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Posts for: February, 2012
Sleeping disorders impact people in different ways. For some people, they may feel they do not have a problem — except for the fact that their sleeping partner complains about their snoring. For others, they may know they have a snoring issue because they constantly wake themselves up gasping for air. This is a dangerous condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA (“a” – without; “pnea” – breath). If any of these scenarios sound like your experience, then you may have OSA or another type of Sleep Related Breathing Disorder (SRBD). However, before jumping to conclusions, you need to obtain a thorough examination from a primary-care physician who is trained in sleep medicine in conjunction with our office. We have received training in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. But the good news is that sleep apnea is a treatable condition.
As for your question, yes, there are many things we can do to treat your snoring after the cause of your problem is properly established. One helpful approach is through the use of a specially designed oral appliance that we custom make and fit to your mouth. It is easy to use during sleep. Once in place, it will keep your lower jaw in a forward position so that your tongue is held forward to stop blocking your upper airway (i.e. the back of your throat and area causing your snoring and hindering your breathing while you sleep). Another option is to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This specialized machine requires you to sleep with a mask that covers your mouth and/or nose. While you sleep, it delivers continuous pressure to your windpipe so that your tongue is forced away from your airway.
If your snoring is keeping you or your loved ones awake, we are a good place to start. Contact us today to discuss your questions about snoring or to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about snoring and sleep disorders when you continue reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry.”
When it comes to restoring both the beauty and functionality of a smile, two of the most commonly used techniques are porcelain crowns and veneers. Why? They consistently deliver beautiful, natural-looking results that are permanent and require very little maintenance. And while they have many things in common, they also have just as many differences.
The Similarities
Here are some facts that apply to both porcelain veneers and crowns:
- Both enable changes to a tooth's color and shape.
- Dental laboratory technicians use precise molds made by our office to hand-craft porcelain veneers and crowns.
- Both are made using high-quality dental porcelain.
- Neither respond to tooth whitening products — the color of the veneer or crown remains the same color as the day it was placed.
- Neither procedure is reversible once completed.
The Differences
Here are some of their differences:
- Crowns are used to replace a larger amount of tooth structure while veneers are thin shells that are placed over the front surface of teeth.
- Veneers require much less tooth preparation (reduction by drilling) than crowns.
- Crowns allow for greater change of tooth shape, while veneers allow for more minor changes.
- Crowns are generally used to restore teeth that have lost tooth structure from decay or trauma.
- Veneers are generally used where teeth are structurally healthy and intact, but color and shape change are required.
- Veneers are used mostly for teeth that are visible when smiling, while crowns can be used to restore virtually any tooth.
Want To Learn More?
To learn more, read the Dear Doctor article, “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.” Or, you can contact us to discuss your questions or to schedule a consultation.