What’s Keeping You Up at Night?

05/Jun/2025

More than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a serious condition that compromises your rest and can impact your health. Some symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, extreme daytime tiredness, mouth breathing, and irritability. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, much less common, happens when the brain fails to signal your breathing muscles.

Characterized by short episodes of not breathing, which can occur from five to 50 times a night, obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the muscles in your throat relax and your airways become blocked as you sleep. Your brain senses the lack of breathing and wakes you briefly to restore airflow. These episodes disrupt sleep and keep you from feeling rested.

Not only does sleep apnea keep you from getting a good night’s rest, but it can also put your health at risk. Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, risk of stroke, memory impairment, and weight gain. As well, your sleep partner may not get enough sleep because of your snoring and/or waking episodes.

If you suspect sleep apnea, talk with your dentist, who may recommend a sleep evaluation. Through overnight monitoring, a sleep specialist can determine if you suffer from sleep apnea. Treatment for sleep apnea may include lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, or an oral appliance. Your dentist can fit you for night guard that will hold your jaw in the correct position to keep your airways open.

Our dental office is located in Weymouth

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05/Jun/2025

Your dentist plays an important role in your family’s healthcare. It’s more than just a teeth cleaning to keep your smile looking good; it’s a partner who helps ensure both your oral and your general health are the best they can be. That’s why it’s imperative to choose a qualified and skilled dental professional that you can stick with through the years to manage the oral health of each member of your family.

Ask friends, coworkers and neighbors for recommendations for a family dentist or conduct an online search. Once you have narrowed down your choices, schedule a consultation so that you can gather more information and get a feeling about the practice.

Consider the dentist’s credentials and experience. The dentist should have graduated from an accredited dental school and passed all exams and other requirements. Find out if the dentist has any specializations that you or a family member might be interested in, such as orthodontics or root canal therapy. If the practice offers more than one dentist in a group, make sure anyone you’ll see has the same level of experience and training. Ask about continuing education to see if the dentist keeps up with the most current techniques and trends.

Every family dentist should be willing to work with patients of all ages, but if you have family members who are very young or very old, make sure the dentist is skilled in their specific care. Inquire about options available for dental fears such as sedation dentistry.

Pay attention to all aspect of the dental office when you are there. Is the latest equipment available? Is the staff friendly and accommodating? Are you able to ask questions and get all of the information you need? Is the office location convenient? Are multiple appointments offered during one time slot? Do they offer emergency hours? Are financial policies outlined clearly?

A good family dentist takes the time to treat you and your family with care and personalized attention, as well as skill and confidence. Look for a professional who will play a trusted role as part of your healthcare team.

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05/Jun/2025

Neglecting the dental care of you and your family members is not a smart move. Examinations, preventive treatments, and procedures to repair dental problems are all the best pathways to good oral health. A qualified and experienced family dentist is the ideal resource for helping you achieve your oral health goals.

Follow these recommendations for ending up with the right family dentist.

Ask your last dentist.

Especially after a relocation, your previous dentist is a good place to start in finding a new one. Many dentists belong to associations that connect providers all over the country, or perhaps they went to school with someone who practices in your area. Your last dentist will want your entire family to continue receiving good oral care.

Ask neighbors and coworkers.

Don’t hesitate to ask your new neighbors and coworkers for recommendations. This is one of the best ways to locate a provider who does quality work, offers the services you’re looking for, is conveniently located, and provides a good experience for family members of all ages. Ask for details about the care they’ve received and for specific examples about what the like or dislike about the practice.

Research community forums.

Community forums are a good place to find honest feedback about a family dental practice. Members share experiences regarding both the good and bad aspects about dental providers.

Look online.

Most family dental practices have websites that answer most of the questions you might have as you search for a new dentist. You can take your time reading about the services, prices, location, hours, policies, staff, plus client testimonials.

Schedule a consultation.

Once you have decided on a family dentist that you think might be right for you and your family, make an appointment to visit the office and see what it’s like firsthand. This is the best way to ensure it’s the right fit before making your final selection for long-term family dental care.

If you live in the Weymouth, MA area and you need a great family dentist, contact our office today!

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05/Jun/2025

There’s really no way to avoid teeth becoming discolored over time. Even though you might brush like crazy, the odds are against keeping your bright white smile forever. Certain foods, aging, and habits like smoking are common culprits for staining teeth. With these factors against you, teeth whitening methods are in high demand. There are two main kinds of professional whitening methods: in-office and at-home. How do you know which is right for you?

Professional whitening in your dentist’s office is the most effective way to brighten your smile. It is the fastest way to achieve dramatic results, becoming up to ten shades brighter in just one hour. The bleaching gel used in the dentist’s office contains higher concentrations of peroxide, quickly and effectively attacking stains. In-office whitening utilizes special lights to activate the gel. The dentist is there to monitor the process to ensure you are comfortable and get ideal results.

