COVID-19 Update: Space Maintainers Lab current Operational Status

SML is currently open with an on-site staff that allows us to maintain social distancing and a safe environment for our employees. We are now open from 7:30am to 4:30pm Pacific Standard Time. Although we continue to improve our turnaround time, you may still experience a longer in lab time than you may be used to.  This is occurring because of the new protocols that have been put in place to insure the health and safety of our workers, you, your staff and the patients who will use our products.

If you have concerns about getting a case and you need something on an emergent basis, PLEASE CALL us!  We will assign a technician to fulfill your order as rapidly as possible.

Our Products department is fully functional. All product orders can be placed by accessing our products division online or, if you prefer, by calling us directly. Although there is still a significant disruption of our supply chain, we are fulfilling orders as quickly as we can.

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A Patient's Tongue May Be Causing Crooked Teeth

Even a small amount of pressure when exerted over a long period of time can create big changes -- like pushing a patient's teeth out of alignment. That’s Fixed Tongue Loops Closeupexactly what can happen if there have a tongue-thrusting habit. The patient may not feel it happening and may not know it’s happening, but the tongue is a strong muscle and if pushing against the patient's front teeth repeatedly, chances are their teeth are shifting.

Tongue thrusting can be an especially problematic in young children. As they lose their baby teeth and adult teeth begin to grow in, the new teeth are vulnerable to outside pressure. If you notice that your young patients have a habit of thrusting thier tongue forward when they talk.

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Location

United States
40° 45' 21.7368" N, 94° 49' 25.266" W

Rick-A-Nator Can Also Be Used to Treat TMD/TMJ

Rick A-Nator Dental ApplianceThe Rick-A-Nator is a popular and easy-to-use dental appliance that can help you open a patient’s bite and create the correct vertical dimension. It is especially useful in treating non-compliant patients where other removable appliances have proven to be ineffective.

A less well-known use of the Rick-A-Nator is to help address temporomandibular disorders (TMD). It can help advance the mandibles and increase the vertical opening, which can alleviate some of the stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, as many as 10 million Americans may be suffering from TMD (also often called TMJ). Multiple factors can contribute to the jaw pain your patient experiences, and the pain can become severe if it isn’t treated effectively. If your patient has tried other solutions to address TMD pain without success, it may be time to try a Rick-A-Nator.

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Location

United States
40° 45' 21.7368" N, 94° 49' 25.266" W

Teledontics and Early Treatment of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

WEBINAR OVERVIEW

On this webinar we will introduce you to the emerging field of Teledontics, a non-surgical therapy for the management and treatment of early growth and development issues that an alarming number of children suffer from today.

Teledontics aims to bridge the gap between the disciplines of medicine and clinical dentistry. It transforms the conventional restrictive orthodontic approaches such as extraction of the teeth, use of headgear and functional appliances, harmful to the upper airway, into more precise and preventive ones that promotes proper pharyngorofacial (POF) and upper airway growth.

DATE AND TIME

Wednesday, May 27, 2020
4:00 - 5:00 pm, PT / 6:00 - 7:00 pm, CT / 7:00 - 8:00 pm, ET

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

One (1) AGD PACE Continuing Education Credit will be issued to participants.

SPEAKER: Joseph Yousefian, DMD, MS, MA

Dr. Yousefian graduated from Washington University, post-graduate training in orthodontics, dual Masters of Science Degree in biology, physical anthropology at Ohio State University.

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THE AIRWAY IMPERATIVE: Diagnosis and Sleep Testing

THE AIRWAY IMPERATIVE: Diagnosis and Sleep Testing

Airway Health: The Standard Then & Now

For clarity’s sake, let’s begin by acknowledging that “screening” is not the same as a “diagnosis.” Screening is the first step in the airway health management process and is targeted at assessing the need for a sleep test – a polysomnogram.

That being said, the only way to achieve an accurate, viable airway diagnosis is to order a sleep test.

Previously only performed in a hospital setting, sleep tests were extremely comprehensive (and are still considered one of the most comprehensive physical tests available today). They were also frequently considered by participants to be counter-conducive to actual sleep. Strange bed, ever present technicians, wires and terminals from head to toe — and a hospital sleep test often gave rise to the question, “Did I actually get enough sleep to even be evaluated?” Add to the mix that hospital sleep tests were more expensive and less accessible and you have a mixed bag at best. But not that long ago, they were the only game in town.

Things have changed. Home sleep tests are now considered technologically sound enough and accurate enough to determine whether or not a patient suffers from sleep apnea.

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How do we begin the steps to reaching some semblance or normalcy?

Dear SML Clients,  As the discussion intensifies surrounding the appropriate time to resume “business as usual,” it is clear to us at SML that business will not be returning to anything close to “usual,” anytime soon.  I say this as both the President of SML – Space Maintainers Laboratories, and as a practicing dentist, just like you. We are all concerned with the health and safety of our employees and staff, yet we also understand the important work we do for our patients and our communities.

So, how do we do this? How do we begin the steps to reaching some semblance or normalcy?

With thoughtful preparation, and careful implementation.

At my dental office, we are doing the following:

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Help Your Patients See Drastic Reductions in Sleep Apnea Symptoms with the Full-Breath Solution™

Individuals with sleep apnea may stop breathing up to 100 times a night -- for 10 to 20 seconds each time. These constant interruptions leave sleep apnea sufferers exhausted and deprived of precious oxygen. Now, a simple-yet-elegant dental appliance can offer a significant reduction in sleep apnea symptoms for your patients.

Worn in the patient’s mouth during sleep, The Full-Breath Solution is a small, unobtrusive device that is far more comfortable than a CPAP device. No mask or straps required.

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Location

United States
40° 45' 21.7368" N, 94° 49' 25.266" W

How to Help Your Patients Who Grind Their Teeth

dual laminate splints As a dentist, it isn’t uncommon for you to be the first one to notice a patient may have a habit of grinding their teeth (bruxism). While bruxism may cause jaw pain, TMJ pain, or headaches in some patients, many others have no symptoms until a dentist notices the wear and tear on their teeth. To make this habit even more difficult to catch is the fact that many patients grind their teeth in their sleep.

In fact, the most current research shows that patients who brux may actually have a sleep disorder breathing problem.  If this is the case, a sleep appliance is the logical treatment of choice.  If the patient is not suffering from a breathing issue, a dual laminate splint may be the solution for their bruxing problem.

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Location

United States
40° 45' 21.7368" N, 94° 49' 25.266" W

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