The Stow Dental Group Blog

TOP DOCS

2011-08-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Just a note, to inform everyone, for the third year in a row, Dr. David Schlosser and Dr. Mark Iati have been selected as TOP DOCS in Cleveland Magazine. This is such an honor due to the fact that they are chosen by their peers for this accolade. As always, the doctors thank their patients and talented team for all the support. Be sure to pick up an October issue of Cleveland Magazine and check it out.

new look to the website

2011-07-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Beginning on August 1st the Stow Dental website will take on a whole new look and feel. It will include videos for you to learn about procedures and many new pictures of the facility and staff. Please check back and let us know how you like it.

What is ProBiora3®?

2011-06-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

ProBiora3® is a blend of three probiotic bacteria that are naturally present in your mouth. They are beneficial to your overall oral health and help promote:

• Gum and tooth health
• Whiter teeth
• Fresh breath

When ProBiora3 comes into contact with your saliva, beneficial bacteria will bind to your teeth – both above and below the gum line. As these probiotic bacteria build up over time, they will re-establish a proper microbial balance in your mouth, which will help support optimal levels of oral health.

Harmful bacteria in your mouth regularly convert sugar and carbohydrates into lactic acid, causing erosion of your tooth enamel. By replenishing your supply of beneficial bacteria, ProBiora3 is able to reduce the buildup of lactic acid in your oral cavity. Ultimately, this will improve your long term oral health and ensure that other interrelated health systems function properly for years to come.

The Akron dentists at Stow Dental Group regularly use ProBiora3 with patients in order to help prevent and treat periodontal disease. This treatment has proven very effective, and it is much less invasive than alternative approaches to combating periodontal disease.

Please contact our dentists today to schedule your appointment with Stow Dental Group, serving patients in Akron, Canton, and Stow, Ohio.

Headaches and Dental Treatment

2011-05-09T15:01:00.000-07:00

If you suffer from severe headaches that seem like migraines and your physician has not been able to help, you may find relief by visiting the dentist. If your bite is misaligned, and nine out of ten people have a misaligned bite, your temporomandibular joint can be affected. The temporomandibular joint is the largest joint in your body, containing large areas of nerves. Talking and chewing food can cause pain to radiate out into different areas of your body.

In addition to headaches, if you suffer from pain in your neck and shoulders, your face, have clicking in your jaw joint, have locking in your jaw, or other painful symptoms, you may want to set up an appointment with the experienced neuromuscular dentists at Stow Dental Group.

TMJ/TMD Treatment

Symptoms of pain in your jaw that cause unbearable headaches can be due to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Neuromuscular dentistry focuses on treating the root causes, not just the symptoms, of your pain. This is done using state-of-the-art equipment to record the correct position your jaw should be in, as well as getting your jaw to relax. It may also involve orthodontics, dentures, or other cosmetic dental procedures.

If you suffer from headaches that seem to have no cure, please contact the experienced neuromuscular dentists at Stow Dental Group for an initial consultation.

CEREC E4D

2011-04-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

One thing many people dread about tooth restoration procedures, like getting a crown, is that it takes more than one visit to the dentist. No one wants to wait around with a temporary crown while the permanent is being milled in a lab. With the E4D system used at Stow Dental Group, there is no waiting for the crown.

E4D is the latest upgrade to the CAD/CAM system, which has allowed dentists to create and place crowns in one visit. This allows the patient to get back to their busy schedule and keep them from worrying about how they will keep their temporary from falling off.

E4D Process

• Using a scanning device over the area to get the crown, a digital impression is taken to make a 3D impression.
• The 3D map is fed into the chairside computer that uses CAD/CAM software so that the dentist, and the patient, can both see the results
• The design is sent to the E4D milling center where the restoration is created. While the restoration is being made, the dentist can continue to focus on other areas that may need crowns rather than waiting

This is an accurate and quick way to get you smiling again with crowns that look and feel like your natural teeth. Not all crowns are candidates for this process so it is up to your dentist to determine if this choice is right for your situation.

If you are in need of crown work or would like to know more about the E4D, please contact the experienced reconstructive dentists at Stow Dental Group in Stow, Ohio.

Bite Correction the Invisalign® Way

2011-04-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Crossbite, underbite and overbite can lead to a variety of dental complications, some of them painful. And for years, the available solutions for correcting bite problems—ranging from metal braces to surgery—weren’t exactly painless themselves.

With Invisalign, however, bite correction can be achieved simply, comfortably and invisibly.

Common Bite Conditions Correctable with Invisalign

Crossbite is caused by a misalignment between the upper and lower jaws, which leads to a tooth or teeth biting to the inside of the corresponding upper or lower tooth or teeth. Untreated, crossbite can contribute to tooth chipping, abnormal wear, gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which generates excessive pressure on the joints that connect the mandible and the skull and can cause headaches and jaw pain among other symptoms.

Distinguished by the lower front teeth extending over the top front teeth, underbite is often hereditary and is the result of the undergrowth of the upper jaw, the overgrowth of the bottom jaw or a combination of both. Like crossbite, underbite can cause teeth to erode prematurely and unevenly, as well as lead to TMJ.

The result of genetics or bad oral habits such as lengthy thumb-sucking or chronic nail-biting and pen-chewing, overbite is characterized by the upper teeth biting over the lower teeth. Overbite can lead to chipped or fractured teeth and contribute to gum disease, root damage and jaw problems.

How Invisalign Modifies Your Smile

The first step to correcting a bite condition with Invisalign is a consultation with an Invisalign provider, like the dental professionals at Stow Dental Group. Your orthodontist can help you determine if Invisalign will work for your individual condition and answer your questions regarding the Invisalign process.

If Invisalign is right for you, the next step is a series of X-rays, digital images and teeth impressions, which your orthodontist will use to outline your treatment plan and create your custom aligners.

The aligners fit over your teeth and are virtually invisible as they gently realign your teeth to the desired position. You change your aligners every two weeks, and your orthodontist will monitor your progress with checkups approximately every six weeks; no painful adjustments are required.

