Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Sedation

If it has been years since you have visited a dentist or if you are fearful of going to see a dentist we may have just the solution for you, sedation dentistry.  With a small pill you are able to relax comfortably while your treatment is being completed.  Often in just one visit.

So, what does your smile say about you? 
Does it say "I'm confident and happy" ...or

Does it say "I'm embarrassed and uncomfortable"?

I want you to ENVISION your ideal smile.  What would that look like?  I'm guessing that it would include straighter, whiter and brighter teeth.  Right?

Your vision can happen!!  I know what I have mentioned is a little scary but I also know that some of you out there will have the courage to call the office to schedule that NO CHARGE Consultation you have been putting off for forever.  Come meet the Envision Dental Team today!!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Pregnancy and Oral Hygiene

What does Oral Hygiene and Pregnancey have to do with one another?

While Pregnancy can be a very exciting time in your life there are a lot of different changes taking place in your body and in your mouth as well. Good oral hygiene is very important during pregnancy because of the increase in hormone levels that can cause dental problems to be intensified.

During pregnancy one of the most common dental issues is a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. This is a condition that usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. The symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis usually include bleeding, red, tender and swollen gums.

Maintaining good oral health could also be very important to your unborn baby. Some research has suggested that the serious stage of gum disease know as periodontitis, could cause premature birth and low birth weight.

The following tips can help you achieve and maintain good oral health throughout your pregnancy.

* Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. This is the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.

* Brush your teeth properly at leat two times per day to remove plaque, focusing on the gumline.

* Floss your teeth daily. Flossing will remove food and debris from in between the teeth reaching areas that a toothbrush will not reach.

* Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help prevent gingivitis.

* Brush or scrape your tounge daily to help remove bacteria. Tongue scrapers can be found near the toothbrushes in your local drug store.

* Eat nutritious meals and healthy snacks. Remember that foods like cereal and crackers are carbohydrates and turn to sugar...that means more risk for cavities so at least rinse with water after eating these foods!

You now have the information to protect your oral health so sit back, relax and enjoy this special time in your life.

(Lynne, your hygienest at ENVISION Dental would love to help you achieve your optimum oral health).

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

P.G.A. Tour

I am so excited to share with you the latest news about Makkar Pure Power Mouthguards(R). Remember back to the Super Bowl this year and how the New Orleans Saints were wearing mouth guards that helped to increase flexibility, strength, balance and endurance? Well, these amazing mouth guards are now helping thousands of athletes improve their performance in their own field-of-play, be it football, baseball, skiing, hockey, golf or ANY sport requiring physical exertion. Just this summer the PPM became the official mouthguard of the PGA tour. Visit the PPM web-site at Makkaradvantage.com to see more about the PPM and to read testimonials from different professional athletes.

The PPM(R) is a custom-fitted appliance offered to everyone through a PPM certified dentist like Dr. Berard. Call the office today and we will get you on your way to your BEST physical performance.

Kyle and Janet had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of local golfers at the 2010 Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing in Traverse City last month and sharing the advantages of the PPM. Ever heard of the "pen test"? It's how we can help determine if the PPM will help improve your performance. And it's fun too!!!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Now "I don't have any headaches!"

"For nearly 20 years I suffered from sometimes debilitating headaches. As the years went by the headaches became stronger and more frequent in nature. Diagnosed as migraines, cluster headaches and finally "facial pain of unknown origin", no treatment was able to reduce or eliminate my headaches or provide significant relief. My painful headache episodes, which often involved pain lasting more than 48 hours, could only be somewhat relieved by narcotic pain medication. After numerous trips to various doctors, including neurologists and other specialists, (and being subjected to) CAT-Scans, MRI and other diagnostic tools, no definitive causes were determined. It was finally recommended to me by an ENT specialist that I seek out a doctor of dentistry familiar with the latest techniques in neuromuscular dentistry.

Much to my relief, I was able to find Dr. Thomas Berard right here in Traverse City! After a consultation with Dr. Berard, where he explained that 80% of headaches are caused by an incorrect bite or muscle tension relating to TMD (tempormandibular disorder). I availed myself of his services, and the virtually painless process of identifying the specifics of my problem and creating an orthotic to treat it were completed. Despite my suspicions, after so many years of suffering, I'm incredibly grateful to have been absolutely 100% headache and pain free since just a week or so after beginning to wear my othotic device! Dr Berard's treatment has radically improved my quality of life and I would enthusiastically encourage anyone suffering from migraines or other headaches, who are not finding relief, to consult with Dr. Berard and his Team at ENVISION Dental."

"The simple fact is that I just don't have headaches anymore!!!!! It feels like a miracle..."
Brian B.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants

I notice teeth ALL the time because I work for and with a fabulous dentist! A healthy smile with attractive, natural looking teeth can give a person the confidence they really need at work, home and at play. Most of all, a great smile can give one the inner confidence they might otherwise be lacking.

