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The Cosmetic Dentistry Process

September 20, 2011 admin Cosmetic Dentistry, Featured Articles
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.

 

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Sleep Apnea Dangers and Treatment

August 29, 2011 admin Archives, Featured Articles, Sleep Apnea
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.

 

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Dental Implants and their Benefit to Tooth Loss

August 29, 2011 admin Archives, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, Featured Articles, Restorative Dentistry

dental implants

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a fairly common procedure we perform here at the cosmetic dentistry office of Dr. Wiesse.  They are used to replace teeth that are missing and to restore the structure in your face.  Besides the aesthetic benefit of dental implants did you also know that not replacing missing teeth can have significant long-term effects on your oral health?  It’s true, not replacing missing teeth can affect your smile and lead to additional tooth loss and even gum disease.

Missing teeth make you look older and can alter the shape of your face.  When we lose teeth our remaining teeth shift to fill the space which leads to an increased accumulation of bacteria which can lead to gum disease.  This shifting can also result in bite problems because the gaps affect the way your mouth closes.  This in time can lead to TMJ.  In addition to these issues of tooth loss the jaw bone where the tooth once lay begins to deteriorate.  The longer you wait to have your tooth replaced, the greater the bone loss.  Longer time periods also make it more difficult to place any dental restoration such as a dental implant.

If you have lost a tooth it is best to replace it as soon as possible.  Dental implants will retain the characteristics of your healthy mouth and prevent jaw bone loss, the shifting of teeth, and the risk of gum disease.  They also help you to maintain your aesthetic appearance, your ability to chew and eat normally and without limitations, and your oral health.  You can learn about other benefits of dental implants and the dental implant procedure on our website.

It is important to remedy the effects of your lost tooth as quickly as possible to avoid further damage and to prevent the onset of other oral health problems.  To learn more about dental implants contact us and schedule a consultation.  For a video on dental implants, follow the link.

 

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