Although the duration required to achieve a new, properly aligned smile varies by patient, most Invisalign treatments take about 12 months.

If you live in the Stow, Akron, Canton or Cleveland, Ohio, areas and think you might be a candidate for Invisalign or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact Stow Dental Group.

Correcting Crowded Teeth with Invisalign®

2011-04-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

When it comes to teeth, 32 can be perfect company—or an unruly crowd.

Crowded teeth occur when the jaw lacks room for teeth to grow and fit normally. As the experienced dentists at Stow Dental Group know, the value of correcting crowded teeth extends beyond the cosmetic.

If not treated, crowded teeth can lead to a mouthful of problems including plaque accumulation, tooth decay and an increased risk of gum disease and possible TMJ related pain.

Invisalign Adjusts Crowded Teeth with Comfort and Ease

Long the standard for aligning crooked or crowded teeth, metal braces achieve results but are not without drawbacks. Braces must often be worn for upward of a year, require frequent visits for uncomfortable tightenings, are accompanied by restrictions on foods and beverages, are difficult to clean, and for younger wearers can lead to disparaging taunts of “tinsel teeth,” “zipper lips” and “metal mouth.”

Invisalign, however, offers the benefits of metal braces for a comparable cost and with less hindrance.

Featuring a series of clear, custom-made, plastic aligners, the Invisalign system gradually shifts teeth to the desired position, typically within 12 months of daily use of at least 20 to 22 hours per day. While the aligners are changed every two to three weeks, visits are limited to every six weeks or so and are geared toward monitoring progress; there are no painful adjustments, and Invisalign is suitable for both teens and adults.

Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners may be removed for eating, drinking and dental care, or that high level business meeting or date. They also come with no constraints on food and beverages. The aligners are simple to clean and, should one of the components become damaged or lost, are easily replaceable since your dr will maintain your teeth impressions.

Invisalign, as the name implies, is also virtually invisible, thus eliminating jibes of “brace face” and awkward stares at the food particles lodged in dental work as the Invisalign aligners gently shift your teeth to a position that will leave you smiling.

If you live in the Stow, Akron, Canton or Cleveland, Ohio, areas and would like to learn more about Invisalign or schedule a consultation, please contact Stow Dental Group.

Not Your Daddy’s Dentures

2011-01-03T14:49:00.000-08:00

Dentures may conjure up visions of older people with poorly fitted and easily spotted dentures, but the reality is far from that image today. Denture technology has come a long way in the last several years, allowing skilled dentists to bring your smile back to where it belongs.

At Stow Dental Group, we use the most advanced techniques and technology to create natural looking dentures for our patients. Since there are so many choices in denture solutions available, every set of dentures can be custom designed to your unique facial features and dental needs.

Full dentures are used to replace an entire set of natural teeth. If you are only missing a few teeth, then you may be a candidate for partial dentures. Partial dentures, also called dental bridges, fill the gap between several missing teeth.

Removable partial dentures attach to your adjacent natural teeth using metal clasps. A porcelain crown is generally attached to provide additional strength and support to the denture. If you only need to replace one or two teeth, dental implants may be a better option for you.

If you live in Stow or Akron-Canton, Ohio or the surrounding areas, and would like to learn more about which type of denture is right for you, please contact the experienced cosmetic dentists at Stow Dental Group today.

Invisalign® – An Invisible Alternative to Braces

2010-12-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

If you have crooked teeth, or teeth that are unevenly spaced, but don’t want to spend years in traditional metal braces, you have a nearly invisible option. The experienced orthodontists at Stow Dental Group offer patients Invisalign®.

Invisalign is a series of clear, removable aligners that may be the alternative to traditional metal dental braces you have been waiting for.

How Invisalign Works

First, your dentist examines your teeth and uses a computerized technology to determine how many aligners you’ll need and how much pressure each aligner should apply to your teeth. Every two weeks you switch up to the next aligner as your teeth change position. Most Invisalign patients only have to wear Invisalign for around a year.

There are several reasons why Invisalign is an excellent choice for adults. The most obvious advantage is cosmetic. The aligners themselves are completely transparent, so people won’t notice them as readily as they would notice traditional wire and bracket braces. Invisalign aligners are typically more comfortable than traditional metallic braces. While they can be removed for eating, cleaning or special occasions, they’re typically worn 24 hours a day.

Invisalign is a virtually-invisible option to getting the smile you want and deserve.

If you live in Stow or the Akron-Canton, Ohio area, and would like to schedule an Invisalign® consultation, please contact Stow Dental Group today.

Orthodontics – The Health Behind First Impressions

2010-11-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

A terrific smile is one of the first things most people notice when meeting someone for the first time and can be a powerful first impression. But a beautiful, straight smile can be about a great deal more than how we look.

Dental health impacts our overall health and everyday well-being. At Stow Dental Group, we feel it is important for our patients to fully understand all of their dental care options, including orthodontics.

Orthodontics is a specialized area of dentistry, and for many, the first image that pops to mind may be a teenager, weighted down with braces. However, it is estimated that one in five orthodontic patients are adults. Also the technology of braces has come a long way, and there are many options available, such as Invisalign and the Damon System. These options can make your braces nearly invisible and easier to align with less discomfort.

Another important fact is that orthodontics isn’t just about aesthetics. It also deals with the treatment of painful dental conditions such as malocclusion, or the misalignment of your teeth and jaw. When left untended, this misalignment can cause painful dental problems, such as uneven wear and tear of the teeth, chronic headaches, periodontal issues, and inflammation of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

So, when it all comes together, the benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a better smile and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.

If you live in Akron-Canton, Ohio or the surrounding areas, and would like to know if orthodontics can help improve your smile, please contact the experienced orthodontists at Stow Dental Group today.

TMD/TMJ - Symptoms and Solutions

2010-10-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Headaches alone can be painful, but if you are also experiencing back, shoulder or neck pain, you may not have a simple headache. If you also have worn, chipped or cracked teeth, numbness of the face and hands and pain around your jaw joints, you might have temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ/TMD.