There are a few negatives to consider with in-office whitening. Some patients experience sensitivity with the bleaching gel or the small amounts of heat during the process. Also, in-office whitening is often the most expensive way to brighten your smile, although many people consider the dramatic improvement worth the cost.

Whitening your teeth at home is somewhat less effective than in-office treatments, but many patients who don’t want to spend the time or money in the dentist’s chair appreciate this method. These kits consist of trays that your dentist provides that you fill with a lower concentrated whitening solution and wear for about thirty minutes at a time. Full results are usually possible in roughly ten days, and some patients achieve similar results as in-office methods.

Even with the lower strength gel, patients may experience discomfort during at-home whitening. You also must remember to wear the trays daily and be consistent with their use in order to obtain good results. At-home kits require patience.

Whichever professional whitening method you choose, a brighter smile is possible. Good oral hygiene practices afterwards and occasional touch-ups with home products will help maintain your brilliant new smile.

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05/Jun/2025

Root canal therapy is often recommended to restore a damaged or diseased tooth.

While many patients are frightened when they hear “root canal”, there are several tips you can follow to ensure a smooth, complication-free procedure:

Consult with your dentist or oral surgeon to find out the available options for sedation. Sedation dentistry is especially helpful if you experience anxiety or fears about your scheduled root canal therapy.
Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about prescribing antibiotics before your root canal procedure. Treating an infected tooth with antibiotics before the therapy can help reduce swelling and encourage healing after the root canal procedure is complete.
Discuss with your dentist the option of taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication beginning several days before your scheduled root canal treatment. Taking a medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen before and immediately following root canal therapy will help control pain and reduce swelling.
Treat yourself to a healthy, filling meal at least one hour before your root canal procedure. Root canal treatment can take up to three hours, and you may have difficulty eating afterwards until the numbness subsides.
Make your scheduled follow-up visits a priority. Keeping your appointments will allow your dentist or oral surgeon to identify any potential problems before they become severe. A root canal treated tooth also requires a crown or filling to keep it healthy and free from fractures.

Your dentist will provide additional before and aftercare instructions for your root canal procedure. By following these tips, along with any recommendations from your dentist, you will have the best chance for a successful procedure. With root canal therapy, you can save your damaged and diseased teeth and return to a healthy smile.

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05/Jun/2025

When you have a tooth or multiple teeth with extensive damage, your dentist may recommend a crown or bridge to restore your smile. Most of the time these restorations provide complete and successful results, but occasionally problems arise.

Tooth decay

Good hygiene is imperative after a crown or bridge because plaque can build up in the area where the tooth and crown meet. Your crown can’t decay, but your tooth still can. Follow your dentist’s instructions for proper brushing, flossing, and fluoride use.

Gum disease

Plaque buildup around a crown can cause gum disease called gingivitis, and if untreated advance to periodontitis.

Chipping or breaking

Crowns and bridges are susceptible to damage like fracturing or chipping. Many crowns are made of porcelain, which can chip or completely fail. Heavy wear or stress such as teeth grinding can cause this type of damage, as well as an accident like hitting your restoration. Small chips may be repaired with composite filling, but larger damage can mean total replacement.

Incorrect color

When having your crown or bridge made, you can choose from a selection of colors. However, the whitest shade is not advised because it likely won’t match the rest of your smile or it can look fake. Make sure you consider the color carefully or else you’ll be faced with redoing the restoration if you dislike it.

Falling out

Several problems can cause your crown to fall out. The core may fail so that the interior portion of your crown is unable to provide a strong base for the restoration. Less likely, the cement can fail so that the crown simply needs stronger adhesion. Or, the post crown can dislodge so that you’ll see a large post sticking out of your crown. If your crown falls out, be sure to save it for your dentist in case it can be reinserted.

In most circumstances, these problems with your crown or bridge do not occur and you can enjoy a long lifespan with your restoration. If you do notice any of these issues, schedule an appointment with your dentist to ensure optimum oral health.

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05/Jun/2025

CEREC crowns are named for CEremic REConstruction. CEREC is a restorative dental treatment resulting from computer assisted design (CAD) and computer assisted manufacturing (CAM). This process was developed in the early 1980s at the University of Zurich by Dr. W.H. Mormann and Dr. M. Brandestini.

The process allows a cosmetic dentist to design, create and place computer-developed tooth restorations in one single dental appointment. With CEREC, there’s no need for a dental lab or multiple visits to the dentist. In use since the mid 1980s, CEREC is rapidly becoming the top-of-the-line choice for tooth restoration.

Because CEREC begins with a digital scan of the mouth, traditional goop-filled molds are not required. These trays are problematic for many patients, especially those with a delicate gag reflex, eliminating the possibility of retching and vomiting during the molding process.

CEREC crowns can help anyone who necessitates a dental crown to complete a root canal treatment or a dental bridge. CEREC allows a crown to be placed the same day as a root canal procedure, alleviating the need for a temporary crown. This can save a great deal of time for a busy patient, and a lot of anxiety for a fearful one.

