Can a Crown Help Restore Your Smile?

There are several procedures that can be completed in order to keep the life of your smile in good shape. If you have broken or cracked teeth, it may be recommended by Dr. Judy Strutz & her team to have a crown. This procedure can help extend the life of your tooth, but not everyone should receive a crown, here are 3 things to keep in mind if you are considering this fantastic restorative procedure.

1.       Do you need a crown?

a.       Broken teeth can hurt when you bite down. Keeping a broken tooth exposed can cause you to be susceptible to a variety of problems. For example, you may begin to eat only on one side of the mouth due to the pain. This can eventually lead to bone loss in the jaw, or pain in the jaw.

2.       Vertical cracks down to the gum line could indicate a need for a crown.

a.       Vertical cracks can cause problems with decay, sensitivity and eventually pain if not dealt with quickly. This problem can also lead to bigger problems if left untreated. A crown can help to diminish discomfort, pain and the need for a future root canal.

3.       If you have a large cavity

a.       A filling may be an option if you have a large cavity or a large amount of decay. A filling may be an option, but it may not give you the coverage of the tooth you need. Crowns are sturdy and durable and can last for years.

If you are in need of a restorative procedure contact, Dr. Strutz & her team today for more information.

After a Laser Lip Tie Procedure

After a lip or tongue-tie procedure is completed to release your baby’s tie(s), there is more work to be done. “It may seem complicated and stressful in order to help your baby stretch out their tongue or lip, but stretching is the key to success after the laser procedure,” says Dr. Judy Strutz.  The stretches should be done consistently for four weeks, more consistently at first and tapered off by the end of the fourth week. There may be some bleeding and discomfort for your baby after the stretches. That is normal, but if you see excessive bleeding or the bleeding does not stop, contact Dr. Strutz and her team.

When your baby has had a laser surgery procedure to remove a tie on the upper lip, you will begin the stretching routine the evening after the surgery. You’ll want to go no more than six hours between stretching because oral wounds heal very quickly.

Place your finger under the upper lip and move it up until you hit resistance. Then move the lip back and forth gently a few times. This can hurt, and you may need to use baby Tylenol in order to help afterwards. This should only take 1-2 seconds.  In order to be effective in the stretching you want to make sure you get between the gum and the lip to avoid them sticking together. Make the stretching routine a game complete with a song or some humming and the process is less stressful for both parent and child.

For more information, or for information on the stretches for the tongue, contact Dr. Strutz and her team today.

4 Facts About Resin Veneers

Veneers are a thin covering that attaches to your teeth in order to improve your smile. While this procedure is considered cosmetic, it can also improve the health of your smile, your body and improve your overall self-confidence. If this procedure seems complicated and overwhelming, don’t fret. Here are the answers you need in order to make the right decision. Dr.Judy Strutz and her team can provide you the support you need to cosmetically improve your smile.

Resin composite veneers are thinner than porcelain veneers and because they are thinner they generally require less of your natural tooth surface to be removed. Resin composite veneers can look very natural if they are done correctly, incorrectly and they can make your smile look fake. Unfortunately, this type of veneer can be susceptible to staining, especially if you enjoy a class of wine every now and again.  Also, if you grind down to hard, you may chip your tooth.

The benefits of composite veneers are that they are more cost efficient and can easily be replaced if they need to be. This decision shouldn’t be taken likely, and in order to make them look just right you’ll want someone with experience.

For more information or for your consultation, contact Dr.Strutz & her team today.

Do You Need An Oral Device To Treat Your Sleep Apnea?

Some dentists have joined the fight against sleep apnea and have decided that in order to provide a comprehensive set of dental supports, this is another area where they can help. Dr. Judy Strutz and her team have joined this fight. Millions of Americans go untreated with sleep apnea every year. You no longer have to fight to stay awake, struggle to keep your job, or watch promotion after promotion, pass you by because there is help.

How do you know if you have sleep apnea, and are not just impacted by snoring?

1.     Do you stop breathing in the middle of the night?

2.     Do you feel tired even after getting 8 or more hours of sleep?

3.     Do you feel confused when you wake up, or feel foggy?

4.     Do you fall asleep during the day in uncomfortable situations?

5.     Do you feel short of breath during the night, or wake up gasping for air?

If you have answered yes, to any of these you may benefit from a dental oral device to help your sleep apnea. A dental device fits in your mouth, similar to a mouth guard. It helps open up the jaw to limit the ability of your tongue to cut off breathing. This device should be custom fit to meet your needs and should not be done by just anyone.

