What can I expect to pay for four implants in my top gum please. I require to just get an idea of whether it is affordable?


Thanks for your question – it is what everyone wants to know. The problem is that the costs vary widely, according to the different situations that different people present with. The only way that you can get a good answer for YOUR situation is to make an appointment to come in and have a comprehensive exam and x-rays to find out what is possible for you.

After teeth are removed, the gums change drastically as healing occurs. This is something that can be seen to happen over the first few weeks following the surgery. What you cannot see is what has happened to the underlying bone. The function of the bone is to hold teeth, so when the teeth are lost, there is a progressive loss of bone that continues for the rest of your life. The bone gets shorter and thinner -- shorter and thinner – until sometimes there is only a fraction of the bony support left. This is why partials or dentures become loose over time. That bony foundation changes as time passes, and it is different for everyone. Some people have drastic changes, some have slower changes, but everyone has some changes to their bone after losing their teeth.

Our problem is that we need that residual bone to hold the implants. We have different sizes of implants, narrow and wider, shorter and longer, and it is our challenge to design a scheme that works for you. Some cases are easier than others. With a large amount of bone, we can design a very strong restoration for you, with very thin bone, it is much tougher to get a solid foundation. Some people can create enough strong foundation to achieve fixed bridge work, that requires strength, others just do not have enough foundation, even with implants, and different types of restorative options apply to them.

So, with all the variables of your health, bony status, health and condition of your teeth, etc., it is really impossible for us to give you costs without seeing you. It is just more complicated than that. Please come in and have an exam and discussion appropriate to your personal situation. You will learn what your options are, and you will learn what advantages or disadvantages you have. Dental implants are exciting. They provide many more options of care in dentistry, and patients benefit from the use of implants. Come let us teach you about what is best for you.


Chuck Campbell, DDS
713-795-5905

Labels: cosmetic dental implants, dental implant, dental implant procedures, Dental Implants

Many headaches can be traced back to teeth grinding and clenching (Bruxism). When people grind their teeth, jaw muscles become sore from overuse. Not on will this wear down tooth surfaces; this will also cause many people to experience tension headaches. There is good news for these people, however. With the help of a special type of nightguard known as an occusal nightguard, people can sleep without grinding their teeth, and they can be free from headaches during the day.

Technically speaking, Bruxism is defined by any excessive contact between the upper and lower teeth. If you add up all the time you spend chewing and swallowing food over the course of any given day, all you have at the end of the day is 15 minutes—the same amount of real action in a football game, minus the timeouts and huddles. However, people who grind teeth are engaging in a rough contact sport of up to six total hours over a 24-hour period of time.

The American Dental Association has also made it all that 95 percent of the American public suffers from a grinding or clenching teeth during at some time or the other over the course of a lifetime. Many of these instances are temporary conditions that result from stress factors such as divorce, job loss, and grief over the death of someone loved. More severe cases appear to be chronic, however, and require intervention. If nothing is done, as much as 50 percent of the tooth surfaces in the front can end up being worn down.

This will cause the jaws and mouth to drop and wrinkles will form around the cheeks and around the front of the mouth. This can be corrected with porcelain inlays, onlays, and crowns that will restore the proper size and shape of teeth. However, it is much better to treat Bruxism in its early stages before it gets actually damages teeth. The occusal nightguard is an ideal way to accomplish this. It fits over the teeth at night and prevents direct contact between them.

Obtaining one of these devices is simple. Call our office and schedule an evaluation to look for signs of clenching and grinding. Worn tooth enamel will often result in exposed dentin. We may possibly find dental abfraction, characterized by V-shaped notches in the teeth. If we find these problems, we will custom-mold the nightguard to fit your teeth so that wearing it will be as comfortable as possible.

This will almost always stop Bruxism in its tracks. It is a highly effective and affordable treatment option for any of you that want to prevent the problem rather than solving it after the fact.

Labels: Bruxism, dental nightguards, grinding teeth, teeth grinding

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

My 4yr old son has an abscessed tooth. I've taken him to the dentist and he said that it will need to be extracted. Considering it is one of his front teeth, I am not so thrilled. From reading your article I have learned that there are two types of abscessed teeth, and that one option to treat is a root canal. Considering that none of this info was explained to me, I'm wondering is a root canal an option at all times or is there a point when it's too late?


There are always several options for treatment. On a growing child, age and growth have to be considered. If you are referring to one of the incisors up front, that tooth will likely be lost normally between 5 – 7…. Lots of variation in these ages, but this generally fits. So, if your child is a “young” 4 year old, he is going to normally lose that tooth in 2-4 years, depending on his rate of growth dentally.

So, you have to decide what is the most logical treatment for that amount of time… with an abscessed tooth on a child of that age, usually taking the tooth out is probably most practical. You can probably already at his age look around the classroom and see kids beginning to lose baby teeth…. So a kid missing one front tooth at that age is common. So we tend to go in this direction for most kids.

However, if either you or the child is very touchy about the fact that he will be missing a front tooth before other kids in the class, it might be possible to treat the tooth endodontically. There is kind of a partial root canal that is commonly done on baby teeth – a pulpotomy, that will keep teeth for some time. Also, depending on the degree of the infection, a root canal could be done (not a pulpotomy, but the real deal as if it were a permanent tooth) and have the infection heal. If it will heal, then theoretically that tooth could be left alone until the other front tooth is getting loose, and then you would have to make sure they came out about the same time. If all went well, this approach would work. There is a risk, depending on the degree of the problem of having some degree of failure and the possibility of damaging the permanent tooth growing above it…

All in all, it depends on the degree of the problem, the simplicity of care, the behavior of the child as a dental patient, the exact age of the kid… as I said, most of the time it would be most practical to take the tooth out, but there are other options. You need to ask some questions of your doctor that saw your child to hear your options.

Chuck Campbell, DDS
713-795-5905

Ask the Dental Experts
Our philosophy is to help our patients achieve and maintain exceptional dental health. We work hard to make sure that our level of care is deserving of our patients’ respect and confidence. Our tradition of preventive dentistry is the basis for all service and care in our practice. We welcome all questions and comments regarding dentistry in the hope that we increase your dental "IQ" and help you make better dental health decisions.

Q: What do you do when a tooth cracks?
A: Some minor craze lines seen in teeth need no attention at all. Other teeth have symptomatic cracks that cause sensitivity or pain and need immediate attention. Since most cracks or fractures do not show up on radiographs (x-rays), these problems can be difficult to figure out.

