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.

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. 

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.

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!

Acid Reflux and Teeth

The enamel of your teeth is the thin, tough outer layer of your teeth. Enamel protects your teeth from daily activities like chewing, biting and grinding. The enamel of your teeth also protect against harmful temperatures and chemicals. Although enamel is a hard protector of your teeth, it can chip and crack. There are many factors that affect the health of your enamel, but one of the quickest ways to erode enamel comes from acid reflux disease.

 

If you suffer from consistent acid reflux, the health of your teeth probably isn’t one of the first things you’re thinking about. You’re probably reaching for an antacid or a glass of milk and moving on with your day. However, new research reveals how gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can severely damage your teeth thanks to an increase of acid in the mouth. The study concluded that acid reflux can ultimately lead to thin, sharp and pitted teeth.

 

GERD, better known as acid reflux disease, causes chronic heartburn. The stomach contents, including acid, leak into the esophagus and often work their way back up into the mouth, causing burning pain. The damage from acid reflux looks a lot like tooth wear because the acid dissolved the tooth surface directly, softening the surface. Once the surface is softened, it becomes worn down layer by layer. Once the enamel is eroded, it cannot come back. In that case, patients would need a crown, veneer or filling to replace their tooth.

 

We recommend the following to our patients who suffer from acid reflux disease:

• Do not brush immediately after an acid reflux episode, use a fluoride rinse instead
• Use specialized toothpaste recommended by our staff
• Utilize antacids or baking soda after an episode to protect your teeth

If your teeth have been damaged by your condition, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shital Kazi to discuss your treatment options. 

Perio Protect

Did you know that we utilize Perio Protect technology at Lewell Dental Care? The goal of this technology is to manage the oral biofilm for lasting oral health. The method is a combination of non-invasive chemical debriding therapy and traditional mechanical debriding procedures. We use Perio Protect to help manage biofilms, or communities of bacteria, growing in the spaces or pockets between teeth and gum tissue.

 

The chemical therapy involves a tray delivery of solution to chemically debride the biofilm from the periodontal pocket. This process will also alter the pocket’s microbiological environment in order to disrupt biofilm growth. Standard cleaning procedures used throughout the dental field help remove plaque and tartar but bacteria reproduce quickly and biofilms will regenerate very easily unless its environment is changed.

 

With the Perio Protect method, we are able to prescribe solutions and introduce them to the pockets the biofilm has developed. In most cases, we will prescribe oxidizing and oxygenating agents to remove the slimy protective coating of a biofilm and its underlying layers. We will provide you with custom-made trays to deliver the solution to the affected areas. The trays are very comfortable and are worn for just a couple minutes a day.

 

If you are suffering from biofilm growth in the pockets between teeth and gum tissue, set up an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi to learn more about this innovative treatment option. 

Night Guards for Bruxism

Think you might be a night grinder but aren’t sure? If you wake up with a dull, constant headache or a sore jaw then you might be suffering from bruxism (night grinding). If you suspect that you might be grinding your teeth and you live in the San Lorenzo, CA area, schedule an appointment with us at Lewelling Dental Care for information on treatment options.

 

You might grind your teeth because of stress and anxiety, but it more likely due to an abnormal bite or missing/crooked teeth. Patients often find out that they are a grinder from a loved one or through a consultation with their dentist. Dr. Shital Kazi is trained in the detection of bruxism and can diagnose it through a simple examination. Patients exhibiting symptoms such as jaw tenderness and teeth abnormalities are most likely grinding their teeth at night.

 

Teeth grinding can become a serious issue. Chronic teeth grinding can lead to fractured, loosening or loss of teeth. Taking the time to visit us at Lewelling Dental Care is a great preventative measure when it comes to preventing night grinding. Chronic teeth grinders can wear their teeth down so bad that bridges, crowns or even dentures may be necessary. While these procedures are effective, they are also very expensive and can be very invasive.

 

We have a great reputation when it comes to creating custom mouth guards for prevention of night grinding. Our team is able to custom-fit a mouth guard to your individual needs so as to prevent any discomfort during sleep. Dr. Kazi will take an impression of your teeth and the mouth guard is molded over the model using special material. Custom-fitted mouth guards are utilized because they provide the most comfort and best overall protection. The night guard creates a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, preventing your teeth from grinding. Call us today to schedule  your appointment!