Lincoln Dentist

Before and After Invisalign Case Studies

Invisalign and Your Smile

You have always wanted straighter teeth.  You look in the mirror and imagine your teeth shifting into position, and having the smile that you have always wanted.

But as time has progressed and the years have flown by, the likelihood of you getting braces has plummeted.  “Working in a corporate office, your best suits, and power meetings are hardly the place for braces and different colored plastic bands,” you think to yourself.  So you wait for the day that your teeth will magically straighten, or you will start liking your smile.  Neither of those options seem to be likely.

With Dr. Kent Dodson, straighter teeth can become a reality much sooner than you ever imagined.  With a carefully charted plan and Invisalign, your beautiful smile is just around the corner!

To learn about all of the benefits of Invisalign, keep reading Dr. Dodson’s blog!  You can learn the ins-and-outs of Invisalign and see why these clear aligners might be the perfect fit for you!

All about Invisalign

While there are multiple benefits to Invisalign, the most noteworthy plus is the face that nobody can tell that you are straightening your teeth.  With traditional braces, metal wires and brackets cover each of your teeth and dot the front of your mouth with silver.  With Invisalign, you pop in the clear aligner, and you are on your way.

These clear aligners are replaced every few weeks so that they can shift your teeth even further into a straighter position.  Dr. Dodson will check your progress periodically to ensure that you are on the right track, but you do not have to worry about frequent orthodontist visits.

With Invisalign, your day-to-day routine is not impaired. You can take your retainers out to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth.  You do not have to avoid your favorite foods, learn a new dental-hygiene routine, or worry about brackets breaking.

And the list to the benefits of Invisalign doesn’t stop there!  Invisalign doesn’t only fix mild cases that need repair, but it also can help with more severe bites.  Spacing, crossbite, overbite, and severe crowding can all be transformed with the help of Invisalign.

This 56-year-old male was worried about the spacing of his teeth.  His Invisalign treatment lasted only 10 months, and produced amazing results!

 

From Invisalign.com

Another case of Invisalign treatment is in the case below.  A 27-year-old female was worried about severe crowding of her bite.  With Invsialign, she was able to see results in 9 months!

 

From Invisalign.com

Dr. Dodson and Your Smile

If you think that Invisalign might be the right fit for you, then do not hesitate to give Dr. Dodson a call!  All of your questions about Invisalign will be answered and you will have all of the information that you need to see what Invisalign can do for you.

Do not wait any longer to have the smile that you have always wanted!  Call Dr. Dodson today!

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Components of Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants and Your Child

You have seen how your children brush their teeth, and you know from experience that it is not nearly as thorough as it could be.  If left to their own devices, your kids would spend approximately 9.7 seconds brushing their teeth before they were back to playing outside with a red wagon.

While you try to encourage the best dental habits, sometimes extra precautions need to be taken to ensure that your children’s teeth do not suffer the effects of tooth decay.  One of those precautions is dental sealants.  Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are applied to the cover and grooves of the back teeth.  This coating can keep germs and particles out of the grooves of the teeth so less tooth decay can occur.

Dr. Kent Dodson uses dental sealants as an excellent preventative method of tooth decay for children.  To learn more about dental sealants, what they do, and what effect they can have on your kids’ teeth, keep reading this blog!

Oral Health and Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are just a piece of the puzzle to a child’s complete oral care.  With dental sealants, children are still encouraged to brush their teeth twice a day, floss every day, and eat a healthy diet.  Dental sealants, combined with all of these preventative devices, ultimately leads to the best oral health.

So what else should you know about dental sealants and your kids?  Dental sealants are clear and typically cannot be seen.  They are applied to permanent molars to fight off tooth decay.  Once decay creeps into the teeth, it weakens the tooth and cannot be reversed.

The dental sealant process is quick and painless.  The teeth are cleaned and dried that are to receive the dental sealant.  Then the sealant is painted onto the teeth.  A light is shown onto the teeth for a few seconds to bond the sealant into place.

And that is it!  The dental sealants typically last anywhere from 5 to 10 years and help prevent cavities from forming.  All normal oral hygiene methods can be followed, and no other special steps need to be taken in order to protect the sealants.  With dental sealants, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you have added an extra level of protection to your children’s teeth.

Dr. Kent Dodson and Dental Sealants

If you think that dental sealants might be right for your child, then do not hesitate to contact Dr. Kent Dodson.  Dr. Dodson can answer any questions that you may have about the procedure and discuss how dental sealants can actually be a money-saving option for your children.

Your children can have teeth that are beautiful and protected!  Learn more about dental sealants today so you can help preserve your children’s smiles for years to come.

