McDowell Dental & Aesthetics

Porcelain veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells of ceramic that are custom-fit and bonded to the front of the teeth. They can create an attractively white and even smile. A veneer placed on top of a tooth can quickly and easily improve the look of a smile. Dental veneers make it possible to correct a variety of problems, including: Spaces between the teeth Chipped teeth Yellowing or stains Misshapen or crooked teeth Small holes or pits in teeth Uneven or undersized teeth If you are interested in porcelain veneers in Abington, Jenkintown and surrounding areas, contact McDowell Dental Group today to schedule an appointment. Types Of Veneers There are two types of dental veneers that we utilize at our office in Abington, PA. Porcelain (Indirect) Veneers are custom-made in a laboratory and applied to the teeth. They resist stains better than composite veneers and better simulate the shine of natural teeth. Composite (Direct) Veneers are special plastic resin that is molded and bonded directly to the tooth in one appointment. Composite veneers are thinner and require less removal of the tooth surface before placement. The Procedure The placement of porcelain veneers requires three appointments for the following: Diagnosis And Treatment Planning This initial appointment provides the patient with the opportunity to take an active role in designing and discussing the restorative veneer process. The dentist will discuss the corrective abilities and limitations of this procedure with the patient. Preparation At the second appointment, the teeth being veneered are lightly buffed to compensate for the added thickness the veneers will create. The teeth are typically reduced by approximately one half to one millimeter in depth. Next, an impression is taken and sent to the lab for the creation of veneers. Temporary veneers are placed that will simulate the final esthetics of the veneers. This gives the patient a chance to function with the new teeth and any changes can be made prior to the final placement of the veneers. Bonding At the third appointment, the dentist will initially hold the veneers in place on the teeth with water or glycerin to determine whether they are perfect in fit and color. The color of the veneers can still be adjusted by altering the shade of the cement used to adhere them. Once the color is finalized, bonding agents are painted to the teeth. Dental cement is then applied between the teeth and the veneers, and a special light is used to quickly harden the cement. Care And Maintenance Of Porcelain Veneers Sensitivity to hot and cold may occur after placement of veneers; this is caused by the reduction of enamel on the prepared teeth. Sensitivity is a common residual effect that typically dissipates in one to two weeks. Porcelain veneers should be cared for in the same way that natural teeth are. They will not be damaged by brushing and flossing, although using nonabrasive toothpaste is recommended. Porcelain veneers improve the appearance of teeth and, with proper home care and regular dental visits, will last for many years.

Teeth Whitening In Abington PA Everyone wants to have a bright white smile. It’s just that life can get in the way — that glass of red wine, the bowl of raspberries, even the occasional piece of dark chocolate. Foods, drinks, smoking, and even your genes all team up to leave your teeth yellow, stained, and dingy. At McDowell Dental Group we offer our patients in Abington, Jenkintown, Philidelphia, and the surrounding areas safe and effective teeth whitening. Fortunately, we offer both in-office and professional-strength at-home whitening programs at McDowell Dental Group. These treatments will whiten your teeth up to eight shades. Why Do My Teeth Become Stained? The outer layer of our teeth, the enamel, is like our fingerprints — everyone’s is a little bit different. While the enamel on everyone’s teeth is porous, in some people it is more porous, so it stains more easily. Other people have darker enamel. Plus, as we age our enamel thins and it shows more of the dentin layer (the second layer of the teeth) through the enamel. This is why older people usually have somewhat yellower teeth. These are the reasons our teeth become stained: Food — Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, soy sauce, even dark chocolates have natural pigments in them that can stain the enamel of your teeth. Drink — Coffee, tea, red wine, cranberry and other dark juices, and cola soft drinks all can stain your teeth. Cigarettes — Nicotine leaves yellow stains on your teeth. Fluorosis — If a child has too much fluoride, it can cause this condition, which stains the teeth. This staining is in the dentin layer of the tooth, not the enamel. Drugs — Heavily used as an antibiotic in the 60s and 70s, tetracycline permanently discolored the teeth of many children. Like fluorosis, this staining is in the dentin layer. Genes — The enamel on some people’s teeth is darker than others. Also some people have enamel that is more porous and stains easier. What’s The Difference Between Intrinsic And Extrinsic Staining Of The Teeth? Not all staining occurs in the enamel. As mentioned above, fluorosis and drug reactions stain the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel. This is known as intrinsic staining. Teeth whitening isn’t effective on intrinsic staining, as the whitening agents generally work only on the enamel layer. The peroxide gels simply cannot penetrate deeply enough. For intrinsic stained teeth the solution is to cover them with porcelain veneers or, in the case of a single tooth or two, a