Why Crooked Teeth Are A Problem

Many adults and teens in the Omaha area come to Tranquility Park Dental Care for Invisalign. Invisalign is a series of invisible aligners that dentists use as an alternative to wires and brackets. Invisalign aligners are is easy to wear, and the average Invisalign treatment can take less than 12 months. The common perception of Invisalign is that they are used to straighten teeth for appearance and cosmetic reasons only. However, Invisalign is most importantly used to align teeth properly.  If left untreated, crooked and misaligned teeth can cause periodontal disease and create tremendous amounts of stress on your teeth and jaw.

Teeth that are not aligned properly in your mouth create what dentists call “malocclusion.” Malocclusion affects 74% of American adults. Left untreated, malocclusion can lead to periodontal disease. There are several types of malocclusion. A primary example is crowded teeth that can cause buildup of plaque and tarter, as well as harbor bacteria.  This can lead to periodontal disease, which may result in tooth and bone loss. Teeth with extra spacing between them are another form of malocclusion.  This can leave room for food to stay lodged between them, risking sore and tender gums. A deep bite is also a form of malocclusion which can damage the palate, and cause premature wear and chipping on the lower front teeth.  A cross bite can also cause premature tooth wear, and lead to periodontal disease, tooth and bone loss. An edge-to-edge bite can result in teeth chipping and breaking, jaw joint pain, and shortened or worn down front teeth. A final type of malocclusion is an open bite that can lead to gum recession, tooth and bone loss, and excessive premature wear on back teeth. If left untreated, malocclusion can lead to periodontal disease which may then increase the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (which is the hardening of the arteries).

Periodontal disease begins with gum redness or bleeding.  You may also notice bad breath. If not treated, gum inflammation can become much worse - leading to receding gums, the formation of pockets between teeth and gums, bone loss, and finally tooth loss. To avoid the negative effects of periodontal disease it is very important to have properly aligned teeth. Good oral hygiene can also reduce the chances of plaque retention, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. 

Invisalign is one option to help straighten your teeth and prevent periodontal disease. Invisalign has a 96% patient satisfaction rating, and typically the cost is comparable to traditional metal braces. If you or someone in your family would like more information or has questions about Malocclusion, Periodontal Disease, or Invisalign, please contact our office today. We are here to help!

Omaha Dental Practice

Tranquility Park Dental Care

12322 Emmet St

Omaha, Ne 68164

402.496.9950
www.tranquilityparkdental.com

Brenda – Assistant

 

Brenda has been a dental assistant for 15 years. She is originally from Colorado where she received her assisting certificate. She has been working with us at Tranquility Park Dental Care for over 3 years.

 

Brenda and her husband Ryan met in high school and have been together for 18 years.  They have been married for 12 of those years.  They have four dogs who they consider their children – Tessa, Cami, Riley, and Dasha.

Brenda has a variety of interesting hobbies including growing orchids, traveling, gardening and cooking.

In addition to working with us at TPDC, she is a photographer who loves photographing families, seniors and babies.

Some other interesting facts about Brenda:

·         Spring and Fall are her favorite times of the year.

·         Her favorite place to vacation is Cozumel, Mexico.

·         Brenda loves to scuba dive.

 

Her favorite part of working at Tranquility Park Dental Care is meeting new people.  She also feels like we are a family here at TPDC.

 

 

Gretchen – Hygienist

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Gretchen is one of our 5 dental hygienists.  She is originally from Norfolk and attended Wayne State College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education.  We have been known to tease her about starting a Tranquility Park Dental Choir but so far she has not taken us up on that!

Gretchen received an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Iowa Western Community College before joining our staff in 2008.

Gretchen has been married for 7 years to her husband Eric.  They have an adorable miniature schnauzer named Jeff,  and they love him like family.  One look at him explains why!

Some interesting facts about Gretchen:

·         She loves to cook and exercise, especially running & playing tennis

·         Her favorite restaurant is Charleston’s

·         Banana Republic and Ann Taylor Loft are her favorite stores.

·         She loves to spend time with friends and family

·         Fall is her favorite season because it is cool, trees are colorful, football season starts and it is great running weather!

·         She loves to read fiction on her kindle.

·         Her favorite vacation was a trip to Sonoma, California where she and Eric spent their honeymoon.

