Galleria Dental Aesthetics | Dental Blog
Northern Virginia, including Arlington and Alexandria
Archive for January, 2011
My Partner Snores – Does That Mean He Has Sleep Apnea?
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Since so many people with obstructive sleep apnea also snore, it is listed as one of the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). Studies of both men and women show that between 30 percent and 50 percent of Americans snore. With US population estimates for 2010 at about 310 million, and only 12 million estimated to have OSA, your partner’s snoring does not necessarily mean sleep apnea.
Known Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
While snoring and other symptoms are associated with OSA for only 4 percent of the US population, they should not be easily dismissed. OSA is known to be a life threatening disorder that can cause hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrest, brain damage from chronically low oxygen levels, and even diabetes. If, along with snoring, you have any of the following symptoms, ask your doctor or dentist if you might have OSA.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or daytime fatigue
- Habitual snoring
- Male
- Over 40 years of age
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcohol use before sleep
- Sedative use at night
- Periods of apnea (no breathing) during sleep
Snoring
During sleep, the muscles of the jaw and throat relax sufficiently to allow the tongue to fall back and/or the throat muscles to completely close off the airway. Attempts to pull air into the lungs are insufficient to overcome the blockage. Eventually, a very strong inhalation causes a snorting sound as air is forced through the blocked airway. Air vibrating through closed or nearly closed throat tissue vibrates audibly as snoring.
The difference between snoring and obstructive apnea is the difference between regular airflow to the lungs with every breath and airflow periodically being blocked from the lungs.
If you suffer from disruptive snoring or sleep apnea, Northern Virginia’s neuromuscular dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics can help. Please contact us for a personalized consultation at our Alexandria or Tysons Corner clinic and information about treatment for sleep apnea.
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Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
Sleep apnea is much more common than people think. Millions of Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea and can’t figure out why they don’t feel rested in the morning. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you experience chronic fatigue or feel sleepy during the day?
- Do you nod off at inappropriate times?
- Do you snore?
- Are your tonsils, tongue or throat tissues enlarged?
- Do you carry too much weight?
- Are you a male over 40 years of age?
- Do you drool at night, or sleep restlessly?
If you answered yes to many, if not all, of these questions, you may have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). OSA is a life threatening disorder that can cause or worsen other health issues, such as hypertension or diabetes. As dangerous as OSA is, treatment options for sleep apnea may be simpler than you may expect.
For people with enlarged tissues in the throat, treatment for sleep apnea may involve surgical reduction of the tissues. Your symptoms may just require wearing a simple appliance that you attach to your upper and lower teeth, holding your lower jaw a bit forward. This positioning opens your airway and prevents obstruction due to muscle relaxation.
For more information about treatment for sleep apnea by experienced dentists in Northern Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics for a personal evaluation in Tysons Corner or Alexandria, Virginia.
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The Advantages of Using Dental Porcelain
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
Technological improvements in manufacturing dental porcelain are growing more impressive with each new development. As a restoration material, dental porcelain has gained so much favor that it is replacing silver/mercury amalgam fillings. Metal dental crowns are also being replaced in favor of porcelain crowns in many dental practices across the country. Galleria Dental Aesthetics dentists do not use any metal in our practice because materials such as composite resin and dental porcelain are more than excellent alternatives.
Dental porcelain is similar to your natural tooth enamel in many ways, and is becoming so affordable that the benefits of choosing dental porcelain outweigh the small difference in costs. When treated with dental porcelain your teeth look natural since the product can be whitened or matched to the color of your other teeth. Not only can dental porcelain be used to improve your front teeth, but your back teeth as well, resulting in a smile that is attractive from all angles. From porcelain veneers to dental implants, dental porcelain has improved the lives, health and self-image of millions of dental patients.
We would love an opportunity to show you how you can brighten your smile, so please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics for your personal dental porcelain consultation in Alexandria, Tysons Corner or anywhere near Northern Virginia.
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Why You Should Choose Tooth Colored Fillings
Friday, January 7th, 2011
Are you resigned to having silver/mercury, or amalgam, every time you need a filling? Have you come to expect this as your only option–or as your only affordable option? We at Galleria Dental Aesthetics are excited to tell you about tooth-colored fillings and why you should choose them over amalgam fillings.
In the past, tooth-colored fillings were not strong enough for back teeth, so were used as fillings on front teeth only. But the technological improvements in the materials used to create tooth-colored fillings have advanced considerably since those days. Today’s tooth-colored, or white fillings as they are often called, are remarkably strong and effective.
Composite resin, most often associated with tooth-colored fillings, looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth. This material can be used to fill your teeth in one visit and can be shaped by the dentist as he places it.
Another great reason to choose tooth-colored fillings is that they do not adversely react to hot and cold foods like amalgam can. This means your teeth are much less likely to crack over time due to the type of filling material used and it’s adhesive properties.
One alternative for tooth-colored fillings are porcelain inlays and onlays. These require two visits and must be made in a laboratory. Both porcelain and composite resin can be colored to match your teeth. Each has benefits over the other, and your dentist can help you decide which material is the better choice for your particular restoration.
For more information from top rated cosmetic dentists about choosing tooth-colored fillings in Tysons Corner, Alexandria and Northern Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics for a personalized evaluation.
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