Bellevue Dentists Treat Painful Jaw Disorders

October 19, 2011 Comments { 1 }

At Bellevue, Washington’s Spektor Dental, it’s not just about filling cavities, promoting flossing and teeth whitening. Drs. Wendy and Michael Spektor also treat those who suffer from a lifetime of chronic jaw pain brought about by TMJ (also known to some as TMD).

If you have an aching jawbone, the two most likely suspects are Myofacial Pain Syndrome (MPS) or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD). Both of these conditions focus on the muscles of the jaw, with TMJ/TMD involving more than just the muscles.

In addition to pain, symptoms may include the inability to open your mouth wide — or at all. Chewing food is painful and ear pain is another symptom, as are teeth that don’t fit together properly. The causes of these ailments can vary, and include stress in the workplace and challenges in life.

Because TMJ/TMD and MPS are primarily muscle disorders, a resolution of the condition can take time. Relief may include
medication, oral exercises or wearing an oral appliance such as a bite protector or night guard to bed. If medications are prescribed, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs are the most popular remedy. In addition, many dental practices — including ours — treat TMJ/TMD patients with Botox to help the muscles to relax. In that regard, we endorse a conservative treatment.

But first, you need to be seen by your dentist, and if you happen to live or work in the Bellevue, Washington, area, that dentist could be Dr. Michael Spektor. A dental team like the one here at Spektor Dental can Continue Reading →

Comments { 1 } Categories: TMJ

Kids’ Sports Gear Should Include a Mouth Guard

October 14, 2011 Comments { 1 }

Anybody who has a child participating in organized sports worries about injuries brought about as a result of that sport. And it matters not whether it’s a contact sport like football or the less impactful activity like tennis. There’s always the threat of injury.

That’s why many dentists — as well as the American Dental Association — are firm believers in mouth guards as being invaluable in protecting against injuries to the mouth. These same dentists and the ADA also believe that a custom-made mouth guard is superior to the ones you can pick up at your local sports store.

For one thing, a custom-created guard fits better in your child’s mouth, which means they’ll be more comfortable — and which also means your young athletes are more likely to use them. Also, because they fit well, it’s more likely that the guard will remain in place, rather than Continue Reading →

Comments { 1 } Categories: Uncategorized

Your Overall Health is Tied to Dental Care

October 12, 2011 Comments { 0 }

Most of us know that a mouthful of healthy teeth, tissue and gums can be indicative of good overall health. We know, for example, that there is a bacterial component that links our oral health with the overall condition of our bodies.

Even under the best of circumstances, our mouths remain a bacteria factory, but when properly monitored, most of these bacteria are harmless. And they remain harmless as long as our body’s natural defenses are in good repair, and as long as we heed the warnings of our dentist.

You know what we’re talking about: We’re constantly nagging our patients to brush and floss and watch the sugar intake in our diets. It’s what we do best. And good oral care is what helps keep those bacteria reined in and harmless.

Things start to go bad fast when conditions change. Your oral health can be affected by a variety of physical conditions, ailments and Continue Reading →

Comments { 0 } Categories: Dental Warnings

Understanding Dental Implants

October 5, 2011 Comments { 0 }

Editor’s Note: We know a lot about dental implants, which is why the blog post you’re about to read provides a broad overview of what they are and why they’re necessary for some patients. Here at Spektor Dental, most of the implants we do are for patients who still have some or most of their own teeth. Still, if you’re interested in learning more about dental implants in general, you’ve come to the right place. In a future blog post, we’ll drill down deeper (pun intended) and cover the specific dental implant-related services we offer here at Spektor Dental.

If you have missing teeth, you want a dental procedure that results in a look and feel that is as close to your natural teeth as possible. Today, thanks to huge advances in dentistry, one consideration you should explore with your dentist is dental implants.

It wasn’t all that long ago that the go-to solution for gaps in your mouth were dentures, an alternative that left many patients saying they’d rather do without teeth at all. And while it’s true that modern dentures are much more comfortable than those of yesteryear, they can still be difficult to get used to at best and painful and uncomfortable at worst.

Dentures carved from hippopotamus ivory may have been fine for George Washington, but our first President was a tough old bird who was pretty used to being uncomfortable. His dentures were ill fitting, required constant attention and, at different points in his life, included cow and horse teeth and heavy springs fashioned into his dental paraphernalia.

Of course, that was several hundred years ago, yet while giant strides have been made in the evolution of dentures, you just don’t meet that many people who say they’re happy with theirs. Modern-day technology enables dentists to Continue Reading →

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What are my options on Teeth Whitening?

September 28, 2011 Comments { 0 }

Editor’s Note: In Part I of this series (see What To Expect During a Cosmetic Dental Consult), we discussed how important it is to have “the talk” with your dentist prior to the initiation of any dental procedures. The purpose of the aforementioned chat is to make sure you and your dentist are on the same page when it comes to your overall health and perfecting your smile. Today we’re going to talk about the color of your teeth. This discussion adds some additional information to a previous blog post on teeth whitening that you can find here: Top 10 Questions to Consider Before Whitening Your Teeth.

Maybe your teeth just need a simple whitening upgrade — a pick-me-up, if you will. We can think of at least five easy solutions to whitening, keeping in mind that whitening can affect the dentistry you already have as well. For instance, crowns, bridges, implants and some veneers cannot be whitened. So again, you’re going to have to have that discussion with your dental professional.

And you’re going to have to keep in mind that a little white goes a long way. Look at John Malkovich in Transformers 3. Now there’s a white, white smile that’s way off the charts!

