What type of teeth-whitening do you offer? Laser or tray?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Our office offers laser teeth whitening, in addition to many other whitening options. We customize our whitening treatments based on each patient’s needs and desires, which ensures that we get not only successful results but also satisfied patients!

We would be happy to discuss all whitening methods with you, so please feel free to give us a call at your convenience.

I have been going to the same dentist for over 12 years but he sold his practice and now it seems more like a place you go to find out what they can sell you. I want a good teeth cleaning for a fair price however I am nervous moving because I really like the hygenist. My husband and I go at least twice a year but now it has been almost a year because of how we feel. I saw your special on livingsocial.com. Are your hygenists experienced and is the price after the special something we can afford to do on a regular basis?

Nervous to Move

Dear Nervous to Move,

We completely understand your concerns, it is scary considering a switch after such a long time with another practice. We would be happy to give you a tour of our office and answer any questions that you may have before you schedule an appointment. We are a very small, private practice, so we always make sure that all patients are treated with personal attention as well as great care and respect. Cleanings are performed by either myself or our wonderful, experienced hygienist, so please rest assured that you will be treated at all times by an experienced, qualified professional.

Our fees are very reasonable, we would be happy to discuss any financial considerations with you at any time. Please feel free to call us any time if you have any questions, we are always here.

My current dentist placed an ugly metal filling in one of my forward teeth. When I smile, it looks like I have been munching on black olives. I wonder why he didn’t offer a tooth-colored filling. I want to fire my dentist and go with one who is considerate enough to offer alternatives. What is your procedure in cases like this? Thanks.

Filling Blue

Dear Filling Blue,

This is a great question, and we are sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your recent filling!

When it comes to filling cavities, there are several great options available. Amalgam (silver) fillings are still used quite frequently, although most patients (and doctors) choose natural, tooth-colored restorations instead. Due to the controversies that surround amalgam, we no longer place silver fillings in our practice. Depending on the size of the cavity, we recommend either a white composite filling, or a tooth colored inlay. Both of these restorations last a long time, and look great – they are virtually invisible.

So if you want your teeth to look naturally white and beautiful, ask your next dentist about these options, or come visit us in Summerlin and we’ll be happy to help!

I’ve been seeing a lot of billboards advertising sedation dentistry. Lots of people are afraid of the dentist, so if sedation dentistry is available, why isn’t everyone doing it? Is it even safe?

Bobby
Henderson, NV

Dear Bobby,

You’re right – many people are anxious at the dentist, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that sedation dentistry is the answer for everyone.

Sedation dentistry is ideal for those who suffer from an extreme dental phobia, such as those who have had a highly traumatic dental experience in the past. Sedation can be administered two ways: intravenously (IV) or orally.

Many dentists today offer various types of sedation to make sure that their patients are comfortable. Most of our patients don’t need any medication for their regular dental visits. Others do great with some light anxiety-easing medications, such as Valium (Diazepam).

If you are considering sedation dentistry however, there are two important ways to ensure your safety:

1. Make sure that the dental professional who administers IV sedation has completed an ADA-accredited program specifically for controlling dental pain and anxiety.
   
2. Make sure your dentist completes a thorough pre-operative evaluation in order to assess your health history for any possible negative drug interactions you may have. Be sure to also let your doctor know of any medical conditions you may have, or any medications, including over the counter ones, that you are taking.

Billboards advertise lots of great products these days, but it’s important to make sure that these products are right for you. Together, you and your dentist can make the right decision.

My toothbrush says I have to replace it when the color strip has faded. Isn’t this just a marketing gimmick for them to make more money? What’s the best time to replace my toothbrush?

Anthony, Newport Beach

Dear Anthony,

I can definitely see how this seems like a clever marketing ploy. The truth is that although only a few brands have replacement indicators, these colorful bristles or indicators are simply a helpful and important reminder to regularly replace your toothbrush.

To keep working effectively, toothbrushes must be replaced at least every three months. In fact, studies have shown that a new toothbrush is 30% more effective at removing plaque than your worn-bristled old one. With time and regular use, toothbrush bristles become more porous, which allows bacteria and fungus to grow.

There are also other good reasons to replace your toothbrush, such as after a cold or if someone else uses it. Even if you use a toothbrush sanitizer however, we suggest that you replace your toothbrush whenever the bristles look worn or after three months of use, which ever comes first.

So you may have to buy a replacement brush a little more often, but it’s a small price to pay for clean and healthy teeth!

An aspirin a day…. can actually do some serious damage to your body!

Many of our patients suffer from debilitating headaches, and swear that “it’s no big deal, I will just take a Motrin and it will all be better”.  Unfortunately, that may not be the case.  

Anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn), when taken for extended periods of time can actually cause quite a bit of damage to the body.  Some of the problems that can arise include bleeding ulcers, high blood pressure, kidney problems, and liver problems.

Below is an excerpt published by Dr. Andrew Paul Siskind, MD, of Orange County, California, describing a couple of emergencies he experienced within his practice:

“Mr. Smith was a 48 year old CEO of a big company. He had a bad knee, needed surgery, but was too busy. So he took Aleve, two tablets a day, for about 18 months, which is when I met him. Mr. Smith was vomiting blood in buckets. Those little Aleve tablets had burned a hole in his stomach and caused a bleeding ulcer. I did revive him after he had a full cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, his blood pressure went low during the resuscitation and he had a stroke to his spine. Mr. Smith is paralyzed from his waist down and will never walk again. He is fine from the waist up.

Mr M. was my Father In Law. My wife’s whole family was visiting a few years ago. I noticed Mr M was going up the stairs more slowly every day. I finally asked him if anything was wrong and he said that he had a little cold but that he was ok. After I watched him taking about 30 seconds to go up each step I decided to send him to the emergency room. Upon interviewing and examining him there, the problem was obvious. He had lost about 1/2 of his blood volume. We did an upper endoscopy and he had 4 ulcers, one actively bleeding. We cauterized it and transfused 3 units of blood. He fully recovered. What I learned in the emergency room was that he was taking advil cold and sinus for 1 week-that’s right! For just one week. That is what caused his bleeding ulcer.”

The good news is that we may be able to help you without the use of potentially dangerous medications.  By relaxing the muscles of the head and neck, we can optimally position your lower jaw, effectively eliminating the pain associated with the muscle tension.

If you are suffering from tension headaches or migraines, back pains, muscle aches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, or other types of facial pain, call us for a complimentary consultation – we can help!

Dr. Siskind is a board certified physician in private practice in Irvine, CA.  You can read about him on his website.

My husband and I became aware of the seriousness of this problem when we noticed our 3 year old son, Joey, was snoring. At first we thought it was kind of cute, but then we began to worry – it seemed that he just wasn’t getting enough sleep. Joey was always tired, and cranky, and just didn’t seem to behave as well as he used to.

Another thing that we noticed (being dentists, this one was easy) – his bite was forming improperly! His lower jaw seemed small, and his bite seemed really deep – not the way a 3 year old’s bite should be!

We started looking more carefully, and soon realized he had all the classic signs of a child who was having a hard time breathing – the dark circles under his eyes, the mouth that was always open, the loud, labored breathing during sleep… the list of problems seemed endless.

We scheduled an appointment with an ENT, who confirmed our suspicions – our son was suffering from sleep problems due to enlarged adenoids! Reluctantly, we made the scary decision to have the adenoids taken out. Following the longest 30 minutes of our life, the surgeon came out from the OR and told us that Joey’s airway was 90 percent obstructed! He could not breathe!! Shocked, and extremely grateful, we took our son home, hoping to see signs of improvement within the next few weeks.

The night following the surgery, as we watched Joey sleeping, we noticed the total silence in his room. The next morning, he woke up, we could immediately see a huge difference. Cheerful and happy, he appeared to have finally gotten the sleep he needs. Within a few weeks, the circles under his eyes slowly disappeared, his behavior improved, he started speaking better – overall, he seemed like a different child!

For me, it was easy to notice the signs and symptoms of this scary disorder, because I knew what to look for. But what exactly is sleep apnea, and how do you know your child may be suffering from it?

Sleep apnea is a very serious disorder that occurs when breathing is disrupted during sleep. The airway becomes blocked, resulting in choking that causes a slower heart rate and increased blood pressure, alerting your child’s brain and causing him to wake up.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

• snoring
• behavioral changes (due to a lack of sleep, the child may be more cranky, have more or less energy, and have difficulty concentrating in school or following directions)
• increased bed wetting
• slowed growth
• attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• breathing difficulty
• heart trouble
• dark circles under the child’s eyes
• improper facial development (deep bite, open mouth breathing, small, underdeveloped mandible)

What causes sleep apnea?

In children, there are several physical reasons that sleep apnea may occur, including:

• enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• abnormalities of the jaw bone and tongue
• overweight children (extra fat around neck and throat blocks airway, making it difficult for these children to sleep)

Why is it important to diagnose sleep apnea?

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to more serious problems, so it is important to diagnose it early and treat it appropriately.

If you think that your child may be suffering from sleep apnea, or is experiencing any of the above symptoms, don’t wait – call us today and let us help you establish a proper diagnosis.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (702) 341-9597, or you can email me directly at olya@banchikdental.com.