porcelain crown. Staining that occurs in the enamel layer of our teeth is known as “extrinsic” staining. This staining responds very well to teeth whitening efforts. How Does Teeth Whitening Whiten Teeth? Our teeth stain gradually. It’s not as if you drink a glass of grape juice and your teeth are permanently purple. When you eat a handful of blueberries, for instance, the deep blue pigment in the berries penetrates the enamel of your teeth, which is porous. Your saliva rinses away most of the pigment, but a little bit may remain. Over time, the stains build until your teeth become dingy and dull. Teeth whitening agents (usually hydrogen peroxide) remove these stains similar to how detergent removes stains in clothes. The bleaching agent penetrates the enamel, just as the stain did, and it breaks down the stains. They are then washed away when we rinse. At McDowell Dental, our teeth whitening programs whiten our patients’ teeth from three to eight shades. How Does In-Office Or Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening Compare With Over-The-Counter Options? There are various options you can buy at the supermarket to whiten your teeth, but they are not as effective as our in-office whitening and our professional at-home whitening kits at McDowell Dental Group. Why is that? The bleaching agent isn’t the same strength — We use professional strength hydrogen peroxide gel in our in-office whitening treatment, and caramide peroxide in our at-home gel. These both have far stronger bleaching agents than are available over the counter. These are not offered in over-the-counter products because without supervision or custom-fitted trays, it would be too easy to burn the gums. They aren’t consistent — When you have our in-office whitening, we carefully protect your lips and gums. Then we paint each individual tooth with the bleaching gel. The entire surface of each tooth is completely covered, so you know the whitening will be consistent and thorough. Our at-home whitening uses custom trays that we create from dental impressions of your teeth, so they fit precisely. This ensures the whitening gel achieves the best contact with your teeth. When you buy kits at the store, they use either plastic strips or one-size-fits-all trays that can’t provide the same fit or degree of coverage.

Millions of people use BOTOX®, JUVÉDERM®, and Restylane® to achieve a more relaxed and smooth facial appearance, while still having the freedom of expression. Combining dermal fillers like BOTOX® with teeth whitening, Invisalign, or porcelain veneers, you can create a much more youthful appearance. An attractive smile can significantly improve your image and self-confidence, but it involves much more than your teeth – a great looking smile includes the entire face. Beautiful teeth surrounded by deep facial folds, volume deficient lips or “smokers” lines is like a picture with an ugly frame. A beautiful face with crooked yellow teeth is a gorgeous frame surrounding an ugly picture. Total facial esthetics will bring out your full beauty potential. Now you can radiate beauty from the inside out by receiving BOTOX® injections and dermal filler treatments from Dr. Ashley, who has been specially trained in total facial esthetics. Dental professionals are highly trained in the entire anatomy of the head and neck as well as the oral cavity, so we can administer your BOTOX® and dermal filler treatments with exceptional accuracy and precision. Botox® Injections Abington, PA Juvederm Abington, PA Since BOTOX® and dermal fillers are temporary esthetic treatments, these treatments can be conveniently scheduled to coincide with your routine dental hygiene appointments. Dermal Fillers As skin ages, it begins to lose collagen filled with hyaluronic acid (HA). Collagen and HA add structure and volume to the face, and therefore a lack of HA causes the skin to sag and wrinkle. That’s where dermal fillers come into play. Dermal fillers, such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®, are smooth injectable gels made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers add volume to these depleted areas to restore your face to a more natural youthful appearance. In just one short appointment, you will immediately see the esthetic results, which can last up to six months. BOTOX® BOTOX® is an FDA approved purified protein that is injected into targeted muscles and temporarily blocks nerve signals that cause muscle movements, essentially relaxing the muscle which reduces or eliminates fine lines and wrinkles. Within 7-10 days of the BOTOX® injection, the treated facial muscles become temporarily relaxed, causing the overlying skin to lay flat and unwrinkled. The untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion allowing facial expressions to be unaffected. BOTOX® injections only take a few minutes and will remain effective for 3-4 months. What Is The Difference Between Botox And Dermal Fillers? Dermal fillers do nothing for TMD. Dermal fillers, as their name implies, are injected and they “fill” in an area. This returns volume to sunken areas, such as the cheeks, or a filler can be injected to fill creases and lines around the nose and mouth. Botox works by relaxing the muscles it is injected into. This is how it erases frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines, as they are all caused by muscle contractions under the skin when we make various expressions. Botox works to relax the muscles involved with TMD in the same way. How Is Botox Used As A Treatment For TMD? