Dentists are not just for teeth cleaning, root canal and tooth extractions. Generally, dentists in Canada perform a variety of special procedures based on the needs of their patients. Dentists in Waterloo are committed to excellence, and as dental health professionals, prioritize your oral health. With several years of dental practice, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo dentists provide three specialty services to their patients – Sleep Apnea, Dental Implants, and Oral Surgery. This article discusses them in brief in order to give the readers an idea of what to expect from your visits to dentists in Waterloo when you visit them with a particular requirement.
Sleep Apnea
Though this is a non-dental issue, sleep apnea is a common condition that affects several people. It is a potentially dangerous sleeping issue which repeatedly stops and starts your breathing. This happens because while sleeping, all muscles, including those in the throat and tongue, relax, causing the soft tissue at the back of your throat to sag. This can narrow the airway, thus obstructing breathing. This can cause you to snore, which is one of the common symptoms of sleep apnea. Those with severe sleep apnea find it difficult to breathe as their airways can get blocked entirely. This results in them not getting a good night’s sleep as they are often forced to wake up gasping for air. Obstructive, Central and Complex are the three main types of sleep apnea. The signs and symptoms of these three types often overlap, making it difficult to determine which type you have. The common symptoms are loud snoring, not breathing while sleeping as reported by another person, waking up with a dry mouth, morning headache, insomnia or hypersomnia, difficulty concentrating and irritability. Luckily, there is a cure for this condition. Custom-made appliances or surgery can fix this issue. If you notice signs of sleep apnea in yourself or someone around you should visit your doctor to learn more.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small metal screws placed in either job bones in places where teeth are missing. Dental implant surgery is a procedure to replace damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function like the real ones. They copy the root of a natural tooth in order to restore the function of the missing teeth. It is a welcome alternative to dentures or bridgework and offers an option when a lack of natural teeth roots does not allow for other alternatives for tooth replacements. The implants look and feel like natural teeth and help restore the appearance of your smile. They are usually the preferred method for replacing missing teeth, making a vast majority of people with dental implants satisfied with the results. The surgery procedure depends on the type of implant and the condition of the jaw bone. However, there are several benefits of implants; the most significant advantage is solid support for your new teeth. It is a process that requires the bone to heal tightly around the implant. As this may take time, the process often takes months to complete. Depending on the requirement, implants can be done for a single tooth or many teeth using the all in 4 dental implants. The preferred metal is usually titanium as it can infuse with the jaw bone preventing the implants from slipping, making a noise or causing bone damage. Generally, dental implants are a good choice for those who
- Have one or more than one missing teeth
- Have a fully developed jaw bone
- Have enough bone strength to secure the implants or support bone graph
- Have healthy oral tissues
- Do not have any other health conditions that will affect the healing
- Cannot or not willing to wear dentures
- Those who want to improve their speech
- Have the patience to commit for several months, and
- Do not use tobacco products
Oral Surgeries
It is an umbrella term that refers to any surgical procedure performed on the teeth, gums, jaws, or other oral structures. This includes many procedures, including extractions, implants, grafts, etc. These are performed by specialists who have advanced training in oral surgery procedures. Surgery can be recommended for a number of reasons such as extensive decay, broken teeth, periodontal issues or gum diseases, bone loss in the jaw, sleep apnea, cancer or any non-cancerous oral pathology. All surgical procedures done by dentists in Waterloo are done under sedation. They usually give you a “care call” one day after the surgery to check on you. There are also follow-up appointments in the coming weeks to remove sutures or address any of your concerns. This is done to ensure your comfort and well-being.
If you have any dental or oral problems, then you should visit your dentist soon to get the problem diagnosed and fixed right away.
