Sleep Apnea

                                                  

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while the patient is asleep.  There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and complex.                        

 Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.  Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of the obstructive and central sleep apnea.  Of the three, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer. In most cases the sleepers are unaware of these breath stoppages because they don’t trigger a full awakening.

It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with 80 percent of the cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea undiagnosed.  Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. OSA is also associated with type 2 diabetes, liver problems, depression and daytime fatigue.

OSA can strike people of any age, including infants and children, but it is most frequently seen in men over 40, especially those are overweight or obese.

For more information, contact Dr. Lee & her team today.

What is Pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy is a dental treatment performed when deep decay has reached the pulp of the tooth.  The treatment is usually performed to save the tooth from being extracted. Extracting a baby tooth before it is ready to exfoliate (fall out) can affect the way the permanent teeth come in and may cause problems with the child’s occlusion (bite) in the future.

After a pulpotomy procedure is completed the baby tooth can be restored with a filling or a crown.  The most common type of crown restoration is a stainless steel crown and it is the least expensive. 

Parents play an important role in early detection of decay.  If you suspect that your child may have tooth decay, call Dr. Anna Lee for an examination. 

Remember early diagnosis and regular dental check-ups will prevent oral health complications.  Don’t wait; call today 626-335-5114, for a dental check-up.

Are Composite Fillings Right for Me?

There are different types of fillings, and a variety of factors will be considered before a recommendation is made on the best material for you or your child. Dr. Anna Lee many times recommends a composite filling which can be used to restore front and back teeth, but here are the facts in order for you to decide which one may be right for you or your child.

Advantages:

·      Strong and durable

·      Tooth colored

·      Single visit

·      Minimal tooth reduction

Disadvantages:

·      Slightly higher costs

·      May leak over time

·      Teeth may be sensitive

If you or your child has a cavity and you are not sure about which type of filling you want to use, contact Dr. Lee & her team to discuss your particular concerns.

Disadvantages of Amalgam

A filling is necessary in order to protect a tooth once a cavity has been removed. This helps protect the tooth and ensure that the decay does not spread to other teeth. While there are a couple of different options for filings and material that can be used. Here are three problems that you or your child may experience with amalgam fillings.

·         Amalgams are gray in color. This may be a cosmetic problem that can be handled in other ways. Contact Dr. Lee for options.

·         Amalgams may stain or create a dark tattoo on teeth over time. In order to decrease problems with staining or amalgam tattoos choose a different material. If you notice this problem, it may be time to switch out the filling with a composite material instead.

·         Teeth may be temporarily sensitive to hot or cold. While this problem may not last for long, if the problem persists adjusting the temperature of the food and drinks you consume may help to alleviate problems.

In order to find out more information and determine which type of filling will better fit your needs, contact Dr. Lee & her team today.

Types of Fillings Used in Children

Fillings can help protect your children’s teeth from developing additional in decay in an area where they already have cavities. This is because the bacteria from a decayed tooth can spread to other teeth. Depending on how big the cavity is will depend on how big the filling is.  There are different types of material that may be used to help fill the gap in the tooth where there use to be decay.

The two most common types of filling material are amalgam and composite (white).

Amalgam fillings have been used as a filling material for more than 100 years.  It is commonly used to restore back teeth (molars).

Advantages:

·      Durable and long lasting

·      Wears well and holds up well to the forces of biting

·      Inexpensive

·      Single visit

For more information on cavities, decay and fillings contact Dr. Lee & her team today.

What are Sealants?

When your child visits the dentist for their regular check-up you may hear the word sealants. Don’t panic, this is a dental procedure that the dentist is recommending for their own health. Sealants can help to keep your child’s smile as healthy as possible.  They keep bacteria away from deep ridges in the teeth that hold onto the food they are consuming.  Dr. Anna Lee and her team suggest that children get sealants in order to decrease their chances of decay.

Sealants are a clear or tinted plastic protective coating applied on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to prevent cavities.  Molars and premolars have grooves and crevices and food can get stuck on or in these surfaces.  Sealants are applied to ‘seal’ the grooves and crevices so that food cannot get into them to cause cavities.

The longer that food is able to stay on the surface of the teeth the more likely it is to negatively impact the surface of the teeth and create a cavity. Once a cavity is forming the only way to take care of the problem is to remove the cavity. Depending on the size of the cavity will depend on the pain and the cost of the procedure. That’s why sealants are so beneficial and recommended, especially for children who sometimes have more difficulty brushing well.

For more information on sealants contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team today.

Caring for Permanent Teeth:

It is so exciting when your children’s first teeth are loose and their permanent teeth begin to come in. Dr. Lee recommends these six tips to care for your child’s permanent teeth.

·      Parents should continue to help the children, 6-8 years old, brush their teeth twice a day until they can show that they can do a good job on their own.

·      Use a soft toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste

·      Teach the child to spit out the foamy saliva

·      Begin flossing the child’s teeth daily as soon as any teeth are touching each other

·      Talk to the dentist about the child to make sure they are getting the right amount of fluoride

·      Sealants

Permanent teeth can last a lifetime if your child takes care of them. From the beginning of the first permanent tooth coming in to the last, it is critical to have your child take care of their teeth.  For more information contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team.