Dr. Kenyon wants to provide his patients with the latest, most accurate information on dental health and related issues. Please call or email Dr. Kenyon with any questions you may have concerning these topics and your specific dental situation.

Orthodontic Care
Crowns and Bridges
Periodontal Disease
Sports Safety
Dental Implants
Pregnancy Gingivitis
Advances in Tooth Restorations
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea


Orthodontic Care
We are pleased to announce that as part of his commitment to providing exceptional, comprehensive oral care for his patients, Dr. Kenyon provides an array of orthodontic services. Orthodontics involves the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of poor positioning of teeth.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommend that children undergo orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Early orthodontic visits allow us to determine whether changes in the child's skeletal patterns are needed. If changes are required, we can begin planning for treatment at the ideal time. There are several advantages to early treatment. If detected early, harmful habits can be corrected to avoid further, more expensive orthodontic corrections. Additionally, early orthodontia often generates higher quality results than adolescent or adult orthodontic care, and less complex treatment is usually warranted if begun at an early age.

Signs that early treatment may be necessary, include:
An unbalanced profile
An overbite, underbite, crossbite, gummy smile, deep bite, or open bite
Overlapping or crowded teeth
Difficulty chewing
Open-mouthed breathing
Speech problems
Tongue-thrusting (pushing the tongue against teeth while swallowing)
Thumb - or finger - sucking after the age of 4
Jaw joint problems

Although most people believe that orthodontic treatment is just for children, the truth is that people of all ages, including adolescents and adults, should receive orthodontic care. Properly aligned teeth result in healthier teeth and gums, improve chewing results and increased confidence due to an esthetically pleasing smile.

If you have any questions regarding orthodontic services provided by Dr. Kenyon, please call our office. We would be happy to schedule a consultation for you.


Crowns and Bridges
If one or more of your teeth are substantially damaged, artificial crowns can be used to restore your smile. Sometimes called caps, artificial crowns replace the enamel (the outer covering of the tooth ) and some of the dentin (the material below the enamel ) of the natural tooth. There are several materials that may be used. They Include:

Gold or cast metals
Gold or other cast metals are often used for crowns on less-visible molars. The metals are stable and long-lasting.

Gold combined with acrylic or porcelain
On teeth which are more visible, a strong gold core or other metal is covered with a tooth-colored material - either acrylic plastic or porcelain. Acrylic looks like your natural tooth color. Porcelain is stronger and looks more natural, but since it is so hard, it may wear on opposing teeth.

All porcelain
All porcelain crowns can also be used. They can be made to match tooth color very closely but may be brittle. New porcelain crowns are being introduced which are stronger than before.

If you require an artificial crown, Dr. Kenyon will start by preparing the enamel and some of the dentin of the tooth. He will then take impressions and have the crown fabricated. The crown is then cemented in place. If you are missing one or more of your teeth and they are close together, they may be replaced by a fixed restoration called a bridge.

Bridges are made of two key elements. The bridge is supported by abutments which are the healthy teeth on either side of the space. The space is filled with pontic which looks like a tooth and is attached to each end of the abutment. The abutment teeth are prepared in the same way a crown is prepared. Impressions are taken and the bridge is fabricated. The bridge is then cemented in place.


Periodontal Disease
Periodontal - or more simply - gum disease, afflicts 60 percent of the population. It is more common than the common cold. Ninety percent of adults have some form of periodontal disease, and 37 percent have experienced significant tooth and bone loss. Even more alarming, 30 percent of our children are already experiencing early symptoms of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, not decay, are responsible for 60 percent of all adult tooth loss.

How do you know if you have gum disease?
Healthy gums are firm and pink. When plaque builds up, gums tend to swell and become a dark red; this condition is know as gingivitis. If plaque starts to creep below the gumline, gingivitis can deteriorate into a condition know as periodontitis, an inflammation that can erode the ligament and bone beneath the gums, creating deep pockets that foster the growth of destructive bacteria.

However, because these diseases progress very slowly and usually without pain, they often escape early detection. Traditional tests, such as x-rays and periodontal probing, can reveal damage to the support bone only after it occurs. The good news is that new treatments have proven both effective and inexpensive. We can work with you to develop a specialized home program for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

Please call us if you have any questions or would like some more information regarding periodontal disease.


Sports Safety
Whether your child wins or losses the latest game, the one report that you don't want is "on the injured list". A big part of the most damaging injuries to child athletes can be prevented with mouth protectors.

A few quick points:
• Mouth protectors, made of soft plastic, are adapted to fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.
• Studies indicate nearly 75 percent of oral trauma in athletes occurs when they are not wearing mouth guards.
• A mouth guard not only protects the teeth but may reduce the force that can cause neck injuries and jaw fractures.
• More than 200,000 injuries are prevented each year by wearing mouth protectors.
• Football, lacrosse and hockey get a "thumbs up" for requiring protective equipment.
• Baseball and basketball get a "thumbs down" for lagging behind in injury protection. Nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball but mouth guards are not required.
• A child should wear a mouth protector whenever there is a risk of falls or of head trauma. This includes football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, martial arts, skateboarding and even gymnastics.


Dental Implants
If you are missing a single tooth or many teeth, dental implants may be the perfect solution for you. Dental implants replace teeth that have been missing since birth and those that have been lost to gum disease, infection, trauma, or decay.

