Gum Therapy

Plaque and oral bacteria are the building blocks for tooth decay. The examinations that take place as part of a check-up are just as important as removing the plaque and bacteria because they allow us to maintain a thorough record of your oral health and monitor any changes. We follow up-to-date guidelines regarding taking X-rays, using our digital X-ray technology as part of our documentation process. X-rays at regular intervals allow us to pick up on any abnormalities between the teeth, under the gum tissue, and involving the jaw joints or bone. These include:

• Arestin: antibiotic microspheres that can be inserted into the gum pockets around your teeth for bacterial reduction in adult patients with gum disease.

• Perio Protect: non-invasive, custom-fit trays that fit over your teeth and are specifically designed to deliver a special gel to the gums that combats inflammation and bleeding.

• Fluoride: fluoride has been long proven to help strengthen and remineralize teeth and rid them of sensitivity

• MI Paste: a special prescription toothpaste that uses calcium and phosphate to replenish minerals in your teeth and strengthen them

Ozone Therapy

What is dental ozone therapy, and how does it work?

Ozone, administered either as a gas or as a liquid, kills bad bacteria, fungi, and viruses through the process of oxidation, while having no effect on healthy tissue. Luckily, we are one of only five dental offices in Texas that is certified to offer this game-changing health technology. No reason to have to drive to Dallas or Oklahoma City for the best of care; it’s right here in the panhandle.

Ozone therapy has the following applications in dentistry:

• For patients with gum inflammation, it kills bacteria in the gums instantly, even in areas that are impossible to reach when brushing and flossing at home. It can be administered as a gas, permeating the tissue and destroying bacteria in the deepest areas where your gums wrap around your teeth.

• We use ozone to sterilize the tooth before placing all permanent fillings, providing a truly 100% bacteria-free seal for your new filling.

• Ozone therapy can be used to treat very small cavities, sometimes eliminating the need for a filling altogether, since bacteria boring their way into the tooth are what causes the decay in the first place.

• Ozone also can be administered as a gas to kill bacteria before it develops into cavities.

• Ozone gas diffused through plastic trays in your mouth at regular intervals can help keep the balance of bacteria in your gums in check, thus making it possible for you to go longer between hygiene visits and still keep the same ideal results.

• Even the water used in our ultrasonic hygiene instruments during your cleaning has been infused with ozone to ensure maximum bacterial reduction.

Ozone therapy is considered to be a holistic dental treatment. Many dentists who only apply standard training and education from dental school may not consider offering such holistic procedures, or even know that they exist. Rather than treat the symptoms of an issue, holistic dentistry seeks to address the root cause of the problem. To learn more about ozone therapy, its applications, and its many benefits, request an appointment.

Sealants

When are sealants recommended?

Sealants are made of a flowable liquid plastic material and are applied directly into the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of your teeth, and then hardened with a special blue light. Sealants provide protection against the accumulation of bacteria and plaque in the grooves of the teeth, where most cavities develop.

We recommend applying sealants to back teeth, which can be the most difficult to reach when brushing and are more vulnerable to tooth decay because of their deep grooves. Sealants are most effective when applied to a child’s permanent molars once they fully erupt.

How long do sealants last?

Typically, sealants offer protection for 3-5 years. During your child’s routine dental checkups, we check each sealant to make sure they are still performing optimally and will recommend replacement if necessary. Patients can extend the lifespan of sealants by refraining from chewing on ice cubes, popcorn kernels or other extremely hard foods.

If your child is around the age of 6 or 12 (the ages when first and second permanent molars erupt), then it is most likely time to have sealants placed. Protecting teeth from cavities during childhood and teenage years (the years that most cavities form), will set up your child for a lifetime of excellent dental health.

Night Guards for Grinding

Do you notice having sore jaws or headaches after waking up? Have you noticed that your teeth look flat or worn down on the edges? If so, you are most likely grinding or clenching your teeth. This behavior, called bruxism, is very common and can cause serious damage to your teeth and mouth if it is not treated. Untreated clenching and grinding can lead to destructive results long-term.

What causes grinding?

Generally, anxiety and daily stress are the most common causes of isolated teeth grinding. Chronic tooth grinding is a neuromuscular condition that necessitates further evaluation. Tooth grinding, TMJ dysfunction, and sleep apnea are highly correlated. This is why we recommend a home sleep study and a bite screening for any patient we examine that has significantly worn down teeth, to determine what is causing your grinding and how we can stop it permanently.

How can we stop your tooth grinding?

