Desert Smiles Blog
April 18th, 2011
The upper photo shows the final result after some teeth that were supporting the lower photo restorations were lost. The new bridges provide an improved new smile, a lighter color, and less bulkiness in appearance. Phoenix cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox was able to provide this beautiful result in only two visits performed under oral sedation for maximum comfort. At our Glendale dental office, we provide sleep dentistry to many patients for a variety of dental services.
For the finest in cosmetic, implant or sleep dentistry, visit DesertSmiles and Glendale dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox. For more information visit www.DesertSmiles.com.
Posted in bridges, dental fear, fear of dentist, Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist, sedation dentistry, teeth extraction, Uncategorized | No Comments »
February 23rd, 2011
If you despise the noises and smells associated with the dentist’s office, sedation dentistry may be just what you need to make your dental treatment bearable.
Studies reveal that the number one reason that adults delay their dental treatment is fear. If you have a history of traumatic dental experiences, you may be skeptical about receiving treatment. Dr. Donald Wilcox DDS and the Phoenix sedation dentists want you to be relaxed and comfortable during your dental treatment to help you relax and enjoy a pain-free experience.
Sedation dentistry is also ideal for anyone who has:
• Difficulty getting numb
• Extremely sensitive teeth
• A limited amount of time to complete dental work
• A bad gag reflex
• Embarrassment about your teeth
• A fear of needles and/or shots
• Avoided dental treatment until it is extremely painful
• Not received professional dental care in many years
• Gone from dentist to dentist, or doctor to doctor to renew painkiller prescriptions for dental problems
Who Should Not Undergo Sedation Dentistry
While oral sedation is safe for most people, not everyone is a candidate. Factors that may prevent you from undergoing conscious oral sedation include anyone who:
• Is pregnant or nursing
• Has significant respiratory problems like severe asthma or emphysema
• Suffers from psychosis
• Is taking a medication called an MAO inhibitor
• Is an alcoholic
• Has acute narrow angle glaucoma
• Has an allergy or sensitivity to benzodiazepine medications
• Has a severe medical condition
At Desert Smiles, between 90 to 95 percent of our adult patients are good candidates for oral sedation dentistry. Please contact the sedation dentists at our Phoenix cosmetic dentistry office today to see if you qualify. We also serve patients in the Peoria, Arizona area.
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February 16th, 2011
An estimated 30 percent of Americans fear the dentist. If you fall into this category, sedation dentistry can ease your anxiety and help ensure your dental experience is a positive one. At Desert Smiles, our qualified Glendale sedation dentists want you to be relaxed and comfortable during your dental treatment.
Dr. Donald Wilcox DDS and his dental team will use an oral sedative to produce a state of conscious sedation. You will be awake, but in a sedated state during oral surgery. This means that you will be able to respond to requests, but will remember little if anything about the procedure.
The most common medications used in oral sedation are in the group called benzodiazepines. Our Glendale sedation dentists commonly use the sedative agent Triazolam, a sedative in the same family as Valium. Triazolam is a safe sleeping agent, categorized as a schedule IV substance, meaning that it is only one category higher than aspirin. In more than a million dental sedations monitored by the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS), there have been no recorded incidents of severe complications or death resulting from the use of this drug.
The benefits of oral sedation include:
• A small pill makes it easy to administer
• The oral medication is safe and easy to monitor
• Ability for patients who fear the dentist to have successful surgery
• Low cost
If you fear the dentist, please contact the sedation dentists at our Glendale cosmetic dentistry office today to learn more. Desert Smiles also serves patients throughout the Peoria, Arizona area.
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February 8th, 2011
An estimated 75 to 90 percent of all sleep apnea cases are undiagnosed, according to the American Sleep Disorder Association. This is often because sufferers are unaware of their condition, or they do not believe their symptoms are a sign of this potentially-serious sleep disorder.
If someone you love is experiencing any of the following symptoms of sleep apnea, you should monitor their sounds and habits, and see Scottsdale sleep apnea dentist, Donald Wilcox DDS to help find relief for this sleep disorder.
