For many of our patients, the difference between digital X-rays and film x-rays may not even be noticeable. Overtime Dentistry has come a long way in making great advancements in dental care. One of the most significant advances in dental care is the use of digital x-ray imaging machines.

Dental X-rays are so important as they allow the dentist and orthodontist to find and diagnose cavities, bone loss, and other issues that may be affecting the patient’s teeth or oral health. At Town Square Dental, we believe in growing and evolving with technology. With this in mind our Pasadena, TX, office would welcome any new patients to come and see for themselves. For now, let’s take a look as to why digital x-rays are much better than film radiation.

Dental Digital X-Rays Are Safer with Less Radiation

Digital x-ray machine systems now use up to 70% less radiation than conventional film radiation. Because these require a much less level of radiation than traditional x-rays, that means that less exposure is being sent to our patients and a much safer experience for both the patient and dental professionals as seen in the office.

Faster X-Ray Images

Digital x-ray film is available for viewing as soon as the images taken, is it does not have to be developed like old film x-rays.

Clearer, Higher Quality Images

With the former way of taking x-rays, a dental radiologist needed to take several x-rays from different angles in order to create a composite image of the patient’s teeth. The final images were not as clear, as they offered only up to 25 shades of grey. Now the image is clear as digital x-rays can use up to 256 shades of grey. This allows for much greater detail and can be used on a computer to be enhanced and revealed with more information

If you’re interested in learning more about our office in the services we offer, feel free to give our Pasadena, TX, office a call or send us an email to set up a consultation appointment.

Unfortunately, sleep apnea in children is more common than many might think. It can greatly impact a child’s school life and daily activities. Similar to sleep apnea in adults, there are treatments for children. How does sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea manifest itself in children? What are some of the symptoms? Continue reading on to find the answers to these questions.

Physical symptoms include long pauses in breathing during sleep, loud snoring, excessive nighttime sweating, sleepiness in the day, headaches, and bedwetting.

Behavior/learning symptoms include moodiness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and hyperactivity. Other consequences of OSA and sleep apnea may include insufficient growth hormones that affect development, the bodies way of using insulin, and a higher risk of developing lung and heart problems.

Which children are at risk of developing sleep apnea?

Children with enlarged tonsils or adenoids, those exposed to tobacco smoke, children with less muscle tone, obese children, and those with a genetic predisposition have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea.

How is sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed in children?

Children need to undergo a sleep study to fully diagnose sleep apnea or OSA. This involves taping several sensors to the child’s body during their sleep to collect information. During the sleep study, the technician or doctor may monitor the following heart rate, brain waves, breathing, blood oxygen levels, sleep positions, and snoring.

How is sleep apnea and OSA treated in children?

Determining a treatment plan will first require figuring out what is causing the sleep apnea or OSA. It may require an appointment with an ENT specialist. A CPAP machine can also be beneficial or a change in diet and exercise. Contact Town Square Dental for more help with sleep apnea and OSA treatments.

Is Sleep Apnea a “Man’s Disease”?

Many may think that sleep apnea only affects men, but thanks to extensive research we now know that that is not the case. We now know that for every two or three men, one woman is also affected by sleep apnea. It is important that we understand this statistic as in as many as 90% of women, sleep apnea can remain undiagnosed throughout their lifetime. Sleep apnea typically manifests itself through different symptoms, so this can prove to be more difficult and reaching a proper diagnosis.

Why are Women Diagnosed Less with Sleep Apnea?

Most commonly, sleep apnea and women can sometimes be mistaken for depression, anemia, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Because the symptoms are so subtle, women are frequently misdiagnosed and are less likely to snore. Some of the most common symptoms women experience with sleep apnea include:

• Daytime sleepiness despite a good night’s rest
• Waking up with dry mouth
• Waking up gasping or coughing
• Morning headaches
• Racing heartbeat

As indicated above a lot of these symptoms can be associated with different illnesses or diseases, so it is important to ask your dentist or your general physician more about sleep apnea, especially if you’re a woman.

Risk Factors

Sleep apnea and women can become more common around menopause, but there are other influences as well. Some of these influencers, that most of which are hereditary include:

• The use of alcohol or sleeping pills
• Narrow Airway passages
• Pregnancy
• Nasal congestion
• Smoking

If you have more questions concerning sleep apnea and would like to talk to a dental professional, feel free to give our Office in Pasadena, TX, a call or send us an email. We at Town Square Dental would love to hear from you and help you on your journey to becoming the healthiest you ever!

