Welcome to Dr. Anna Lee’s monthly newsletter,

Soon 2018 will be coming to a close, and so will your yearly dental benefits. We would like to remind you to schedule your dental hygiene, exam and/or any other dental procedures as soon as possible in order to fully utilize your 2018 insurance benefits. These benefits, as well as healthcare flexible spending accounts, may expire at the end of December.

Unlike medical insurance, healthcare flexible spending accounts, and most dental insurance plans, do not roll over to the following year. As such, any unused benefits dollars for 2018 will be lost.

We know how busy families are today, but by coming in for regular dental hygiene appointments and exams you may avoid dental complications that may cause you to exceed future dental benefits. We are committed to the prevention of dental disease, and exams and dental hygiene are essential in that effort.

As the end of the year approaches, calendars get busy and things get put off. We kindly ask you to call 626-335-5114 today so that we may schedule your appointment as soon as possible. We want you to maximize your benefits and have the best dental treatment available. Remember, it is always best to catch dental problems early.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

P.S. Don’t forget that most dental insurance plans are “use it or lose it!” Don’t put it off any longer-

Dr. Anna Lee & Staff

Amalgam and Composite fillings

What are amalgam fillings?

Amalgam fillings are also known as “silver fillings.”  Dental amalgam is a combination of mercury, silver, tin, copper and small amounts of zinc, indium or palladium.  Mercury makes up 50% of the filling material and it binds all the other metals together to provide a strong, safe and durable filling.

What are composite filling?

Composite fillings are also known as “tooth-colored fillings” or “white fillings.”  Composite is a blend of plastics and small glass particles that are used to do small and large fillings for front and back teeth.

Pros and Cons of amalgam and composite fillings

Pros: Amalgam fillings

·       Proven-most popular and effective filling material used in dentistry for the last 150 years

·       Economical-cost less than composite fillings

·       Durable

Cons: Amalgam fillings

·       Unesthetic & Noticeable-black/grey teeth

·       Allergies-some people are sensitive to the metals in amalgam

Pros: Composite fillings

·       Esthetic-natural looking, match the color of natural teeth

·       Easy adhesion-bond directly to the tooth surface

·       Preserves maximum amount of tooth structure, less drilling, and less tooth structure reduction

Cons:  Composite fillings

·       More frequent replacement, they don’t last as long as amalgam fillings

·       Placing a composite filling is more involved and it is a longer appointment

Why is mercury used in amalgam and is it safe?

·       Mercury is used in amalgam because it binds all the other metals together to provide a strong, safe and durable filling. Mercury also helps making the filling material pliable. When mercury is mixed with alloy powder it becomes soft enough to mix and press into the tooth.  Amalgam filling hardens quickly and can withstand the forces of biting and chewing.

·       In 2009, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluation and research concluded that amalgam fillings are safe for adults and children ages 6 and above.

Are amalgam fillings a problem?

·       In 1998, the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs published the scientific literature on dental amalgam and concluded that amalgam continues to be a safe and effective restorative material.  

·       In recent years, tests show very small amount of mercury (vapor) can be released as the amalgam filling wears in the mouth over time.

·       Several reviews of the research concluded that any amount released from amalgam in the mouth is very low.

·       Other studies showed that the amount of mercury people are exposed to from the fillings is less than the amount that people are exposed to in their environment and their foods.

When should amalgam fillings be replaced with another type of dental material?  What material? 

·       Patients should remove their amalgam fillings if tooth is breaking, chipping, decaying or when the filling is worn.  There is no need to replace the amalgam if amalgam is intact with no tooth problems.

·       Removing good amalgam fillings can cause unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structures and can release more mercury (vapor).

·       Depending on the size and locations of fillings; your options are composite fillings, porcelain fillings (inlays/onlays) and others

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  She is knowledgeable about different types of dental material for fillings. If you have any questions about amalgam and composite fillings, please visit us at www.annaleedds.com or call for a dental checkup at 626-335-5114. 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

                

                                    

  I have attended several sleep apnea seminars in the past, but the Dr. Radar seminar that I attended in August 2018 was the most informative and practical seminar compared to others.  There was plenty of information that kept me awake throughout the entire seminar.   I want to share the information that I have learned about sleep apnea with my patients.