The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint connecting the jaw to the skull. There are three large facial nerves that are intricately involved with the functioning of this joint. If you have a misaligned bite (also referred to as a malocclusion), the jaw joint takes the brunt of the stress. Chronic stress in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles can ultimately lead to the inflammation and irritation of those nerves, resulting in a long list of painful symptoms, one of which is severe headaches.

At Stow Dental Group, we can help. We begin by focusing on relieving painful TMJ/TMD symptoms by relaxing the jaw using a TENS unit. This sends electrical pulses to your nerves relieving pain. Next, we develop an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan, which will include re-aligning the jaw, strengthening the jaw joint and restoring the health and condition of your bite.

With the proper treatment plan, patients typically experience total relief from symptoms in a very short amount of time. The best news is that in most cases, surgery or braces are rarely required.

If you live in Akron, Ohio or the surrounding areas, and would like to learn more about treatment options for TMD/TMJ, please contact the experienced neuromuscular dentists at Stow Dental Group today.

Brighten You Smile on the Fast Track

2010-10-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Your teeth are in great shape, but your smile just isn’t as striking as it could be. Years of coffee, tea, or red wine have taken their toll, or perhaps you are on medications that affect the whiteness of your smile.

At Stow Dental Group, we think everyone should be able to get the smile they want. With today’s whitening technology, having your teeth professionally whitened is an affordable and effective way to brighten your smile, boost your self-confidence and feel more satisfied with your overall appearance.

The teeth whitening method we use in our Stow dental office is Opalescence® Xtra Boost Whitening System. This in-office whitening procedure usually takes a short amount of time to complete, depending on the extent of tooth discoloration you have and the whitening results you want.

To begin the whitening procedure, your gums and lips will be protected, and the starting shade of your teeth will be recorded. Then, the dentist applies the whitening gel to the front of your teeth, where it will remain for between 10 to 15 minutes. Next, one of our dentists will remove that application of gel using suction only, then rinse your teeth with water and dry them. This process can be repeated up to 5 times.

If you live in Stow or Akron-Canton, Ohio or the surrounding areas, and would like to learn more about getting the smile you deserve, please contact the experienced cosmetic dentists at Stow Dental Group today.

Sedation Dentistry

2010-10-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Do you have extremely sensitive teeth and gums, or are nervous about going to the dentist? For these issues, as well as problems with physical pain you may have that keep you from getting the dental care you need, you may want to find out about sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry, also called conscious oral sedation, is a term used when medication is given either orally or as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) just prior to your dental procedures. Though you will be awake enough to follow directions, you will be in a kind of twilight state and will not feel any pain and be relaxed. You may not remember some or all of your dental procedures once the medication wears off.

Sedation Dentistry Options

At Stow Dental Group, we offer multiple sedation options, including mild sedatives such as tranquillizers, depressants, and anti-anxiety medications, as well as nitrous oxide. The medications we use are extremely safe, and the type of medication given to each patient depends on key factors such as age, weight and the procedure being performed.

Last but not least, if you do take advantage of sedation dentistry, we highly recommended that you have someone drop you off and pick you up from your appointment, because the sedative may take some time to wear off and you may feel sleepy or slightly disoriented for a little while.

If you live in Akron-Canton, Ohio or the surrounding areas, and would like to learn more about the benefits of sedation dentistry, please contact the experienced sedation dentistry team at Stow Dental Group to schedule an appointment.

Why You Need a Family Dentist

2010-07-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

When you take your children to the dentist, it is hoped that they will continue to see an oral healthcare professional into adulthood. You may tell your children that they need to see the dentist to keep their teeth, and this is true. It’s also important to take children to the dentist to get them into the habit of realizing that taking care of their teeth and gums is part of taking care of their overall general health.

At Stow Dental Group, we take care of both children and adults. The entire family benefits from visiting the same dentist because your children can see the same doctors that take care of your teeth can take care of their teeth. By combining our dental knowledge with what you are telling your children about the importance of brushing and flossing regularly, we are all more likely to see these children grow up to adults who are educated and understand the need for good oral health.

We offer several services for our young patients, including general hygiene and orthodontic care. We take care of your children throughout their youth and into young adulthood, giving them some stability in who takes care of them.

We also take care of you and any dental issue you may encounter. As cosmetic dentists, we offer tooth whitening, dental crowns, and dental implants. As experienced neuromuscular dentists, we get to the root of painful symptoms that may be related to TMJ.

If you are in need of a family dentist in the Akron, Ohio area, please contact the Stow Dental Group to schedule an appointment for you or your children today.

Snoring Appliances

2010-06-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

Snoring is a common occurrence and many people snore occasionally with no ill effects. However, a long-term snoring habit can be harmful to one's general health.

The sound of snoring is caused by air vibrating some of the soft tissue at the back of the throat. When we relax in sleep, the tongue and other muscles in the throat can fall back against the airway and partly block it. This is especially liable to happen if you sleep on your back, in the supine position. Typically, a person snores more often and more loudly in that position than when lying in a side position.

The snoring sound can disturb your sleep and perhaps that of your sleeping partner or others nearby. That can be a minor annoyance or an ongoing source of friction in the household.

Possible Sleep Apnea
Habitual snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea - a health-threatening condition where you stop breathing until the body wakes you to gulp for air. Then you fall asleep again and repeat this cycle perhaps hundreds of time each night. Sleep apnea deprives the body of sleep and of oxygen, both of which losses cause daytime symptoms such as fatigue, wandering attention, and headaches. The lack of oxygen also increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Whether or not your snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, it can be treated with a snoring appliance for a better night's sleep. These devices are custom-made to fit over your teeth and hold the lower jaw slightly forward. Their formal name is Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS). One of the most popular is the SomnoMed® MAS but there are many others.

They have somewhat different designs, some allowing you to drink or to talk while you are wearing them while others are a bit more restrictive. Your dentist can discuss the choices with you and determine which one would fit most comfortably and be most effective in preventing your snoring.

