Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Sleep Apnea

Not many people know that their local dentist might just be their best solution when it comes to the treatment of sleep apnea. Dentists play an important role in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Specific therapy for sleep apnea is tailored to the individual needs of each patient based on their medical history, physical examination and results from different testing. Our dentist, Dr. Binod Verma has trained extensively in the management and treatment of sleep apnea and offers innovative treatment options to his patients.
 
Sleep apnea is a very common condition that is treatable. Traditionally, sleep apnea affects men over the age of forty, but it can be diagnosed in almost anyone, including children. There are different types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea is the most commonly diagnosed and treated by dentists. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airways. If left untreated, breathing becomes interrupted or very slow during sleep. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack, stroke, mental confusion, rise in blood pressure and sleepiness during daytime.
 
Patients suffering from sleep apnea will often report the following symptoms:
  • Waking up with a sore or dry mouth
  • Loud snoring
  • Sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Restless sleep
There are many different treatment options for those suffering from sleep apnea. Dr. Verma treats his patients using oral appliances and oral surgery. Through procedures like osseous surgery or osseous grafting, Dr. Verma is able to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea. These procedures are done in order to prevent snoring and discontinue any sleep apnea side effects.
 
Call 718-699-8268 to set up an appointment with Dr. Verma in Elmhurst, NY. 

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Soft Tissue Laser

Did you know that it’s possible to treat bleeding gums and periodontal disease non-surgically with our soft tissue laser? Lasers allow us to perform more accurate procedures, in less time, with less pain, and little to no anesthetic. The diode laser we use seals off blood vessels and nerve endings, preventing bleeding. The laser also reduces pain and swelling inside your mouth.
 
So how does this innovative technology work? The laser technology we use is monochromatic, or consisting of just one color. The monochromatic light allows the laser to be set at a certain wavelength to attract certain molecules in the gum tissue. The molecules we are searching for are made of water and melanin. The laser light dissolves the necrosed and inflammed tissue and disinfects the area affected by bone loss around teeth.
 
Soft-tissue laser treatment is a safe and effective way to treat gum disease. Traditional methods involve painful, invasive surgery. A laser allows a non-surgical approach, killing bacteria and removing diseased tissue with little to no discomfort. Laser treatments allow better healing and regeneration of healthy tissues.
 
If you are interested in repairing damaged gums with soft-laser treatment, please give our office a call and set up an appointment. If you leave your bleeding gums untreated, it can evolve to gum disease and ultimately lead to tooth loss. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Snap On Smile

Patients that are looking for a non-invasive, reversible, affordable approach to restorative and cosmetic dentistry are excellent candidates for Snap-On-Smile. The procedure is quick and effective, making it a great option for patients who want to look and feel better. At Family Dental Rego Park, we construct new smiles for our patients every day using this innovative technology.
 
Snap-On Smile is a comfortable, removable dental application that uses the patients existing tooth structure to improve their smile. The device is made from a durable and stain resistant acetyl resin and is can be up to .5mm thin without compromising strength. Dr. Verma collaborates with you in order to determine what shade and style you are hoping for.
 
The procedure is quite simple. Dr. Verma will take photos and impressions of your teeth. The molds are sent to a dental lab where the Snap-On Smile appliance is created in about two weeks. Once the device is ready, Dr. Verma will explain the insertion and removal process and basic maintenance procedures. From there, you will be able to enjoy a new-look smile that you can be proud of. Snap-On Smile is a great solution for patients who are unable to receive permanent improvements, such as crowns, veneers and implants because they are medically compromised.
 
Typically, our patients do not experience any adverse effects from their Snap-On Smile. Patients are not limited to what they can eat and drink, though right after the procedure it is recommended that patients begin with a soft-food diet. Speech is not affected by these custom-fit appliances either. Patients may experience some trouble within the first couple hours of their procedure, but this varies by patient and often diminishes quickly.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

TMJ

Tempormanidbular joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition that affects many Americans. The tempormandibiular joint connects your lower jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls many jaw functions and any pain in this area may cause jaw joint muscle problems, known as temporamandibular disorder (TMD). We treat many of our patients suffering from TMJ with procedures like occlusal adjustments and bone grafting.
 
Symptoms of TMD are wide-ranging. Patients will often feel pain when opening or closing their mouth, trouble chewing food, their jaw will become stuck, headaches are quite common and patients will often hear clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing their mouth. These symptoms can be associated with a lot of other health problems; patients should consult a medical professional, such as a dentist will allow for a proper diagnosis.
 
Treatment for TMD can go many different ways. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are short term methods and often do not solve the problems. Another possible treatment for TMD would be wearing a night mouth guard, this will lessen the effects of teeth grinding that can cause TMD. More permanent solutions include possible surgery in severe cases, but behavioral treatments to change the way the jaw muscles are used can be enough to solve the problem permanently.