Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Hundreds of millions of people of all ages around the world suffer from deadly obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has been linked to Cardiovascular Disease, Cerebrovascular Insult, Endocrine Disorders and Obesity. 

What is Sleep Apnea?

A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious, life threatening disorder that is characterized as a series of episodes in which a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses.

How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed? 

Most people who have sleep apnea don’t know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member or bed partner might be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can’t detect the condition during routine office visits. Also no blood test can help diagnose the condition. Snoring is a major indicator, but not all symptoms are so obvious-and audible. A dentist can detect the less evident symptoms of sleep apnea through a candid conversation with a patient, in conjunction with an exam, about the patient’s recent pains or discomforts. A dentist may suspect a patient suffers from sleep apnea if the patient complains about  lethargy, morning headaches, or dry mouth (typically caused by open mouth breathing during sleep).

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: 

• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability and impaired mental or emotional functioning
• Excessive snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep
• Insomnia
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

Most dentist have undergone special training for the treatment of sleep apnea and are very skilled in its management using behavioral modification and dental appliances, but a confirmed diagnosis from a sleep medicine specialist is required before any treatment can be administered.

Sleep apnea can be a silent condition, it can go undiagnosed for many years. It is important to keep an open and honest dialog with health care professionals to ensure that conditions such as sleep apnea can be identified and properly treated.

Sleep Apnea

 February is National Children's Dental Health Month!

Patients Without Dental Insurance

We’ve launched our membership club to 

simplify payments for preventative care. 

Our loyal members also save money on treatment.

Join online now or give us a 

call at (925) 945-8006.

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana DDS, APC

2255 Ygnacio Valley Rd. Ste. J-2

Walnut Creek, CA 94598

www.drpestanadds@sbcglobal.net

Use It or Loose It!

Maximize your Dental Benefits for 2016

Call Us Today (925)945-8006

www.drpestanadds.com

Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

A good night's sleep has the power to restore the body and enliven the mind. 

What causes snoring? 

Most Common:

• Sleep Apnea 
• Congestion
• Swollen Tonsils
• Excess Bodyweight
• Use of Drugs & Alcohol

As many as 50 percent of adults have some type of snoring problem. Snoring is the result of vibration of the soft tissues in your mouth and your throat. When awake, the muscles surrounding these structures tighten, keeping the air passage open. When asleep these soft tissues relax, and lower jaw and tongue drop back, blocking the opening to your airway when you breathe, which causes the soft tissues to vibrate. The sound of those vibrating tissues is what we call snoring.

What you can do to stop snoring?

• Lose Weight
• Using a humidifier at night 
• Applying nasal Strips before bed
• A customized appliance to treat snoring (Oral appliance made at Dental Office)
• Diagnosis & Treatment of Sleep Apnea (Physician or Trained Dentist can Diagnose)

What is Sleep Apnea?

A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious, life threatening disorder that is characterized as a series of episodes in which a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses.

How is Sleep Apnea Diagnose? 

Most people who have sleep apnea don't know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member or bed partner might be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can't detect the condition during routine office visits. Also no blood test can help diagnose the condition. Snoring is a major indicator, but not all symptoms are so obvious-and audible. A dentist can detect the less evident symptoms of sleep apnea through a candid conversation with a patient, in conjunction with an exam, about the patients's recent pains or discomforts. A dentist may suspect a patient suffers from sleep apnea if the patient complains about  lethargy, morning headaches, or dry mouth (typically caused by open mouth breathing during sleep).

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: 

• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability and impaired mental or emotional functioning
• Excessive snoring, chocking, or gasping during sleep
• Insomnia
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

Most dentist have undergone special training for the treatment of sleep apnea and are very skilled in its management using behavioral modification and dental appliances, but a confirmed diagnosis from a sleep medicine specialist is required before any treatment can be administered.

Sleep apnea can be a silent condition, it can go undiagnosed for many years. It is important to keep an open and honest dialog with health care professionals to ensure that conditions such as sleep apnea can be identified and properly treated.