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located on both sides of the head where the jawbone meets the skull. The TMJ is used for chewing, talking, swallowing, even breathing. For many people this joint gets overused due to teeth clenching from stress and anxiety. In severe cases, the joint can lock. This is temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. Dr. Ashley McDowell has extensive training in this disorder from the Las Vegas Institute and she has found success using Botox for many patients suffering from the chronic pain of TMD. When Dr. McDowell injects Botox into the facial muscles afflicted with soreness and discomfort these muscles relax and stop activating so strongly. They are not completely paralyzed, but simply weakened. After being injected with Botox these muscles are unable to engage in the powerful, often unconscious movement of the jaw that produces the chronic pain and recurring headaches of TMD. Who Is A Good Candidate For Botox Treatment For TMD? The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that over 10 million Americans are affected by TMD, suffering from pain in and around the ears and jaw, as well as headaches, tension, inability to open and close the mouth comfortably, and painful clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when speaking, chewing, or yawning. If that sounds like you, Botox treatment at McDowell Dental Group could be effective. But you should first work through alternative treatments. Reduce stress, stop chewing gum and chewy foods, try anti-inflammatory medication or even muscle relaxants, look into possible physical therapy, and have Dr. Ashley McDowell fit you for a custom mouth guard that can place your lower jaw in a better position during sleep.

Full mouth restoration involves reconstructing all of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws through the use of restorative materials like crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures. Full mouth reconstruction can be a necessary treatment performed to preserve the patient’s oral health. Candidates For Full Mouth Restoration At Our Office In Abington, PA This treatment may be performed on patients who have missing or severely damaged teeth caused by: Decay Injury or fracture Acid erosion Tooth grinding Malocclusion Missing teeth often leads to serious dental problems and can significantly inhibit a patient’s ability to eat and speak. It is important to seek restorative treatment for any missing teeth, but especially when most or all of the teeth are damaged. Full Mouth Restoration Options There are many different treatment options available for patients requiring reconstruction. Each type of dental restoration offers its own benefits and several treatments may be combined to complete a full mouth restoration. There are a wide variety of prosthetic materials that are commonly used to replace damaged or missing teeth. These materials may be permanently implanted or bonded in the mouth or can be removable and temporary. They may replace individual teeth, a few teeth or all of the teeth. Some of these options may include: Crowns Dental crowns are individual prosthetic teeth used to replace missing or severely damaged teeth. Crowns provide a strong, sturdy, aesthetically pleasing replacement that can withstand the same pressures as a regular tooth, letting patients enjoy the convenience of eating, speaking and smiling without any problems. Bridges Dental bridges replace missing teeth with a short row of prosthetics that rely on the strength of surrounding teeth and help stabilize the bite. Bridges also help keep surrounding teeth from moving into the open space of the missing tooth. The surrounding teeth are prepared for the bridge, which is then attached to the teeth. Bridges bonded or cemented (not removable) to the teeth and provide a restored function and appearance. Veneers Veneers are shells made from composite or porcelain that fit over the natural teeth to provide a white, even, full smile and can cover up crooked, chipped or discolored teeth. They are bonded to the front of the tooth after the tooth has been buffed in preparation of the veneer, which is then bonded to the teeth with an etching solution and special light. Veneers are a cosmetic enhancement and cannot replace missing teeth. Dentures Dentures are for people who have lost many or all of their teeth and are usually used to replace an entire arch of teeth. Dentures can be removable or fixed, and partial or full, depending on each patient’s needs and preferences. Dentures can be treated just like natural teeth but require special care and adjustment when they are removable. Implants Dental implants are small titanium screws that are drilled into the jaw bone to replace missing teeth. The implant serves as the root of a replacement tooth and can be covered by a crown, bridge or dentures to provide a natural-looking replacement for the missing tooth. The implant is first placed into the jaw and then allowed to fuse with the bone before the prosthetic is placed on top. Implants provide long-lasting support that most closely replaces the individual strength and stability of the natural teeth. Full mouth restoration is a complicated procedure that involves multiple office visits and can take up to a year or longer to complete, depending on each patient’s individual case. A customized treatment plan for each individual patient will be developed with the dentist, to help regain a healthy smile. McDowell Dental Group offers full mouth restoration with dental implants, veneers, dentures, dental bridges and dental crowns in Abington, Jenkintown, Horsham, Willow Grove, and Philadelphia, PA. For more information call (215) 885-0555 or fill out our contact form today!