Gretchen loves getting to know the patients and their families at Tranquility Park Dental Care.  She also enjoys working with the professional and hard working staff. 

July's Featured Staff Member - Amber

Amber – Dental Assistant

Amber is the most recent addition to our staff at Tranquility Park Dental.  She has been with us a little over a year and received her training as a dental assistant at Kaplan in 2009.  She works side by side with Dr. Weak assisting him with patient restorative care.

Amber grew up in Fremont and just recently moved to Omaha.  Her son Zach is her pride and joy! 

Some interesting facts about Amber:

·         Loves comic books and music
·         Her dream vacation is traveling in an RV around the country
·         She loves Mexican food, especially the spicy stuff!

Amber’s favorite part of the job is working with everyone at TPDC , “Everyone is very nice and they genuinely care for the patients.  It’s like a happy family here.”

June's Featured Staff Member-Stephanie

Our June's Featured Staff Member is...

Stephanie

Treatment Coordinator

Stephanie has been with Tranquility Park Dental Care for 11 years.  She is on the Patient Services staff and serves as a liaison between the practice management and clinical areas of the practice. 

Trained as a dental assistant at Metro Community College, Steph has the extensive clinical knowledge needed to:

• assist our patients with dental emergencies
• support the Dr’s with their patient consultations and managing their schedules 
• provide insurance companies with the documentation needed to substantiate claims and facilitate prompt payment

Every now and then Steph will dust off her tennis shoes and flex her assisting chops in the back to help us out if we are short staffed.  Yes, she’s still got it!
Steph has been married to her husband Scott for 20 years and they are kept busy running with 4 active children:

• Kaylie is 18 and has graduated high school and is working for Marriott Hotels
• Kerstyn is 17 and loves working with animals and volunteers at the Nebr Humane Society
• Kassie is 15, she enjoys kids and has great comedic timing and keeps the family in stitches
• Cody is 13, plays baseball and works with his dad who owns a lawn care company

Steph grew up in Alliance, Nebraska and moved to Scribner when she was still in high school.  She made the move to Omaha in 1991. 

Some interesting facts about Steph:

• Loves to read
• Likes shopping at TJ Max, Marshalls and Gordmans
• Favorite restaurant is Biaggi’s and her favorite dish is the lobster mac and cheese
• Favorite vacation spots are Colorado and Wisconsin – loves lakes and nature
• Has a heart for animals like her daughter and has 2 dogs, Gunner an 8 yrs old Doberman and Jack, her 3 yr old English bulldog.  Jack is her stress reliever at the end of a long day

Steph’s favorite part of her job is the people.  She loves the patients and her co-workers and doing what she can to help others.   “We are a family here and I want our patients to feel that in the atmosphere when they are here.  Family takes care of each other.  I love welcoming patients to the family!”

Do you have Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis.
It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

• Tobacco smoking or chewing
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes
• Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
• Bridges that no longer fit properly
• Crooked teeth
• Fillings that have become defective
• Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives

Several warning signs that can signal a problem:

• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

Information taken from www.ada.org

I'm too old to get braces

I’m too old to get braces!

Oh no no no no.

You are never too old to do Invisalign.  Invisalign is an alternative to the standard “braces” of wires and brackets and a fantastic way to maintain the integrity of your teeth for a lifetime by wearing clear retainers.  Clear retainers changed out every 2 weeks will provide small movement of the teeth that overtime with make you ecstatic of the changes you’ll notice.  Not only is it easier and more esthetic than traditional braces but it cost the same as well as the same amount of time invested.

Tranquility Park Dental was proud to hold it’s first Invisalign Open House on February 29^th. We offered a discount to patients who were interested in starting their Invisalign case. We had cupcakes and other refreshments thanks to Dr. Weak’s wife, Carol Weak. Our Invisalign representative, Eric, was here to encourage us and our patients. It was a fantastic event and we all had a lot of fun.

Please contact our office to learn more about Invisalign.

Going to the Dentist (according to Bill Cosby)

Now although some of this video can be true, a visit to the dental office can also be fun.  The American Dental Association recommends that a dental exam and cleaning is completed every 6 months in order to maintain a healthy mouth.  Dental x-rays are important in diagnosing any pathology below your gums as well as in between your teeth.  To prevent decay, brush twice a day and floss twice a week.  For more information on keeping your mouth and teeth healthy, click here.