References

 

 

Our Office Musts: Great Dentist, Advanced Tools

Neuromuscular Dentistry- What It Means for You

It is the third meeting of the day, and you are starting to feel it.  Your jaw is locking up, you feel your head throbbing, and your shoulders seem to be writhing in pain.  Your coworker drones on about the fiscal responsibilities of the company, but all of the numbers on the excel sheets blur together.

“Not the best day for this TMD to be acting up,” you think to yourself as you rub your jaw.  “I really need to be on top of these reports, but all I can do is think about this pain.”

Luckily, Dr. Kent Dodson is in your Lincoln neighborhood.  Dr. Dodson specializes in both aesthetic and restorative dentistry, and has the tools to make TMD pain float away.  Dr. Dodson attended the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Training, where science and art are combined to provide you with the very best results and service.

So how do you learn about what makes Dr. Kent Dodson’s practice unique? The answer lies within the Advanced Aesthetics and Restorative Dentistry’s blog, so keep reading to learn how your smile can be in the very best hands.

The Dr. Kent Dodson Difference

Dr. Dodson believes that his patients should feel comfortable when they arrive in the dentist’s office.  When you come to the Advanced Aesthetics and Restorative Dentistry Center, you know that your smile, pain, and restorations are being taken seriously.

You are made a priority, and your concerns become our concerns that our team strives to improve.  With Dr. Dodson’s training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Training (LVI), Dr. Dodson gathered the skills and knowledge to tackle even the most complex dental cases.  The LVI training has given Dr. Dodson the latest knowledge and information about cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry.

These techniques allow Dr. Dodson to provide his patients with unparalleled service. By evaluating patients’ diagnoses in entirety, Dr. Dodson is able to treat the ‘whole patient.’  Your gums and teeth are not the only two things that are taken into account.  Your tooth coloring, age, sex, and lifestyle are all evaluated so that you can see the best results post-procedure.  Because the LVI has such high standards for course completion, you know that the doctors who have completed the training also meet the highest standards.

Dr. Dodson and Your Smile

If you need a smile makeover or need TMD pain-relief, Dr. Dodson is here to help make your smile blend with your life.  Instead of worrying about the state of your teeth, or wondering when the TMD pain is going to end, contact Dr. Dodson so that you can start living your life to the fullest, with confidence.

There is no reason that you should continue living in pain, or with a smile that you are not proud to show to the world.  Contact Dr. Dodson today to make the dental changes that you deserve!

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Periodontitis–Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

What You Need to Know about Periodontitis

“Good morning!” you exclaim to your family, as you jump into the kitchen.  “What should I have for breakfast,” you say as you rummage through the cabinets to find your favorite cereal.  “It is going to be a beautiful day.”

“Don’t forget that you have a dentist’s appointment today!” your wife states as you pour the milk.  “Maybe I will just skip it, I mean, how dirty can my teeth be?  I brush them most of the time,” you say with a chuckle.

Skipping a dentist’s appointment is not the wisest decision that you could make, especially when periodontitis could be lurking around the corner.  “What is periodontitis?” you might be thinking. That question will be answered in this blog, so you know why it is so important to visit your dentist on a regular basis, and brush your teeth.

Periodontitis and You

Periodontitis is simply defined as the inflammation and infection of ligaments and bones that support your teeth.  While inflammation might not seem that hazardous, leaving the inflammation untreated can lead to your teeth falling out and is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.

Some of the symptoms for periodontitis can include:

    • Breath odor
    • Gums that are bright red or red purple in color
    • Gums that are prone to bleeding
    • Gums that are tender when they are touched, but otherwise, painless
    • Teeth that are loose
    • Gums that are swollen

While many of these symptoms are similar to those of gingivitis, it is important that you take the time to visit a dental professional.  An examination of the teeth and gums will be performed, and will be complete with dental x-rays.  The examination will give Dr. Dodson a clear idea of the status of your teeth and gums, and evaluate if you have periodontitis.

If you do have periodontitis, then the goal of treatment turns to reducing inflammation of the gums as quickly as possible.  If pockets are present, then they need to be eliminated as well.  Surgery by a specialist in Periodontitis  may be necessary, as the deep pockets of the gums might require to be opened and cleaned.

With periodontitis, you need to follow careful oral hygiene for the rest of your life, otherwise the inflammation can return.  You might be advised to come into Dr. Dodson’s office for more cleanings throughout the year, just to ensure that your mouth and gums remain healthy.

But what is the risk of periodontitis?  Why should you care about it?  If periodontitis is left untreated, then you can find yourself at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, or other health problems.  The best way to avoid these extra risks is to maintain proper oral hygiene and to see Dr. Dodson regularly!

Dr. Dodson and Your Oral Health

If you have any questions about periodontitis and your oral health, then do not hesitate to contact Dr. Dodson.  You can come in to see Dr. Dodson for a consultation, and review the state of your gums and teeth.

You should be smiling your healthy smile today, so drop on by to see what Dr. Dodson can do to keep your teeth at their brightest.

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Sleep Apnea’s Relationship to Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on February 29, 2012 by admin
sleepy

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Sleep Apnea and You You wake up and feel like you should immediately head back to sleep.  “What a horrible night’s rest!” you exclaim as you stretch and rise out of bed.  “I wonder why I haven’tbeen sleeping well lately?” … Continue reading →

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What are the Costs of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain Veneers and You

You wake up in the morning for your normal routine.  Making the bed, taking a shower, and putting your power suit.  On the way out the door, you take one final glance to make sure that everything looks good.  “Hair, check.  Attire, check.” you say with a pause.

“But wait,” you say.  “My smile is severely stained!” you exclaim, just realizing your worst fear, as you dash out the door.

For smiles that are severely stained, have gaps, are chipped, or cracked, then it might be
 time to consider porcelain veneers.  With porcelain veneers you can have the “Hollywood smile” that you have always dreamed of in less time than you ever thought possible.

Best of all, with Dr. Kent Dodson in town, you can have custom-made porcelain veneers that fit your mouth perfectly.  You never have to worry about technical skills or compromised dental care.  With Dr. Dodson at Advanced Aesthetics and Restorative Dentistry, you know you are getting the best in care and the best in aesthetics too.  To learn more about porcelain veneers, and how Dr. Dodson can transform your smile, keep reading Dr. Dodson’s blog!

Your Smile, Transformed

So maybe your smile is not exactly how you would like it to be.  Maybe you have a few chipped teeth that could use some work. Maybe you just would like an update that makes you look as good as your feel.  Whatever your reason for considering porcelain veneers, realize that you have come to the right place.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are applied to the front of your existing teeth.  These shells allow for you to have a complete smile transformation, with the technical and artistic skills of Dr. Kent Dodson.  These veneers can replace any teeth that are chipped or cracked, or even teeth that are severely stained.

But you might be asking yourself, “The procedure sounds great, but what about the cost?”  One of the added benefits of having Dr. Dodson as your dentist is that he can go through the costs and insurance coverage of each procedure.

While many insurance companies do not cover the costs of cosmetic dentistry, there are still other pricing and financing options to consider.  All of these details can be discussed in our local office so that you have the best plan available that can make your dream smile into reality.

Interested in Porcelain Veneers?

If you think that porcelain veneers or any type of cosmetic dentistry might be right for you, then do not hesitate to call Dr. Dodson and his friendly team.  During your initial consultation, Dr. Dodson can discuss the procedure, discuss financing options, and also answer any questions that you might have.  Any concerns or notions that you have about porcelain veneers can be addressed, and you will instantly feel why our patients are so comfortable in our office.

We would love the opportunity to help you create the smile that you deserve, so give us a call today!

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Oral Cancer Prevention and Screening

 

Oral Cancer and Your Oral Health

No one has good thoughts when the word “cancer” comes to mind.  We think of being sick, losing our hair, and how terrible it must feel to be battling such a grim disease.  But when we think of cancer, does oral cancer generally pop into your head?

For most of us, we would have to admit that oral cancer appears to be low on the totem pole of concern.  It just slips out of our main view of perception.  This is where Dr. Kent Dodson comes in.  By checking your mouth every visit for oral cancer, Dr. Dodson is helping you take the first steps to oral cancer prevention.  Want to learn how you can do more to lower your risk for developing oral cancer?  Keep reading Dr. Dodson’s blog to find out some great tips about keeping your mouth clean, healthy, and full of smiles for years to come!

Tips for Oral Cancer Prevention

Oral cancer can affect more areas than just your mouth.  Oral cancer can impact your lips, cheek lining, the glands that make you salivate, the roof of your mouth, the back of your mouth, gums and teeth, tonsils, and your tongue.  That is a ton of area that this cancer can cover!

So what can you do to prevent oral cancer?  What can you do to make sure that you are not one of the 8,000 that will die from oral cancer this year?  Below, you will find some tips to keep you at your healthiest!

Stop Smoking- if you smoke, then this is the best time to stop.  Today.  Don’t wait until the New Year.  Don’t wait until your birthday.  Stop today.  Not only is smoking one of the greatest contributors to oral cancer, but it also puts you at risk for developing a host of other health problems.  For information on how to quit, visit: http://www.smokefree.gov

Watch the Drinking- while it might seem harsh, it is true: drinking does not add to your overall health.  And if you are smoking and drinking, then you are adding to your risk of developing oral cancer exponentially.  The quick answer: stop smoking, limit drinking.

Sunscreen Everywhere! - if you are not applying sunscreen to your lips, then this is a good time to start.  Your lips are exposed to the sun and are also at risk for developing oral cancer, so keep them safe with some SPF lip balm.

Eat the Fruits and Veggies- the best thing that you can do for your overall health is to exercise and load your plate with fruits and vegetables.  Stop eating processed foods and start thinking to yourself, “The less ingredients, the better.”  Get in your kitchen and start preparing your own feasts! You will be amazed by how good you feel, and how good you look too!

Visit Dr. Dodson- after you brush your teeth and floss too, there is still one thing that you have left to do—visit Dr. Kent Dodson for your regular visits.  Dr. Dodson can screen your mouth to see if there are any irregularities.  By just coming in for your routine visits, you could be ensuring that any abnormalities do not spread and become an issue.

Give Dr. Dodson a call today to have any and all of your questions about oral cancer answered!

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Invisalign Costs

Invisalign and Your Smile

The holidays have come and gone. The presents have been opened, the wrapping paper is in the trash, and the New Year’s champagne has been devoured. The kids are back in school and work is in full force—project reports, business meetings, and power lunches.

The one thing that appears to be left from the holidays is the New Year’s Resolution list. It is the list that is written in the back of your planner with the words, “Eat healthier. Cook more. Straighten my teeth.” While many people have already forgotten to hit the gym this week, there is no reason that your resolutions should be forgotten.

If you have wanted to repair or straighten your teeth for a long time, there is no time like the present to make the changes that you have always desired. With Invisalign, you can straighten your teeth quickly and easily with no attention drawn to metal brackets or wires. That’s right! Your smile can transform without anyone knowing that you are in the process.

Sound too good to be true? Keep reading Dr. Kent Dodson’s blog to learn how your smile dreams can become a reality in 2012!

Invisalign Transformation
How does Invisalign work? Instead of brackets and wires being applied to the front of your teeth that have to be adjusted every month, you use a clear aligner which is similar to a retainer. This aligner is replaced every few weeks with a new one that shifts your teeth further into the correct position.

All you have to do is wear the invisible aligner 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Invisalign Aligner must be removed when you eat, drink, and brush your teeth, which gives you the freedom to eat anything that you want to consume! You do not have to worry about broken brackets from too many carrot sticks or caramel! Talk about convenience!

Every 6 to 8 weeks you come into Dr. Dodson’s office for a brief check on your progress. With Invisalign, you can actually see results more quickly than traditional braces and you have to spend less time in the dentist’s chair!

The Cost of Invisalign
So you might be thinking that Invisalign sounds great, but be wondering how much it will cost you. What you might be surprised to find is that Invisalign is actually comparable to the price of traditional braces!

During a consultation with Dr. Dodson, Dr. Dodson can discuss your insurance coverage as well as the average cost of Invisalign.

If you want to see how much Invisalign might cost you beforehand, check out this link.

Dr. Dodson, You, and Invisalign
If you think that Invisalign could be the perfect fit for you during this New Year, then give Dr. Kent Dodson a call! During a consultation, Dr. Dodson can answer any of your questions and discuss the time frame of Invisalign for your personal case.

There is no better time to improve your smile. Start 2012 off right with a smile that beams and the self-confidence to boot! Call Dr. Dodson today!

References:
• Dr. Kent Dodson. About Us. http://www.adamsdentalcenter.com/
• Invisalign. Cost of Invisalign. http://www.invisalign.com/Cost/Pages/dental-insurance-options.aspx

Family Dentistry Procedures

A Family Trip to the Dentist
Ever since you can remember, you have been starting and ending your day by brushing your teeth. You wake up, shove your feet into your slippers, and head to the bathroom sink to give those teeth the ol’ scrub down. It just seems like it is a natural part of your life—a regular habit that you could not think about breaking.

So when your kids come up to you and ask why they have to brush and floss their teeth, you are thrown through a loop. “You have to brush your teeth because it keeps them healthy,” you sputter as you hand them the tube of toothpaste.

While it is important that kids know how oral healthcare is important, in this blog, Dr. Kent Dodson has some fun tips that keep you and your children involved in dental health together. The more fun that you have together while brushing your teeth, the more likely that your kids will build good oral hygiene habits that last a lifetime.

Dental Health and Your Children
So it is essential that your children understand that brushing every one of their pearly whites is important, but here are a few ways to make the journey more exciting!

1. Oral Health Starts in the Kitchen- “what do you mean that ‘oral health’ starts in the kitchen?” you ask. How does that make sense? What you put into your body when you eat affects, your overall oral health. So have your kids come into the kitchen and make some healthy recipes that are good for their teeth. The more colorful fruits and vegetables that you can incorporate; the better. Not only will your kids’ teeth thank you, but so will their growing bodies!

2. Make It Fun- Bring your kids to the supermarket and let them have their fill of all things “dental.” They can choose the brightest color toothbrush, find the flavored floss, and get that bubblegum toothpaste. If your kids feel like they are part of their oral hygiene development, they are more likely to keep up with it.

3. Talk up the Tooth Fairy- the tooth fairy is a fun tradition that you can use to your advantage. Tell your children that the tooth fairy pays an extra quarter for extra shiny, healthy teeth. Watch how quickly your kids start brushing their teeth!

4. Come See Dr. Kent Dodson Regularly- as a family dentist, Dr. Kent Dodson is here to make sure that your entire family has the healthiest smiles around. Try to schedule your appointments on the same day as your family members so your kids can see how easy it is to go to the dentist. By learning that the dentist is a fun place to be, your kids will make sure that they continue going to the dentist all of their lives.

To schedule a visit with Dr. Kent Dodson, please call the advanced aesthetics and restorative dentistry center at 402-484-6666. Dr. Dodson will make sure that your smile is always at its best, and keeps the same commitment for every member of your family.

Come in today for a healthy, beautiful smile!

References:
• Dr. Kent Dodson. Family Dentistry. http://www.adamsdentalcenter.com/family-dentistry.html
• Your Dentistry Guide. Family and Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/pediatric-dentist/

Diabetes and Gum Disease

Diabetes and Your Oral Health
If you suffer from Diabetes, then you know the basic requirements for keeping yourself healthy. You need to constantly monitor your blood sugar, eat healthy foods, and when doubt, check your blood sugar again.

Diabetes is a lifelong illness that is chronic. There are high levels of sugar in the blood that have to be monitored and controlled. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, a resistance to insulin, or a combination of the two.

With diabetes, there are even additional health concerns to take into consideration, which includes your oral health. People with diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease than people who do not suffer from diabetes. Because people with diabetes are more susceptible to developing infections, the need to monitor oral health and watch for periodontal disease becomes crucial.

In this blog, diabetes and oral health are reviewed, so for more information about diabetes and your smile, keep reading!

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
With diabetes, the most important ingredient to maintenance of the disease is with control. If diabetes is left uncontrolled or poorly monitored in type 2 diabetic patients, then those individuals are more likely to develop periodontal disease when compared to well-controlled diabetes.

Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease. It can start off as gingivitis or inflammation of the gums and then tartar buildup, and increase to become periodontitis.

Severe periodontal disease can increase the body’s blood sugar, which can contribute to periods of time where the body functions with elevated blood sugar levels. This can lead to a dangerous cycle which diabetics want to avoid at all costs.

Uncontrolled diabetes damages white blood cells, which are the body’s natural defense mechanism against bacteria and infections that can grow in the mouth. In-turn, dry mouth, gum inflammation, and poor healing of oral tissues can become problems.

And if you are a diabetic who smokes, then your risk of developing periodontal disease increases by a factor of 20. That’s right! You are 20 times more likely to develop periodontal disease than a non-smoker. The best advice is to stop smoking today!

Here a few quick tips to help you manage your diabetes, oral health, and steer away from periodontal disease:

1. Monitor your blood sugar

2. Keep Dr. Dodson informed about any and all hypoglycemic episodes you have had

3. If you have any treatments performed in Dr. Dodson’s office, follow Dr. Dodson’s post-treatment instructions to every detail

4. Brush your teeth after every meal

5. Stop smoking

If you have any questions about how to best manage your diabetes and your oral health, give Dr. Kent Dodson a call at 402-484-6666. He will be able to answer all of your questions and give you even more advice about to control your diabetes!

Do not let your diabetes control your oral health. Take control today!

References:
• Dr. Kent Dodson. Lincoln Dentist. http://www.adamsdentalcenter.com/
• National Institute of Dental and Cranofacial Research. Periodontal Disease. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm
• PubMed. Diabetes. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002194/
• WebMD. Dental Care and Diabetes. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-dental-care-diabetes?page=2