No Dental Insurance?

We have a solution just for you!

If you don’t currently have dental insurance – or – if your employer is considering dropping your dental coverage, then we have great news!

We now have an easy solution just for you.

We now have our own in-house patient loyalty program that provides all the rewards of dental insurance without the headaches. Every family member can join too.

For a small monthly membership fee, you’ll receive complimentary:

·      Bi-annual dental cleanings

·      Doctor exams

·      All scheduled x-rays

PLUS a special Member’s Only Discount on any needed treatment, including cosmetic services!

Even better, because our patient loyalty program is not insurance, there are:

·      No deductibles

·      No yearly maximum benefits

·      No exclusions for cosmetic or elective care

It’s NOT insurance... It’s better than insurance.

Please visit our website http://dr-daniel-r-pestana-dds.illumisure.com/ for more member rewards and pricing.

Our own patient loyalty program is just one more way we strive to keep you smiling!

To your health, 

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana DDS     

(925)945-8006

2255 Ygnacio Valley Rd. Ste. J-2

Walnut Creek, CA 94598                                                                                                                 

Dental Insurance Benefits

How to Maximize Your Dental Benefits

As the year end approaches it's time to think about how to Maximize your Dental Benefits! You probably know that maintaining dental health is an important part of your overall well-being. Studies suggest a connection between gum disease and a variety of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. Poor oral health may even affect memory and cognitive skills.

  Maintaining good dental health, prevention cannot be overemphasized. The cost and discomfort of major dental work can largely be avoided with good oral hygiene, regular preventative care, and early diagnosis and treatment.                                                                                 

Steps to Maximizing your dental coverage and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses:                                   

• Develop good oral hygiene habits   
• Brush after each meal or at least twice daily
• Floss at least once daily (don't forget to floss behind back molars)    
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria in the mouth                 
• Eat a balanced diet with minimal sweets
• If you chew gum be sure it is sugar-free                                                 
• Schedule a dental exam and cleaning every six months
• Immediately schedule your next appointment before you leave dentist office.
• Understand your benefit options
• Understand your coinsurance amount
• Understand your annual deductible amount
• Understand the number of cleanings covered per year
• Understand how often X-rays are allowed
• Understand the annual maximum benefit
• Maximize End of the year dental benefits before you loose them

Work with your Dentist, most plans have annual maximum, you can make the most of your benefits by working with your dentist to schedule care with that in mind. It's very important, however, not to delay necessary treatment, as the condition will likely worsen and become more expensive to treat.                                                                                                            
Maximize End of the year dental benefits before the calendar rolls over to next year. Most dental insurance plans provide a set amount of benefits each year, and expired on Dec. 31. It's Truly a "Use It Or Lose It"situation. The benefits don't carry over to the next year though. You either use the benefits you've paid for through annual insurance premiums, or you forfeit the benefit you're entitle to under the provisions of your plan.

                          ACT NOW TO MAXIMIZE END OF THE YEAR DENTAL                                                                          BENEFITS BEFORE LOSING THEM ON JANUARY 1st. 

All On 4: Teeth in a Day!

All On 4: Teeth in a Day

Denture woes and missing teeth can be a thing of the past with Teeth in a Day. 

The minimally invasive dental implants provide a cost-effective, natural-looking, comfortable, and permanent solution to missing teeth in only a day’s work.  Whether you are missing all or some of your teeth, the Teeth in a Day dental implants can restore the look and feel of your natural smile with minimal recovery. 

Teeth in a Day gives you the closest possible solution to your natural teeth by securing dentures, false teeth or conventional implants to gums with 4 angled implants.  Once the procedure is completed and your new permanent teeth are secured and stabilized, you will be able to eat all of the foods you love, never having to worry about your teeth coming loose again.  In fact, your Teeth in a Day smile won’t just look and function as your natural teeth would, but they also are maintained the same way too.   Unlike dentures or other temporary solutions, Teeth in a Day ensures you’ll never need to remove your teeth for cleaning.  All that is needed to maintain them is regular oral care. 