· Craze lines are tiny cracks that are very superficial and often difficult for a person to see. They occur primarily in the outer enamel layer of the teeth. They are most common in adult teeth, and they need no treatment. They are simply the result of “mileage – wear and tear” on the teeth. Also, they are most common on the anterior teeth.
· Asymptomatic cracks are ones that cause no pain and are therefore difficult to evaluate. Many times it is important to reinforce these teeth early, BEFORE they become a problem.
· Symptomatic cracks cause pain that can vary from minor sensitivity to a throbbing toothache.

Unfotunately, most people do not seek help for cracked teeth until they become painful. A crack will eventually make a tooth sensitive due to movement of the fractured edges and leakage into the pulp. The treatment of such a tooth will vary based on the case. Sometimes cracked teeth can be remedied with simple dental bonding procedures. More severe cases may require a porcelain crown. If tooth decay has ensued, a root canal may need to be performed first to save what is left of the tooth prior to being crowned.

If a crack is so seriously fractured that it has to be extracted, the Cosmetic Dentistry Center can place a dental implant in its place.

Does your tooth give a “zing” when you bite?
Do you clench your teeth so hard that there are visible cracks in your back teeth?
Are your teeth very sensitive to hot or cold?

If so, don’t waste any time – problems develop quickly. Have it checked out by your dentist as soon as possible.

Labels: asymptomatic cracks, cracked tooth syndrom, craze lines, symptomatic cracks

Sedation dentistry is a great way to help patients overcome their fear of seeking out the dental treatments they often desperately need. Sedation can help a patient become calm and relaxed before any kind of dental work is done by reducing the natural instinct to tense muscles under stress. Dental anesthetics help to foster a mindset where concerns and discomforts vanish. After sedation dentistry, post-operative medications are also prescribed that are appropriate to the treatment performed and to the individual.

If you have any of the following anxieties or concerns, sedation dentistry is most likely right for you:

You have excess fears about dental appointments
You have difficulty achieving sufficient numbness
You have a strong gag reflex
You have highly sensitive teeth
You dislike the noises and smells associated with the dental office
You hate needles and shots
You have complex dental problems that will otherwise take several visits to complete
You wish to have a comprehensive smile redesign

You may be one of those people that only needs oral anesthetic. If so, take the medication you are prescribed as prescribed, and get a ride to the dentist from a friend, coworker, or relative.

If you need I.V. sedation dentistry, you will also need to arrange for transportation, and the anesthesia will be administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist.

What you need to know about oral sedation dentistry:
When you arrive at the office, you will take the medication prescribed prior to treatment. It will make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Our professionals will keep you under close observation at all times, constantly monitoring your vitals. You should achieve a state of consciousness where you feel no pain but can still respond to your dentist as he or she performs the necessary dental procedures.

What you need to know about Intravenous Sedation Dentistry:
You may, however, need something more than just an oral tranquilizer that numbs mouth tissue. If you have an aversion to dental procedures, period, we often recommend that you consider IV sedation, especially if you are having dental surgery performed or if several procedures need to be performed in a single visit that would otherwise require multiple trips to the office.

Seeing how this is technically an outpatient IV operation, the sedation is administered and monitored by a board-certified anesthesiologist. This does not require putting you under general anesthesia. You reflexes continue to work, and the patient controls his or her breathing. While you are semi-conscious, the anesthesiologist ensures that enough sedation is administered to your calm anxiety and to eliminate your discomfort. Professionals on staff will monitor vital signs with a pulse oximeter, an EKG monitor, and supplemental oxygen.

Post operative instructions will then be given to them. Follow them as directed, and all will be well.

For more information, read the following articles posted on our main website:
Sedation Dentistry
After Sedation Dentistry Tips
Things to Know Before Sedation Dentistry
Intravenous Sedation Information
IV Sedation Information
Post-IV Sedation Orders

Labels: Intravenous Sedation Dentistry, IV sedation dentistry, oral sedation dentistry, Post-IV Sedation Orders, sedation dentistry

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, crown lengthening, gummy smile, periodontal surgery, periodontal treatment, porcelain crowns

In order for dental implant procedures to be effective, careful examination of the medical history and overall general health of the patient has to be done first. At the Medical Center Dental Group, we leave no stone unturned when it comes to taking stock of the patient’s medical history and current condition. Using our computer to access patient medical records, we check for such things as diabetes and alcoholism. If these conditions are currently present, they can significantly diminish the chances of dental implant procedures being successful. The decision to move forward in such an event is made on a case by case basis between the doctor and the patient.

If advanced periodontal disease is discovered, the dentist will diagnose its level of severity and determine a treatment plan. Some periodontal disease can be corrected with non-surgical treatments. Advanced gum disease will require surgery, which we recommend patients have performed here using our PerioLase® MVP-7 laser engineered specifically for Laser Periodontal Therapy.

Once the patient has become healthy enough for dental implant procedures to have a more than 90 percent chance of success, the dentist will then examine the condition of the jaw bones. The longer teeth are missing from the mouth, the more bone deterioration occurs. The dentist will need to know just how much degradation has occurred in order to determine how many implants can be placed in the jaw. If more than 50 percent of the teeth have been missing for a period of years and severe deterioration has set in, the dentist will have to selectively use implants as anchors for fixed bridgework in a full mouth reconstruction. If bone loss is not so severe, implants can simply be placed where the missing teeth were previously located.

Once these determinations have been made, the dentist will make a mold of existing, healthy teeth. This will function as a template for the size and placement of dental implants. Surgical procedures then follow, with the dentist placing the patient under local anesthetic for one or two implants, or placing the patient under general anesthetic for the implantation of multiple replacements. The actual implants themselves are made of a bio-friendly Titanium alloy. They are shaped like screws at the bottom and set in the jaw itself. Sometimes the dentist will cap the implant to minimize the risk of infection. A 3-6 month healing process then ensues, where the bone grows around the implant and attaches to it. (This is called osseointegration).

After osseointegration is complete, the patient returns to the office to have the final dental implant procedures performed. The dentist will secure the implant with another screw called an abutment, then cap the entire structure with a porcelain crown molded to match the appearance and functionality of a natural tooth.

For more information, visit our website and read the following articles:

Dental Implants
Titanium Dental Implants
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Tooth Implants
Dentures Dental Implants
Postoperative Instructions for Dental Implants

If you are missing teeth, but feel cosmetic dental implants are out of your price range, call us and ask about our financial plans to help people from all walks of life pay for the winning smile that every person deserves to show to the world.

