Hello Everyone! Its been a long time since I have written a post. My apologies, Dream Dental Group has been growing so fast, its been difficult finding the time to write a quality blog post.  Thank you to all of our  wonderful patients who have been so loyal to us and have also been kind enough to refer their family and friends. As you know, we are ALWAYS accepting new patients.  The topic of discussion today is dental x-rays.

Dental x-rays or radiographs are a necessary part of the diagnostic process we use to detect cavities, bone loss as a result of gum disease and pathologies or abnormalities in the structures of the mouth and jaws that cannot be seen with the naked eye.  They are an essential part of the diagnostic process and are considered very safe. In fact, patients who do not get a radiographic examination of their teeth and surrounding structures regularly are put at an increased risk for harmful conditions to go unnoticed. These conditions may cause pain, infection, tooth loss or much worse.

How often should x-rays be taken? This depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease you may be experiencing. It is considered the “standard of care” in dentistry for your dentist to obtain a full mouth set of x-rays at least every 5 years for adults and then “check-up” x-rays every 1 to 2 years depending on the patient’s overall oral health.  Some situations warrant more frequent x-rays than others. For example, children may need x-rays more often than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing, and also because their teeth are more prone to decay than adults.

Overall, x-rays are prescribed for each patient based on their individual age, health and needs. If a patient is new to Dream Dental Group, the x-rays taken at their previous dentist can often be transfered to us. This helps in reducing the amount of new x-rays that need to be taken.

Patients often express concern about the amount of radiation exposure when dental x-rays are taken. Please be aware that every precaution is taken to minimize the amount of radiation exposure to the patient. At Dream Dental Group, we utilize digital x-rays. This is done through the use of a digital panoramic machine and small digital x-ray sensors instead of film. Through the use of digital x-rays we are able to reduce the amount of radiation exposure by up to 80%.  Our digital panoramic machine, the PlanMeca ProONE, can take an x-ray of the whole jaw in one image. I am proud to say this particular machine emits the lowest amount of radiation than any other machine of its kind currently on the market.

One must always remember that we are exposed to radiation on a daily basis and the amount of radiation exposure from dental x-rays is a tiny fraction of the overall exposure we get from things like microwaves,  cellular phones, computers,  the sun, the earth, and atmospheric radiation.  The benefit of an early diagnosis and treatment from x-ray findings usually outweigh the negative of a very small amount of radiation.

If you have any other questions about the risks, benefits and alternatives to dental x-rays please feel free to ask. We love educating our patients, and future patients. Especially those from our surrounding communities such as Novi, White Lake, Commerce Township, and Walled Lake.  I hope to see you soon!

248-363-7121

There is a big misconception that porcelain veneers are just for celebrities. That due to price, they are reserved for the rich and famous. Let me start by saying that this can’t be further from the truth.  Porcelain veneers are a wonderful, conservative treatment that can be very affordable with the right treatment plan and patient financing.

Just what are veneers? When teeth have imperfections such as rotations, discoloration and spaces, to name a few, a very thin layer of enamel can be removed and “veneered” to correct these cosmetic problems.  They are a conservative treatment that can make you smile! Here are some recent examples from our practice.

If you are curious as to what can be done to improve your smile, please give us a call. We serve patients from several communities, including Commerce Twp, Walled Lake, Novi, White Lake, Highland, West Bloomfield and Milford.

248-363-7121

Dream Dental Group

9600 Commerce Rd. Commerce Twp, MI 48382

As a dentist, my back and spine are constantly put to the test. I am constantly contorting into different positions to get the best view of the tooth or area of the mouth on which I am working, so I can provide my patients with the absolute best result. After thinking about this aspect of my job, a thought came to me.  I bet a lot of my patients have jobs that also put strain on their back and spine. So I consulted my good neighbor, Dr. Rich Sadowski, and he gave me the following helpful stretches that anyone can do at their desk in order to release tension and regain alertness without resorting to a caffeine or sugar fix.

1. Shoulder Stretch
   Lift your shoulders up to your ears until you feel a slight tension in your neck and shoulders. Hold for 3-5 seconds and relax shoulders. Do this 2-3 times at first sign of shoulder or neck tension.
2. Neck Stretch
   Tilt your head to one side, trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold the stretch for 10-20 seconds and then return to normal. Repeat the stretch on the other side.
3. Spine Stretch
   Raise arms over head. Stretch your right hand to the ceiling and hold for 3-5 seconds, while you exhale. Relax. Repeat with the left hand.
4. Lower Back Stretch
   Place your hands on the edge of your desk and roll your chair back. Lower your head between your outstretched arms and arch your back while you exhale. Inhale, raise your head and arch your back in the other direction.

Dr. Sadowski can be found at Commerce Chiropractic Clinic at 8101 Commerce Rd. Suite B  Commerce Twp, MI 48382 or you can give him a call at 248-363-4999. He is the only chiropractor in southeast Michiggan certified in low force instrument adjusting.

Please give us your feedback on this post. I am always looking for ways to improve my patients oral and overall health.

Patrick J. Qatsha, DDS

P.S. If you have a friend or relative who might benefit from the many services offered at Dream Dental Group, please give us a call. 248-363-7121

Here is an announcement from our good friends at Commerce Chiropractic. It is an opportunity I wanted to share. It gives back to the community and helps you get healthy.

