Beverly Hills sleep apnea patients do have a choice when it comes to treating their disease. Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated by using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or a dental appliance. The choice of which device will be used is usually made by a sleep physician but only a dentist can fit a custom oral appliance.

Most patients  diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea are initially fitted for a CPAP machine. These machines keep the patients airway open during sleep by pushing pressurized air through a mask and hose.  While CPAP is considered the gold standard of sleep apnea therapy about half of the patients who try CPAP cannot tolerate using the machine. Complaints range from feeling claustrophobic, rashes or eye problems caused by leaky masks to just being unable to sleep while tethered to the machine. For a patient to be considered “compliant” with their CPAP they only need to use it at least 4 hours each night. That leaves a lot of sleeping time during which obstructive sleep apnea is not being treated and the oxygen levels of the patient are low.

Another option for obstructive sleep apnea patients is an oral appliance. These custom fit devices keep the airway open at night by either pushing the jaw forward, called a mandibular advancement device, or by keeping the tongue from falling back with a retaining device. The most popular and commonly used device is the mandibular advancement device. Studies have shown a much higher rate of compliance among patients who use oral appliances. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has approved the use of oral appliances to treat mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea and in more severe cases when the patient is CPAP intolerant.

Oral appliances are also highly effective at stopping snoring in those patients who snore loudly but do not have sleep apnea. Only dentists who have received specialized training in the field of dental sleep medicine should be trusted to create and fit these appliances for snoring or sleep apnea.

To find out if an oral appliance might be right for treating your snoring or obstructive sleep apnea please contact Beverly Hills sleep medicine dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today to schedule your consultation.

Actress, singer, and style icon Zendaya visits Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Frey’s Beverly Hills office for a smile consultation and Zoom whitening treatment. She shares with Celebrity Page that the process was fast, easy, and an effective way to instantly brighten her smile. Whitening treatments are mostly pain-free, despite mild sensitivity immediately following the treatment, and we recommend avoiding drinks like coffee that tend to stain and discolor the teeth.

Zendaya is on the show, Shake it Up! playing the role of Rocky Blue. She was also recently in The Greatest Showman with stars Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman. Prior to tv and films, Zendaya started her career as a fashion model for Macy’s, Old Navy, Sears and Mervyn’s.

                                                                       

What Is ZOOM Teeth Whitening?

Philips ZOOM® whitening is a complete tooth whitening system that is safe, effective and fast. Dr. Frey performs ZOOM whitening right in his office with no downtime. ZOOM whitening can brighten teeth by up to eight shades in just 45 minutes with no trays or strips.

For more than 150 years dentists have used silver or amalgam as the go-to filler for tooth cavities. The material is less-expensive than others and is relatively easy to care for.

Metallic fillings do have drawbacks, and research has demonstrated that silver fillings can expand and contract depending on hot and cold temperatures in the mouth. When the metal expands under increased temperatures the surrounding tooth can crack. In colder temperatures the metal can contract and allow acids and germs to seep into the cavity.

Concerned groups have also highlighted the negative health effects of mercury found in metal fillings. In larger amounts mercury may be linked to headaches, nausea, and memory loss, or even brain damage and death in the most extreme circumstances. It’s important to note that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finds no reason for concern over the mercury content in silver amalgam but that other health associations disagree with this decision.

Everyone agrees that metallic fillings are ugly, and many dentists now recommend the use of porcelain fillings over silver amalgam.

What Are The Advantages Of Porcelain Fillings?

Porcelain fillings have become an increasingly popular choice among patients who value oral hygiene and pleasing aesthetics. Here are the main reasons to consider porcelain fillings for any new cavities and also to consider replacing old metaling fillings with porcelain.

• They Look Better – Porcelain is a versatile material that can match the natural color of teeth. This means you can smile and open your mouth wide without worrying that others will notice reparative dental work. It’s also durable and stain resistant and can last for many years.
• Ideal for Reparative Purposes – Porcelain can be made to fit a wide array of tooth shapes and cavities. It’s ideal for filling small to medium-sized holes that have formed from decay. Once the material is applied it can be smoothed and shaped to resemble a natural tooth.
• Preserves Healthy Tooth Tissue – a major drawback of metal fillings is that the material does not bond well with teeth. Undamaged enamel is often removed with the decayed tooth when metallic fillings are applied. This is not the case with porcelain, as the material clings tightly to teeth.
• Prevents Bacteria Buildup – Because porcelain fits and bonds so well with natural teeth, there are no gaps that allow saliva and germs to seep into cavities where they can do more damage. When paired with good brushing and eating habits many additional dental problems can be avoided with porcelain fillings.
• High Durability – Porcelain is known for its durability in dental applications. Crowns and veneers which can last for decades are made from this same material because of its ability to withstand the force of biting and grinding. You can expect the same when you opt to use it for fillings. Porcelain can take a lot of abuse before showing any signs of wear.
• Mercury-Free – although the mercury in amalgam fillings is deemed harmless by the FDA many are still uncomfortable with continued exposure to this material.

Porcelain fillings may be more expensive than metallic fillings but the advantages of porcelain outweigh the added cost in all instances.