Labels: cosmetic dental bridges, cosmetic dental implants, dental crowns, implant dentistry

Titanium implants have proven themselves to be the best replacement tooth option every developed. While dental implants in one form or fashion have been used since ancient times, it was not until Titanium dental implants were invented in the 1970s that implant dentistry gained a success rate of over 90 percent. Titanium implants look very much like screws that are twisted into the bone. Through a process called osseointegration, the bone adapts to the implant and grows around it

When this process is complete, the mouth essentially has a new tooth root to work with. If a temporary crown was placed over the Titanium alloy at the time of implantation, the dentist will remove it at the beginning of the restorative phase. He or she will then secure the titanium implant with a smaller screw known as an abutment. Then, the entire structure is capped with a porcelain crown that looks and works just like a natural tooth.

Phase I and Phase II of the process are frequently performed by separate dentists. There are some, however, that prefer to handle both phases of the treatment. Dr. Charles Campbell at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group is one of the few Houston dentists who perform both the surgical phase and the restorative phase of cosmetic implant dentistry. He has specialized in this discipline for the majority of his career, and he has studied under some of the best experts in the world since the mid 1980s.

Titanium dental implants do more than restore the aesthetics of a smile. They also fill out the natural curvature of facial muscles and structures that would otherwise begin to droop and wrinkle. They also halt bone degradation that inevitably sets in when a tooth is extracted or lost in an accident. Osseointegration is actually a healthy thing for bones because it provides a motivation and pathway for new growth to occur.

Titanium dental implants are also much better for the mouth than traditional bridges and crowns that have to be anchored to natural teeth in order to hold in place. The problem with this type of bridgework lies in the fact that it wears down tooth enamel and makes otherwise healthy teeth more vulnerable to damage and decay. Implants, on the other hand, are supported by the jaw and not by other teeth.

Dental Implants
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Tooth Implants
Dentures Dental Implants
Dental Implant Procedures
Postoperative Instructions for Dental Implants

While the cost of titanium dental implants may appear daunting to some, the benefits are well worth it. Many insurance plans will cover a portion of the costs. However, if insurance not cover dental implants, however, the average person can still often afford them if they arrange for special financing through our billing office, or apply for financing options one of our partner finance services. Details on making such arrangements can be obtained by clicking here, or simply by calling our office.

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, titanium dental implants

Sleep apnea is a serious condition characterized by the sudden cessation of breathing during sleep. Breathing can stop for as long as 10 seconds at a time, and can occur as often as 30 times per hour. The more often this occurs, the more the brain is deprived of oxygen.

There are two major forms of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea (CSA), and obstructive sleep apnea, (OSA). CSA originates in the brain and is characterized by neurological failure to send the signal to the throat muscles to breath. This is a more rare form of the disorder that occurs primarily in children whose brains have not yet fully developed. In adults, it can be triggered by head injuries, neuromuscular disorders, and sometimes by medications prescribed for other conditions.

The more common form of the disorder is Obstructive sleep apnea. OSA is caused by throat muscles collapsing onto themselves due to excessive relaxation, obesity, or side effects caused by smoking or drinking too much. OSA affects 17% of the male and female middle-aged populations, but few of these people ever realize they have the disorder because it is so difficult to self-diagnose. Persons who suffer from any of the above symptoms should call their doctor and ask to be referred to a diagnostic sleep center. Here, they can stay the night under close observation and be diagnosed properly by trained experts who know how to spot the disorder and calculate its level of severity.

If the person does indeed have sleep apnea, the doctor will then prescribe a treatment plan. The most common method of treatment is the use of a CPAP machine that helps a patient breathe during the night. The machine pushes compressed air through a mask that fits over the face, putting just enough force on the windpipe to keep it open. The CPAP machine must be set to a precise level of compression to get the right amount of air into the passageway. While this can easily be done by the doctor, many people find the mask too uncomfortable to wear. This has resulted in a very high level of non-compliance with the treatment, even though it has been proven to be highly effective. Some people just let the machine sit idle beside their bed. Others wind up storing it in the closet to gather dust and go back to snoring all night and being tired all day long. This is not a good thing to do, because it can lead to respiratory and craniological problems later in life if left untreated.

There is hope for these people, however. New dental technology has emerged that has provided an alternative to CPAP therapy in the form of a sleep apnea dental appliance. This is basically a special mouth guard made custom to the upper and lower jaws of the individual. It keeps the lower jaw extended just enough to prevent the trachea from closing in on itself, and allows normal breathing to occur without the aid of a machine.

More information on sleep apnea is available through the following links:
Sleep Apnea
Orthognathic Surgery
Polysomnography
Upper Airway Resistance
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance

The Medical Center Dental Group is happy to announce the inclusion of the SomnoDent MAS in our repertoire of sleep apnea treatment options. We typically make 3-4 of these per months for people who come to us frustrated with CPAP therapy. If you are currently neglecting your treatment plan but know that you should be doing something proactive about your sleep apnea, call us for a fitting and let us get you started on the road to relief and recovery.

Labels: obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, sleep disorders, SomnoDent MAS

Cosmetic dentists are committed to two things: the preservation of the beauty of the human smile and the health of the patient. These experts in dental care must first obtain a medical degree in general dentistry prior to becoming specialists in cosmetic dentistry. Because of this, they can perform all the services traditionally administered by family dentists as well as treat complex issues with advanced cosmetic dental procedures.

Cosmetic dentists are often multi-specialists. They often pursue continuing education throughout their careers. Common areas of study include such cosmetic dental work as Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction, Practical Occlusion in the Progressive Practice, Neuromuscular Dentistry, and Advanced Posterior. Still other practitioners, having mastered a number of special procedures, choose to zero on in a specific discipline, such as LANAP or dental implants.

Because these procedures are often very complex treatments that must be individualized to the patient and done in multiple stages, it is necessary for the cosmetic dentist to use only the very best supplies and the latest technology. Such tools as the PerioLase® MVP-7 allow specialists to treat periodontal disease with a laser instead of a knife. An intraoral camera allows dentists to closely examine teeth and gums without the discomfort of a mirror being twisted in all directions within the mouth. A high resolution monitor can provide live video feed in full color of each individual tooth and surrounding gum tissue, making diagnosis more precise and a treatment plan easier to devise.

