28
Jul
AUGUST NEWS & NOTES For The Patients and Friends of Kellerman Dental.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep Apnea Treatment and Invisalign
We want to be your dentist for life, and that means bringing you new treatment options when they become available. So we’ve added two new services for our patients – Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy and Invisalign.
Sleep Apnea
About 90 million Americans snore. Not only can it be a source of irritation for a spouse, but it can also be a sign of a more serious problem – sleep apnea. Snoring is caused when your throat muscles relax, narrowing your airway. In sleep apnea, the airway is completely closed for ten seconds or more, placing significant strain on your cardiovascular system and heart. Untreated, this can lead to high blood pressure, a stroke or heart attack, depression, weight gain, diabetes, and drowsiness.
About one in five adults have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and for one in 15, it is severe. A sleep study, either done at home or in a sleep lab, is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
We offer treatment for sleep apnea called Oral Appliance Therapy, or OAT. An OAT device is specially designed to reposition the jaw and tongue forward during sleep, expanding the airway for a more comfortable flow. Another form of treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), in which a machine sends room air through a special nose mask to prevent an obstruction from occurring. We can suggest the option that is best for you.
Now more than ever we have all the services you will need under one roof. So you can relax and breathe easier.
Invisalign
For many teens and adults, wearing braces can be a source of embarrassment and discomfort. There is an alternative to traditional braces that can help – Invisalign.
The Invisalign treatment consists of a series of precise custom fit and removable mouth trays called aligners. They apply a controlled amount of force to your teeth, gradually moving your teeth until straight teeth are achieved. It provides the same results as traditional braces, but since the trays are made of clear plastic, they are virtually invisible. Because Invisalign trays are removable, they can be taken out while eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. And they have no sharp metal edges, which can irritate.
Invisalign aligner trays are changed every two weeks, slowly straightening your teeth. Depending on your teeth’ condition, the treatment time for Invisalign can be between 6 and 18 months. That is in contrast to braces, which need to be worn for about two years on average, and are not removable.
Invisalign is generally more expensive than traditional braces, and insurance policies typically cover Invisalign to the same extent that they cover traditional braces. We offer convenient payment options to make Invisalign more affordable.
Tooth Trivia
In 1994, a prisoner in a West Virginia prison braided dental floss into a rope and used it to scale an 18-foot wall to escape. He was recaptured five weeks later.
In many Hispanic cultures, a mouse is the tooth fairy that collects a tooth left under a pillow and leaves a reward.
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Dr. Kevin Kellerman is an alumnus of Pinckneyville Community High School, Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, and SIUE School of Dental Medicine from where he obtained his doctorate.
A full-time dental practitioner, he also lectures on various topics. He is affiliated with many professional bodies including the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Orthodontic Society, Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, and the Glen Carbon/Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Kellerman and team are known for higher levels of service and patient care and for utilizing advanced technologies in treatments. He also participates in community projects and believes in giving back to the community that he serves.