Thanks to the many advances in Health Sciences today, people are living longer than ever. With all of these added years to your lifespan, your teeth are enduring many extra years of damage. Over the years, your mouth will accumulate numerous problems.

Your dentist has many options to restore your smile. This includes dental implants, veneers, Dental bonding, and much more. However, the time may come when it is time to throw in the towel so to speak and get some dentures.

But how do you know when is the right time? First, let’s go over some of the different types of dentures.

Types of Dentures Available

Just because the condition of your mouth has reached severe levels, this may not mean that you need a complete set of dentures. Depending on your situation, you may choose between two types of dentures.

Partial dentures fit around existing teeth, and replace teeth that have either falling out or were extracted that were beyond repair. This type of denture is perfect for people who do not need a full extraction.

Your other option are full dentures. These are used when you need to replace the teeth from a full upper or lower arch.

Not Your Grandparent’s Dentures

If you are apprehensive about getting dentures, it may be because you have heard negative stories about dentures from somebody who is unhappy with their own dentures. Rest assured, though, dentures today are not your grandparent’s dentures. Dental technology has come a long way in the last few decades. Dentists now use cutting-edge technology to make sure that your dentures fit better than ever and have the feel of real teeth.

There is no need to worry whether or not your dentures will look fake. the advances in dental technology allows us to accurately create a denture that will fit perfectly and look and feel real to you.

If you have any other questions regarding partial or full dentures please give us a call today.

When you first get your retainer, it might be a foreign concept to keep something extra with you all the time and keep it in your mouth almost 24 hours a day at first. You are used to constantly checking your pockets for your keys, wallet, and phone, but now you have another item possibly, your retainer case!

So how do you go about caring for your retainer correctly? How can you be sure to not lose or damage it? Your dentist may have told you that your retainer is an expensive piece of equipment, so it is best to care for it properly.

The Different Types of Retainers

There are two main types of retainers. The first one is the one you are most familiar with. You put it in your mouth, and you take it out when you need to eat, then you slap it right back in! This type of retainer is referred to as a removable retainer. It requires that you keep good track of it, clean it properly, and never eat while it is in.

The second type of retainer is the permanent retainer. This retainer is usually installed permanently behind your teeth to keep them straight. You can eat with it and you can’t remove it.

Retainer Advice

Here are some basic tips for caring for your removable retainer, as the list is a little longer when compared to a permanent one.

• Always carry your retainer case
• Do not put your retainer in your pocket or purse, you don’t want it to be damaged
• Never wrap your retainer in a napkin. We know it is easy to do while you are eating so you don’t have to look at it, but your case can accomplish the same thing and there is a far lower chance that you forget about it and mistake it for trash and throw it away.
• Keep your retainer clean. Never soak it overnight with mouthwash, though, or it could become discolored!

We hope these simple tips help you with your retainer care. If you have any more questions feel free to give us a call today!

Now less common than they once were, amalgam material used for dental fillings are still used, except now they are at the center of a swirling controversy. Many aren’t keen on the metal appearance they give their teeth, but still prove to be a great option for those on a budget. At Town Square Dental in Pasadena, TX, we still offer amalgam fillings for those that need them, but let’s discuss what they are and if they’re safe for you and your family.

What is Silver Amalgam (Silver Tooth Fillings)?

To this day, it is estimated that silver amalgam fillings are still placed in the mouths of 1 billion people annually. Thanks to its usual low cost, its ease in working with, its effectiveness in covering dental tooth decay, and its accessibility, silver amalgam is still preferred by many. The silver amalgam itself is composed of a mix of metals that include mercury, silver, and tin.

Why Are Silver Tooth Fillings Causing Controversy?

The question posed above is an interesting one. You would expect a material used by so many dentists for so long would be a sure and safe choice. However, the controversy surrounding silver amalgam fillings has to do with the mercury found in them. This particular substance is actually what gives the material its easy application, but it has been linked to causing headaches, tremors, emotional changes, and muscle

Replace Your Fillings

The truth of the matter is, is that the health risks associated with dental amalgam fillings are inconclusive. There is no solid evidence that they cause health problems, so what you do with you and your fillings is up to you and your dentist. Be sure to have a long conversation about your options to make the best possible decision for your circumstances. Contact us today to make your first appointment!

Dental Implant Overdenture – What Is It?

