Oral Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which breathing repeatedly starts and stops and has the potential to be serious. There are several surgical procedures that aid in correcting this problem, such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which we at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. are proud to offer our patients. Stanford Health Care describes UPPP as a surgery that “consists of tissue rearrangement at the uvula, palate and throat walls in order to increase the airway size and decrease tissue collapse.”

 

UPPP is the most common surgical procedure for treating sleep apnea, though it is not always successful. A tracheostomy procedure may be performed next, where a breathing tube is placed lower in the windpipe. This tube is closed during the day to allow the patient to breathe and speak normally, but is opened during sleep to allow another passageway to breath should any blockages occur. 

 

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

 

- Loud snoring

- Moments during sleep when you stop breathing (usually reported by your partner)

- Gasping for air during sleep

- Waking with a dry mouth

- Morning headaches

- Insomnia

- Hypersomnia

- Difficulty concentrating

- Irritability

 

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.

 

Advancements in Dentistry

At Bridge Smile Dental Group, we pride ourselves on staying current with the advancements of dentistry. The more knowledge we have or the more technology we can offer our patients, the better we can treat their issues. Below are a few exciting advancements in dentistry in recent years.

- AXESS Sedation Mask: Cantel Medical unveiled a new nitrous oxide/oxygen nasal sedation mask in an effort to optimize comfort, decrease anxiety in children, reduce chances of displacement, and allow easy access to the mouth for dental procedures. 

- Better bonding and filling materials: Bonding materials today are made from resin, which is shinier and lasts longer than the substance used in the past. Wider ranges of shades are also available for better blending to the tooth’s natural color. 

- 3D printing: Dentists are now able to print denture bases and surgical guides all within their own practice, cutting down on the time it would take a third party to do this. 

- Digital impressions: Say goodbye to putty teeth impressions! Images can now be taken with scanners that absorb large amounts of data within seconds. These renderings are of higher quality than those created by traditional means.

- Gum disease treatments: Lasers, membranes, bone grafts, or proteins that simulate growth can be used to regenerate bone and tissue in an effort to treat gum disease.

- Laser dentistry: A diode laser is now an option for detecting and removing cavities.

- Thinner veneers: New materials now make it possible to create thinner veneers that are just as strong as its predecessor. This also means that less of the tooth surface is reduced, keeping more of the natural tooth intact.

 

 Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.

 

 

Importance of Mouth Guards for Athletes

While preventing head trauma is always the main concern during contact sports, some people rarely consider protecting their teeth another vital area to shield. We at Bridge Smiles Dental Group recommend athletes of any age to wear a mouth guard while participating in high impact sports, such as football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer. You are given only one smile unique to you, it’s up to you to protect it!

In addition to mouth guards protecting the structural integrity of your teeth, they also protect against jaw damage and lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouth guards have also been proven to decrease the risk of concussions. What’s better than even more ways to protect yourself from serious head trauma? While mouth guards are available in most sporting goods stores, these don’t always offer the best protection since they can be ill-fitting.

A custom made mouth guard is the best option if you want to have the highest level of comfort and protection. It is created with thin, hardened plastic specifically to fit your mouth and your mouth only. The thinness of a custom mouth guard also allows for easy breathing and communication between your teammates. To ensure optimal protection on the field, court, or rink, contact Bridge Smiles Dental Group about custom made mouth guards.

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.