Unlike other permanent implants, which require 5 to 8 implants, Teeth in a Day does the job in 4 painless implants, using the natural support of the bone.  Furthermore, the majority of Teeth in a Day patients do not require the extensive bone grafting required by other implants, a procedure that may take up to six months for recovery.  Because of Teeth in a Day’s minimally invasive technique, you can expect to be feeling fine by dinner and will be well on their way to permanent teeth in only a day.

In as little as 3 hours, you’ll be feeling confident and smiling big for many, many years to come. Call or email us today to learn more!

Call us for a Free Consultation (925)945-8006

Teeth Whitening

How to Maximize Your Dental Benefits

   As the year end approaches it's time to think about how to Maximize your Dental Benefits!
You probably know that maintaining dental health is an important part of your overall well-being. Studies suggest a connection between gum disease and a variety of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. Poor oral health may even affect memory and cognitive skills.

  Maintaining good dental health, prevention cannot be overemphasized. The cost and discomfort of major dental work can largely be avoided with good oral hygiene, regular preventative care, and early diagnosis
and treatment.  

Steps to Maximizing your dental coverage and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses:    

• Develop good oral hygiene habits
• Brush after each meal or at least twice daily
• Floss at least once daily (don't forget to floss behind back molars)
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria in the mouth
• Eat a balanced diet with minimal sweets
• If you chew gum be sure it is sugar-free
• Schedule a dental exam and cleaning every six months
• Immediately schedule your next appointment before you leave dentist office.
• Understand your benefit options
• Understand your coinsurance amount
• Understand your annual deductible amount
• Understand the number of cleanings covered per year
• Understand how often X-rays are allowed
• Understand the annual maximum benefit
• Maximize End of the year dental benefits before you loose them

Work with your Dentist, most plans have annual maximum, you can make the most of your benefits by working with your dentist to schedule care with that in mind. It;s very important, however, not to delay necessary treatment, as the condition will likely worsen and become more expensive to treat.

Maximize End of the year dental benefits before the calendar rolls over to next year. Most dental insurance plans provide a set amount of benefits each year, and expired on Dec. 31. It's Truly a "Use It Or Lose It"situation. The benefits don't carry over to the next year though. You either use the benefits you've paid for through annual insurance premiums, or you forfeit the benefit you're entitle to under the provisions of your plan.

ACT NOW TO MAXIMIZE END OF THE YEAR DENTAL BENEFITS

 BEFORE LOSING THEM ON JANUARY 1st. 

Dentist, Cosmetic, Family & Implant dentistry, Dr. Daniel R. Pestana Wal...

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana DDS Office

Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Crack tooth syndrome is a fracture or crack in the tooth. The Fracture is often difficult to detect and may be completely invisible to the naked eye. It may not even appear on an x-ray.

Symptoms of crack tooth syndrome

-Tooth hurts when you bite or chew.
-The pain you feel is intermittent, rather than constant.
-The tooth may be more sensitive to cold.
-You feel a sharp pain when you bite down.

How do teeth crack?

As your teeth age, they may loose some of their original strength. Clenching and grinding, for instance, can weaken teeth. Large Fillings and root canal treatment can also cause your teeth to lose strength and make them brittle. Every day, your teeth endure a tremendous amount of pressure from biting and chewing, so if you bite down on a hard object like a piece of ice or a popcorn kernel, the force can sometimes cause a tooth to crack, especially if it's already weakened.

Diagnosis and treatment 

Diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome is often difficult, we'll do a thorough examination of your mouth and teeth, focusing on the tooth in question. We'll take an x-rays, although x-rays often do not show the fracture, we'll also analyze your bite to isolate the problem. Once we've identified the fractured portion of your tooth, the treatment depends on the location and direction of the crack as well as the extent of the damage. Many people with cracked tooth syndrome have symptoms for months. Crack tooth syndrome is one of the most difficult dental problems to diagnose because the pain is not predictable.

