Ask Dr Mike

Are you suffering from sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is when a patient stops breathing for a moment of time while sleeping, sometimes as long as a minute. These pauses in breath occur throughout the whole night, causing discomfort for not only the patient but for loved ones.

In many cases, this is minor and your body continues to get adequate amounts of oxygen, causing little or no harm. However, it could also be a sign of “Obstructive Sleep Apnea” (OSA). In fact, 40% of snorers have been shown to have OSA. Most sleep apnea sufferers snore in between bouts of apnea, or oxygen interruption.

Common side effects of OSA include:

• heart attacks or irregular heart beats
• high blood pressure
• stroke
• more difficult to control diabetes.
• morning headaches and dry mouth
• gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD, or heartburn )
• depression and decreased quality of life
• impotence and/or decreased libido
• irritability and family discord
• impaired concentration and poor job performance
• and of course, chronic sleeplessness.

Our dentist office in NJ offers Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment, an alternative to CPAP. The goal of treatment is to keep the airway open during sleep, leading to improved sleep, better oxygenation and enhanced daytime alertness.

Many patients who suffer from sleep apnea come to our NJ dental office for help, so let us provide you with the proper information and treatment you need.

This is a question we get fairly often.  Many times patients have teeth that become un-restorable.  It may be due to bone loss, fractured teeth, old posts that won’t stay in anymore, etc.  The answer to the question depends on a bunch of different factors including where it is, bone levels, the teeth next to the missing tooth, whether the patient smokes, and many more.

Option #1: Do nothing.

This is the cheapest option in the short term, but it may actually become the most expensive in the long run.  Over time, the teeth next to the space shift towards the space and can cause problems with the gums, bone and the bite.  It may require braces or other procedures to correct this down the road.  Also, when the missing tooth is in the front, aesthetics becomes a big concern.  This may make this choice not so good.

Option #2: A Removable Partial Denture

This is where you have an appliance made with metal or acrylic. It stays in by clasping onto other teeth in the mouth.  A portion of the appliance fills the missing tooth area with a plastic tooth.  This option can work very well for some, but for others, food getting caught under the partial, taking the partial in and out, and aesthetics make this not a good option.

Option #3: A Fixed Bridge

This option is a good option for many people.  It is where crowns are done on the teeth next to the space.  The framework of the bridge spans across the space over to the other crown.  The lab then creates a piece that looks like three teeth.  The bridge is cemented in and is not removable.  It can look very good, be very comfortable, easy to clean, etc.  There are factors that we need to think about when deciding that a bridge is right for the patient.  Are there fillings on the teeth next to the space?   How stable are those teeth?  What does the gum look like?  How big does the patient smile? What materials will work well?  A bridge is a great option for many, but what if the teeth next to the space have bone loss or crowns with very little natural tooth left?  Will they be strong enough in the long run to support all this?  Maybe,  maybe not.

Option #4: An Implant

This option is a great option for many people.  An implant is made of Titanium and placed into the space of the missing tooth.  Once the bone around the implant grabs onto the implant (integrates), the implant is ready to restore.  This integration takes about 3 months.  During this time, a temporary of some sort is used.  There are many factors that go into making an implant successful, but they are typically very long lasting, comfortable, aesthetic, and conservative.  With an implant you don’t have to do any restorations on the surrounding teeth.  This “keeps a one tooth problem, a one tooth solution”.  If you were to ever have a problem, it is only limited to that area.  I like to think of it as having a new tooth put in.  There are factors that make an implant more difficult, such as uneven gum levels, active gum disease, tooth width, and smoking.  Many of these issues can be overcome, but it does require some pre-planning.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about.  It is best to talk over you options with your dentist before finalizing your choice.

Now it’s Mom’s Turn

Your children have beautiful teeth thanks to the orthodontist. You look in the mirror and wish your teeth were straighter, but you don’t want braces.

Patients ask me all the time if there is something simple they can do to get straighter teeth without braces. The answer is Invisalign. This is an amazing procedure that can straighten your teeth with clear aligners.

How does it work?

Impressions of your teeth are made and sent to the Invisalign lab. The lab scans your impressions into a computer. The lab technician and the doctor communicate the desired result. Once approved the computer fabricates a series of clear aligners that fit over your teeth. Every two weeks you change the aligners. These aligners gradually move the teeth into the ideal position. Once completed a clear nighttime retainer is made to help maintain the position of the teeth.

Benefits of straight teeth

Straight teeth are not just for looks. Teeth that are well aligned have other benefits:

Healthier Gums – Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart.

Easier Cleanings - With easier maintenance of good oral hygiene, plaque retention, tooth decay and gum disease risk can be reduced.

Decreased Risk of Dental Trauma and Abnormal Wear – Properly aligned teeth are less stressful on the supporting bone and jaw joints.

Smile More – Straightening your teeth can make you feel less self-conscious and more confident.

Invisalign is an amazing procedure that can help many people with their orthodontic needs. There are certain things that cannot be done with Invisalign, so treatment with standard orthodontics may still be recommended.

If you don’t have a dental home, you are welcome to call our office (732-224-1160) and schedule an appointment so we can discuss your unique situation.