Chapel Hill General Dentistry
AT CHAPEL HILL ADVANCED DENTISTRY
When you think of General Dentistry, you might think of regular checkups, exams, cleanings and fluoride treatments. And you’d be right. But only partially so.
The modern general dental care offered at Chapel Hill Advanced Dentistry offers all of that kind of care for patients of all ages. And more.
Today’s general dentistry is more thorough and far-reaching than ever before. From screenings for oral cancer and periodontal disease to sleep apnea treatment, general dentistry expands beyond improving your oral health to enhancing your overall health.
With the proven link between oral health and total body health – the “systemic” connection – this level of care is not only what you need, it’s what you deserve.
Sleep Apnea
How are you sleeping? Do you snore? More than an annoyance, snoring can be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition caused by obstruction near the base of the tongue.
The real problem with sleep apnea isn’t snoring – it’s when snoring stops. When the snoring stops, so does your breathing. In fact, OSA can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times in one night and often for a minute or longer.
Symptoms of OSA :
- Daytime Sleepiness
- Chronic Fatigue
- Morning Headache
- Irritability
- Impaired Memory And Judgment
- Mood Disturbance
- Depression
Risks of OSA
As if chronic daytime sleepiness isn’t enough, more serious problems are associated with this disorder. Sleep apnea patients are much more likely to suffer from:
- Heart disease (heart attack, congestive heart failure, hypertension)
- Increased risk of strokes
- A higher incidence of work-related and driving related accidents
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Generalized inflammation
- Bruxing (teeth grinding)
- Death while sleeping
Left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea can shorten the average lifespan by 10 years.
Dr. Saib can help. Dr. Saib is one of the first three dentists in North Carolina to be formally trained in OSA therapy. He can prescribe and fit a custom-made oral appliance to gently hold the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and prevent snoring. Dr. Saib mostly uses the TAP III appliance for the treatment of Sleep Apnea but has been known to use other appliances when needed.
For more information on this treatment, contact Dr. Saib today.
Dental Exams & Cleanings
At Chapel Hill Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Saib and his team believe in preventing dental problems before they occur. To keep regular tabs on your dental health, they recommend that patients visit every 6 months for a dental exam that includes a thorough check up, dental screenings and cleaning.
Dental Exam
Using state-of-the-art technology including digital x-rays and intra-oral cameras, the team at Chapel Hill Advanced Dentistry provides a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. Today’s dental technologies are so advanced they can detect any decay, cavities or periodontal disease sooner than traditional x-rays, allowing them to provide early and conservative treatment.
Oral Cancer Screening
It is estimated that 34,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. As with any disease, early detection is essential to successful treatment. Dr. Saib provides a visual oral cancer screening at every check-up.
Teeth Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings keep your teeth white and your gums healthy; they also help reduce your chances of gum disease and tooth decay. Dr. Saib and his team provide fluoride treatments for children and adults to keep protecting your teeth long after you leave the office. For gentle, deep cleaning, the team uses the Cavitron. The Cavitron uses high frequency ultrasonic waves and water to gently clean above and below the gum line.
If you haven’t been to the dentist in that past 6 months or longer, be proactive. Call 919.933.3388 and schedule your dental exam today.
TMJ/TMD Dentistry
Do you have chronic headaches or migraines? Do you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw? Do you clench or grind your teeth? All of these are symptoms of TMJ syndrome or temporomandibular joint disorder.
Commonly known as TMJ, it is an acute or chronic pain condition that occurs when your jaw is out of alignment. When your bite is healthy – the top jaw is aligned with your bottom jaw. This means that your bite is in its optimal position, the muscles are calm and relaxed, and your jaw functions comfortably.
When the jaw is misaligned (a condition called malocclusion), a variety of problems can occur.
Symptoms associated with TMJ disorders :
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Limited jaw function
- Pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back
- Pain and pressure in the ears and face
- Migraines
- Dizziness
- Hearing loss
- Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
To alleviate these symptoms, your jaw needs to be realigned. To put your bite back into its optimal position, Dr. Saib uses splint therapy. When the splint (an oral appliance) is placed over the upper teeth, it immediately repositions the muscles, joint and teeth in a harmonious position, working together without any strain or pain.
Splint therapy helps redistribute and redirect the biting forces, eliminating headaches and other problems that can occur as a result of malocclusion.