Dental Exams In Abington, PA Preventative dental care is the foundation for a healthy mouth. We at McDowell Dental Group educate our patients on the importance of taking an active role in caring for their teeth in order to prevent disease before it starts. Aside from practicing good hygiene at home including daily brushing and flossing, professional checkups are critical to remove the biofilm from your teeth. Biofilms are the complex microbes that marinate into the gums causing periodontal disease. Our hygienists use micro-ultrasonic technology to remove these bacteria allowing the gums to heal. Combining good home care with regular professional cleanings reduces your risk of emergencies and complications relating to your smile. Preventative dental care enables us to diagnose and treat potential problems at an early stage. Why Choose McDowell Dental Group At McDowell Dental Group, our hygienists have had extensive training in the latest technologies. The most current research shows that there is a mouth-body connection and one’s general health is directly related to healthy teeth and gums. Consequently, Wendi and Rosemary complete 5 screenings during each hygiene visit. These screenings are: Risk Assessment – evaluating one’s medical history considering factors that may influence or cause disease Intra and Extra Oral Head & Neck Oral Cancer Screening – with the aid of our Identafi® oral cancer screening light Periodontal Screening – where gum and bone health are discussed Restorative Screening – screening for active decay & any broken down dentistry Occlusal Screening – where we analyze the TMJ joint, muscles and teeth to make sure they are working in harmony The Highest Quality Care In addition, necessary digital radiographs that provide superior diagnostics with minimal exposure will be taken. Your teeth will be cleaned with the most current microsonic technology which is comfortable yet thorough. Our comprehensive screenings and thorough exams are intended to inform and educate our patients while delivering the highest quality care to achieve optimum results.

Periodontal Disease Treatment In Abington, PA Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of all the supporting tissues of the teeth. Specific bacteria that destroy the gum tissues, ligaments and bone, cause this inflammatory disease. Left untreated, periodontitis can cause the teeth to become loose and eventually have to be removed. In periodontitis, the gum pushes away from the tooth causing a pocket to form. The deeper the pocket is, the more inflamed the tissue is, and the more severe the disease is. The Four Primary Risk Factors For Periodontal Disease Are: Diabetes Tobacco use Immunodeficiency (weakened immune system) Personal history of periodontal disease Other factors that increase one’s risk include stress, systemic diseases, medications that may be causing dry mouth, occlusal disease, and genetics. Periodontal infection may contribute to diabetes, development of heart disease, increased risk of premature and underweight births, and respiratory diseases. Treatment The main goal of treatment is to control the infection. Our hygienists accomplish this by repeatedly breaking up and removing the biofilm (plaque) that stick to the teeth causing the infection. Consistent scheduled appointments to wear down the bacteria are important in controlling the disease. By using a diode laser and micro-ultrasonics, our hygienists can treat deep pockets eliminating/killing the bacteria so the patient’s immune system can take over and heal. Reasons For Therapy Provide treatment for an infection formerly blamed on a patient for non-compliance with co-therapy To achieve Perio Remission Future prevention of systemic disease Possible bone repair Reduce the toxins, eliminate bleeding, and increase the patient’s immunity Healthy gums don’t bleed! Call (215) 885-0555 today for a periodontal disease evaluation of your teeth and gums in Abington, Jenkintown, Horsham, Willow Grove, and Philadelphia, PA.