To learn more, please contact Stow Dental Group for a personal consultation. We serve the Stow and Akron/Canton areas in Ohio and we look forward to meeting with you soon.

TMJ/TMD

2010-05-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

TMJ stands for the Temporomandibular Joint; TMD is the acronym used for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which is a "bad bite." TMJ and TMD are often used synonymously to mean the painful disorder of having a misaligned bite. Occlusion is the dental term for a bite. If you have malocclusion, your teeth are meeting incorrectly and one or both temporomandibular joints are misaligned.

The bite is a triangular mechanism between the chin and the two jaw joints. These joints are delicate and can be gradually pushed out of alignment by, for example, a teeth grinding habit, or they can be knocked out of alignment in something like a car accident or sports accident. Most people who suffer from TMJ are unaware of it. They certainly notice their painful or uncomfortable symptoms, but do not realize there is a dental cause for them.

Extensive and Varied TMJ Symptoms
Since the jaw area is closely connected through bones, muscles and nerves to the throat, neck, and shoulders, and also to the skull and thereby to the upper vertebrae, especially the top vertebra (the atlas), inflammation in the jaw muscles can cause symptoms throughout all these areas. Your posture may be affected, which may in turn cause back pain or other discomfort.

How simple things become once you are examined by a qualified neuromuscular dentist and learn that the small ball-and-socket joints in front of each ear are at the source of the problems. The diagnostic process itself, when a TENS unit is used (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), relaxes the tense jaw muscles, perhaps for the first time in years, and places the jaw in its correct position. This provides immediate pain relief.

Planning Your TMJ Treatment
Now that your neuromuscular dentist has established your correct jaw position, he has the goal of your treatment plan - to make it permanent. Perhaps some dental work is needed, such as dental crowns to slightly reshape teeth that bump each other when the jaw is correctly aligned. A new and improved bridge might help, or a porcelain inlay or onlay to replace a failing metal filling.

Most TMJ treatment plans include use of a dental appliance to help retrain the jaw muscles. These appliances are like sports mouthguards in that they fit snugly over the teeth, but each is custom-designed to apply the right pressures to coax the jaw back to its correct position. They are often worn at night but depending on the severity of the problem can sometimes require 24/7 wear until symptoms abate.

If you are wondering whether you might have TMJ, please contact Stow Dental Group today for a consultation and comprehensive dental exam. We serve the areas of Stow and Akron-Canton in Ohio and we look forward to talking with you.

Dump Drugs Safely

2010-05-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvederm

2010-05-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

BOTOX® Cosmetic has been all over the news for years now because it is so popular and effective. It is also non-invasive and an incredibly safe alternative to surgery. It is not a facial filler like Restylane®, although fillers are also very popular and have become more so in this currently declining economy.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is based on a protein that works by temporarily paralyzing the muscle where it is injected. You may be aware that the botulinum bacterium also causes botulism, but in that scenario, the bacteria is ingested and the toxin is produced full strength in the body, causing systemic harm. That is not at all the same as having an injection for facial rejuvenation.

How Does BOTOX® Cosmetic Work?

BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are very diluted and precisely calibrated for the muscle for which they're intended. Their effect is never systemic, just local. Most famously, they are used for smoothing out frown lines or dynamic wrinkles to give your face a more relaxed and youthful appearance. These injections can also smooth out horizontal forehead lines creating a relaxed look.

By paralyzing those specific muscles for a few months, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections prevent over contraction of the muscle, which prevents the wrinkles from forming again and again with repeated facial expressions. Results are visible usually within 3 days and the treatment can be repeated to maintain your refreshed look at 3 to 8 month intervals.

For Smoothing Facial Wrinkles

Juvederm works as a dermal filler as it increases the skin's volume. There are many dermal fillers that work in different ways. Juvederm works by placing hyaluronic acid in the skin's middle layer, the dermis. As we age and the body becomes drier, the skin forms both fine lines and deeper wrinkles or folds, and Juvederm can help with both. Because of its strong affinity for water, Hyaluronic acid fills under the skin and holds itself there to create a smoother, plumper-looking skin surface.

Your Juvederm results are very evident within a week or so and continue for six months or longer, depending on your age, lifestyle, and skin type.

To learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic and Juvederm and whether you would be a good candidate for them, please contact our Stowe/Akron/Canton Ohio office today for a personal consultation with a dentist from Stow Dental Group.

Family Dentistry

2010-05-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

So many dental problems can be avoided by good dental hygiene habits started early in life. Inadequate brushing and flossing allows bacteria to multiply and thrive in the mouth, and their acidic excretions on the teeth and gums destroy healthy tissue.

Anything acid will bore into other substances. Acidic food and drinks do the same thing to tooth enamel as bacterial toxins do, dissolving enamel even though it is the hardest substance in the body, even harder than bones. That is why ancient skeletons are so often found with their teeth still attached, and much has been learned about the history of dentistry through these archeological finds.

If you would like to teach your children effective brushing and flossing habits, we can help. The use of Cool Blue® makes dental hygiene more fun and more productive, and by working with your child, our hygienists can reinforce your home education efforts.

However, some dental problems are not caused by neglect of daily hygiene. Crowded teeth may be caused by a small mouth size or by a developmental factor during a child’s growth. Please see our Orthodontics page for more information about teeth development and teeth straightening.

When your dental care is done by one office, your dental health can be maintained at a higher level than may be the case if you have procedures done by different dentistry offices. Your continuity of care is greater that way and monitoring for problem prevention is more effective. We offer complete family dentistry so that your whole family can achieve and maintain robust dental health for a lifetime.

If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call or email our Stowe/Akron/Canton Ohio office today. Stow Dental Group will welcome you and your children and help to make your dental care a positive element in life rather than a chore or something to fear.

