We’ve come a long way since dentistry relied almost entirely on metal in the construction of appliances for shaping, moving, and protect ing your teeth. Today, one of the most common materials in a dentist’s office is acrylic -- a highly durable form of plastic. You can find acrylic in a lot of surprising places:

• Resins: Acrylic dental resins are often used to make patient impression trays for ensuring custom appliance fit and function.
• Veneers: If you need a replacement tooth, your dentist may create an acrylic veneer to place over a crown or a cracked or damaged tooth.
• Temporary veneers: Creating veneers is a multi-step process, and while you’re waiting for your permanent veneers, your dentist may create temporary acrylic veneers for the interim.
• Acrylic dental appliances: Many dental appliances (like retainers) also contain acrylic components.

Acrylic dental materials, devices and components are a staple of modern dentistry…and are a welcome addition when it comes to patient comfort, dentist design, and overall ease of use.  

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Most of us wouldn’t be surprised that, according to the famous Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory, some of the top stressors in life include death of the a spouse, divorce, and a major personal injury or illness. What might surprise you is that the list also includes what we generally consider to be positive events, e.g. marriage (number 7 on the list), retiring (number 10), and starting a new job (number 18).

Life change causes stress, and the “daily grind” can have you doing just that: grinding your teeth frequently, unconsciously, and painfully. It’s called Bruxism – and it can lead to headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, and damaged, painfully sensitive teeth.

If you are experiencing any of these common Bruxism symptoms, consider asking your dentist about a customized mouth guard for wear at night. It’s also okay to feel stressed -- even when you’re happy – but the real happy news here is that you can do something about it.

Sleep apnea is more common than you might imagine. According to SleepDisordersGuide.com, it may affect up to 1 in 15 Americans. That adds up to millions of people who struggle to get a good night’s sleep and often suffer negative health consequences as a result. According to SleepApnea.org, sleep apnea may contribute to: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and more.

If you have sleep apnea, your first visit is likely to be to your family physician who might prescribe a CPAP Assistance Program. The CPAP can be very helpful, but it isn’t right for everyone. Some people just can’t get used to the mask or the flow of air through the machine. In this case, your dentist may be the sleep apnea solution you are looking for. 

Is it always the best option to recommend permanent restorations and bridges to elderly patients? Many dentists and cosmetic dentists would tend to answer “yes,” but today’s practitioner needs to carefully consider the best interests of the patient.

Not every elderly patient will do well with the lengthy and sometimes grueling appointments required to perform permanent restoration. This is especially true if the patient is already suffering from health-related issues and might not be highly compliant. In these cases, a dentist may want to consider the application of much simpler interim appliances, which can preserve both aesthetics and function.

Also worthy of consideration is the fact that many seniors are on a fixed income.  They may not be able to afford extensive dental interventions. Here, too, less expensive interim appliances can provide a more preferable, useful solution, at least in the short term. 

Once the braces come off, you’re in the final stretch in the race to straight teeth. At this stage, you’ll need a final retainer… most likely, a Hawley Retainer. Chances are, if you’ve spent the last few years with brackets on your teeth, the last thing you want is to walk around school or work with a big metal wire across your teeth….but you’re in luck.

Retainers, like braces, are changing with the times. Today, you can choose clear braces, which are a lot less intrusive. Likewise, the standard Hawley Retainer has also gotten an upgrade. You can now order one with a clear wire, known as ASTICS. This makes the retainer a lot less noticeable – good news for both teens and adults.

Ask your orthodontist about Hawley Retainer options today.

Do you wake up with severe TMJ pain, sore teeth, or a pounding headache in the morning? No, your spouse isn’t kickboxing in their sleep…well, probably not. It’s more likely that you’re grinding your teeth.

Nocturnal grinding is a common habit. Hard to know just how common it is because so many people have absolutely no idea that they’re doing it. The best way to find out if you are grinding your teeth? Ask your bed partner if they’ve ever heard you doing it. It’s likely you’re a grinder if you experience bad headaches in the morning, prolonged tooth sensitivity or regular jaw pain.

If you have these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist. A dentist can order a custom mouth guard that to protect your teeth from the painful effects of nocturnal grinding. 

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Sleep is a precious thing, which is why it can be so frustrating when your bed partner hits you in the face with a pillow and tells you to stop snoring. There are plenty of fancy gadgets on the market to help with this problem, including dental appliances for snoring, but before you shell out a lot of money for one of those, why not try tennis balls?

In an article for the Huffington Post, sleep medicine specialist Dr. Dianne Augelli explains that most snoring occurs when an individual sleeps on their back. She suggests a quick home remedy. Sew a pocket into the back of your shirt and put three tennis balls inside. During the night, when you flip onto your back, those tennis balls will remind you to shift over to your side. 

Of course, if your snoring is a result of a serious condition like sleep apnea, then you should probably speak to your doctor about getting a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure…or one of many  available custom-made dental appliances for snoring. You’ll sleep better.

The braces are off. Your teeth are straight, your smile is awesome and you’re in the home stretch! Next step? Your orthodontist fits you with a final retainer – one that will help keep your teeth in proper place and position.

Do you feel exhausted every morning? Headaches when you wake up? Do you find yourself suddenly awake and gasping for air in the middle of the night? You may suffer from a very common condition known as sleep apnea, where your airway becomes blocked as you sleep. As a result, you may wake up hundreds of times in a single night (often without remembering), which disrupts your sleep cycle and can cause all sorts of health problems.

If you cozy up with a partner at night, it will be easy to tell if you have sleep apnea. Your loving partner will probably spend the whole night hitting you with a pillow, begging you to stop snoring so loudly. But what about if you haven’t found that special man or woman yet?

Some telltale signs: Abrupt awakenings in the night

• Exhaustion upon waking up
• Headaches in the morning
• Acid Reflux
• Difficulty staying awake during the work day