Discovering that your child has sleep apnea can be really unsettling. You probably have a big list of questions, one of which is about treatment options. You wonder if surgery is the only sure treatment or if non-surgical options are available. While it's possible that surgically removing tonsils and adenoids might be recommended, it isn't always the best choice. In some cases children can't have surgery and in others the surgery doesn't eliminate sleep apnea.
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If you've always been self-conscious about a crooked or gappy smile, you may be wondering whether orthodontic treatment could help. However, if you have a public-facing job or are active in the dating world, you're likely reluctant to sign on for a year or more of visible metal braces. However, some recent advances to wireless brace technology could provide you with a nearly invisible alternative to traditional metal braces. Read on to learn more about wireless braces to determine whether this may be a good option for you.
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Dental implants are in a difficult category when compared to other medical procedures. On one hand, lost teeth aren't typically a matter of life and death. On the other hand, the benefits of dental implants are much more profound than purely aesthetic procedures. This makes it hard for patients to make decisions about whether or not implants are right for them.
In reality, the decision to go forward with dental implants should be easy--they're almost always worth a great deal more to the patient than the cost of the procedure.
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If it's been a while since your last trip to the dentist, you're not alone. Most people in this country only see the dentist about every three years. However, there's a good chance your teeth have suffered because of this neglect. Inconsistent oral hygiene, accompanied by irregular dental visits, leads to plaque buildup on your teeth and gums. In fact, only 50.5% of Americans floss every day, and 18.5% don't floss at all; overall, a whopping 80% of people have some form of periodontal disease.
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While older adults used to turn to dentures quite early due to tooth loss, advances in dentistry now leave many elderly people with a full or partial set of original teeth. This means that there is still a chance for a root abscess and infection to develop in a 80 or 90 year old patient.
If you are trying to help a parent or family member decide between a root canal and extraction, weigh the pros and cons of the procedure based on their age and health condition.
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