Clear Braces

2010-05-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

If you have misaligned teeth, you are probably not very interested in wearing metal braces for a couple of years to straighten them. In this era of sophisticated dentistry, you need not devote years of your life to straightening your teeth. Invisalign® is an effective and convenient alternative to braces, especially for adults who may be embarrassed by unsightly silver braces.

Invisalign uses a series of customized trays, or aligners, to gradually reposition teeth as needed. These aligners are transparent and removable. When they are in place, few people will notice them, and when you take them out, you can eat all your favorite foods and brush and floss, as you normally would, each day.

Cosmetic dentist, Dr. Mark Iati, (or one of our other dentists), will design your aligners, taking X-rays, digital photos, and various measurements. He will input this data to the Invisalign software and determine (a) how many stages (aligners) will be necessary to correct all teeth alignment; and (b) exactly how much pressure each aligner should apply, and where.

This information is then sent to the Invisalign plant for your aligners to be made. There may be about 10 to 25 aligners. When they arrive at our office, you will have an appointment with one of our dentists to give you the first few in the series and to make sure you understand how to use them for best results. You wear each aligner or pair of aligners for two weeks; then you switch to the next in the series. You will have appointments set up to get more aligners and a progress check from your dentist.

This is truly a teeth alignment system for adults, in that it is your responsibility to wear your aligners most of the time, only removing them for necessary cleaning or eating. Once in a while, you can remove them for a special occasion, but for best results, they need to be in position for about 22 hours each day. In some cases, Invisalign is used as part of a TMD treatment plan, to enable your bite to be well-aligned.

To learn more about Invisalign clear braces, please call or email Stow Dental Group, serving the Akron-Canton areas of Ohio today. We will be happy to schedule a consultation and examination for you and you can discuss options with one of our highly-qualified dentists.

Teeth in a Day

2010-04-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Many people who need dental implants fret about the lengthy healing time before they can have their permanent crown or crowns placed. Sometimes, several months are necessary and, not always can a temporary crown be placed while the bone heals and grows around the implant.

Due to advances in technology, not only can the time be reduced, but the number of implants needed to support multiple teeth is fewer than it was before. Due to a process called All-on-4™, patients can have their implants and teeth placed in the same day. Rather than needing six to eight implants on the upper and lower jaw, our Teeth in a Day patients now only need four.

This process allows us to restore a complete arch of teeth is a single visit. For those who already have dentures, this process will provide them with security and aesthetics that were previously a much more involved and costly endeavor.
All-on-4 teeth are anchored into placed and are only removed by your dentist. You can now have the comfort and security of your natural teeth back in just ONE day. Only certain dentists and surgeons are trained in this procedure, so please research and ask questions of your dentist to make sure you achieve the outcome you are looking for.

Other benefits of All-on-4 include, avoiding the sinus surgery sometimes needed in those whose bone loss is significant, thus reducing the added cost and healing time associated with this procedure.

Dental implants can last years if properly cared for. Proper brushing and flossing habits, and coming in to Stow Dental Group every six months for your general dental check-up and cleaning help assure this.

If you have been told that it will take months for your dental implants to heal, or would like more information about the Teeth in a Day process please contact the experienced general and cosmetic dentists at Stow Dental Group for an initial consultation. We serve the Stow and Akron-Canton, Ohio area.

Dental Hygiene and the New Year

2009-12-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

As 2009 draws to a close, you may be reflecting on the turns your life has taken in the past year and thinking about ways to make improvements in the upcoming year. While New Year’s resolutions are quite common, all too often, people fail to follow through with these resolutions once a busy and hectic life begins to get in the way.

Perhaps the best way to ensure that you follow through with a New Year's resolution is to commit to an attainable goal that has concrete meaning in your life. A perfect example would be a resolution to focus on maintaining proper dental health.

Besides the obvious benefit of ensuring healthy teeth and gums, maintaining proper dental health also plays an important role in your overall general health. If your body is constantly fighting off infections in your teeth and gums, it can adversely affect its ability to fight infections, viruses, and bacteria elsewhere in your body.

The first step to taking care of your dental health is to brush and floss regularly. By regularly, we recommend at least twice a day, although there is no harm in increasing your brushing and flossing regimen beyond this level. Furthermore, reducing your intake of sweets can also help prevent the development of cavities.

While regular brushing and flossing will greatly improve your dental hygiene, it is not enough to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth, which ultimately lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to visit our Ohio family dentists twice a year for regular check-ups. This will ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy, and if any problems do arise, regular check-ups will enable us to treat the problem before it becomes serious.

Stow Dental Group offers family dentistry services for people of all ages. We recognize that different stages of life present different dental needs. Therefore, we offer a variety of services that will treat the entire spectrum of dental health issues affecting different members of your family.

The easiest way to ensure a healthy smile throughout your life is to maintain proper dental hygiene and go for regular dental check-ups twice a year. This is certainly an attainable New Year's resolution. We hope it makes your list.

Please contact our Stow family dentists today to schedule your next check-up. Stow Dental Group serves patients in Stow and Akron-Canton, Ohio.

Dentures

2009-11-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Stow and Akron-Canton, Ohio

Dentures are one excellent treatment option to replace missing teeth. Recent advances in cosmetic dentistry technology have vastly improved dentures, making them much more comfortable and functional than they were years ago. The Ohio cosmetic dentists at Stow Dental Group can fit you with dentures that will closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth so that you can maintain a beautiful smile or enhance your previous one.

Causes of Tooth Loss

Tooth loss can be caused by:

Periodontal disease (gum disease)
Tooth decay
Injury to the mouth

It is very important to replace missing teeth. Failure to do so can cause remaining teeth to shift in your mouth, impacting their alignment. Missing teeth can also prevent you from chewing properly, and they may lead to a sagging facial appearance that makes you look older than you are.

IMPLANT RETAINED DENTURES
Using implants under full or partial dentures is absolutely the most secure way to hold your dentures in place. Depending on each situation, your Stow Dental Group doctor will discuss and advise a consultation in order to decide where and how many implants will be needed to fully restore your function and appearance to years younger.

