Thursday, July 31, 2014

Why Invisalign?

At our office in San Lorenzo, CA, we offer Invisalign aligners so that you can straighten your teeth without committing to a mouth full of metal. Using a series of clear plastic aligners Dr. Shital Kazi will guide your teeth into a smile you can be proud of.

While regular braces are still best for more serious cases, Invisalign is great for cases of mild to moderate spacing or crowding. For these cases, Invisalign provides teeth correction that bypasses the discomfort,  and restrictive diet that those who have traditional braces must face.

With a computer program that generates a series of aligners with small changes in each, Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. Virtually invisible, the aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and unlike traditional braces, they are removable. Therefore, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque build-up that can normally occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will be able to eat all the foods you like, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, nuts, apples, carrots and corn.

If you think Invisalign might be the best option for you to achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming of, call us at (510) 276-6040 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

What to Do About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects the way you breathe while sleeping, causing your breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time and jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night. As a result, your energy, mental acuity and productivity can suffer. Over time, sleep apnea can even lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain.

At Lewelling Dental Care, we use oral surgery to treat sleep apnea and increase the quality of sleep and life for patients.  Oral surgery relieves sleep apnea symptoms by removing the blockage caused by excess tissue, which vibrates and blocking the upper air passages. One way this is done is through UPPP, or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which involves removing excess tissue from the upper mouth and throat while under general anesthesia. Maxillomandibular advancement is another procedure used to treat sleep apnea. This procedure moves the lower jaw forward, away from the rest of facial bones, which allows more room behind the soft palate and reduces any obstruction.

If these treatments fail to relieve your sleep apnea, a tracheostomy can be performed. A tracheostomy is when a tube is inserted into your throat to allow breathing. The tube is covered during the day while you are awake and then opened at night while you sleep.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, call (510) 276-6040 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi. For more information, visit www.lewellingdental.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are your last set of molars to emerge, and they usually come in when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Because these teeth often become impacted, which means they come at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary for them to be removed before they cause pain or crowd your other teeth. At our office in San Lorenzo, CA, Dr. Shital Kazi can determine if your wisdom teeth need to be removed and extract them if they do.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. This flap of skin makes the molar extremely hard to clean, which means you are susceptible to an infection called periocoronitis.

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Kazi extracts the tooth. Many times all four are removed at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate the patient. It depends on the preference of the doctor and patient, as well as how far the wisdom tooth has emerged. After an anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue over the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured.
After surgery, rest is required. You will also need to change the gauze applied to the incision every couple hours.

To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with Lewelling Dental Care by calling (510) 276-6040. For more information, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Oral Cancer

Did you know that oral cancer often goes completely undetected until it spreads to another part of the body? You can stay ahead of the game by having regular oral cancer screenings with us in San Lorenzo, CA. If you use tobacco and drink alcohol regularly, you are at a greatly increased risk for oral cancer. Oral cancer is also being connected to human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. Oral cancer can appear anywhere in the oral cavity. It is mostly found:
  • On the lips
  • On or under the tongue
  • On the roof of the mouth
  • Back of the throat
  • Inside the cheek
The ability to detect oral cancer early is a great tool for us and for you. We are able to identify and pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution, meaning it can be treated well before it becomes a major problem. If you’re having regular cleanings at least twice a year, you are much more likely to have possible problems detected early because we document each appointment and know your history.
 
You should be getting an oral cancer screening at least once a year. Come in and visit us today so we can make sure your oral hygiene is in tip-top shape. We’re here to help, so call today!