Smile Design Dallas & Ft. Worth

Smile Design

Smile Design

Have you ever considered enhancing your appearance with a newly designed smile? If so you may want to think about how a smile makeover can help you gain confidence and a better life. Most patients who come in for a smile design in Dallas or Ft. Worth don’t necessarily have dental issues that they are embarrassed of. Rather they want to improve the smile that they already have with a few cosmetic dentistry treatments that enhance their aesthetics.

Dr. Wiesse of Beautiful Lake Ridge Smiles helps patients in the Grand Prairie, TX and surrounding areas get the smile of their dreams every day. By taking into careful consideration what the patient wants to improve about their smile and aligning that with the possibilities of their dental health, he is able to customize treatment plans so that our patients get the results they want. Our treatments are designed to look and feel completely natural and your friends and family won’t even be able to tell you’ve had work done. They will just notice a new glow about you that was sparked by your newly designed smile.

The treatments necessary for a smile design will vary from patient to patient. As every patient has their appearance goals and oral health needs Dr. Wiesse must address these factors before designing your smile. Although many patients come in with the desire to get specific procedures, there may be additional options available that allow patients to get their desired look as well as the dental health benefits that come along with a procedure from our office.

So if you are considering enhancing your smile with veneers, dental bonding or implants, contact our office today to see what opportunities lay ahead of you and your smile goals.

Migraine Treatment in Grand Prairie and Dallas- Ft. Worth

Migraine Treatment

Migraine Treatment

If you suffer from migraine headaches then you know how it can negatively impact your quality of life. Migraines can be severely debilitating and can lead to pounding headaches, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. If you experience migraine headaches you are not alone; the National Headache Foundation estimates that 28 million Americans suffer from migraines. The good news for residents living in the Dallas – Ft. Worth area is that Beautiful Lake Ridge Smiles provides migraine treatment in our office.

Why Do Migraines Occur?

The science behind migraine pain is still being debated by scientists and researchers however they do agree on what can trigger a migraine:

  • External factors such as emotional stress can increase muscle tension and dilated blood vessels can intensify the severity of a migraine.
  • Sensitivity to certain chemicals such as the ones found in food and drinks have been related to migraines.
  • The excessive consumption or withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches. Caffeine is often used in treating acute migraine headaches.
  • Other factors include changing weather conditions, menstrual periods, excessive fatigue, missing meals and changes in a normal sleep pattern can also contribute.

Treating Migraines with the NTI-TSS

We treat migraine pain with the NTI-TSS device which reduces trigeminal motor hyper-activity. This device has proven to be highly successful at reducing migraine attacks within the first eight weeks of use. The trigeminal nerve is a nerve that reports sensations back to the brain from three different areas. The busiest of these three areas is the third division, which sends sensations to the brain from everything below the cheekbone including the teeth, lips, gums and jaw joint. When the brain becomes influenced by external stimuli such as a stressful situation it can secrete chemicals that irritate and inflame the arteries surrounding the brain which result in migraine pain. The NTI device helps to reduce these pains and is a popular conservative migraine treatment for many.

Beautiful Westchester Smiles Moving Into New Office- Getting New Name!

Beautiful Westchester Smiles of Grand Prairie, TX has recently built a new office that we will be moving into on Monday, December 19. To sustain our continued growth and to better service our dedicated clientele we decided that a new dental office was needed to better service the dental community of Grand Prairie and beyond. The good news for patients and our staff is that the new facility will contain state-of-the-art dental technology and a design that was constructed to our exact specifications.

Dr. Wiesse has been servicing the Grand Prairie, TX area for over 20 years and will continue to deliver the same level our patients are accustomed to in a shiny, new office, designed specifically with them in mind. Patients can expect the same service and patient-centered atmosphere that comes with complementary drinks, fresh baked cookies, headphones and movies for patients to relax to. Our practice strives to make the dental experience a pampered experience and treat all of our patients as we would guests in our home.

