The Importance of Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Our physical and mental well-being depends on how you sleep so you may fully perform through the day and function normally. Living life to the best of your abilities may be difficult when you do not get a sufficient amount of rest due to constant interruption or cannot reach a deep sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that disrupts one’s breathing during sleep due to extraneous tissue from the back of the throat collapsing into the airways. If this condition is severe and left untreated, it can result in serious health complications.

You may have sleep apnea if your partner or family member has noticed pauses in your breathing during slumber or if you snore loudly in a disruptive manner. Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea may include making healthy lifestyle changes and receiving oral appliances.

Dangerous Aftereffects of OSA

Failing to get quality rest significantly affects a person’s daily performance. They may find themselves lacking the energy to do activities they enjoy, and it may be difficult to for you to exceed at work because you always feel tired. Habits such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and the use of symptoms can contribute to the symptoms of OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea is often associated with genetics and other factors such as weight. Those with this rest issue may show signs of premature aging and are at an increased risk of developing heart disease. A few complications arise due to the release of stress hormones triggered by a constantly diminished quality of sleep. When you leave OSA untreated, you put other people in danger as you increase your chance of causing a motor vehicle accident.

By undergoing treatment early on, a person prevents the occurrence of serious health issues and protects the safety of others.

How to Combat OSA at Home

Other than seeking care from a professional, a person may relive obstructive sleep apnea by making adjustments to their lifestyle. Resting on your side keeps the head and neck even, which supports normal breathing. Moderating how much alcohol you drink and refraining from consuming caffeinated beverages after 12 PM. Exercising on a daily basis and maintaining a healthy diet are other ways to enhance your sleep conditions.

Sleep Apnea Care with Dr. Mason Yeary

At Plano Smiles, we provide extensive care for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Our Plano dental team is committed to improving your overall well-being by enhancing patients’ nighttime breathing patterns. For more information about sleep apnea and why it is important to treat this condition, contact our dental practice! Dr. Yeary and his staff are eager to help you live out your best life.

What are the stages of gum disease?

A majority of people in the United States experience gum disease at some point in their life. The condition can range from its minor stage, gingivitis, to its more aggressive form known as advanced periodontitis. Regularly attending examinations and cleanings offered by your dentists allows them to diagnose, prevent, and treat periodontal disease.

Gum disease comes in three stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Our dentist at Plano Smiles educates patients on the signs and symptoms on the different forms of the infection.

Gingivitis

This stage of gum disease can be moderated by having an effective dental care routine. Gingivitis is characterized by a sensitivity to temperature, tenderness, and inflammation of the gums. Many people think it is normal for gums to bleed during their oral hygiene routine, however, this is a sign of gingivitis.

Periodontitis

When gingivitis develops further, the disease begins to become irreversible without invasive or professional intervention. At this point, the bone and fibers holding your teeth in place start detaching from their roots. Periodontal pockets begin forming below the gum line, and allow harmful bacteria to harbor. This increases the risk of the infection spreading to neighboring, supporting structures. At this point, it is crucial for proper treatment of the teeth and gums to be administered. Deep cleanings and periodontal disease maintenance stops the progression of the dental issue and halts any further damage to the gums, teeth, and jawbone.  

Advanced Periodontitis

This is the final and most aggressive stage of gum disease. The tissue fibers that were attached to the tooth’s root have become loose, which can cause teeth to shift or become dislodged. During this point, there is noticeable recession of the gum line exposing the roots of the teeth. Your bite and comfort when chewing will be affected due the progression infection. Within the advanced periodontitis form, if surgical procedures such as gum grafting and pocket reduction cannot help, the tooth will be lost.

For more information on periodontal disease prevention and treatment measures, call Plano Smiles today! Dr. Mason Yeary makes every effort to ensure that your smile remains as healthy as it is beautiful.

What is the Chao® Pinhole Surgical Technique for periodontal treatment?

When experiencing the initial signs of gum disease, it is important to treat it before it becomes more severe. When periodontal disease is left unaddressed for an extended period of time, gums begin to detach from teeth leading to a receding gum line and even tooth loss. Many patients are apprehensive about undergoing periodontal treatment as they fear it might be uncomfortable, invasive, and require extensive surgical intervention. However, thanks to a modern technique utilized and taught throughout dentistry, Dr. Mason Yeary at Plano Smiles can treat gum recession utilizing the Chao® Pinhole Surgical Technique.

This is a minimally invasive procedure that allows our dentist to reverse gingival recession without the use of grafts or sutures.

How does the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique work?

Usually to correct the gum line, patients needed to have subepithelial tissue taken from one area of the smile and placed over the roots of the exposed teeth. This not the case when patients choose to undergo pinhole periodontal treatment. During the procedure, your dentist makes small access points, as minuscule as the tip of a needle, and gradually shifts the gums to encompass the roots of teeth. Once the gingival tissues are in place, collagen strips are applied to the pinhole site and onto previously vulnerable roots to ensure proper healing and coverage. The results of treatment provide a newly enhanced, long-lasting smile, letting patients enjoy their improved dental aesthetic and health for years.

What are benefits of utilizing the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique for periodontal treatment?

Not only is this procedure minimally invasive, but it can also be completed within one dental appointment, in contrast to gums grafts which require multiple, spaced-out visits. Pinhole surgery also allows your dentist to treat multiple areas within the smile at once.  As there is no need for stitches or incisions, patients have less recovery time compared to traditional periodontal treatment and are known to heal within a faster timeframe. Patients also experience less discomfort, inflammation, and bleeding at the surgical site following the procedure. 

Dentists are required to undergo special training and education to perform this advantageous treatment. Patients must also have a certain level of gum health to be able to receive the surgery, to ensure they achieve desired results with no complications. There also must be a sufficient amount of gingival tissue to support the treatment. 

For more information regarding pinhole periodontal treatment, contact Plano Smile in Plano, TX by calling 972-231-7216. Dr. Yeary has undergone extensive training and education to provide patients with high-quality dental care that meets and exceeds their expectations.