Think about all the make-over shows that you see. Before the "big change" people either smile with their hand hiding their mouth or they don't smile at all. Imagine going your entire life without smiling for real! Or, maybe you have had a beautiful smile and a tooth is lost because of an accident. That can really do a number on your confidence level.

Modern dental implants help thousands of people regain their beautiful smiles and regardless of the cause of a lost tooth or teeth, dental implants can be a simple and lasting solution for restoring teeth. Missing teeth should be replaced for a number of different reasons. Even one missing tooth can lead to the loss of additional teeth and possibly even a change in your facial appearance. When a tooth is missing the adjacent teeth can collapse into the gap and the teeth in the opposing jaw can grow into the gap. When a tooth has been missing for a longer period of time there is often a loss of bone in the jaw.

A dental implant is an artificial root that serves as a replacement for missing teeth. Usually made of titanium, implants are biocompatible and do not trigger any allergic reactions. All-ceramic materials used in prosthetics are also 100% biocompatible.

Denture wearers rejoice!!! Dental implants may help eliminate some of the main problems you are facing with your dentures. Poor fit, gum irritation, pressure points, speech and taste impairment may be eliminated with dental implants. A removable prosthetic (denture) can be secured on two or more implants which help hold the denture securely in place...no more floating dentures!

What I am really trying to express to you is that dental implants really can change your life! Call Janet, Kyle, Lynne or myself to schedule a consultation with Dr. Berard and get started on a new fabulous smile.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Do You Suffer From Migraines or Headaches?

Kyle, Holly, Lynne and I have just returned from a 3-day seminar at The Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Training (LVI). The seminar gave us valuable new information on the latest treatments for headaches and migraines. We learned that 80% of headache and migraine sufferers can have their symptoms greatly reduced or totally eliminated through neuromuscular dentitry.

Sufferers are predisposed to headaches and migraines through increased muscle tension in the head and neck region. This tension is caused by an incorrect, unbalanced bite. There may be triggers to the pain such as certain foods, bright lights or even hormonal changes, however, these triggers would not cause the headches or migraines unless the underlying muscle tension was already present. It is my goal to get you out of pain and correct the problem so that you never have to experience the headaches again.

If you or someone you know is suffering from frequent headaches or migraines give me a call for a no-charge consultation. Just imagine living your life without the pain, frustration and sensitivity of head pain. If you suffer from any of the following issues I may be able to help resolve these symptoms as well...
* Jaw Pain or noise (clicking or popping)
* Limited mouth opening
* Ear Congestion (fullness, pressure)
* Vertigo (Dizziness)
* Tinnitus (Ringing or noise in ears)
* Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing)
* Sensitive Teeth (loose, tender or temperature sens.)
* Clenching or Grinding
* Dry Mouth (after sleeping)
* Facial Pain (non-specific)
* Cervical Pain (neck pain)
* Postural Problems
* Paresthesia of Finger Tips (tingling)
* Pain in Temples, Forehead or Shoulders
* Nausea
* Nervousness/Insomnia

A NOTE FROM KYLE
"I can't wait to go back for the next training!!!" That was the first thing I said to my husband when I returned from LVI. I had so much to talk about and was so excited about all the new information I brought back from the seminar. I am also super excited to put it all to use. I have suffered from migraines all of my life and on April 27th, just before we went to LVI, I was hooked up to the TENS unit (a machine to relax your facial/shoulder muscles) and the K-7 (a jaw tracking device). A few weeks later I received an orthotic, which I prayed would eliminate my headaches. Now a little over a month has gone by and I can honestly say I have not had ONE headache since I began wearing it. This applance has changed the way I live my life. I am blessed to have such an amazing and brilliant Doctor to work for. I can only hope you will take my word for it and come in to see all the wonderful ways, through Neuromuscular Dentistry, Dr. Berard and our team at ENVISION Dental can change the way you live your life!!!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Bone Builders and their potential effects...

Are you taking one of the bone building drugs such as Boniva(R), Fosomax(R), Actonel(R), or Anedia(R)? If you are then you should be aware of the possible negative effects on your oral health. One severe side effect linked to these drugs is osteonecrosis which is dying bone which effects the jaw.

Healthy adults who take the oral medicine have a very low risk of developing a jaw complication, however, if you are under IV administration of the drug or have other health complications such as chemotherapy, history of multiple mylenoma or Paget's disease you are at increased risk. It is critical to avoid Dental Surgery, Tooth Extractions, and Dental Infection regardless of whether you are taking the above mentioned drugs in oral or IV form.

In order to prevent dental infections careful routine dental cleanings are a must as well as excellent home care practices. Any removable appliances (Partial or Complete Dentures) should be checked regularly by your dentist to avoid sore spots.

If you or a loved one will be needing any IV treatment with one of these bisphosphanate drugs or with Chemotherapy, it is ideal to see your dentist for a thourough exam first. Any extensive procedures should be done prior to starting IV therapy.