Sometimes a damaged tooth doesn’t have enough healthy mass to support a new filling or other repair — it’s in danger of needing extraction, which is usually the last resort. Or the tooth may have a deep crack or chip. In these cases, placing porcelain crowns over the tooth or teeth in question can save the tooth and restores strength and function. In most dental practices it takes two appointments to place a dental crown. At McDowell Dental Group, we can prepare the tooth, create the crown, and place it all in just a single visit, thanks to our CEREC technology. If you are interested in porcelain crowns in Abington PA, Jenkintown PA and surrounding areas, contact us today to schedule and appointment. What Is A Dental Crown? You may have an older relative who has referred to his or her “caps.” This was the term used for a dental crown when they were predominantly made from gold. The gold cap could be said to look like a cap placed over the tooth. That moniker isn’t a bad way to think about porcelain crowns. A dental crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gumline. To make room for the dental crown, the remaining portions of the natural tooth are shaved down on all sides and on top. This allows the crown to occupy the same space as the original natural tooth. In addition to saving a heavily damaged tooth, porcelain crowns are used as the anchors for dental bridges. They are placed on the teeth on each side of the gap. While some dentists use crowns made from various materials, at McDowell we only use porcelain crowns — we believe they provide the best combination of strength and appearance. Plus, we can mill them right in our Abington offices with our CEREC system. This adds a level of convenience for our patients. When Is A Porcelain Crown Needed? The purpose of a dental crown is to restore the strength in a tooth. Porcelain crowns are excellent options for the following problems: Chipped teeth Broken or fractured teeth Teeth with large fillings Severely worn teeth Misshapen teeth Severely discolored teeth Teeth that have had a root canal Teeth with fractured fillings The teeth on both sides of a bridge What Is The Process For Receiving A Dental Crown? Once Dr. McDowell or Dr. Ashley discuss with you the need for a dental crown on your damaged tooth, we then prepare the tooth. This means removing any decay or damaged tooth material. Next, the tooth is shaved down on all sides and the top to create room for the crown to cover the tooth. We then take measurements and photos that will be used to create your crown. This information is sent to our CEREC system. The software allows us to design your crown in 3D right on screen next to where you’re sitting. Once the crown is designed, we send the information to our milling machine, which takes a block of dental porcelain and begins milling your tooth. It only takes about 30 minutes to create our porcelain crowns. Where your crown is finished, we place it on the prepared tooth. First, we check the color match with your adjacent teeth and then we check the fit. If necessary, we may shave down an edge here or there. Once we both agree the fit is perfect, we cement the dental crown onto your tooth permanently and you’re good to go.

Missing teeth are more than a cosmetic problem. Sure, their absence may make a person avoid smiling when in public situations. Even regular conversation can be guarded to avoid opening the mouth or whistling when pronouncing certain consonants. But beyond the cosmetic issues, missing teeth can lead to nutritional deficiencies, changes in bite alignment, speech problems, and jawbone deterioration. For people who have all of their teeth, it may be a surprise to know that one quarter of all Americans over 65 have lost all of their natural teeth. Many others have lost multiple teeth. Full or partial dentures from Dr. McDowell and our team can give you back your smile and your confidence. What Are Dentures? A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They can be full (replacing all the teeth on either the upper or lower jaw) or partial. Partial dentures are sometimes called bridges. Complete dentures are called conventional, which actually could be called “permanent,” and are placed from two to three months after tooth extraction. Another term you may have heard is “immediate dentures,” but those are simply temporary dentures that are used while your gums heal and your conventional dentures are being fabricated. What Are Dentures Used For? Some people wonder just what dentures would do for them beyond being able to chew harder foods. Well-fit dentures with Dr. McDowell go beyond those benefits. They… Improve the ability to chew and bite properly. Allow the patient to again eat healthy hard foods such as nuts and fruit. Improve the wearer’s self-confidence and self-image. End the slurred consonant sounds created by missing teeth. Improve the wearer’s facial structure. Keep remaining teeth from moving (partial dentures). Full Vs. Partial Dentures Obviously, if you’re already missing all your teeth a full denture is in order. Full dentures replace the entire span of teeth. Often if poor hygiene and gum disease have run their course, a person missing most of his or her teeth has to have the remaining teeth extracted due to decay within those teeth. When this is the case, the gums are allowed to heal before the full dentures are fabricated and placed. Full dentures are held in place through pressure provided by the tongue and cheeks, and suction created onto the gums. Some