Dental supplies used by cosmetic dentists are also much more advanced than those used in traditional general dentistry. Instead of filling teeth with metal fillings that do not belong inside a human tooth, cosmetic dentists will use a composite dental bonding agent to fill cavities, repair small fractures in teeth, fill pits in the enamel, and smooth the outer surfaces of teeth. Cosmetic dental braces made from plastic are virtually invisible. They are much more comfortable than metal braces and virtually undetectable as well. Porcelain crowns mimic both the structure and translucent color of natural teeth in a much more aesthetic fashion than gold crowns used in past decades.

Finally, you simply will not find better bedside manner in the world of dentistry than you will in the office of a Medical Center Dentistry Center practitioner. These professionals are just as committed to preserving the emotions of their patients as they are to their medical needs. They want them to feel just as good about the process as they do about the outcome, as they work to minimize pain, maximize outcome, and exceed expectations for each individual patient that walks through their door.

For more information, read the following articles on our website:

Cosmetic Dentistry
Technology in Cosmetic Dentistry
Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty (Gum Removal)
Cosmetic Dental implants
Cosmetic Teeth Procedures
Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Cosmetic Dental Care
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Cosmetic Dental Work

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentists Houston, cosmetic teeth whitening

A patient by the name of Kim came to us, quite distraught about her severe case of missing teeth. She was 47 when we met her, and she had suffered tremendous dental problems since she was 12 years old. She had crashed her bicycle one day, and had broken off her front teeth. Since that time, she reported, she not only experienced missing teeth, but suffered from constant infections in her mouth.

She had been through many episodes in her mouth where a variety of dental ailments afflicted her. Severe swelling would arise in her mouth, accompanied by intense pain. She would develop toothaches that were so sudden, and so severe; she would have to be rushed to the emergency room at midnight. Dental emergency treatment almost always ended with teeth being pulled because of the degree of pain and infection in her teeth and gums. This only resulted in more tooth loss, and seemed to never resolve the root cause of the infections which appeared mysteriously linked to her childhood accident.

By the time more than half of her teeth were gone; Kim had all but given up on dentistry. The heartache of being young and attractive, but having so many missing teeth, made her shy about smiling, or even opening her mouth at all in front of people. Years went by, and she never went to a dentist, believing nothing at all could be done to restore so many missing teeth or cure the infections that kept developing in her mouth.

Then, by some strange twist of serendipity, Kim learned of the Medical Center Dental Group through a newspaper ad we ran in the Houston Chronicle. She read about our commitment to patient care and comfort, and how we have helped so many people with complex and challenging problems, including severe cases of missing teeth. This gave her enough hope and courage to schedule an appointment with us.

We used a combination of treatments to restore Kim’s lost teeth and remedy the constant bouts with infection. Our intraoral camera revealed advanced periodontal disease, which appeared to have been the cause of so many teeth becoming infected to the point they had to be pulled. Whether or not this periodontal disease resulted from her bicycle accident as a child remained a mystery. Nevertheless, were able to successfully treat her periodontal disease with LANAP. We also performed a series of root canals to ensure that all diseased and dying nerve and tooth root tissue were completely removed from Kim’s mouth.

Once her mouth had completely recovered, and there were no remaining symptoms of toothaches or periodontal disease, we then began the cosmetic phase of dental treatment. We used a total of 5 cosmetic dental implants to replace missing teeth in key areas of her jaws that needed strength and support. (Sometimes, advanced periodontal disease and deterioration of the bone limits the number of implants we can use.) The remainder of her full mouth reconstruction was done with fixed porcelain bridges and crowns, creating a new, healthy, natural looking smile she had not enjoyed since childhood.

Besides the obvious cosmetic improvements, Kim can now eat more comfortable, speak with more confidence, and be proud of her smile instead of holding her hand over her mouth all the time.

Labels: alternative to dental surgery, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental procedures, full mouth reconstruction, LANAP, missing teeth, root canal

Cosmetic dentists can do wonders to restore the health, vitality, and sheer beauty of the human smile. Advanced technology makes it possible for cosmetic dental procedures to repair almost any problem with teeth or gums. Many problems can be solved with very simple procedures. Others require much more complex methods and surgical techniques. Because every patient is different, cosmetic dental procedures tend to be highly individualized to the needs of the person as well.

Cosmetic dental bonding is a simple procedure that involves applying a special composite resin to teeth surfaces in order to cover chipped and discolored areas. It is a painless procedure, and it has proven itself a superior alternative to metal fillings because the resin mimics the natural color of teeth and is more benign to the mouth than metal fillings.

Tooth whitening is performed when teeth become discolored for any number of reasons. Smoking and drinking coffee can change teeth from white to yellow in a short matter of time. Some prescription medications can also discolor teeth severely. Even certain healthy teas that people have begun to substitute for caffeine and nicotine can cause teeth to lose their color. Mild to moderate discoloration is normally reverse with a bleaching solution that is applied both in the dental office and through two weeks of self-care at home. More severe cases may require the use of cosmetic dental veneers, which are made from porcelain that provides a hard, reliable overlay for tooth enamel. Veneers are stain resistant and will normally last for many years.

For fragmented or missing teeth, more aggressive cosmetic dental procedures are necessary. In the past, teeth that were badly cracked were often pulled and replaced with a bridge. Today, cosmetic dentists can often save a damage tooth by performing a root canal and capping the tooth with a porcelain crown. This procedure is also used to repair teeth that have lost metal fillings. It not only creates a new chewing surface, but it also helps prevent infection.

Implant dentistry is the most advanced of all cosmetic dental procedures. It involves placing a titanium alloy implant in the jaw that the bone then accepts and grows around, much like it does a natural tooth root. After the implant area has healed, which can take anywhere from 3-6 months, the dentist then places a porcelain crown over the implant to create an entirely new tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry
Technology in Cosmetic Dentistry
Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty (Gum Removal)
Cosmetic Dental implants
Cosmetic Teeth Procedures
Cosmetic Dental Care
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
Cosmetic Dental WorkCosmetic Dentists

Cosmetic dental procedures are continually evolving as new technology emerges and dentists continue to develop new treatment options for patients with discolored, damaged, or missing teeth.

Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental braces, cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic dental veneers

People often ask their dentists if dentures will work just as well as dental implants. The truth is, dentures are better than nothing at all, but they can offer only limited benefit to a person. Dental implants, on the other hand, offer full tooth replacements that can potentially last a lifetime. Whereas dentures will help maintain the muscle tone of the face, dental implants provide both facial structure and a reliable chewing surface.

Dentures have a number of disadvantages that limit their usefulness as well as their appeal. For one thing, they have to be removed and cleaned on a regular basis. Consider how this can scare small children when they discover the teeth of a parent or grandparent soaking in a glass in the kitchen. Dental implants do not have to be taken out and cleaned in this fashion because they are fixed in the bone and work just like natural teeth. They can even be brushed and flossed.

