Michel Dental's Blog

Get a Better Night’s Sleep with the Help of Dr. Michel

April 24, 2014

There are very few things more frustrating than a bad night’s sleep. Sleeping gives your brain a chance to recharge and your body to rest, and when that is interrupted, it can be extremely disappointing. Waking up groggy or irritable, louder-than-normal snoring, and sleepiness throughout the day are a only a few symptoms that you are suffering from sleep apnea. Luckily, Dr. Michael Michel is ready and able to help with your sleep apnea woes!

There are many things that can agitate sleep apnea, like smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and eating a large meal right before you go to bed. However, if you are able to identify a specific reason why you do not sleep well, you may have sleep apnea. The most common type of sleep apnea is OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea. This is where your breathing is compromised while you sleep. Your breathing pauses during the night for several seconds at a time, and can happen more than 25 times in a night! With this type of sleep apnea, the snoring one may experience can be quite excessive and boisterous. This causes severe exhaustion, high blood pressure, lack of concentration, and much more.

Dr. Michel helps his patients with their sleep apnea by offering his patients the Oasys Sleep Snoring Device. This FDA-approved appliance is able to help you get a better night’s rest in two ways. First, it repositions your jaw, propelling it forward as to open your airflow. Second, it will dilate your nasal passages, eliminating the airflow resistance and decrease the snoring. There are also things you can do to help with your sleep apnea, like going to bed at the same time every night, making the room as dark as possible, and exercising on a daily basis.

If you have any questions on how Dr. Michel can help with your sleep apnea, make an appointment at our Topeka, KS office, and we will be glad to help you get a full night’s rest!

At Michel Dental, we offer quality dental care for a distinctive smile. Our Topeka dental office serves patients from Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

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Are You Ready for Your Dental Checkup?

March 24, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: dental checkup, Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, Topeka — docmichael @ 6:23 pm

Just like your lawn needs mowing and your car’s oil has to be changed, regular checkups and maintenance are keys to making sure that everything and anything operates smoothly. The same thing goes for your smile! It is important to have your regular dental checkups to make sure everything regarding your teeth, gums, and beyond work cohesively. If you are due for a dental checkup, Dr. Michael Michel is able to make sure your mouth is in great oral health!

The American Dental Association recommends you visit your dentist twice in a year to make sure everything with regard to your smile is healthy. During your checkup, Dr. Michel will be able to inspect every single tooth in your mouth, making sure there are no signs of decay or any other ailments. If we do happen to find a cavity or another form of decay, we will be able to fix them with tooth-colored fillings, making the repair as seamless as possible. Our talented and experienced hygienists will be able to remove tartar and plaque from your teeth, eliminating any sort of harmful bacteria there may be that will prevent you from having a flawless smile. At the end of your checkup, your mouth feels beautifully clean and your oral health is back on track!

If you are due for your dental checkup and would like Dr. Michel’s help, contact us today and make an appointment!

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Do you know the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?

March 17, 2014

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 6:13 pm

Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Snoring alone can be disruptive and a nuisance. Snoring + sleep apnea can be life threatening.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that temporarily causes breathing to be suspended during sleep. A physical obstruction happens in the airway which limits the amount of oxygen needed to reach the lungs. In the process of attempting to breathe again due to the obstruction, loud snoring or choking noises are heard.

The oxygen deprivation momentarily awakens a person from sleep. The cycle of waking and falling back to sleep is repeated a few times or hundreds of times throughout the night. The lack of oxygen can have long-term damaging effects such as the development of: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, pre-diabetes and diabetes and depression.

The airway obstruction is actually collapsing tissue in the back of the throat. This can be a result of the muscles of the upper airway relaxing during sleep. In “back sleepers” gravity can sometimes cause the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway as well. In both situations the airway is narrowed or completely obstructed.

Snoring happens when the extra tissue in the back of the throat vibrates during the flow of breathing which produces the sounds of snoring. It is estimated that about 50% of people snore at some point during their lives. Snoring can be heredity and can increase as age advances. Occasional congestion from cold or allergies may also cause snoring.

Many people with sleep apnea suffer from issues of chronic fatigue, lack of concentration or focus. These are due to “unrestful” sleep resulting from the body unconsciously and repeatedly being awakened during the night because of the struggle for oxygen.

If you are unsure if the snoring you hear from a loved one is sleep apnea, look for correlating indicators such as excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping during sleep, pauses in breathing, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, moodiness, irritability or depression and possibly frequent trips to the bathroom at night.

Testing for a sleep breathing disorder is critical to getting a loved one on the path of better health. If you or someone you know experiences any of the other symptoms or indicators that may suggestion the play of sleep apnea, please contact us immediately for help.

Remember that while snoring is annoying, sleep apnea is life threatening.

