Dental Implants

When replacing missing teeth, dental implants are the recommended course of action. It acts as a substitute tooth root, bonding with the bone to form a necessary foundation for permanent replacement teeth that will, function, feel, and appear like natural teeth. The dental implant helps preserve the bone by providing the stimulation that was previously provided by natural tooth roots. This will help maintain the appearance of facial structures.

There are numerous reasons Englander Dental favors dental implants over traditional treatment options. For example, it is not necessary to grind down the adjacent teeth for a bridge, or secure a partial denture to them with clasps that may eventually loosen the natural teeth. Taking advantage of dental implants, patients will be much more satisfy with the quality of their teeth rather than the likelihood of many problems associated with traditional false

Dental implants are designed for the purpose of providing a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. After this procedure, someone who has lost teeth will regain the ability to eat practically anything and enjoy a smile that functions just the same as before. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, which is crucial for preserving the bone from deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Over the past decades dental implants have revolutionized the way people regain their smile. Now, you can gain back comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh, and enjoy life.

Staying Safe from TMJ – Advice from Englander Dental

One of the most complex and frequently used joints in the human body is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This is the joint that’s located between the mandible and the temporal bone. TMJ disorder occurs when one or both of these joints cease to work properly. It’s a common disorder and can be effectively treated.

What are the Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

There are a wide range of symptoms that could indicate TMJ Disorder. It’s important to know that the symptoms may vary greatly between people. If you experience any of these symptoms frequently, it’s advised to see a dentist promptly in order to determine whether you have TMJ and to determine the proper treatment, or evaluate unrelated symptoms in the case that you don’t have TMJ. These are the symptoms you want to be on the lookout for if you suspect TMJ:

• Frequent Headaches

• Ear Pain

• Jaw Joint Pain

• Tooth Pain

• Jaws Locking

• Jaws Popping

• Facial Swelling

This list does not cover all, and there are plenty of other symptoms that aren’t as common but still may indicate TMJ Disorder. Additionally, some people have TMJ Disorder but experience none of the common symptoms associated with it.

 What Causes TMJ Disorder?

Although the exact cause may vary, along with the symptoms, the bottom line is that TMJ is generally a result of muscles or nerves on one side of the face having problems that cause pain such as headaches, face pain, jaw pain, and neck pain. People who have TMJ Disorder often grind or clench their teeth, dislocate their jaws, or tighten their jaw muscles frequently (this one often a response to stress). Arthritis and a misaligned bite are also other general causes of TMJ Disorder.

How is TMJ Disorder Treated?

There are few common treatments for TMJ Disorder. The most commonly prescribed is the use of a mouth guard that will prevent the wearer from grinding his or her teeth together while sleeping. This customized mouth piece is known to bring relief to patients after just one night of use. Jaw exercises are often prescribed to use either without or in with the mouth guard treatment. Bite therapy is an alternative but common treatment that can be highly effective for retraining your jaws not to clench.

Why do we brush our teeth before going to sleep?

Typically, before going to bed is an essential time to tend to your oral health routines. This is done for a key reason. Saliva production slows down at night, and saliva is very important in helping to keep your mouth clean. It helps by washing away leftover food and maintaining tooth enamel. Not brushing at night, especially while your saliva levels are down, leaves bacteria and plaque to cause destruction to your teeth during the night, while you sleep.

There is another important reason to brush before bed. Midnight snacking typically consists of eating sweets or salts. These sugars and starches are some key factors behind tooth decay.

Click here to contact us today to setup an appointment.

Does a root Canal hurt?

Root canals actually aren’t painful, but putting one off might be. Why?

Root canal therapy treatments are usually performed in order to save a tooth that is infected, and about to die. Sometimes the pain in an infected tooth is so strong that patients are fearful that the treatment will cause even more pain.

It’s actually been proven that extracting a tooth would cause more pain than having a root canal in most cases. Putting off a necessary root canal can prolong your pain.  However, even the term “root canal” conjures up fright in many people. Truly a  root canal relieves more pain than it causes.  Done correctly, a root canal is often a blessing rather than a curse.

Please call our office with other questions you may have about root canals. Our staff will help you to better understand this misunderstood procedure.

Dental Cleaning – What to Expect at Englander Dental

A dental cleaning is a fairly routine procedure that should not be painful. However, patients who have not had their teeth cleaned in a while may experience a longer cleaning, with some extra work to remove plaque from teeth. You normally don’t need pain medication for a dental cleaning. From time to time, however, there is the exception to the rule and some patients are so nervous about seeing us that they request nitrous oxide. In some extreme cases of anxiety, we may use a method known as sleep dentistry, where a patient is medicated to the point that they sleep through the entire procedure.

Most dental cleanings take between 30 and 60 minutes. If the cleaning is part of your yearly check-up, our hygienist may take X-rays to check for cavities and any other changes in the bone structure. I will normally perform the last look, and perhaps perform some difficult plaque removal toward the end of the cleaning, evaluate the gums for gum disease, as well as examine for oral cancers.