Dentures can also make embarrass people during meals by making clicking sounds that people can hear across the table. Dental implants make no such noises because they are anchored within the bone. Dental implants do not fall out either because they are screwed to the jawbone and stay in the mouth just like natural teeth.

Dental implants also allow a person to eat any foods that natural teeth can normally chew. Dentures are much more limited because they do not provide enough of a hard chewing surface. Porcelain, the substance used to make implants, is one of the hardest substances known to medical science, and is also stain resistant and impervious to chipping and cracking.

Virtually any cosmetic dentist will tell you that the biggest advantage of dental implants over dentures is their ability to reverse bone degradation. You see, when teeth fall out, the bone has nothing to grow around, and it begins to recess and deteriorate. This causes it to lose surface area, flatten, and become increasingly fragile. Bones, as living tissue, must have something to connect to in order to maintain surface mass and growth. Dentures do not connect with the bone and therefore cannot provide this. However, dental implants work just like natural tooth roots, growing into the bone and giving it a mass to grow around. This not only stops bone degradation, it most often reverses it.

For more information on the benefits of cosmetic dental implants, read the following:

Dental Implants
Titanium Dental Implants
Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Tooth Implants
Dental Implant Procedures
Postoperative Instructions for Dental Implants

Dentures are much cheaper than dental implants, but dental implants give people much more value for their money. Most cosmetic dentists also offer payment plans to help people cover the costs of implants, and many insurance companies will cover a portion of the costs as well.

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants, dental implant procedures, dental tooth implants, implant dentistry, retained dentures

PerioLase® MVP-7 is a very popular ND: YAG laser used in periodontal surgery. It allows for precision removal of diseased tissue in a manner that is far less invasive than traditional methods of cutting tissue away with metal tools. Because of this, it keeps pain and the risk of infection to a very low minimum, and has become equally popular with dentists and with patients throughout the United States and Canada.

There are many benefits that the PerioLase® MVP-7 offers to patients besides minimized discomfort:

-Laser heat acts to cauterize gum tissue and thus minimize bleeding. It also helps prevent damage to surrounding healthy mouth tissues.
-Healing time is much shorter as a result.
-Gums tend to be less sensitive when treated with the PerioLase® MVP-7 as opposed to being cut with surgical tools.
-LANAP takes less time and thus is better for busy professionals who need to minimize time spent in the dental chair. Less, if any, post-procedural medication is ever required after treatment with a PerioLase® MVP-7.

Although it only weighs 43 pounds, the PerioLase® is one of the most sophisticated and precision instruments used at the Houston Medical Center Dental Group. Its range of settings allows it to be used for any number of soft tissue dental procedures in addition to its regular use in LANAP.

A tilting, touch-screen monitor allows the dentist to monitor the accuracy of the device. The dentist can select any setting for the treatment he or she is performing through a procedure-driven menu displayed on the touch screen. For LANAP, a special mode has already been hard-wired into the PerioLase® MVP-7 and can be further adjusted through a joule counter that allows the dentist to fine tune the heat output of the laser.

The PerioLase® can be used while mounted on its mobile cart during LANAP, or it used while stationed on a tabletop. The infrared pulses of the laser periodontal probe causes the tip to glow a very warm read color, which provides the dentist with a guide light for precisely cutting tissue and cleaning off root surface tartar. When the laser is emitting infrared pulses, its tip glows a warm red color, giving the dentist both a light and a guide for the precision cutting of diseased pockets and the cleaning of root surface tarter.

Learn more about LPT here:
LANAP
Laser Periodontal Therapy
Gum Disease
LANAP Post Operative Instructions

LANAP is the preferred method of treating periodontal disease at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center. Call today to see if this new technology can help restore the health and beauty of your smile.

Labels: LANAP, ND: YAG laser, periodontal treatment, The PerioLase® MVP-7 Dental Laser

Labels: cosmetic dental implants, Dental Implants, implant dentistry, titanium dental implants, tivolloy

Thanks to new advances in dental technology, a wide range of cosmetic teeth procedures are now available to the general population. Some of these are very simple procedures that can be performed in one or two office visits. Others are more complex and require the use of very sophisticated instruments and very special dental training.

One of the more basic and common cosmetic teeth procedures is tooth whitening. It takes only two office visits spaced two weeks apart to perform. During the visit, the dentist bleaches the teeth with a special gel. Each night at home, the patient also applies special bleach for about 20 minutes, and may also be instructed by the dentist to use Sensodyne toothpaste. When the procedure is complete, the dentist will seal the bleach with a special light that hardens it and helps coat and protect the teeth.

When tooth enamel is too deeply stained for standard teeth whitening to correct, another very popular cosmetic tooth procedure is the application of dental veneers. Veneers are made from porcelain and are extremely hard and stain resistant. Not only can they make teeth look whiter, but they can also be used to correct very minor tooth alignment problems.

Dental bonding is yet another cosmetic procedure that not only improves the color of teeth, but also helps repair teeth surfaces. When teeth become cracked or develop pits, the composite resin used in dental bonding can restore a smooth surface. Also, this procedure has become the preferred method of filling cavities over that past few years. Amalgam fillings do not match the color of teeth, and they also can cause problems when they expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Cosmetic dental bonding resin is mixed to complement the existing color of teeth (or improve it) and integrates with tooth enamel much more safely and efficiently.

The more advanced cosmetic teeth procedures—dental crowns and dental implants—involve replacing a significant portion of tooth surface or creating an entirely new tooth altogether. Porcelain crowns are made to match the size of the original tooth so they can repair major fractures or missing pieces in its surface. If a tooth has to be extracted, or has already been lost, cosmetic dental implants are used as a superior, and more permanent alternative to dentures. A titanium implant in the jaw bone creates a new tooth root, and a porcelain crown is placed over it to create a new chewing surface.

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Cosmetic Dentists
Cosmetic Dental Work
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Cosmetic Dental Care

Cosmetic teeth procedures like the ones discussed in this essay can only be performed effectively by trained professionals who have studied advanced cosmetic dentistry techniques in addition to their general dentistry training. If you need any improvement whatsoever in the color and quality of your teeth, our team can help restore a better quality of life and a more confident face to the world the minute you pick up the phone and schedule an appointment.

