Ask Dr Mike

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.

You would be surprised how many people live with the wish of wanting to make some cosmetic changes to their smile. But, there is always something else on their mind or on their plate and they never take the time to ask about it. So, as the holiday season approaches, I want to encourage everyone to take a few minutes and do something for yourself.

I see it all the time. There is never time for something for yourself. Children, work, family, the holidays and all of your other obligations take up all your time. People tell you to take a minute for yourself or think of yourself first for once. It’s good advice. So, this holiday season, I encourage you, even for one day, to stop and do something for yourself.

And, if that thing is cosmetic dentistry, please call or email me. I will be happy to answer all of your questions and give you my informed opinion on what are the best options and what might be the best options for you.

Why not ask? Why not take a minute and send me an email? You might be surprised where it takes you.

Over the last couple of months I have received a lot requests for more information on snoring/ sleep apnea and how a dentist can help. Dentist with specialized training in sleep disorders can make oral appliances that can help with people suffering with snoring or sleep apnea.

There are a number of different devices that try to do the same basic thing. All of these fall under the name Oral Appliance Therapy. Snoring Snoring is caused by a partially blocked airway from the relaxed muscles and soft tissues of your throat and neck. The soft tissues begin to vibrate making a sound like a trombone or a train. There are some people who have had their snore levels measured and were found to be as loud as jet engines.

How does this affect others?  Some people’s neighbors have called the police to complain about the noise. In a study done by the Mayo Clinic, researchers found that snorers cause their partners to lose about 1 hour of sleep per night on average. Recent studies have shown that repeated breaks in sleep patterns can cause an impairment of motor skills. This can sometimes be even worse than if you were legally drunk.

Sleep Apnea Snoring can be an indication of much more serious medical condition called sleep apnea. This occurs when the person stops breathing for over 10 second at least 5 times per hour. Why is this bad? Our brain and the rest of our body needs oxygen to heal and replenish our cells. Decreased oxygen thoughout the night can lead to serious health risks including: heart disease, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, difficulty concentrating and poor job performance.

Treatments

The main treatment for patients with sleep apnea is a CPAP. It is a mask that goes over your nose and blows air into your airway. This allows you to breath throughout the night. While the CPAP is extremely effective, it has a relatively poor compliance rate. About 50% of patients prescribed the CPAP have difficulty using the machine to the point that they don’t use it. If you’re not using it, you won’t get any of the benefits. What are alternatives?

Oral Appliances

Oral appliances have become a first-line therapy for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea according to a recent article in “Sleepmatters” published by the National Sleep Foundation. Also, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine(AASM) published new parameters in the journal Sleep in February 2006. The new parameters state that oral appliances are recommended for treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea in patients who prefer them or do not respond to CPAP. At the same time, the AASM still recommends CPAP as first line treatment for severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea before considering oral appliances.

The advantage of the oral appliance is that they are easier to get used to and they are highly portable. What does the oral appliance do? The goal of an oral appliance is to shift your lower jaw forward in order to open your airway. This helps stop snoring and in many cases sleep apnea as well. There are many types of oral appliances. Some are better than others. The better ones allow you to find the best position to keep the airway open. They also allow adjustment so the comfort and effectiveness can be fine tuned if necessary For further information on sleep apnea and its treatment (and a great video), go to www.sleepapneanj.net or you can call our office.