Dr. Nadler is featured in NJSavvy Living Magazine, Snoring and Sleep Apnea, and the K-7 Occlusal Evaluation System

It has been a while since my last post, and there have been some major developments in the practice during that time. This article is meant to bring you up to date; and, then, I plan to write blogs on a more regular schedule to explain in detail exactly how these improvements will help our patients.

I am also putting the finishing touches on a “Cosmetic Checklist” to assist patients in determining if they are candidates for cosmetic procedures, and specifically what issues need to be addressed. This checklist should prove very informative for patients, and allow them to become more involved in the process of developing an appropriate treatment plan for themselves. This checklist should be ready in a week or two, and, at that time, I’ll provide an overview of it on this blog as well as details of how to obtain a copy.

First, Tracy Ivie of NJSavvy Living Magazine interviewed me for the Annual Health and Beauty issue. In the article entitled “The Teeth Have It”, current trends in cosmetic dentistry ranging from whitening to implants to complete smile makeovers were explored. In the article, one of our cases was featured to demonstrate the dramatic results which can be attained using up-to-date techniques and technology. I was quoted on a variety of subjects including the importance of establishing underlying dental health before any cosmetic procedure is initiated. As you may imagine, this experience was very gratifying on a professional level. I believe that this issue of the magazine is currently on your newsstands…

Second, our team has taken advanced training in snoring and sleep apnea. This subject has proved fascinating for us, as we have always been concerned with the airway issues of our patients, especially the young ones. Patients often ask why we ask about snoring or allergies or sore throats. Such questions are meant to uncover any airway issues which may have a detrimental effect on their bites. Mouth breathing, large tonsils, large tongues, high or deep palates, improper baby bottle or pacifier shape or usage are some potential causes of malocclusion (bad bites) as well as snoring and sleep apnea. We now have a new understanding of how integrally related are the airway and the mouth and the bite. More importantly, we learned that most people with nighttime breathing issues are unaware of their problem. And, some of these patients have a potentially life-threatening condition. Many others have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been treated for their illness with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine which forces air through their nose while sleeping to maintain an open airway. Unfortunately, roughly ninety percent of such patients stop using this device after the first year for a variety of reasons which places them at risk. Fortunately for these patients, alternative dental devices have been developed which help relieve snoring and sleep apnea by repositioning the jaw to reduce or eliminate closed airways. There are a variety of such appliances which are chosen based upon each patient’s individual circumstances.

Finally, we have a fantastic new technology in our office called the K-7 Evaluation System. This device measures and records jaw function and muscle activity through the computer, and provides critical diagnostic information to assist in our neuromuscular restorative dentistry. In addition, using joint sonography, the K-7 provides data about vibrations occurring in the temporomandibular (jaw) joint to evaluate the status of the joint and its cartilage disk function. Using multiple sensors, jaw movement can be tracked and analyzed. And, with a series of electrodes, we can observe jaw muscle activity and truly determine when the muscles are tensed and when they are at rest. This information is invaluable in treating TMJ problems as well as in determining the best position at which to restore a bite. This technology is totally comfortable for the patient and provides a series of on-screen displays which are easily understandable and amazing to witness.

So, now we are up to date with what is going on in the office. Thank you for your patience. I look forward to delving more into snoring and sleep apnea as well as the K-7 in upcoming blogs. If you have any questions pertaining to these or other dental concerns, please do not hesitate to call us @ 908.359.6655 or through our website at www.DesignsForDentalHealth.com .

Cosmetic Dentist or General Dentist?

Before I begin, please forgive me if this blog entry seems a bit self-indulgent. I ran into a guy at the gym this morning with whom I have been acquainted for the past four or five years. He asked, as often happens, if I would mind talking professionally for a moment. Actually, I usually do enjoy talking shop outside the office, so I said “sure.” He proceeded to tell me that he has some cosmetic concerns about his teeth, knows some of my patients, and wondered if I would feel comfortable treating him since we know each other. He also said that he has a regular dentist who takes care of his routine dental needs. It occurred to me that I was not having a déjà vu, but had experienced this kind of interaction before. I assured him that I would not only feel comfortable seeing him, but, in fact, most of my best friends are patients. It seems that knowing a patient first, often eliminates any of the trust barriers that some new patients have.

So, “what’s the problem?” you ask. Well, I am always happy to hear that I will be seeing a new patient and was flattered that he liked the dental work of ours he had seen. But, later, on the way home, it occurred to me that I must have been sending out the wrong message somehow. That people frequently think that all I do is cosmetic dentistry, and, on top of that, that I may be too busy to accept new patients. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I love doing cosmetic dentistry and have had the training to do very nice work. But, overwhelmingly, most of my work falls under the category of General Dentistry. I have enjoyed some patient families for twenty-five years. And, their care included the routine cleanings and exams, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures and so on that general dentists do. In fact, there is no specialty designation of “cosmetic dentist.”

So, if you are already a patient, you probably know all this. And, if you are not, please be assured that I am a General Dentist who does accept new patients and provides a full range of dental care! As a matter of fact, the “FAGD” after my name stands for “Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.” I hope that this blog clears up any misconceptions and explains the initials after my name on which many have commented…

If you know anyone who will benefit from some general dentistry, we would certainly appreciate your kind referrals. Thank you for your indulgence, and, as always, please feel free to call the office at 908.359.6655 or email us at info@DesignsForDentalHealth.com.