Full Dentures

Full dentures, also called complete dentures, are used to replace an entire set of natural teeth. If you are missing all of your upper or lower teeth, full dentures may be the most efficient and cost effective way to replace them. Your dentures will be custom fabricated over the course of several visits to our Ohio cosmetic dentists. Of course your input is always important in every step of the process.

If one or more teeth need to be extracted, it will take approximately six to eight weeks for your gums to heal. At this time, you will be fit for your set of dentures. While this may seem like a long time to wait for your dentures, failing to do so will only lead to potential complications and further dental work down the road. Temporary dentures can be constructed during the healing phase so that one never needs to go without teeth. These can also act as an excellent back up pair after the final dentures are constructed.

Partial Dentures

If you are only missing a few teeth, then you may be a candidate for partial dentures. Partial dentures, also called removable dental bridges, fill the gap between several missing teeth. Partial dentures are very versatile and are custom fited to the unique specifications of each mouth.

Removable partial dentures attach to your adjacent natural teeth using metal or tooth colored clasps. A porcelain crown is generally attached to provide additional strength and support to the denture.

If you only need to replace one or two teeth, dental implants may be a better option for you. At your initial consultation, our experienced Ohio implant dentists will advise you as to the best option to suit your needs.

The Stow Dental Group Difference

The Ohio cosmetic dentists at The Stow Dental Group use the most advanced techniques and technology to ensure that you receive the highest quality denture work possible. We custom design every set of dentures to address the unique qualities of your mouth. We pride ourselves on crafting every smile to enhance your surrounding facial features. The result is highly customized, quality denture work that yields aesthetically pleasing results. We are not dentures in a day…we are quality that shows in your smile!

If you need to replace missing teeth, please contact our Ohio cosmetic dentists today to schedule your initial consultation. Stow Dental Group serves patients in Arkon-Canton and Stow, Ohio.

Invisalign

2009-10-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Becoming more popular, especially amongst teens and adults, the days of metal braces may be on the wane with Invisalign. If you have crooked or misaligned teeth and want to fix them, but don’t want to deal with traditional braces, Invisalign might be the answer you've been looking for. These are virtually invisible when worn.

The Invisalign aligners fit over the top and bottom teeth, much like a mouth guard might. As your teeth straighten, you will get a different set of aligners about every six weeks. Changing aligners does not always require you to make an appointment with the dentist, and you can simply come down to the office to pick up your next series. However, one of the major benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners can be removed for special events or when eating.

While the Invisalign course of treatment varies from individual to individual, you can expect to see major improvements in less than a year. Compare this to the one to two years you might have to wear traditional braces.

While there is some pressure when wearing the aligners, there is no pain. Most of the discomfort will come during the time you change to a new aligner, but this will soon pass as you become used to the new series of aligners. Usually within 3 days.

If you are interested in Invisalign dental aligners and are in the Stow or Akron-Canton, Ohio area, please contact the experienced orthodontists at Stow Dental Group for an initial consultation.

E4D One visit ceramic crowns

2009-09-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

Using a laser scanning device over the area to get the crown, a digital impression is taken to make a 3D model of the tooth
The 3D map is fed into the chair side computer that uses CAD/CAM software so that the dentist, can adjust and determine the parameters of the restorations
The design is sent to the E4D milling center where the restoration is created. While the restoration is being made, the dentist can continue to focus on other areas that may need attention saving valuable time.

This is an accurate and quick way to get you smiling again with crowns that look and feel like your natural teeth. The technology has advanced to the point where even veneers can now be made in one visit. With the addition of a porcelain furnace, we can customize your restoration right at the chair side, just like the lab would do.

As with all dental work, every situation is different and this technology is not always the best way or even a feasible alternative for a laboratory fabricated crown. It is up to you and your doctor to decide which type of crown is best for your situation!

If you are in need of crown work or would like to know more about the E4D, please contact the experienced reconstructive dentists at Stow Dental Group in Stow, Ohio.

Schick Wireless X-Rays Now Available at Stow Dental Group

2009-08-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

Part of going to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned includes yearly x-rays. The images taken of your mouth and teeth allow us to see areas both above and below the gum line. This allows us to diagnose decay, periodontal disease and abnormalities of the bone. For years the way these radiograph photos were taken involved the patient wearing a lead-lined vest and a large camera or x-ray head pointed at the mouth while the patient was asked to “bite down.”

Staying on the cutting edge of technology, the Stow Dental Group in Stow, Ohio has begun to use the Schick wireless x-ray device. This digital camera technology is used by very few in the state of Ohio and is the first wireless instant dental x-ray system available in the world.

By using the Schick wireless system, our team is able to take high quality digital pictures of our patients’ teeth in a way that is comfortable to them, as well as giving us further mobility without sacrificing clarity. The sensor comes in two sizes to accommodate all patient types.

Rather than having to endure the old style films, the Schick wireless x-ray system allows the Stow Dental Group liscened radiologists to place the sensor in your mouth comfortably. The sensor is attached to a holder, and the whole thing acts as a radio frequency device. The images are taken and viewed within seconds.

Benefits
Freedom of movement and the ease of placing the Schick sensor are just two of the benefits. Other benefits that help us to give you the quality oral care you deserve are:

Faster and more accurate diagnoses
Ability to manipulate images for size and contrast as well as emailing quickly to dental specialists
As much as 80% less radiation than using traditional film x-rays
No harsh chemicals

Through the use of Schick wireless digital radiography, your general dental appointments are a little faster and safer. For more information on this or any other technology we use, or to set up an appointment, please contact the experienced cosmetic and family dentists at the Stow Dental Group today.

Smile Reminder Service

2009-07-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

The more the world gets busy, the more our lives do, too. As a result of trying to keep up, we sometimes forget things. Even those things, or especially those things, that have been scheduled for months. While Stow Dental Group has always called to remind patients of upcoming appointments, technology has allowed us to employ several other ways to contact you.