The location and new name of the office is:

Beautiful Lake Ridge Smiles
5535 Lake Ridge Parkway
Grand Prairie,TX 75052
O: 800-397-3647
F: 817-649-8889

The old office is located at:

4116 S. Carrier Pkwy Suite 320
Grand Prairie TX 75052

The new office is just a few miles down the road from the old office and is located on Lake Ridge Parkway. We invite all of our patients and potential patients to come check out our new facility December 19th and come see why we are so excited. We will continue to offer the most modern and gentle cosmetic dentistry treatments in the Grand Prairie area and will center all of our services around optimal patient benefit.

To get help finding our new office contact us at:

800-397-3647

Smile Makeover in Grand Prairie, TX

Smile Makeover

Smile Makeover

If you have ever considered transforming your smile into a thing of health and beauty then a Smile Makeover may be an option for you. A Smile Makeover is the process of improving the appearance, function, and health of your smile by one or more cosmetic dentistry treatments designed to enhance your smile and your self-confidence. A Smile Makeover is used to improve your appearance by taking into consideration the elements of your overall appearance to develop an ideal look that works for you. Smile Makeovers are customized for each patient and allow them to work with their cosmetic dentist to achieve a look that improves all the aspects you don’t like about your smile.

Dr. Wiesse has undergone additional dental training to learn the various aspects of cosmetic dentistry that help his patients achieve the smiles of their dreams. A Smile Makeover has no set treatment guidelines and therefore involves the patient and doctor’s communication to formulate a treatment plan that will appeal to the patient but that also fits within the scope of the their eligibility. Before a patient undergoes treatment Dr. Wiesse will discuss with them the limitations, if any, of their procedure and the expectations of the final result. Because each patient may have various procedures performed to achieve their smile goals, they can expect to have one or more of the following treatments:

Smile Makeovers are advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures and can help improve the appearance of nearly any smile. They are often used to improve the look of patients who are displeased with their tooth color, alignment, tooth length or proportion, spacing, and more. To learn more about how Dr. Wiesse can transform your smile contact Beautiful Westchester Smiles today.

Cavity Concerns for Halloween

Candy and Cavities

Cavity Concerns for Halloween

It’s that time of year again when our kids get all kinds of free goodies that cause them to jump off of walls and cause them to lose their appetites for “real food.” Yes Halloween is here and the scariest thing about it is the candy consumption and the effects it can have on teeth. Dr. Wiesse and Beautiful Westchester Smiles want our patients to be aware of the dangers of sugary foods like candy and how you can prevent them from decaying your teeth. First, a little background on tooth decay and cavities.

Most candies contain sugars and these sugars can contribute to the amount of plaque that accumulates on your teeth. The accumulation of plaque consists of bacteria that stick themselves to the tooth’s surface and make them difficult to clean off with saliva. The result is the plaque that is not washed away produces acid that eats up sugar. Because the sugar is on the teeth the acid attacks the tooth’s protective layer and causes it to break down.

The protective layer of teeth is called enamel and this is the hard, white layer on our teeth that contains minerals such as calcium. If this enamel is attacked by acid it can result in the enamel becoming porous and result in the appearance of tiny holes in the teeth. Eventually these holes can become bigger and result in a bigger hole, or cavity.

Preventing Cavities

To prevent cavities such as the ones caused by sugar attacks on our teeth parents should help their children to maintain good oral hygiene, especially around Halloween. By brushing and flossing routinely we can offset some of the effects of plaque buildup as brushing and flossing work to clean bacteria causing debris off of our teeth. If you have not been to the dentist recently consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Wiesse for an oral health exam and to help you maintain a healthy smile.

Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms

Periodontal Disease

Gums disease symptoms

Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth that occurs in different stages and can result in tooth loss and other general diseases. The disease attacks the gum tissues, the periodontal ligaments that suspend the tooth in its socket and the underlying bone where it is attached. Periodontal disease is not just limited to oral health hazards, there are more research studies suggesting that gum disease has relationships with overall health. So not only are our teeth at risk from this common disease but also our general health.

