Mini Implants

Dr. Wong is pleased to announce mini implants. Mini implants are used primarily to stabilize and support dentures. This offers an affordable solution to traditional more costly implants and uncomfortable or unstable dentures. If you are interested to see if mini implants are an option for you, set up a complimentary consultation with Dr. Wong. 209-577-0777.

What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?

To put it simply, neuromuscular dentistry places the jaw into its optimal position, relieving the symptoms associated with TMJ. While traditional dentistry evaluates primarily the teeth, bones, and gums, neuromuscular dentistry works with the hard tissues and the soft tissues, muscles and nerves. Neuromuscular dentists understand that your hard and soft tissues have a complex relationship and work to make that relationship a harmonious one. Neuromuscular dentists understand the necessity for including the power source (muscles) and the controls (nerves), which create the movement, pressures, and function of the mouth.

When the jaw is misaligned, both the hard and soft tissues are affected and many physiological problems can result, such as, headaches, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain, tinnitus or ringing in the ears, and clicking and popping sounds in the jaw joint.
In a number of cases, these symptoms are the result of TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or MPD (myofascial pain dysfunction).
TMJ / TMD is a chronic degenerative disease that often takes years to develop. TMJ affects millions of people. People who suffer from TMJ have an imbalance in the jaw-to-skull relationship, which is caused by a bad bite (malocclusion).

Treatment

Neuromuscular Dentistry serves to correct the bite and realign the jaw.
First the dentist determines the optimal position of the jaw by measuring the relaxed position of the head and neck muscles, and then repositions the jaw to achieve those exact measurements.
Malocclusion is relatively easy to correct. Treatment options include adjusting the bite, orthotics, orthodontics, or restoring the teeth to their correct positions.

Benefits

Patients of neuromuscular dentistry experience a range of benefits from decreased or eliminated pain and discomfort to better overall health and longer-lasting dental restorations.

 

Dr. Wong and Advanced Studies

I've recently had the opportunity to study with Dr. Wong at Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.  He's training with some of the best in the business to learn the latest reasearch and techniques for cosmetic, restorative and neuromuscular dentistry. On our first day in clinic, we had one of our receptionists as our patient. Dr. Wong did an awesome job. There were 10 other dentists with their patients along with team members in our clinical group.  I am so proud of our team and the job we do everyday!

Sleep Apnea

I recently received a question about sleep apnea. This patient has tried the CPAP and home remedies and they have not worked.  He has seen ads for home fit mouthpieces and also an ad from a sleep specialist dentist who is offering a mouthpiece called Somnomed that will cost about $3100. 
What do I think?
Dentists are in an odd position when it comes to treating these issues.  We traditionally guarantee our work for the most part.  I mean, if we place a filling, you are pretty much assured it will last for years.  If it comes out we will replace it at no charge. 
This expensive device will likely be helpful. But it is out of the traditional loop and there is not likely any guarantee.  I have seen them fail. 

This type of appliance functions by moving the lower jaw forward in effort to open and increase the throat volume and allow air to pass with less obstruction.  This is a good step towards the problem but cannot be labeled as a sure solution.

My problem with this approach is only based on money.  I do not imagine that you have much recourse in case of failure.  And failure is a real possibility.  Most likely it may improve the situation to some degree.  If money isn’t an issue, it’s worth a try.

You will find that there are home-based appliances available on the Internet that will try to move your jaw forward.  You could try one at much less cost.

I was asked if I make these Somnomed appliances.   I have not done so but I could if it seemed appropriate.   Part of the Somnomed protocol is the Cephalometric x ray for the evaluation of airway.  This is done to see if you are a good candidate for the device.  We have a local x ray lab that takes these images for us.  We can also make a different appliance that we call the NOP, nocturnal orthopedic positioner.  It is less costly but is also less high tech (not adjustable).

Good luck. 

Grant Rickey, DDS
 

April 2009

Invisalign (www.invisalign.com) is a great way for adults to get their smile looking good without having to put braces on. It is “wireless”! The treatment time can be as long as 18 months or as little as 6 months. How it works is that a series of clear trays are made to move the teeth. These trays are switched out every 2 weeks. Then you return to us every 6-8 weeks and time spend between 15 to 30 minutes in the office. After your smile is where we want it, we make a retainer to hold the teeth in position. We've treated many people with Invisalign and with great results. Adult teeth can be stubborn at times and additional treatment with clear braces may be needed to finalize your smile, but for the most part Invisalign alone can turn crooked teeth to the smile you've always wanted. In addition to getting your teeth straight, you will automatically be enrolled into our lifetime tooth whitening program to keep your teeth nice and white at no extra charge.

Wesley Wong, DDS

March 2009

I had a young lady come into the office today for a consultation regarding braces. She had went elsewhere for a consultation and was shopping around for treatment cost. She wanted her bottom teeth straight. Her teeth were shifting as a result of missing teeth. The quote she received for her treatment was $5500. She said the other dentist told her that in order to align the bottom teeth, the top teeth had to be done as well. I examined and interviewed her thoroughly. She was interested only in treating the bottom teeth. I gave her the option of treating what she wanted for $3700 and for $500 more she could have invisible braces. Her treatment time to align her teeth would only be 9 months. She is really excited about her treatment and is schedule to start soon.

Wesley Wong, DDS