Labels: cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental braces, cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental veneers, cosmetic teeth whitening

Sleep apnea is a condition which causes a person to quit breathing. These cessations in breathing, called apneas, can be as short as a few seconds or as long as several minutes. A patient can have anywhere from 5 to 30 apneas in an hour, depending on the type and severity of his or her condition.

Sleep apnea affects both men and women, primarily over the age of 40. However, younger people, and even children, can have it too. It is estimated that sleep apnea is as prevalent as adult diabetes, but many people who suffer from it do not know they have it. There is a great deal of sleep apnea information now available on the Internet, but widespread media coverage is lacking, and many people still know little, if anything, about the disorder.

Sleep apnea is serious, and can even have life threatening consequences. Studies have linked it to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, irregular heartbeat, and a greater chance of stroke or heart attack.

There are three types of sleep apnea-obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive is the most common type. It is caused by throat muscles collapsing and blocking air passageways. Central sleep apnea is rarer, and has to do with neurons in the brain not signaling the body to breathe. Complex sleep apnea is the rarest form, and is a mixture of OSA and CSA.

Sleep apnea symptoms include daytime fatigue, loud snoring and waking up several times throughout the night. Based on these symptoms alone, self-diagnosis is very difficult. A person who suspects he or she has sleep apnea needs to rely on more than information gathered through online research. She or he needs to see a doctor or a dentist for a conclusive, professional diagnosis. Only then can treatment options be explored.

Treatment varies according to the type of sleep apnea and its severity. Surgery is normally used for the most severe cases. Other treatments in include CPAP therapy and a sleep apnea oral appliance. Oral appliances are custom made by dentists and are designed to keep throat passageways open and help natural breathing occur. The Cosmetic Dentistry Center makes these devices and provides them to many sleep apnea patients who have tried CPAP, but find wearing a mask and being hooked up to a machine too much to deal with when they are trying to sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep Apnea Information
Causes of Sleep Apnea

Call our office if you think you might have sleep apnea and schedul an appointment for an evaluation of your condition.

Labels: obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea, sleep disorders, SomnoDent MAS

Dentistry and gum disease go hand and hand back to the beginnings of recorded history. Both Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about Periodontis in their writings. They recommended certain painless remedies for it, such as ointments, and also mentioned some rather harsh and painful remedies, like the use of a hot wire laid across the gums to sterilize them. During the Middle Ages, gum disease treatments were similarly crude and barbaric, inflicting more discomfort than true healing on the patient.

In the 1800s Dentistry began to advance, yet gum disease treatments still remained primitive by comparison. Many dentists would try to prevent it by cleaning teeth with scrapers or by fixing cavities with oddly-shaped and painful dental tools.

20th-century dentistry treated advanced stages of gum disease by cutting away diseased tissue and grafting healthy tissue in its place. Other method involved removing bacteria from tooth surfaces through the practices of root scaling and planing. It has been proven that a cleaner tooth surface will result in more healthy gums surrounding that tooth.

Twentieth-century general dentistry typically treated gum disease with several types of surgery. One type of surgery was cutting away the diseased portion of the gum and grafting healthy tissue in its place. Another solution used by general dentistry to treat gum disease is root scaling and planing. This involves removing bacteria from the surfaces of teeth that touch the interior of the gums. Creating a more healthy tooth surface contributes to the healing of the gums themselves.

Today, gum removal is more a function of cosmetics than periodontal treatment. It helps make excessively large gums look more proportional to the teeth. In terms of medical treatment for both moderate and advanced Periodontitis, LANAP has proven to be the most effective.

LANAP is done with a sophisticated ND: YAG laser called a PerioLase® MVP-7 that emits an infrared beam that removes diseased tissue and sterilizes gums in the process. An ultrasonic scalar and other very unique hand instruments are then used to remove root surface tartar. This makes LANAP the least invasive of all dental treatments for gum disease, and also the least painful.

Laser Periodontal Therapy
Gum Disease Cure
Gingivitis Treatment
Gum Disease Symptoms

The Cosmetic Dentistry Center specializes in all kinds of dentistry and focuses on making patients both look better and feel better. If you have bleeding gums, or feel soreness around your teeth, call toll free 1-888-790-0309 to schedule an appointment. Gum disease caught early is much easier to treat and alleviate than the more advanced stages of Periodontitis.

Labels: general dentistry, Gum Disease, LANAP, laser periodontal therapy

Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is the lack of saliva caused by a variety of medical conditions, behaviors, and medication side effects. It can alter the taste of food, cause plaque buildup, and increase the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. Saliva that is produced is often thick or stringy, causing the person to have a hard time swallowing. Dry mouth can cause sore throat and sores at the corners of the mouth that cause the skin to crack.

Healthy salivary glands are supposed to produce 3 pints of saliva daily. In addition to its obvious benefit of helping chew food and assist in digestion, saliva helps clean the surfaces of teeth and prevent plaque buildup. It also contains minerals that work against tooth decay by making it difficult for bacteria to attach themselves to teeth. Also, saliva is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize natural acids that can damage tissue in the mouth.

There are a number of causes for dry mouth. Age is one of them. Saliva production tends to naturally decrease as a person gets older. Other causes include side effects of prescription and over the counter medications. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication frequently cause dry mouth. Also, antihistamines, antidiuretics, muscle relaxers, and high blood pressure meds can produce this condition. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have reported not only a decrease in the amount of saliva in their mouths, but also a change in its consistency as well.

Very often the presence of other health problems such as clinical depression, extreme anxiety that includes panic attacks, and uncontrolled diabetes can cause Xerostomia.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry mouth, you need to call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. He or she will need to study your case history, examine your mouth, and possibly schedule a cat scan on the salivary glands or a blood test. Your dentist will need to also know all medical conditions you face and know about all medications you are taking.

If any medication you are taking is causing dry mouth, it may be possible to switch to another medication or alter the dosage. There are also drugs that help produce saliva that the dentist can help prescribe.

In some cases, lifestyle changes can alleviate dry mouth symptoms. Reducing sugar intake, significantly reducing alcohol consumption (or eliminating it altogether), and quitting smoking often help with saliva production. Avoid illegal drugs, period, especially methamphetamines and marijuana. These last two are notorious for causing dry mouth.

Read more about dry mouth on our main website:

Dry Mouth Treatments
Dry Mouth Symptoms
Dry Mouth Complications
Xerostomia

Call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as you can if you have any symptoms of xerostomia. Also, start practicing good dental hygeine daily in the meantime. Oral hygiene is something that every person with dry mouth also needs to practice diligently. Daily brushing and flossing minimize the possibility of teeth becoming vulnerable to decay.