Almost every person who suffers from sleep apnea snores, but snoring does not necessarily mean you have sleep apnea. Having sleep apnea means that you may experience episodes of not breathing as few as 5 or as much as 50 times or more each night. The number of apnea episodes will dictate your degree of sleep apnea. You may also suffer from nighttime choking or gasping spells and find that you toss and turn frequently during sleep. Other symptoms you may experience include:
• Problems with concentration and memory
• Feeling tired and groggy throughout the day
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Waking with an unrefreshed feeling after sleep
• Personality changes and moodiness
• Sweating and/or chest pain while sleeping
• Headaches (in the morning, at night, or throughout the day)
• Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
• Swelling in your legs
• Frequent urination throughout the night
If you are suffering from sleep apnea and live in Scottsdale or Peoria, Arizona, please contact the Scottsdale sleep apnea dentists at Desert Smiles to learn more about your options.
Posted in sleep apnea, sleep problems, Snoring and Sleep Apnea | No Comments »
February 4th, 2011
Sleep apnea is a disruption of your breathing while you sleep. This common sleep disorder can affect children and adults alike. At Desert Smiles in Glendale, Arizona, Dr. Donald Wilcox DDS and his team of talented Glendale sleep apnea dentists want to alleviate your symptoms. We offer several dental appliances to help you find relief from sleep apnea, including:
• SomnoMed MAS: This custom-made device is comprised of lower and upper dental plates that have a specialized fin-coupling component. This element allows your mouth to open and close normally with adjustment options in the lower jaw.
• Oasys Appliance: This device works much like breathing strips that you place on the bridge of your nose. This is the first dental device that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration’s ENT and dental divisions for snoring and sleep apnea. The Oasys Appliance works by mandibular repositioning, and also as a nasal dilator to improve breathing.
• Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) oral appliance: This device consists of two different arches that allow adjustments to be made to your bite while you are sleeping.
• Herbst Appliance: This device is effective on chronic snoring as well as sleep apnea. It allows movement both vertically and horizontally, and can be easily adjusted for maximum effectiveness.
If you or someone you love is suffering from sleep apnea, please contact the sleep apnea dentists at our Glendale cosmetic dentistry office today to learn more. Desert Smiles serves patients throughout Glendale and Peoria, Arizona.
Posted in sleep apnea, sleep problems | No Comments »
January 30th, 2011
At DesertSmiles we help many patients in Phoenix and Glendale improve their quality of life through improved sleep with oral appliances. They help keep the airway open while we sleep and decrease annoying snoring sounds for the bed partner. In severe sleep apnea the CPAP is the first choice of treatment but many patients have difficulty being compliant with the device. A recent study in the November 2010 issue of Sleep Breathing showed the combination of an oral appliance and nasal CPAP was better tolerated by patients than CPAP alone due to the decreased pressure require to eliminate OSA due to the oral appliances ability to keep the airway open.
Visit www.DesertSmiles.com for information about Phoenix cosmetic dentist Dr. Wilcox and sleep dentistry in Glendale.
Posted in CPAP, obstructive sleep apnea, Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, snoring, somomed | No Comments »
January 30th, 2011
Missing a night of sleep forces the body to burn about an extra 160 calories than it would have during eight hours of sleep. But it’s no weight-loss miracle: The body tries to make up for the loss by saving more energy than usual the next day and night, according to research published in the January edition of the Journal of Physiology. The finding that sleep deprivation increases energy expenditure should not be interpreted that sleep deprivation is a safe or effective method for weight loss. Many studies exist that show chronic sleep deprivation is associated with impaired cognition and weight gain.
If you snore, have daytime sleepiness, weight gain or hypertension you should be tested for sleep apnea. At DesertSmiles we help many Phoenix and Glendale patients have improved health and happier bed partners with oral appliances. Visit www.DesertSmiles.com for more information about Phoenix smiles and sleep dentistry.
