Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

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.

High school and college sports are about to start and on the list of supplies your child needs is a sports mouth guard. This may seem like a simple purchase which you can make at any sporting goods store for a few dollars. But you may not know that this simple piece of equipment can have a dramatic effect on your son or daughters sports performance.

If your child is a college athlete, or competing at a high level in high school, you should consider the Pure Power Mouth Guard, a custom fitted mouth guard that properly aligns the jaw, putting the entire body in equilibrium. This means, the muscles are completely relaxed and no longer compensating to hold the body's posture together.

Now the muscles can release more energy, power, strength, flexibility and increased range of motion to the body. Even professional athletes, such as Terrell Owens and Olympic champion Michael Redd found a 30%-80% increase in their athletic ability when using the PPM.

It sounds crazy that a mouth guard can make you stronger, improve your flexibility and increase your balance. But this mouth guard, derived from neuromuscular dentistry, shows how connected your bite is to the rest of your body. The idea is to find the ideal bite position (where the muscles and joints are most relaxed) and build that position into the appliance.

If you are interested in better sports performance, playing to the best of your ability, request a consultation with Dream Smile Dental.

What would you think if someone told you that a mouth guard can make you stronger, improve your flexibility and increase your balance? Those are the benefits a Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM). Custom fitted, the Pure Power Mouthguard, properly aligns the jaw putting the entire body in equilibrium.

When the body is in equilibrium, the muscles are completely relaxed and are no longer compensating to hold the body's posture together.

The muscles now have the capability to release more energy, power, strength, flexibility and increased range of motion to the body. Professional and amateur athletes from many sports are praising it, including Terrell Owens and Manny Ramirez.

This appliance, derived from neuromuscular dentistry, shows how connected your bite is to the rest of your body. The idea is to find the ideal bite position (where the muscles and joints are most relaxed ) and build that position into the appliance.

The bite is found by relaxing the muscles and then jaw tracking is done to see, in real time, where the bite is most relaxed. After recording these measurements and creating models of the mouth, we can fabricate the PPM. Once the PPM is placed in the mouth, the jaw automatically moves into the correct position instantly liberating stored energy. It has been found that when a person is in this position, they are better able to use their strength, increase their range of motion, and improve their balance. Background muscle tension is relaxed allowing them to use their body more efficiently.

How is a Pure Power Mouthguard different from a regular mouth guard?
A regular mouth guard is made of material that is heated up and then the teeth are squeezed into it. This material is not durable or comfortable which why you see athletes chewing on the guard and taking it out. 

The pressure-heat laminated mouth guard fits on the teeth, but the material shifts the bite so that the muscles have to work harder. It has been found that athletes with these ill fitting guards may even perform worse with this type of guard.

The Pure Power Mouthguard is a comfortable custom-fitted appliance, using specialized computer technology to pinpoint and capture your ideal bite position. If you or a friend is serious about your sport, call Dream Smile Dental to see if you are a candidate for the Pure Power Mouthguard.

Americans of all ages are spending more time and money improving their smiles through cosmetic dental work or orthodontics. Some experts attribute our recent attention to orthodontics to more aesthetic, less noticeable treatment options made possible by cutting-edge technology. One of the most popular – and most high-tech – of these innovations is Invisalign.

Invisalign is a method of straightening teeth using a series of clear, almost invisible, removable Aligners. Invisalign combines the doctor’s clinical treatment plan with proprietary 3-D, computer-generated software to make these sets of unique, custom-made Aligners that move teeth in very precise increments.

But Invisalign isn’t the only innovation in dental and orthodontic practices today. Offices like ours are using digital photography and video, chair-side laptops and Internet access, and a host of technology-based products to educate patients about their dentition and engage them in the treatment process.

Dream Smile Dental is currently having an Invisalign Spring Promotion. If you start full Invisalign treatment and your case is approved by March 25th, you will get $500 off treatment! Call (781) 330-0900 or e-mail us at appointments@dreamsmiledental.com today for more details or to book your FREE Invisalign Screening.

*Screening includes a consultation by the doctor without x-rays. Value $100. Expires 03-20-11.

Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea and is a noise created by the partial blocking of the airway. When you fall asleep your muscles relax, including those that control the tongue and throat. The soft tissue at the back of your throat can sag, narrowing the air passage. Incoming air then makes the tissue at the rear roof of the mouth, the uvula, and the throat vibrate: a sound we know as snoring.

Moderate sleep apnea can be treated using multiple methods. However, studies have shown positive results with the use of a dental sleep apnea device with regular follow up visits may be a long term solution for sleep apnea sufferers. A customized night guard called the SomnoDent is created for your specific bite and actually positions your jaw in such a way that it opens up your airway. This allows more oxygen to enter your body and prevents or minimizes symptoms of sleep apnea.

The SomnoDent also prevents the tissues of the upper airway from vibrating as air passes over them, which is one of the main causes of snoring. This is a custom made medical dental appliance by combining a number of key design features which represent vast improvements on existing snoring appliances. SomnoDent has been reported to be a more comfortable and effective sleep apnea appliance. With the SomnoDent you’re not restricted to sleeping in only one position and you’re much more likely to use it, which is the main aspect of successful treatment. Feel free to contact us to learn more about sleep apnea and be sure to schedule your next appointment with us.