Family Dentistry : Services : Weston

Family Dentistry at Stephen J Pyle, DDS serves as the first line of defense and detection for serious health problems like gum disease and oral cancer. A dental exam typically includes periodic x-rays where these problems can be spotted and appropriate action taken. Serious gum disease can contribute to heart disease and stroke making the dental exam even that much more important to a family member's overall health.

Family Dentistry…Did You Know?

When people think of family dentistry they most likely think dental exams, digital x-rays, teeth cleaning, extractions and teeth polishing. However today, a trained dentist like Dr. Pyle can offer can offer additional services that might surprise you:

• NTI Tension Suppression System. This is a custom fit dental appliance that patients can wear at night to significantly reduce migraine headaches and migraine associated stress headaches. Dr. Pyle was the first to offer this non-surgical, no-drug, no side effects therapy in Weston.
• Customized sports guards. If you or your children play a contact sport or a sport that could potentially result in a dental injury (like tennis or racquetball) Dr. Pyle can create a custom mouth guard for protection.
• Tooth colored fillings. This filling material looks and feels more natural and is an excellent alternative to traditional silver filling material.
• Dental hypnosis. Certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Dr. Pyle can put anxious patients at ease using dental hypnosis making the dental treatment process less stressful.
• Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances.  If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, Dr. Pyle can custom fit you for an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea ( rather than using a CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure – device.)

Family dentistry is an important part of your family's overall health care program. Regular dental examinations and maintenance can prevent major (and expensive) dental issues later on: read more

Cosmetic dentistry : Weston FL

Improving Your Quality of Life Through Cosmetic Dentistry

If you think cosmetic dentistry is a luxury, think again. How you perceive the appearance of your teeth can have a major impact on your self-confidence, self-image and how you interact with others. If you are completely confident in your smile…you'll smile more often and that can change the way people think about you.

Imagine having the confidence of a perfect smile when interacting with business associates or clients. You will engage in conversations more freely and you won't have that nagging worry about how you appear to others. Cosmetic dentistry is not a luxury; it is not an exclusive service for the rich and famous, it is a means to improve the quality of your life.

With Cosmetic Dentistry You Have Options

Over the years there have been significant advances both in the techniques and materials used in cosmetic dentistry. At our practice we have been providing cosmetic dentistry and bringing brighter smiles to patients in Weston, Sunrise and Plantation for over 25 years. The advances made during that time are absolutely stunning.

Here is a short list of the options available when creating a more attractive smile:

• Porcelain Veneers. An excellent alternative to crowns.
• Teeth Whitening. There are a variety of new products available for whitening teeth at home.
• Tooth Colored Fillings. You can eliminate the mouth full of silver look with tooth colored fillings that look natural.

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialty and you don't want to receive cosmetic dentistry care from any dentist other than one who has the training and experience to practice it.

If you have questions regarding the benefits of cosmetic dentistry or how it is performed, please contact our office and we will be happy to answer them: read more

Getting Kids ready for Back to School : Dental Care

Believe it or not summer is almost over and it is time to start thinking about getting your kids ready for back to school. Traditionally "back to school" supplies means clothes, notebooks, pens, backpacks and other school paraphernalia so your kids are good to go on day one. However, there is one item that is often overlooked and it can be the most important "tool" your kid will need in his or her scholastic year and that's good dental health.

 A back to school dental exam is a smart move and ensures that your kids are starting the school year without the distractions and potential pain that dental problems can cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tooth decay is the largest chronic infectious disease risk that your kids will face. Further, it is estimated that 19% of children 2 to 12 have undiagnosed tooth decay and that can lead to problems eating, speaking, focusing and generally leading a normal kid's life.

For a few tips courtesy of Dr. Stephen J. Pyle in Weston: Read more

Dental Anxiety - Weston Dental Blog

What is dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety is a fearful response to dentists and dental office visits.  About 75% of Americans experience some form of dental anxiety, most often mild apprehension.  However, for a smaller fraction, dental anxiety is much more serious.  Serious dental anxiety occurs in up to 10% of the population, and can lead to behavior such as difficulty making appointments, panic attacks, or extreme anxiety leading up to and during a dental appointment.

Why is dental anxiety problematic?

A person with severe dental anxiety may avoid dentists entirely.  Their teeth will decay without regular dental cleaning, which can result in pain, embarrassment, ugly teeth, bad breath, and most critically can lead to poorer general health.

What are common symptoms of Severe Dental Anxiety?

General panic symptoms are typically seen with Severe Dental Anxiety, including difficulty breathing, sweaty palms, racing heart, lightheadedness and feeling queasy.

How can Dental Anxiety be Managed?

One of the easiest and most effective ways is to learn relaxation techniques, such as breathing or meditation, which can help relax them during an appointment.  A similar option that we make available to our Weston Area dental patients is dental hypnosis, which is very effective in relaxing a willing patient.

Just knowing that there is a problem can allow our dental staff to address phobias, such as by telling our patients what we are doing in each step, or avoiding a particular procedure if at all possible.  We can make arrangements for you to signal us to pause during treatment while you calm down and relax.  We also offer other relaxation aids such as TVs and music and a beautiful salt-water living reef aquarium in our state-of-the-art Weston dental location: Read More

Dental Care at Summer Camp | Weston Dental Blog

How can I ensure that my child’s teeth stay healthy while they are away at camp over the summer?