If the crack affects only the outer enamel layer of your tooth, we'll remove the affected portion and restore the tooth with a crown or onlay to stabilize it and protect it from further damage. If the crack affects the underlying dentin or pulp layers, however, you'll need more complicated treatment, such as root canal treatment, before we can place a crown.

In rare cases, a crack extends all the way through the tooth and under the bone. In these case there is no way to restore the tooth, and we have no other option besides removing the tooth. Fortunately, most cracked teeth can be saved. It's important to find the crack early in its development and treat it.

                                 

February Marks National Dental Health Month!

February is National Dental Health Month. I'ts a great time of the year to practice
 great dental hygiene! 

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visit helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. On February the American Dental Association(ADA) sponsors " National Children's Dental health Month".

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana, DDS and his office team supports raising awareness about the importance of oral health.  Our commitment to preventive dental care is important. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends you visit us every six months or as recommended. 

February is also "American Heart Health Month". Dental health and heart health intertwined. Oral health, and gum disease in particular, are related to serious conditions like Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, & Cancer. 

The mouth is teeming with bacteria most of them harmless. Our body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing , can keep these bacteria under control. Without the proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.  Certain medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers and diuretics can reduce saliva flow. The saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease. 

Studies suggest oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis play a role in some diseases. In certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body's resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

February is our month to increase awareness! Dr. Daniel R. Pestana and his team has committed to provide awareness 365 days a year every year! Call our office to schedule for a dental appointment (925)945-8006.

Laser Gum Therapy

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana, is proud to utilize the latest technology in Dental Laser Therapy as

a means to promote gum and tissue healing.

Laser gum therapy involves the application of non-invasive, high intensity, non-surgical laser light to promote pain relief, tissue healing and repair. The light photons re-activate and accelerate cellular functions and act as a medicament.

Lasers are extremely versatile, and procedures performed with lasers typically have less bleeding, swelling and post-operative pain. Laser gum therapy is combined with traditional treatments for even better results.

In our practice we are utilizing the most advance laser for the following applications:

·        Pocket depth reduction

·        Post-scaling pain

·        Inflammation

·        Cold Sores & Oral Ulcers

·        Gingivectomy

Is Laser Therapy Safe?

Yes. Laser therapy is a drug-free, non-invasive therapy with superior healing ability. However, since laser produce a high intensity light, one should never shine the light directly into the eye. Laser safe eyewear is worn at time of treatment.

Does Laser Therapy Cause Heat Damage or Cancer in the Tissue?

No. The average powers and the type of light source (non-ionizing) do not permit heat-damage or carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects. Due to increased blood circulation, there is sometimes a minimal sensation of warmth locally.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry can help you change your appearance, smile, your confidence and self-esteem. Cosmetic Dentistry has and continues to evolve to where Cosmetic Dentist can address functional and esthetic patient concerns.

The goal of Cosmetic Dentistry is to transform an average smile into a terrific smile. We all feel we know a beautiful smile when we see one, there is no perfect smile, because each person has a different perception of what is a beautiful smile.

What makes a beautiful smile?

• Teeth that are straight not crooked.
• The teeth that are evenly spaced with no gaps.
• The teeth that are white not stained.
• The top teeth show when you smile, but not the gums.
• The gumline is smooth, not uneven
• The edges of the top teeth follow the curve of the lower lip.

If you weren't born with a beautiful smile, you can still have one, with cosmetic Dentistry. 

What are some Cosmetic Procedures in Dentistry?

• Teeth Whitening is done in-office in about an hour or at home with custom trays.

             

• Tooth color fillings have replace the old silver fillings (mercury). These composite/porcelain materials more naturally mimic the look, feel, and function of natural teeth and actually bond directly to the remaining enamel and dentin. These modern filling materials are also more natural in appearance; it’s almost impossible to tell that your tooth has a filling.

           

• All Porcelain Crowns these dental crown materials offer the most natural look in your mouth, since they can be made to look just like real teeth. For those people who are allergic to metal, or who prefer not to have any metal crowns, all porcelain or all ceramic crowns can be a good option.