The main reason for gum disease is attributed to plaque accumulation. Plaque can lead to inflammation of the gums which is one of the first indicators of gum disease. Plaque is the sticky film that forms on the teeth when we don’t maintain proper oral hygiene. Plaque buildup can eventually lead to the various stages of gum disease that are progressively worse and more serious:

Gingivitis- The first stage is comprised of inflammation of the gums without bone loss.

Periodontitis- The second stage of gum disease occurs when the inflammation of the gums and surrounding tissues results in early to moderate bone loss.

Advanced Periodontitis- The third stage of gum disease advanced periodontitis results in severe bone loss.

Gum Disease Symptoms

The first indications of gum disease usually come in the form of inflammation or redness in the gums. The inflammation may also include swollen gums or gums that bleed from flossing or brushing. Another indicator is bad breath and bad taste. The bacteria in the mouth can cause unpleasant smells and tastes that may be indicators of gum disease. Additionally more serious sign of gum disease include receding gums, sensitivity to hot and colds, and the formation of abscesses around the teeth that may discharge pus.

Gum disease is not only linked to tooth loss and poor oral health but also to cardiovascular diseases and preterm birth in pregnant women. The first step to preventing gum disease is to maintain good oral health by brushing and flossing regularly as well as maintaining routine dental visits. If you are exhibiting any of the signs of gum disease contact us immediately.

 

The Cosmetic Dentistry Process

Cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry process

Cosmetic dentistry involves a lot of external or superficial changes that many think only apply to the surface or appearance of the smile. Patients should know that there is definitely more to cosmetic dentistry than just what you see as many treatments require a lot of change beneath the surface. So in this sense a cosmetic dentist is one who restores and enhances teeth to allow for function to follow form and vice versa. Today’s cosmetic dentists are driven by minimally invasive techniques and have a heavy focus on facial beauty and symmetry. Our advancements in technology allow us to provide patients more achievable results than ever often with better outcomes than ever thought imaginable.

The cosmetic dentistry process starts with the patient describing what they dislike about their smile. Once the dentist knows what the patient would like to change they can make the appropriate suggestions to remedy the opinion the patient has of himself. The ability to take something that may be as simple as a smile and dissect it into areas where it can be improved is where the cosmetic dentist expertly blends art and science. The factors that come into this stage of the process concern the teeth, gums, lips, alignment, spacing and bite, jaw relationships and oral health. All of these factors have to be in line with how they can be changed to improve the appearance of the patient and taken into context with the overall appearance of one’s entire face.

The end result of these efforts must incorporate the artistic vision that is shared between the patient and dentist to create a favorable outcome. The client must have reasonable expectations as explained by the dentist and be able to explore their options because everyone has differing budget requirements. At the end the before and after pictures that are taken represent a transformation that is not only cosmetic or aesthetic but also hits on a personal level and makes a difference in the patient’s life.

To start the process of your cosmetic dentistry treatment call Dr. Wiesse today.

 

Sleep Apnea at-home Treatments

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea at-home treatment

Sleep apnea is a common problem that affects millions of children and adults in the United States and the world.  Most cases of sleep apnea can be treated with conservative treatments that you can do in your own home before seeking professional medical help.  Sleep apnea not only affects the way that you sleep but can also have lingering effects that may lead to more serious health problems.  Sleep apnea has been connected to cases of high blood pressure, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, daytime sleepiness, impairment of concentration, and memory loss.  It has even been attributed as the number one cause of car accidents.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Loud snoring
  • Morning headaches
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Gasping during the night
  • Irritability
  • Personality changes
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Impotence

At-home Sleep Apnea Treatment

Luckily for most patients there are many at-home self-help remedies that have been shown to reduce the effects of sleep apnea.  These treatments are all conservative and are generally the first step in seeing if your problem can be alleviated.

Exercise and Weight Loss- most sufferers of sleep apnea are overweight and have excess weight in their neck.  This extra weight can obstruct the breathing passage so even a 10% weight loss can reduce the number of sleep apnea events according to WebMD.

Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco and Sleeping Pills- these products can make the airway more likely to collapse during sleep and can increase sleep apnea events. The combination of these products and sleep apnea can be lethal.

Sleep on Your Side- many patients only experience sleep apnea when they sleep on their backs.  Sleeping on your side is encouraged to keep the throat open and limit the effects of sleep apnea. The use of pillows or other devices that reinforce this may be helpful.

Be Weary of your Sinus Problems- people who experience sinus or congestion problems are more likely to have sleep apnea.  Nasal sprays may help to reduce snoring and improve airflow for more comfortable breathing.

If the above at-home treatments don’t work or you are already experiencing more severe effects of sleep apnea seeking professional help is advised.  Beautiful Westchester Smiles offers sleep apnea treatment and Dr. Wiesse can diagnose and treat your sleep apnea so that you can get a good night’s rest.  Contact us today to get a professional sleep apnea evaluation.

 

 

Invisalign and its Health Benefits

Invisalign

Invisalign Health Benefits

At Beautiful Westchester Smiles we provide our patients with the opportunity to improve their smiles with great treatments such as Invisalign. Invisalign is a teeth-straightening product that utilizes a set of clear aligners to shift teeth into place. In addition to the aesthetic benefit straightening your teeth has, aligning your teeth can also have health benefits as well. The American Dental Association agrees that straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall oral health. Learn more about how you can improve your smile and reduce your risk of other oral health issues with this great product.
For starters misaligned teeth can create many problems beyond just an unattractive appearance. Teeth that are too crowded or have excessive spacing can cause swollen gums. Swollen or red gums are also a sign of gum disease which can lead to tooth loss as well as other oral health diseases. Straight teeth help the gums fit more securely around the teeth and make them easier to clean as well.
Compared to traditional braces Invisalign makes it much easier for you to clean your teeth. With braces the brackets and wires hinder your ability to effectively clean your teeth which can lead to the accumulation of bacteria and cause plaque buildup. The buildup of plaque can lead to gum disease which can result in tooth loss or tooth decay. Invisalign are removal so dental care is a breeze. Simply remove the aligners, brush and floss your teeth normally and then put the aligners back in place.
In addition to the above health benefits Invisalign can also help to prevent abnormal tooth wear due to misaligned teeth. For patients with a crossbite, Invisalign works to align the upper and lower jaws and can prevent chipping, periodontal problems and bone loss. For patients who suffer from painful jaw and joint problems because of underbite Invisalign can help the teeth to function properly again. Finally, for those who suffer from overbite Invisalign can help prevent the fracturing or chipping of front teeth that occurs because of this problem.
To learn more about Invisalign contact our office today.

Sleep Apnea Dangers and Treatment

sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is often confused with a serious case of snoring but statistics reveal that the sleep disorder effects nearly 12 million Americans.  Although the disorder is most common in people over 40, it can affect people of all ages.  High risk factors are people who are overweight, male, African-American or Latino.  Sleep apnea is even fairly common in children, affecting as many as one in 10.  If left untreated, the disorder can result in the following health problems:

  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Heart failure and heart attacks
  • High blood pressure

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

  • Daytime sleepiness/fatigue
  • Morning headaches
  • Snoring
  • Difficulty getting up in the morning
  • Irritability
  • Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning

Studies have shown that over half of the 12 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea are overweight.  In addition to being overweight other highly correlated risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, and other risk factors that are associated with heart failure or stroke.  A common factor here is that people who are in overall poor health may be victims of sleep apnea but conservative treatments like weight loss can reduce the impact of sleep apnea for most patients.

At Beautiful Westchester Smiles we treat sleep apnea with SomnoMed MAS.  This system positions your jaw in such a way that it prevents it from collapsing and promotes healthy breathing habits.  The system is proven in clinical tests is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea it can affect the entire household and more importantly their overall health.  To learn more about sleep apnea or the SomnoMed MAS system visit our website for more information.  Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wiesse.