Stow Dental has implemented the “Smile Reminder” service in order to keep you and your family’s oral health and cosmetic needs from dropping off the radar. This service allows us to confirm, remind, or even schedule appointments through email, text message, paging, and more. Smile Reminder also allows us to send out newsletters to those who wish to receive them.

Stow Dental’s patients also benefit from Smile Reminder through the ability of updating their patient profiles. By adding new insurance information, pay bills, update addresses, and more, you don’t have to take a significant amount of time out of your busy schedule to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

For more information about Smile Reminder, or to set up an appointment, please contact Stow Dental Group in Canton, Ohio today.

Zoom!™ Teeth Whitening

2009-06-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

Are you a person with a crazy-busy schedule? If so, we have good news for you as far as tooth whitening is concerned: A Zoom! teeth whitening treatment takes only an hour or so. The “or so” part refers to preparation and follow-up done before and after the actual treatment.

When you are comfortable in our chair, we will apply a protective gel to the soft tissue in your mouth – lips, gums, some cheek tissue. Then the whitening gel is applied to your teeth and an activating light directed towards them. You can wear headphones and listen to music, or just doze off and catch up on a little sleep.

During the one hour of actual treatment time we will apply the whitening gel three times for 20 minutes each. That is because the whitening agent slows down after that amount of time. If at any point your teeth start to feel sensitive, we can stop treatment and apply a desensitizing gel. Most people do not have this problem, but we know that some teeth are extra sensitive and we do not want you to be feeling uncomfortable.

Your results will be transformative for your smile. It is quite fascinating what a large difference bright white teeth make to a person’s facial appearance. Many people immediately feel more confident about smiling, and of course, a person with a ready smile tends to elicit smiles from others. That can also boost one’s self-confidence

The Zoom! system includes a follow-up kit to take home with you. We will show you how to use it. You can use it right away if you think your teeth could become even whiter, or you can keep it for later touch-ups.

Please see our pages on Teeth Whitening and Cosmetic Dentistry for more information.

Our dentists and our supporting staff are all believers in patient education. If you would like to schedule an initial consultation at the Stow Dental Group to learn more about the best way to whiten your teeth, please call or email our cosmetic dentistry office today.

Tooth Bonding

2009-04-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Not many people know about dental bonding. It is a quick and easy way to fix a multitude of small problems and can be an alternative to porcelain veneers.

The term “dental bonding” refers to two things:
• The white putty-like dental substance
• The procedure which uses this substance

If you have any small chips or shallow cracks in your teeth, or any stains that have not responded to tooth whitening, tooth bonding can correct those defects. Your dentist would apply small amounts of bonding incrementally to the problem areas. The bonding will fill the chip or crack and cover the staining and then your cosmetic dentist will use a curing light to harden the bonding.

Now it is permanently part of the tooth. Tooth bonding comes in an array of shades and your cosmetic dentist will choose one to most closely match your natural tooth color.

In a similar way, bonding can fill a small gap between your front teeth and correct minor crookedness or misalignment. The secret is in your dentist’s skill.

Besides all these cosmetic uses, tooth bonding is also used for white fillings, as an alternative to porcelain inlays and onlays. As a filling material it is more often called “dental composite”. Again the bonding is applied to the cleaned cavity area and then hardened with the special curing light. Your dentist will always check your bite to make sure your upper and lower teeth are coming together comfortably.

If you would like to learn more about tooth bonding and how it might help your individual smile, please contact our cosmetic dentistry office today for a personal consultation.

2009-03-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

Family Dentistry

Good dental health begins early in life and at the Stow Dental Group we will help you to teach your children good lifetime dental habits. We are also happy to help adults improve their dental care. We encourage you use our office as a comprehensive dental center for your entire family.

Stow Dental Group has a long history in the community and when a specialist is needed we can refer you to the best providers in the Stow and Akron areas. Regular check-up visits are a central part of lifetime dental health. One of our highly-trained dental hygienists can give you a professional cleaning, including a check for any early gum disease. By catching problems early we can treat them quickly and more effectively. This can save you much expense and time spent in a dental chair later on.

Daily brushing and flossing is also at the center of long-term dental health. There is good brushing technique and bad brushing technique. We use an excellent product called Cool Blue®. It is a mouth rinse which makes plaque look blue so that a child can see where it is still on the teeth after brushing. This gives feedback and helps improve brushing technique.

If you or anyone in your family needs some dental care, please do not delay. We offer orthodontic work and the best age for this is as the child’s main growth spurt is approaching. For females that is around eleven years and for males around thirteen years. When orthodontic work is well-timed, the child’s face can mature to adulthood with the teeth well-aligned.

We also offer many procedures for adults including neuromuscular dentistry. If you have chronic headaches which seem to have no explanation, you may be suffering from misaligned jaw joints, known as Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMD). Our dentists can diagnose that and develop an effective treatment plan for you.

To arrange for a consultation for yourself or anyone in your family, please call or email our family dentistry office today.

2009-02-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

BriteSmile® Tooth Whitening

If you have been wondering how to improve your smile but not wanting to go through anything long and complicated, BriteSmile could be a good solution. It is a one-hour in-office procedure. It can whiten your teeth by as much as 14 shades, with the average one-hour result being eight shades brighter. It depends on where you are starting from and how your individual teeth respond.

Anyone over the age of 14 is probably a good candidate for BriteSmile tooth whitening. If you have been wearing braces and are now finished with that and have straight, well-aligned teeth, BriteSmile is a good way of removing the stains possibly left by the metal of the braces.

BriteSmile is safe and effective and gives long-lasting results. You can maintain your dramatic results best by mostly avoiding food and drink which has strong pigmentation. Common examples are coffee, red wine, black tea, blueberries and blackberries. There are also BriteSmile maintenance products such as special toothpaste and mouthwash.

How BriteSmile Works

Once you have consulted with one of our dentists and it has been decided to go ahead with BriteSmile, you will be comfortably settled in the chair. The patented whitening gel is applied to your teeth and a blue BriteSmile light is directed to it. This activates the whitening ingredient, hydrogen peroxide.