Labels: dental hygeine, dry mouth, dry mouth symptoms, dry mouth treatment, dry mouth treatments, oral hygeine, saliva, xerostomia, xerostomia causes and treatment

The basics of good dental hygiene have never changed and never well change. A combination of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups and cleaning can ensure a bright healthy smile for life. You have to do your part to make this work. The dentist can correct almost any problems when you come to see him or her. However, only you can prevent problems.

The best toothbrush to use is one with soft, rounded bristles. Medium toothbrushes and hard tooth brushes can damage gums. Use a toothbrush that is comfortable for you to maneuver, and use a manual toothbrush. Almost all you hear about power toothbrushes is hype.

Good oral hygiene requires using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Other ingredients in toothpaste, such as antibacterial agents, are good, but they are no substitute for fluoride. Tartar control and teeth whitening agents are fine, as well as baking soda, but nothing beats good fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing is another element of good oral hygiene that everyone knows about, but that many neglect to do.
The type of floss does not matter. What is important is to cover all the sides of the tooth and move it below the gum line in the process. Do so until you hear a squeaking sound, which indicates all tartar has been removed.

People make all sorts of excuses about why they do not floss. They say it hurts them, or causes their gums to bleed. These are not valid reasons to avoid flossing. Healthy gums are not hurt by flossing, nor do they bleed. If you hurt when you floss or see blood, call a dentist immediately to get checked out for gum disease.

It is estimated that 80% of all Americans suffer from gum disease, but many of them do not know they have it. Leaving Periodontitis untreated leads to all sorts of complications, including tooth loss and even life threatening conditions such as heart conditions.

Tooth Brushing
Hygiene Supplies & Products
Oral Hygiene
Flossing

It is important to visit a dental office for periodic cleaning and regular checkups in addition to maintaining a regimen of good oral hygiene. Professional teeth cleaning services is something that everyone should have done on a regular basis. Hygienists at the Medical Center Dental Group can screen for tooth decay with x-rays and a special cavity-detecting laser called diagnodent. A standard cleaning session also involves fluoride treatments and careful review of your case history to provide you with personalized at-home care recommendations to maximize the chances of successful daily oral hygiene.

Labels: dental floss, dental hygeine, oral hygeine, Sensodyne Toothpaste, tooth brushing, tooth whitening

Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, cotton mouth, pasties, and dough mouth, is a condition that refers to a lack of saliva in the mouth. Xerostomia makes eating, swallowing, and even speaking difficult. It can cause a person to have bad breath, and it increases the chances of tooth decay. People suffering from Xerostomia need to seek medical treatment ASAP for a thorough teeth cleaning and checkup for gum disease. Corrective dentistry may be necessary, along with aggressive oral hygiene, to reverse the deterioration of tooth enamel that commonly results from Xerostomia.

Since there are so many causes of Xerostomia, treatments vary widely. Many cannot actually cure the condition, but they can offer relief from its symptoms. Many of these causes lie within the control of the person, because they are behavior related. Others however, are beyond the control of the individual and require professional care to manage the condition.

Alcohol and drugs can dehydrate tissues in the mouth and result in the loss of saliva production. In fact, the tendency of marijuana to do this led to the coining of the term cotton mouth. Methamphetamines also will cause Xerostomia and further complicate dry mouth with Bruxism by causing the jaws to clench. Smoking also dries out the mouth.

The easiest way to treat Xerostomia in these instances is to simply quit drinking, smoking, and using illegal substances.

Heavy athletic activity can also cause cases of Xerostomia. Salivary glands dry out when people breathe through their mouths instead of their noses. Also, when people exert themselves in the heat, their bodies redirect fluids normally used in the production of saliva to other parts of the body.

In most athletic activity, fluid replenishment and a conscious decision to avoid breathing through the nose can alleviate Xerostomia.

Anxiety increases the production of adrenalin. Adrenalin, in turn, affects a number of other vital and non-vital systems within the body, including the production of saliva. It is not uncommon for people who have panic attacks to also have dry mouth.

It can sometimes be very hard to treat anxiety-related Xerostomia because many anti-anxiety medications also cause dry mouth. Switching medication may be the solution. When this is not an option, salivary producing drugs may be prescribed.

Xerostomia can often result from diseases like poorly managed diabetes, clinical depression, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and Sjögren's syndrome. There is no definitive cause and effect between these diseases and dry mouth, but enough clinical studies indicate there is a link between these diseases and dry mouth in many people. Treatment really depends on the person and his or her condition.

Xerostomia can result as a side effect of many types of medication. Anti-anxiety medication and anti-depressants can dry out the mouth. Antidiuretics can also cause dry mouth, and chemotherapy can actually change the nature, as well as the amount, of saliva. Prescription drugs can be used to treat a great number of these cases.

It is a good idea to always maintain good oral hygiene and seek regular dental cleaning. Avoid taking over the counter decongestants and antihistamines. Reduce your sugar intake as much as possible. While you should drink water for general health, it can only treat Xerostomia when it is caused by dehydration. Using water to treat dry mouth caused by something else only frustrates the situation. .

If you have dry mouth, our dentists can help you. Many times we prescribe medication for Xerostomia treatment. These include xylitol gum, a saliva substitute mouthwash, oxidized glycerol trimesters, and a drug called Aquoral.

Call our office at 713.795.5905 and see what we can do for you.

Labels: dry mouth, dry mouth treatment, xerostomia, xerostomia causes and treatment

1. After you receive a dental implant, the dentist may apply surgical dressing to the area around the incision and give you instructions to keep it in place for as long as possible during the initial postoperative period. Use a cotton swab, never a toothbrush, to clean this area.
2. Starting the first 24 hours after you have had dental implant surgery, standard postoperative instructions include regular rinsing with warm salt water. Do this very gently without shaking your head or swishing around the salt water.
3. If your dentist instructs you to take antibiotics as part of your post operative care, you must take them as prescribed, and you must take all of them. Call us immediately if you have an adverse reaction to the medication.
4. You should use an icepack on the side of your face and jaws for the first 48 hours after surgery.
5. High protein foods are recommended for postoperative care. Eggs, cottage cheese, milk products, soup, and ground beef are excellent. It is better to liquefy these foods in a blender than to try to chew them.
6. Avoid using a Water Pik and do not use your tongue to play with your implant. This only traumatizes the implant area. Avoid any food that is hard or crusty.
7. Vitamin supplements are also recommended for postoperative dental implant care. Any good multi-vitamin with a minimum of 1000 mg of Vitamin C will work.
8. If the dentist placed upper posterior implants, avoid blowing your nose for the first two weeks, as this can cause infection.
9. If you think you are getting an infection, contact the dental office immediately.
10. Even if you experience no signs of infection, you should still return to the office two weeks into the postoperative period. The dentist will perform a checkup and remove your sutures.
11. The postoperative phase of recovery can last up to 6 months from the time the dental implant is placed. You may need to wear a temporary prosthesis during this time. Follow all the instructions your dentist gives you for this time period.
12. When the permanent crown is placed, the dentist will provide additional instructions for cleaning the implant and keeping it in optimal health with periodic visits to the dental office.

