Michel Dental's Blog

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.

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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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Create a Sensation Smile in Time for Summer

June 8, 2012

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Dr. Michel, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Topeka cosmetic dentistry, Topeka teeth whitening — tntadmin @ 8:21 pm

Summer is a time for family vacations, family reunions, and other major events, like weddings and get-togethers with friends. Because events like these often involve lots of pictures, if you’re embarrassed of your teeth, you might be dreading this summer more than you have to. All of which is why Dr. Michael Michel offers teeth whitening at his Topeka dental office.

Dazzling Results with Two Convenient Options

To help patients from Topeka and beyond achieve the whiter smile they’ve dreamed of, Dr. Michel offers two convenient options for patients to take advantage of—in-office and take-home whitening. Both can yield dramatically brighter results, but if you’re looking for an immediately whiter smile, you may want to consider in-office teeth whitening. After about one hour, in-office teeth whitening can have your teeth looking close to 10 times whiter than they did when you came in. In some cases, patients may experience some sensitivity afterwards, but if you want fast results, in-office teeth whitening may be for you.

For patients who aren’t in a hurry, though, or have experienced sensitivity in the past, why not talk to us about our take-home whitening option. With take-home teeth whitening, you can use custom-made bleaching trays and professional bleaching gel to help you achieve your goal in in a matter of days.

Are You Ready To Turn Your Smile Around?

If you’re ready to transform your smile with professional teeth whitening, call Dr. Michel’s Topeka office today. Dr. Michel serves patients from Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

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How Does Dr. Michel Diagnose TMJ Disorder?

May 15, 2012

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Michael Michel, Emporia, joint vibration analysis, Lawrence, Manhattan, Michel Dental, Topeka, Topeka tmd, Topeka tmj — tntadmin @ 7:30 pm

When you see your doctor for a diagnosis, one of the first things you want to know is how he or she is going to make that diagnosis. What kinds of tests will be needed? Will be they invasive or uncomfortable? And just as important, will they be trustworthy?

At Michel Dental in Topeka, Dr. Michael Michel uses joint vibration analysis to diagnose cases of TMJ disorder. Of all the way that TMJ disorder can be diagnosed, joint vibration analysis is one of the most comfortable and trustworthy, in addition to be non-invasive.

Here’s how joint vibration analysis works.

When you come to our Topeka office, Dr. Michel will slip something that looks like a pair of headphones over your head. They’re not headphones, of course—they’re actually sensors, and we’ll use them to measure how well your temporomadibular joints are functioning.

How?

By listening for friction between the bones and cartilage of your joints. As you open and close your mouth, these sensors will be listening for anything out of the ordinary that might indicate a problem. Once we’ve collected all the data we need, Dr. Michel can scrutinize it more closely and continue to screen you if necessary.

In all, joint vibration analysis takes only a few seconds to complete and has proven to be an effective means of screening and diagnosing patients. If you’re concerned that you might have a TMJ disorder, call Michel Dental today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michel. We serve patients from Topeka, Emporia, Lawrence, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.

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