people use adhesive to add stability, but Dr. McDowell believes expertly fit dentures shouldn’t require that. If you have any remaining teeth that are healthy enough to be saved, partial dentures offer a better solution. This is because we can use those natural teeth as anchor points for the partial dentures. Partial dentures are commonly referred to as “bridges,” and can be fixed or removable. They consist of replacement teeth attached to a pink, gum-colored plastic base. In a removable partial, the denture is connected to metal framework that holds the denture in place, but also allows it to be removed. When fixed, the partial denture is anchored permanently to crowns on the adjacent natural teeth. How Are Dentures Made? The entire process of getting dentures, particularly full dentures, usually takes from two to three months. This involves many fittings. In many cases, the first step in the denture process is to remove badly decayed teeth. So that you’re able to chew while your gums heal, Dr. McDowell makes an immediate denture. After Your Gums Have Healed, This Is The Process: Your jaws are measured for the relationship between the upper and lower jaw and the space between. A series of impressions are taken. From those impressions we make what you could think of as “demo dentures” out of wax or plastic. These are made in the exact shape and position of your conventional dentures, but are used to check color, shape, thickness, fit, and function. Once Dr. McDowell and you agree that you like the fit and structure, final impressions are made for your final denture. These are sent to the dental lab for fabrication. When the dentures are finished we test them for fit and make further adjustments. From there, we will probably make a few more minute adjustments as you get used to wearing your new dentures. How Long Does It Take To Get Used To Dentures New dentures do take getting used to. At first they will feel loose, possibly feeling as if they could fall out. But your muscles in the cheeks and tongue soon adjust, as do your gums. Sometimes your gums can become irritated as they adjust. Eating and speaking will take some practice. In the beginning, you’ll need to eat soft foods cut into small pieces. As you get the hang of eating with your dentures you can return to a normal diet, but you should avoid extremely sticky and hard foods. Speech will also be an adjustment; the best way to practice is to simply read aloud.

No other dental procedure is surrounded by so much fear and misinformation than the root canal. Some people assume root canals are akin to medieval torture, while they actually are no more painful than getting a typical filling. Root canals should be celebrated because they allow a patient to keep a tooth that has extensive decay or other damage, rather than needing to have the tooth extracted and replaced by an implant or bridge. At McDowell Dental Group, we perform our own root canals, saving our patients the hassle of going through a separate endodontist. What Is A Root Canal? First a bit of tooth anatomy. Your teeth have three layers: the outer enamel layer that covers the entire visible part of the tooth; under the enamel is another hard layer called the dentin; and then inside the dentin is the pulp. In the pulp, you’ll find blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. The pulp extends from the upper tooth down to the tip of the roots. Where the roots run are called the root canals. Sometimes the pulp becomes infected or inflamed. This can happen when decay penetrates the enamel and dentin, with a deep crack or chip, with repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or even from trauma. When infection enters the pulp, the tooth needs a root canal to remove everything inside the pulp chambers, clean and disinfect the tooth interior, and then fill the tooth. When Does A Tooth Need A Root Canal? Most people know decay has invaded a tooth with fairly intense pain. There will also usually be sensitivity to hot and cold, tenderness when chewing, discoloration of the teeth, swelling or tenderness of the gum tissue surrounding the tooth, or you may develop pimples on the gums. Sometimes, however, a patient won’t feel any symptoms, but we can see the decay on x-rays during your twice-yearly exams/cleanings with us at McDowell Dental. What Are The Risks Of Ignoring Root Canal Treatment? A root canal saves a decayed and badly damaged tooth, but some patients are fearful of this procedure, so they put off treatment. This is a mistake. If the pulp is infected, the tissue surrounding the tooth may develop an abscess, a puss-filled pocket that extends up the roots of the tooth. If this happens, infection can spread throughout the body. Plus, the tooth will no longer be able to be saved and will require extraction. What To Expect During A Root Canal These are the steps involved in a root canal. 1) The tooth and surrounding tissue are numbed and a dental dam is placed to keep the area dry. 2) We drill a small hole in the crown of the infected tooth. 3) We insert very small files to clean out the entire pulp cavity and remove the pulp, decayed nerve tissues, and other debris. 4) We then flush the empty tooth with sodium hypochlorite to remove any last debris and kill any lingering bacteria. 5) The empty pulp chamber and root canals are then filled with a rubber-based material known as gutta-percha and sealed with adhesive cement. 