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If you have any problesm or feel suddenly sick, call our office. If you are unclear about any of these (or other) postoperative instructions, do not hesitate to ask us for clarification.

Labels: cosmetic dental crowns, cosmetic dental implants

Dentists estimate that more that 80 percent of the American population has a form of gum disease. However, it is also estimated that only 3% of these people ever seek professional help. Many people assume that gum disease is really not big deal. In reality, there are a number of complications it can lead to that are very severe, or even possibly life threatening.

• The bacteria that cause gum disease can get into the blood and infect internal organs. This can increase the risk of coronary disease, stroke, and infective endocartitis.
• Breathing these bacteria can affect the lungs and cause diseases like obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema.
• These bacteria can also affect increase production of prostaglandins (hormones that trigger labor) in pregnant women, leading to premature birth.

There are several stages of gum disease, each being more severe than the other. The sooner you get help, the easier Periodontitis is to treat.

Gingivitis
This first stage of gum disease, characterized by gums that are inflamed, red in color, and that frequently bleed. This stage is completely reversible, and presents no risk of bone loss, if it is caught in time.

Mild Periodontitis
At this stage of gum disease, tissues begin to separate from teeth, resulting in gum recession and deep pockets characterized by probing depths of 3-4 mm.

Moderate Periodontitis
This next phase of gum disease is more severe, and can result in bone loss between 4-6mm. Bad breath, loose teeth, and sore gums also appear at this point. Moderate Periodontitis is irreversible with hygiene alone, but it can still be managed.

Advanced Periodontitis
Deep pockets at this stage of gum disease can be 6mm or more in depth and can only be treated by surgery or LANAP.

Refractory Periodontitis
Bone loss and impending tooth loss are inevitable at this point. However, even this stage of Periodontitis can be reversed with cosmetic dentistry. Tooth splints can be used, and some teeth can be extracted and replaced with bridges. Selective teeth can be extracted if need be and replaced with bridges. The best option, however, is a combination of LANAP (also known as Laser Periodontal Therapy) and cosmetic dental implants. LANAP is less invasive than previously preferred forms of surgery, and offers the benefits of speedier recovery time and less damage to healthy tissues.

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Laser Periodontal Therapy
PerioLase Laser Treatment
LANAP Post Operative Instructions

Gum disease is nothing to take lightly. If you have any of the symptoms described above, you should call our office and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If we can catch Periodontitis soon enough, only minimal treatment will be needed to restore a bright and healthy smile to you.

Labels: Gum Disease, LANAP, laser assisted new attachment procedure, laser periodontal therapy, periodontal surgery, periodontal treatment

It is hard for many people to sleep well at night. Many times, a person will wake up and not be able to go back to sleep. This is often a good indication that a sleep disorder of some kind is present. There are other symptoms as well that include snoring loudly, and being drowsy all day long even after 8 hours or more of sleep. Self-diagnosis of these conditions is very hard to make because there are so many different sleep disorders that it is necessary to seek professional help.

Sleep disorders that are most common in American adults include restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy. Restless leg syndrome makes a person feel like they must constantly move their legs because they are itching, or because they feel like something is crawling on their flesh. Narcolepsy is based on a feeling of intense lethargy that plagues the individual throughout the day. It can make driving and operating machinery dangerous and also cause an overall drop in productivity. Both narcolepsy and insomnia can often be successfully managed with the right M.D. treatment plan and prescription medication.

Insomnia is not always the culprit, however. Sometimes people who grid their teeth at night (a condition known as Bruxism) go to dentist seeking treatment for what they think is a side effect of insomnia. During the course of the examination, the dentist discovers that the person is actually suffering from an entirely different sleep disorder—sleep apnea.

This condition is characterized by loud snoring and waking up suddenly throughout the night. While this resembles the restlessness of insomnia, it is generated by an entirely different root cause. The most common form of this sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when throat muscles collapse upon the airway. Dentists can do a great deal to help a patient with sleep apnea by treating the condition with a sleep apnea oral appliance. Such a device puts tension on the lower jaw and keeps the air passageway open enough for normal breathing to occur.

Severe OSA may require surgery to treat. Other remedies such as RFTA may need to be performed. The most common non-surgical remedy is a CPAP machine which pushes compressed air into the throat to maintain regular breathing. Most patients who use a sleep apnea oral appliance do so because they previously tried CPAP and found it uncomfortable.

Related Articles on Our Website:

Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Information
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Do not neglect talking to a doctor or dentist if you think you may have a sleep disorder. Some of the more severe syndromes can develop into life-threatening conditions. Call our office and make an appointment to get on the road to recovery with a sound and affordable treatment plan.

Labels: obstructive sleep apnea, OSA, sleep apnea, sleep disorders

• Light bleeding
• Slight swelling
• Minor soreness

7. If the surgical pack the dentist uses to treat your gum line with falls out, do not be alarmed.
8. Soft and nutritious foods, and particularly high protein foods, are the best diet to eat during this time.
9. Take all your medication that the dentist may give you as proscribed and in the full dosage instructed.
10. It is normal for teeth to be sore during the postoperative stage following LANAP. This occurs because previously loose teeth are now reattaching themselves to the gums and bones.
11. Very intense pain, fever, or severe bleeding is NOT normal after LANAP. Call us immediately if you experience either one of these.

LANAP
Laser Periodontal Therapy
PerioLase Laser Treatment
Gum Disease

The Cosmetic Dentistry Center recommends the quick and relatively painless LANAP procedure for busy Houston area professionals. Both the procedure and the recovery time take much less time than standard surgery takes. We routinely service business owners and executives from Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Clear Lake, Katy, and from other cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. Call 713.795.5905 today for an appointment.

Labels: LANAP, laser assisted new attachment procedure, laser periodontal therapy, ND: YAG laser, periodontal surgery