Posted in lower blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, Oral appliance therapy for Sleep Apnea, sleep apnea, Snoring and Sleep Apnea, Weight gain and sleep | No Comments »
January 27th, 2011
Today, Americans are living longer than ever before. And with longevity comes the need for healthy, functional teeth. If you have lost a tooth and are considering replacement options, keep in mind that dental implants are the most secure, naturally-appearing option. Aside from the aesthetic advantages, dental implants offer the same biting force as fixed bridges, and often last a lifetime.
Other Benefits of Dental Implants
• Bone loss prevention: Because they are placed into your jawbone, dental implants effectively prevent bone loss and gum recession. They are also sturdier than dentures and ill-fitting bridgework.
• Increased confidence: With dental implants, you can live without denture paste and no longer have to worry about your dentures slipping, or making embarrassing popping or clicking noises when you talk or chew. Dental implants feel and function the most like your natural teeth.
• Reliability: The success rate of dental implants is extremely high; most will last you your entire lifetime. Be sure to maintain good oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing to ensure the health of your implants.
At Desert Smiles in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Donald Wilcox, DDS is a talented and well-trained Scottsdale cosmetic dentist, ready to restore your dazzling smile.
If you live in Scottsdale or Peoria, Arizona area are interested in dental implants, please contact the Scottsdale cosmetic dentists at Desert Smiles today to learn more and schedule your smile analysis.
Posted in Cosmetic Dentist Arizona | No Comments »
January 24th, 2011
If you need one or more new teeth but do not want to wait months for the dental implant process, now you can take advantage of “teeth-in-an-hour.” New, cutting-edge technology eliminates the long wait and painful side effects of traditional dental implants. With “teeth-in-an-hour,” you no longer have to tolerate:
• Multiple visits to the dentist
• Extensive dental surgeries
• A lengthy healing time
• Pain and discomfort
• The inability to chew certain hard foods
• Higher costs due to multiple visits
The Expedited Procedure
Teeth-in-an-hour works by using radiographic three-dimensional scans and virtual reality software to create an accurate representation of your jaw. A template is then constructed to allow precise placement of the implant. This revolutionary procedure can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. These special implants are created ahead of time using a CT scan, so all you have to do is come into our Phoenix cosmetic dental practice and have your new teeth fitted. The permanent acrylic bridges have titanium framework and allow you to choose from porcelain or acrylic teeth to match the shape and luster of your natural teeth.
Dr. Donald Wilcox, DDS is a highly qualified Phoenix dental implant dentist, offering the latest innovations in restorative dentistry. He and the dental team at Desert Smiles can help restore your healthy, beautiful smile.
If you would like to replace a missing tooth quickly and effectively, please contact the Phoenix implant dentists at Desert Smiles today. Our practice serves patients throughout Phoenix and Peoria, Arizona.
Posted in fix teeth, losing teeth | No Comments »
January 21st, 2011
A dental implant is a small, sturdy titanium post that is implanted into your jaw and acts as the root structure of your tooth. A dental implant may be placed into your upper or lower jawbone to hold in place a bridge, denture or crown.
There are two main types of dental implants:
• Endosteal (in the bone): The most common type of dental implant, endosteal implants, use screws, blades or cylinders that are surgically implanted into your jawbone. Each individual implant will hold one or more replacement teeth. This type of implant is generally recommended if you have a bridge or removable denture.
• Subperiosteal (on the bone): This type of implant is placed over top of your jaw with metal framework. The posts will protrude through your gum to hold your replacement tooth or teeth in place. Subperiosteal implants are often advised if you cannot wear traditional dentures or if you do not have a high jawbone.
To ensure the longevity of your dental implant, you must be dedicated to good oral hygiene. If you do not brush and floss regularly, and maintain routine check-ups, your implants will likely fail. At Desert Smiles in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Donald Wilcox, DDS is an experienced Scottsdale implant dentist who can help beautify your smile and restore functionality.
If you live in Scottsdale or Peoria, Arizona area and are considering dental implants to replace one or multiple missing teeth, please contact the Scottsdale implant dentists at Desert Smiles today.
Posted in dental implants, Implant Dentistry | No Comments »
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