Chiropractic Opportunity    Week

We’re having a  “COW”

Open Door Outreach

Center and Pantry

Food Drive

Due to a decline of contributions this year, the need for any type of contribution is extremely high, particularly food donations. Commerce  Chiropractic is proud to help support those in need:

Unemployment Rate:

13.6% White Lake, 12.2% Commerce Township,

10.8% West Bloomfield, 4.1% Waterford

How can you help?

You can help by bringing friends, family members, or coworkers… any new patient you think could benefit from chiropractic care to our office during COW week: May 16th-20th.

They will receive a consultation, exam, and follow-up report for a donation of two non-perishable food items.  We will forward these on to the Open Door Outreach Center and Pantry

Call Commerce  Chiropractic to schedule an appointment.

248-363-4999

Make it a total body health day! Stop by or Call DREAM DENTAL GROUP after visting Commerce Chiropractic and make an appointment for your much needed dental check up and cleaning.

248-363-7121

Hello Folks. We have a guest post today from my colleague and neighbor down the road, Dr. Richard Sadowski of Commerce Chiropractic. Here are some tips for reducing the daily toll on your spine. As a dentist, this advice is a lifesaver.

Sit Up Straight!

Slouching may feel comfortable, but over time it will take a toll on your spine. So sit up straight!

Remember when your mother used to say things like, “Eat all your vegetables.” And, “Look both ways before you cross the street.” “A person is known by the company they keep.” And let’s not forget her mantra, “Sit up straight!”

So many people today work in sedentary jobs that require that they sit for most of the workday. However, whether sitting at a desk, or at a sporting event, or in front of a television set, good posture is imperative to your spinal health.

• Look at the way you are sitting right at this moment.
• Are your feet flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90° angle?
• Are your buttocks, back and shoulders up against the backrest of your chair?
• Does the chair you’re sitting in provide enough lumbar support? Does the backrest fit into the natural curve of your spine? Are all your spinal curves properly supported?
• Are your shoulders relaxed and even, not hunched in a forward position?
• Is your body weight equally distributed across both hips?
• Are your knees level with or slightly lower than your hips?

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, you are probably exerting undue stress on your spine; this may eventually cause back pain.

Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to sit in the same position for more than 40 minutes. Chronic slouching affects the discs between the vertebrae and may cause them to bulge or become herniated. Take the time to stand up and stretch your back and legs or take a short walk periodically.

The chair you use should provide lumbar support that allows the backrest to fit into the curve in your lower back. This helps to avoid too much pressure on the spine and prevents back muscles from getting fatigued. If your chair doesn’t have it, you can use a rolled towel or invest in a lumbar support pillow to provide you with the proper amount of spinal support. If you sit for long periods, it is certainly worth the investment.

I often refer my patients to Dr. Sadowski.

He can be reached at

8101 Commerce Road, Suite B

Commerce Township, MI 48382

248-363-4999

www.commercechiropractic.com

Enjoy.

Patrick J. Qatsha, DDS

Here are some more pics of the progress of the new building. I can’t really keep up. It is changing on a daily basis.

Lobby sneak peak….

More to come.

See ya soon! 248-363-7121

Do you have a child who plays a contact sport, or a sport where a ball is used? Did you know that one of the most common injuries to occur in sports is a concussion. Are you wondering what can be done to minimize your child’s risk for concussion.

Help is on the way! Studies show that the use of an athletic mouthguard professionally made by a dentist can reduce the risk of  a concussion.

What is a concussion? A concussion is a brain injury, and can be defined by varying levels of severity. They are caused by bumps or blows to the head.  They are usually not visible to the naked eye, and signs or symptoms can show up immediately or might go unnoticed for days or weeks after the injury.

If you notice any of the following, your child may be suffering from a concussion.

-Dazed, confused, forgetful

-Answers questions slowly

- Can’t recall events prior to being hit

-Can’t recall events after being hit

-Loss of consciousness

The following are symptoms often reported by the injured athletes.

- Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head.

- Nausea and/or vomiting

- Poor balance or dizziness

- Sensitivity to noise or light

- Memory problems, confusion, “doesn’t feel right”

If you think your child may have a concussion seek medical attention immediately, keep your child out of play until cleared by a doctor, and always inform the child’s coach about any previous or existing concussions.

Concussions are an ever present danger in athletics, and can occur in male and female athletes. Traditional “boil and bite” athletic mouthguards do not usually fit well enough to stay in the child’s mouth when a severe blow or hit occurs. They are usually ejected from the mouth, rendering them virtually useless. A mouthguard professionally made by a dentist is made of a durable, resilient material and has a custom fit. They are an affordable option that provides priceless protection for your athlete.

This past fall, Dream Dental Group provided custom made mouthguards for the Walled Lake Northern Football Varsity, JV, and Freshman teams free of charge. We love giving back to the community. If you know someone who might benefit from an athletic mouthguard, call us today.    248-363-7121

Picture provided by the American Academy of Sports Dentistry

Here is the latest….

Have a full time job? Don’t forget, we are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00am to 8:00pm. Call for an appointment.

248-363-7121

]]> http://blog.dreamdentalgroup.com/uncategorized/pictures-of-progress-at-the-new-dream-dental-group/feed/ 3 http://blog.dreamdentalgroup.com/uncategorized/pictures-of-progress-at-the-new-dream-dental-group/