – International Academy of Comprehensive Aesthetics

For the full survey results, click the image below.

Tags: Afraid of the dentist, Desert Smiles, desert smiles reviews, Donald Wilcox, donald wilcox reviews, Fear of the dentist, Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist, phoenix sedation dentist, testimonials
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Dental Lasers

Tuesday, 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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ZOOM! Whitening

Saturday, 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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Dentist Supervised Tooth Whitening Vs. Over-the-Counter Whitening

Saturday, 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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Sedation Dentistry – Are You a Candidate?

Thursday, 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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What is Sedation Dentistry?

Monday, 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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Bad Breath Treatment

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Everyone has experienced bad breath at one time or another. Temporary bad breath is usually caused by food that you have recently eaten, or most commonly by bacteria in your mouth and on your tongue. Chronic bad breath can be caused by bacterial colonies in the mouth and throat, sinus drainage, tonsil stones and often periodontal disease. Other causes of bad breath include low carb diets and certain underlying medical conditions such as liver and kidney problems, chronic infections in the respiratory tract, or gastrointestinal problems.

Other than avoiding garlic, you can help prevent bad breath by brushing your teeth after eating, flossing every day, and most importantly, cleaning your tongue. Tongue brushing or scraping is not usually on our to-do list for daily oral care, but it is important for reducing or eliminating bad breath.

The tongue is full of cracks and crevices that are a perfect home for oral bacteria. The bacteria live in the cracks and feed on the food you have eaten, ultimately giving off compounds that we detect as bad breath.

A simple plastic tongue scraper is inexpensive and easily obtained at your corner drugstore. Scrape the instrument gently from the base of your tongue forward. Take several strokes to cover the entire tongue – you’ll be surprised at what you see. Rub a small dab of toothpaste on your tongue and hold it there while you brush your teeth, rinse, and spit. Do not swallow the toothpaste. Your teeth and tongue are clean and ready to face the day.

Mouth rinses and mouthwash usually are not very effective at treating bad breath. They merely cover up the problem for a short time and the sugar in the product then adds more food for the bacteria, making the problem worse.

Remember that professional dental hygiene appointments are important to remove bacteria and plaque from under the gum line.

If you feel you suffer from bad breath and are unable to manage the problem on your own, please contact our Scottsdale cosmetic dentist today to schedule an appointment. Desert Smiles serves patients in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, and Glendale, Arizona areas.

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