Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Canton, MA May 2012. Dream Smile Dental is pleased to announce the incorporation of AvaDent™ Digital Dentures into the practice. As one of a select number of dental practices to offer this breakthrough, digital, CAD/CAM technology, Dream Smile Dental can now create an AvaDent Digital Denture with a precise, computer fit, in just two appointments.

Traditional dentures can take as many as five or more appointments and still not have the patient advantages found with AvaDent. The AvaDent process starts with one convenient record taking appointment to capture the patient’s exact features. The information is then sent to AvaDent’s Scottsdale, AZ facility where it is imputed into a computer, digitally designed and precision milled from a compressed, pre-shrunk disk of acrylic.

In addition to the precision fit and two appointment convenience, AvaDents are more bacteria resistant than traditional fabricated dentures to help eliminate sore spots and “denture breath”. And because AvaDents are digital, each one has a permanent digital record so if they are ever lost or broken they can be replaced quickly and easily without the patient even coming into the practice.

“With AvaDent our patients can regain their youthful smile with the natural look and feel they may have thought they had lost forever,” said Dr. Evetta Shwartzman owner of Dream Smile Dental. “We tell our patients that with AvaDent you can have a smile that is virtually you!”

Dream Smile Dental is located at 2184 Washington St. Canton, MA, 02021.

Doctors believe that there are more than 18 million people living with sleep apnea and many of them are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night.

More men than women have sleep apnea, but in women the incidences increase after menopause, most likely as a result of hormonal changes.

Obviously sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, however undiagnosed sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, memory problems and diabetes.

Watch for these signs that you may have sleep apnea:

• Loud or chronic snoring - Snoring is a milder form of airway obstruction. If you’re snoring loudly, chronically and keeping your partner awake, it could be a sign of sleep apnea and you should talk to a sleep apnea dentist.
• You gasp for air – Sleep apnea suffers commonly pause in breathing. Those pauses are often followed by gasping, choking or snorting. In severe cases, you may experience frenzied gasps for air every 15 to 30 seconds throughout the night.
• Exhausted all day – Poor sleeping at night leads to sleepiness during the day. But this is one of the most often overlooked signs of sleep apnea. If you’re spending seven to nine hours in bed per night and still feel sleepy during the day, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.
• High blood pressure - Sleep apnea is linked to hypertension. When you stop or pause in breathing, this causes your blood pressure to spike.
• Use the restroom often at night – This could be linked to aging, but it is also a classic sign of sleep apnea. The stress on your body caused by not breathing triggers a full-bladder sensation.
• Wake up with a headache - Frequent pauses in breathing during the night decrease the oxygen levels in the brain, causing pain.

If you suffer from all or some of these signs, the best thing to do is to contact Dream Smile Dental, a sleep apnea dentist, and schedule a consultation. We will do some diagnostic tests in the office and then most likely send you home with a sleep monitor. This will give us the necessary information to determine the level of sleep apnea you suffer from and be able to recommend the ideal treatment option for you.

Why does Starbucks sell 256 thousand gallons of coffee every day? Because the average American generally doesn’t get enough sleep and needs to compensate in order to stay focused throughout the day. Although coffee is a temporary solution, the root of the problem is not really being addressed and we’re missing out on the benefits of a good sleep.

When a person gets the necessary 7 hours of good sleep, there are effects that occur which include enhanced concentration, enhanced mood, reduction of stress effects, optimized immune system and increased pain inhibition. Simply put, good sleep makes us healthier. In fact, it even makes the flu shot work better.

So how do we get this good sleep so we can avoid the ample caffeine intake and the fatigued feeling throughout the day? Well first we have to assess the reason why we’re lacking this sleep. In most cases it’s some form of sleep apnea. This is defined as a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during sleep. Although this sounds like something one would know they experienced, most people don’t even realize they do this.

Snoring is the most common sign that a person suffers from sleep apnea which explains why 23% of sleep partners sleep in separate rooms. But before you send your partner to the couch, consider that they may need to see a dentist that specializes in sleep apnea. Not only because of the daily drowsiness, lack of concentration and lowered immune system, but also because sleep apnea leads to serious health issues. These issues include respiratory disease, stroke and heart attack according to sleep apnea dentist Evetta Shwartzman D.M.D.

A CPAP (machine that forces oxygen through a face mask during sleep) used to be the only way to treat sleep apnea and it still is for severe cases. For less severe cases, a comfortable mouth guard is available that is worn at night. Referred to as The SomnoDent, this guard fits the teeth in such a way that it actually opens up the airway. This allows for more oxygen to enter the body and minimizes lack of breath events throughout the night.

As a result, you wake up feeling more rejuvenated, experience less stress and build up your immune system to handle sickness. More importantly, this actually prolongs your life. By minimizing your chances of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, you’re more likely to live a longer and healthier life.

For photos and more information please contact: Diana@dreamsmiledental.com or call (781) 330-0900.

One of your resolutions this New Year may be to get fit, or in some other way improve your appearance. Well if it is more than just your weight or the shape of your body you want to improve, perhaps your smile needs a lift. Cosmetic Dentistry or Teeth Whitening may be an answer for you.

Through teeth whitening, the goal is a natural bright smile, not a startling white smile. The objective of teeth whitening, or other cosmetic dentistry procedures is to have your peers wonder “what has changed” about you.

Your coworkers and your family will ask if you’ve lost weight, have you had your hair done, is that a new outfit?

With less work and less money, you can affect your appearance and instantly have more self confidence than you have ever had. Dream Smile Dental was the first dental office in New England to introduce Laser Teeth Whitening; we have had over 15 years of whitening experience. Rather than attempting over-the-counter whitening methods, you should consult your dentist, because it is possible that bonding or porcelain veneers could be the better solution to your specific case.

Contact Dream Smile Dental in Canton for information and a consultation for your cosmetic dentistry or teeth whitening needs.