Michel Dental's Blog

Restore Decay in a Beautiful Way With Tooth-Colored Fillings

March 15, 2013

Last time, we talked about cosmetic restorative dentistry and the variety of treatments we have available to help make your smile both beautiful and healthy. Today we’re going to discuss one of those treatments in more detail: tooth-colored fillings.

Fillings are used to restore your teeth and repair the damage from cavities and decay. If your fillings are dark or made of metal, you may not be satisfied with your smile. At , we offer tooth-colored fillings so that we can restore your teeth and keep them looking natural and beautiful.

Tooth-colored fillings use composite resin to help restore your teeth. Since this is a metal-free material, we can match it to your natural teeth color, so that no one will be able to tell you had any work done at all. Also, the bond between the composite material and your tooth will help to strengthen it and help protect against future damages. We try and practice conservative dentistry, so the more natural tooth structure you are able to keep, the healthier your teeth will be.

If you have decayed teeth or have dark colored fillings, tooth-colored fillings are a great solution for your smile. Give us a call to see how simple this can be. We want all our patients to have beautiful smiles that make them happy.

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.

Comments Off

Cosmetic Restorative Dentistry from Dr. Michel

February 26, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic restorative dentistry, Dr. Michel, Emporia, Michel Dental, restorative dentistry, Topeka — tntadmin @ 3:54 pm

It is important that your teeth are both beautiful and functional. Cosmetic restorative dentistry from Dr. Michel is a great way to ensure this. We will repair damage and restore your teeth, while also ensuring that your smile looks attractive as well.

Dr. Michel focuses on your smile as a whole and thus views cosmetic and restorative dentistry as being interconnected. He feels that all restorative dentistry should also help to improve the appearance of your teeth, as well as repairing the damage that brought you into the office originally.

We offer a variety of cosmetic restorative dental services, including the following:

No matter what your smile needs, we’re here to get your smile functional and looking beautiful. We offer services such as tooth-colored fillings that blend the restorative with the cosmetic. Not only will any damage or decay to your teeth be restored, but it will be performed in an esthetically pleasing manner.

If cosmetic restorative dentistry sounds like something you’d be interested in, give us a call to schedule a consultation and learn more. We want all our patients to have a healthy and beautiful set of teeth.

Comments Off

Endodontics and Root Canals in Topeka, KS

February 12, 2013

Filed under: Endodontics — Tags: Dr. Michel, Emporia, endodontics, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, Michel Dental endodontics, Michel Dental root canal therapy, root canal therapy, Topeka — tntadmin @ 3:54 pm

Here at Michel Dental, we also practice endodontics. This is a special type of dentistry that focuses on the inside of your tooth. This is a soft, sensitive area and can cause you discomfort to alert you that something is wrong. A root canal is a common form of endodontic dentistry.

The inside portion, or pulp, of your tooth is soft, sensitive, and surrounded by a hard protective enamel. When decay or damage weakens your tooth, it makes it possible for bacteria to travel through to the soft pulp inside and cause an infection. You will know if your tooth is infected because it will be painful as there are a lot of nerves in the inner portion of your tooth.

If your tooth is infected, it can be treated using endodontics. The sooner it’s treated, the better, because if ignored the infection could spread and result in you losing a tooth or bones.

Dr. Michel will treat your infected tooth with root canal therapy to remove the infected portion of your tooth and fill it with a biocompatible material to help prevent further infections. Finally, it will be capped with a crown to help protect against future infection and leave you with a strong, healthy tooth. We try our best to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for our patients.

If you have a pain in your tooth, you could need root canal therapy. Please call our office to learn more and to schedule your appointment for endodontic dentistry.

Comments Off

Living in a fog

November 26, 2012

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 2:53 pm

Most people can differentiate between sunny, rainy or foggy days. However for almost 15% of adult Americans who live with untreated sleep apnea, the days can start to blend into one and another and
all seem foggy. Each day is a struggle — with energy, focus, stamina, health, memory, relationships, work, nutrition, fitness, and so on. Many times these individuals feel drained and are left with an overwhelming feeling of muddling through each day. As a result, this can leave little room for anything more, let alone a spirit of thankfulness.

When a person’s daily ambition is to “just get through the day”, it is tough to feel thankful. It can also be hard to accept what your loved ones are saying about your sleeping patterns and chronic snoring. However, if you have people in your life who care for you enough to address a potential problem, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. Knowing that someone has witnessed your breathing stopping at night, could be the first step in saving your life.

Struggling to breathe at night is a sure sign that there is something very wrong. Snoring (excessively) can also be a significant indicator to sleep apnea. The good news is, a potential problem has been identified and you can do something about it to be on your way to better health.

What you also should know is that you are not alone. We mentioned how many Americans are estimated to have sleep apnea but did you know that almost 85% of that group remains undiagnosed?
It’s time to be thankful for the awareness of a potential problem and that you perhaps have people in your life that really care for you.

