Dental and Orthodontic Services of West Side Family Dentistry

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Services Offered

Restorative Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry includes several dental treatments; the aim of each of these treatments is to enhance the beauty of your smile. Cosmetic dentistry might be the solution you need if your smile is flawed by imperfections such as:

  • Cracked, chipped, fractured, or broken teeth
  • Gaps and spaces between teeth
  • Discolored, yellowed, or stained teeth
  • Slightly misaligned or uneven teeth
  • One or more missing teeth
  • Teeth that appear too long, too short, or too pointed

Our dentists will help you choose one or more of our high-quality cosmetic dental treatments based on your personal needs and desires.

Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings and exams are two of the most basic yet important preventive treatments we provide at our office. Each time you visit our dental practice for a checkup, we will provide professional teeth cleaning and dental exam to help your smile stay healthy. During your cleaning and exam, our dental team will:

  • Clean your teeth by removing any plaque or tartar (also called dental calculus), which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease
  • Floss and polish your teeth for a healthy, bright smile
  • Examine your smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases

We may utilize dental X-rays to further evaluate your smile and make certain that you receive the dental care you need. Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential in maintaining good oral health, preventing cavities and gum disease, and making sure that any damaging conditions are treated as early as possible.
We recommend that you visit us every six months for a routine dental cleaning and exam. We may suggest more frequent visits if needed.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection caused by bacteria in plaque. When plaque builds up on the teeth, the bacteria irritate and inflame the gum tissues. If this condition is not treated in the early stage, called gingivitis, it can develop into periodontitis, which is the more advanced stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is characterized by red, tender, bleeding, and swollen gums; periodontitis additionally involves gum recession and can eventually lead to bone loss and tooth loss. Gingivitis can usually be controlled, and even reversed, with professional cleanings and improved at-home oral care if the condition is diagnosed and treated early. Periodontitis, on the other hand, generally requires more involved, frequent treatment. Scaling and root planing, otherwise known as a “deep cleaning” may be needed with periodontitis.

Pediatrics

At our practice, we enjoy caring for patients of all ages, including children. We are pleased to provide pediatric dentistry to help you keep your child’s smile in good health. We encourage you to bring your child to our office every six months for a regular dental exam and cleaning. During this visit, our friendly dentists and team will gently clean your child’s teeth and check for signs of dental problems, such as tooth decay. We understand that it is important to build a positive, trusting relationship between your child and all of their doctors at a young age, and we are dedicated to ensuring that your child feels comfortable and safe at our office.

Orthodontics

At West Side Family Dentistry, we address the underlying problem of why teeth are crooked. We do this in two phases. The goal of Phase One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop.

An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. Children benefit tremendously from early-phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws. At the end of the first phase of treatment, teeth are not in their final positions. This will be determined and accomplished in the second phase of treatment.

The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase Two usually involves full upper and lower braces.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder marked by interruptions and pauses in breathing during sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and liver problems.

Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a sleep physician. We recommend that you talk to our dentists, as well as your physician if you suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Extreme drowsiness during the day
  • Personality changes and irritability
  • Difficulty staying asleep
  • Snoring
  • Waking up with a very dry or sore throat
  • Frequent morning headaches

Sleep apnea treatment may depend on the severity of the condition. If you suffer from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, our dentists may recommend a simple oral appliance. The appliance works to treat obstructive sleep apnea by fitting over your teeth and keeping your airway open while you sleep. It can work by preventing the tongue from blocking the air passage or by holding your jaw in a position that prevents airway blockages during sleep.

TMJ

The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint or the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the head. The term “TMJ” is often used to refer to TMJ disorder, also called TMD, which occurs when the jaw joint becomes stressed, injured, or misaligned. TMJ disorder may result due to several different factors, such as stress, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), arthritis in the TMJ, or trauma and injury to the head, neck, or jaw.

