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Sleep Apnea Treatment
Detect and treat mild to moderate symptoms of sleep apnea to an Enamel Dentistry studio in Texas.
Don't Lose Sleep Over Your Mouth
Almost 10% of American adults are affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It occurs when the tissues of the throat and palate relax during sleep. The tissue can “sag," which obstructs the airway and blocks the proper flow of air and oxygen to the lungs. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and lead to weight gain. If you suffer from OSA, come in and see us right away.
Get A Better Night's Sleep By Treating Your Sleep Apnea
Signs and Symptoms
Snoring is the most obvious sign. Others: Headaches, dry mouth, waking abruptly, short of breath, insomnia and irritability.
Health Effects
Sleep Apnea is serious. It can be debilitating and, if left undiagnosed, increases your risk of stroke by 96%.
Oral Treatment
Oral appliances will shift your jaw. For mild to moderate cases. They are a convenient way to prevent airway sagging.
See An Expert
Get a proper diagnosis. We can treat minor to moderate OAS, more severe cases should be treated by a specialist.
Come In And See Us
We'll Have You Grinning From The Chin Up
We're changing the way patients experience the dentist. Our primary concern is your oral health and making sure you feel comfortable coming to see us. We know it can be scary visiting the dentist. But our philosophy of providing an easy and fun experience combined with our use of advanced AI tools, we know you'll feel different about coming to see us.
We offer:
AI Technology That Doesn't Miss A Thing
We've invested in top-of-the-line tools and the latest technology to improve efficiency and patient care. No more goopy impressions! From AI and 3D printers to iTero for digital and diagnostic impressions, we're equipped with proven equipment to ensure that every procedure is comfortable, convenient and ensures an accurate fit. Combining technology and innovations with our highly professional and knowledgeable dental team enables us to deliver the best treatment outcomes consistently.
Don't Let Finances Come Between You And A Beautiful Healthy Smile
We understand the frustration of needing dental care while feeling it may not be affordable. You shouldn't have to worry about paying for your oral health. That's why we have several options to help you easily finance your dental treatment.
Enamel Dentistry Patients Are The Best
The More You Know,
The Better Your Oral Health Will Be
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Pain Management
Pain Management Protocol
Start with:
- Ibuprofen 600mg or 800mg (Advil, Motrin) unless otherwise directed by your doctor or dentist
- Take every 8 hours
*Over-the-counter Ibuprofen typically comes in 200mg tablets, so you can take 3-4 tablets to reach the recommended 600-800mg dosage. Do not exceed 3200mg daily.
If necessary add:
- Acetaminophen 500mg (Tylenol)
- Take every 6 hours
- Recommended to be taken 3 hours after dose of Ibuprofen, but can be taken at same time as Ibuprofen
*Over-the-counter Acetaminophen typically comes in 375mg or 500mg tablets, so you can take the 1-2 tablets to reach the recommended 500mg dosage. Do not exceed 2000mg daily.
If discomfort persists, discontinue Acetaminophen 500mg and replace with:
- Norco 5/325mg OR Tylenol #3 (depending on what was prescribed to you)
- >Both listed medications contain Tylenol so please be aware of your total daily consumption (do not exceed 2000mg Tylenol a day).
- >Take 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for additional pain control
- >Recommended to take 3 hours after dose of Ibuprofen, but can be taken at same time as Ibuprofen
- >Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking these medications as they can cause drowsiness
- >If pain is more prominent at night, save these medications for use closer to bedtime as tolerance can build quickly
How Do Cavities Form?
Cavities (also called tooth decay or caries) are permanently damaged areas on the surface of your teeth that eventually turn into holes. They’re one of the most common dental health issues in the world, and anyone who has teeth can get them—even very young children and infants. If cavities get large enough that they’re affecting the deeper layers of your teeth, they can cause infections, severe toothaches, and even tooth loss.
Regular brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist are the best ways to prevent cavities from forming—but how do they form in the first place?
The Three Stages of Cavities
Cavities don’t just develop overnight; there’s a process that happens, and it begins with plaque.
Have you ever noticed a stick film coating your teeth, especially after eating sugary or starchy foods? This is dental plaque. Every time you eat, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the leftover food particles. Then, they secrete acids that turn into plaque. As plaque accumulates in your mouth, it traps acid, sugars, and bacteria up against your teeth; in turn, these start to erode away at the enamel and demineralize it.
After a while, small holes will start to develop in the enamel. This is the first stage of a cavity. Once the enamel is worn away, it makes it easy for bacteria and acid to reach the dentin, which is the next layer in your teeth. Unfortunately, dentin is much softer than enamel, and it doesn’t resist acid as well. At this stage, you may notice some sensitivity. As the cavity gets worse, the bacteria and acid continue to travel down to the next layer: the pulp.
The pulp is the inner part of your tooth that houses the nerves and blood vessels. As the bacteria and acids start to attack the pulp, it becomes inflamed and irritated. Since the pulp is trapped inside the tooth, it has nowhere to expand as it swells; this causes it to compress the tooth’s nerves—which can be very painful. If left untreated, deep cavities can lead to severe infections or tooth loss.
Factors that Can Increase the Risk of Cavities
There are several factors that can make your teeth more prone to cavities:
- Location. Cavities are more likely to affect the molars and premolars. This is because these teeth are harder to reach, and they have a lot of nooks and crannies to trap plaque.
- Certain foods and beverages cling to your teeth for longer, like dairy products, honey, cookies, hard candy, chips, and soda.
- Eating or drinking frequently gives the bacteria in your mouth a steady supply of food.