As long as we’re making a list of things to appreciate, let’s talk about treatment options. Thank goodness for options! For many people, CPAP therapy is great solution. For others, an oral appliance is terrific option and has been proven to be very successful for people. (What’s even better is that oral appliances make traveling a breeze.) Weight loss can also help tremendously. In addition, surgery is sometimes an option for certain people.

Now that we’ve discussed the foggy state of perpetual exhaustion from untreated sleep apnea, coming
out of that fog, and reflecting on what to be thankful for, take a look at this simple French definition we came across for the word gratitude. “Gratitude = a lively sense of future benefit.” If we can contemplate thankfulness from this perspective, we can start to see how someone’s future can highly benefit from
taking the next steps to achieving better health — testing and treatment.

If you or someone you know exhibit signs of sleep apnea, such as daytime fatigue and/or chronic snoring, call our office today for an appointment. If loved ones express their concern with your sleeping patterns and snoring, THANK THEM and seek testing immediately. Sleep apnea can be a life threatening sleep breathing disorder that should not be ignored.

Comments Off

Get Your Smile Ready for the Holidays with Dr. Michael E. Michel

October 31, 2012

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry,Sleep Apnea — Tags: cosmetic dentist, restorative dentistry, sleep apnea therapy Topeka, Topeka dentist — tntadmin @ 6:15 pm

Cracked a tooth on some Halloween candy? Lost your dentures while bobbing for apples? Just need a cleaning for that sweet tooth of yours? Dr. Michel can help, just in time for the holidays!

Get ready to smile again for all those pictures you’ll take with your family and friends. Greet your loved ones with confidence! Whether you want your teeth straightened or whitened, we can help. From porcelain veneers to crowns and fillings, eat that turkey and pumpkin pie with confidence and ease. If you have crooked or oddly-spaced teeth, you don’t have to wait a whole year with porcelain veneers. With only two or three appointments, you can be finished. Yes, it’s that easy.

If you’re interested in whitening, Dr. Michel offers two convenient options for patients: you can either have your procedure done in the office or you can take it home and do it yourself. Want fast results? Consider in-office teeth whitening. It only takes an hour and you can have your teeth looking close to ten times whiter than before. For patients who aren’t in a hurry or have experienced sensitivity in the past, consider our take-home whitening option. With take-home teeth whitening, you can use custom-made bleaching trays and professional bleaching gel. In only a few days, you can reach your goal of a brighter, cleaner smile!

And remember, Michel Dental can also help if you have sleep apnea or snoring issues. If you’re afraid your snoring will wake all the relatives up at your house, Dr. Michel can introduce you to the Oasys Sleep Snoring Device. Your custom-made Oasys Sleep Snoring Device repositions your lower jaw or your tongue to keep those airways open throughout the night. Say goodbye to snoring and breathing problems caused by sleep apnea. You, and everyone around you, will appreciate it.

Call Michel Dental today to find out how Dr. Michel and our team can help with your various needs. We specialize in cosmetic restorative and preventative dentistry, TMJ therapy, as well as endodontics and periodontics. We happily serve patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

Happy Holidays!

Comments Off

How to Choose the Right Mouthwash for Your Needs

September 12, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, mouthwash, Topeka — tntadmin @ 7:00 am

When it comes to home care, brushing and flossing are what you hear about the most, while the topic of mouthwash rarely gets mentioned. As a result, you may think rinsing with mouthwash isn’t all that important. Or, just as possible, maybe you know it’s important but you just don’t know what kind is right for you.

Today, we’d like to address both of these positions and offer some advice on what to look for the next time you’re in the oral hygiene aisle of your local grocery story or pharmacy.

First, is using a mouthwash important?

The answer to that question will vary with every person, but broadly speaking, the answer is yes. An antibacterial mouthwash can give your smile extra protection from bacteria, plaque, and gingivitis. That doesn’t mean rinsing with a mouthwash should ever a substitute for brushing and flossing, but it does mean that patient who brush and floss daily can enjoy extra protection for their smile with a mouthwash.

Second, what kind is right for you?

As we just mentioned, an antibacterial mouthwash supports daily brushing and flossing. But not every mouthwash on the market was designed to meet the same need. Some are made only to hide bad breath, while others use fluoride to strengthen teeth. Still others are meant to combat dry mouth symptoms, sensitivity, or teeth stains. So the key to choosing the right mouthwash is knowing what your needs are and keeping your eyes wide open as you shop.

And don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Michel or another member of our Michel Dental team for a recommendation. We would be happy to help you find the right mouthwash. Call us today with your questions or to reserve an appointment with us. We serve patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

Comments Off

A New School Year Means It’s Time for a Back-to-School Checkup

August 29, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Emporia, general dentistry, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, Topeka — tntadmin @ 7:59 pm

In many parts of the country, school has already started or is just around the corner. That makes now a busy time for children and their parents, especially when it comes to buying new clothes for the fall or stocking up on school supplies. But as busy as this time is, if you’re a parent, now is still a great time for you to schedule a back-to-school checkup for your child with Michel Dental.

