Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA) has finally started to get widespread recognition as the deadly killer it can be. For many people suffering from this condition, it's equivalent to holding your breath for a few seconds every minute for hours on end. This puts an enormous amount of stress on your lungs, blood pressure, heart, and most notably your quality of sleep. Studies have proven that without the proper amount of REM sleep every night, you lose large amounts of cognitive ability when awake. Cardiac disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes have already been proven to be related to OSA, not including other conditions that haven't been studied in detail yet. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends a OSA sleep appliance for mild to moderate OSA treatment. However all appliances are not the same and can create additional problems with your oral health if your airway is not evaluated in detail with 3D imaging. Call us at Manoa Dental to schedule a consult with Dr. Keri Do to see how she treats OSA with non-invasive treatment.

Monday, April 27, 2020

Facial Profile

When looking for an office to place braces on your children, always check that they are not only worried about straightening teeth, but are encouraging facial development rather than inhibiting it. At Manoa Dental, Dr. Keri Do uses 3-D imaging to analyze your child's bone structure develop a a treatment that not only straightens their teeth, but guides their facial bone structure to grow naturally and beautifully as nature intended. It also helps lead the way for a more developed airway and Temporomandibular Joint(TMJ). You can call us for a consult to see how Dr. Do can help your child. 

Friday, April 24, 2020

Nutrition In Uncertain Times

Since we have been unable to dine-out similar to prior Covid-19 restrictions, I'm sure everyone's diet has changed quite a bit because more people are cooking at home and eating out less. It's still important to eat a balanced meal despite your limitations at cooking. Teeth and oral health are the most important decision makers as to what and how you can eat. The worst anxiety you could have is trying to decide what you can eat if it hurts to chew or that you are missing too many teeth to chew effectively. Dental implants can replace missing teeth with a natural feeling as if you never lost your original teeth. Call Dr. Keri Do or Dr. Malcolm Choy at Manoa Dental to see how they can help you chew normally again.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Shelter-in-Place complications

Since we spend all of our free time with our loved ones during these unprecedented times, it also provides the perfect opportunity to recognize if your loved ones are snoring or having trouble sleeping. Obstructive Sleep Apnea can afflict any age group or sex and snoring is a great indicator is someone will be susceptible to developing OSA later in life. However children can also feel the effects of OSA even at a young age. Symptoms include irritability and inability to concentrate, which are similar to other commonly diagnosed conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Dr. Keri Do and Dr. Malcolm Choy at Manoa Dental can help evaluate OSA and recommend the best treatment.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Symptoms of an Emergency

As a majority of people work from home or shelter in place, Manoa Dental is open for emergency treatment. You may also contact us if you have any questions whether whatever problems you may have could be labeled as an emergency. Typical symptoms that definitely need to be looked at include hot or cold sensitivity, swelling in or outside your mouth, throbbing pain, trouble sleeping from pain, or pain that lasts a long time. Dr. Keri Do and Dr. Malcolm Choy are available during this unprecedented time for new and continuing patients of their orthodontic, cosmetic, implant, and restorative treatments.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Universal Precautions for Infection Control

At Manoa Dental, we have always practiced universal precautions when doing infection control. It essentially means that when we sterilize and disinfect our office, we treat every patient with the potential of spreading a harmful infection or virus. This has always been our protocol and we have utilized increased precautions in this unprecedented societal change to combat Covid-19. Our daily routine includes increased infection control throughout the office including disinfecting door handles and counter tops outside of the treatment operatories. We take infection control extremely seriously to protect our patients and employees. Dr. Keri Do and Dr. Malcolm Choy are available for any treatment that may need attention.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Orthodontic Maintenance

Due to the current state of the world, we have had to temporarily make accommodations to a new normal daily life. Dr. Keri Do and Dr. Malcolm Choy will be available for emergencies and other treatment that should be addressed. Orthodontics is another procedure that also should be evaluated on a regular basis even during these troubling times. Orthodontic treatment, which usually involves braces, is originally created with a rigid schedule to achieve the best possible outcome in a timely manner. While maintenance appointments can be delayed, it is best to follow the original schedule as closely as possible since other major setbacks in treatment can occur without supervision. At Manoa Dental, we practice strict infection control protocols and have increased our attention to standards recommended by the CDC for our patients and employees safety.