Snoring and Sleep Apnea

http://www.thesmilesaver.com/

What Causes Snoring

Snoring occurs when air travels faster through a narrow tube than through a broad one. This rapidly moving air causes the relaxed soft tissues of the throat to vibrate. It is this vibration that creates the sound of snoring.

This narrowing of the upper airway can be due to large tonsils, a long uvula (the small piece of soft tissue that dangles from the soft palate over the back of the tongue) or excessive flabby tissue in the throat. In other cases, nasal congestion from allergies or deformities of the cartilage between the two sides of the nose can contribute to narrowing of the airway.

However, the most common cause of narrowing of the upper airway is a tongue muscle that becomes too relaxed during sleep. When relaxed, the muscle is sucked into the back of the throat with each breath taken.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway completely collapses, blocking airflow into the lungs. The Sleep Apnea Cycle - falling asleep, jaw relaxing, airway collapsing, unconsciously awakening with a gasp, falling back asleep - can repeat itself 50 or more times per hour during the night.

By keeping the airway open, air travels more slowly, reducing throat vibrations and thus reducing or stopping snoring. One of the most effective ways to keep the airway open during sleep is by holding the tongue forward.

An easy-to-use product to accomplish this is the aveoTSD® (Tongue Stabilizing Device), a simple, low-cost treatment for problem snoring. The aveoTSD gently suctions onto the tongue, preventing it from falling back into the throat and obstructing the airway.

The Silent Nite® sl positions the lower jaw forward using special S-shaped connectors that are attached to upper and lower splints. This affordable device is flexible, thin and comfortable, and it exhibits documented clinical success in mitigating or even preventing the disruptive, unhealthy effects of snoring and sleep apnea.

Products available to combat snoring and OSA include the TAP® (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) or TAP 3 TL device, and the EMA® (Elastic Mandibular Advancement) oral appliance, which are all designed to keep the airway open and allow for air to pass.
If you have further questions please call Dr. Bill Rubiano at 310-832-4916.

Smile Check Up

http://www.thesmilesaver.com/

Are any of your teeth yellow, stained or somewhat discolored?		Yes     No
	Would you like your teeth to be whiter?		Yes     No
	Do you have any gaps or spaces between your teeth?		Yes     No
	Are any of your teeth turned, crooked, or uneven?		Yes     No
	Are you missing any teeth?		Yes     No
	Do you see any pitting or defects on the surfaces of your teeth?		Yes     No
	Are the edges of any teeth worn down, chipped or uneven?		Yes     No
	Do any of your teeth appear too small, short, large or long?		Yes     No
	Do you have any prior dental work that appears unnatural?		Yes     No
	Do you have any crowns or bridges that appear dark at the edge of your gums?		Yes     No
	Do you have any gray, black or silver (mercury) fillings in your teeth?		Yes     No
	Do you have a "gummy" smile (too much of your gums show when smiling)?		Yes     No
	Are your gums red, sore, puffy, bleeding or receded?		Yes     No
	Does the appearance of your smile inhibit you from laughing or smiling?		Yes     No
	When being photographed, do you smile with your lips closed instead of flashing a full smile?		Yes     No
	Are you self-conscious about your teeth or smile?		Yes     No
	Would you like to change anything about the appearance of your teeth or smile?

http://www.thesmilesaver.com/

Welcome

When you visit our office, your smile is our top priority.  Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve.
Part of our commitment to serving our patients includes providing information that helps them to make more informed decisions about their oral health needs.  This website is a resource we hope you’ll find both useful and interesting.

We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles!

High Standards

A standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables us to provide the quality dental services our patients deserve.  We provide comprehensive treatment planning and use restorative and cosmetic dentistry to achieve your optimal dental health.  Should a dental emergency occur, we make every effort to see and care for you as soon as possible.

Education & Prevention

As a practice, we are true believers that preventive care and education are the keys to optimal dental health.  We strive to provide “dental health care” vs. “disease care”.  That’s why we focus on thorough exams – checking the overall health of your teeth and gums, performing oral cancer exams, and taking x-rays when necessary.  We also know that routine cleanings, flossing, sealants, and fluoride are all helpful in preventing dental disease.  Not only are we focused on the beauty of your smile, we’re also concerned about your health.  A review of your medical history can help us stay informed of your overall health, any new medications, and any illnesses that may impact your dental health.

Uncompromising Safety

Infection control in our office is also very important to us.  To protect our patients and ourselves, we strictly maintain sterilization and cross contamination processes using standards recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Training & Expertise

As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians.  We pride ourselves in providing the care you need to keep your smile healthy.  To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning.  We attend dental lectures, meetings, and dental conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care.  Also, being members of various professional dental associations helps us to stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.

A Positive Experience

Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success.  We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience.  Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

We thank you for allowing us to take care of your dental needs and look forward to serving you.

Make an appointment today…..we’ll give you a reason to smile!
\Dr. Bill Rubiano 310-832-4916.