While traditional dentures rested directly on the gums, new dental implant supported dentures have revolutionized how dentures are worn. This new style of dentures is referred to as an overdenture. When missing all of the teeth in the upper or lower part of the jaw, dental implants are recommended. While used for individual teeth previously, this newly adopted style of denture snaps into place via several dental implants.

Types of Dental Implant Supported Dentures

There are generally two styles: Bar-retained dentures and ball-retained dentures. Bar-retained dentures use small metal bars to interconnect the tops of dental implants that are then used to connect the denture. For ball-retained dentures, there are not connecting bars, and instead, each implant connects to the denture. Each has separate benefits and will be greatly determined by your dentist’s recommendation for your specific scenario.

Placement of Dental Implants

The structure of a person’s jaw is always going to be slightly different, but in most cases, there is generally more bone present in the front of the mouth. For this reason, this is most commonly the location of the installed dental implants. Installing dental implants can sometimes be a complicated process since it is so unique for each and every patient. The post-installation healing process can take several months.

Dental Implant Supported Denture Care

Like standard dentures, overdentures need to be removed nightly and cleaned. Careful attention must also be placed on the cleaning of the bars or balls of the dental implant. Your dentist will also need to check the status occasionally. Any feeling of looseness should be reported to your dentist immediately since tiny bits of looseness can quickly spread and cause larger issues.

Dental Implant Overdenture Expectations

For a patient looking for increased stability over their current denture, a switch to an overdenture will help. Also, expect increased comfort and confidence.

The great majority of people with misaligned teeth can blame genetics. Unfortunately, if you don’t wear your retainer after you are done your braces off, your genetics can come into play again, and your teeth will go right back to where they were before. Without the retainer, an orthodontic relapse can occur. This means that the teeth fall back into a position of misalignment, and this can take a lot of effort to correct.

Reasons Why Retainers Are Important

There are more reasons to wear your retainer than you might think! Here is a short list of things that make the retainer so important to your new smile.

• They stabilize your bite. Once you get your braces off, you must know that during the whole process of having braces changed a lot when it comes to your jawbone and teeth. The soft tissue of the jaw needs time to realign. Retainers give it this chance.

• They maintain space for wisdom teeth. Many times, braces are applied to younger people who have not yet gotten their wisdom teeth. If your teeth are held in place with retainers, there is a higher chance that there will be space in your mouth for your wisdom teeth to grow in. This will help solve the problems that your wisdom teeth may have caused, as well as allow you to avoid a possibly painful extraction.

• They prevent orthodontic relapse, or treatment reversal. As we mentioned earlier, without retainers, orthodontic relapse isn’t just likely, it’s inevitable. Your teeth will start to move and float around back to a position of misalignment rather quickly. If you don’t wear your retainer for just a few days, you will notice a difference. The teeth do not have firm roots in their current positions, so wearing your retainer is extremely important, especially at first.

Many adults suffer from tooth grinding. It is a common problem that isn’t always immediately treated. When left untreated, it can lead to headaches, pain, tooth damage and more. Town Square Dental in Pasadena, TX provides custom fitted mouthguards. Read on to learn about the many benefits of dentist fitted mouthguards.

What can happen if you don’t wear a mouthguard?

It is common for many individuals to wear mouthguards when taking part in an activity or sport. The guard protects your teeth from breaking or even getting completely knocked out. Further stress is caused on your teeth when your jaws hit against each other. These minor or major hits can cause cracks and even fracture your jaw. They also reduce the pain that follows having TMJ.

How do mouthguards work? Mouthguards are created to absorb the shock of impact. They protect the teeth and jaw by allowing the impact to hit the mouthguard first. Most sporting goods stores sell ready-made mouthguards. These work well for an inexpensive way to slightly protect your teeth. Mouth-formed mouthguards are also a cheap way to take care of your teeth. They are practical, but still not completely comfortable.

Town Square Dental offers custom dentist fitted mouthguards. We highly recommend you invest in a fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth and overall health. They are comfortable to speak and breath with, long-lasting, and made just for you. They are a perfect fit!

Speak with your dentist about getting a custom fitted mouthguard. Why wait to protect yourself and eliminate unneeded pain? A custom-fitted mouthguard is a perfect solution for teeth grinding, TMJ, and headaches. If you are in the Pasadena, TX area, call Town Square Dental to schedule an appointment for a custom-fitted mouthguard today!