Why Is Now a Good Time for a Back-to-School Checkup?

Despite how busy life is now, the next few months are likely to get busier. With homework and school projects competing against extracurricular activities like sports or theater, finding a free moment to bring your child in to Michel Dental can be almost impossible.

But right now, with the school year just starting, time is not as scarce as it might soon be.

What Happens During a Back-to-School Checkup?

A back-to-school checkup at Michel Dental is just like any other regular checkup. Besides including a comprehensive oral exam, Dr. Michel and his Topeka team will also give your child’s smile a professional cleaning. And if we need to, we can recommend a follow-up service to treat things like cavities, gum disease, or any other common oral health condition.

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment Today

Don’t wait any longer to schedule your child’s back-to-school checkup. Call Michel Dental today. Dr. Michel proudly serves patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

Comments Off

Effective Relief from Sleep Apnea and Snoring

July 31, 2012

Filed under: Sleep Apnea — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, sleep apnea, snoring, Topeka — tntadmin @ 7:16 am

Does snoring or sleep apnea keep you or your partner from enjoying a restful night of sleep? At Michel Dental, we hate to see any of our patients struggle with such a common but underdiagnosed problem. So to help our patients in the Topeka area overcome snoring and sleep apnea, Dr. Michel offers treatment with the patented Oasys Sleep Snoring Device.

You may be wondering, though, why—not to mention how—the Oasys Sleep Snoring Device treats sleep apnea and snoring?

The reason is simple: sleep apnea and snoring often go hand-in-hand. There are always exceptions, of course, but many cases of sleep apnea are caused by the blockage of important airways, whether by the tongue or the lower jaw. The snoring sound we’re all so familiar with is a secondary result of this blockage, after trouble breathing.

A custom-made Oasys Sleep Snoring Device works by repositioning the lower jaw or tongue to keep airways open throughout the night, putting a stop to both the snoring and the breathing problems caused by sleep apnea.

Have you previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are in need of treatment? Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? Call Michel Dental today to find out how Dr. Michel and our team can help. We gladly serve patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan and beyond.

Comments Off

Enjoy a Straighter, Whiter Smile with Porcelain Veneers

July 26, 2012

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Michael Michel, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, porcelain veneers, Topeka — tntadmin @ 5:16 pm

If you’ve ever explored our website or visited our Topeka dental office then you may have heard of porcelain veneers. They’re currently one of the popular services of their kind, with patients everywhere turning to them for help enhancing their smiles. And while patients have all kinds of reasons for choosing them, we’d like to spend today’s post focusing on just two.

Reason #1

First, because of how porcelain veneers work, patients with crooked or oddly spaced teeth may want to consider porcelain veneers over braces. Imagine having a beautiful, straighter-looking smile in just two or three appointments instead of the year or more it can take to complete treatment with orthodontics. Porcelain veneers only affect front teeth, though, so before you decide for sure that porcelain veneers are what you want, we recommend letting Dr. Michel take a look at your smile. During a consultation appointment at our Topeka office, he can help you determine if porcelain veneers really are the best choice for you.

Reason #2

Patients who want a whiter smile but have been disappointed by the results of professional teeth whitening may also want to consider porcelain veneers. Even the most powerful whitening system available can have trouble cutting through certain stains, like the stains caused by a prescription medication. But with porcelain veneers, Dr. Michel can help his Topeka patients achieve a dazzlingly white smile, with no follow-up whitening appointments or touch-ups at home necessary.

Why Are You Considering Porcelain Veneers?

Do you have a different reason for considering porcelain veneers? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Call Michel Dental today to schedule your consultation appointment. Dr. Michel gladly serves patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and beyond.

Comments Off

Treat Gum Disease with Advanced Periodontal Therapies Like Arestin

June 25, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry,Preventive Dentistry — Tags: Arestin, Dr. Michael Michel, Emporia, gum disease, gum disease therapy, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, periodontal therapy, Topeka — tntadmin @ 2:04 pm

At Michel Dental, we want all our Topeka-area patients to have beautiful, healthy smiles. But for some patients, achieving that goal is more difficult than it is for others. That’s why Dr. Michael Michel has made it a priority to offer advanced periodontal care. Through effective, non-surgical gum disease treatment, we can help you reclaim your oral health and support overall health.

Advanced, Non-Surgical Care to Meet Your Needs

To meet the needs of our patients, Dr. Michel uses three effective means of treating gum disease:

Scaling
Root planing
Arestin

Each of these lets us target an aspect of gum disease, resulting improved health for you. Arestin in particular is an effective tool in the fight against periodontal disease.

Arestin is a concentrated antibiotic that Dr. Michel places directly where you need it. It uses microscopic, medicine-filled spheres to deliver treatment over a series of days, making it more effective than just a basic in-office treatment with scaling and root planing.

Are you interested in learning more about periodontal therapy from Michel Dental? Dr. Michel would be happy to answer your questions during a consultation visit. Call us today if you’d like to set up an appointment. Our office serves patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

Comments Off

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »