Could You Be Suffering From Sleep Apnea?

January 23, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 6:27 pm

Snoring, while annoying to those in your household, is usually a harmless habit. Sometimes, it even takes years before someone lets you know you’re a victim of the condition – usually a tired spouse, or an annoyed friend at a sleepover when you’re still young. But did you know that snoring can actually indicate a much more serious problem? If you’re a chronic snorer, you might also be suffering from sleep apnea. At its core, sleep apnea is a condition that affects the way you breathe while you’re sleeping, causing your air intake to lessen or even stop altogether for seconds at a time, up to hundreds of time a night. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can lead to complications down the road if left untreated. Thankfully, Dr. Bobby Carmen is happy to help, here at his Norman office. Our team is committed to providing you with a comfortable and effective solution for your sleep apnea, letting you and your family get back to safe, peaceful slumber.

But first, how can you tell if you have sleep apnea? Here are some of the most common symptoms.

  • Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
  • Chronic sleepiness during the daytime, no matter how much sleep you got the night before
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or throat after sleep
  • Loud snoring
  • Long periods of silence when sleeping – check with your spouse to see if this sounds familiar!
  • Morning headaches

Those sound familiar! What can you do to help me?

Never fear – Dr. Carmen takes sleep apnea very seriously, and he has an easy solution so that you can get the rest and peace of mind you deserve. We will have a mouthpiece custom-made to fit your unique features, commonly known as a snoreguard. As long as you wear the snoreguard during sleep, your airways will always be held open, getting rid of that pesky snoring as well as eliminating dangerous lapses in breathing.

Our team wants to give you a reason to smile! Call our Norman dental office today to schedule a consultation for your sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Carmen also serves patients from Moore, The University of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Happy with Root Canal Treatment in Norman, OK

January 16, 2013

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 6:24 pm

Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Happy with Root Canal Treatment in Norman, OK

Out of all the dental procedures and treatments you can undergo, “root canal” always seems to be the phrase that scares potential patients the most. Maybe the amount of pain experienced during the procedure has been exaggerated over time, or the supposed invasiveness is simply unsettling to think about. When all is said and done, root canal treatment certainly isn’t as bad as it’s been built up to be; in fact, it’s a crucial procedure that can rescue heavily decayed or infected teeth from needing to be extracted. With the help of up-to-date tools and sedation dentistry herein Norman, OK, Dr. Bobby Carmen and his team can help your root canal treatment be as quick and comfortable as possible, getting you back to smiling sooner.

How can I tell if I need treatment for a root canal?

Here are some common symptoms:

  • Serious tooth pain when chewing
  • Swelling and tenderness in the gums
  • A dark discoloration of a tooth
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

What happens during root canal treatment?

“Root canal” refers to the internal structure of the tooth that contains “the pulp” (the nerve). Treatment is necessary when a crack or decay exposes that inner area to bacteria and infection. Dr. Carmen will clean out all the bacteria and now-diseased pulp from the tooth then fill it with a biologically inert substance before sealing it shut again. He might also suggest other restorative measures, such as a crown, to fully restore the affected tooth to tip-top shape.

Okay, but it is going to hurt?

Root canal treatment is extremely effective, and many teeth that have undergone the procedure go on to last a lifetime. Dr. Carmen uses every tool and technique to minimize discomfort, and when all is said and done, most patients say that the pain is no worse than it is when receiving a common filling.

If you think you might be in need of root canal treatment, don’t wait any longer to seek out help! Dr. Carmen and his team are committed to providing you with excellent, personalized care that always puts your safety and comfort first. Call our Norman dental office today to schedule a consultation for your sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Carmen also serves patients from Moore, The University of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.

Smile Easier With A CEREC Crown

January 10, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 3:27 pm

Getting the news that you need a new crown can put a damper on your whole day. Now you’ve got to schedule multiple appointments to get it taken care of – one for preparation and to have a temporary crown fit, the other to have your permanent crown placed, all while having to put your life on the backburner. Even worse, what if your temporary crown is damaged or falls out? That means another trip to the dentist. Crowns are important, though, for the sake of your smile. They can save a tooth that would otherwise soon need to be replaced with a prosthetic, so you definitely shouldn’t put off your appointments. But isn’t there an easier way?

A Faster Way to a Flawless Look

Dr. Carmen understands your frustration, and here at his Norman office, we are proud to share with you a revolutionary technology that is a treat for both your teeth and your time – CEREC crowns. CEREC eliminates the need for inconveniences like temporary crowns and follow-up visits. With CEREC, you can have a brand-new permanent crown crafted just for you in about an hour.

CEREC (short for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is both a method used by millions of patients worldwide, as well as a material with several hard-earned years of research behind it. After taking a 3D picture of your tooth, Dr. Carmen’s CEREC machine will create a beautiful and durable crown for you, which he will then permanently place in the span of a single visit. You’ll be able to leave the office with new confidence and zero frustration. What could be better?

Let us brighten your smile! Call Dr. Carmen’s Norman office today to schedule an appointment with us. Our team serves patients not only from Norman, but also from The University of Oklahoma, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.