In cases of worn teeth, after the cause of the wear has been isolated, we often recommend one of three types of oral appliances: a traditional night guard, a neuromuscular night guard, or the M2 Sleep/Snore appliance. Each type of guard is custom designed to fit your teeth precisely, and with a secure fit that you can comfortably sleep in. If you grind your teeth, let us help you stop this behavior now to prevent even more serious tooth problems down the road.

Athletic Mouth Guards

Anyone who participates in any contact sport benefits from a custom athletic mouthguard. All athletic guards are not created equal. A custom guard made by your dentist fits better, is more comfortable during play, and if done in the neuromuscular position, can increase performance by maximizing your airway and relieving unnecessary tension from your jaw and neck muscles so you can focus solely on the game!

Why is a sports guard important?

Injuries to the face and mouth while taking part in a sport without a guard often occur, and result in the following:

• Chipped or broken teeth

• Damage to previous dental treatment

• Injuries to lips and cheeks

• Injuries to the tongue

• Jaw or facial bone fractures

Don’t let the game you love lead to a loss of a tooth and an emergency visit to the dentist!

Why choose our sports guards?

You can find a wide assortment of “semi-custom” mouthguards in sporting goods stores, etc. Though readily available, these guards are not on the same level of a guard made from custom-impressions of your mouth by a dental professional, and are certainly not fabricated in your ideal athletic neuromuscular position. All parents want to make sure their children are protected. If your child is an athlete, it’s a great idea to invest in a custom athletic mouthguard from Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo. Contact us before the season starts.

Sleep Apnea Screening

What is a sleep breathing disorder?

‘Sleep breathing disorder’ refers to any problem with maintaining a wide-open, fully functioning airway during sleep. One of the most serious sleep breathing disorders is Sleep Apnea, which occurs when the airway collapses, restricting the flow of oxygen to the body and brain. This problem can happen from a momentary collapse of soft tissue near the back of the tongue, which blocks the airway during sleep. Whatever the cause, the result is the restriction of airflow. Sensors in your brain go off when oxygen level decreases, and cause you to wake up to move and get oxygen. This can happen many times during the night without you even being aware, and this is why you may wake up with residual tiredness.

What are the symptons of sleep apnea?

Snoring is the most common symptom of a sleep breathing disorder. If you or your bed partner snore, this is NOT normal and should be evaluated. Other symptoms of sleep apnea can include weight gain and loss of libido. Left untreated, a sleep apnea patient has a much higher risk of developing certain chronic ailments, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, a stroke, depression, diabetes, and cognitive decline.

How can my dentist relieve sleep apnea symptoms?

We can alleviate the symptoms of a sleep breathing disorder by prescribing a custom made oral sleep/snore appliance. When worn at night, the appliance keeps the lower jaw in its ideal forward resting position and maintains an open airway. Many dentists prescribe sleep appliances that arbitrarily move the lower jaw forward a certain number of millimeters to gain space for the tongue. The difference here at Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo, is that we prescribe sleep/snore appliances in the neuromuscular position. This means that you will not develop muscle soreness or tooth movement with our appliance, as is common with traditional dental sleep appliances.

Tongue-Ties
and Lip-Ties

Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo is proud to be the one of the only offices in the panhandle that regularly performs tongue and lip-tie releases with the use of a laser. This procedure is most commonly performed on infants 0-12 months of age, but is sometimes indicated on adults as well. If this treatment is recommended, we will guide you through the process and make it as easy as possible!

What Is a Tongue-tie or Lip-tie?

Before we are born, cords of tissue form to guide the development of the mouth, called “frenums.” These frenums are supposed to recede and thin by birth, but in about 5-10% of children, this does not occur for the tongue and/or lip. This leaves the tongue and/or lips “tied down.”

Tongue-tie (or ankyloglossia) is a condition that limits the use of the tongue. Lip-tie is a condition where the upper or lower lip cannot be curled or moved normally.

The tongue and lips are moved by a very complex group of muscles and are important for all oral functions and proper facial and dental growth. For this reason, having a tongue-tie or a lip-tie early in life can lead to nursing, feeding, bite problems, speech problems, and even TMJ and breathing issues later on in life. Problems from an untreated tie can persist into adulthood with migraines, neck pain, and shoulder pain.

If Your Baby Experience any of these symptoms, please give us a call!

• No latch or poor latch

• Prolonged feeding

• Frequent feeding

• Baby seems unsatisfied despite long feeding and adequate milk supply

• Baby falls asleep on the breast

• Colic and/or reflux symptoms

• Baby gums or bites the nipple rather than sucking

• Poor weight gain

• Inability to hold the pacifier

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your child evaluated for tongue or lip-tie. The sooner the tongue is released the better off the child will be.

READ MORE ON TONGUE-TIES & LIP-TIES