We wrap up your cleaning with advice about how to better care for teeth at home, and scheduling any appointments needed for additional services, like filling cavities. With today’s busy schedules, it’s best to schedule your next cleanings well in advance to keep regular six-month cleaning appointments. If you are regularly caring for your teeth at home, and plaque build-up is still significant, you may need to have more frequent cleanings.

We look forward to seeing you here at Englander Dental for your next cleaning. Please feel free to contact us to schedule your next appointment!

Is Your Sleep Apnea Driving Your Spouse Crazy?

Many people don’t realize they have a problem with sleep apnea on their own. In most cases, their partner urges them to get help otherwise threatens to move into a separate bedroom.  A person with sleep apnea may startle their partner several times a night as they appear to be gasping for air. Snoring is usually quite loud.

Some people opt to use a sleep apnea machine called a CPAP machine on the advice of their family doctor. This involves a mask and tubes attached to a machine. It delivers a steady flow of steam and keeps airways open.

Sleep apnea sufferers with mild to moderate severity can also opt to inquire about available oral appliances that can help, too. These fit in the mouth and aren’t attached to any sort of tubes or machine.  By positioning the jaw and tongue in a specific way, the sleeper doesn’t have airway obstruction.  There are fixed and adjustable sleep apnea appliances as well.

Many people don’t realize just how disruptive their sleep apnea is to their own sleeping habits until they start to work on a solution and find that they feel better rested in the morning.  Sleep apnea does carry some health risks so it is worth talking to your physician about.

A short time after being fitted for or purchasing a sleep apnea oral appliance your physician may ask to do a sleep study to determine whether or not it is effective.  We can help ensure that your appliance isn’t negatively impacting your tooth alignment or jaw position.

Call us today to discuss your questions or concerns about sleep apnea.

Dental Care For Your Children

How often should you bring your child to our office?

An annual visit at a minimum is necessary both to deal with immediate concerns like cavities and also to proactively look at potential problems as your child grows and matures.

Some recent studies have indicated that tooth decay has been increasing particularly in young children. This seems to contradict recent news stories about the benefits of fluoride and increased dental care. This change may be due to the growing use of soda and sugary foods in young children. There are many other factors that cause cavities, but looking at this recent news well, I think we all need to focus again on the obvious.

What can be done for your child?

• Reduce the use of sodas and sugary foods.
• Do not let your child use a “sippy cup” except at meals.
• Do not put your child over one year of age to bed with a bottle filled with juice or milk. Use water instead unless it is meal time.
• Make an appointment annually at our office for your child. That way we can detect problems early and create good habits from the beginning.

Contact us today to receive your FREE exam with cleaning and x-rays.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Q. What is cosmetic dentistry?
A. Cosmetic dentistry describes any dental procedure designed to improve the overall appearance of one’s teeth and smile. It can be in the form of cosmetic dental resin bonding, porcelain veneers, all-ceramic crowns or even dental implants with porcelain crowns over them. There are numerous options and the pros and cons should be discussed with Dr. Englander prior to treatment.

Q. How quickly will I be able to complete my cosmetic dentistry treatment?
A. Cosmetic dental procedures can usually be performed in as little as one or 2 visits. Consult with Dr. Englander to see what procedures are right for you and determine how many visits your procedures will take.

Q. How long will my new smile last?
A. It depends on the type of procedure you have performed and how well you take care of it- including proper home care and regular dental cleanings. Resin bondings for example tend to wear and discolor with time as opposed to porcelain work which is virtually maintenance free. Again, consult with Dr. Englander to find out which procedures are best for you.

Q&A on Teeth Whitening

Why do teeth turn yellow?
Various foods and the acid from sugar breaks away enamel and makes teeth look more transparent. This results in the core of the teeth, which is yellow, being seen through the transparent enamel.

Does Teeth Whitening work for everyone?
Nearly every person can benefit from whitening. Results vary depending on the severity of the stains on the enamel.

Is there a downside to teeth whitening?
Downside to Whitening: temporary cold sensitivity while doing it, however it goes away after completion.

How does the whitening process work?
Special trays are fabricated for the teeth , the whitening gel is place in the trays and then on the teeth. Ideally the trays are worn for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours, or can be worn while sleeping. After two weeks the results would be significant!

Ask Doctor Manuel About: Dental Implants

Q – Who is a candidate for dental implants?
A –     Anyone who has missing or badly diseased teeth.
Anyone who has a removable appliance and wants a permanent option.

Q – Why are dental implants important for dental health?
A – Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. A dental implant offers comfort, support, stability, and is as close to a natural tooth that a restoration can be.

Q – What are some of the benefits of dental implants?
A –     Implants improve your ability to chew food properly.
Implants fill out an otherwise sunken look caused by missing teeth.
Implants are permanent and do not need to be removed.
Implants help to maintain bone that would otherwise deteriorate if a tooth is lost.
Implants give you a more confident smile.

Q – How do I know if dental implants are right for me?
A – Call our office and we will schedule a visit to determine the best option to restore your smile to its absolute best.