CEREC teeth are extremely accurate. Because they were created with the help of an optical scan, they are more accurate than most teeth created by hand in a lab. This ensures proper fit and a long life for your crown.

If you have questions about whether or not you can benefit from CEREC technology, talk to your cosmetic dentist about this exciting advancement in dentistry. Find out how CEREC can improve your experience in the dental chair and in the future of your smile.

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05/Jun/2025

Have you had your photo taken recently? When was the last time you took a selfie that you thought was perfect? How many times do you wish for a “live action” retouch tool that would follow you around, brightening your smile each time you opened your mouth? If you’ve been unhappy with your smile in photos, there are things you can do to turn toward a more beautiful smile, beginning by talking to a skilled cosmetic dentist.

A cosmetic dentist can address such issues as the color of your teeth, and can provide professional treatments that can lighten your tooth shade by several levels in only a few in-office visits. Utilizing customized trays loaded with light-activated bleaching agents, your cosmetic dentist can ensure that every surface of your tooth is evenly coated, giving you the consistent, bright results you desire.

Tooth length, shape and alignment can be corrected through the use of dental veneers. Dental veneers are applied directly to a tooth or series of teeth, providing an outer layer that is white, straight and pleasing to the eye. Teeth can be reshaped and cracks and chips can be repaired through the use of composite resin material, crafted by hand and hardened and polished to shine like your natural teeth.

If you’re missing a tooth, a dental bridge or dental implant can be the solution. Filling the area where a tooth used to be is very important in order for you to maintain the correct spacing for the rest of your teeth. Without something to fill the gap, the surrounding teeth will begin to collapse into the open space, leading all the teeth in line to begin to shift, similar to dominos.

If you’re unhappy with your smile, find a skilled cosmetic dentist and get to work creating a smile you’ll love in photos for years to come!

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05/Jun/2025

If your quality of life has been compromised by tooth loss, dental implants may be the answer to your problem. Missing teeth can affect even the most basic daily activities like speaking and eating. If you are looking for a lifetime replacement for a missing tooth, dental implants should be your first choice for restoration.

A dental implant is an appliance that is affixed to the jaw bone and replaces natural teeth by supporting a crown or fixed denture. Once the implant has been placed, bone forms around the implant to make it a stable anchor for a restoration.

Any patient who is missing natural teeth is considered a candidate for implant placement.

Just a few of the many reasons you should consider dental implants include:

Your desire for a durable and long-term restoration
Your desire to restore your facial appearance that has been altered by missing teeth
Your desire to eat and speak normally

There are many benefits to dental implants. The placement of dental implants does not require any alteration of adjacent teeth, which is ideal as it preserves your natural tooth structure. Dental implants are cleaned the same way as your natural teeth, allowing you to maintain excellent oral health. Once the implant has been placed, you can eat all your favorite foods and speak without worrying about slipping or breaking.

When you replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, you will enjoy the same function, convenience, and natural look as you have with your other teeth. If you are missing teeth, talk to your dentist about the possibility of dental implants to restore your beautiful, healthy smile.

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05/Jun/2025

You may have heard the term cosmetic dentistry but have no idea what it really is. As the name suggests, this field of dentistry focuses on the appearance of your smile. The goal is to give you renewed confidence by improving the look of your smile.

The flaws in your smile might be minor, like a small chipped tooth or a slight gap between teeth. Or they might be more noticeable like major discolorations or severely crooked teeth. If the problem is significant in your own eyes, then it’s worth contacting a cosmetic dentist to correct it.

There are many cosmetic dentists practicing today, so finding one who meets your needs shouldn’t be difficult. Once you’ve selected a practice, schedule a consultation so that you can voice your smile concerns and find out ways that it can be improved. Not only will the dentist focus on the appearance of your smile, its functionality and health will also be considered. A cosmetic dentist looks at the big picture as your smile is transformed.

Cosmetic dentistry provides numerous options for improving smiles. Some of the most common treatments include:

Porcelain veneers – thin shells that are secured on the fronts of your teeth to hide chips, cracks, stains, gaps and more
Dental implants – titanium rod inserted into the jaw to replace a missing tooth root and then covered with a crown on top, providing a very natural and functional tooth replacement
Teeth whitening – the most popular of all cosmetic dental treatments, professional teeth whitening tackles stains and can brighten your smile up to ten shades in under an hour
Bonding – minor chips and cracks can be repaired by bonding them using composite resin material, and then polished to blend perfectly into your smile
Composite fillings – old fillings were often performed using unsightly metal which can now be replaced with tooth-colored resin that is invisible in your smile
Invisalign – traditional metal braces may be avoided by wearing clear plastic aligners to move your teeth without the “brace face” appearance during the process

If you are unhappy with your smile, contact a cosmetic dentist today to get your transformation underway.

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What’s Keeping You Up at Night?