- Waiting too long to brush and floss after eating allows plaque to form and start attacking your teeth.
- Dry mouth caused by medications, medical treatments, or certain health conditions can increase the risk of cavities.
- Chronic heartburn (GERD) can cause stomach acid to wear away at your enamel
The thing to keep in mind with cavities is that they aren’t static—they grow and get bigger over time. If you don’t have any cavities yet, that’s great news! Make sure to keep up with your oral hygiene and dentist visits. If you do have cavities, it’s best to take care of them as early as possible to prevent them from getting worse. Schedule an appointment with Enamel Dentistry, and we’ll help you nip those cavities in the bud!
Welcome To Our Fresh New Site!
Enamel Dentistry is Growing!
We’re excited to announce our newest location in Lantana Place along with our brand new website! We want to make it as easy as possible to get quality dental care in Austin, so our convenient locations and our brand new website were built with your ease and comfort in mind. If you’re looking for a friendly, inviting dental office in Parmer Park, South Lamar, or Lantana Place, stop by Enamel Dentistry today!
WhatYouCanExpectfromEnamel Dentistry
Everyone on our team at Enamel Dentistry is dedicated to providing patients in Austin with an exceptional dental care experience. From the time you walk through the door at any of our locations, we’ll treat you with kindness and respect. Our communicative, approachable team is here to answer any questions you make have, and we love to chat with patients because we take a genuine interest in more than just your smile— we want to get to know all of our patients on a personal level. At Enamel Dentistry, you’ll always feel like a friend, whether you’re in the lobby or the operatory.
Our Services
We offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of every patient. From pediatric dentistry to cosmetic treatment, Enamel Dentistry provides quality dental care for every member of your family. Whether you need a small filling or restorative care the includes a root canal, implants, or other oral surgery, our experts can treat dental health issues whether they are minor or severe. Call us today to schedule your appointment for preventive, restorative, cosmetic, or emergency care.
New to Enamel Dentistry?
If it’s your first time visiting Enamel Dentistry, we offer an $88 New Patient Special to make sure you have everything you need to get started with us. Our special offer includes a comprehensive exam, professional cleaning, and x-rays. Book your first appointment to see what we’re all about! You can call us at (512) 717-5315 or stop by any of our three locations in Austin.
How Dentists Can Help You Sleep Better!
Sedation FAQs
Why is Sedation Dentistry necessary for some patients?
It is common and perfectly normal to have some degree of apprehension or anxiety prior to receiving dental treatment. Some people, however, have stronger feelings in this regard than others. These feelings may be the result of less than pleasant past experiences, stories told by family and friends, or by the nature of the dental procedure itself (wisdom teeth removal). Dental treatment may be especially frightening to young children and patients with developmental disabilities. Whatever the cause, apprehension or anxiety can produce many unpleasant effects including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, upset stomach and trouble sleeping the night before the appointment. Many highly apprehensive patients avoid dental care for many years until their problems become so severe that they are forced to seek emergency care.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation can make practically all dental and oral surgical procedures more pleasant and safer for the apprehensive patients. During the procedure, the anxiety that many people have can be controlled by administering sedative medication. A sedated patient will not only be more relaxed but can also have potentially limited memory of the procedure performed. In either case local anesthesia (lidocaine) is also administered to block the pain sensations during the procedure and to keep the mouth numb during recovery.
How is the medication administered?
Sedative medication can be administered by breathing (nitrous oxide/laughing gas), orally (pill form) or intravenously (IV).
- Nitrous oxide is the most common agent used to treat apprehensive patients and can be used either by itself or in combination with Oral Sedation.
- Non- IV conscious sedation involves Nitrous Oxide in combination with an oral medication. Patients become very relaxed and potentially slightly sleepy but are still able to speak and answer questions. Some patients may experience an amnesic effect and don’t remember much of the visit the next day. Oral medication takes time to work (approximately 30-45 minutes) and has limits on how sedated you can safely become.
- IV sedation: Medication given intravenously (IV) has its effect rapidly so your dentist can give the precise amount needed for your level of anxiety. In addition, if more medication is needed during the procedure, the IV allows easy administration of additional medications. Patients are generally very sleepy and may experience more amnestic effects from IV sedation than through the other previously mentioned methods.
Which type of sedation is right for me?
The route selected by you and your dentist will depend on your current health status and your particular needs.
How am I monitored during the procedure?
Depending on the depth of sedation or anesthesia being used, as well as your own medical condition, various monitors will be used during your procedure to ensure your safety. These monitors vary from automatic blood pressure cuffs to the use of pulse oximeters which, through a light sensor, measure the oxygen concentration in your blood. For our conscious and IV sedation patients, an EKG monitor is also used to monitor your heart rhythm in addition to capnography (measuring carbon dioxide levels from the breath). In addition to the monitoring devices, your doctor along with trained staff will always be with you and will be observing you closely during your treatment.
Is Sedation Dentistry safe?
The use of sedation in dentistry has a commendable record of safety. This is due to the advanced training your doctor has and her commitment to your overall health. It is important to advise your doctor of all medications that you take as well as any changes in your health since your last visit. In Texas, a special permit is required to administer sedation and anesthesia.Dr. Dillon Patel is trained in Level 2 (Nitrous and Oral conscious sedation) and Level 3 (IVModerate sedation) and can administer IV sedation. The ability to handle emergency situations as well as having specific emergency medications and equipment is a mandatory part of the permitting process. Additionally, Dr. Dillon Patel is certified in Basic Life Support, AdvancedCardiac Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support.
Source: the American Dental society of Anesthesiology