While other whitening gels contain as much as 35% hydrogen peroxide or more, the BriteSmile gel contains just ten percent. This reduces any possible discomfort, especially for those with sensitive teeth. As your whitening proceeds, oxygen permeates the tooth enamel, loosening any stains and removing them.

There will be no damage to your tooth enamel or to existing fillings or dental reconstruction work. You will be leaving here with a dramatically brighter smile which will transform your entire face and perhaps also your self confidence.

To learn more about BriteSmile, please call or email our cosmetic dentistry office today for a personal consultation.

Overhaul Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers

2009-01-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

You would be amazed at the impact your smile makes on your life. A bright, warm, welcoming smile will boost your self-confidence and make a great impression on those around you. Many people are afraid to show off their smile due to imperfections in their teeth. But with modern cosmetic dentistry technology, you can revamp your smile in no time.

Porcelain veneers are a great way to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. They can transform a mouth full of crooked, discolored teeth into a smile fit for the big screen.

Porcelain veneers allow your cosmetic dentist to combine technical skill and artistic flair in creating your custom smile makeover. At Stow Dental Group, our experienced dental team installs veneers regularly, and we customize each job to meet the specific goals of the patient.

Porcelain veneers are made out of a thin, ceramic material that gets bonded to the surface of your teeth. The ceramic material closely mirrors the properties of your natural tooth enamel, so you will not be able to notice the difference between your veneers and your natural teeth.

We use only the highest quality materials in our porcelain veneers. They are extremely durable and stain-resistant. Our patients have been raving about the difference their porcelain veneers have made in their lives. Why wait any longer to have a winning smile?

Please contact Stow Dental Group today to learn more about porcelain veneers in the Cleveland and Akron, Ohio areas.

A New Smile for the New Year

2009-01-14T10:16:00.000-08:00

The holiday season has just come to an end, and most of us are still slowly working off that holiday hangover. It is always difficult to resume your regular routine after weeks of feasting and revelry with family and friends.

The holidays can be a great time to enjoy good food and drink with the people you love. But after all those glasses of wine and the extra cups of coffee to ward off food coma, your teeth may be paying the price.

Many of your favorite holiday treats cause severe staining on your teeth and tarnish your normally dazzling smile. Fortunately, modern tooth whitening procedures can restore your bright smile in no time.

At Stow Dental Group, we only use the most advanced tooth whitening technology to provide you with maximum results and comfort for minimum cost.

Our highly-trained cosmetic dentists use the Opalescence Xtra Boost tooth whitening system. Opalescence provides our patients with superior tooth whitening that doesn’t require the use of a laser or light to activate the whitening gel. This reduces the sensitivity commonly associated with other professional-strength tooth whitening systems.

The entire process can be completed in one short visit, and it will whiten your teeth by as many as 7 or 8 shades.

We can also send you home with the Opalescence at-home touch-up kit. Use it for a few days following your in-office treatment to ensure maximum results.

Please contact Stow Dental Group today to schedule your tooth whitening session. We serve patients in the Cleveland and Akron, Ohio areas.

2008-06-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

Lumineers, the good, the bad and the ugly

2007-03-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Over the past several years the general public has been bombarded with ads and infomercials regrading dental products. Never before has the public had such a wide aray of materials to choose from in search of the perfect smile. Some of these ads however can be VERY misleading. Lets take one example. Lumineers. These are a type of porcelian veneer that has been around for a very long time. This is not a new invention just a remarketing of the same product. The idea behind Lumineers is that they are very thin and therefore can be placed over the top or fronts of your existing teeth without drilling or reducing any tooth structure. They state that there is no grinding, no shot and therefore no pain involved. Now initally that may make sense, however in 95% of the cases that is not true. The creation of truely well done cosmetic dentistry requires dealing with many inherent dental problems such as rotations of teeth, malalignments and inadequate length and poor color. If your teeth were nice and straight in the first place why would you need veneers? Good question. We don't think it should be your first choice. If your teeth are truely in need of veneers then you may have issues that will require some removal of tooth structure and addition of tooth structure in other areas. The addition of porcelain over non prepared tooth structure can lead to bulky, lifeless and poorly contoured teeth, this is not healthy for the surrounding gum tissue.Do not be fooled by something that sounds to good to be true. Look at the picture of a Lumineer case at the end of this blog ( not done by us) and then look at some of our before and after pictures and they will speak for themselves. Please research, ask questions and seek second opinions if you do not feel comfortable. Check the qualifications of your dentist, make sure they are members of the AACD or like organization which focuses on continuing eduction in esthetics. Remember it is your body, treat it right.

Medical misson

2007-03-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

Fot the past 3 years in janurary I have traveled to Honduras as part of a medical mission from Holy Family Church. The 8 day trip included dentists, physicians, nurses and interperters to help with the flow of information. Becuase we were working in the jungle without electricity and running water I was limited to removing decayed and painful teeth. With only a light on my forehead and my trusted assistant, Fr. Mike Ausperk, my partner and I were able to remove over 250 teeth.

The poverty in Honduras in imense and the need to help these people is great. Words can't really explain what it is like there so the following pictures may help explain the situation. Enjoy.

posted by Dr. Iati

Cold and Flu season

2007-03-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

Did you know that it is possible to reinfect yourself or OTHERS with the Rhino virus that is responsible for causing the common cold from your TOOTHBRUSH. If you are recently getting over a cold the doctors of Stow Dental Group recommend that you either throw your toothbrush away and get a new one or STERILE your current brush.

How do we recommend you sterile it? Use your dishwasher. Studies have shown that running your toothbrush in the dishwasher can reduce bacteria by 90% and still not harm your brush. Just as we are taught to wash our hands often during the cold and flu season, it is also wise to wash your toothbrush. Hope this helps.

posted by Dr. Iati

Welcome to our Blog!

2007-01-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

Please check back frequently for the latest updates regarding Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers, Teeth Whitening, and other aspects of our dental practice.

Welcome

2007-01-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Stow Dental Group blog.