You may suffer from TMD if you experience frequent jaw pain or facial pain. TMJ disorders may also cause:

  • Grinding, clicking, or popping sounds in the jaw when you open and close your mouth
  • Inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn or chew
  • A locked or stuck jaw
  • Pain when chewing and biting
  • Pain in the neck, shoulders, or ears
  • Frequent headaches

Our dentists can help you determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment. Treatment for the TMJ will depend on the cause and severity of your TMJ disorder.

Oral Surgery

Oral surgery includes a number of surgical dental treatments. The goal of oral surgery is to improve the function, health, and appearance of your smile and the surrounding structures, such as your jaw. In many cases, we strive to provide the most conservative treatment possible. However, oral surgery may be necessary to correct certain conditions and improve your oral and overall health. Oral surgery may include:

  • Tooth extraction (for teeth that are decayed, damaged, or infected to the point that an effective restoration is impossible)
  • Wisdom teeth removal (for wisdom teeth that are impacted or have grown in at an incorrect angle)
  • Bone grafts (to increase bone density or improve the chances for a successful dental implant)

While we provide many oral surgery treatments at our office, we also work closely with other dental professionals and hospitals to ensure that you receive the high-quality results you deserve. Our dentists will carefully evaluate your smile and your needs to determine whether oral surgery is the best available treatment choice for you.

Lip and Tongue Release (Frenectomy)

Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition some people are born with that limits their tongue movements. A frenulum is the small stretch of tissue that connects the underside of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. It might be too short and tight or attached way up near the tip of the tongue.

A tongue-tie can impact nursing, speech, feeding, sleep, and more. The tongue needs to be able to reach almost every part of your mouth. That full range of motion lets you make different sounds when you speak. It also helps you swallow and sweep away bits of food to keep your mouth clean.

Doctors don’t always check for it, and it’s not always easy to notice. But even if your child’s pediatrician doesn’t find it until later, it can be treated. We use an innovative laser technique right here in our office, different than a snip or clip with scissors. We will remove the full restriction gently and with absolute precision, giving each child the best chance of symptom improvement.

Myofunctional Therapy

What is myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. It involves strengthening the tongue and orofacial muscles by teaching individuals how to engage the muscles in the appropriate position.

Improper oral muscle function may additionally lead to TMJ dysfunction, headaches, stomach distress (from swallowing air), airway obstruction, and other health challenges.

Children and Adults With Myofunctional Disorders May Struggle With:

Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing or having constantly open lips is a cause of tongue thrust and low tongue rest posture. Long-term mouth breathing compromises the natural process of breathing which relies on the nasal airway to cleanse and purify the air for the pulmonary system.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Recent research has shown that myofunctional therapy may reduce the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (such as snoring), and ameliorate mild to moderate OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). When functioning and used properly, the muscles of the tongue, throat, and face, can reduce obstruction to the airway.

Crowded Teeth

An OMD may lead to an abnormal bite—the improper alignment between the upper and lower teeth known as malocclusion. This problem may lead to difficulties in biting, chewing, swallowing, and digesting food.

Speech Impediments

A person with abnormal oral muscle patterns may suffer a lisp or have difficulty articulating sounds. If muscles in the tongue and lips are incorrectly postured, this can prevent a person from forming sounds of normal speech.

Cosmetic Issues

Often the most obvious symptom of incorrect oral posture involves the muscles of the face. The face can have a dull sluggish appearance when the muscles are not in proper balance. An incorrect swallow will purse and tighten the muscles of the cheeks, chin, and lips, causing a facial grimace.

Thumb, Finger, and Pacifier Sucking

Thumb sucking and similar behaviors are adaptive patterns that emerge in the absence of normalized patterns within the orofacial complex. The regular presence of these adaptive movements can often result in a variety of disturbances. If left unchecked, numerous future issues can arise, from malocclusion to periodontal disorders, orthodontic relapse, and changes associated with abnormal jaw growth and position.

Tongue Thrusting

Tongue thrust is the act of pushing the tongue against or between the teeth when swallowing. The constant pressure of the tongue against or between the teeth will not allow the teeth to bite together. This is known as an open bite.

Picky/Messy eating

Restrictions to the movement of the tongue can lead to difficulties eating. In children, it can present as picky or messy eating and even failure to latch when breastfeeding. In adults, these habits can continue, leading to malnutrition issues with teeth and chewing.