The best way to keep your child’s teeth healthy over the summer is to make sure they follow the same good dental habits they do at home.  Remember to pack them a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, and remind them that just because they not at home doesn’t mean they do not have to take care of their teeth.

In addition, many camps allow you to pack your child a meal or snacks. Nuts, fruits, cheese and crackers, and seed mixes are not only healthy, but also much better for your child’s teeth than a sugary packaged snack would be.  If your child is not yet using products containing Xylitol, now would be a good time to start.

Why Xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in various fruits, berries, and vegetables. Studies have found that Xylitol promotes oral health, and is also thought to promote the repair of damaged enamel.   Xylitol is available in both gum and candies.   So when your child is eating at camp and a toothbrush is not readily available, chewing Xylitol gum is the next best alternative to brushing after the meal.

Mouth Protection

Finally, many summer camps (especially sports camps) involve a lot of strenuous physical activity.  All of this provides plenty of opportunities for a mouth injury.  If you know that your child’s camp will involve sports or other demanding activities, consider getting a mouth guard. Mouth guards prevent a variety of injuries, including jaw damage, loose or knocked out teeth, cuts in the mouth, and can even protect braces.  

We advise our Weston area dental patients that with a little thoughtful preparation, they can prepare their children to have both a fun time at summer camp, as well as insure that their teeth stay healthy! : Read More

Getting the Facts about Dental X-Rays

What are Dental X-Rays?

Dental X-Rays are X-Rays used by dentists to examine your mouth and teeth.  These X-Rays can be used to check for cavities, bone loss, and tissue masses, cysts, or tumors, as well as to examine the jaw and jaw joints.   X-Rays can also be used to examine new teeth (in children, or wisdom teeth) and tooth damage that cannot be seen just by looking in the mouth.  Dental X-Rays are generally useful for monitoring the state of your oral health, and are good at detecting oral health issues early before they become major problems.

What are the different types of Dental X-Rays?

There are several different types of Dental X-Rays, each of which focus on different parts of the mouth.

Periapical X-Rays focus on showing an entire tooth, including the tip of the root and the surrounding bone structure.

Panoramic X-Rays give a quick overview of the whole mouth, including the jaw and nasal area, but are not as detailed as other types.

Occlusal X-Rays are used to view either the floor or roof of the mouth.

Bitewings are a type of X-Ray that show the tops of the upper and lower back teeth and how they fit together.  They reveal cavities between the teeth and bone level around the back teeth.

How often should I have Dental X-Rays?

On average, an adult patient should receive bitewing X-Rays every 1 to 3 years.  However, this frequency is based on a variety of factors.  Younger children and teens need bitewings more frequently; children should receive bitewings every 1 to 2 years, and teens every 1 to 3 years.  Adults with a history of tooth decay are at higher risk of continued tooth decay, and so should also receive bitewings more frequently, with the exact frequency to be determined by your dentist.  For more information, visit our website at http://www.firstwestondentist.com

What is TMJ disorder and TMD? | Weston Dental Blog

What is TMJ disorder and TMD?

The Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs) are the joints in your jaw. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD, also frequently called TMJ disorder) refers to a number of possible problems that can arise within the TMJ or surrounding area. Low level TMDs may affect a large percentage of the population – up to 50% in one study. In some cases, TMDs can become severe, leading to chronic pain and limiting the movement of the joint. According to a recent survey, up to 9 million Americans suffer chronic pain from TMJ disorders.

What are symptoms of TMDs (TMJ disorders)?

Since TMDs are a family of problems, there are a large variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include clicking or popping noises coming from the jaw joints, pain in the jaw or nearby regions (face or neck), difficulty opening the mouth fully, a sticking or locking sensation in the jaw, or a feeling of discomfort when biting or pressing teeth together. Some forms of TMD can also cause headaches or earaches.

What are causes of TMDs (TMJ disorders)?

TMDs are generally caused by damage or misalignment of the joints and muscles in the jaw area. Accidents and sports injuries are one way this can happen. TMDs can also develop gradually, such as by grinding or clenching the teeth chronically, arthritis, or a misaligned jaw which receives stress when chewing. Diseases or substances (such as nicotine) that effect muscles can also cause TMDs to develop.

How are TMDs (TMJ disorders) diagnosed and treated?

If we suspect TMD in one of our Weston area dental patients, we will first look at X-rays of the jaw, and examine the patient’s bite action and jaw muscles. Further tests may then be needed to narrow down the severity and exact type of TMD. There are a variety of treatments for TMDs; one common treatment is to 'rest' the jaw by minimizing chewing and jaw motion, often involving a soft or liquid diet. Another option is to add a piece of plastic known as a bite splint to the teeth, which adjusts the way teeth fit together in order to minimize stress on the TMJ. Treatment is generally effective – the vast majority of cases treated by licensed dentists result in reduced or eliminated symptoms.

If you feel that you may have a TMJ disorder based on the symptoms you are experienced, please contact our Weston area dental office to make an appointment for a TMJ disorder assessment.