What is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while the patient is asleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep disorder.  It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from OSA, with 80 percent of the cases of moderate and severe OSA undiagnosed.  OSA can affect people of any age, including men, women and children.  OSA is a treatable medical condition.  There are treatment options for OSA which includes Positive Airway Pressure Devices (CPAP), oral appliance therapy (OAT) and surgery.

What are the signs and symptoms of OSA?

One of the most common signs of OSA is loud and chronic, ongoing snoring.  Pauses may occur in the snoring; choking or gasping may follow the pauses.  Other signs and symptoms:

·       Excessive day time sleepiness, at work or while driving

·       Impaired cognition, memory or learning problems, not able to concentrate

·       Depression

·       Irritability/mood Disorders

How does sleep apnea affect your health?

Harvard Medial, May 2011:  Study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) found that patients untreated for moderate to severe sleep apnea had a decrease life expectancy of 8-11 years as opposed to patients that were treated for the same condition.

·       Higher risk of stroke: 65% of stroke patients have sleep apnea

·       Higher risk of heart diseases: 40-83% patients with hypertension have sleep apnea. Studies show sleep apnea increase the heart rate and blood pressure

·       Higher risk of diabetes: 48% of type 2 diabetes patients have sleep apnea

*Patients with OSA have 23x higher risk of Heart Attack compared to a healthy patient.                                      

How do people get diagnosed with sleep apnea?

·       ONLY a physician can diagnose OSA

·       Physicians typically do not look in patients’ mouths.  Physicians do not recognize the common oral facial signs and symptoms of OSA

·       DENTTISTS have a right to SCREEN for OSA and treat with Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) per Dental Practice Act

Dental Practice Act (Business and Professions Code Section 1625-1636.6):                                                            

Dentistry is the diagnosis or treatment, by surgery or other method, of diseases and lesions and the correction of malpositions of the human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures; and such diagnosis or treatment may include all necessary related as the procedures as well use of drugs, anesthetic agents, and physical evaluation.

Sleep Tests

Sleep test is needed for the physician to diagnose the sleep disorder. Sleep test can be performed at home or hospital sleep lab.

·       Home Sleep Test (HST)-patient is provided with simplified tests to be used at home to diagnose sleep apnea.  These tests involved measuring the heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns while the patient is sleep.  It is usually 2 nights of testing.  The test result is read and diagnosed by Board Certified Sleep Physician.

·       Hospital Sleep Lab-test is performed in the hospital sleep lab and is hooked up to equipment that monitors the heart, lung and brain activity and breathing patterns while the patient is sleep.

What are the options of treatment?

·       Positive Airway Pressure Devices (CPAP)-the most widely used treatment for Moderate and Severe Sleep Apnea. They are endorsed by the AASM.  It is the most common and reliable method of treating sleep apnea, but some people find it cumbersome and uncomfortable.  The problem with CPAP is patient compliance; estimates about 24-40% compliance. 

·       Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT)-best for Mild to Moderate Sleep Apnea.  AASM recommends OAT for patients with severe OAT who are not unable to tolerate wearing CPAP devices.

*Combination Therapy-wearing CPAP and OAT together to help reduce the pressure on the CPAP machine, making it more comfortable to use.

·       Surgery-an option for patients after other treatments have failed.  The goal of the surgery is to enlarge the airway through the nose or throat that may be causing the blocking of the upper airway passages.

Dr. Anna Lee is a dentist trained in sleep apnea. She conducts a full evaluation of your teeth, mouth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and screen for sleep apnea.  Sleep test is necessary for the physician to diagnose the sleep disorder.  Dr. Anna Lee can then help you with different option treatments of the sleep disorder.  Please visit our sleep website at www.glendorasleep.com or call our office for a free sleep consultation at 626-335-5114.