Improper Swallowing

Correct swallowing depends on a proper relationship between muscles of the face, mouth, and throat. To swallow properly, muscles and nerves in the tongue, cheeks, and throat must work together in harmony. When a person swallows normally, the tip of the tongue presses firmly against the roof of the mouth or hard palate, located slightly behind the front teeth. The tongue acts in concert with all the other muscles involved in swallowing. The hard palate, meanwhile, absorbs the force created by the tongue.

Poor Posture

When breathing is difficult, or the tongue is restricted, other muscles can struggle to compensate which causes tension to develop that can lead to back and neck pain, and even unhealthy posture. If left unchecked, these conditions can result in chronic pain, etc.

Myobrace®

What Is Myobrace?

The Myobrace® System is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of crooked teeth, often without the need for braces or extraction of teeth, unlocking natural growth and development. Treatment is best suited to children aged 3 to 15 and involves using a series of removable intra-oral appliances that are worn for 1–2 hours each day plus overnight while sleeping.

What Myobrace® Treatment Does:

  • Corrects poor oral habits
  • Develops and aligns the jaws
  • Straightens the teeth
  • Optimizes facial development
  • Improves overall health
  • Promotes healthy eating habits

How Does It Work?

The Myobrace® System consists of a series of oral appliances that are worn for one hour each day plus overnight while sleeping. The appliances assist in correcting poor oral habits and expand the arch-form while exerting light forces to align the teeth and jaws. In addition, the patient education program, known as Myobrace® Activities, is used to further correct the myofunctional habits causing incorrect dental and jaw development. The Activities are to be performed twice daily in conjunction with wearing the Myobrace® appliance and consist of a series of breathing, tongue, swallowing, lip and cheek exercises.

“Our Dental Technology”

LightScalpel Laser

Cone Beam CT Imaging (iCAT)

Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)

MLS Cold Laser Therapy

K7 Evaluation System

LightScalpel Laser

Dr. Beversdorf uses a LightScalpel CO2 laser for frenectomies.

It is a laser is a device that produces a concentrated beam of light. The highly focused CO2 laser beam vaporizes, cleanly and precisely, while sealing blood vessels at the same time. Years of experience in medicine and oral surgery went into the design of the LightScalpel laser, which was made to provide superior care for patients.

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Cone Beam CT Imaging (iCAT)

Our office is equipped with a state-of-the-art imaging machine with advanced capabilities. The iCAT is capable of doing the standard imaging you would expect at a dentist’s office but what sets this machine apart is its 3D imaging capabilities. This allows us to closely do TMJ Diagnostics and Airway Analysis. With our cone beam imaging we can:

  • TMJ Diagnostics
  • Analyze Airway Volume
  • Evaluate third molars
  • Diagnose other pathologies
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Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)

BioJVA or “Joint Vibration Analysis” is a quick, non-invasive method to evaluate the Temporomandibular Joints. The JVA enables us to assess the health of the jaw joint in about 10 seconds. BioJVA Joint Vibration Analysis is based on simple principles of motion and friction. When smooth surfaces rub together, they create little friction and little vibration. If these surfaces become rough and rub together, then friction and vibration are created when the surfaces are touching. The BioJVA can record these vibrations in just ten seconds while you are opening and closing your mouth.

JOINT VIBRATION ANALYSIS (JVA)

MLS Laser Therapy

Our office uses MLS Laser Therapy, a revolutionary system that has been shown to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and promote healing. This laser causes no pain and works immediately on your pain and inflammation. The MLS Laser Therapy is extremely beneficial in TMJ Disorders since there is likely muscle, ligament, nerve damage, and possible joint degeneration, as well as inflammation.

Light energy enters the damaged cells and stimulates intercellular activity. This reduces pain in the area and speeds the recovery of the damaged cells. Once the cells recover, the healing process is completed.

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K7 Evaluation System

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The K7 Evaluation System is an electronic device that uses multiple sensors to track the motion of your jaw. This allows us to detect even slight variations that you might not have noticed.