For more information contact Dr. Strutz & her team today for help.

Are You Itching For A Beautiful Smile

Do you want a healthy and beautiful smile but don't how to get it. Today is your lucky day because veneers may be a great option to restore your smile to a natural, healthy state. Here are four reasons why veneers may be a great choice for you.

1. Veneers can be matched to the color of your other teeth. When done correctly veneers provide you with a healthy and natural looking smile. The color does not have to be that bleached white that stands out, or a discolored yellow tone.
2. “Veneers can fix the alignment of your smile and reshape the teeth to a more pleasing contour,” says Dr. Judy Strutz. These thin wafer pieces of porcelain can enhance an already beautiful smile or even create one.
3. Veneers can give you back your life. If you are self-conscious because of your smile veneers are a great option to give you something to smile about.

While veneers are only one option available to you, a comprehensive examination can get you started on achieving the smile you want today.

Don't wait!

Now is the time to have a smile that will launch your 2016! For more information contact Dr. Strutz & her team today.

It’s Not All In Your Head

As a new mom people are giving you advice left and right. You are trying to listen to your body, your baby and all of the advice from the baby book. But when you are having trouble breastfeeding it is easy to become depressed and blame yourself. But there maybe another reason that is causing your baby to struggle with breastfeeding.

Lip & tongue tie is a problem that impacts thousands of babies every year but often goes undiagnosed until later in life. In between the top lip and the gums there is a thick piece of skin that anchors your lip. “When this piece of skin is too thick or wraps around and separates the front teeth it can make it impossible for your baby to latch on correctly,” says Dr.Judy Strutz.

There is also a piece of skin that attaches the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This can also be too thick. When your child has tongue tie it does not allow your baby to pick up their tongue and place it in the correct location to optimize the success of breastfeeding.

If you are having challenges breastfeeding, the first step is to contact a lactation consultant or your dentist to determine if your baby might be suffering from a lip or tongue tie by contacting Dr. Strutz & her team today.

4 Ways To Improve Your Oral Health While You Sleep

When you sleep, your mouth is not free of the impact of decay and other problems.  There is a lot that is going on in your mouth when you’re resting, but you don’t have to wait until morning to try and minimize the damage done. Here are four tips from Dr. JudyStrutz that you can do at bedtime to protect your smile.

1.     The number one way to protect against bacteria and other problems with your smile is to brush before bed. If you have implants, a bridge or veneers it is very important that you brush before bed. Just because you have dental appliances doesn’t mean you are free from decay.

2.     Floss your teeth at bedtime. Any food you had for dinner can stick between the teeth if you do not take the time to floss.

3.     If you grind your teeth, get a device to help. There are multiple options for mouth guards these days and Dr. Strutz recommends you get a mouth guard that is custom fitted to your smile.

4.     Do not eat sweets right before bed. The extra sugar in your sweet treat can cause major problems for your smile. Don’t snack on sweets right before you are going to sleep, instead have a glass of water.

For more information on how to keep your smile the best it can be, contact Dr. Strutz & her team.

3 Reasons Why You Should Visit A Dentist If You Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is nothing to joke around about or wait to take care of. Individuals who have severe sleep apnea can pass away from not waking up when they quit breathing. Not only do you run the risk of dying, but as you continue to not get the quality sleep you deserve, it can impact your entire life. No reason to wait, because

Dr. Judy Strutz can help you find the best solution for your sleep apnea.  Here are three reasons why you should visit the dentist to be diagnosed with sleep apnea.

1.     Dr. Strutz and her team are able to provide a comprehensive exam when you schedule an appointment to treat your sleep apnea. During this comprehensive exam, they will identify the best device that fits your mouth. This device will help keep your throat open during sleep and can be used in conjunction with a C-pap device if necessary or, many times, alone.

2.     A dental device is easier to travel with and requires less maintenance then other options. When you travel or camp, there is no reason to find batteries or worry about a battery pack for your c-pap machine. Pack your device and go. Even when traveling it is important to stay healthy.

3.     Visiting Dr. Strutz and getting the right device for your mouth, can give you your life back. Rem sleep is critical in order for you to live the life you deserve. Not sleeping can cause you to lose your job, struggle with family and be less tolerant than you normally would be.

For more information on sleep apnea and other options, contact Dr. Judy Strutz & her team today.