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Make Your Smile Perfect with Cosmetic Bonding!

March 10, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Restorative Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, restorative dentistry, Topeka — docmichael @ 6:23 pm

Like everything in life, things are susceptible to wear and tear. Whether your favorite shirt gets a stain or your car’s tires need to be rotated, all things go through life’s little knocks, and it is important to make sure you take care of those things. Believe it or not, your smile is no different. A few chips here and a stain there can really start to take its toll on your smile, and you may think there is nothing you can do about it. Luckily, Dr. Michael Michel is able to give her patients a new smile with the help of cosmetic bonding.

Cosmetic bonding is simple yet highly effective, as it gives you the ability to have a seamless smile in nearly no time at all! Cosmetic bonding can help those who have misaligned, misshapen, chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth, making it one of the easiest and most convenient ways to transform your smile. It works by mixing a bonding liquid and a plastic resin, then placing it on your teeth. Once the bonding is set via a light, Dr. Michel will smooth and polish it to look like your natural tooth! At the end of the procedure, you are left with nothing but a flawless, beautiful smile!

One of the benefits to cosmetic bonding is the fact it can restore the confidence you may have lost feeling insecure about your smile. When you are not completely confident in your smile, you may find it hard to be around others or make a memorable first impression. With this simple procedure, you will be able to be secure in the fact that your smile is faultless, and you will never second guess yourself again! If you are interested in cosmetic bonding and how Dr. Michel is able to help, call our office and we will be more than happy to assist you!

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Let Porcelain Veneers Transform Your Smile

February 20, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry Dr. Michel, cosmetic dentistry Topeka, Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, porcelain veneers, Topeka, Topeka dentistry — docmichael @ 9:06 pm

Minor chips, cracks, and misalignments in your smile can be a difficult thing to live with. Your teeth go through life’s hard knocks, and can become discolored and damaged. Many people consider a smile is a first impression, and if you do not feel confident about your smile, it can really have a negative effect on how you see yourself. Luckily, Dr. Michael Michel is able to transform your smile with the help of porcelain veneers.

The process of porcelain veneers begins with a consultation with Dr. Michel. There, he will be able to get a good look at your smile, and ask you about your long-term goals. Also, during the consultation, you will be able to express any questions or concerns you may have regarding the procedure. When it comes time to apply your porcelain veneers, Dr. Michel will prepare your natural tooth by removing a small amount of enamel. Your custom-made veneers will be applied, and made permanent with dental resin cement. At the end, you are left with a beautiful, flawless smile!

One of the benefits of porcelain veneers is that they are stain resistant. You won’t have to worry about having that extra cup of coffee or glass of red wine, as your smile will always be dazzling. Also, with proper care and maintenance, your porcelain veneers can last up to ten years! If you have any questions on how Dr. Michel can help with your journey to porcelain veneers, make an appointment and we’d be glad to help!

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Straighten Your Smile with Invisalign

February 6, 2014

Filed under: Orthodontics — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Invisalign, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, orthodontics, Topeka, Topeka dentistry — docmichael @ 9:04 pm

If you have gapped or misaligned teeth, you may find it difficult to feel confident in your smile. Although it may not seem like a big deal to some, having an uneven smile can really take a hit on your self esteem. if you do want to straighten your smile, you may think your only option is traditional braces and having a mouth full of metal. Thankfully Dr. Michael Michel is able to help your smile with Invisalign Clear Braces!

Invisalign is a revolutionary piece of orthodontics, as it straightens your teeth while being barely visible on your teeth! Your Invisalign journey begins with a consultation with Dr. Michel. He will be able to assess your smile in its current state, and you two will develop a game plan with straightening your smile. He will make impressions of your mouth, and send those impressions to a dental lab for your custom aligners to be made.

Through the series of aligners, your smile with gradually straighten without the need for wires and brackets. Also, there is not as much pain associated with Invisalign, as the aligners gently straighten your smile. Another benefit to Invisalign is that they give you the option to be discreet. The embarrassment and teasing some may worry about with traditional braces is erased, because the aligners are barely visible on your teeth. Also, you will experience better oral health with Invisalign, because whenever you need to brush, floss, eat, or drink, you simply remove the aligner then reapply it when you’re finished! If you’re curious about how Dr. Michel can help you with Invisalign, make an appointment to discover a straighter smile!

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Take Care of Your Gums with Periodontal Therapy

January 22, 2014

Filed under: Preventive Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, gum disease, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, periodontal treatment, Topeka, Topeka dentistry, Topeka preventive dentistry — tntadmin @ 6:33 pm

With over 80% of the population living with some form of gum disease, chances are you may be living with it as well and not even be aware of it! Though it may not seem like a big deal, severe stages of gum disease can affect multiple areas of your body, putting you at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, tooth loss, bone loss, and much more. Healthy gums and healthy teeth go hand-in-hand, and Dr. Michael Michel stresses the magnitude of periodontal therapy for a healthier you!