6) We place a composite resin filling over the access hole. 7) In most cases, we then place a crown over the tooth to protect the weakened tooth and to return strength. If we need to place a crown (some teeth with a root canal don’t need a crown), we take measurements and send them to our CEREC system to create the porcelain crown in about 30 minutes in our office. Are Root Canals Painful? People confuse the extreme pain they can experience from the infected tooth with the root canal procedure. Root canals with the team at McDowell Dental Group are no more painful than having a typical filling placed. Anesthesia ensures you’ll feel nothing during the procedure. Afterwards, you will have some soreness, mainly due to having your mouth open for a period of time. Plus, your surrounding tissues may still be reacting to the infection and need to calm down. But you need to remember that the root canal totally removed all the infected nerves, so there is no longer any feeling in the tooth.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, at least 12-18 millions adults in the U.S. have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep. The tissue in the back of your throat collapses, blocking the airway, which reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to your organs including your heart and brain. When the blood-oxygen level drops low enough, your brain responds and wakes you up to resume breathing. These events of a restricted airway can happen hundreds of times each night causing one to wake up feeling unrefreshed. Sleep apnea has been linked to serious cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes. Patients are also three times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. It is estimated that there are around 10 million Americans who have sleep apnea but are undiagnosed. If you believe you may suffer from sleep apnea in Abington, Jenkintown or surrounding areas, Dr. Ashley can help. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment or with any additional questions or concerns. Sleep Apnea Symptoms Symptoms include the following: Obesity Snoring Witnessed apneas Excessive daytime sleepiness Impotence Depression Increased irritability Waking from sleep with a choking sign or gasping for air The only way to test whether or not you might have sleep apnea is to do a sleep study. We at McDowell Dental Group offer a take-home sleep study, called the Medibyte Jr., which is an easy way to discover if sleep apnea is an issue for you. Once the sleep study is complete a report is generated rating the quality and severity of your sleep. Based on the outcome, our doctors will discuss the different treatment options available and will come up with the best solution for your case. What Are The Different Types Of Sleep Apnea? There are different types, defined by the causes. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) — This is the more common form, occurring when muscles in the throat relax, blocking airflow. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) — This is caused when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) — This syndrome differs from OSA in that there aren’t pauses in breathing or decreases in breathing. Patients with UARS simply require greater effort in breathing to get past obstructions. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome — This is categorized as a person having both OSA and CSA. At McDowell Dental Group, we treat obstructive sleep apnea. Diagnosis If you’ve noted symptoms of possible sleep apnea, Dr. Ashley will give you an assessment that you complete at home called the Eppworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire. She also will give you a “bed partner survey,” since your partner likely has to deal with your symptoms every night. The answers you provide in these surveys will probably discount temporary conditions, such as waking up gasping, which can be due to short-term congestion, for instance. If your answers point to sleep apnea, the next step for Dr. Ashley will be an at-home sleep study. For this, we use the small, convenient MediByte Junior system that is very comfortable, yet very precise. It provides detailed reporting of respiratory and cardiac data, snoring, and numerous other important measurements taken while you sleep. It’s like a sleep lab in your home. If the results from your at-home sleep study show the probability of sleep apnea, Dr. Ashley will likely refer you to a sleep physician for a polysomnogram, a sleep study performed in a sleep lab. Sleep Apnea Treatment Options Treatment depends upon the severity of your sleep apnea. The first options for Dr. Ashley when making treatment recommendations are generally lifestyle changes. This is particularly true with mild cases. In overweight patients, the first option is usually weight loss. This can reduce the amount of tissue in the throat and lessen the sagging, which blocks the airway. Alcohol, sedatives, and sleeping pills all relax the muscles in your throat; cutting down on these can help. Smokers are three times more likely to have OSA than people who’ve never smoked. Smoking leads to inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway. Even allergies, and the congestion they cause, can create sleep apnea at times. After these conservative treatments are exhausted or prove ineffective, the next steps are oral appliance therapy and after that CPAP. Oral Appliance Therapy After lifestyle changes, our first direct treatment option for cases of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea is oral appliance therapy. This involves the patient wearing a mouth guard at night.