Here are some options you have for whitening your teeth (there are all sorts of products out there, but these are the ones we recommend looking into and discussing with your dentist): Continue Reading →

Comments { 0 } Categories: Teeth Whitening

What To Expect During a Cosmetic Dental Consult

September 23, 2011 Comments { 0 }

Editor’s Note: In this two-part series, we want to be certain that you, our patient, understand that your overall health comes first AND you are comfortable with the procedures we employ to discover what it is that we can do to make your smile as bright as possible. Our first part discusses what we cover during your first visit for a cosmetic dental consult.

When you come see us for a smile evaluation, we like to sit down and discuss your general dental health and hear your thoughts on the future of your mouth. Obtaining — and maintaining — a beautiful smile is important to your overall health, and a good set of teeth instills confidence and a sense of wellbeing, which means our goal here at Spektor Dental is to make sure we’re all on the same page from the onset.

First, we look at your overall smile. Are your teeth aligned in a pleasing manner? Is your bite function correct? Do you have trouble eating? How about crooked teeth? Do they bother you? Would you benefit from orthodontics (either traditional appliances or Invisalign-see through braces)?

Since we work with orthodontists, a referral to a good orthodontist might be a good place to begin. These are specialists in tooth position. You can discuss options and possibilities with the orthodontist and decide if braces are a viable treatment option for you. A lot of times, braces are the Continue Reading →

Comments { 0 } Categories: Cosmetic dentistry

Top 10 Questions to Consider Before Whitening Your Teeth

September 21, 2011 Comments { 2 }

A decision to whiten your teeth in Bellevue, Wash., isn’t something you should take lightly. On the surface, tooth whitening might appear to be a quick and painless procedure that leaves you looking breathtakingly beautiful (or incredibly handsome). And on the surface, that assumption on your part is mostly correct.

It is an easy and pain-free event and it certainly shows remarkable results. In fact, you’ve probably got questions because you have friends or relatives who display the results of a tooth-whitening session and you’re impressed with their smiles.

Anyone’s who’s even had a fleeting thought of getting their teeth whitened has questions. That’s to be expected. To that issue, Spektor Dental’s own Dr. Wendy has come up with a list of the Top 10 questions every patient should ask her or the staff at Spektor Dental – or of whomever handles your dental-related needs – before consenting to a tooth-whitening process.

And this is a complete list of questions. Many of them center on the most important query, which is “Is my mouth ready for this procedure?” So when you set up an appointment for a consultation, bring along a copy of this list.

That being said, here is Dr. Wendy Spektor’s Top 10 questions to consider before getting your teeth whitened: Continue Reading →

Comments { 2 } Categories: Teeth Whitening

Dr. Wendy’s in the Running for KING5 TV Best Dentist Award

September 19, 2011 Comments { 0 }

Spektor Dental and Dr. Wendy Spektor are in the running for a KING5 Best of Western Washington award. The contest, which runs through Oct. 9, features more than 22,687 local businesses competing to be named best in 208 separate categories. This third annual competition is being put on by KING5 TV’s Evening Magazine segment.

Dr. Wendy is entered in the Best Dentist category, of course, and she’s starting to pick up some online votes from patients and peers through word of mouth. It’s easy to cast a vote, and there’s even room on the ballot to say something nice about Spektor Dental if you wish.

Voting is easy. Just go online to http://best.king5.com/wendy-spektor-dds/biz/496771?year=2011, and click on the yellow “Vote for us!” button. Our office appreciates the support, and who knows? Maybe this is the year we win!

Comments { 0 } Categories: Awards

Meet The Team: Spektor Dental Hygienist Tressie Oylear

September 16, 2011 Comments { 0 }

The Spektor Dental team player that we’re putting on a pedestal this week is Tressie Oylear, a dental hygienist for more than three decades who’s been working with us half that time. Tressie’s high energy and professionalism seems to fit right in with the atmosphere around here. And that’s just the way we like it.

Meet Tressie:

Spektor Dental: What did you do prior to coming to Spektor Dental?

Tressie Oylear:  During school breaks, I worked for a friend of the family who was an oral surgeon in downtown Seattle. I worked as his receptionist and later as his assistant. He encouraged me to become a dental hygienist like his daughter. That’s when I began taking the necessary prerequisites in order to apply for college.

Spektor Dental: Where did you go to college and what did you study as an undergrad?

TO: I entered the University of Washington right after high school and took generalized first- and second-year courses. Then I applied at Shoreline Community College because it was the leading hygiene school in Washington state. I graduated from there in 1979 and have been working in my field since. 

Spektor Dental: What attracted you to come to work at Spektor Dental?

TO: Fifteen years ago I was substituting in several offices and was called to work at Dr. Wendy Spektor’s center. I will never forget that first day. The office was Continue Reading →

Comments { 0 } Categories: Meet The Team

When It Comes to Your Teeth, Procrastination is a Nasty Word

September 14, 2011 Comments { 0 }

Taking care of your teeth and gums has been our primary goal and driving force since we first opened our doors here in Bellevue nearly three decades ago. And in order to accomplish this goal, our dentists and staff are constantly upgrading their own skills through education, seminars and workshops.

We continuously train in the use of the latest dental technologies and materials, discarding old techniques and practices that no longer benefit you, our patient. Likewise, we go to great lengths to educate our patients about dental care. We take the time to outline options for the various procedures we offer, and we help you determine which technique best fits your needs.

General dental treatments that we perform on a routine but thorough basis include maintenance dental cleanings, fillings of all sorts — including gum line fillings and tooth-colored fillings — as well as veneers and crowns. But along with these procedures, we offer comprehensive examinations; digital dental technology; periodontal screenings; deep periodontal cleanings; advanced periodontal treatment, which includes bone regeneration; dental gum recontouring; implants; and gum grafts.

Our professional staff includes Continue Reading →

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