Category: general dentistry

CBCT of Airway

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Do you know the components of your airway? Your airway is made up of several different parts, all of which play a critical role in how you breathe. The airway is made up of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, velopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, and if one of these components is negatively impacted by injury, defect, or dysfunction, it can cause your breathing to be adversely affected, too, which can lead to both acute and chronic health issues.

So, how can you tell if a part of your airway is affected? While some signs may be obvious, such as when you have nasal, or sinus congestion related to allergies or illness, or you have swollen tonsils that make breathing difficult, issues with other areas may not be so evident. This is why we suggest that you come to Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas, for a CBCT of your airway to make sure every component is healthy and working as it should.

What Is a CBCT?

CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography (CT). The CBCT is a particular type of X-ray equipment used by Millennium Smiles to get a deeper look, beyond what regular dental or facial X-rays can do. The CBCT allows us to produce 3-D images of your teeth, nerve pathways, bone, and the soft tissue components of your airway. It can also show us if your airway is narrowed in any area for any reason (think things like a deviated septum, nasal polyps, tumors, enlarged tonsils, prolapsed soft palate), which could reveal the reason why you may suffer from chronic sinus problems, headaches/migraines, fatigue, depression, hypertension and also breathing disorders such as asthma.

CBCTs are also used to help chart a course of airway orthodontic treatments. These orthodontic services are designed to help you breathe better and improve your overall health (see why breathing correctly is so important in this blog).

Additionally, a CBCT is an excellent way to get a glimpse of what happens in your airway when you sleep. This is because that during the CBCT, you lay back and the scanner can capture if your tongue falls back to block the airway, which could be a clue that you are living with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Find out what a CBCT reveals about your airway right here in Frisco, Texas. Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-430-2773 to schedule your appointment now.

Getting the Most Out of Your Invisalign Treatment

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Your Invisalign treatment at Millennium Smiles is a quality investment for your oral health. Just like any other type of investment, Invisalign requires care and commitment to be as efficient as possible and provide the best results. During the course of your treatment, it is very important to make sure that your teeth and aligners are cleaned well. There are other ways recommended by your Frisco dentist at Millennium Smiles to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment.

Wear Aligners Continuously

Invisalign aligners are effective because they keep pressure on the teeth, moving them to the desired position. However, this will only work if they are worn on a consistent basis. Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day, removing them to brush teeth, eat, and drink liquids other than water. Keeping them in the mouth as consistently as possible will allow your teeth to move into the correct place faster and result in a shorter treatment time.

Clean Aligners Weekly

Your aligners need to be clean for Invisalign to function properly. Without cleaning them, you could let bacteria build in the aligner and cause issues with teeth. Brush aligners with your toothbrush and use cleaning tablets to get them fully clean. Cleaning tablets doesn’t damage the plastic of your aligner while they get rid of bacteria and particles that may have been left in the aligner after brushing. Your dentist in 75036 can recommend the right cleaning tablet for you.

Keep a Travel Toothbrush

During treatment, you’ll have to remove your aligners to eat and they must be put back in the mouth when you are done. Before doing this, however, it is recommended that your brush your teeth. Invisalign works best when the teeth and aligners are as clean as possible, making excellent dental hygiene a necessity. When you’re on the go, make sure you can brush your teeth.

Your teeth will look amazing after your Invisalign treatment is complete. If you want more information about getting Invisalign in and around Frisco, TX, book an appointment at Millennium Smiles and ask about Invisalign for you.

Introduction to Airway Orthodontics

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If we asked you what the first thing that came to your mind was when we said the word “orthodontics”, the first thing that you thought of would likely be brackets and wires used to straighten crooked or out of place teeth, right?

These things do describe traditional orthodontics found in many practices in Frisco. The conventional approach to orthodontics is very much about fixing straight teeth, which is fine if a straight smile is the ultimate goal. But, at Millennium Smiles, our goal is not just a straight smile, it’s also a healthy one, too.

Traditional orthodontics often makes movements without regard to the mouth as a whole, which can leave you or your child with severe complications down the road. We understand that even the smallest movement could have a significant impact on the mouth, the bite, and the jaw.

But, what if we told you there was a whole other side of orthodontics that doesn’t just consider the position of your teeth to achieve a beautiful smile, but also considers your airway? And, doesn’t make a move without first thinking how it will affect every other facet of the mouth.

This side of orthodontics, known as airway orthodontics, goes beyond straightening smiles. It looks for answers to why the teeth are crooked – and treats underlying causes of crooked teeth and obstructions to the airway. You will find this side of orthodontics at Millennium Smiles in Frisco.

Airway obstruction is a dangerous health condition with serious consequences for the body and your overall health.

Some Signs of Obstructed Breathing Include:

  • Mouth breathing
  • Poor sleep or sleep apnea
  • ADHD and hyperactivity
  • Poor school or work performance
  • Mood swings or moodiness
  • Rapid shallow breathing
  • Chronic sinus infections and sinus congestion
  • Snoring
  • Jaw pain or dysfunction
  • High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes
  • Weight gain

Benefits of Airway Orthodontics

Airway orthodontics can help you breathe better, but it can also mean other benefits, too, including:

  • Elimination of sleep apnea
  • Getting a good night’s sleep – no more CPAP machines!
  • Reduction or elimination of the need for braces later
  • Reduction or elimination of the need for jaw surgery later
  • Improved facial development/facial appearance
  • Improved overall health, reduced blood pressure, and lessened risk of developing cardiac conditions
  • Enhanced sports performance and recovery
  • Healthier teeth and gums

Learn more airway orthodontics and how it can help you by calling Millennium Smiles today at 972-987-4899

Is It An Emergency? Part 2

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Do you think you are having a dental emergency, but you’re not entirely sure? Don’t worry; we are here to help! If you’re not sure if something is severe enough to warrant a dental visit, we are always just a phone call away. But, in the meantime, here are a few situations that definitely warrant a call to our office. This is the second half of a two-part blog on dental emergencies and what to do when you have one!

If you have pain, call us. If you’re experiencing the sudden onset of tooth pain, or it hurts to put pressure on the tooth or if it is continually throbbing, keeping you up all night and you’re getting no relief with pain relievers, you could have an abscessed tooth and need to be seen as soon as possible.

If you have pain in the jaw or jaw dysfunction, call us. Are you having sudden pain in your TMJ joints? (They are the tiny joints located on either side of your jaw, just below your ear). If you’re having unexplained pain in the TMJs, neck, or ear, or your jaw is clicking, popping, and hard to open and close, you need to call us. You could be living with undiagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). TMJD pain can be chronic or acute (sudden).

If you have lost a filling, crown, or other restoration, call us. While these conditions may not be severe, they can be annoying and painful, and if left untreated, could result in more damage or infection. Damaged restorations can also negatively affect your bite, which leaves you at risk of developing TMJD or additional damage to your teeth.

If you’re experiencing any of these situations, pain, or discomfort, call Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899 to get an appointment as soon as possible.

Is It An Emergency? Part 1

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Do you think you are having a dental emergency, but you’re not entirely sure? Don’t worry; we are here to help! If you’re not sure if something is severe enough to warrant a dental visit, we are always just a phone call away. But, in the meantime, here are a few situations that definitely warrant a call to our office. This is the first of a two-part blog on dental emergencies and what to do when you have one!

If your face is swollen, call us. Unexplained swelling of the face means that you could have an infection in the tooth, bone infection, or gum infection that requires professional treatment (and likely antibiotics).

If your tooth is knocked, call us. Having a tooth knocked out warrants a call to us immediately. If you’ve lost a tooth and can locate it, pick it up by the crown (the part of the tooth you bite with), put it in a cup of saliva and come on in. Read how to handle if your child knocks out a tooth.

If you have a cracked, broken, or chipped a tooth, call us. If you’ve experienced damage to a tooth such as a crack, chip, or total fracture, you’re going to need a dental crown to hold your tooth -together so you can use it as you usually would.

If your mouth is bleeding, call us. If you have unexplained bleeding from the mouth (as in, you are not injured), we suggest coming in for a checkup. If you see bleeding when brushing or flossing, you could have gingivitis or periodontal disease. If you see blood in your saliva even when not brushing or flossing, you should be checked for oral cancer.

If you have a yellow, red, clear, or a whitish-looking pimple on your gum, call us. This means you could have an abscessed tooth or gum infection. Treatments for this situation could range from root canal to extraction, and most likely antibiotics.

If you’re experiencing any of these situations, pain, or discomfort, call Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899 to get an appointment as soon as possible.

What Should You Do?

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If you have children, you probably already know that they fall. It’s inevitable. Falls happen. While most incidents of falling are minor and can be handled with a band-aid and a hug, sometimes when kids fall they can accidentally knock out a tooth. This situation takes a fall from minor to scary in seconds. So, what do you do? We’ve compiled a few things to do (and a few things not to do) if your child falls and knocks out or damages a tooth.

First, stay calm. While that may be extremely difficult if your child has lost has just lost a tooth, your ability to remain calm will help your child calm down.

Second, call us. If your child has lost or damaged a tooth, call us immediately. Ideally, we should see your child within an hour of the incident.

Third, store it safely. If you can locate the tooth, put it into a cup of saliva. Yes, we said saliva. While milk is often touted as a way to –preserve teeth, it is not the best option. If you cannot get your child’s saliva, you can use your own if you are comfortable with it. If not, then you can use milk. Do not use water – ever.

Fourth, don’t try to clean it. While there may be dirt, mud, or blood on the tooth, attempting to clean the tooth can cause unintentional damage. Do not rinse or use a cleaning agent such as alcohol or peroxide. Try not to handle the tooth too much, either, to prevent adding germs to the mix. If you have to handle the tooth, try to pick it up by the crown and not the root.

Fifth, don’t try to put it back in.  If it is a baby tooth, do not try to push the tooth back in. Doing so could damage the new adult tooth just below the newly-created space.

We hope a dental emergency never happens to you, but if it does, we will be here. Call us at 972-987-4899 with all of your dentistry needs.

Too Much of a Good Thing Could Be a Problem

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Do you want whiter teeth? Who doesn’t? While achieving whiter teeth is a goal for many people, for others, it becomes an obsession and can turn into a dangerous situation that costs time, money and tooth enamel. The situation is known as bleachorexia and is a very real problem for many people.

What Is Bleachorexia?

Bleachorexia is defined as an unhealthy obsession or over-fascination with tooth whitening. It is classified as a form of body dysmorphia. For individuals affected by bleachorexia, they feel that although their teeth are already white, their teeth are not white enough so they must continue to use tooth whiteners to achieve their vision of their smile.

Bleachorexia can cause individuals to seek out and use alternative methods to obtain the “ultimate smile”, such as charcoal toothpaste and whitening products containing high levels of bleaching agents and not approved by the FDA.

Some of the dangers of over-whitening the teeth include:

Changing colors. Excessive whitening of the teeth could make them turn an unnatural shade or become translucent.
Erosion of tooth enamel. Overuse of bleaching products could result in tooth enamel erosion, which can lead to pain, tooth sensitivity and changes to the core structure of the teeth. If this occurs, you may be facing the need for porcelain veneers, crowns, and other restorative treatments so you can live pain-free.
Receding gums. Bleaching agents don’t just touch the teeth, they also touch the gums and other structures of the mouth, too. Products that are too strong can cause the gums to recede and even burn the soft tissue in the mouth.

Can You Achieve Whiter Teeth Safely?

Absolutely, yes, you can. However, the best way to whiten is under the supervision of a dentist. Dr. Korous offers patients safe, in-office whitening procedures and take-home whitening products with professional-grade bleaching agents to help you achieve the smile you want safely. Learn more about our tooth whitening options by calling Millennium Smiles at 972-987-4899.

Drinking Enough Water?

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Do you drink enough water? No, really. Do you try to get as many ounces per day as you can, or do you drink a little here and there? If you’re not getting enough, you could be dehydrated – which can cause stress on every cell, organ, and system of your body – including your mouth. Dry mouth affects everyone at some point in their life, and the majority of dry mouth cases are because individuals are just not drinking enough. If you’re not getting enough water and have the chronic feeling of cotton mouth, you are at risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

Well, the first symptom of dry mouth is feeling thirsty, a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, burning or tingling in the mouth or tongue and chapped lips that won’t seem to go away no matter how much you moisturize. Additionally, chronic dry mouth can cause bad breath and even difficulty swallowing, speaking, and chewing.

If dry mouth persists, it can even alter how food tastes.

The Risks of Dry Mouth

Like we mentioned, chronic dry mouth can leave you at risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease because saliva has a critical role in the health of your mouth; it contains the minerals you need to fortify your teeth against enamel erosion and also helps to wash away bacteria and sticky plaque.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Dry Mouth?

The first thing you can do is drink enough water. A good rule of -thumb is to divide your weight in half to get the target number of ounces you should consume each day.

Chew sugar-free gum. Gum helps to keep the production of saliva going. Select a brand with Xylitol instead of sugar.

Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. These substances cause further dehydration.

Practice good oral hygiene. This will keep your mouth healthy despite dry conditions.

Talk to Dr. Korous. There may be mouth rinses or mouthwashes available to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.

Do you struggle with chronic dry mouth? Let Dr. Korous know! Call us today at 972-987-4899 to make an appointment to talk about it.

Make Resolutions to Improve Oral Heath

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It’s a New Year, so it’s time for a new you! You’ve probably made your resolutions to eat better, work out more, and spend more time with your loved ones. But, what about resolving to take better care of your teeth? There’s no time like the present to get started, and it’s never too late to make sure your mouth is healthy! Here are a few suggestions from Dr. Korous on how you can make 2019 the best year for your smile.

Resolution 1: Be a Better Brusher

Want to have healthier teeth? The first stop is better brushing (and flossing). We suggest that you brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. For best results, use an electric toothbrush. While brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line to remove sticky plaque. Brush for a full two minutes each time!

Resolution 2: Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing your teeth helps to remove the sticky plaque and is just as crucial as brushing! Flossing also removes bits of food your toothbrush can’t reach.

Resolution 3: Eat Better

No, not just for your waistline. For your mouth, too. Eating healthier snacks means a healthier mouth. We suggest limiting the consumption of food and beverages containing processed sugar, carbohydrates, and acids to help reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Resolution 4: Get the Smile You Want

Did you hide your smile in 2018? What about 2017? 2016? If you’re hiding your smile because you don’t like the look, shape, or color of your teeth, make 2019 the year you stop hiding behind your hand or avoiding the camera. Learn about the cosmetic and restorative dental options we offer including tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign.

Resolution 5: Stop Living with Sleep Apnea

Do you have sleep apnea or think you have sleep apnea? If you can’t sleep without your CPAP, or you’re not sleeping at all, let us know. Dr. Korous can help those suffering from sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy, which means a better night’s sleep and better overall health for you.

Looking to have a healthy and beautiful smile this year? We can help. Call Millennium Smiles today at 972-987-4899 to schedule a consultation.

Give Yourself a Gift

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We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with your friends and family! The holiday season is always a busy one – parties and gatherings, lots of fun and festivities, and making sure you select the perfect gift for everyone on your list. But, did you remember to give yourself a gift this year? If you didn’t treat yourself in 2018, that’s okay! You can make 2019 your year by giving yourself the gift of a new smile from Millennium Smiles!

Why You Should Give Yourself a New Smile Next Year

Don’t love your smile? You’re not alone. Many adults hide their smile by covering their mouth when they talk, not smiling for pictures and shying away from relationships and social events because they are self-conscious about how their smile looks.

Many people who don’t love their smile feel insecure or even depressed about their appearance. This is in stark contrast to those individuals who love their smiles; research has shown that smiling more often helps to boost confidence and mood. So, if you’re not living your best life because you are not confident in your smile’s appearance, it’s time to talk to Dr. Korous about smile restoration!

What Is Smile Restoration?

Smile restoration, also known as cosmetic dentistry, helps to bring your smile back to life. Restoration procedures include procedures such as dental implants, tooth whitening, Invisalign, and porcelain veneers to replace missing teeth, teeth that have become stained and to provide a new look to teeth that have been damaged in some way.

Millennium Smiles offers a full range of cosmetic dental treatment options to help restore your smile.

One More Thing

It is important to note that a beautiful smile is a healthy smile. This means that before any cosmetic procedure begins, Dr. Korous will need to make sure your mouth is healthy first. This means a full exam and therapies for any cavities, areas of decay, or gum disease before proceeding with cosmetic treatments.

We want your smile not only to look good but to feel good, too! Call us at 972-987-4899 to give yourself a gift in 2019!

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