Implants are surgically attached to your jaw bone and become a permanent part of your mouth. They will not slip, move, or irritate soft gum tissue. Dental implants also minimize the erosion of the jawbone that normally occurs when teeth are lost or removed. Unlike dentures, which can wear down the jaw bone and make a comfortable fit virtually impossible, dental implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth.

This superb functioning is possible because dental implants are made of metal which is compatible with the jaw bone. This metal helps the bone fuse with the implant - a small post that protrudes from the gum tissue. Prosthetic teeth are then attached to these posts for a natural looking and attractive result. Even if you are currently wearing a partial or full denture, implants can increase retention while improving the smile and preserving your jaw bones.

Many patients which have undergone implant procedures comment that dental implants have significantly improved the quality of their lives.


Pregnancy Gingivitis
Pregnancy Gingivitis occurs because of the hormonal imbalance at the time of pregnancy. The gum tissue becomes extremely swollen , sore and bleeds easily. If untreated, pregnancy gingivitis may reach the point to where the gums have almost covered the teeth. It is not a matter to be taken lightly.

It has been well proven that if your mouth is kept very clean, you will help prevent the development of pregnancy gingivitis. We have given you the tools – the toothbrush, the floss, etc. – to help you in the prevention quest, but in order to control the problem, you should strictly adhere to the professional periodontal maintenance treatment that has been suggested for you.

Please remember these two facts to help you carry out your healthy gum and plaque control program. Ninety-five percent of the harmful mouth bacteria tends to mass in the area of the gum line and mouth bacteria can reorganize and grow within 24 hours after removal.

It is especially necessary to continue with frequent regular professional maintenance appointments not only during pregnancy, but also up to one year postpartum.


Advances in Tooth Restorations
Because of our practice to provide the latest in dentistry, we offer a variety of tooth colored materials for use in the repair or restoration of both front and back teeth. These include porcelain restorations and composite fillings and onlays. Employing advanced tooth restoration technology helps us to improve dramatically the appearance of your smile.

Strength and Comfort
Unlike more traditional metal or amalgam fillings, new restorations are made in a dental laboratory and placed in a special heat-curing oven. This process increases the strength of the restoration tremendously. Consequently, new restorations can replace a large percentage of the natural tooth strength. Additionally, advanced restorations do not conduct heat or cold, minimizing tooth sensitivity.

Bonded
New restorations require less invasive preparation. They are actually bonded to teeth, allowing them to adhere to the natural tooth structure while enhancing overall tooth strength. This reduces the possibility of future fractures and other difficulties that can result from the natural chewing process. They maintain tooth and gum health for many years of reliable comfort.

Beauty
Perhaps the most exciting attribute of advanced tooth restorations is their esthetic value. Because these restorations can be matched very closely to your natural tooth color, they are virtually indistinguishable from non-restored teeth. Selection of the appropriate tooth-colored shade ensures that your smile will be consistent and beautiful. Cosmetic restorations eliminate black lines around teeth margins and allow light to reflect back naturally. Patients with new restorations have expressed their satisfaction, noting that they feel comfortable and confident
when they smile.

Cost
Although cosmetic restorations cost more than conventional metal fillings, the investment that you make is well worth the cost. Because there is rarely a need for replacement or repair, these restorations will ultimately save you money. They are also often covered by dental insurance, and we will be glad to assist you in applying for dental coverage.

The country's leading clinicians use these advanced techniques and materials for optimal esthetics and longevity. Dr. Kenyon has attended national courses to become proficient in the latest restorative procedures. We have also invested in new equipment to provide these cosmetic services to you with the quality you have come to expect from our practice.


Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Snoring has been estimated to be a problem for 60% of men and 40% of women between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age. Snoring occurs when there is a partial obstruction of the airway, which causes the tissues of the palate to vibrate. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway is completely blocked for certain periods of time. As many as 20 million people in North America may have sleep apnea. Snoring is a social problem, particularly for the spouse, but obstructive sleep apnea poses a significant health risk for the patient in that it can lead to irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

What can be done?
The current gold standard utilized by the medical profession for the treatment of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The patient wears a tightly fitting mask while sleeping, which is strapped to the head and connected by a hose to an air compressor pump. Air is then forced into the nose at predetermined intervals in order to overcome the obstruction. Complaints about its use include voice changes, skin irritations, nose and throat dryness, headaches, sinus infections and difficulty getting to sleep.

• If the problem is due to excessive soft palatal tissue then a surgical procedure performed by E.N.T. specialists called a UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) may help. If the problem is due to an abnormally large uvula, then removing it and some surrounding tissue by a LAUP (Laser Assisted Uvuloplasty) may help.
• If the problem is due to the tongue blocking the airway or a retruded lower jaw, then removable dental appliances to gently advance the lower jaw may be effective. This conservative, nonsurgical approach opens the airway by repositioning the geometry of the airway allowing free flow of air without vibration.

The most important thing to confirm in patients suffering from these conditions is to confirm through the use of a polysomnogram that episodes of sleep apnea (cessation of breathing) exist. These tests are run at medical sleep clinics where the patient's vital signs can be monitored. Only then will medical insurance provide reimbursement for the appliances and/or surgeries required.

Please ask Dr. Kenyon for an evaluation if you are having a problem with snoring.