Specialty Appliances
Ever been told that you snore or grind your teeth? Do you play a sport?
SNORING
Snoring is often just an obnoxious noise that disturbs mostly the sleep of others. A simple snore guard custom-fabricated in our office helps to eliminate the problem, allowing you and your partner to sleep in peace.
But snoring could also be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSAP), a very serious medical condition which deprives your brain and body of oxygen as you sleep. OSA affects over 30 million Americans and can be responsible for a host of medical conditions from high blood pressure, to extreme fatigue, depression, gastro-esophageal reflux, stroke, and more. Only a Sleep Study performed in a qualified lab can confirm this diagnosis. But your dentist is often able to see the early signs and recommend proper follow up and care. If diagnosed, we can even fabricate a non-invasive appliance that repositions the jaw to allow more air into your lungs. This appliance is accepted by the AMA for use in mild to moderate cases of OSA, and can be used alone or in conjunction with a CPAP machine.
GRINDING OR CLENCHING YOUR TEETH
Grinding and clenching your teeth can cause headaches, migraines and other temporomandibular problems, and broken or chipped enamel, as well as wearing down your teeth, causing sensitivity and other dental issues. These problems can be treated by wearing an occlusal guard or splint. Our office will custom fit you for the type of guard that is right for you.
CUSTOM MADE SPORTS GUARD
We are very excited to create a TekFit™ custom made sports guard in our office for the athlete in your family. Your child can even download an app from Apple® to personalize the mouth guard with the color of their choice and name, team name, team number or decals. Wearing a mouth guard is essential to protect your child’s face from soft tissue injuries and reducing the risk of broken teeth, concussions, jaw dislocation or fracture and stress to the neck. It also allows the child to speak more easily and fits the mouth properly unlike a store bought mouth guard. A lost tooth can potentially cost a family thousands of dollars in addition to many appointments causing missed time from work and school. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 600,000 annual emergency room visits due to sports-related cranio-facial injuries.