It may seem scary, but the good thing is that gum disease is completely reversible if taken care of early. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Michel will be able to get a comprehensive look at your smile and assess the current state of your gums. He will perform routine scaling and root-planing, that way we are able to remove plaque and tartar as well as the bacteria along your gum line.

There are things you can do to keep that clean feeling lasting even after you leave our office. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day, preferably between meals, is a simple yet effective way of having excellent oral health. Also, be sure to invest in an antibacterial mouthwash. Though brushing and flossing your teeth definitely removes bacteria, the mouthwash is able to reach all the small corners the toothbrush didn’t get.

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Brighten Your Smile with Teeth Whitening

January 8, 2014

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, teeth whitening, teeth whitening Dr. Michel, teeth whitening topeka, Topeka, Topeka cosmetic dentistry, Topeka dentistry — tntadmin @ 6:31 pm

Have you ever heard the expression “There’s more than one way to skin a horse”? Well, that saying definitely applies when it comes to whitening your teeth! Because a new year just began, you may want to treat yourself to the teeth whitening you’ve been letting fall to the waist side. Luckily, Dr. Michael Michel and his talented team are here to make sure you welcome the New Year with a brighter, fresher smile!

There are two ways you can take advantage of our teeth whitening service. The in-office teeth whitening experience can brighten your smiles up to 8 shades lighter in a single visit! We will apply a special bleaching gel on your teeth, and the gel permeating the enamel and dentin of your teeth, whitening it. The whole procedure is done while you relax and unwind in our comfortable treatment chair. To make the results last longer, simple at-home maintenance can be done!

With the take-home teeth whitening, we will make bleaching trays designed specifically for you. All you have to do is put the bleaching gel into the tray, and wear them whenever and wherever you want. It will take between 10 to 14 days to see the results, but there’s no doubt you’ll love them!

If you feel as though Dr. Michel can help you brighten your smile, make an appointment at our Topeka office, and we’ll be more than happy to help!

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Mr. Michel Can Help With Your TMJ Pain

December 26, 2013

Filed under: TMJ Therapy — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, TMJ dysfunction, tmj therap dr. michel, tmj therapy michel dental, Topeka, Topeka dentistry — tntadmin @ 9:33 pm

If you suffer from TMJ, temporomandibular joint, pain, you definitely are not alone. Millions of people suffer from TMJ pain, but they either deal with it or do not think anything will be able to help them with their pain. Luckily, Dr. Michel will be able to help you find relief in your TMJ pain.

The temporomandibular joint is located where the skill meets the lower jaw. There are many causes for TMJ pain like arthritis, teeth grinding, and the joint itself. Many people complain of earaches or are not able to fully open their mouths. When giving your treatment, the doctor may think wearing a mouth guard will help. The mouth guard helps your TMJ pain by preventing your teeth from grinding and clenching your jaw, which is very important. Dr. Michel will evaluate your jaw, and figure out the best way to give you treatment. Because every mouth is different, so should the mouthpieces. Dr. Michel will make impressions of your mouth for your customized mouth guard to be made.

Another form of treatment for TMJ pain is by performing jaw exercises. Over time, the exercises will give you the ability to control your jaw muscles, ceasing the clenching.

If you feel as though Dr. Michel is able to help you with you TMJ pain, make an appointment at our office, and begin to experience pain relief as soon as possible.

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Tooth-Colored Fillings at Michel Dental

December 11, 2013

Filed under: Restorative Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Dr. Michel Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, tooth-colored fillings, Topeka, Topeka dentistry — tntadmin @ 9:31 pm

There is no doubt people are very particular about how they want their smile to look. After all, a smile is a first impression, and you want to make the best first impression possible. At Michel Dental, we are here to make sure your smile looks exactly the way you want it to, which is why we offer tooth-colored fillings for our patients. We know this will be a great way for you to feel confident in your smile again!

There are many reasons why people choose tooth-colored fillings. One of the more popular reasons is because tooth-colored fillings help you avoid the look of having a mouth full of metal. Many people want a more natural look when it comes to their dental work, and tooth-colored fillings are able to give you just that. The important aspect about fillings is the fact that it saves your tooth. When there is a cavity or decay, Dr. Michel removes the decay and fills the space with your desired filling. If not treated in the proper amount of time, the problem can worsen, even leading to bone loss.

If you aren’t proud of your smile, it can completely alter the way you interact with people and how you view yourself. There is no doubt our experience team is able to restore your confidence and bring your smile to the next level. If you’re interested in tooth-colored fillings, contact our office and will be happy to help you on your journey of dental health!

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