                          

                          Before                                                       After

• Veneers a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the tooth to improve it's color, close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or misshape teeth.

                                                                      Before                                             After

• Dental Implants along with a crown built on the implant–replaces a missing tooth or teeth and helps to maintain the bone support of the adjacent teeth, extending their life span. Dental implants are considered a permanent service and can be expected, in most cases, to last many, many years. They are the optimum choice for replacing missing teeth. 

                             

                             Before                                              After

• Orthodontics our cosmetic dentist now has many options available, from conventional braces to “invisible braces” (clear orthodontic aligners) and reduced treatment times.

              

• Dentures rest on teeth and gums for stability, which can encourage bone loss, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. However, dentures can be relined every few years to compensate for bone loss and any compromised facial integrity. Overdentures are a combination of traditional dentures and the newer science of dental implants to prevent bone loss that could result from dentures alone. Hybrid dentures are fixed dentures a proven replacement for removable prostheses worn by edentulous patients, offering excellent predictability, esthetics, and function.

                  

                          Before                                     After Hybrid Denture

• Periodontal plastic surgery is often used to correct irregularities in the gums. This is done by adding or removing gum tissue in certain areas. The objective of periodontal plastic surgery is to give a proper framework to the dental work, much as an attractive frame and matting enhance a beautiful painting.

         

  

Stages of Periodontal Disease

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the teeth, gums, and the bone that surrounds the teeth, and it's the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Stopping this condition begins with a thorough diagnosis. 

What causes periodontal disease?

The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque, the sticky film of food and the bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. If plaque isn't removed each day, the bacteria in plaque invade the spaces between the teeth and gums and begin producing toxins. These toxins, combined with your body's reaction to them, destroy the bone around your teeth. And once the bone has been lost, it never grows back on it's own. When too much bone is lost, there's so little support for the teeth, they get loose and have to be removed. 

How to Brush with an Electric Toothbrush

Manual tooth brushes are effective but electric toothbrushes have become more and more popular as they do a good job of removing plaque and stains. They are easier to manage than a manual toothbrush, plus they are fun to use.

How to Brush with an Electric Toothbrush

Make sure the brush head has soft bristles, and apply a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

 

Put the toothbrush in your mouth, and close your lips slightly to prevent spattering. Hold your jaw in a relaxed, open position so you can easily reach all tooth surfaces.

Angle the brush against a tooth at about 90-degree angel, then turn the toothbrush on, holding it gently against the tooth and gum for a few seconds. Don't press hard, let the toothbrush do the work. Then move to the next tooth. 

Brush all of your teeth in any regular pattern you like. However, since inside teeth often get less attention, you might try starting with the inside upper teeth, and then the inside lower teeth. Move to the chewing surface and outside of the lower teeth. Lastly, brush the chewing surface and outside of the upper teeth.

Your brushing routine should last about two minutes. If your electric toothbrush has a timer, use it to help ensure that your brushing is thorough and complete.Make sure you brush twice a day, and don't forget to floss.

Whether you choose to electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush, what's more important is daily brushing and flossing.

 

Oral Cancer "The Importance of Early Detection"

Oral cancer is the largest group of those cancers which fall into the head and neck cancer category. Common names for it include such things as mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer, and throat cancer.

Approximately 42,000 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013. This includes those cancers that occur in the mouth itself, in the very back of the mouth known as the oropharynx, and on the exterior lip of the mouth. There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), a newly identified etiology, and the same one which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. A small percentage of people (under 7 %) do get oral cancers from no currently identified cause. It is currently believed that these are likely related to some genetic predisposition

According to the American Dental Association, there is recent good news about progress against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for a cure is great. Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.


Know the early signs and see your dentist regularly.
You Should Know:

• Oral cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.
• It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.

Other Signs Include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissues
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue

A change in the way the teeth fit together

Regular Dental Check-ups Important
Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.

Our practice has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. We can help you fight and win the battle against oral cancer.

Request an appointment or call our office to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.
Sincerely,
Daniel R. Pestana, D.D.S.
(925) 945-8006